Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 China launches new high-speed rail to southern border city, boosting tourism and connectivity Xinhua) 11:21, December 06, 2025 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. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) Laustralienne Lion Rock, boostee par lamericain Tronox, lance une campagne de plus de 1 000 forages sur un gisement prometteur en terres rares et mineraux critiques. Le sous-sol camerounais revele une nouvelle carte maitresse. Dans la region du Centre, sur le permis de Minta Est, la societe miniere australienne Lion Rock Minerals a donne le coup denvoi dun ambitieux programme dexploration qui pourrait changer la donne pour le secteur minier national. La junior prevoit de realiser plus de 1 000 forages sur une superficie initiale de 250 km. La cible nest pas banale : il sagit de traquer un assemblage de mineraux parmi les plus convoites et hautement valorises du marche. Au cur de cette quete, le rutile et le zircon, mais surtout la monazite et le xenotime, deux mineraux-phares gorges de terres rares strategiques, indispensables a la transition energetique et aux technologies de pointe. Les travaux preparatoires ont deja livre des resultats qui font tourner les tetes. Lion Rock rapporte la decouverte de sols alluvionnaires exceptionnellement enrichis en monazite, avec des teneurs record pouvant atteindre 74%. La presence significative de xenotime a egalement ete confirmee dans plusieurs cours deau. Grace a des techniques avancees danalyse, la source mere de ces tresors a ete identifiee : un granite enrichi en monazite , qui guide desormais la strategie de forage. Minta Est simpose comme une cible de rutile et de terres rares a tres haute valeur, enrichie en elements de terres rares lourds a haute valeur, tels que le dysprosium (Dy) et le terbium (Tb), ainsi quen samarium (Sm) eleve , affirme avec conviction Casper Adson, directeur general de Lion Rock Minerals. Le coup de pouce dun geant Cette acceleration spectaculaire est directement impulsee par lentree en scene dun poids lourd mondial. Tronox Holdings plc, leader du titane et des mineraux industriels, a jete son devolu sur le projet camerounais. Un partenariat strategique qui a deja permis a Lion Rock de securiser un financement robuste pour cette phase cruciale. Grace a la solidite de notre partenariat strategique avec Tronox, Lion Rock est entierement financee pour cette phase dexploration et bien positionnee pour continuer a realiser des decouvertes majeures , explique le directeur general. Concretement, Tronox a investi 8,6 millions de dollars australiens (environ 3,3 milliards de FCFA) via un placement prive, acquerant ainsi 5% du capital de la junior australienne. Un atout strategique pour le Cameroun Le projet Minta Est emerge a un moment charniere. Alors que la demande mondiale en minerais critiques explose, le Cameroun cherche activement a attirer les investissements pour valoriser son potentiel geologique. Avec son concentre de terres rares lourdes (dysprosium, terbium) et de mineraux industriels a forte valeur ajoutee, Minta Est se profile comme un actif de premier ordre. Il incarne la promesse dune diversification reussie du portefeuille minier national et place le Cameroun sur la carte des futures puissances minieres des metaux strategiques. Tous les regards sont maintenant braques sur les resultats des forages. Ils determineront si cette pepite theorique se confirme comme le gisement phare qui propulsera le Cameroun dans la cour des grands de la mine du XXIe siecle. Minta Est, Cameroun, exploration miniere, forages, terres rares, terres rares lourdes, monazite, xenotime, rutile, zircon, Lion Rock Minerals, Tronox, investissement minier, Centre Cameroun, mineraux critiques, dysprosium, terbium, samarium, partenariat strategique, geologie, ressources minieres. Minta Est: Cameroon's Shining Gem Attracts Global Mining Giants Australian junior Lion Rock, backed by American giant Tronox, launches 1,000+ drill program targeting high-value rare earths and critical minerals. Cameroon's subsurface is revealing a new trump card. In the Centre region, on the Minta Est permit, Australian mining company Lion Rock Minerals has launched an ambitious exploration program that could be a game-changer for the national mining sector. The junior plans to carry out more than 1,000 drill holes over an initial area of 250 km. The target is extraordinary: hunting for an assemblage of some of the most sought-after and "highly valued" minerals on the market. At its core are rutile and zircon, but more importantly, monazite and xenotime, two flagship minerals rich in strategic rare earth elements, essential for the energy transition and cutting-edge technologies. Preliminary work has already yielded head-turning results. Lion Rock reports the discovery of alluvial soils exceptionally enriched with monazite, with record grades reaching up to 74%. Significant traces of xenotime have also been confirmed in several waterways. Using advanced analysis techniques, the mother source of these treasures has been identified: a "monazite-enriched granite," which now guides the drilling strategy. "Minta Est is emerging as a very high-value rutile and rare earths target, enriched in high-value heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb), as well as high samarium (Sm)," asserts Casper Adson, Managing Director of Lion Rock Minerals. A Boost from a Giant This spectacular acceleration is directly driven by the entry of a global heavyweight. Tronox Holdings plc, a leader in titanium and industrial minerals, has set its sights on the Cameroonian project. A strategic partnership that has already allowed Lion Rock to secure robust funding for this crucial phase. "Thanks to the strength of our strategic partnership with Tronox, Lion Rock is fully funded for this exploration phase and well-positioned to continue to make major discoveries," explains the Managing Director. Concretely, Tronox invested A$8.6 million (approximately CFA 3.3 billion) via a private placement, acquiring a 5% stake in the Australian junior. A Strategic Asset for Cameroon The Minta Est project is emerging at a pivotal time. As global demand for critical minerals soars, Cameroon is actively seeking to attract investment to harness its geological potential. With its concentration of heavy rare earths (dysprosium, terbium) and high-value industrial minerals, Minta Est is shaping up to be a first-class asset. It embodies the promise of a successful diversification of the national mining portfolio and places Cameroon on the map of future mining powers for strategic metals. All eyes are now on the drill results. They will determine if this theoretical gem confirms itself as the flagship deposit that will propel Cameroon into the big league of 21st-century mining. Minta Est, Cameroon, mining exploration, drilling, rare earths, heavy rare earths, monazite, xenotime, rutile, zircon, Lion Rock Minerals, Tronox, mining investment, Centre Cameroon, critical minerals, dysprosium, terbium, samarium, strategic partnership, geology, mineral resources. Mouahna Divine Russo-Ukraine War - 05 December 2025 - Day 1381 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, 180 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day. Ukrainian defenders are decisively intercepting the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Today Russian troops launched 48 aviation strikes, dropping 123 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, 4808 kamikaze drones were involved and carried out 4114 shelling of positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. Ukrainian soldiers repelled the invaders' assault in the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursky directions. In addition, the Russian enemy launched two air strikes, dropping five controlled bombs, and carrying out 154 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including two from the reactive systems of salvage fire. In the South-Slobozhansky direction, Russian forces five times stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Vovchansk, Prylipka, Odradny and towards Izbitsky and Lyman. One battle is going on so far. In the Kupyansky direction, the Russian aggressor carried out offensive actions in the areas of the settlements Stepova Novoselivka, Piscni and towards Glushkivka. Ukrainian defenders stopped five Russian attacks. In the Lyman direction, Russian invaders 19 times attacked the positions of the Defense Forces near the settlements Novovodiyane, Novoyegorivka, Zarichne, Derylove and Kolodyazi. The fights do not subside in three locations. Eight Russian assault actions were repelled by Ukrainian defenders in the Slavic direction - the Russian occupiers tried to move near Dronivka, Serebryanka and towards Siversk. Two enemy attacks repelled Ukrainian defenders near the settlements Novomarkove and Vasyukivka, in the Kramatorsky direction. In the Konstantinivsky direction, Russians 25 times went into offensive on the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of settlements of Oleksandro-Shultyne, Cherbinivka, Kleban-Bik, Pleschievka, Yablunivka and Rusin Yar. In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of the day, the Russian occupiers 48 times tried to advance on the position of Ukrainian units. The enemy attacked in the areas of settlements Mayak, Volodymyrivka, Rodinske, Chervony Liman, Mirnograd, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udaachne, Novosergiivka, Molodetske, Kotlyarivka, Yalta and Dachne. In some locations, the fights are still being sharpened. According to preliminary data, a total of 106 Russian occupants were defecated in this direction today, 58 of them - irrevocably. Also Ukrainian soldiers destroyed a car, 31 BPLA, BPLA control point, six antenna retransmitters, also hit three units of automobile equipment, an artillery system and 21 shelters for the Russian enemy's personnel. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian enemy tried 14 times to break through the defense of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of the settlements of Oleksandrograd, Sosnivka, Yegorivka, Privilne, Rybne and Krasnogirske. The fights are ongoing in seven locations. Seven combat clashes were recorded in the areas of the settlements of Solodke, Dobropillya and Gulyaipole direction. Four combat clashes took place in the Orihivsky direction - the Russian enemy tried to advance near the settlement of Stepnogirsk and towards Primorsky. Ukrainian units stopped six Russian attacks in the Pridniprovsk direction. In the rest of the destinations there are no special changes. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in response to the terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian facilities on the territory of Russia from 29 November to 5 December, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out one massive and four group strikes. As a result, enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry, fuel and power facilities providing their operation, transport and airfield infrastructure used in the interests of the AFU, production, storage, and launch sites of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition, missile fuel, POL depots, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries. During the week, the city of Volchansk (Kharkov region) was liberated as a result of resolute actions of the Sever Group's units. In Kharkov direction, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, and one national guard brigade. In Sumy region, strikes were delivered at formations of three mechanised brigades, one jaeger brigade, one air assault brigade, two assault regiments of the AFU, and three territorial defence brigades. Over the past week, the enemy has lost up to 1,195 troops, 12 armoured fighting vehicles, 73 motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, three electronic warfare stations, and six materiel depots in the Sever Group's area of responsibility. The Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Five mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, two assault brigades of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and two national guard brigades have been hit. In total, the enemy losses amounted to more than 1,575 troops, three tanks, 16 armoured fighting vehicles, including six NATO-made vehicles, 93 motor vehicles, and 10 field artillery guns. Russian units neutralised 29 ammunition depots, 55 electronic warfare and counter-fire stations. As a result of cohesive operations of the Yug Group's units, the settlements of Bezymyannoye and Klinovoye (Donetsk People's Republic) have been liberated. Russian troops hit formations of four mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade, one air assault brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and two territorial defence brigades. Over the week, the enemy has lost more than 1,085 troops, 22 armoured fighting vehicles, including eight Western-made ones, 68 motor vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns in the Yug Group's area of responsibility. Eight electronic warfare and counter-fire stations, and 24 ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots were neutralised. During the week, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces completed the liberation of the city of Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic). The Group's units hit formations of seven mechanised brigades, one infantry brigade, two jaeger brigades, one airmobile, one air assault brigade, two assault brigades, one mountain assault brigade, three airborne brigades, one unmanned systems brigade, three assault regiments of the AFU, two marine brigades, two territorial defence brigades, and four national guard brigades. The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 3,265 troops, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, including three Western-made vehicles, 17 motor vehicles, and seven field artillery guns. The Vostok Group of Forces continue to advance into the depths of the enemy's defence. The settlements of Zeleny Gai, Dobropolye, and Chervonoye (Zaporozhye region) have been liberated. Strikes were delivered at formations of three mechanised brigades, two assault brigades, three assault regiments of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades. Over the past week, the enemy has lost more than 1,515 troops, 14 tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, 77 motor vehicles, three field artillery guns, and four ammunition and materiel depots in the Vostok Group's area of responsibility. The Dnepr Group's units improved the tactical situation in Zaporozhye region. Strikes were delivered at formations of two mechanised brigades, one mountain assault brigade, three coastal defence brigades of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade. Up to 415 troops, two tanks, one armoured fighting vehicle, 81 motor vehicles, three field artillery guns, four uncrewed surface vehicles, 13 electronic warfare stations, 16 ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots of the enemy have been neutralised. Over the past week, attack drones, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have destroyed five MLRS launchers, including four Western-made ones. Air defence systems shot down five Neptune long-range guided missiles, one HIMARS MLRS projectile, and 1,120 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. The Black Sea Fleet eliminated seven 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, 100,422 unmanned aerial vehicles, 638 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,387 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,626 MLRS fighting vehicles, 31,723 field artillery guns and mortars, and 48,391 special military vehicles have been neutralised. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shaheen, Welch, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Condemning Trump's Pardon of Ex-Honduran President and Drug Kingpin Juan Orlando Hernandez Senate Foreign Relations Committee Published: December 05, 2025 WASHINGTON -- Yesterday, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Peter Welch (D-VT), along with ten other Democratic Senators, introduced a resolution condemning President Trump's pardon of Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former two-term President of Honduras who was sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined $8 million for drug trafficking and weapons conspiracy charges. The Senators' resolution emphasizes how President Trump's pardon of Hernandez's vast crimes weakens the rule of law and severely harms the United States' credibility in combating global drug trafficking. The resolution also outlines how President Trump's pardon is an affront to the extraordinary efforts of federal law enforcement and judicial officials who investigated and prosecuted Hernandez, as well as to the jurors who performed their civic duty in convicting him. "President Trump's decision to pardon Juan Orlando Hernandez doesn't just seek to whitewash the crimes of a man who helped poison our communities with illegal drugsit lays bare the inconsistency of President Trump's entire counternarcotics efforts," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "You cannot claim to be waging a tough fight against traffickers while simultaneously freeing someone convicted of facilitating one of the most notorious drug trafficking conspiracies in decades. The American people want real solutions to the drug epidemic, but this only makes us less safe and undermines the work of law enforcement and our partners abroad." "President Trump's pardon of Juan Orlando Hernandez is outrageous. The evidence was overwhelming that throughout his career he abused his office to protect violent drug cartels in return for bribes to finance his political ambitions. His detractors were either extradited or killed. Criminality on this scalefacilitating the importation of massive amounts of cocaine to the U.S. and the corruption of his country's police forceshould be universally condemned," said Senator Welch. "Let's hope our next President uses the pardon power to correct manifest injustice as the framers intended, not to reward friends, cronies, and drug kingpins." "Trump's pardon of Juan Orlando Hernandez - a narcotrafficking kingpin who bragged about 'shoving the drugs up the noses of the gringos' as he flooded U.S. communities with more than 400 tons of cocaine - is disgusting," said Senator Kaine. "This pardon is so bizarre that it's difficult to fathom any reason why this would happen other than that someone in Trump's circle is personally benefitting from it. Convicted drug kingpins should be in prison, end of story." "President Trump's pardoning of Juan Orlando Hernandez, a known drug smuggling conspirator who was set to spend over 40 years in jail, is the latest abuse of pardon power by the president. By using the pardon power as a means of rewarding wealthy donors, family members, allies, benefiting himself personally, or in this case trying to influence the elections in Honduras, Trump is using the pardon power to commit injustice rather than correcting it," said Senator Schiff. "Juan Orlando Hernandez once boasted that he 'would stuff the drugs up the gringos' noses', he accepted a million-dollar bribe from El Chapo to allow cocaine shipments to pass through Honduras destined to the United States, had a man killed in prison to protect him, and orchestrated a vast trafficking conspiracy that prosecutors said raked in millions of dollars for cartels," said Senator Durbin. "Juan Orlando Hernandez is the worst of the worst and the fact the President of the United States pardoned him is appalling. This is not an action by a President trying to keep America safe from narcotics. It is a strange understanding of his power that he would use this and not penalize those responsible for the narcotics coming into the United States." "Trump and Republicans can't claim to be for protecting America's borders or getting tough on drugs and then turn around and release a convicted, notorious drug trafficker from U.S. prison. Setting free Juan Orlando Hernandez sends the message that no crime against Americans is out of bounds as long as Trump and Republicans think they get a political benefit," said Senator Wyden. Hernandez was at the center of one of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking conspiracies in the world for nearly two decades. During his tenure as President of Honduras and in the Honduran National Congress, Hernandez abused his positions and authority to facilitate the importation of over 400 tons of cocaine into the United Statesenough for approximately 4.5 billion individual doses. As President, Hernandez also selectively supported and took credit for extraditions to the United States of certain drug traffickers who threatened his grip on power, including directing the Honduran National Police and military to protect smugglers who paid him off, promising that he would shield them from extradition to the United States. Hernandez and his co-conspirators were convicted and sentenced to prison in the United States for their abuse of Honduran institutions to protect and grow their conspiracy. The resolution is supported by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA.), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and John Fetterman (D-PA). Read and download the full text of the resolution here. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia starts missile production The Hon Richard Marles MP Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Defence 5 December 2025 Australia will start manufacturing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles this month after the opening of a new factory in Port Wakefield, South Australia. As part of the Albanese Government's commitment to establish a sovereign guided weapons industry and a future made in Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia and Defence will commence production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles at the facility by the end of 2025. The project will create around 20 new manufacturing jobs on-site and support hundreds more across the supply chain, driven by the Albanese Government's investment. The GMLRS missile is a precision strike weapon launched from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) recently acquired under the Australian Army's long-range fires project. The announcement today also marks a significant milestone in Australia's Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise plan, meeting the production schedule outlined by the government last year. The factory - designed and built by Intract Australia, an Indigenous-owned and -operated company - was completed in just under seven months. The Port Wakefield factory will be only the second facility in the world to produce GMLRS outside Lockheed Martin's facility in Camden, Arkansas. This achievement deepens Australia-United States defence ties and opens significant export opportunities. The first cohort of Australian workers has successfully completed training at the Camden facility, accelerating knowledge transfer and strengthening Australia's sovereign defence capability. This project forms part of the Albanese Government's investment of up to $21 billion over the decade to acquire more long-range strike systems and manufacture longer-range munitions in Australia. Quotes attributable to Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles: "Starting missile production in Australia this year is a major step in building the industrial strength our nation needs. It's about creating advanced manufacturing capability that will serve Australia for decades to come. "This factory is part of a bigger picture - growing a high-tech industry that supports skilled jobs, drives innovation and strengthens Australia's economy. It's a clear example of what a future made in Australia looks like. "Producing these missiles in Australia demonstrates both the strength of our alliance with the United States and the capability of Australian industry." Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy: "The opening of this factory delivers on the Albanese Government's commitment to establish a sovereign missile manufacturing industry. It's about jobs for locals and a future made in Australia. "This is a significant milestone and a proud moment for Australia. This will make us more self-reliant and strengthen our national security. "It reaffirms our defence partnership with the United States, including our growing collaboration on guided weapons and explosive ordnance, and will equip our ADF with long-range strike capability that will help keep Australians safe." Quotes attributable to Mr Patrick Mason, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Defense Exports & Cooperation (DASA DE&C): "The opening of this GMLRS manufacturing facility in Port Wakefield represents a transformative milestone in U.S.-Australia defence cooperation. This partnership not only strengthens our shared commitment to regional security but also demonstrates the power of allied innovation in building resilient defence supply chains. Our nations' goal to collaborate on guided weapons manufacturing exemplifies the deep trust and interoperability that defines our alliance, while potentially creating new opportunities for both countries to support partners across the Indo-Pacific region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address APER Joint Statement - Exercise Pacific Shield 2025 Issued by Defence Media 5 December 2025 Experts from 26 countries participated in Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Exercise Pacific Shield 25 (PS25) in Tokyo, Japan, from December 2-4, 2025. Participating States reaffirmed their commitment to take action and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, and related materials by State and non-State actors of proliferation concern. Since its establishment in 2003, PSI has proved an effective mechanism to enhance cooperation on disrupting illicit transfers of WMD-related materials and technologies. The PSI partnership has grown from 11 founding states into a flexible, voluntary, and enduring global counter-proliferation initiative endorsed by 116 states. PSI partners' commitments and bias for action make the initiative a key component of the global framework against WMD proliferation and contribute to upholding international peace and security. The 2023 PSI High-Level Political Meeting (HLPM) Joint Statement at the PSI 20th anniversary also highlights how '...counter-proliferation efforts require greater awareness and collaboration amongst endorsing States in response to the recent challenges to the global and strategic security environment.' PSI exercises improve structures for sharing intelligence, aligning decision-making processes, building capacity, and deploying capabilities and assets for interdiction operations. PS25 brings together regional and global counter-proliferation experts from the fields of security, defense, foreign affairs, border and export control and law enforcement. Exercises enhance regional counter-proliferation capability, coordination, and interdiction techniques and send a clear signal to proliferators that their activities are being monitored and PSI partners are prepared to take individual or collaborative action to prevent WMD proliferation. PS25 featured academic sessions and a table top exercise (TTX) that furthers the tenets of the HLPM Joint Statement, which stresses 'the need for the PSI to address new and emerging proliferation practices, including proliferation finance involving cryptocurrency, intangible technology transfers,and the increasing sophistication of proliferators' tactics to circumvent international law. Furthermore, PS 25 included live exercises conducted off the coast of the Boso Peninsula by the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Australian Defence Force, the Republic of Korea Navy and Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. PS25 also included port exercises in Tokyo Bay conducted by the Japan Coast Guard, Japan Customs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and National Police Agency. PS25 occurred against the backdrop of a dynamic proliferation threat environment. In this context PSI partners recognized the importance of all United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs), including the longstanding resolutions on the DPRK, and recently reapplied resolutions on Iran. Participants committed to take all appropriate national-level measures to fully implement these Resolutions, especially those provisions relating to the interdiction, seizure, and disposal of prohibited items. Participants also recognized the importance of engaging PSI endorsers and non-endorsers worldwide toward the same objective, and undertaking joint or coordinated action, where possible. PS25 marks the eleventh exercise in the enduring APER schedule, following previous successful APER exercises: Australia's Exercise Pacific Protector 2024 and 2017, the Republic of Korea's Exercise Eastern Endeavor 2023 and 2019, the United States' Exercise Fortune Guard 2022 and 2014, Singapore's Exercise Deep Sabre 2021 and 2016, Japan's Exercise Pacific Shield 2018, and New Zealand's Exercise Maru 2015. At the conclusion of Pacific Shield 25, New Zealand announced it will host Exercise Maru 2026. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Government invests in Canadian defence ecosystem across the country National Defence News release December 5, 2025 - Ottawa, ON - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada In the ever-evolving global threat landscape, Canada must take action to strengthen its domestic capabilities to defend our interests, secure our sovereignty and shape our future. As we continue to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), we are taking bold actions to strengthen Canada's defence industry, and build the foundations to foster a more resilient and enduring defence industrial base to better meet the needs of the CAF. In order to lay the groundwork for the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, we are making targeted regional investments to expand Canada's defence industrial capacity-from coast to coast to coast. 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. As an early move, the Government will be investing $357.7 million to establish the new Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII). This is one of the first steps the government is making to ensure the forthcoming defence industrial strategy will take root and give rise to the kinds of jobs and industries that will protect our economy, power the Canadian Armed Forces and assert our sovereignty. Through existing programs, expertise and on-the-ground presence, the Regional Development Agencies will be supporting the growth of the defence industrial ecosystem, strengthening the relationship between government and industry while also driving innovation, investment, good-paying jobs and economic growth for all Canadians. Growing our defence industrial capacity across every region of our country is how we build a strong Canada. Quotes "A secure Canada depends on a defence industry that is innovative, resilient, and ready. With these investments, we are strengthening our supply chains, accelerating cutting-edge technologies, and giving Canadian businesses the tools they need to support the CAF. This is about protecting our sovereignty, fueling economic growth, and ensuring Canada is never caught unprepared." - The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National "Canada is a nation of builders. The Canadian workers who define our defence industrial sector are delivering the modern capabilities the Canadian Armed Forces and our allies need. The Regional Defence Investment Initiative will strengthen Canada's economic resiliency and assert our sovereignty. Investing in our defence industrial capacity across Quebec and every region of our country is how we build Canada Strong." - The Honourable Minister Melanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec "We are investing nearly $40 million to help Atlantic Canada's defence businesses grow, modernize, and win more global contracts. That investment stays here in the region and strengthens Canada's defence capacity." - The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency "Northern and Indigenous businesses are at the core of regional economic development and they play a vital role in Arctic security and community resilience. By investing in their capabilities, we bolster our defence and Arctic readiness, create good jobs, support local economies, and build a stronger North that creates local prosperity." - The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor "Southern Ontario is home to some of Canada's most advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defence and technology capabilities, and to businesses that power supply chains across the entire country. Through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario will help more of these companies' scale, innovate and integrate into domestic and global defence markets. This is about strengthening Canada's sovereignty while creating good jobs and driving growth in communities across southern Ontario." - The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Economic Development of Southern Ontario "When we empower Canadian companies to compete globally, we contribute to a safer future for all generations. Through these investments, FedNor will help protect Canada's security while building a stronger defence sector that reflects the expertise of partners across Northern Ontario. This will create real opportunities for businesses and workers, here at home." - The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario "The Prairie provinces already punch above their weight in Canada's defence industry. This investment builds on that strengthgiving 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 Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada "As the western most province, B.C. is poised to lead the way in defence innovation. The capacity to expand the defence sector in the Pacific is vast: with innovative technology, built in British Columbia and developed to protect Canada's sovereignty. Pacifican's investments through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative will catalyze an invaluable sector - creating jobs and building Canada strong." - The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada Quick facts Today's announcement builds on the Government of Canada's commitment to increase defence spending to 2% of the gross domestic product (GDP). The Canadian defence industry contributes nearly $10 billion to GDP and supports over 81,000 jobs. Small and medium enterprises represent 92 percent of the defence industry and 40 percent of the jobs in that sector. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on December 5, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: December 05, 2025 19:08 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: It's 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. What's China's 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-te's 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 leader's 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? Japan's 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: I'd 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 China's 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, I'd 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 China's 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 Gaza's 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 China's innovation edge and the reason behind this, saying 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. What is your comment? Lin Jian: "Innovation" has indeed become a key word in China's 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 China's economy. 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. 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. 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 Macron's 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 Macron's 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. We've released the readouts, which you may refer to. Antara: Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's 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 China's perspective, what is the significance of this visit? Lin Jian: On December 3 and 4, at the invitation of Chairman of People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia Ahmad Muzani, Chairman Wang Huning of the National Committee of the Chinese People's 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 People's 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, people's livelihood and other fields, and enhanced the friendly ties between the National Committee of the Chinese People's 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 People's 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 other's 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 Japan's far-right forces aimed at undermining regional peace and stability and remilitarizing Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INDIA-MALAYSIA TO PARTICIPATE IN JOINT MILITARY TRAINING EXERCISE HARIMAU SHAKTI IN THE DESERTS OF RAJASTHAN India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 05 DEC 2025 3:01PM by PIB Delhi The Fifth edition of Joint Military exercise "Exercise Harimau Shakti -2025" commenced today in Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan. The exercise is being conducted from 05 to 18 December 2025. The Indian contingent is being represented mainly by troops from the DOGRA Regiment. The Malaysian side is being represented by troops from the 25th Battalion Royal Malaysian Army. The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Mandate. The scope of the exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. Both sides will practice tactical actions such as cordon, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, etc. In addition, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting and Yoga will also form part of the exercise curriculum. In the Exercise Harimau Shakti - 2025, both sides will rehearse drills to secure helipads and undertake casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations. Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability amongst the troops and reduce the risk of life and property while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peace keeping operations. Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other. Sharing of best practices will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Royal Malaysian Army. The exercise will also foster strong bilateral relations between the two nations. ___________________________ NA/RS (Release ID: 2199345) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Turns To Water Imports As Crisis Deepens By RFE/RL's Radio Farda and Kian Sharifi December 05, 2025 In an unprecedented move, Iran is looking to import water as an official strategy to confront one of the worst water crises in its modern history, Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi announced on December 3. The move comes as Iran faces what officials say is the driest year in more than half a century. Nationwide rainfall has plummeted, reservoirs behind major dams are approaching critical levels, and decades of over-extraction have depleted aquifers. Large cities, including the capital, Tehran, have already introduced water rationing. The new strategy envisions purchasing surplus water from willing neighbors and expanding imports of water-intensive goods to conserve domestic resources, which is known as "virtual water" transfer. The concept of "virtual water," which refers to outsourcing water consumption by importing crops or products that require large amounts of water to produce, marks a significant departure from the Islamic republic's long-standing emphasis on agricultural self-sufficiency. Most of Iran's neighbors, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan's border regions, are themselves struggling with drought and water scarcity. Armenia, to Iran's northwest, has relatively more abundant water resources. Still, Norway-based climatologist Nasser Karami told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Iran will most likely approach Afghanistan and seek to strike a trade or barter arrangement. "Afghanistan has many rivers that flow out of its territory, including three that go to Iran," he said. "And they need us for things that don't cost us much, like access to international waters." Karami also questioned Iran's decades-long pursuit of agricultural self-sufficiency, arguing that the country lacks the water resources to feed its population of some 90 million without heavy imports. "We're not a country that can produce food for around 100 million people," he warned. "With our fertile land and water, we can at most grow food for 40 to 50 million people and must import the rest. This is a very good and logical move." The crisis has also been exacerbated by what local media and environmentalists call Iran's "water mafia" -- a network of politically connected agricultural lobbies, dam contractors, and local power brokers who have long benefited from unrestricted water use, excessive groundwater pumping, and large-scale farming subsidies. For many Iranians, the idea of buying water is jarring, challenging a national narrative built around independence and resilience. But experts say the shift reflects a necessary reckoning. Iran's water shortages are driven not only by prolonged drought but also by decades of mismanagement and accelerating climate change. Roya Karimi Majd of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-water-crisis- import-neighbors/33613589.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address State visit to India The President of Russia made a state visit to India. December 5, 2025 19:30 New Delhi An official welcoming ceremony for Vladimir Putin, hosted by President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took place on the square in front of the Presidential Palace in New Delhi. The President of Russia then visited the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian people in their struggle for national liberation. A conversation between Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was subsequently held at Hyderabad House. Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of signed documents. A Joint Statement was adopted following the 23rd Russia-India Annual Summit, titled Russia - India: A Time-Tested Progressive Partnership, Anchored in Trust & Mutual Respect. Among the documents signed were the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of Russian-Indian Economic Cooperation until 2030 and intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in combatting illegal migration and on the temporary employment of citizens of one country in the other. In particular, several intergovernmental documents were signed covering cooperation in healthcare, medical education and science, food safety, and the training of specialists for ships operating in polar waters. Additional agreements address an investment project to build a plant for producing active pharmaceutical substances in Russia's Kaluga Region, as well as storage, processing, and transmission of data in space systems, and cooperation in education, television and radio broadcasting, investment, trade, exports, and other areas. The President of Russia and the Prime Minister of India also made statements for the press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi Vladimir Putin met with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House. December 5, 2025 10:00 New Delhi Taking part in the conversation on Russia's side were First Deputy Prime Minister, Russian Co-Chair of the Russia-India Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation Denis Manturov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Aide to the President Yury Ushakov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India Denis Alipov, Minister of Defence, Russian Co-Chair of the Russia-India Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation Andrei Belousov, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Governor of the Central Bank Elvira Nabiullina, Director of the Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev, and Rosneft CEO, Executive Secretary of the Presidential Commission for Strategic Development of the Fuel and Energy Sector and Environmental Security Igor Sechin. * * * Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (retranslated): Your Excellency, dear friend, I am delighted to have this opportunity to meet with you and to welcome you and your delegation to our country. Since yesterday, representatives of your delegation have conducted numerous events and meetings with their Indian counterparts, and we have already seen substantial results and agreements following the conclusion of our annual summit. I am therefore confident that our summit will prove highly successful. Your current visit, Mr President, carries truly historic significance. Exactly 25 years ago, you first visited India as President of the Russian Federation and laid the foundations of our strategic partnership. For me personally, this is also a momentous occasion, as we have known each other for 25 years. Mr President, your role since the year 2000 - over the past two and a half decades - stands as testament to your far-sighted and steadfast leadership and to how bilateral relations should be developed. This serves as an exemplary model for other relationships, demonstrating how India-Russia relations have flourished. Mr President, we regularly exchange views regarding Ukraine. As a true friend, you share with me the developments in this area. This reflects the profound trust between our nations. This is the strength - the true strength - of our relations. We observe that the world is going through significant transformations, yet we consistently advocate for the establishment of peace, for its swift attainment, and we support all recent efforts in this regard. We must all work together to advance this cause - for the sake of peace. I am absolutely confident that the world will once again tread this path. Your Excellency, when I meet with world leaders, I always tell them that India is not a neutral country; India does not hold a neutral position. We have our own stance, and that stance is in favour of peace - it is a position of peace. We support all efforts aimed at establishing peace, and we will march shoulder to shoulder with all powers that adhere to this path. Mr President, the entire world has suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, and there have been various other crises as well. Thus, we hope that we are once again on the path of progress and development, and our meeting today will instil hope in this regard. Mr President, throughout the day, we will discuss a wide range of topics. May our meeting impart fresh momentum to our economic cooperation. We place great hopes on today's discussions, and we anticipate positive outcomes from our meeting. Dear friend, once again, I extend my warmest welcome to you and your delegation in India. Thank you. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, friends, Thank you for the kind invitation and for such a pleasant evening yesterday. I particularly enjoyed our conversation, which was both friendly and immensely valuable. I am grateful for the opportunity to explain in detail the situation in Ukraine, and for the chance to outline our joint efforts, alongside other partners such as the United States, to find a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your personal effort to its resolution. As for our bilateral relations, they represent a partnership with profound historical depth. However we choose to describe it, the true substance is what matters - and that substance is remarkably strong. We value this deeply, and we note, Mr Prime Minister, considerable personal attention you devote to nurturing it. In recent years, we have accomplished a great deal in advancing our ties. As our nations and economies progress, so do the opportunities for our collaboration. We are adding new avenues for cooperation and joint advancement, including projects in areas such as high technology, aviation, space, and artificial intelligence. Our partnership in the military-technical sphere continues to be a cornerstone of mutual trust. We are fully committed to advancing in all these areas, which only serves to underscore the exceptional level, nature, and trust inherent in our relationship. Our teams have laid excellent groundwork in preparation for this visit, resulting in a number of significant documents. I look forward to discussing some of these initiatives further today, and I am confident we will conclude our meetings with a most positive outcome. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Few people realize that the Nations Christmas Tree is not in Washington, DC, but in Californias Kings Canyon National Park. The General Grant Tree, a giant sequoia in Grant Grove, was officially designated as the Nations Christmas Tree in 1926 by President Calvin Coolidge. Towering 268 feet above the forest floor, it is one of the largest living trees on Earth and is estimated to be 1,600 to 2,000 years old. This December marks a milestone. On December 14 at 2 p.m., the park will host the 100th Annual Trek to the Nations Christmas Tree, with the official ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. You can read the full National Park Service news release here. The event is free to attend, as December 14 is a feefree day at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. A Century of Tradition The trek began nearly a century ago as a community celebration and has grown into a cherished tradition. In 1956, Congress declared the General Grant Tree a National Shrine, the only living shrine in the United States. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz dedicated it on Veterans Day that year, honoring the men and women of the armed forces who served and sacrificed for freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each December, visitors gather at the trees base to celebrate the holiday season and reflect on its symbolic role. The 100th trek underscores how nature and national memory intertwine, with a living tree serving as both a festive landmark and a solemn shrine. Why Kings Canyon Deserves the Spotlight Despite its significance, Kings Canyon National Park often gets overshadowed by its neighbors, Yosemite and Sequoia. That is unfortunate, because Kings Canyon offers a remarkable blend of both: granite cliffs that rival Yosemites and sequoia groves that echo Sequoias majesty. Julie and I explored the park together, and we were struck by how thrilling the drive into the canyon can be. The road plunges past sheer granite walls into a valley carved by glaciers. Trails lead beneath towering sequoias and along rivers that sparkle in the sunlight. It is a place where you can brush against granite cliffs in the morning and walk under the cathedrallike trees in the afternoon. The relative quiet compared to Yosemite Valley makes Kings Canyon even more appealing. Visitors can experience grandeur without the crowds. For anyone curious about the parks highlights, Ive put together a guide to Kings Canyon here that dives deeper into trails, viewpoints, and seasonal tips. Imagining Winter in a Sequoia Grove Most travelers see Kings Canyon in summer, but I often imagine what it would be like to hike through a sequoia forest in winter. Julie and I have talked about how magical it would be to see snow dusting the massive branches and to walk among trees that have stood through countless winters. The silence of a snowy forest paired with the scale of the sequoias would create an unforgettable experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The December trek offers a glimpse of that possibility. While the ceremony itself is the centerpiece, the chance to explore Grant Grove in winter adds another layer of wonder. An Invitation to Rediscover Walking beneath towering sequoias that seem to touch the sky. (Miles with McConkey) The 100th Annual Trek to the Nations Christmas Tree is more than a celebration. It is an invitation to rediscover Kings Canyon National Park, to stand beneath one of the largest trees on Earth, and to reflect on a century of tradition. For travelers seeking both grandeur and peace, Kings Canyon offers a rare combination. The General Grant Tree anchors that experience, reminding us that nature can be both a sanctuary and a shrine. Media statements by the President of Russia and the Prime Minister of India Following Russian-Indian talks, Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi made statements for the media. The statements were preceded by a ceremony for the exchange of signed documents. December 5, 2025 12:00 New Delhi Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (retranslated): Your Excellency Vladimir Putin, my dear friend, Representatives of the two countries, and our friends from India, good afternoon. I am delighted to welcome President Putin to the 23rd Russia - India Annual Summit. President Vladimir Putin's visit to India is taking place at a time marked by several historical dates in our relations. President Putin laid the groundwork for our strategic cooperation 25 years ago, and 15 years ago, in 2010, we upgraded our partnership to the level of a special privileged strategic partnership. Over the past 25 years, President Putin has been relentless in promoting these relations by demonstrating his wise leadership and vision. Regardless of the circumstances, it is his leadership that has reinforced our mutual relations and enabled us to achieve new heights. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to President Putin for his friendship and for his unwavering commitment to working with India. Friends, The world has faced numerous ups and downs over the past 80 years, during which humankind has had to endure many crises and challenges. And throughout this time, the friendship between Russia and India has successfully weathered these storms. These relations are based on mutual respect and deep trust and have invariably stood the test of time. Today, we discussed our ties and cooperation in all their aspects with a view to creating an even more solid foundation. We want to reinforce our economic cooperation and elevate it to a new level. This is the objective we share and it is our shared priority. To make this a reality, we have agreed to implement a programme for economic cooperation until 2030. It will provide for diversifying our trade and investment, making them more balanced and sustainable. At the same time, it will help unlock new dimensions in our cooperation. Today, President Putin and I will be taking part in the Russia - India Business Forum. I am convinced that this platform will also help strengthen our business ties and open new doors for exports, joint manufacture and technical innovation. Both countries have been proactive in working on a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and our country. Our cooperation in agriculture and fertilisers is extremely important for our food security and the prosperity of our farmers. I am happy that our countries will work together to promote our mutual production of urea. Friends, promoting connectivity between our countries is another priority for us. We will redouble our efforts regarding the discussions on the North-South International Transport Corridor and the Vladivostok-Chennai Maritime Corridor. I am confident that we will effectively cooperate in the interests of promoting polar trade via local trade routes. We have offered an opportunity to strengthen our cooperation in the Arctic, which will create new jobs for Indian young people. At the same time, our deep cooperation in shipbuilding will help us boost our joint initiatives. This is yet another important example of our mutually beneficial cooperation, which is increasing the number of jobs and skills while strengthening regional connectivity. Energy security is another important pillar of partnership between Russia and India. Our cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear energy, which is rooted in our history, has helped us uphold our commitment to providing clean energy, which is extremely important for both countries. I have no doubt that our mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of critical minerals will also be important for a safe and diversified provision of resources to the world. We also maintain our cooperation in such areas as clean energy, high technologies and modern industries. Friends, Our cultural relations and ties between individual representatives of our countries are of special importance for relations between Russia and India. Over the past decades, our peoples have demonstrated respect and admiration for each other's cultures, and we have coordinated various measures to further strengthen this cooperation. The recent opening of two Indian consulates in Russia is a significant step forward, facilitating contacts for all our citizens and bringing our nations even closer together. This October, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims received blessings at the sacred relics of Buddha Shakyamuni in Kalmykia. I am confident that we will soon implement a 30-day visa-free regime for tourist groups, which will greatly enhance travel between our countries. This measure will not only bring our peoples closer but also invigorate our societies and unlock new opportunities. I am therefore pleased that today we were able to sign two key agreements to advance this initiative. Our collaboration will also deepen in education and professional development, including through increased student and academic exchanges. Friends, Today, we discussed a range of pressing regional and global issues. On Ukraine, India's position has been consistent from the outset: we stand for peace. We welcome all initiatives and efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful, long-term resolution of this conflict. India has always been ready to support such efforts, and we will continue to do so. India and Russia have always supported one another and worked shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. The terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the cowardly atrocity at Crocus City Hall are connected by a common, hateful ideology. India firmly believes that terrorism constitutes a direct assault on universal human values. Our unity within the global community is the only effective way to combat this evil. We cooperate closely within the UN, the G20, the SCO, BRICS, and other multilateral forums. We will continue this essential dialogue and cooperation across all these platforms. Your Excellency, I am confident that our enduring friendship will provide the strength needed to address global challenges. Together, we can help lead the way towards a more prosperous future. Once again, I thank you and all members of your delegation for your visit to India. Thank you very much. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, dear friend, Ladies and gentlemen, My sincere thanks to the President of the Republic of India, Droupadi Murmu, to you, Mr Prime Minister, and to all our Indian colleagues for the exceptionally warm and cordial welcome extended to the Russian delegation. The discussions we have just concluded with our Indian colleagues, along with our highly productive one-on-one conversation last night - for which I thank you again, Mr Modi, for your generous hospitality - were held in a constructive and friendly spirit, reflecting the privileged partnership between Russia and India. I would note that the Prime Minister and I have established a close working and personal rapport. We have met at the SCO summit in September, we maintain regular contact by telephone and personally oversee the development of our strategic cooperation across all key areas, as well as the progress of major bilateral projects. Today, with the participation of our delegations, we conducted a thorough and comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of Russian-Indian cooperation. We also exchanged views on current international and regional issues. The joint statement we have adopted outlines clear priorities for advancing our ties in politics, security, trade, the economy, and cultural and humanitarian affairs. As you have seen, this was complemented by the signing of a substantial package of intergovernmental, interdepartmental, and corporate agreements. Many of these documents are aimed at expanding our economic partnership. This is only natural, as our nations are important partners in trade, investment, and technology. Last year, our bilateral trade grew by a further 12 percent, reaching a new record. While various estimates differ slightly, the consensus places the figure somewhere between US$64 and US$65 billion. We project trade will stand at a comparable level by year's end. That said, we believe there is clear potential to increase this volume to US$100 billion. To realise this ambitious goal, we have now agreed upon a joint Programme for the Development of Russian-Indian Economic Cooperation until 2030. This comprehensive roadmap provides clear guidelines. Our intergovernmental commission and the relevant economic ministries and agencies are tasked with removing barriers to the flows of goods and capital, implementing joint industrial projects, and deepening our collaboration in technology and investment. Today, His Excellency the Prime Minister shared a comprehensive list of issues with us. It goes without saying that both Russia and India will be extremely diligent and responsive in reviewing them. Make no mistake, we will work on this matter. Of course, having India create a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union would help boost Russia-India business ties. The effort to draft an agreement to this effect is already in progress. I must express my satisfaction with the fact that the two countries have been consistent in their commitment to switching to national currencies in mutual transactions. Their share in business deals has already reached 96 percent. Our two countries have developed resilient interbank channels for lending and financial transactions. Russian economic actors have been making wider use of the rupees they generate from export contracts. Major joint projects receive their funding in Russian rubles. There has been positive momentum in our energy partnership. Russia is a reliable supplier of energy resources and everything India needs for developing its energy sector. We are ready to continue ensuring uninterrupted fuel supplies for the Indian economy to support its rapid expansion. Of course, our bilateral energy cooperation goes far beyond this horizon. The flagship project to build India's biggest NPP, Kudankulam, is underway. Two out of six reactors have been connected to the power grid, while the other four are in the engineering and construction stages. Once this NPP reaches its full capacity, it will make a meaningful contribution to India's energy mix, helping Indian companies and households access affordable and clean energy. We believe that building small modular reactors and floating NPPs could also be relevant, just as using nuclear technology for non-energy purposes, including in healthcare, agriculture and other sectors. We are also working with our Indian partners to create new effective international transport logistics routes. This includes a project to create the North-South corridor linking Russia and Belarus to the Indian Ocean. Infrastructure development along the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, including the Northern Sea Route as its main artery, offers ample opportunities for expanding bilateral trade. There are many other economic sectors in which Russia and India have built a positive track record. We are working on joint initiatives in manufacturing, machine building, digital technology, space exploration and other research-intensive domains. For example, a business agreement that was signed as part of the visit provides for building a major Russian-Indian pharmaceutical plant in the Kaluga Region for producing high-quality anticancer medicine using cutting-edge Indian technology. At the same time, Russian companies will start producing their goods as part of the Make in India programme, which is Prime Minister Modi's flagship project. Prospects for strengthening interaction between Russian and Indian entrepreneurs and business communities are being discussed in detail at the business forum that is currently underway in New Delhi. Mr Prime Minister and I will attend its plenary session later today. Russian-Indian humanitarian cooperation is ongoing in many spheres. Our peoples have been sincerely interested in each other's traditions, history and spiritual values for centuries. Our scientific and educational contacts, as well as youth and public exchanges are actively developing. The regular cross festivals of Russian and Indian films invariably enjoy success. Mutual tourist flows grow every year. The Russian RT channel will begin broadcasting to India today. This will certainly help the Indian audience learn more about Russia and Russians and acquire objective information about current developments in our country. Our discussions on key global and regional issues have reaffirmed the similarity of our countries' positions. Russia and India pursue an independent and sovereign foreign policy. We are working together with our allies in BRICS, the SCO and other countries of the Global Majority to promote the shaping of a more just and democratic multipolar world order, and to protect the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter. These include the right of every country to its own path of development, the preservation of its own cultural and civilisational identity, respect for sovereignty and a delicate balance of interests of all members of the international community. Russia and India, as the founding nations of BRICS, have done and continue to do a great deal to enhance the prestige of that organisation. As you know, India will assume the BRICS chairmanship next year. We will provide all-round assistance to our Indian friends in their work on the current BRICS agenda. Of course, I would also like to say that Russia and India have traditionally worked closely together in the military-technical sphere. Our country has been assisting the modernisation of the Indian army, including the air defence, air force and navy, for over 50 years. Overall, we are certainly satisfied with the results of our talks. Our plans include a meeting with President of India Droupadi Murmu. However, I can already express my confidence that this visit and the agreements reached will effectively promote the further strengthening of the Russian-Indian strategic partnership for the benefit of the people of India and Russia. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia-India Business Forum Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi took part in the plenary session of the Russia-India Business Forum. December 5, 2025 14:00 New Delhi The forum, co-organised by the Roscongress Foundation and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), took place in New Delhi on December 4-5. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, friends, I am delighted to welcome the participants of the Russia-India Business Forum plenary session. These days, New Delhi is hosting representatives from our economic ministries and departments, the heads of our largest companies, banks and regions, as well as members of parliament - that is, all those who are engaged in practical efforts to promote multifaceted Russian-Indian cooperation in imports and exports, finance and investments. As I understand it, you have discussed a broad range of specific issues related to economic interaction between Russia and India during your numerous panel sessions and expert discussions. But the main achievement is that new business contacts have been established at the forum, talks have begun on future commercial deals, and forward-looking mutually beneficial projects have been launched. I would like to draw your attention to what I consider to be of utmost importance. This forum was proposed and organised primarily to demonstrate the multifaceted possibilities of our cooperation. I would like you to know that the Russian delegation has not come here to discuss only energy, place orders or sign oil and gas contracts. We want to develop our multifaceted relations with India in many spheres. Mr Prime Minister has pointed out many times during our private conversations that India has vast and growing opportunities in many spheres, but they are not being used as both sides would like them to be used. In fact, this is what this forum is about. To tell the truth, this forum is devoted to the possibilities of the Indian economy and aims to inform our economic operators about these opportunities, so that we can open up our markets to mutual satisfaction and mutual development. All this has fundamental significance because strong and diversified ties between Russian and Indian businesses are among the most powerful pillars of the privileged strategic partnership between our countries. Russia and India are indeed long-time, close trading partners. Trade continues to grow steadily, with the dynamics hitting record highs of up to 80 percent over the past three years. Last year, the volume of Russian-Indian trade reached US$64 billion. Clearly, the opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and investment are enormous. Both Russia and India boast large consumer markets and impressive economic, technological, and resource potential. To reiterate, under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India is pursuing an entirely independent sovereign policy and is achieving very good results in the economy. The Indian economy is one of the world's fastest growing economies. The figures speak for themselves. Over ten years, India's GDP has almost doubled and has grown by 2.5 times in terms of purchasing power parity. Sound economic policies and Prime Minister Modi's signature initiatives such as the Make in India programme, are strengthening India's technological sovereignty. The Indian manufacturing and light industries, its IT sector, and the pharmaceutical industry are among the world's leaders. Russia is carefully analysing India's experience and uses it in implementing our national programmes for import substitution and localisation of production of high value-added products. The governments of both countries, along with the Prime Minister and me, are paying close attention to deepening Russia-India multifaceted economic ties. Following today's talks, we adopted a Programme for Expanding Russian-Indian Economic Cooperation. This comprehensive document is aimed at achieving the goal that Mr Modi and I set to bring trade to US$100 billion by 2030. We will need business communities from both countries to do their best to expand and diversify trade and to form a balanced configuration of reciprocal trade. Trade surplus in Russia's favour is quite large. Russian businesses and companies are willing to multiply imports of Indian goods and services. Friends, we welcome this, as it helps make our economy more resilient. Your forum clearly showed that Indian entrepreneurs are genuinely interested in trading with Russia as well. They have much to offer. The synergy is obvious. Therefore, it makes good economic sense to prioritise projects to increase Indian imports to Russia as part of the new export support programme recently adopted by Mr Modi's government. For my part, I would like to reassure the business community that all constructive initiatives aimed at expanding mutual economic exchanges will continue to receive full support from Russian ministries and agencies. The intergovernmental commission undoubtedly plays a key role in fostering an atmosphere of genuine free trade between our countries. It is important that we work together, in close coordination, to remove the remaining customs and administrative barriers that impede the reciprocal flow of goods, services, and capital. A positive effect in this regard would likely stem from the prompt conclusion of a preferential trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union. Free trade cannot exist without a stable system of bilateral settlements and reliable payment and insurance mechanisms. The use of national currencies also provides tangible advantages, ensuring uninterrupted financial transactions regardless of external conditions. Naturally, the development of transport and logistics infrastructure is of particular importance. Much is already being done: the project to establish the North-South Corridor from Russia and Belarus to the Indian Ocean coast is advancing, as is the modernisation of the Northern Sea Route infrastructure, including its use for delivering Indian goods to global markets. However, cooperation between our two countries should not and cannot be limited to trade alone. We must extend our efforts to strengthen industrial cooperation, jointly create cutting-edge products, and develop technological alliances, especially in advanced, knowledge-intensive sectors such as digitalisation, autonomous robotics, pharmaceuticals (including the synthesis of effective medicines), and the production of high-tech medical equipment. We are ready for broad partnership with India in the field of artificial intelligence, where both our countries have their own advanced achievements. Russia is interested in taking part in the AI summit planned for February 2026 in India, as I have just mentioned to the Prime Minister. We will send a representative delegation to this event. In conclusion, I would like to once again emphasise the continued strengthening of Russian-Indian trade and investment ties and the close cooperation between our business communities. All of this truly contributes to economic growth and development, improving the wellbeing of our citizens, and therefore fully corresponds to the fundamental interests of our countries and our peoples. I wish the forum participants and organisers every success and all the best. Thank you for your attention. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (retranslated): Your Excellency, my friend Vladimir Putin, Heads of businesses from Russia and India, ladies and gentlemen, Namaskar. I am extremely pleased - and I consider it a highly significant initiative on the part of President Putin - that he has come to India with such a large delegation to participate in this Russia-India Business Forum. I extend a warm welcome to all of you. It is a great pleasure to be here today. I wish to express my particular gratitude to my friend, President Putin, for his participation in this forum and for sharing his invaluable perspectives with us. We have established predictable mechanisms for engagement with the business community. Negotiations have commenced on the creation of a free trade zone between India and the Eurasian Economic Union. As has been noted today, we are collaborating as friends across a wide range of sectors. President Putin has just outlined the emerging opportunities in diverse fields. In a very short time, we can achieve highly ambitious goals, whether in business or in diplomacy. The foundation of any partnership, however, is mutual trust. The greatest strength in Russia-India relations lies precisely in this mutual trust. It is reciprocal, and it provides the impetus for our common endeavours. It inspires us, giving us wings to realise our shared aspirations. Last year, President Putin and I set the goal of elevating bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2030. Since yesterday, we have held thorough discussions with President Putin. Based on what I have observed, however, I believe there is no need to wait until 2030 - this objective can be attained much sooner. We are making steadfast progress, and I am confident we can achieve it well ahead of schedule. I am certain of this. Work to reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers is ongoing. But the true driving force, friends, resides with business, with corporate leaders, with your innovative spirit, with your energy, and your ambitions. This is what will define our shared future. Friends, the pace and the scope of transformations in India over the past 11 years are staggering and unprecedented. Guided by the principles of reform, transformation, and personal initiative, India is on track to become the world's third-largest economy soon. Throughout the 11 years of reforms, we have progressed continuously. Our economy and prosperity are stronger than ever, and we are moving into the future with full confidence and with sufficient resources to achieve our goals. We have adopted a number of measures, such as compliance reforms, to make doing business easier. New opportunities have opened up for the private sector, which created additional potential in this area. We are opening new opportunities in the civilian nuclear sector. What we are doing transcends administrative reforms; we are going through a reform of our way of thinking. Highly developed India is the only goal we have, and we stand united by this goal. Friends, You held an undeniably useful and meaningful forum yesterday and today, and you had very productive discussions. I take comfort in knowing that all areas of cooperation between Russia and India were represented at this event. I am deeply grateful to all of you for your proposals and efforts. I would like to present some of my ideas and considerations designed to expand our cooperation. The first covers logistics and connectivity. During our today's talks, President Putin and I focused on ensuring the full potential of connectivity between our countries, whether through the North-South International Transport Corridor, the Northern Sea Route, or the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor. We are committed to advancing along all these tracks. We will achieve progress very soon and will cut transport time and lower prices and shipping costs. It will also open new markets for businesses. The use of digital technologies can help us simplify customs procedures and regulations and create virtual trade corridors. This will speed up customs processing, reduce paperwork, and make the movement of goods more seamless. The maritime sector is our second priority. Recently, Russia has expanded the list of dairy product exporters from India, for example, which has expanded the opportunities for exporters engaged in trade with India. India is rich in seafood and a wide range of processed foods that enjoy high demand around the world. We can create joint ventures and promote technological cooperation to support maritime logistics, deep-sea fishing, and automation of fishing harbours. Doing so will not only help meet demand in Russia but also create a new market for Indian-made products. The third priority is the automotive sector. India is a global leader in the production of affordable and cost-effective electric vehicles and other modes of transportation. Russia is an important producer of advanced materials. Together, in partnership, we can ensure highly efficient production of electric vehicles, automotive components, and various other mobility technologies. Achieving this will not only meet our own needs but also contribute to the development of the Global South, particularly the African continent. The fourth priority is the pharmaceutical industry. India supplies high-quality medicines at affordable prices worldwide. This is precisely why India is often referred to as the "pharmacy of the world." Together, we can collaborate on the joint development of vaccines and cancer therapies and strengthen pharmaceutical supply chains. This will not only bolster our healthcare systems but also foster the growth of new industries. The fifth priority is the textile industry. India possesses vast potential in the production of both natural and synthetic fabrics. Globally, we are recognised as leaders due to our advanced designs and manufacturing expertise. Russia is a key producer of polymer and synthetic materials. Together, we can establish a sustainable textile industry supply chain. There are also further opportunities for cooperation in sectors such as fertilisers, cement production, and electronics. Friends, Population mobility plays a crucial role in strengthening cooperation across all sectors. Today, India is emerging as the global capital of skilled human resources. Our country has the potential to meet global demands across all fields, including technology, engineering, healthcare, construction, and logistics. Given Russia's demographic and economic priorities, this partnership could prove immensely beneficial for all participating nations. By providing opportunities for Indian citizens to learn the Russian language, we can cultivate a workforce that is proficient in Russian, thereby contributing to the prosperity of both our nations. Friends, Today, highly significant decisions have been agreed upon and adopted regarding tourist visas for citizens of both our countries. This will facilitate increased tourism flows between our nations, create new business opportunities, expand prospects for tour operators, and open up new employment opportunities. Friends, Together, India and Russia stand side by side in this new journey of joint production and creation. Our role is not limited to enhancing bilateral trade. We aim to ensure the well-being of all humanity, and to achieve this, we need long-term solutions to the existing global challenges. India is prepared to work shoulder to shoulder with Russia on this path. I would like to say the following to all of you: produce in India, partner with India, and together, we can work for the benefit of the entire world. With these words, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to President Putin and to all of you. Thank you very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada announces measures related to Syria Global Affairs Canada News release December 5, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, today announced measures taken by the Government of Canada in relation to Syria. Following extensive review, the Government of Canada has removed Syria from Canada's List of Foreign State Supporters of Terrorism under the State Immunity Act, as well as removed Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the List of Terrorist Entities under the Canadian Criminal Code. These decisions were not taken lightly; the safety and security of Canadians will remain paramount for the Government of Canada. These measures are in line with recent decisions taken by our allies, including the United Kingdom and the United States, and follows the efforts by the Syrian transitional government to advance Syria's stability, build an inclusive and secure future for its citizens, and work alongside global partners to reinforce regional stability and counter terrorism. The Government of Canada remains committed to fostering safety and security at home and abroad, and will continue its work, including through collaboration with the Global Coalition Against Daesh, to counter global security threats, such as those posed by Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Canada will also continue our accountability efforts, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, as well as the use of targeted sanctions. Quotes "Canada welcomes the positive steps taken by the Syrian transitional government since the end of the Assad regime towards a peaceful Syrian-led political transition. Canada stands steadfast with the people of Syria in their quest for an inclusive, stable and prosperous future." - Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs "We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Syria and take measures against violent extremist or terrorist activity by ISIS and Al-Qaeda that poses a threat to Canada, our citizens and our interests around the world." - Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety Quick facts Between 2016 and 2025, Canada committed more than $4.7 billion in funding for Syria and countries hosting Syrian refugees, including Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. This funding includes significant humanitarian, development, and stabilization assistance. Canada has also resettled more than 100,000 Syrian refugees since 2015. Canada is currently imposing sanctions on 56 Syrian entities and 225 Syrian individuals under Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations. These sanctions include senior officials of the former Assad regime and close associates and family members of Assad. The entities listed in the Syrian Regulations include state-affiliated entities and bodies, as well as entities owned or controlled by listed individuals or linked to repression, arms proliferation or financial support for the Assad regime. On February 27, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs issued a general permit under the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations ("General Permit (Syria)") to temporarily ease some of Canada's autonomous economic sanctions on Syria. This general permit allows all Canadians and persons in Canada to provide any financial or related services to or within Syria, in support of democratization, stabilization and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to or within Syria, including by taking part in transactions through the Central Bank of Syria and six other sanctioned banks. The General Permit (Syria) was extended for an additional six months in August 2025 and is currently valid until February 23, 2026. Other prohibitions under the Criminal Code as well as pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions may still apply for humanitarian-related and other activities. The decision to remove Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham is the result of a recently completed statutory review of 18 currently listed terrorist entities under the Criminal Code by the Government of Canada. In conducting the statutory review, it was determined that the 17 other entities should remain listed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria: Effort to buttress human rights since Assad's fall, 'only the beginning of what needs to be done' 5 December 2025 - Summary executions and other violations continue in Syria nearly a year after the fall of the Assad regime, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday. OHCHR is calling for more action to end the violence and achieve justice. "While the interim authorities have taken encouraging steps towards addressing past violations, these steps are only the beginning of what needs to be done," spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheethan told journalists in Geneva. Summary executions and arbitrary killing Since last December, Syria's interim authorities have established national commissions for transitional justice and missing persons, among other measures. A draft law on transitional justice has been announced, and trials have begun into deadly violence that occurred in coastal areas in March. "Yet, we continue to see distressing accounts of summary executions, arbitrary killings and abductions, mainly targeting members of certain communities and individuals accused of affiliation with the former government," he said. Minorities affected Hundreds have been killed over the past year by the security forces and affiliated groups, elements associated with the former government, local armed groups and unidentified armed individuals. Other reported violations and abuses include sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, destruction of homes, forced evictions, and restrictions on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. Alawite, Druze, Christian and Bedouin communities were mainly affected by the violence, which has been fed by rising hate speech both on and offline. Incursions by Israeli forces "The past year has also been marked by repeated Israeli military operations, including incursions, and occupation of additional territory," Mr. Al-Kheethan added. OHCHR has received reports of civilian casualties, as well as arrests and home searches. The spokesperson noted that the integration of former armed groups into Syria's new security forces has so far happened hastily and without proper human rights vetting. This is crucial to ensure that perpetrators of serious violations do not enter their ranks and to prevent further violations. Accountability essential for Syria's transition "All violations - past and present - must be independently, thoroughly and transparently investigated, and those responsible held to account," he said. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has called on the authorities to take action to address the root causes of the violations. He stressed that accountability, justice, peace and security for all Syrians are absolute prerequisites for a successful transition. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sergiy Boyev discusses countering Shahed drones and economic pressure on russia with Norway's Defence Ministry delegation Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 4 December, 2025, 2:48 PM EET Sergiy Boyev, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, held a meeting with a delegation from Norway's Ministry of Defence. He outlined Ukraine's current challenges in resisting russia's aggression. A representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine provided an update on the situation at the front and on russia's plans to continue the war. The Norwegian delegation was briefed on the current threats posed by the aggressor and on the pace of development of its military industry. "We do not believe in the sincerity of russia's intentions to end the war, as we see them expanding their capabilities. At the same time, our priority is to do everything to ensure that the Defence Forces remain fully equipped next year," noted Deputy Minister of Defence Sergiy Boyev. He expressed gratitude to Norway for its ongoing support of Ukraine's defence capability and underscored the importance of sustained contributions to the PURL initiative. According to him, U.S. weaponry is contributing to repelling large-scale missile and drone attacks. The Deputy Minister also noted that it is essential to ensure sufficient funding for Ukraine's defence industry to manufacture the required quantities of interceptor drones, electronic warfare (EW) systems and other innovative products. "Norway is an important partner for us in this area of cooperation," Sergiy Boyev underscored. The Ukrainian side emphasised that ending the war directly depends on russia's ability to finance its aggression, and therefore, sanctions must continue to be applied through various measures. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Appears To Hit Russia's Grozny As Kyiv Seeks Answers From US On Kremlin Peace Talks By RFE/RL December 05, 2025 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 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. 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 you've 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 it's worth, that we have made a lot of progress, but we're not yet quite across the finish line there," he added. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/grozny- drone-explosions-follow-us-ukraine-efforts-on- russia-peace-proposal/33613712.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address How A Ukrainian Drone Strike On Russia Has Crippled Kazakh Oil Exports By Ray Furlong and Azattyq Asia December 05, 2025 Summary A Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian oil-loading facility near Novorossiysk has disrupted oil exports, impacting both Russia and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan relies on this route for 80 percent of its oil exports, creating economic and strategic vulnerabilities. The attack has sparked diplomatic tensions, with Kazakhstan protesting and Ukraine defending its targeting of Russia's military potential. A drone strike on an oil-loading facility off Russia's Black Sea coast has ignited a diplomatic spat between Ukraine and Kazakhstan, exposed the Central Asian country's 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 Russia's 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 port's capacity for loading oil. "Each mooring's 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 it's 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/RL's 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 Kazakhstan's entire export earnings. The Kazakh government lodged an official protestwith 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 Russia's Krasnodar region, followed by a further hit on its office in Novorossiysk. Ukraine has issued a scathing responseto 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 CPC's 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 Europe's existing problems with replacing Russian supplies it has massively reduced in response to the Kremlin's 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 Russia's 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 Kazakhstan's vulnerability has led to renewed discussion about whether it can diversify its export routes. Kazakhstan's 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 Turkey's 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 China's 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." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-drone-strike-russia- kazakh-oil-exports/33612902.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denys Shmyhal and Slovenia's Defence Minister discuss the development of defence cooperation Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 5 December, 2025, 11:35 AM EET Ukraine's Defence Minister, Denys Shmyhal, held a meeting in Kyiv with Slovenia's Defence Minister, Borut Sajovic. The Minister of Defence of Ukraine expressed gratitude to Slovenia for its support across all key areas, including its participation in the PURL initiative. "This is a truly important initiative to strengthen our capabilities, above all in air defence. We highly value Slovenia's intention to allocate around 43 million to this mechanism by the end of the year. I also emphasised the importance of the Security Cooperation Agreement and the long-term support between our countries," stated Denys Shmyhal. The delegations focused on ways to advance cooperation, including opportunities for joint industrial projects within the European EDIP and SAFE initiatives, as well as under the "Danish model." "We stand ready to share our experience in employing interceptor drones, deep-strike systems, and other types of UAVs," underlined the Minister of Defence of Ukraine. Furthermore, the parties discussed the potential supply of training weapons for training Ukrainian warriors, as well as the use of frozen russian assets to support Ukraine's defence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vancouver, December 5, 2025 - Dynasty Gold Corp. (TSXV: DYG) (FSE: D5G1) (OTC Pink: DGDCF) ("Dynasty" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, subject to Exchange approval, it intends to close a non-brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of $751,800, combining both non-flow-through and flow-through units. The company builds on its existing cash reserve of over $3 million and is now fully funded for its current drill program and the 2026 exploration program. The company received subscriptions for 1,255,555 units of non-flow-through common shares for proceeds of $226,000. Each unit of non-flow-through shares consists of one common share at $0.18 and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at $0.30 for twenty-four months from closing. The Company has the right to call the warrant for expiry upon giving 20 days' notice if the common share trades at or above $0.43 on the TSX-V for 7 consecutive days. Finder's fees of $15,820 and broker's warrants of 87,888 are payable to registered dealers. The broker's warrants have the same terms as the common share warrants. The net proceeds received from the non-flow-through offering will be used for working capital. The flow-through financing consists of 2,390,000 units for proceeds of $525,800. Each flow-through unit consists of one flow-through share at $0.22 and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one non-flow-through common share at $0.33 for twenty-four months from closing. The Company has the right to call the warrant for expiry upon 20 days' notice if the common share trades at or above $0.43 on the TSX-V for 7 consecutive days. Finder's fees of $30,360 and 138,000 non-flow-through common share warrants are payable to Roche Securities Limited. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at $0.22 for twenty-four months from closing. Other terms of the common share warrants apply. The gross proceeds from the Flow-Through Offering will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" that are "flow-through mining expenditures", as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), to advance the Corporation's Thundercloud gold project in Ontario. The proceeds will be renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025, in the aggregate amount of not less than the total amount of gross proceeds raised from the issue of the Flow-Through Shares. All securities issued and issuable pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period. About Dynasty Gold Corp. Dynasty Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company currently focused on gold exploration in North America. Its 100%-owned Thundercloud property is situated within the Archean Manitou-Stormy Lakes Greenstone Belt, in northwestern Ontario. The Company is currently drilling to expand the NI 43-101 gold resource. A NI 43-101 Resource Estimate Report can be found on the Company's and SEDAR websites. The 100% owned Golden Repeat gold project in the Midas gold camp in Elko County, Nevada shares similar geological features as the Midas Gold mine and is surrounded by a number of large-scale operating mines. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.dynastygoldcorp.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DYNASTY GOLD CORP. "Ivy Chong" Ivy Chong, President & CEO This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. 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 TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept 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/277166 Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE:PRR) (OTCQB:PRRSF) (FRA:OED) is pleased to announce that it has closed the third and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement of $0.12 flow-through units announced on October 17, 2025 (see news release for details), issuing 416,667 flow-through units for gross proceeds of $50,000.00. All securities issued in the third tranche are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on April 4, 2026, and no finder fees were paid. Over the three tranches, the Company raised aggregate gross proceeds of $1,632,800.16 through the issue of 13,606,668 flow-through units ("FT Unit"), each comprised of one flow-through common share (a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.18 for a period of two years after Closing, subject to accelerated expiry if the Company's common shares trade or close on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") at $0.35 or more for ten consecutive trading days. In the aggregate, insiders purchased 963,333 FT Units, which as of the third tranche closing represented approximately 1% of the then issued and outstanding shares, or 1.47% if the associated warrants were immediately exercised. The participation by insiders constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied upon the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements pursuant to sections 5.5(a), (b) and (c), and sections 5.7(1)(a) and (b), respectively, of MI 61-101. Len Brownlie, President and CEO of Prospect Ridge commented: "Prospect Ridge is very grateful to the investors who have supported us during this financing. Your trust and confidence in Prospect Ridge and its exploration projects is truly appreciated. We look forward to efficiently allocating these funds for the discovery of B.C.'s next significant copper-gold porphyry deposit to create value for all of our shareholders." Use of Proceeds of the Offering The Company intends to use the gross proceeds from the FT Placement to incur, on its mineral projects in British Columbia, eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will also qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" under the Income Tax Act (Canada). The Company intends to allocate approximately 50% of the gross proceeds to finance the recently announced 2,000 meter drill program on the Issuer's Camelot project, located near Horsefly, B.C. The remaining funds will be allocated to funding drill programs at one or more of the Company's Excalibur and Castle projects. The securities to be offered under the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States 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 Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia-based exploration and development company focused on critical metals and gold. Led by a management and technical team with over 100 years of combined mineral exploration experience, Prospect Ridge is dedicated to advancing its portfolio of properties in the Golden Horseshoe and Cariboo regions of north-central British Columbia that have the potential to become the next large copper/gold porphyry discovery across this vastly under-explored region. Contact Information Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. Mike Iverson - Chairman, Director Email: mike@miverson.ca 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 release. This release includes certain statements and information ("FLI") that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. FLI relates to future events or future performance and reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company's management. Anything that is not historical fact is FLI. Generally, FLI can be, without limitation, identified by the use of forward-looking wording such as "plans", "intends", "believes", "expects", "anticipates" or "estimates", and statements or phrases that certain actions, events or results "may", "might", "could", "should" or "would" occur, and similar expressions. FLI is not historical fact, is made as of the date of this news release and includes, without limitation, statements and discussions of future plans, intentions, expectations, estimates and forecasts, and statements as to management's intentions and expectations with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects. FLI involves numerous risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any FLI. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the availability of financing to continue exploration activities, the availability and cost of qualified exploration personnel and service providers, and that future exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects will not be as anticipated. In making any FLI in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects will be as anticipated. Although management has endeavored to evaluate and use reasonable assumptions and to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in FLI, these assumptions may prove incorrect and there may be other factors that cause results not to be as intended, expected, anticipated or estimated. There can be no assurance that FLI will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed in FLI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on FLI, and are further cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any FLI expressed or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION TO THE UNITED STATES SOURCE: Prospect Ridge Resources Corp Leopard Lake Gold Corp. (CSE:LP) announces the departure of Mr. Daniel Belanger, Director, CEO, and Interim CFO, effective December 1, 2025. The company thanks Mr. Belanger for his dedication and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors. Mr. Alain Landry will serve as the new CFO. Mr. Norman Ross, Executive Chairman of the Board, will serve as Interim CEO. About Leopard Lake Gold Corp. Leopard Lake Gold Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on acquiring and developing high-potential critical mineral projects in Quebec. The company is committed to supporting the growing demand for essential minerals required for green energy, technology, and strategic industries. Leopard Lake Gold Corp's flagship project, the St-Robert de Bellarmin project, consists of 327 contiguous mining claims in the Appalachian geological belt of Quebec, Canada. Through a structured option agreement, the company also holds the right to acquire a 100% interest (subject to a 2% royalty) in the St-Robert tungsten mine project, a former underground tungsten mine located south of Saint-Georges-de-Beauce, just 30 km from the U.S. border. For Leopard Lake Gold Corp. Norman Ross Executive Chairman & CEO For more information, please contact: Norman Ross Executive Chairman & CEO (418) 732-4555 Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements include forecasts, projections, and expectations and are often, but not always, identified by the use of terms such as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "potential," "target," "schedule," "budget," and "intend," as well as variations of such words and phrases or statements that an event or result "may," "could," "should," or "might" occur, including their negative forms. All statements other than those relating to historical facts included in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the exercise of incentive stock options, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There is no assurance that such statements will prove accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a few material factors and assumptions. Key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans evolve, future resource estimate results, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market, or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, title defects, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, equipment failures or breakdowns, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, unexpected environmental impacts on operations and associated costs to remedy them, and other exploration or operational risks, as detailed in this press release and in the company's regulatory filings. While the company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, other factors may also cause material differences, including, but not limited to, risks related to epidemics or pandemics. There is no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove accurate, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Vancouver, December 5, 2025 - Cascade Copper Corp. (CSE: "CASC", FRA:"91O") ("Cascade" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement for aggregate proceeds of up to CDN$600,000 (the "Offering") for its proposed early 2026 exploration programs. The Offering includes a Critical Minerals flow-through component (the "Flow-Through Component") of flow-through units (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.04 per FT Unit. Each FT Unit is comprised of one flow-through common share (each, an "FT Share") and one-half non-flow-through share purchase warrant. Each full warrant is exercisable for one non-flow-through common share (each, a "Share") at an exercise price of $0.05 for a term of 36 months after the closing. The non-flow-through component of the Offering (the "Non-Flow-Through Component") is comprised of units (the "NFT Units") at a price of $0.035 per NFT Unit. Each NFT Unit is comprised of one Share and one-half non-flow-through warrant, with each full warrant exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $0.05 for a term of 36 months after the closing. Management of the Company reserves the right to amend the final allocation of the Flow-Through Component and the Non-Flow-Through Component under the Offering. The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares, which will qualify as a "flow-through share" (as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)), will be used primarily to incur eligible Critical Mineral Canadian Exploration Expenses and will be used primarily to fund a drilling program at the Company's exploration projects in BC and Ontario. The gross proceeds from the sale of the NFT Units will be used for the Company's general operating expenses. The Offering is scheduled to close in tranches, with the first tranche expected to close by late December and is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Offering is being made by way of private placement in Canada and such other jurisdictions as the Company may determine. The Company intends to renounce the Qualifying Expenditures to subscribers of Flow-Through Units for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, and to incur the necessary Qualifying Expenditures on or before December 31, 2026, in accordance with regulatory requirements. The Company may pay finder's fees and warrants on the Offering of up to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised. The finder's fees shall be paid in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Existing Shareholder Exemption and Investment Dealer Exemption The Offering will be made available to existing shareholders of the Company who, as of the close of business on December 5, 2025, held common shares of the Company (and who continue to hold such common shares as of the closing date), pursuant to the prospectus exemption set out in B.C. Instrument 45-534 -- Exemption From Prospectus Requirement for Certain Trades to Existing Security Holders and in similar instruments in other jurisdictions in Canada. The existing shareholder exemption limits a shareholder to a maximum investment of $15,000 in a 12-month period unless the shareholder has obtained advice regarding the suitability of the investment and, if the shareholder is resident in a jurisdiction of Canada, that advice has been obtained from a person that is registered as an investment dealer in the jurisdiction. If the Company receives subscriptions from investors relying on the existing shareholder exemption exceeding the maximum amount of the financing, the Company intends to adjust the subscriptions received on a pro-rata basis. The Company has also made the Offering available to certain subscribers pursuant to B.C. Instrument 45-536 - Exemption Form Prospectus Requirement for Certain Distributions Through an Investment Dealer. In accordance with the requirements of the investment dealer exemption, the Company confirms that there is no material fact or material change about the Company that has not been generally disclosed. The Offering is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals, including acceptance from the Canadian Securities Exchange. All securities to be issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date under applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada. About Cascade Copper Cascade Copper is a natural resource company engaged in the evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of copper based mineral resource properties. Cascade is focused on copper and gold, porphyry and mesothermal gold deposits in British Columbia and VMS and BIF copper, gold and silver style deposits in Ontario. Cascade's priority is to conduct exploration using modern technology that includes 3D inversion modelling of geophysics, LiDAR derived elevation models and AI enhanced predictive modelling from all historic and modern data inputs. Drilling is planned on several of its copper projects this year. Cascade has five projects, including the Copper Plateau Copper-Moly Project, the Centrefire Copper Project, the Rogers Creek Copper-Gold Project, the Fire Mountain Copper-Gold Project and the Bendor Gold Project. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: CASCADE COPPER CORP. Jeffrey S. Ackert, President and CEO 555-1130 West Pender St. Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4 Telephone: 1 613 851 7699 E-Mail: info@cascadecopper.com Web: www.cascadecopper.com Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. DISCLAIMER & FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, and by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on currently available information, Cascade Copper Corp. provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Factors which cause results to differ materially are set out in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward looking statements." This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Why Hulkenberg skipped Hamilton's driver dinner Lewis Hamilton invited all 19 fellow Formula 1 drivers to a season-ending dinner in Abu Dhabi on Thursday - but three were absent - Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, and Nico Hulkenberg. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber Hamilton posted a group photo on social media, praising the respect and camaraderie within the grid. Class of 2025, he captioned. We're the only people in the world to do what we do and for that we're incredibly lucky. I'm grateful for this group of drivers I have the privilege of racing against and even though we're competitors, there's nothing but respect and I'm proud to call them friends. But eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed that Hulkenberg, long admired in the paddock for his dry humour and punctuality, was nowhere to be seen. According to Bild, the Sauber driver skipped the dinner deliberately - and for a reason that will be understood by anyone who has followed F1 for decades. Instead of dining with the current grid, Hulkenberg attended a private farewell gathering for legendary German journalist Michael Schmidt, held on the rooftop terrace of the Mercedes motorhome. Schmidt has covered Formula 1 for Auto Motor und Sport since 1987 and is retiring after 45 years in the paddock. Hulkenberg has known Schmidt for his entire career, and Bild reports the German felt it was important to be present for the send-off of the man who chronicled every chapter of his racing life. As for Aston Martin's absentees, Alonso and Stroll, their reasons for missing the dinner remain unknown. (GMM) There have been a lot of discussions and outcry in India recently over the central government's directive asking smartphone makers to pre-load its cyber safety app Sanchar Saathi on all new devices, and just when we thought that the dust had settled down since the government withdrew the mandate, we are now seeing a new report that could spark yet another debate in the country while raising security and privacy concerns. According to Reuters, the Indian government is reviewing a proposal by the telecom industry to require smartphone companies to keep satellite location tracking enabled at all times for better tracking. The report states the Indian government, for years, has been concerned about its agencies not getting precise locations when legal requests are made to telecom operators during investigations, and that's because the telecom firms are limited to using cellular tower data, which can be off by several meters since it can only provide an estimated area location. Hence, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, proposed that the government order smartphone makers to activate A-GPS, which uses satellite signals and cellular data. This would require satellite tracking to remain active on smartphones at all times, with no option for users to disable it. Apple, Samsung, and Google opposed this proposal and told the government that always-on satellite tracking should not be mandated, with the lobbying group India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), representing Apple and Google, saying "A measure to track device-level location has no precedent anywhere else in the world," in a confidential letter to the Indian government in July. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max ICEA also argued in its letter that there are significant "legal, privacy, and national security concerns" with the telecom group's proposal, and a mandate for always-on A-GPS for precise location tracking "would be a regulatory overreach." That said, the telecom group not only proposed A-GPS activation but also has problems with older location-tracking methods, as smartphone companies display a pop-up message to alert users when a network carrier is trying to access their location. The telecom group argued that a "target can easily ascertain that he is being tracked by security agencies," and urged the government to order smartphone manufacturers to disable the pop-up features. On that matter, ICEA argued in its letter to the Indian government that "privacy concerns should take priority and India should also not consider disabling the pop-ups." Reuters claims that India's home ministry had scheduled a meeting of top smartphone industry executives on Friday to discuss the matter, but it was postponed. Source Intel will soon make chips for Apple, including for iPhones, according to new rumor Apple used to employ Intel chips in its laptops and desktops, but moved away from them once the in-house designed M-series chips arrived. Now it seems like the company is on the verge of reaching a new deal with Intel, but this will be different. Intel will just be making chips for Apple - it won't be involved in the design phase at all. Basically, Apple wants to not depend entirely on TSMC for chip fabrication, and Intel is the way to do that. GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu says he and his colleagues now expect a deal between Intel and Apple to be reached for at least some non-Pro iPhone A-series chips to be supplied starting in 2028. Intel would make a small percentage of Apple's chips, at least initially, with TSMC remaining the main supplier. Last month, Ming-Chi Kuo said Intel would start making Apple's lowest-end M-series chips for Macs and iPads as early as mid-2027. For the M-series chips, Apple would use Intel's 18A process, which is supposed to be the "earliest available sub-2nm advanced node manufactured in North America". Source Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, but they were only the start of holiday shopping. The OnePlus 15 is now up for pre-order in the US and units will ship out by the end of the year even though regulatory hurdles were cleared, it seems that the company will need some time to spin up its sales machine. Amazon US will also be selling the new flagship. Meanwhile, Google seems to be clearing out its inventory of 256GB Pixel 10 Pros. Heres how we know they are discounted by an extra $50 compared to the other storage capacities. A note on the 128GB Pixel 10 Pro it uses slower UFS 3.1 chips. The Pixel 10 Pro XL starts at 256GB, so it doesnt have such issues. The vanilla Google Pixel 10 is, unfortunately, not part of the 256GB clear-out, but it does carry a $250 discount similar to its Pro sibling. Speaking of, heres our Pixel 10 vs. Pixel 10 Pro comparison article for an in-depth look at the differences. All 2025 Motorola flip foldables are under $1,000, but only the Moto Razr Ultra 2025 has a notable discount of $400. The other two models are only $100 off. Samsung has released a new series of microSD Express cards under the P9 Express branding. Nintendo Switch 2 owners know what this is about these cards use the PCIe protocol to hit higher transfer speeds (up to 800MB/s read speeds!) than UHS-I cards. These are basically microscopic SSDs. Now, if only smartphones would adopt this standard... We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Yigo resident Donna Dabinon, 38, flew out to California last year so her son could get heart surgery. This was the only time he had been on a plane, until he was invited on United Airlines Fantasy Flight to the North Pole on Friday. She told the Pacific Daily News that the flight was a culminating experience, rewarding her family for their unfortunate times. Its very fortunate because of the hardship we went through. The event had a great impact on my children, Dabinon said. Over 30 kids and their parents or guardians boarded the Fantasy Flight at 2:20 p.m. Friday, and every one of them shouted with joy as the plane lifted off. When the flight landed, the kids were treated to Christmas music, treats, face painting, balloon animals, and carnival games at Uniteds hangar in Tiyan. The crew aboard the plane also played Christmas music and danced up and down the aisle before takeoff. More than a fun memory, the flight was also a positive experience for those who had only flown for medical treatments. Dededo resident Christopher Aguon, 50, said his daughter flew off island for chemotherapy as a recipient of a grant from The Childrens Ark. Her experience traveling previously was for treatment, so I think the memories associated with it werent happy or positive, so this is definitely a flight thats going to be associated with positive memories, Aguon said. Its something thats fun and in good spirits and all about the holidays. Its a good time for them to not worry about all the negative things theyve been through. This was the first time most of the children in the group had been on a plane. Dededo resident Kalanie Barcinas, 34, boarded the flight with her five kids, including her son who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus earlier this year. Ive never known United did something like this, and its a beautiful experience for our family to have, Barcinas said. Its nice to see [my son] happy and with his siblings. Most of the children aboard the flight were sponsored by The Childrens Ark, which provides financial assistance to families for medical expenses. The nonprofit organization was one of Uniteds partners for this years event. Madelene Campos, Childrens Ark chairperson, and Joannie Quinata, the organizations secretary, said this event was an opportunity for families to forget what they were going through and embrace the holiday joy. I can only imagine how they feel, what theyre going through, but today, theyre so excited. Some kids even brought luggage and carry-ons, Campos said. Sam Shinohara, United Airlines managing director of airport operations Asia/Pacific, told PDN that United partners with a different organization every year. This year, the airline reached out to The Childrens Ark and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Guam and CNMI. The committee meets every August. We have a longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish, so theyre our go-to, but they dont always have 40 to 50 kids [available], Shinohara said. Eric Tydingco, president of Make-A-Wish, said this event was an extension of the foundations mission to grant wishes and create memorable experiences. They get to go on the plane and some special treatment, [and] its nice for them to board a flight for fun, when they know its not serious, Tydingco said. What made this years flight special, Shinohara added, was that it was employee-driven. Several United employees, flight attendants, and pilots volunteered their time to work on the Fantasy Flight and create a fun experience for the kids. Fantasy Flights also take place outside of Guam. United Airlines hosts the event out of its seven hubs and five line stations, including Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, Honolulu, and Tampa, so there are 12 flights altogether. While former Guam Regional Transit Authority executive director and current special projects coordinator Richard Ybanez may be ready for trial, legal developments presented in court could complicate proceedings, Superior Court Judge Alberto Tolentino said Friday. Ybanez, 52 who was present in Tolentinos courtroom, is accused of using a firearm to terrorize another employee during an argument at the GRTA office on Oct. 4. He was charged with terrorizing as a third-degree felony and has been placed on paid administrative leave since the incident. During Fridays hearing, defense attorney Thomas Fisher confirmed his office has received all discovery for the trial but raised concerns about the alleged victim, Joseph Dwayne Duenas, who has been arrested and charged with fraud. So of course, well be going into that trial, so were going to need an update on who his lawyer will be, and were also going to need a copy of all the charging documents and the discovery in that case, Fisher told the court. Prosecuting attorney Samuel John Alexander addressed questions about Duenas arrest but said details were unclear. He said prosecutors will follow up. He also admitted that there is no prosecuting attorney presiding over the case. We have not assigned a lawyer yet, Alexander said. Tolentino then instructed Fisher to provide witness and exhibit lists for the pretrial conference set for Dec. 17. The hearing ended with a reminder that if any motions are filed before the pretrial conference, the parties may reconvene sooner. Fisher said the right to a speedy trial continues to be asserted. Politically motivated Outside the courtroom, Fisher continued to defend his client. He argued that the accusations against Ybanez were unfounded. Fisher also confirmed that Ybanez remains ready to proceed with the trial despite the arrest. Yeah, absolutely, were ready to go. Theres nothing to this case, he said, criticizing Attorney General Doug Moylan. I think its politically motivated, and we look forward to [Ybanez] being acquitted, of course, Fisher said. The man is not guilty. Its unfortunate that the attorney general decided that he was going to try and sharpen his political knife on this mans reputation, but well deal with it all. According to court documents, the incident began with a heated argument around 4:30 a.m. that day. Duenas reported that Ybanez approached him aggressively in a stairwell, forcing him into a defensive position. Duenas initially left the scene to calm down, but later went to Ybanezs office, believing the situation had been resolved, before being threatened. Ybanez said Duenas accidentally stepped on his toe. Ybanez then allegedly retrieved a firearm from a bag, placed it on the desk, and threatened to shoot his feet. Fearing for his safety, Duenas left the office and waited until Ybanez had left the building before driving away. Investigations were conducted, including interviews with Duenas and a witness. Police later found Ybanez at his Yigo residence, confiscated his registered firearms with his consent, questioned him, and then processed, booked, and confined him on Oct. 15 at the Department of Corrections. In 2023, Ybanez resigned as GRTA executive director after facing charges for holding the position without the required college degree. Pacific Daily News records show that he and five other GRTA officials were indicted on counts of misapplication of entrusted funds, theft by deception, and official misconduct. That case was dismissed by the court in August 2024, a ruling upheld in October 2024. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code I read the recent letter published in the Guam PDN criticizing my resolution urging Congress to mandate that housing allowances for U.S. servicemembers stationed in Guam be administered under the Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, system rather than the Overseas Housing Allowance, or OHA. Let me begin with absolute clarity that this resolution is not about blaming military families. It is about correcting a policy distortion identified by the Department of War itself. In 2013, the Navy commissioned a comprehensive 122-page study from the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) titled Evaluating Which Housing Allowance System Is Best for U.S. Territories: A Comparison of OHA and BAH. That study concluded that Guams housing market is distorted by OHA far more than other jurisdictions: Whereas OHA has had negligible effects on markets in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it has major effects on Guam. CNA also found that OHA utility allowances are set at the 80th percentile of reported costs, meaning they exceed the average expenditures of most local households. CNA states: OHA utility rates are set at the 80th percentile. BAH pays for only average utility expenditures. The structure of OHA produces unintended consequences for Guams market. This structure removes any incentive to bargain or economize. The CNA study found that many landlords legally charge rents pegged to the maximum allowance, driving up prices across the rental market. The reality is that local landlords are not to blame either; they are making rational economic decisions within a broken system. This is why blaming landlords or military families misses the true cause of the problem. Individuals are behaving rationally. The distortion is created by the way OHA functions in a small, isolated rental market with a large number of OHA renters. CNA notes that a normal market price for housing may not currently exist on Guam. BAH, which is used in every state in the nation, provides a flat, tax-free allowance that reflects median prices based on local market data. If a servicemember finds a more affordable home, that family keeps the difference under BAH, not so under OHA. If a service member chooses housing below that stipend, they keep the savings, which incentivizes negotiation and competition, all hallmarks of a free market. Respecting our service members also requires honesty about the consequences of federal policy. The Department of War and Congress have already been studying the possibility of transitioning Guam to BAH, as evidenced by the language in the National Defense Authorization Act in 2020 and the CNA report. The people of Guam deserve a voice in this discussion. My resolution ensures that the voices of Guams people are part of an already ongoing policy debate that directly affects them. I will provide the full 122-page CNA study to anyone who wishes to read it. Please email my office at senator.parkinson@guamlegislature.gov for a digital copy. Hard copies are also available for pickup at my office. I welcome this debate and discussion, because this conversation has been happening at kitchen tables all over the island for a long time, and its time that the people of Guam express their voice in the matter. This is not about blame. This is about establishing a fair market that treats military families with respect and allows Guam residents to rent homes without competing against a federally subsidized ceiling that average civilian incomes cannot match. Every resident of Guam deserves access to a housing market that is shaped by real supply and real demand. It is about fairness and restoring a real free market in Guams rental economy. That should be something we can all support. Haiti - Entrepreneurship Forum : The BRH presents its program Booster PME III On December 4th, 2025, in Cap-Haitien, the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) participated in the 11th Entrepreneurship Forum. In his opening remarks, BRH Governor Ronald Gabriel emphasized that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) "[...] remain one of the most powerful levers for revitalizing the Haitian economy." For over four years, the BRH has been strengthening its support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) around three key areas : Training and mentoring of entrepreneurs; Financing of promising projects; Research to better understand the challenges and opportunities in this strategic sector. These initiatives support a productive sector that represents nearly 25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and plays a vital role in job creation. During this Forum, Riphard Serent, an executive at the Central Bank of Haiti (BRH), presented the Booster PME III program, emphasizing the central focus of this new phase : supporting 300 businesses in three regions of the country, across various sectors including agriculture, agribusiness, tourism, crafts, and digital services. Riphard Serent reiterated that the program is designed to: Empower businesses financially; Train and provide technical guidance to project leaders; Facilitate access to financing; Strengthen financial inclusion in line with the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (SNIF) launched in 2014; Improve the financial literacy of entrepreneurs according to the National Education and Training Plan (PNEF); Promote better governance; Support businesses created or led by women; Facilitate SMEs' access to the financial market. With the three phases of the SME Booster program and the projects already deployed, the BRH will have supported nearly 500 MSMEs by the end of the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The BRH continues to offer concrete solutions to support entrepreneurs, stimulate local growth, and participate in the country's socio-economic transformation. HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Environment : Soil sampling and collection campaign On Friday, December 5, 2025, the Directorate of Forests and Renewable Energies (DFER) of the Ministry of the Environment celebrated World Soil Day under the theme "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities." "Soil is the matrix and substrate, the foundation of life," stated Moise Fils Jean Pierre, Minister of the Environment, who, since taking office, has initiated several structuring actions, including a soil sampling campaign. This project, approved in September 2021 by the Global Environment Facility, is currently being implemented in eight countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia. It aims to strengthen the capacity of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean to achieve land degradation neutrality and climate resilience, particularly in connection with the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The coordination and management of this project are ensured by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM). The Haitian government, through the Ministry of the Environment, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Center for Geospatial Information, and public and private universities, has undertaken the mission of conducting a national soil sampling survey. The Ministry of the Environment trained 245 young university students and professionals as part of the sampling campaign. This initiative positions young people as key players in sustainable soil management. These training sessions enabled participants to master the various stages of the sampling process, including locating sampling points, appropriate sample transport techniques, and the use of specialized software required for data processing. Given the advanced state of soil degradation in Haiti, updating soil data has become an essential step in promoting soil conservation, environmental education, and the sustainable management of natural resources. The inclusion of students and young professionals in these measures demonstrates the Minister's commitment to making youth a pillar of environmental governance. HL/HaitiLibre With the majority of the coalition of CDU and SPD, as well as the votes of the opposition AfD, the Berlin House of Representatives passed a comprehensive amendment to the General Security and Public Order Act (ASOG) on Thursday. The reform grants the police powers that deeply interfere with fundamental rights and cross previous red lines of the capital's security policy. While Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) defends the law as a necessary update for the digital age and the fight against terrorism, critics see it as a disproportionate attack on privacy. Continue after ad Law provides for massive tightening A bone of contention is the combination of digital surveillance and physical intrusion: In order to monitor encrypted communication, investigators will in future, according to the Senate draft and the Anderungen der Abgeordneten, not only be allowed to hack IT systems but also to secretly enter suspects' apartments. The explosive innovation is hidden in paragraphs 26a and 26b. These regulate so-called source telecommunications surveillance (Quellen-TKU) and secret online searches. In order to intercept communication on devices such as smartphones or laptops before or after decryption, the police may use malware such as state Trojans. But the new Police Act goes a step further: If remote installation of the spyware is technically not possible, paragraph 26 explicitly allows investigators to "secretly enter and search premises" in order to gain access to IT systems. In fact, Berlin is thus legalizing as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania did before state intrusion into private apartments in order to physically install Trojans, for example via USB stick. IT security experts not only warn about leaving vulnerabilities open. They also see a constitutional violation in the combination of residential space violation and digital investigation. Bodycams, mobile phone searches, and license plate scanning This infringement on the inviolability of the home is accompanied by paragraph 24c, which newly regulates the use of bodycams. While their use was previously focused on public spaces, police forces are now allowed to activate the cameras in private homes and other non-public areas if there are concrete indications of a danger to life or limb. Although the legislator emphasizes the aspect of self-protection, opponents fear that this will lead to audiovisual surveillance in the most intimate retreat of citizens in practice. Read also Sachsen-Anhalt: Mit KI und Handyuberwachung gegen Anschlage Berlin is also technically upgrading in public spaces. With paragraph 26e, the cell tower query is being expanded. In the future, the police will be able to request traffic data from all mobile phones from network operators that were located in a defined cell tower area at a specific time. This enables the creation of movement profiles of thousands of innocent citizens through grid searches, who may have coincidentally been at a demonstration site. Continue after ad In parallel, paragraph 24d creates the legal basis for the use of automatic license plate recognition systems. These scanners capture license plates in flowing traffic and compare them with wanted databases. Paragraph 24h also allows the use of technical means against unmanned systems such as drones, including taking over control. Facial recognition and AI training Another aspect that is met with criticism in expert circles is the introduction of paragraph 28a. This allows the police to perform biometric comparisons of faces and voices with publicly accessible data from the internet. This enables the police to conduct automated searches on social networks or photo platforms, for example with automated facial recognition, using material from video surveillance to identify individuals. In addition, the new paragraph 42d allows the further processing of personal data for "training and testing of artificial intelligence systems." Thus, the representatives of the people create a legal basis for using real police data such as images, videos, or text messages from investigations for training AI algorithms. Data protectionists sharply criticize this, as AI models often allow conclusions to be drawn about the training data, and the purpose limitation of the originally collected data is greatly extended here. Read also OLG Ruling: Biometric Surveillance in Online Exams is Unlawful Options for deprivation of liberty are also increasing. With the revised paragraph 33, the maximum duration of so-called preventive detention is extended from 48 hours to up to five days. In the case of imminent terrorist offenses, up to seven days are even possible. Politically, this tightening was discussed particularly in the context of the actions of the "Last Generation." Protests from many sides The opposition reacted with sharp rejection. They accuse Schwarz-Rot of carelessly sacrificing fundamental rights. Niklas Schrader (Die Linke) spoke of a "black day for civil liberties" in the debate. Vasili Franco (Greens) considers the amendment to be constitutionally highly risky. The Alliance NoASOG views the reform as an attack on civil society. The Society for Civil Rights (GFF) has announced that it will examine a constitutional complaint. With this decision, Berlin joins the ranks of federal states that have massively tightened their police laws. However, the combination of the new instruments makes the Berlin package particularly far-reaching. The legislator has thus significantly lowered the hurdles for state access to digital and physical privacy. Berlin's data protection officer Meike Kamp described the legalization of the state trojan as a frontal attack on the IT security of all citizens in advance. She saw the sum of the measures as achieving a constitutionally highly questionable density of surveillance. (mho) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The day began with the traditional flag-raising ceremony at Tahtitorninmaki in Helsinki at 8:55. Shortly after 10:00, President Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb laid a wreath at the war heroes graves at Hietaniemi Cemetery. Finland observes its 108th Independence Day today with a full schedule of official ceremonies, national broadcasts, and a series of protests expected across Helsinki in the evening. The event, organised this year by the Finnish Army and the Karelia Brigade, includes a review of troops and a ceremonial march. Live broadcasts are planned across on TV1, Radio Suomi, Yle.fi and Yle Areena. The evening will culminate with the annual Independence Day reception at the Presidential Palace. The reception, known as Linnan juhlat, will be hosted by President Stubb and his spouse. The event begins earlier than in previous years, with guests arriving from 18:15 onwards. Around 1,800 people are expected to attend, more than half of whom will be attending for the first time. The presidential couple has chosen Missa muruseni on, performed by Jenni Vartiainen and the Guards Band, as their first dance. The afterparty will take place at Hotel Kamp and features performances by Finnish artists like JVG, Ellinoora, Lauri Haav and Olavi Uusivirta. In parallel to the official celebrations, authorities are preparing for a number of public demonstrations in central Helsinki. Several protest marches and counter-demonstrations are expected in the evening, particularly around Toolo and Toolontori. Among them are the Helsinki without Nazis protest and the 612 torchlight procession, which in past years has attracted participants from far-right groups. The Helsinki Police Department confirmed that they have received advance notification for most demonstrations but not for all. They expect disruptions to traffic, especially between 15:00 and 21:00, and have advised the public to avoid unnecessary private car use during that period. Police will restrict traffic in areas such as Senate Square, Kruununhaka, Katajanokka and Toolo. Roads including Pohjoisesplanadi and Mariankatu will face intermittent closures. Defence Forces and Border Guard vehicles will also be present in the capital to support public safety measures. Organisers of the Helsinki without Nazis protest have planned to gather at Toolontori around 18:00. The 612 march, which has been associated with nationalist groups, is expected to take place at the same time, raising concerns over potential clashes. Previous years have seen heightened tensions between the groups, and police are deploying extra resources to monitor the situation. HT According to multiple eyewitnesses interviewed by Helsingin Sanomat , Lehtonen appeared unwell and struggled to walk. Belgian police confirmed to HS that airport security had requested police assistance at gate A45, where a Finnish citizen displaying signs of confusion had attempted to board a flight without a ticket. Lasse Lehtonen , the Director General of Finlands Social Insurance Institution (Kela), was escorted from a Brussels airport gate by Belgian police on Friday after he failed to present a valid boarding pass for a Finnair flight to Helsinki. After a short, calm discussion, the passenger was taken to the airports medical station. Police did not confirm the passengers identity, but several sources placed Lehtonen at the scene. According to HS, he had been scheduled to return to Finland from Brussels on Thursday evening, but missed the final Finnair flight of the day at 19:10 local time. Witnesses told HS they saw him in the Finnair business lounge around 17:30. On Friday, Lehtonen again tried to board a Finnair flight, this time at 11:15, before the intervention. No information has been provided on whether he remained at the airport overnight. Lehtonen was in Brussels to attend the Care Summit Brussels 2025 event, where he was listed as a speaker. According to Yle, his name was not on the guest list for Finlands Independence Day celebrations at the Presidential Palace on Saturday, indicating no immediate return travel was planned. By Saturday morning, Lehtonen was still in Brussels. Kela board chair Vertti Kiukas said he was able to reach Lehtonen via messages but did not receive detailed explanations. I dont know exactly when he will return to Finland, Kiukas told Ilta-Sanomat. Others are handling his travel arrangements. Lehtonen has been on sick leave since Monday, which was confirmed by Kiukas earlier in the week. He is, as I understand it, both on sick leave and on a work trip, he said. On Thursday last week, the Kela Supervisory Board held an extraordinary meeting to discuss internal management practices following public criticism of Lehtonens leadership and remote work policies. The Kela Board has since commissioned an external investigator to assess the agencys leadership structure. A person close to Lehtonen told both HS and Ilta-Sanomat that the incident was linked to a medical condition and not alcohol or intoxication. The same source said they had spoken to airport medical staff. In photographs published by Ilta-Sanomat, Lehtonen is seen being accompanied by police officers through Brussels Airport on Friday. By Friday evening, his location was still unknown to Kela board members. The same evening, Kiukas said he was unable to reach Lehtonen and had only been informed through official channels that the work trip had been disrupted. Lehtonen remains on sick leave until Sunday. His return to duties will depend on the outcome of Mondays board meeting, which is expected to focus on recent developments and questions of trust. Sources: Helsingin Sanomat, Ilta-Sanomat and Yle HT An estimated 700 to 800 people joined the nationalist 612 torchlight procession, which began at Toolontori and marched to Hietaniemi Cemetery. The Helsinki Without Nazis counter-demonstration, unregistered with authorities in advance, drew between 2,000 and 3,000 participants, according to police. Opposing demonstrations in Helsinki on Finlands Independence Day remained largely peaceful after police separated participants from nationalist and anti-fascist groups. Despite tensions and isolated disturbances, the demonstrations concluded without major confrontations. Helsinki Police Chief Superintendent Patrik Karlsson confirmed to Yle and Helsingin Sanomat that officers detained four individuals during the Independence Day demonstrations. One person was taken into custody after disrupting the Sinimusta Movements Suomi Heraa march. Another was arrested following a fight that broke out between participants within the Helsinki Without Nazis protest group. Two additional arrests took place near the end of the 612 torch march, when individuals were detained for disruptive behaviour. All four were taken to the police detention facility. Police reported one case where an officer was struck with a stone. That incident involved a participant in the Helsinki Without Nazis protest. The police established wide security perimeters and restricted movement throughout central Helsinki between 15:00 and 21:00. Traffic was limited or fully stopped in some areas, including Pohjoisesplanadi and around the Senate Square. Military and Border Guard personnel and vehicles were present alongside regular police units. A no-fly zone was enforced above the city throughout the day. The 612 march, officially registered and authorised in advance, progressed under heavy police escort. Officers on horseback and foot accompanied participants along Mannerheimintie to Hietaniemi. No slogans or chants were reported from the marchers. At the same time, Helsinki Without Nazis protestors began their route without prior police approval, starting from Mantymaki Field and attempting to reach central routes. Police cordoned off protestors near Hesperianpuisto and prevented them from advancing toward the nationalist march. The situation became tense at several points. According to Yle, protestors shouted at police through megaphones and accused officers of blocking their right to demonstrate. One ambulance was delayed in traffic near Runeberginkatu due to the protest. The Helsinki Without Nazis organisers later issued a statement claiming success despite being contained by police. We are glad that residents of Helsinki and supporters from other cities stood against fascism again, the organisers said. The group declared the official part of their protest concluded by around 19:45, and attendees began leaving the area under police supervision. According to the police, the 612 procession ended at Hietaniemi Cemetery around the same time. The day included other demonstrations earlier in the afternoon. These included the Marssi Suomelle march, the Fixit EU protest, and a separate nationalist demonstration titled Suomi Heraa. Each drew hundreds of participants. Police issued warnings for pyrotechnic torch use during the Suomi Heraa march and intervened with two participants over public order concerns. No clashes were reported between these early groups. The Helsinki Police Department stated that it would continue monitoring the situation into the night. HT Fire academy sends nine cadets into service Fire Academy graduates, front row, from left, Michael Peace, Brody Davis, Josue Gomez and Dylan Bundrick; and back row, Octaveus Askew, Kristopher Miller, Parker Summey, Jerry Villars and Pablo Saavedra. [PHOTO BY RICH KEEN] The Henderson County Fire Academy at Blue Ridge Community College graduated nine cadets on Dec. 4, bolstering the firefighting workforce of Western North Carolina. Over three months, the cadets learned basic skills and competencies of the firefighting profession and earned the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal certification. During the graduation ceremony, Executive Vice President of Programs Connie Wolfe praised graduates for entering a profession that is essential for public health and safety. After witnessing the realities of last years storm, our community understands more than ever how essential skilled, dedicated first responders truly are, she said. Your work will change lives. And in moments of crisis, you will be the reassurance that hope is on the way. The annual Fire Academy is a partnership between Blue Ridge Community College and the Henderson County Fire and Rescue Association. In addition to campus resources, area fire and rescue agencies provide equipment, personnel and facilities that ensure students experience numerous realistic training scenarios. Upon completion of the program, academy graduates are prepared and qualified to begin entry-level careers in fire departments statewide. The graduation event featured introductory remarks by Dr. Wolfe and Dean of Public Safety Training Christopher Williams; congratulatory remarks by Fire and Rescue Coordinator Casey Silvers; a keynote address from Fletcher Fire and Rescue Chief Robert Griffin; and a message from class representative Kristopher Miller. Graduates were celebrated by public safety and fire department representatives, families, and college leaders. Registration is now open for the spring 2026 Henderson County Fire Academy, which begins March 9, and runs through June 18. Additionally, Blue Ridge offers a fire protection technology associate degree, a certificate or diploma in fire protection, as well as numerous fire and rescue certification programs. Visit www.blueridge.edu/fire to learn more, view course schedules and enroll online. With hope and faith, Chimney Rock rebuilds Shipping containers lining the temporary road through Chimney Rock Village express a message of hope. [PHOTO BY OLIVIA JARMAN] Fourteen months after Hurricane Helene devastated Hickory Nut Gorge, residents of Chimney Rock Village are rebuilding both physically and emotionally, with the same spirit that helped them survive the storm. Related Stories Hurricane Helene, the late September storm that became Western North Carolinas costliest disaster, ripped through this small tourist town with sudden, unstoppable force. In minutes the Rocky Broad River left its banks, carved a new course and tore through shops, bridges and homes. Mayor Peter OLeary still remembers the first time he saw the damage. Hed been away with his family at Tybee Island, Georgia, where the same storm brushed past, when pictures began to flood his phone. When he finally drove home two days later, the village was unrecognizable. It was just incredible to see, he said. It's still hard for me when I drive through and look at everything, to imagine that this actually happened. I still kind of think I'm going to wake up someday and it'll be back to normal. In the days before Helene struck Sept. 27, 2024, back-to-back storms had soaked the mountains, saturating the ground. The steep slopes of the Blue Ridge escarpment funneled the runoff straight into the gorge. More than 1,300 landslides were recorded just across the Hickory Nut Gorge and Blue Ridge Mountains during and after the storm, said Brad Daniel, an environmental educator and outdoor leadership expert at Western Carolina University. When soil gets saturated, it literally forms a slippery surface and anything thats on top of it trees, rocks, anything slides off of it, Daniel said. That played a major role in why we had so many landslides. In Chimney Rock, the landslides and floodwaters took out homes, businesses and the familiar landscape that was beloved by residents and visitors alike. We had six buildings here that were completely gone, and the 20 feet of dirt that they were sitting on is just totally gone, OLeary said. When the storm cleared, the town found itself cut off, as every bridge in or out had been destroyed. For the first six days, the only way to get resource supplies to the area was by helicopter. In response, crews built a temporary road that is still in use today. Beside it, three white shipping containers painted Faith, Hope and Love remain as a visible reminder of the following months. The recovery effort quickly became a collective one across the village as business owners rolled up their sleeves. Shopkeeper Cristina Kulak said her store was filled with about five feet of water, mud and debris during the storm that U.S. Army soldiers eventually helped shovel out. With local shops unable to reopen right away, business owners adapted by setting up temporary pop-up stores in the nearby town of Tryon. We all became family, Kulak said. All the shopkeepers and business owners, we just were coworkers essentially in this tiny little bubble experiencing all this together. Out of that experience came a partnership. Kulak joined forces with another family whose business, Rock Creations, had been destroyed along the river. Together, they opened The Finderie, an eclectic gift shop, rebuilding with wood from fallen trees from the hurricane. Kulak said the experience reshaped how she viewed her town. Its such a gift to grow those relationships together, she said. I dont know if that would have happened outside of the storm. Wed gone through the mud and wed met. She said she still sees neighbors volunteering or checking in on one another. People are so good when it comes down to it, she said. We had people walking because they couldnt drive in just to help. For James Ledgerwood, a veteran park ranger and superintendent of Chimney Rock State Park, the hardest part was not just the destruction, but what came after. Ive been here for 15 years, he said. So seeing it, hearing from my rangers, Its gone, I say, What? and he says, Everything is gone. Overnight, Ledgerwoods role transformed from teaching and leading park programs to managing large-scale construction and recovery projects. Its so hard, Ledgerwood said. You wake up and thats what youre dealing with. Do I stay here? Do I go somewhere else? What makes him stay? Im still finding joy, thats the honest answer. But seeing people succeed, seeing the people I know rebuild, get [the park] open for me, that was the best thing: to open this place back up. The recovery, he said, has changed how he approaches his work. Rebuilding will take time, and he has learned that patience and careful planning matter more now than ever. Education and Trails Manager Margeau Travers, who has worked at Chimney Rock State Park for over a decade, said the staffs connection to the landscape motivated them to move quickly once the danger had passed. We all really love and cherish this place, she said. That helped a lot because we all wanted to get in and get everything cleaned up as soon as we could. The park reopened in late June 2025, with the Skyline Trail following in August after additional cleanup. During the closure, rangers continued to engage the community. A lot of schools that usually come to us wanted us to come to them because they still wanted us to be a part of their year, Travers said. Despite these efforts, visitor numbers still remain lower than usual. Chimney Rock State Park typically sees around 400,000 visitors a year. We have a lot of road closures still impacting people getting to us, she said. Once those roads open up, we should be able to welcome people back a little bit easier. Reopening, she said, felt like returning home. It definitely kind of feels like being home again, Travers said. Everybodys still in recovery mode in the village, but it feels enough. The town's long-term rebuilding focuses on the Raise the Rock Recovery Action Plan, a strategy designed to guide construction, relocation and infrastructure improvements. Its purpose is to restore and revitalize the village by rebuilding public infrastructure while creating a foundation for future private investment. Were in the process of planning and designing and rebuilding the village, OLeary said. Everythings in the works, and the recovery is underway. The plan emphasizes moving buildings out of flood-prone areas and reinforcing the new road network. Were trying to relocate them in an area that did not flood, OLeary said. He estimated that it would take eight to ten years for most of the rebuilding to be completed. Early on, I figured out the only way to do this is just day by day, he said. Much of the current work focuses on stabilization, repairing infrastructure, monitoring landslide-prone slopes and ensuring the temporary road remains safe for residents and visitors. Environmental crews continue to assess the Rocky Broad River corridor for long-term restoration while state engineers plan permanent fixes for damaged bridges and roads. OLeary credited outside help for much of the recovery and estimated that more than 5,000 volunteers stepped up to assist. He said a faith-based disaster group from South Carolina organized hundreds of volunteers and that an Amish community, Great Needs Ministry from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, sent about 50 people each Monday for several months to work on rebuilding projects. Without them, these buildings would still be full of mud, he said. Those volunteers helped clear debris, rebuild storefronts and repair damaged homes in nearby Bat Cave. OLeary said many of the villages shops were restored with donated materials and leftover debris from the storm. Kulak saw the same spirit of generosity. She said residents and business owners continued to show up for one another long after the cleanup crews left. Many worked for weeks without pay, relying on community donations and shared supplies to reopen. Daniel said the cooperation between local leaders, state agencies and volunteers has become a defining part of the regions recovery after Hurricane Helene. One of the most beautiful aspects of what happened during that time is you saw people holding together and working together and everybody mattered, he said. No one was left behind. Chimney Rock Village has only about 125 full-time residents, but on a typical summer day between the village and the state park, as many as 8,000 to 10,000 people fill the gorge. OLeary said that balance, being a small town that serves thousands, makes recovery even more important. I always tell people, We play a lot bigger than we are, OLeary said. Some in the village said one of the hardest parts, even months after the storm, was hearing misinformation about the response efforts. Rumors online often painted a picture that did not match what they were living through. Others said the flood of conflicting stories made it harder to share the real progress that was happening quietly, one cleanup at a time. People were saying we werent getting help, Kulak said, but Id been here since day one, and all I saw were good people showing up. She added that she hopes stories like Chimney Rocks reach beyond the region. The internet doesnt always shine on the greatest aspect of things, she said. I hope things change for the good stories to get the most attention because thats what Im trying to do: shine light into all of this. While residents focused on sharing the good that came out of the storm, Travers said the park staff are now focusing on preparedness and flexibility. We definitely werent prepared for that, she said about the hurricane. But weve always had plans in place in case of emergencies, and our staff followed perfectly what we could have done beforehand. Communication was one of the biggest early challenges. Going forward, we definitely kind of know what to expect from major disasters, she said. Keeping our plans and keeping to those will help us in the future. She said the main takeaway from the past year is the importance of adaptability. By September 2025, a year after Hurricane Helene, Chimney Rock Village was far from finished. Still relying on the single makeshift road, some shops have reopened, all of the state park trails are back in service, and schools and locals are starting to return. The road detours, the debris, and the scars on the river and land still remain. Trucks are still moving out hazardous waste from the riverbanks and damaged properties every day to reduce environmental risks and stabilize the land. And the community continues to adapt. For many here, that means showing up, whether to clear debris, greet visitors or keep an eye on the rising river when it rains. The community that weathered Helene together is still defined by the same thing that got them through the worst of it: a willingness to keep going. OLeary, who has been mayor for two decades, knows the recovery will not be quick. But when he looks down Main Street now, he knows what to say. The old Chimney Rock just lives in our memory now, OLeary said. Its gone. But were working hard on rebuilding and making it better than it ever was before. * * * * * Olivia Jarman is a student journalist with UNC Media Hub. A senior at UNC at Chapel Hill, she is majoring in Journalism and Media and Hispanic Studies. The government has sought approval from the National Assembly to allow private investment in the transnational North-South high-speed rail line. Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh said in a proposal to the house the Politburo resolution for promoting private-sector economic development saw several enterprises expressing interest in developing the project. A bullet train in Japan. Photo by Pixabay/aun4496 Phan Van Mai, chairman of the National Assemblys Economic and Financial Committee, reviewing the proposal, said the committee generally agrees with it. Creating mechanisms and policies for the project is necessary and consistent with the Partys policy on mobilizing private resources for strategic projects and unlocking private investment for key infrastructure, he said. The high-speed rail will have an estimated price tag of VND1.7 quadrillion (US$67 billion) and run 1,541 kilometers between Hanoi and HCMC. Several major corporations have expressed interest in the project, including VinSpeed, Thaco, the Mekolor Great USA consortium, Thang Long National Construction Company, and Vietnam Railways Transport. Hoa Phat Group has said it plans to build a new plant just to provide steel for it. For Negin Nader Bazrafkan, Yiddish lessons have been an unexpected perk of moving into her Upper West Side apartment. Her roommate - and unofficial Yiddish teacher - is 96-year-old Rebecca Schull, a retired actress best known for her roles as Fay Cochran on the sitcom Wings and as protagonist Mike Ross' grandmother on Suits. From Schull, Bazrafkan has learned words like chutzpah, schmuck, simcha, klutz, schmutz, and faynshmeker. Her favorite is tuches, slang for buttocks, a word that makes them both laugh and their cheeks flush. The unlikely roommates' 61-year age gap might raise eyebrows on i... (JNS) - The rise of Jew-hatred in America is not only under the guise of anti-Zionism, but it also promulgates the false belief that Jews have exercised too much political power in America and that this alleged power has been used to promulgate views that are not in America's interest. The fact of the matter is that American history is replete with evidence that the Jewish influence-to whatever extent it has been on American politics-has been overwhelmingly beneficial to America's interest and that American history is replete with examples of the lack of Jewish influence in American politics.... (JNS) Some 250,000 Israelis living in communities along the Samaria security barrier are facing an escalating environmental and health emergency from Palestinian waste fires, Channel 12 News reported on Thursday. Tens of thousands in Emek Hefer, Menashe and Shoham and nearby towns have reported sleepless nights, strong odors and respiratory issues, a Knesset Interior Committee hearing revealed on Wednesday. At the meeting, residents shared testimony of nights when you simply cannot breathe, while government representatives blamed the lack of enforcement and insufficient infrastructure acro... (JTA) - A silver Tiffany & Co. menorah from the year 2000. A bronze, 23-inch tall Statue of Liberty menorah made in 1986 in New Jersey by German-born artist Manfred Anson. A silver Chanukah lamp, inlaid with carnelian stones, that was made in the early 20th century at the Bezalel school in Jerusalem. These are just a few of the 35 unique and historic menorahs that famed auction house Christie's is selling ahead of the Jewish holiday of Chanukah, which this year begins on Dec. 14. The menorahs, which come from the collection of attorney and Judaica collector Max N. Berry, will be sold by Christ... (JNS) A new watchdog report alleges that the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the largest and most financially significant branch of the national CAIR network, paid $1,000 to anti-Israel campus activists disciplined by their universities. The reportconducted by the Network Contagion Research Institute and the Intelligent Advocacy Networkstates that CAIR-CA started an education fund to help students targeted for their pro-Palestine advocacy on college campuses and solicited over $64,000 in donations. The organizations program materials offer interest-... (JNS) Alfred Dreyfus, the French Jewish military officer who was falsely accused of treason in 1894 in France, has been posthumously promoted to the rank of brigadier general, AFP reported on Tuesday. French President Emmanuel Macron and French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu signed the promotion into law on Monday, and it was published in the Journal Officiel de La Republique Francaise, the government gazette of the French Republic, the next day. The law is seen as an act of reparation for the notorious case that highlighted the rampant antisemitism of 19th-century Europe and a symbolic s... (JNS) Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Leo Terrell, chair of the U.S. Justice Department task force to combat Jew-hatred, were among the honorees awarded for speaking out on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people at a ceremony in Washington on Wednesday. Speaking at the Endowment for Middle East Truths annual Rays of Light in the Darkness gala, Fetterman said that the more people back away from Israel, the more he would lean in stronger. What Hamas has started was a full-on war against civilization and trying to destroy Israel, Fetterman said. Its my supreme honor to be the very, v... (JNS) Hamas had closely followed 100,000 Israeli troops on social media and other networks for years before executing the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, meticulously collecting information about Israel Defense Forces posts along the border, including how to operate Israeli tanks, Israels Army Radio correspondent Doron Kadosh reported on Sunday. The terrorist organization established an array of some 2,500 members who took part in gathering data online, piece by piece, for five years before the attacks on the northwestern Negev, according to Kadosh. This intelligence apparatus tracked Israeli soldi... (JNS) - The body returned to Israel on Tuesday from Gaza has been identified as that of Dror Or, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said. The identification was completed in coordination with the National Center for Forensic Medicine, the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate. "The Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Or family and all the families of the abducted fallen," said the PMO. "The IDF expresses deep condolences to the families, continues to make every effort to return all the deceased hostages, and is prepared for the continued implementation of the agreement,"... 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) Editor: WSH (JNS) Israeli forces overnight Wednesday carried out a sweeping counterterrorism operation across Judea and Samaria, seizing weapons and arresting suspected terrorists linked to recent attacks, the IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement. Guided by Shin Bet intelligence, IDF troops searched more than 70 locations, finding weapons concealed inside residences, including a Carlo submachine gun hidden in a microwave and a hunting rifle stashed behind a curtain, according to the military. At the same time, soldiers launched a major operation in the Beit Ummar area, the hometown of one of the... (JNS) Iranian state television on Monday for the first time ever aired a program with Hebrew subtitles, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting outlet. Toward the Horizon of Palestine, which began airing on IRIBs Ofogh channel in the days after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, included Hebrew subtitles for the first time on Monday evening. After Tehran realized that Toward the Horizon of Palestine is being monitored in the occupied territories, starting last night, we began broadcasting the news in Hebrew, said host Hossein Hosseini. IRIB said the show provides detailed analysis of the resistance fronts developments and to answer audience questions about Palestine and the Axis of Resistance, which comprises Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and other Iranian-backed regional terror groups. Irans state broadcaster is set to debut a Hebrew-language channel, with Hebrew subtitles appearing for the first time today. The Israeli Air Force struck the IRIBs Tehran headquarters during the 12-day war with the Islamic Republic in June. According to the Israeli military, the target of the strike was a communications hub used for military purposes. The building was used by the regime under the guise of civilian activity, covering up the military use of the centers infrastructure and assets, it said, adding that the attack directly harmed the military capabilities of the Iranian Armed Forces. In November 2022, the U.S. imposed sanctions on the IRIB and several individuals associated with the broadcaster for their involvement in the Iranian governments censorship activities. IRIB forced and broadcast hundreds of confessions from people detained by the Islamic regime. (JNS) A high-level delegation of South African Christian leaders visited Israel in mid-November with a clear mission: to witness the reality on the ground, strengthen long-standing ties with the Jewish state and return home as ambassadors for truth at a time when diplomatic ties between Jerusalem and Pretoria are under intense strain. Three members of the delegationShaun Zagnoev, chairman of the South African Friends of Israel (SAFI); Pastor Bert Pretorius, founder and president of the South African Coalition for Families and Faith (SACOFF); and Prophetess Adv. Anthea Gordon, founder and lead pastor of the Rock Christian Church in Cape Townspoke out during a visit to the JNS studio in Jerusalem on Nov. 11. Their message, delivered with deep conviction, was that the true story of Israel cannot be understood through headlines, slogans or social media. It must be seen, felt and experienced firsthand. Zagnoev, an Orthodox Jew who lives in Johannesburg, said SAFI was established to counter the growing misconception that South Africa is uniformly hostile to Israel. That image, he said, is promoted by a small but vocal ruling class that does not represent the hearts and views of ordinary South Africans. Christianity is the dominant religion in South Africa, he said. When you look beyond the politics, the overwhelming majority of South Africans want to engage with Israel, not isolate it. We have millions of friends of Israel in our country. Our purpose is to ensure Israelis know thatand to ensure South Africans have access to the truth. He argued that South Africa is an anomaly in todays polarized landscape: a country whose government takes some of the harshest anti-Israel positions on the world stage, even as its society remains one of the least antisemitic anywhere. Jews walk freely with kippot, our synagogues are safe, our campuses are safe, Zagnoev said. The governments stance is totally out of step with the people. A spiritual journey For Pretorius, whose church network represents more than 10 million South African evangelicals, the visit carried profound spiritual significance. Being here is always emotional, he said. Israel is part of our Christian identity. When we walk the land of the Bible, we dont only feel connectedwe feel responsible. We want to stand with Israel in truth, but also in the hope of peace and reconciliation. Pretorius said that South Africas difficult historyits legacy of apartheid, trauma and national healinggives its Christian leadership a unique perspective. Our history teaches us that accusations and shouting never bring change, he said. Continual engagement is what transforms societies. You engage, you engage again, and you keep engaging. This is how healing happens. And its how we want to contribute to Israel. The delegation, which included Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, the founder and leader of the African Christian Democratic Party, visited sites across the Holy Landfrom Shiloh to Jerusalems Old City, and from Christian pilgrimage sites in northern Israel to communities devastated in the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. Pretorius said that these encounters with the biblical past and Israels present-day challenges helped the South African Christian leaders understand the complexity of the region. When you stand in this land, you see how simplistic and destructive the propaganda is, he said. What we want is honest engagement. Thats why we came. False narratives Gordon, a respected religious leader and lawyer, said the trip was her first to Israel and an overwhelming spiritual experience. She described seeing the landscape of the Bible, walking through Yad Vashem and meeting Israelis affected by terrorism as life-changing. Propaganda is designed to be propaganda, she said. But when you come to Israel and you see people, families, children, communitieswhen you see the coexistence, the diversityyou can no longer accept the false narratives. Gordon said her impressions reaffirmed the central role of faith education back home. Everything begins in the home. If we want the next generation of South Africans to understand Israel truthfully, we have to teach our children the foundations of Christian faith. We must prepare them to walk in truth and in peace. Zagnoev said that bringing South African leaders to Israel has been the most effective tool in countering the apartheid libel frequently leveled by the government in South Africa, which was ruled by an apartheid regime from 1948 to 1994, when the country held its first multiracial democratic elections and Nelson Mandela was elected president. He recalled one pivotal moment more than a decade ago when Rev. Meshoea member of parliament and one of South Africas most respected Christian leadersvisited Israel. After seeing Israeli society up close, Meshoe concluded that the apartheid label was not only inaccurate but morally offensive. He said, This comparison insults the memory of what we endured, Zagnoev recounted. Anyone who fought apartheid knows that Israel is nothing like it. So when our leaders see Israel for themselves, the truth becomes undeniable. A message of hope Pretorius emphasized that South Africa today is a nation at a crossroads, struggling with political instability, corruption, economic challenges and social fragmentation. Many South African Christians, he said, are looking to Israel as an example of resilience, innovation and national purpose. South Africa is worth fighting for, and so is Israel, he said. We want our two nations to benefit from each others strengthswhether its in agriculture, water technology, education, innovation or shared spiritual foundations. We believe that Israel has a role to play in South Africas rebuilding. He cautioned, however, that changing public narratives requires patience and perseverance. It doesnt happen overnight, he said. But every visit, every relationship, every honest conversation helps. And we are committed to this work. For Gordon, the guiding principle of the delegation was simple: This is not about politics or race. Its about recognizing good and standing against evil. Its about truth, justice and faith. She said her message to South African Christians upon returning home would be clear. Come to Israel. See the truth. Build relationships. Pray for peace. Stand for righteousness. Zagnoev echoed that sentiment. We are building a movement of South AfricansChristians, Jews, people of all backgroundswho believe in the partnership between our nations, he said. We want to create bridges, not barriers. Despite diplomatic tensions and legal battles between the South African government and Israel, all three members of the delegation expressed optimism that people-to-people relations can create a new foundation for the future. Governments change, Pretorius said. But hearts, faith, relationshipsthose endure. The delegations visit ended with meetings in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where they spoke with Israeli officials, church leaders, survivors of terrorism and young volunteers. At a farewell dinner in Jerusalem, they said they were leaving Israel determined not only to share facts, but also personal testimony. In the end, the most powerful message is the truth, Gordon said. And the truth is here. We have seen it. And we will speak it. Their mission, they emphasized, was one of faith, friendship and a shared belief that South Africa and Israeltwo nations with painful histories and resilient spiritshave much to learn from and contribute to one another. Our friendship is real, Zagnoev concluded. And we are here to strengthen it. (JNS) Israel on Thursday night recovered the remains of Hamas hostage Meny (Menachem) Godard, who was murdered by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and whose body was taken into the Gaza Strip. Meny was 73 at the time of his murder and was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Beeri. His death was officially confirmed on Dec. 8, 2023. He is survived by four children and seven grandchildren. His wife, Ayelet Godard, was also killed during the attack on the kibbutz. The IDF expresses deep condolences to the families, continues to make every effort to return all the deceased hostages, and is prepared for the continued implementation of the agreement, the military said in a statement. Hamas is required to fulfill its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the hostages to their families and to a dignified burial, it added. The Israeli Prime Ministers Office said earlier Thursday night that the Israel Defense Forces had received from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza a coffin believed to contain the remains of a hostage. Israel has received, via the Red Cross, the body of a fallen hostage that was transferred to IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) forces inside Gaza, Jerusalem said. After being handed over to Israeli troops, the remains were brought to Israel, where they were received in a military ceremony attended by the IDF chief rabbi. The remains were then transferred to the Health Ministrys National Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir in Tel Aviv for identification. All the families of the fallen hostages have been informed, and in this difficult hour our hearts are with them, the PMO statement continued. The effort to bring back our hostages continues uninterrupted and will not cease until the last hostage is returned, it said. Palestinian terrorists are still holding the bodies of three hostages: two IsraelisSgt. Ran Gvili and Dror Orand a Thai citizen, Sudthisak Rinthalak, who was working in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage-release agreement that went into effect on Oct. 13, Hamas committed to returning for burial 28 bodies it was holding. However, Hamas has slow-walked the return of the deceased hostages, reportedly to avoid its disarmament, which is slated to occur in the second phase of the deal with the deployment of international forces. (JNS) In the hours leading up to the United Nations Security Councils unanimous vote, 13 to 0, on Monday to approve a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing Washingtons 20-point plan for Gaza, experts told JNS that Israelis worry about the plans pathway to Palestinian statehood. Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli finance minister, stated that the deterioration was due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus silence, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli national security minister, stated that his party would not be part of any government that agrees to a Palestinian state. Its not only the right-wing ministers that are against this, Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, told JNS. Dikers organization found in a poll that between 75% and 80% of Israelis reject another Palestinian terror state, which this time would overlook Ben-Gurion Airport, he told JNS. Its unfair to blame Netanyahu, who wants to maintain close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and keep the possibility open to normalizing with Saudi Arabia, according to Diker, who said that Trump has been making enormous efforts to bring Riyadh into the Abraham Accords. Israel doesnt want to come across as a killjoy and pour cold water on the U.S.-sponsored plan, according to Diker. Diker told JNS that the Trump administration is making a mistake taking its plan to the United Nations, which he thinks it did at the urging of its Arab partners, who hope to use the global body as an international lever to isolate Israel and bring further pressure against it. Efforts to establish a Palestinian state wont work, and repeating calls for a two-state solution ignore the nature of the struggle that Israel faces, according to Diker. We face jihad. We are facing a religious war. It has been what psychologists call a resisted experience, he said. Thats when you know somethings true, but you dont want to admit it to yourself. Martin Sherman, founder of the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies and a member of the Israel Defense & Security Forum, told JNS that the notion of a Palestinian state is a dangerous mirage. Its been the centerpiece of the dialogue on the Israeli-Arab conflict for almost a third of a century, and were no closer to it, he said. The reason that they havent done it is because thats not the real aspiration. The aspiration is not to build a Palestinian state but to demolish a Jewish state. A critic of the Oslo Accords since they were proposed in 1993, Sherman was harsher in his criticism of Israels leadership, calling the Trump plan a grave missed opportunity by the Netanyahu government. When Trump spoke about relieving Gaza of its current population and rebuilding it, Israel should have immediately embraced, advanced and anchored it in the public debate, according to Sherman. In every other global conflict, civilians are allowed to exit combat zones, Sherman said. Egypt kept Palestinians trapped in dangerous conditions in Gaza for political reasons, despite needing to populate its new administrative capital under construction near Cairo which was designed to house six million people. Turkey also could have used Sunni Arabs to counter its Kurdish demographic problem, according to Sherman. The whole Gaza population is around about 1% of the combined population of Turkey and Egypt, he said. Of the available alternatives, relocating the population is the most liberal, Sherman said. He told JNS that he has advocated for three decades for giving generous relocation loans to Palestinians to escape the cycle of violence and the clutches of the corrupt cliques that hold power over them. The thing that I find amazing is anyone who claims to cherish liberal values supporting the Palestinian state, he said. Everybody knows that a Palestinian state will be the antithesis of liberal values. It will be a homophobic, misogynistic, Muslim-majority tyranny. Why would anyone advance that? The Israeli government should have invested heavily for years in advancing the idea of relocation, and it boggles the mind that it did not, according to Sherman. Israel now finds itself with the Trump plan, which in point 19, calls for redevelopment of Gaza, reform of the Palestinian Authority and a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood. How is that any different from the Oslo Accords? Sherman asked. Shalom Orlando must raise $97,000 to keep the Live Secure grants that fund security throughout the Central Forida Jewish community. Thanks to the Live Secure grants, Shalom Orlando is now the Regional Security Advisor for Jewish institutions across Central Florida. They provide: Threat assessments for synagogues, schools and agencies Active threat and emergency training for staff and volunteers STOP-THE-BLEED certification and response readiness Real-time intelligence sharing with the FBI, DHS, and local law enforcement Advocacy and partnership with elected officials to combat antisemitism Community-wide emergency coordination and alert systems The Pikuach Nefesh (saving a soul) Community Security Safety initiative reflects the heart of Shalom Orlandos mission to care for and protect our entire community. Each gift ensures that Jewish life in our region remains secure, connected, and strong. Visit ShalomOrlando.org/give to make a donation. (JNS) Dora Pekec, press secretary for Zohran Mamdani, told Jewish Insider on Thursday that the New York City mayor-elect has discouraged the language that protesters used outside Park East Synagogue in Manhattan the prior night and will continue to do so. She added that her boss believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law. The 200 protesters who reportedly shouted calls for violence against Jews, including a slogan that evoked Nazi beliefs, picketed an event organized by Nefesh BNefesh, encouraging Jews to move to Israel. Do they think this is clever? Telling Jews not to use synagogues to inform fellow Jews about how to move to Israel, which many Jews consider a commandment, because Jews living in Israel violates international law, stated Tal Fortgang, a legal policy fellow at the Manhattan Institute. No wonder so many Jewish New Yorkers are interested in such events. Mark Goldfeder, CEO of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, responded to Mamdani. You are already failing on your commitment to protect all New Yorkers, he wrote. An event to celebrate aliyah is not a violation of international law, he said. It is a protected First Amendment right, and what happened last night was a disgraceful violation of the FACE Act. (The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994 bars injuring, intimidating or interfering with peoples exercise of their right to religious worship.) After Matthew Kassel, a Jewish Insider reporter, pressed Mamdanis team about what he meant, the latter said that it was specifically in reference to the organizations promotion of settlement activity beyond the Green Line, which violates international law, Kassel wrote. Mamdanis statement contrasted sharply with those of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who referred to a blatant attack on the Jewish community, and Mayor Eric Adams, who said the protest was totally unacceptable. The mayor, who visited Israel earlier in the week, decried the vile language and said that he would visit the synagogue to stand with our Jewish community. The demonstration was advertised with a flyer stating no settlers on stolen land, with a photo of a chartered Nefesh flight on El Al having landed in Israel. Scrawled on the plane were phrases like genocide settler airlines and established in Europe. The New York City Police Department used barricades to keep the protesters apart from a group of counterprotesters, as the synagogue event continued inside. A spokesman for the NYPD told JNS that at about 7 p.m. on Nov. 19, police responded to a demonstration in the vicinity of East 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, within the confines of the 19 Precinct. The demonstration concluded and no arrests were made. The safety and wellbeing of all the participants at our various events has always been important to us, Yael Katsman, vice president of public relations and communications at Nefesh BNefesh, told JNS. We work with law enforcement agencies and professionals in order to achieve that goal, while providing a professional and meaningful experience for the participants, she said. The World Jewish Congress compared the scene to Kristallnacht, noting that Park Easts senior rabbi, Arthur Schneier, a witness to Kristallnacht and longtime WJC leader, knows better than anyone where this kind of hatred can lead. (JNS) - Israeli authorities have rearrested a Palestinian terrorist released from prison a few months ago as part of a hostage deal with Hamas, the Israel Police Spokesperson's Unit said on Thursday. He was taken into custody on suspicion of bomb-making. Detectives from the Judea District Crime Fighting Unit and National Counterterrorism Unit officers from the Shai (Judea and Samaria) District raided his Bethlehem home on Wednesday night and detained him for questioning. The terrorist was initially arrested about a year ago after being caught with 25 explosive devices that he had made and supplied to terror operatives, prompting a major criminal investigation, according to the statement. In exchange for releasing hostages kidnapped during the Hamas-led attack on the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023, Jerusalem has let thousands of Palestinian security prisoners go free, including some convicted of mass-casualty terror attacks. According to Palestinian Media Watch, an Israel-based media research institute, 160 of the 250 Palestinian terrorists released as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas that began Oct. 10 became millionaires during their incarceration via the Palestinian Authority's "pay-for-slay" program. Total payments to the group by the P.A. amounted to at least 229.5 million shekels, excluding family stipends that likely raised the figure further, according to PMW. Egyptian officials have evacuated from a Cairo luxury hotel more than 150 Palestinian terrorists freed under President Donald Trump's 20-point peace initiative, following an investigation by the Daily Mail published on Oct. 25 exposing their presence among British airline crews and Western tourists at the Renaissance Marriott facility. As part of the hostage deal, Jerusalem agreed to free 1,950 Palestinian security prisoners, including 1,700 Palestinians arrested since Oct. 7, 2023. Among them were 250 serving life sentences for deadly attacks. David Mencer, a spokesman for Israel's Prime Minister's Office, told the Daily Mail on Oct. 25: "These men are terrorists, convicted of bombing buses, murdering students and kidnapping teenagers. Israel freed them not to reward evil but because we value human life above all." "A bitter price, but one our people have paid across the ages to reclaim kin from the hands of Jew-haters," the government spokesman added. (JNS) - U.S. President Donald Trump warmly welcomed a delegation of former hostages and family members to the White House on Thursday. In a message shared by the White House, he told them: "You're not a hostage anymore ... today you're heroes." The delegation consisted of 26 former hostages, including 17 of the 20 living captives who were released in the Gaza ceasefire deal that Trump brokered in October. Trump handed each member of the delegation a special presidential coin. In his remarks to all the hostages, he said, "It's an honor to get to know all of you. I know some of you already. I know some of the previous hostages that we got out very well. We love you all, and our country loves you all ... You're amazing people." Trump addressed captivity survivor Matan Angrest directly. "Because of his service in the IDF, Matan was subjected to severe beatings, even at times losing consciousness. Alone and under special guard, he went through hell," the president said. "Matan never broke, and today he's a living testimony to the toughness, heart and faith of the Jewish people. I'm telling you, you're a great inspiration to everybody." Members of the group, supported by the Bring Them Home Now campaign, stressed that their mission would continue until the remains of the last captive were returned home to Israel for burial. "The fight isn't over ... This won't be over until everyone comes home," the group posted on X. Three bodies remain in Hamas custody, those of Israel Police Sgt. Maj. Ran Gvili and Dror Or, and Thai citizen Sudthisak Rinthalak, who was working in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. During the meeting, former hostages Gali and Ziv Berman presented Trump with a mezuzah recovered from the remains of their family home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where they were abducted on Oct. 7, 2023. They included a letter thanking Trump for his successful efforts to secure hostage releases. Trump has met with hostage families several times since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, saying repeatedly that bringing all remaining hostages back is a top priority. (JNS) Saad Almadi, 75, a dual U.S.-Saudi citizen detained in Saudi Arabia since 2021, is on his way back to Florida, coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trumps White House meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Almadi, a naturalized U.S. citizen who moved to the United States in 1976, had traveled to Saudi Arabia to visit family and manage personal property. Upon arriving in Riyadh, he was detained and questioned about social media posts he had made from his home in Boca Raton that were critical of the Saudi government. One of the posts in question included Almadis support of renaming a street in Washington, D.C., in memory of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post journalist who was brutally murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2018. Bin Salmans reported involvement in Khashoggis murder pushed him into pariah status for years. While Almadi initially received a 19-year prison sentence, he was freed in 2023 but remained under a travel ban. Almadis family confirmed on Nov. 19 that he was airborne from Riyadh moments after Trump and the Saudi crown prince appeared together on stage at an investment forum in Washington. This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration, the family wrote. We hope the support and care we received will continue for those still held hostage in Saudi Arabia and in other parts of the world. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed two decrees removing Andriy Yermak from the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) and from the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Corresponding decrees No. 901 and No. 902 were published on the website of the head of state. (JNS) U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office alongside Zohran Mamdani, mayor-elect of New York City, that the two had a great meeting. A really good, a very productive meeting, Trump said. We have one thing in common. We want this city of ours, which we love, to do really well. Trump said of Mamdani, a socialist who has said that he would have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested in New York City, that I met with a man whos a very rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again, he said. The president referred to the two having in common a very strong priority of building new housing. I think youre going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor, Trump said. The better he does, the happier I am. Mamdani also said that it was a productive meeting. Asked by a New York Post reporter if he would stop Mamdani from having Netanyahu arrested in New York City, Trump said that the two didnt discuss that. In response to a question about referring to Mamdani as a communist, Trump said, hes got views that are a little out there, but who knows, were going to see what works. Hes going to change also. We all change. I changed a lot. I feel very confident that hes going to do a very good job, Trump said. I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually. Mamdani was asked about calling Trump a fascist and despot who betrayed the country, a few days beforehand, and saying he would be the presidents worst nightmare. I think both President Trump and I, we are very clear about our positions and our views, and I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers, he said. Ive been called much worse than a despot, Trump said. When pressed in a follow-up question about whether he thought Trump was a fascist, Mamdani began to answer and began, Ive spoken about, before the president cut in. Thats OK, he said. You can just say yes. Its easier than explaining it, said Trump, laughing and patting Mamdani on the shoulder. Trump also told reporters, Thats another thing, I think, we have in common, we want to see peace in the Middle East. He said a lot of my voters actually voted for him, and Im OK with that, Trump said. In response to a question, Mamdani said, Ive spoken about the Israeli government committing genocide, and Ive spoken about our government funding it. I shared with the president in our meeting about the concern that many New Yorkers have of wanting their tax dollars to go towards the benefit of New Yorkers and their ability to afford basic dignity, he added. A bully Dont forget: President Trump relentlessly attacked Zohran Mamdani and did everything to stop his win. Its funny how his tune changed when confronted with Mamdanis actual focus on affordabilitysomething Trump claims to care about, stated Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). Let this be a lesson: Always stand up to a bully. Leo Terrell, chair of the U.S. Justice Department task force to combat Jew-hatred, stated that there was excellent chemistry between President Trump and Mamdani. The press conference, which John Podhoretz, the Commentary magazine editor, called a bromance with Mamdani, also included a question from a reporter about whether Trump agreed with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who is running for governor, that Mamdani is a jihadist. No, I dont, Trump said. Shes out there campaigning. You say things sometimes in a campaign. Shes a very capable person. Stefanik responded. We all want New York City to succeed. But well have to agree to disagree on this one, she stated. If he walks like a jihadist, if he talks like a jihadist, if he campaigns like a jihadist, if he supports jihadists, hes a jihadist, she stated. And hes Kathy Hochuls jihadist. On Wednesday night, a mob of Muslims and radical leftists assaulted a synagogue in Manhattan. Much as in the past, the police allowed the mob to blockade the synagogue and terrorize the Jews in and around it with no response. The pro-terrorist mob chanted calls for death and globalizing the intifada of Islamic terrorism. Taunts were shouted at local Jewish community members. As well as an explicit call for violence Take another settler out. The pretext for the attack on the Park East Synagogue was that Nefesh bNefesh (Soul to Soul) a Jewish group that promotes immigration to Israel was holding an event there. Any protest outside a mosque has been met with immediate condemnation and police action. Islamist mobs however have been allowed to get away with these attacks again and again even though the FACE Act specifically prohibits blocking access to houses of worship. The Trump administration for the first time filed FACE charges over a similar attack on a synagogue in New Jersey. But, in a taste of things to come, Zohran Mamdanis spokeswoman mildly stated that the Islamist preparing to take over New York City has discouraged the language used at last nights protest, like the calls to murder Jews, and then condemned the synagogue in terms very familiar to those defending previous attacks, stating that sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law. According to Mamdani, Jews fleeing the Muslim mobs of his movement are violating international law by taking refuge in their homeland. Once Mamdani takes office, the mob that attacked a synagogue will be on the inside. As an assemblyman, Mamdani and his first endorsee, Aber Kawas, an anti-Israel Palestinian activist, had introduced a BDS bill that would shut down most Jewish nonprofit groups. Hell now have the power to do far worse. The goal of this harassment is to terrorize Jews and then eventually Christians out of public life. It starts with intimidating and shutting down any events having to do with Israel. This provides a pretext for harassment of Jews under the guide of fighting Zionism. Then they can protest Jewish prayers next because they mention the biblical verses about the ingathering of the exiles to Israel. And Mamdani will declare that Jewish prayers violate international law. Daniel Greenfield is a columnist writing on terrorism, socialism and all things politically incorrect. He is a Shillman Journalism Fellow and lives in New York City. Chanukah, a holiday of eight days duration beginning on the evening of December 14, 2025, commemorates, according to Jewish tradition, the miracle of finding a small jar of kosher oil in the defiled Holy Temple in Jerusalem to reignite and rededicate the eternal flame of the Temple Menorah. The small jar of oil was sufficient to light the menorah for only one day, but it burned brightly for eight days until a new supply of consecrated oil could be secured; thus the holiday became known as the Festival of Lights. The Festival of Lights, precedes by many centuries other seasonal religious ho... Several years ago, I went through a long, nearly immobilizing depression. At some point during that time, I made a playlist I called Morning, with the hope that it would help propel me out of bed and into my day. The playlist was made up of contemporary music anchored in traditional Jewish morning liturgy. Each track contained a mantra of ancient verses that poignantly captured essential sentiments gratitude, desperation, yearning, connection and wordless melodies that articulated striving, divinity and even joy. Traditional prayer was difficult during much of this period both the word... Almost 50 years ago the movie Network (1976) was released. The film is best known for the anchorman rant scene that features Howard Beales: Im as mad as hell and Im not going to take this anymore! But it is also known for another dramatic scene, a five-minute oratory by a man named Arthur Jensen (chairman of the conglomerate that owns the network) who convinces the same Howard Beale the world is a business. That concept was introduced to Beale because he had earlier caused a hysteria among the American public that was responsible for stymieing a Saudi attempted takeover of the network... China's ecological transition gains momentum, contributes to global climate action 11:25, December 06, 2025 By Xinhua writer Wu Qiong ( Xinhua BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's ecological transition has gained momentum across social and economic sectors, making significant contributions to global climate action, officials said on Friday. At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office, Li Gao, vice minister of ecology and environment, noted that China has in recent years implemented robust measures which have yielded remarkable achievements in addressing climate change, including optimizing its energy and industrial structures, promoting energy conservation and improving energy efficiency. By adhering to the national carbon-peaking and carbon-neutrality strategy, tangible progress has been made across multiple fronts, including policy systems, energy transition and green, low-carbon industries, according to Wang Shancheng, an official of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Data from the NDRC shows that China has built the world's largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system. And, amid efforts to advance a large-scale equipment-renewal program and promote the green, low-carbon upgrading of key industries, the scale of the country's green, low-carbon sector has reached approximately 11 trillion yuan (about 1.56 trillion U.S. dollars). In the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, China's annual production and sales volumes have both exceeded 12 million units, maintaining the country's position as the global leader for 10 consecutive years. The number of NEVs in use in China accounts for more than half of the global total, the data shows. "China is a steadfast actor and key contributor to global green development," Li said. "Through its own efforts, China provides high-quality, low-cost green and low-carbon products to the world and offers assistance to other developing countries." In September, China unveiled its new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), setting ambitious goals for 2035, including reducing economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent to 10 percent from peak levels, as well as increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in China's total energy consumption to over 30 percent, and expanding the installed capacity of wind and solar power sixfold from 2020 levels. Li, who led the Chinese delegation to the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change last month in Belem, Brazil, said that the updated NDCs have been widely recognized by all parties and incorporated into the conference's decision, playing a leading role in joint global efforts to combat climate change. Li noted that China is expected to peak its carbon emissions by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Efforts will focus on implementing the carbon control system, accelerating the construction of a new energy system and a comprehensive resource-conservation system, and developing new quality productive forces, he added. Responding to media inquiries on the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) in China and its implications for the power system, National Energy Administration (NEA) official Ren Yuzhi said that the surge in energy demand driven by computing power presents both challenges and opportunities for the advancement of the country's power system. Specifically, it facilitates efforts to optimize the energy structure by incorporating more clean energy to meet power needs, and promotes innovations in power system operation models, Ren said. Asked about China's nuclear power technology and its safety standards, Ren said China's nuclear power will be developed in a safe and orderly manner, adding that efforts will be made to explore the integrated application of nuclear power across multiple sectors, raise the proportion of nuclear power in the energy mix, thereby meeting the energy needs of economic and social development while contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions in the energy sector. China has emerged as one of few nations globally to boast a complete nuclear power industrial system, with 59 nuclear power units currently in commercial operation and 53 approved for construction on the Chinese mainland, data from the NEA shows. Its total installed nuclear power capacity has reached 125 million kilowatts, securing the world's top position. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) Photo: State Emergency Service Energy facilities were the main targets of the Russian occupiers overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. "The main targets of these strikes, once again, were energy facilities," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Saturday. According to him, restoration work is currently ongoing in many regions following Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure. A drone strike burned down the main railway station building in Fastiv. The attack was meaningless from a military point of view, and the Russians could not have been unaware of this. There have also been strikes on industrial facilities and residential buildings in the Kyiv region. The Dnipro, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Lviv, Volyn, and Mykolaiv regions were also affected, the President said. He noted that Russias aim is to inflict suffering on millions of Ukrainians, and they stoop so low as to launch missiles at peaceful cities on St. Nicholas Day. That is exactly why additional pressure is needed. Sanctions must work, and so must our air defenses, which means we must maintain support for those defending lives. I thank everyone working toward this, Zelenskyy said. As reported, Ukrainian air defense forces repelled one of the most massive missile and drone attacks by the Russian Federation since the beginning of the full-scale invasion on Saturday night, shooting down and suppressing 30 enemy missiles and 585 enemy drones out of 51 and 653, respectively. However, they also recorded hits from 60 missiles and enemy attack UAVs at 29 locations, as well as debris falls at three locations. Photo: https://t.me/GeneralStaffZSU/ Since the beginning of the day, 180 combat clashes have occurred, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in operational information as of 10:00 p.m. on Friday. "Today, Russian forces carried out 48 airstrikes, dropping 123 guided bombs. In addition, they deployed 4,808 kamikaze drones and carried out 4,114 attacks on our troop positions and populated areas," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. According to the General Staff, the most intense situation today was in Pokrovsk direction, where the aggressor carried out 48 assault and offensive actions. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the diplomatic situation and peace negotiations with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Im grateful for his kind words about our servicemembers on our Armed Forces Day. We exchanged assessments of the diplomatic situation, and I briefed Mark on the talks between our representatives in the United States and President Trumps team. We agreed on further contacts, Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Saturday following the conversation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated service members on Ukrainian Armed Forces Day and emphasized the critical role their efforts play in strengthening Ukraines position in negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war. This very cause the fight for a fair peace for all of us is what these years and these days are dedicated to. I thank our service members who, on the battlefield, do their utmost so that Ukraine has confidence at the negotiating table. So that it has dignity. So that it has strong arguments. Ukraine has all of this. Because it has you, this is stated in the presidents address on the occasion of the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, published on his official website on Saturday. The head of state recalled all branches of the armed forces involved in repelling Russian aggression and emphasized that Ukraine is proud of them all. Every single person who, every day in every direction, defends Ukraine. Whose courage we see, whose protection we feel. Who gives their all on the contact line. Who changed their own life so that life persists in Ukraine. Everyone is a warrior. Everyone is a hero. I congratulate everyone on the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine! Eternal glory to you! Eternal memory to those who gave their lives for Ukraine! Zelenskyy said. He also noted that the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is celebrated on December 6 is a great day a day of those who, bearing arms, prove Ukrainian strength: the Day of Ukraines Armed Forces. And its about those who truly unite our people in struggle, in gratitude, in memory, and, of course, in deep respect. This respect of ours is expressed not just in support and prayers, not just in donations and words, which everyone will undoubtedly write today to their loved ones the warriors each of us has. This respect is about something bigger. It has become a unique phenomenon, a hallmark of the new Ukraine. This respect has become an art Different fates. Same values. Different names. Equal honor to all. They grew up in different cities, different families, different homes, yet all were raised as true heroes, the president said, remembering those who gave their lives defending Ukraine. They are among us. Forever. In our hearts. In our poems. In every Thank you! message. Thank you to all Ukrainian military personnel. To all the heroes on the walls, who stood for Ukraine and stand like a wall. Who are together the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Its more than an army. More than a family. They embody us all of Ukraine. What we fight for, how, and why. When there are no more cities and villages that arent ours. Each one is ours; each one is dear to us. And every corner of Ukraine is defended by fighters from every corner of Ukraine, Zelenskyy added. Zelenskyy confirms his visit to London on Monday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit London on Monday, December 8. "Yes, it is planned," Zelenskyy told reporters during the Military Prayer Breakfast, answering a question about whether he was planning a visit to the UK. Furthermore, the president announced that he expected a report from National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov on the progress of negotiations with the American side on Saturday. Media outlets had previously reported Zelenskyys visit to London on Monday. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reports eight victims as a result of a Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine on Saturday night. "At least eight people were injured: three in Kyiv region; three in Dnipropetrovsk region; two in Lviv region," Klymenko wrote on Telegram on Saturday. According to him, ten regions in total were under attack. The occupiers targeted civilian infrastructure with drones and missiles. "Most of them directly hit residential buildings, power plants, and railways. More than two dozen buildings were damaged in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, and Lviv regions," the message reads. In Lutsk, Dnipro, and Bila Tserkva in Kyiv region, rescuers are currently extinguishing thousands of square meters of warehouse space containing food and medicine. Firefighting efforts at energy facilities in Kyiv and Lviv regions are also ongoing. Nearly 500 rescuers and approximately 200 police officers are involved in the effort. "The State Emergency Service is working at 24 locations: firefighting has already been completed at 17 of them, and work is ongoing at seven. The most challenging areas are large warehouse fires in Lutsk, Dnipro, and Bila Tserkva. Robotic systems and aircraft from the State Emergency Service are working there," Klymenko said. At the same time, acting head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Vladyslav Haivanenko, reported that in addition to the three injured in the missile attack, a child was injured in a drone strike in the frontline town of Marhanets, Nikopol district. "The Russians also struck Nikopol region. Heavy artillery and FPV drones were directed at Myrivska, Pokrovska, and Marhanets communities, as well as Nikopol itself. An 11-year-old boy was injured in the latter. He received the necessary medical assistance. Three local homes, outbuildings, and a power line were damaged in the area," he wrote on Telegram. All those injured in the missile attack were from Dniprovskyi district. "This morning, the enemy launched a missile attack. Two men, aged 37 and 65, and a 75-year-old woman were injured in Dniprovskyi district. They received the necessary medical attention. They will recover at home. A private home was destroyed, and nearly a dozen others were damaged. Two garages were also hit," the head of the Regional Administration reported. Both victims were in Lviv region, in the village of Silets, Sheptytskyi district, according to Maksym Kozytskyi, Chairman of Lviv Regional Administration. "This night, the enemy attacked critical energy infrastructure in the Lviv region with combat drones and cruise missiles. In the village of Silets, Sheptytskyi district, a private house caught fire due to falling debris. According to preliminary information, two people were injured. At least three more houses in this village were damaged," he wrote on Telegram. According to Mykola Kalashnyk, head of Kyiv Regional Administration, one woman of the three injured was hospitalized. "Three people were injured in the region. One woman from Vyshgorod district was hospitalized. She has already undergone surgery. Her condition is stable, but moderate," he wrote on Telegram. According to the head of the Regional Administration, the aftermath of the attack has been recorded in four districts. Specifically, in Fastiv, the enemy struck railway infrastructure, damaging the train station. In Bucha district, a private home and outbuildings were damaged. A warehouse fire broke out in Bilotserkivsky district. "In Vyshgorod district, the enemy damaged seven private homes and a low-pressure gas pipeline. There is no fire. Three trucks were destroyed, and the warehouse fire has been contained," Kalashnyk said. Large-scale military action that continued overnight impacted the power grid and forced Ukraines operating nuclear power plants to reduce output, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement on the social media site X on Saturday. DG Rafael Grossi reiterates call for military restraint to avoid a nuclear accident, the agency noted. According to Grossi, the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) temporarily lost all external power supply overnight, marking the 11th such incident during the military conflict. ZNPP reconnected to 330 kV power line after half hour outage, but 750 kV line still disconnected, the IAEA specified. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, energy facilities were the main target of a massive Russian shelling attack on Saturday night, which involved 51 missiles and 653 drones. Ukrenergo increased its outages to 2.5-3 stages out of a possible six, compared to the previous days announcement for Saturday of 0.5-2.5 stages. Additionally, emergency outages were imposed in four regions. Air defense repel one of most massive Russian attacks to date, neutralizing 615 out of 704 missiles and drones, with hits at 29 locations During the massive Russian drone attack on Saturday night, Ukrainian air defense forces shot down and suppressed 30 enemy missiles and 585 enemy drones, but also recorded hits from 60 missiles and enemy attack UAVs at 29 locations, as well as debris falls at three locations. According to the Ukrainian Air Forces Telegram channel, on the night of December 6, the enemy attacked with 51 missiles, including 17 X-47M2 Kinzhal and Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, as well as 653 Shaheds, Gerberas, and other types of attack UAVs. "The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned aerial systems, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. According to preliminary data, as of 10:00, the air defense shot down/suppressed 615 aerial targets: 585 enemy Shaheds, Gerberas, and other types of UAVs; 29 X-101/Iskander-K/Kalibr cruise missiles; and 1 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missile. Missile hits and 60 attack UAVs were recorded at 29 locations, as well as the fall of downed UAVs (debris) at three locations," the message reads. It was reported that as of 10:00 a.m., the attack was ongoing, with several enemy UAVs remaining in the airspace. Thus, the overall air defense effectiveness has so far exceeded 87%. Zelenskyy: Today, the best gift for all of Ukraine would be just peace Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua A just, lasting, and dignified peace would be the best gift for all of Ukraine on the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and St. Nicholas, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Today is Ukraines Armed Forces Day. I congratulate all our soldiers once again. Glory to them, glory to all of you, glory to Ukraine. And today is St. Nicholas Day, celebrated on December 6 in many countries around the world, including Europe. This is the Day of the Miracle Worker, when we all believe in miracles and await gifts. Of course, today, for each of us, for all of Ukraine, for all families, the best gift would be peace. Certainly, a just, dignified, and, as everyone says, honest peace. In my opinion, its important for it to be lasting," Zelenskyy said speaking at the Military Prayer Breakfast on Saturday. The President noted that only such peace will be blessed with a non-recurrence of enemy aggression. "And they are who they are, and we understand that perfectly well. There are no illusions," he added. According to the head of state, "we know that no one will give us this peace," it must be won. Zelenskyy emphasized that these years have changed Ukrainians. "And Ukrainians are a nation of believers. We strongly believe in God and hope for His help. We turn to Him in prayer," the president said. At the same time, he added that Ukraine must rely on itself, its Armed Forces, its partners, particularly Europe and the United States, and the "adequate civilized world," which knows that Russia has long violated international law, "the laws of common sense, and absolutely all of Gods callings." "Therefore, we fight on the battlefield, in the diplomatic arena, we fight against the despondency within us. We know we are not alone, and we believe that together we will defend our rights. And we have themthe just right to life, our God-given land. We will definitely defend our future and a just peace," the head of state noted. Ukrainian Defense Forces units attacked the infrastructure of the Ryazan Oil Refinery in Russias Ryazan region on the night of December 6, according to a Telegram post by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "A hit on target and damage to a low-temperature isomerization unit has been recorded. The extent of the damage is being determined," the message reads. According to the General Staff, the Ryazan Oil Refinery, with a design capacity of 17.1 million tonnes of oil per year, is one of the largest oil refineries in the Russian Federation, producing gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, and other products. It is involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian occupiers. Additionally, to reduce the enemys offensive capabilities, the Alchevsk Metallurgical Plant, a facility manufacturing shell components (casings) for the Russian Ministry of Defense, was targeted by fire in the temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk region. "A hit and fire were recorded at the facility. The results and extent of the damage are being determined," the General Staff reported. India, Russia ink pacts in several fields Xinhua) 11:28, December 06, 2025 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. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) Specialists from the Main Intelligence Agency (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, together with BO Team, launched a cyberattack on the information and communications infrastructure of the Eltrans+ group of companies on the night of December 6. Intelligence sources told Interfax-Ukraine that the attack resulted in more than 700 computers and servers being deactivated, more than a thousand company users being deleted, and 165 terabytes of critical data being destroyed or encrypted. Furthermore, the access control system, video surveillance, data storage, and backup systems were damaged, network equipment was deactivated and disabled, along with the data center core, manifests for all cargo were destroyed, and all company websites were defaced, congratulating Russian users on Ukrainian Armed Forces Day. Eltrans+ is one of the top 10 largest customs representatives and freight forwarders in Russia. More than 5,000 Russian small, medium, and large businesses use Eltrans+s services. The company provides international and domestic transportation (road, sea, air, and multimodal), warehousing, consolidated cargo transportation, and complete customs clearance services. Eltrans+ handles the delivery of sanctioned goods, as well as various electronic components from China used by the Russian military-industrial complex. The United States cannot pretend to be partners with NATO members the European Union while those nations allow the unelected, undemocratic, and unrepresentative EU bureaucracy in Brussels to pursue a policy of civilizational suicide, said US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. When these countries wear their NATO hats, they insist that Transatlantic cooperation is the cornerstone of our mutual security, Landau wrote on the social network X on Saturday after this weeks meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, where he attended instead of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. But when these countries wear their EU hats, they pursue all sorts of agendas that are often utterly adverse to US interests and securityincluding censorship, economic suicide/climate fanaticism, open borders, disdain for national sovereignty/promotion of multilateral governance and taxation, support for Communist Cuba, etc, the US Deputy Secretary of State emphasized. According to him, the USA has long failed to address the glaring discrepancy between its relations with NATO and the EU, because almost all the same countries are in both organizations. This inconsistency cannot continue. Either the great nations of Europe are our partners in protecting the Western civilization that we inherited from them or they are not, Landau summed up. He was immediately supported by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. You are absolutely right, Chris! We are working on a patriotic revolution to make Europe great again! No war, no migration, no gender! he said on X. Earlier, the United States published a new National Security Strategy, which emphasizes the goal of cultivating resistance to Europes current development trajectory. It also emphasizes the importance of opening European markets to US goods and services and ensuring fair treatment for American workers and businesses, as well as developing healthy states in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe through trade ties, arms sales, political cooperation, and cultural and educational exchanges. That same day, US Secretary of State Rubio criticized the European Commissions decision to fine social media platform X $140 million. Its an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments. The days of censoring Americans online are over, he said on X. And its majority owner, Elon Musk, even called for the dissolution of the European Union. The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people, Musk said Saturday. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also took the stand and criticized the decision to fine social network X. The Commissions attack on X says it all. When the Brusselian overlords cannot win the debate, they reach for the fines. Europe needs free speech, not unelected bureaucrats deciding what we can read or say. Hats off to Elon Musk for holding the line, Orban said on X. Americans and Ukrainians agree on framework of security arrangements, discuss necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain lasting peace Dept of State The US State Department released a press statement regarding the recent meeting between Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, and Chief of the General Staff General Andriy Hnatov. It is noted that over two days, Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff General Andriy Hnatov for constructive discussions on advancing a credible pathway toward a durable and just peace in Ukraine. Today, the group had their sixth meeting over the past two weeks. Secretary Umerov reaffirmed that Ukraines priority is securing a settlement that protects its independence and sovereignty, ensures the safety of Ukrainians, and provides a stable foundation for a prosperous democratic future. The participants discussed the results of recent meeting of the American side with the Russians and steps that could lead to ending this war. The American and Ukrainians also agreed on the framework of security arrangements and discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace, the statement reads. It is noted that 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. 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 document reads. It is noted that American and Ukrainian parties underscored that an end to the war and credible steps toward ceasefire and de-escalation are necessary to prevent renewed aggression and to enable Ukraines comprehensive redevelopment plan, designed to make the nation stronger and more prosperous than before the war. Parties will reconvene tomorrow to continue advancing the discussions. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Quality Inn & Suites Downtown Walla Walla Washington - Image Credit Crystal Investment Property Crystal Investment Property announces the exclusive listing of the Quality Inn & Suites Downtown Walla Walla. The hotel is a 61-key midscale select-service hotel available for acquisition in Washington wine country. Just two blocks from historic downtown, the Choice Hotels franchise features a completed PIP, strong drive-to access, and 2.03 acres of owned, fee simple land with potential for future expansion. Hotel Overview The property, built in 1989, was renovated in 2022. All brand-required PIP items are complete, helping reduce near-term capital needs. The three-story, interior-corridor building includes an indoor heated pool and hot tub, a fitness center, a business center, a guest laundry, and a breakfast area. The guestroom mix includes king, queen, and suite options, as well as accessible rooms. Select rooms offer kitchenettes or jetted tubs. Prime Wine Country Location The hotel sits just off US-12, directly across from the main highway exit into downtown Walla Walla with excellent visibility. The property is within walking distance of local restaurants, tasting rooms, and shops. More than 130 wineries in the Walla Walla Valley act as year-round demand drivers for the region. Quality Inn & Suites Downtown Walla Walla is a short drive from Walla Walla Regional Airport, which offers daily commercial air service to major metropolitan hubs. Seattle, Portland, Spokane, and Boise add strong drive-to demand to the areas guest mix. Brand Strength and Booking Reach As a Quality Inn under the Choice Hotels umbrella, the asset benefits from national distribution, strong brand recognition, and loyalty program traffic. The brands midscale platform aligns with leisure, corporate, and transportation-driven segments. A new owner gains immediate access to Choices reservation and support systems. Site Benefits and Investment Potential The hotel is situated in a restaurant-adjacent location with surface parking and efficient access. It lies within a Qualified Opportunity Zone and a USDA-eligible area, which may offer tax and financing advantages (subject to buyer verification). The large lot and layout may allow for future site optimization or expansion. The offering presents a stabilized, franchise-backed asset in a high-visibility location with long-term demand drivers. The downtown setting, strong brand platform, and diverse regional access support ongoing performance and make the asset well-suited for individual investors, regional operators, or portfolio expansion. View Listing Details & Offering Package Here Disclaimer: The building and parcel sizes are approximate. All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable and is subject to buyer verification. All property tours must be arranged through the broker. Do not contact the property or employees. 1Berkshire members attend Thursday's annual meeting of the business advocacy and promotion organization. Adams Theater founder Yina Moore welcomes attendees at Thursday's annual meeting of 1Berkshire. PreviousNext Business Success, Storm Clouds Highlighted at 1Berkshire Annual Meeting Cheshire native JD Chesloff of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable delivers the keynote address on Thursday. ADAMS, Mass. One of the county's biggest employers and one of its newest small businesses were touted on Thursday at 1Berkshire's annual meeting at the Adams Theater. The vice president of maritime and strategic systems strategy and business development at General Dynamics shared news of a major expansion at the Pittsfield plant. "We plan to hire over 200 employees in Pittsfield over the next 12 to 14 months," Chris Montferret said. "Business is booming. And of those 200 employees, over 200 will be engineers." Currently, General Dynamics employs more than 1,600 people in Pittsfield, up from a low of 500 in 1997, Montferret said, reminding the 1Berkshire membership of the importance of growth for an anchor like his firm. "As you all know as employers, the multiplier of economic development when you bring a full-time employee in is amazing for the entire community," Montferret said. 1Berkshire is dedicated to advancing the local economy by advocating for and serving local businesses while helping attract visitors to the region. The development organization's president and CEO used the annual meeting to talk about 1Berkshire's economic development team, which averages more than 100 consultations per year with local entrepreneurs over 40 percent with businesses owned by women, members of minority groups or immigrants. "Our economic development team wanted to highlight one feel-good story for us, and that's Red Shirt Farm ," Jonathan Butler said. "For three years, we've been working with Jim and Sarah [Schultz] on their farm store project on Route 7 [in Lanesborough], helping kick off the project with an economic development site visit some years ago, giving direct technical assistance, helping with crowd funding and planning and execution. "And after three years, Red Shirt officially opened its farm store this summer. It's a testament to the often long runway it takes for meaningful success in the small-business world. But we're proud to have been a part of that." The meeting itself was held in another 1Berkshire success story. Yina Moore, the founder and artistic director of the Adams Theater and now a member of the 1Berkshire board, told her fellow members about the role that the organization had in the success of her enterprise. "I'm very grateful to the technical, marketing and networking assistance that the 1Berkshire team has added to my various projects throughout the years," Moore said. "In the summer of 2021, 1Berkshire held an entrepreneurial meetup meeting right here, inside the Adams Theater, on this stage. At that time, the building had no lobby, no plumbing, no walls just a concrete slab and a few chairs and a group of people willing to imagine what might be possible down the road." Today, the Adams Theater is a "vibrant cultural and community hub" hosting nearly 50 events and performing arts residencies and bringing nearly 5,000 visitors to downtown Adams in 2025, Moore said. One of those visitors was Cheshire native JD Chesloff, now the president and chief executive officer of the Boston-based Massachusetts Business Roundtable. Chesloff was the keynote speaker at Thursday's meeting and shared that he last set foot in the building that houses the Adams Theater when it was a Hallmark store in the 1980s. He complimented Moore and her team on transforming not just the building but the town and the region. But his 15-minute talk gave a decidedly mixed assessment about the state of the economy in the commonwealth. While Massachusetts still ranks second only to New York in gross domestic product per capita ($89,000 in 2024), it ranks 42nd in the U.S. in GDP growth between 2022 and 2024 (1.3 percent), according to a Business Roundtable analysis. And while the Bay State continues to be a national leader in areas like education, health care and innovation, it "faces strong headwinds to retain businesses given cost of living and doing business," Chesloff's organization reported. "When I talk to our members and ask them, 'How are you doing? What are you thinking,' these are some of the quotes I've heard: 'Nothing makes any sense,' 'Chaos is becoming the norm,' 'Uncertainty is everywhere,' and, 'We're heading off an economic cliff,' " Chesloff said. "There's a lot of concern out there." The business group's survey of business owners found that from 2021 to 2025, concerns about "cost of living" and "cost of doing business" have emerged as the leading challenges to keeping those businesses in Massachusetts, Chesloff reported. In 2025, 74 percent of business owners said housing costs negatively impact their efforts at hiring and retention of employees. That said, Chesloff offered four steps that business people, including 1Berkshire's more than 700 members, can take to improve their own chances for success and the business climate in Massachusetts: seek out new partnerships and collaborations; engage in policy conversations; invest in workforce and digital capacity; and stay focused on value proposition and mission. "Honestly, policy makers don't want to hear from me," Chesloff said. "They want to hear from folks like you. They want to hear from folks on the ground who are impacted by their decisions. If there are folks here who are not part of 1Berkshire, join 1Berkshire. That's what they do. If you are a member, go find friends to join 1Berkshire. "It's super important right now for us to be engaging with public leaders on policy." Italy to invest over EUR 42 mln in restoration of monuments, modernization of infrastructure in Odesa region During the URC 2025 in Rome, Italy signed grant agreements totaling EUR 35.5 million for the restoration of six architectural monuments in Ukraine, announced Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksiy Kuleba. Furthermore, Italy, together with UNESCO, allocated EUR 500,000 for the restoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral. The country is also investing EUR 6 million in the modernization of irrigation systems in Odesa region and supporting Ukrainian energy projects. He also noted that Ukraine and Italy are jointly developing projects in cyber defense, digital solutions, and railway and aviation initiatives. "I thank the people and government of the Italian Republic for supporting Ukrainians during this most difficult time. I am grateful to Italy for its assistance in strengthening Ukraines defense capability and rebuilding, as well as for its decision to continue providing military-technical support," Kuleba added. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Taiwan has announced that it will block access to the popular app Xiaohongshu known in English as RedNote for one year after concluding it poses serious cybersecurity risks and had become a hub for fraud. RedNote is an Instagram-style app used by more than three million people in Taiwan. Users were warned to expect the app to become inoperable within hours of the order being issued to internet service providers on Thursday. The Taiwanese ministry of digital affairs (MODA) issued a warning earlier in the week about five Chinese platforms Xiaohongshu, Douyin, Weibo, WeChat and Baidu Wangpan that it said presented significant cybersecurity risks. The ministry warned that these applications can gather sensitive personal information and potentially transmit it to outside parties without users permission. A separate review by the National Security Bureau concluded that Xiaohongshu did not pass any of its cybersecurity tests. Officials in Taiwan have also previously expressed concern that RedNote could serve as a channel for pro-Beijing messaging or coordinated disinformation efforts problems the government says it has confronted for many years. Beijings Communist Party maintains that self-governed Taiwan is part of its territory, though the two have been ruled separately since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Chinese president Xi Jinping has said he is willing to seize Taiwan by force if necessary, but in the meantime Beijing pursues its goal of reunification through other means such as diplomatic pressure and campaigns to influence the Taiwanese public. The Taiwanese interior ministry said the decision to impose a one-year ban on RedNote stemmed from the apps unwillingness to engage with regulators. The authorities said they had contacted the operator Shanghai-based Xingyin Information Technology Co but received no reply. 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. The ministry also pointed to more than 1,700 fraud cases tied to the platform, which it said had cost victims roughly $7.9m. It said the most common scams linked to RedNote involved counterfeit e-commerce sites, fake instalment-payment cancellations, fraudulent investment pitches, romance fraud, and sexual-content extortion. Ma Shih-yuan, deputy minister of the interior, said that during the one-year block, officials will track whether the company takes steps to meet Taiwans digital-security requirements. File. Taiwanese authorities say Xiaohongshu (RedNote) failed all 15 of its cybersecurity assessment metrics ( Getty Images ) After Thursdays order, local media reported that some users were seeing a message when they tried to open RedNote that said that the service was unavailable due to security restrictions. The Independent has reached out to RedNote for comment. Founded in 2013, the app has hundreds of millions of users across Asia and recently saw a spike in the US as an alternative for people worried about a possible TikTok ban. The governments move has prompted criticism from opposition voices. We once mocked people in China for needing VPNs to access information, Lai Shyh-bao, a lawmaker from the main opposition party Kuomintang, wrote on Facebook. Internet freedom in Taiwan is heading toward a day when people will need VPNs. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice India's aviation ministry capped airfares on Saturday as flight cancellations by the countrys largest carrier IndiGo left customers scrambling to make other arrangements. Large volumes of passengers were seen gathered at several of India's biggest airports after a fifth day in which IndiGo was forced to scrap hundreds flights. IndiGo has cancelled thousands of flights this week, sparking travel chaos across the country. The budget airline has blamed the cancellations on a mixture of factors, but the primary issue appears to be a shortage of pilots after new rules were enforced limiting their work hours. The government has since responded by announcing special relief for the carrier from the new rules, as well as putting on extra trains to help provide passengers with alternative travel arrangements. Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport posted on X on Saturday that flight operations were steadily resuming, but the airline still cancelled 385 flights nationwide, affecting passengers mostly at Mumbai and Bengaluru airports. IndiGos wave of cancellations triggered a sharp spike in airfares on key routes, with economy-class tickets between New Delhi and Mumbai averaging around Rs 20,000 (166) on Saturday fares are typically closer to around Rs 6,000. open image in gallery Passengers rest outside of Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport after mass cancellation of Indigo flights on December 05, 2025 in New Delhi, India. ( Getty Images ) The aviation ministry said it was capping fares to maintain pricing discipline in the market, without sharing details. "The ministry will continue to closely monitor fare levels through real-time data and active coordination with airlines," it said. The ministry has directed IndiGo to clear all pending passenger refunds by 8pm on Sunday and reschedule flight tickets without additional charges. It added that the airline must deliver all baggage separated from passengers at a chosen address within the next 48 hours. Indian domestic airlines are not required to provide additional compensation to customers in the case of delayed or cancelled flights. Analysts say the flight cancellations represent the biggest crisis in the 20-year history of IndiGo, which has risen to first place in Indias booming aviation sector according to market share thanks to a combination of low-cost fares and a good reputation for on-time reliability. open image in gallery Passengers sit outside of Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport after mass cancellation of Indigo flights on December 05, 2025 in New Delhi, India ( Getty Images ) IndiGo has admitted it failed to plan properly ahead of the 1 November deadline to implement stricter rules on night flying and weekly rest for pilots, ultimately leading to scheduling problems this week. None of the countrys other major airlines, including Air India, have faced such issues due to the introduction of the new rules. The airline said it hoped to return to normal operations between 10-15 December. Airport sources said that IndiGo cancelled 124 flights in Bengaluru on Saturday, 109 in Mumbai, 86 in New Delhi and 66 in Hyderabad. Satish Konde had to catch a connecting flight from Mumbai to the western city of Nagpur and had checked in, but he was later told it was cancelled. "I am waiting for my luggage to be returned," he told Reuters. As drug production and trafficking increase across the continent, criminal groups of all sizes are diversifying their operations and increasing their firepower. Governments, meanwhile, stumble between hard-line policies and paralysis A small green piece of paper, with a phrase written in capital letters, summed up the crime problems plaguing Latin America. It appeared in Guerrero, on Mexicos battered southern Pacific coast, but it could just as easily have been in Santiago, Chile, in Medellin, Colombia, or in any area of Guayaquil, Ecuador. It was a warning, a sheet pasted on corners and lampposts, a threat to merchants in a handful of neighborhoods, announcing that starting in December they would have to begin paying a fee. This neighborhood has an owner, the anonymous notice concluded. Extortion is a scourge hitting the continent like never before, and one that explains the regions current state. Crime is flourishing in the Americas, particularly violent crime. The murder rate remains very high, at more than 20 per 100,000 inhabitants. The expansion of the drug trade, which is stronger than ever, has nourished the criminal landscape from the once-tranquil Uruguay to the perpetually troubled Guatemala. Armed groups born from the drug trade are seeking new businesses, left and right, top and bottom. None seems as profitable as extortion, as simple as it comes: pay up or die. The Americas in general, and Latin America in particular, are going through a difficult moment. Experts consulted by EL PAIS for this report see the diversification and fragmentation of the criminal underworld as a risk for countries in the region. The drug trade set the criminal factory in motion, from which dozens of gangs have emerged, each operating under market logics, each wanting its own slice of the pie. Extortion is the simplest; drugs are one possibility, but only one among many. The Americas harbor an impressive store of natural resources, and crime, hungrier than ever, is waiting its turn. Like a modern Hydra, gangs strike with multiple heads, spreading their reach to expand their business. Police officers transport a group of people during an operation in Rio de Janeiro, October 29. Antonio Lacerda (EFE) The countries in the region, which tend to look inward, seem to ignore that the predatory push of organized crime is the same everywhere, from the Andes to the Amazon. In Mexico, criminals steal fuel from the state oil companys pipelines or import it tax-free, falsifying customs declarations; in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, offenders plunder gold and other mineral mines without authorization; in Brazil, thieves and smugglers cut down trees tirelessly to feed the global demand for timber And all of this often occurs with the support of state actors. In environmental crimes, this is very evident, says Cecilia Farfan, head of the North America Observatory at GITOC, a civil society organization that researches transnational organized crime. In addition to drug trafficking and extortion, these new criminal ventures take place alongside somewhat more traditional enterprises that are extraordinarily lucrative for organized crime: human trafficking whether of migrants or not and arms smuggling. In its latest report on the global crime situation, released a few weeks ago, GITOC specifically highlights the prevalence of firearms in the region as tools for committing homicide. Nowhere else in the world are so many murders carried out with guns as in Latin America and the Caribbean. Compared to 20 years ago, organized crime has more and better weapons so much so that people think they are better than those of the armed forces, notes Farfan. In this logic, violence serves both as a tool and a message a means, but also an end in itself. Apart from a few notable exceptions the murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena in Mexico in the 1980s, the Years of Lead under Pablo Escobar in Colombia in the early 1990s the drug trade did not start out as violent. To get drugs to major markets in the United States or Europe, secrecy was essential. Bribery and order: that could have been the motto of the trade. But the dismantling of the old drug cartels and the fragmentation of their protection networks, always backed or directly embedded in state security forces, changed the landscape. A man murdered with signs of torture in Culiacan, Sinaloa, on January 10, 2025. Jose Betanzos/Cuartoscuro In the Americas today, small, dynamic criminal groups prevail, linked or not to larger criminal organizations, which may or may not be involved in drug trafficking and street-level sales. They extort money and try to exploit the environment and natural resources to their advantage. If there are mines, they take minerals; if there are forests, they take timber; and if there are cities, they take businesses, government offices, and transportation routes. All of this is taking place in highly competitive environments where violence, the prevailing currency, is used to eliminate business obstacles, such as a forest defender, or to send messages to enemies, real or potential. That is the great threat on the continent: criminal diversification and the fragmentation of criminal gangs, says Marcelo Bergman, a professor at the Universidad Tres de Febrero in Argentina and one of the leading experts on criminal dynamics in the region. Cocaine is back Sacks of brown paper, hidden in an ordinary warehouse. That was how the 14 tons of cocaine that Colombian authorities seized in the Port of Buenaventura, on the Pacific coast, were disguised. The street value of the drugs would have reached approximately $400 million, according to Colombias National Police, a landmark seizure in the countrys recent history. The director of the agency said that it was the largest cocaine bust in the last 10 years. The bad news for authorities is that those 14 tons represent only 0.4% of the regions annual production, according to the latest United Nations estimates. Cocaine is back in fashion. Setting aside the heated debate over the numbers a disagreement between the Colombian government and U.N. measurements production of the drug continues to rise each year, along with the hectares of coca leaf, the raw material for cocaine. Colombia is the aircraft carrier of the trade, far ahead of Peru and even farther ahead of Bolivia. Of the 3,708 tons of cocaine produced in the region in 2023, according to U.N. estimates, 2,664 came from Colombia. Last year, that number climbed to 3,001 tons, as recently reported by EL PAIS a figure that has fueled yet another point of contention between the parties. Colombian anti-narcotics police seize a shipment of molasses mixed with cocaine that was to be sent to Valencia, Spain, at the ship cargo terminal in Cartagena, Colombia, on February 4, 2022. Sebastian Barros (Long Visual Press/Getty Images)) The rise of cocaine in South America and its markets, and the increase in seizures worldwide again according to the United Nations illustrates a broader regional trend: the expansion of drug production and trafficking. This applies to nearly all substances, except for heroin, which has fallen out of favor, and marijuana, which has been legalized in many countries. The rest are experiencing a boom, driven by the euphoria of prescribed alkaloids a situation reminiscent of the golden age of the Medellin Cartel and the cocaine airlifted through the Caribbean to Florida in the mid-1980s, the era of Scarface and Miami Vice. New drugs are fueling this surge further north, with few substances more prominent in continental trafficking than fentanyl and methamphetamine. The opioid and stimulant are replacing the old poppy and cannabis crops in Mexico, and laboratories are spreading across the western part of the country, all dependent on insatiable demand from the United States despite the war on drugs waged over five decades by successive U.S. administrations, from Richard Nixon to Donald Trump. The current U.S. president has tried to pressure governments in the region to curb trafficking through threats of tariffs and naval strikes. So far, Trumps missile strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific, aimed at halting the drug trade, have left more than 80 people dead. Besides being a highly questionable operation from the perspective of victims rights, the logic of bombing drug routes is like the old adage about using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. How much cocaine have these strikes actually stopped from reaching U.S. consumers? Without official data, its hard to tell. In any case, it seems unlikely that such operations affect demand. Despite the decades weve spent trying to stop it, cocaine has reached its highest-ever peak in terms of demand, confirms Angelica Duran, a professor at the University of Massachusetts and author of several studies and books on violence and illegal markets. The cycle comes full circle. Drug markets that werent originally violent or at least not as violent as today began generating a demand for new protection networks in response to rising competition and the decline or incapacity of old networks. In the meantime, new groups started exploring other ventures, hence the diversification, extortion, and so on. Governments in countries like Colombia, Mexico, or Brazil tried to dismantle these groups for example, the violent Los Zetas through sporadic arrests. In practice, however, the groups fragmented, and the remnants, under new names, kept doing the same business. Demand for drugs remained steady or even increased. And that bring us to 2025. Now, this logic extends beyond traditional producing countries and appears with catastrophic results in transit countries like Ecuador, where the murder rate jumped from under eight per 100,000 people in 2020 to over 45 in 2023, as well as in the Caribbean region. Not so long ago, Ecuador, a bridge between Colombia and Peru, was rightly seen as a relatively peaceful oasis in South America, especially compared to Colombia. But in the past five years, it has become one of the continents main cocaine hubs something also true of Costa Rica where criminal networks move drugs bound for Europe, taking advantage of Ecuadors status as the worlds leading banana exporter. Colombia, the worlds top cocaine producer, is a paradigmatic case that complements Ecuadors story. After the fall of the Medellin and Cali cartels in the 1990s, the groups that inherited the cocaine trade changed tactics. They stopped shipping to Mexico and began selling at the border. Profits were smaller, but there were fewer problems. At the same time, the United Nations recorded a steady decline in coca leaf and cocaine production until 2013. But the rebound since then has been dramatic: from 50,000 hectares under cultivation back then to over 250,000 today. Over these years, the fragmentation of criminal groups has been constant. As has their diversification. Now they are switching from coca to illegal gold mining, depending on prices, says Daniel Mejia, a PhD in economics from Brown University and former director of the Center for Security and Drug Studies at Universidad de Los Andes. Agents recover a body at the scene of an attack in northern Cali on August 21, 2025. Jair F. Coll Mejia, like Marcelo Bergman, points out the extreme danger of situations in countries such as Colombia, Mexico, parts of Brazil, or Ecuador, where violent crime rates remain persistently high. The expansion of criminal groups in Latin America is no longer just about controlling the drug market or mining. They are increasingly moving toward a logic of criminal governance, he explains. When you reach situations like Mexico 30,000 murders annually, rising extortion, looting of mines and forests, fuel theft criminal activity has diversified to such an extent, with multiple criminal actors involved, that the state no longer has a deterrent capacity, adds Bergman. Revenge and forests One early morning in late October, residents of a Rio de Janeiro favela went into the forest to collect bodies. While life carried on in the bustling southern zone of the city, on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, dozens of men and women from the Penha favela, deep in the citys interior, climbed into the forest to retrieve the bodies of their relatives, killed just hours earlier by state police in an operation that shocked the world. Reporters arriving later at the neighborhood square described horrifying scenes: dozens of corpses lying in rows, mutilated bodies, covered with makeshift tarps Although the exact number of victims from the police operation remains unclear, the most conservative estimates put it at 121. In a time when the president of a global power like the U.S. can dismiss the killing of a journalist as things happen, the response from Rio de Janeiros governor, Claudio Castro, to the favela massacre followed a similar tone. According to Castro, the operation was a success because 78 of the victims had serious criminal records. Surprisingly to some, polls conducted in the following days showed public support for the operation and the governors words. The hardline approach a politically controversial move throughout the region was backed overwhelmingly. Relatives try to identify the bodies found in the early hours of the morning in a Rio de Janeiro favela after a massive police operation, on October 29, 2025. Andre Coelho (EFE) The massacre in the favelas of Penha and Alemao the worst in the countrys history reflects a broader trend across the continent: public desperation over insecurity and violence, and the search for magical solutions. Its an approach similar to what has been pursed by El Salvadors Nayib Bukele, who a few years ago, suddenly and forcefully, crushed criminality when negotiations with gangs failed by dismantling the rule of law. This is being seen in Mexico and Ecuador, but also in countries with much lower levels of violent crime, like Chile, where the homicide rate is around six per 100,000 inhabitants, low by regional standards but double what it was 10 years ago. In Latin America, there has always been a demand for tough-on-crime responses, a catch-all term, says Angelica Duran, from the University of Massachusetts. There are many examples. For instance, the cases in the 2000s in Honduras and El Salvador. These were reactive approaches to crime, not part of long-term planning, but responses to crises. Theres a tendency that when people perceive strong crime and impunity, the demand for these policies increases. And theyre easier for states to implement, even if theyre ineffective, because they give the impression that something is being done in the short term, the expert adds. At a time when populism is gaining ground in the region especially right-wing populism, with the Bolsonaros, Mileis, Bukeles, and company leading the charge the temptation to offer quick fixes is growing. All experts consulted agree on one point: the Bukele model cant be replicated. They were able to do it because its a small country that took control of the gangs very quickly, says Bergman. In larger countries of 10, 15, or 20 million inhabitants, attempting something similar would mean imprisoning over 100,000 people. In Mexico, that number would be 1.5 million; in Brazil, more than two million. While effective from a media perspective what aspiring autocrat wouldnt hyperventilate at the idea of building giant prisons to house hundreds of thousands of alleged criminals, clad in miserable white underwear? the approach could be counterproductive. In his seminal book Prisons and Crime in Latin America, Bergman points out that over the past two, nearly three decades, the prison population in Latin America has nearly doubled, yet crime has not decreased. For two reasons: first, because the criminals incarcerated are links in a chain who can be easily replaced; and second, because prisons, far from reforming inmates, are preparing them to return to the criminal world even stronger. Inmates transferred to El Encuentro prison in Santa Elena, on November 10, 2025. @DanielNoboa So what should be done? Daniel Mejia points to a possible answer. A university man by background, Mejia became Bogotas first security secretary in 2016, at a time when a huge criminal hotspot, known as El Bronx, was taking shape in the city center. If it had continued to grow, it could have become a major problem. It covered about five blocks, but it was close to the courts, to city hall, in an area where not even the police could enter. And our basic principle was that we couldnt have nogo zones, the expert explains. Mejia infiltrated agents into El Bronx, coordinated intelligence work for six months, and when he struck, he did so with all available force. We deployed 2,500 police officers, in addition to army personnel, who were in charge of the perimeter, he explains. The goal wasnt to use excessive force, but to avoid using it altogether. In other words, to deploy so many people that they wouldnt even think of retaliating. And thats exactly what happened. There were no shootouts or deaths. In just a few minutes, the police occupied the more than 140 establishments in the area where drugs were being sold, among other things. Although the particular nature of that situation makes it hard to replicate elsewhere, the lesson seems clear: intelligence, preparation, and overwhelming force to prevent criminals from responding. Mejia offers a warning: Using force without intelligence leads to many mistakes. The prognosis isnt good, but its not terrible either. Crime isnt going to disappear, but we must strive to limit it, argues Cecilia Farfan. Its a statement that masks a certain complexity. Limiting crime isnt easy when for decades governments have just been reacting. And thats not the only issue. The big problem is that, in Latin America, states generally have very fragmented power, and there are many criminal groups, so any policy is very complicated. Whats more, these groups may be possibly connected to parts of the political establishment, says Duran. Culturally, too, the struggle is equally difficult. Words like government or politics have lost much of their power to inspire. Disaffection reigns, and in such a context, other actors enter the scene. People are drawn to wrongdoing; you only have to look at the success of corridos belicos, a subgenre of Mexican regional music that has become a global phenomenon. Crime is no longer chosen purely out of necessity it is often chosen out of revenge. Theres a widespread sense of disappointment that the legal path education, work doesnt offer answers, says Bergman. And so, these nihilistic, rebellious, violent paths Well, today it seems that the great attraction is getting a gun, hurting others, avenging a terrible childhood, what was done to me. The number of people ready to engage in a life of crime because they cant find answers in other ways is a serious problem. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Vladimir Putin wrapped up his short trip to India on Friday night after offering prime minister Narendra Modi "uninterrupted shipments" of fuel amid mounting pressure from the US for New Delhi to revise its decades-old partnership with Russia. Modi broke protocol on Thursday to receive Putin at the airport, greeting him with a bear hug and a firm handshake, before the two settled into the back seat of the same car for the drive to the prime ministers residence for dinner. The gesture was a clear signal to the West that its efforts to isolate Putin can only go so far, with the Modi government intent on showing it can maintain what it refers to as strategic autonomy, walking a tightrope between Moscow and Washington. During his 30-hour visit to the world's most polluted capital city, Putin held talks with Modi, attended a private and a state dinner, a business forum and announced the launch of an India service from the Kremlin-funded Russia Today. However, beyond the displays of bonhomie, Putins visit produced little in terms of substantive deals between India and Russia. open image in gallery Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embrace each other at the Palam Air Base in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 Both leaders announced that India and Russia have finalised an economic cooperation programme running until 2030, which will help diversify their business and boost annual trade to $100bn by that year. The two countries enjoyed robust bilateral trade of $68.7bn in the last fiscal year. But that trade is concentrated in just a few sectors and heavily skewed in favour of Russia, with India keen to bridge the gap by pushing up 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. open image in gallery Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) listens as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the joint press statements after their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on December 5, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP via Getty Images) ( AFP via Getty Images ) "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." Critics say Putins visit could strain Indias relations with the EU and the US and might jeopardise negotiations on major trade agreements, despite New Delhi maintaining historic ties with Moscow that date back to the Cold War era. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent in August, saying half of that total represented punitive sanctions for New Delhi's continued purchases of discounted Russian oil. India has gone from importing negligible amounts of Russian oil before the Ukraine war to being the second biggest importer of Russian crude after China. The US says purchases of Russian oil help finance Moscows war machine and recently sanctioned two of Moscows biggest oil producers in a bid to force third parties 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 Russian oil purchases as well. India was careful to play down Putins offer of uninterrupted oil supplies without rejecting it outright. India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that the recent sanctions imposed on Russian oil were discussed by Modi and Putin, but did not give more details. Before the summit talks on Friday, the Russian leader said the two countries "have a very trusting relationship when it comes to military-technical cooperation". Yet for India, Putin's visit granted no major defence announcements, even after their defence ministers met on Thursday. open image in gallery Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sit inside a limousine after arriving at the Palam Air Base in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Indian officials earlier said that Modi, in the meeting with Putin, would push for faster delivery of two more Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. It has already received three under a 2018 deal worth about $5.4bn. The two sides signed a pact in February to improve military cooperation, exercises, port calls, disaster relief assistance and logistics support, and that agreement was ratified by Moscows State Duma ahead of Putins India visit. Talks were also expected on upgrading Indias Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets and accelerating deliveries of critical military hardware. There were no new agreements to be signed in the end, just a joint statement saying both sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts and components for the maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment. This would be done through the transfer of technology and the setting up of joint ventures. Prime minister Modi said after the talks that India would soon start issuing free electronic visas for Russian tourists and groups visiting the country. And a key area where the two countries hope to finalise an agreement is the safety and regulation of skilled Indian migrant workers to Russia. Business aside, Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said that the informal dinner between Putin and Modi was "one of the key points of the visit. Ushakov told state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta that "during such confidential face-to-face contacts, the most urgent, most sensitive and most important issues of both bilateral relations and the international situation are discussed". "Politics is made at these kind of meetings." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least four civilians have been killed in heavy gunfire at the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan after the collapse of peace talks involving the two countries. The border clashes erupted between Pakistani forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan, with both sides accusing each other of breaking a ceasefire that was agreed two months ago. Negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad aimed at easing border tensions broke down in November, but a Qatar-brokered ceasefire has nonetheless mostly held. A medical worker in Kandahar told BBC Pashto that four bodies had been brought to a local hospital. Four other people were wounded in Afghanistan, while three people sustained injuries in Pakistan. 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. The clash forced residents in the Afghan city of Spin Boldak in Kandahar district to flee overnight. A spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister also accused Afghan forces of "unprovoked firing" along the Chaman border. "Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens," spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement. But Afghan border police said the Pakistani forces first lobbed a hand grenade, prompting a response. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces launched attacks in Spin Boldak. Unfortunately, this evening, the Pakistani side once again launched attacks on Afghanistan ... forcing the forces of the Islamic Emirate to respond, Mujahid wrote on X. A Pakistani army tank stands at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman on December 6, 2025, following overnight cross-border fire between the two countries ( AFP via Getty Images ) The exchange came nearly a week after a new round of peace talks between the South Asian neighbours ended without a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire. The talks in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series of meetings. Earlier discussions were hosted by Qatar and Turkey. Tensions between the two neighbours who share a 1,600-mile border spiked in October with deadly clashes killing dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants, and wounded hundreds more on both sides. The border clashes were preceded by suspected airstrikes in Kabul on 9 October. The Taliban blamed the explosions on Pakistan and vowed revenge. The fighting is the worst between the neighbours since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021. The Qatar-mediated ceasefire eased tensions somewhat but subsequent peace talks in Istanbul failed to produce an agreement. Pakistan blames most militant attacks inside its borders on the Pakistani Taliban, also known are Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (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 took over. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man has been arrested at Heathrow Airport over the death of a boy who died 14 years after suffering a head injury. Lejunae Wood, 42, of Wuppertal, Germany, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of the murder of Leajunne Wood. The Metropolitan Police said that the murder charge follows an incident in December 2007 in Hayes, west London. Leajunne, who was four months old at the time, suffered life-changing injuries, the force said. He died on 6 December 2021, following what was later revealed by pathologist reports to be complications from a severe head injury. The findings emerged in 2023, prompting the Met Police to launch a murder investigation. Wood will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Saturday. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after the display case containing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London was apparently covered in fruit crumble and custard. The vault where the artefacts are displayed, known as the Jewel House, was temporarily closed to the public while police investigated the potential attack. A group called Take Back Power, who say that they are campaigning for higher taxes on the wealthy, have taken responsibility for the protest. The group said in a statement posted online that two protesters covered the Crown Jewels display case with custard and apple crumble at around 9:50am on Saturday morning. open image in gallery Protesters standing next to the defaced Crown Jewels case on Saturday morning (Take Back Power/PA) ( Take Back Power/PA ) Footage shared by the group showed one demonstrator removing the large foil tray of crumble from a bag and slamming it against the glass protecting the Imperial State Crown. Another then repeatedly poured a tub of bright yellow custard on the front of the case. The activists then opened their coats to show their T-shirt slogans which read Take Back Power before one shouted Democracy has crumbled and another shouted Britain is broken. Weve come here to the jewels of the nation to take back power. Two activists also held a sign reading Democracy has crumbled - Tax the Rich in front of the display cabinet. The groups statement continued: By around 10:30, the two action takers and two others had been taken into custard-y by police. Surprised tourists could be seen reacting to the stunt which happened on Saturday morning, while a Tower of London worker quickly approached shouting: Excuse me, excuse me, as she radioed for help. open image in gallery A protester repeatedly poured a tub of bright yellow custard on the front of the case ( Take Back Control ) Take Back Power targeted the Ritz Hotel on Wednesday by emptying bags of manure next to its Christmas tree. It said it carried out the stunt to demand the government establishes a permanent citizens assembly a House of the People with the power to tax extreme wealth and fix Britain. Police initially said that the Tower of London had been closed to the public but clarified that it is only the Jewel House that is shut off. Police minister Sarah Jones said that the protest incident at the Tower of London was disgraceful. In a statement on X, Ms Jones said: Disgraceful incident this morning at the Tower of London. I am grateful to the police for their swift response and for the full investigation, which is now underway. There is a clear difference between the democratic right to protest and unacceptable behaviour. The Metropolitan Police said that officers arrived at the scene on Saturday morning after reports of criminal damage. A spokesperson for the force said: Police were called at 09:48hrs on Saturday, 6 December to the Tower of London following reports of criminal damage to a display case, containing the State Crown. It was reported that four protesters threw suspected food onto the case before two left the scene. open image in gallery People gather at the Tower of Londons display of ceramic poppies, as the Tower marks Armistice Day. ( PA ) Officers worked closely with City of London Police and security officers and four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They have been taken into custody. The Tower of London, which was built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror, now attracts more than three million visitors a year. The tower displays the Crown Jewels collection and the Coronation Regalia are at the heart of this exhibition. This includes the Imperial State Crown, which is worn by the monarch at the end of the coronation ceremony and at formal occasions like the state opening of parliament. Lighter than St Edwards Crown the Coronation Crown the Imperial State Crown was worn by the King as he left Westminster Abbey on his coronation day and during his appearance on the palace balcony. It was originally made for the coronation of his grandfather George VI in 1937 and contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, four rubies and 269 pearls and weighs over a kilogram. Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity which looks after the tower, said the Crown Jewels were not damaged during the incident. It added that the tower was open to the public, and that the Jewel House, which is home to the historic treasures, temporarily closed while police investigated but has now reopened. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The UK is bracing for another weekend of wet and windy conditions, with numerous flood warnings already active. Twenty-two flood warnings were in place in England on Saturday morning, with eight in Scotland and six in Wales, as the Met Office cautioned of potentially disruptive weather next week. While temperatures are expected to remain mild, gusty winds are also forecast. Heavy downpours are particularly likely in south Wales, south-west England, and Cumbria, where rain on saturated ground could lead to difficult travel conditions. Northern Ireland, north-east England, and south-east Scotland are predicted to experience the best chance of drier weather this weekend. Another band of rain is forecast to make its way across the country in a north-easterly direction on Sunday with persistent spells likely in northern areas. 36 flood warnings have been issued across the UK ( PA Archive ) A potentially deep area of low pressure could cause further problems next week. A deepening area of low pressure will approach the UK from the south-west later on Monday, bringing with it heavy rain and strong winds, which are likely to affect the UK between late Monday and early Wednesday, the Met Offices deputy chief meteorologist Steven Keates said. At present, the exact track, depth, and timings of this low are uncertain, which makes it harder to determine where will be most impacted by strong winds and/or heavy rain. This system has the potential to cause disruption, and severe weather warnings are likely to be issued over the weekend as details become clearer. We therefore urge people to keep up-to-date with the latest Met Office forecast. The Met Office forecast for the rest of December remains unsettled, with further periods of low pressure predicted. Meteorologists said it is too early to provide an accurate forecast for the Christmas period. On Thursday, the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for freezing fog across parts of southeast England.. Visibility was likely to fall below 100 metres in places, the forecaster said, and a few patches of ice could form on untreated surfaces before clearing on Friday morning. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Forget badges or basic t-shirts - Reform UK has announced it will make its own tartan in a bid to attract Scottish voters. Speaking at a rally in Falkirk on Saturday afternoon, Reform chairman Dr David Bull said the party would make the important step in enshrining Reforms Scottish identity, promising members scarves, hats, and kilts. The announcement was met by cheers in the room of supporters, who have gathered to hear speeches from Reform Scotlands councillors and top party figures - including leader Nigel Farage. "I am delighted to announce today we are taking an important step in enshrining Reform's Scottish identity, Dr Bull said. Thanks to the enterprising and very out of the box thinking by Martin Green, I am delighted to announce we are having our own tartan made so we can then produce scarves and hats and kilts, and so on, for our members north of the border." Mr Farage is speaking at a rally in Falkirk on Saturday ( Jane Barlow/PA Wire ) He said details of how to purchase the items would follow soon, adding: Personally I cant wait to address our next Scottish meeting in full Scottish dress as a true Scotsman. It comes as Mr Farage and other top Reform figures visit Falkirk as it gears up its Scottish Parliament election campaign. Falkirk has been the site of regular anti-immigration protests outside the Cladhan Hotel, which is being used to house asylum seekers. These have often been organised by a group called Save Our Future and Our Kids Futures, which says locals want action following alleged crimes by those housed at the Cladhan Hotel. A group called Falkirk for All, which has staged opposing counter-demonstrations outside the Cladhan, will hold a unity march through the town on Saturday. Ahead of the rally, Mr Farage claimed uncontrolled migration was changing Scottish cities almost beyond recognition. Writing in the Daily Mail, the Reform leader criticised what he characterised as the open door policies of the SNP and Labour. Today, I will be in Scotland at a sold-out Reform UK rally in Falkirk, speaking to Scottish people who have had enough of all this, he wrote. Falkirk has become a symbol of Scotlands anger over the asylum crisis. He added: Scottish politics is now a straight fight between the SNP, the party of the old establishment, and Reform the party of radical change. The old system is broken. The public know it, and they have had enough. Those in the Scottish Parliament who express astonishment at the rise of Reform should try to answer this question: after 26 years of SNP and Labour rule in Scotland, how has life in this proud nation changed for the better? Ahead of the rally, Scottish first minister John Swinney accused Mr Farage of seeking to whip up hate. Nigel Farage has no interest in people in Falkirk or anywhere else in Scotland, he said. Farage needs to understand that communities in Scotland are not props to be used in his political games. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A millionaire Conservative donor who was made a peer by Boris Johnson has defected to Reform UK in a major boost for Nigel Farage. Lord Malcolm Offord said he was defecting from the Conservatives to Reform and intended to stand for election to the Scottish parliament next year. The former Tory minister was introduced by Mr Farage during a party rally in Falkirk on Saturday. Announcing his defection, he said he believed the Scottish Conservatives have given up on Scotland. Mr Farage welcomed Lord Offord as somebody who I think will have a transformative effect on our party here in Scotland, describing the defection as a brave and historic act. open image in gallery Malcolm Offord has defected from the Conservatives to Reform (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Archive ) The former Scottish Conservative party treasurer previously served in the Conservative government as an exports minister before Labour won the 2024 general election. He confirmed he would resign from the House of Lords and return his peerage to campaign for a seat at Holyrood as good old Malcolm Offord. Members of the House of Lords are disqualified from becoming members of the Scottish parliament under legislation passed earlier this year. It is not possible to renounce a life peerage, but peers can resign their membership from the House of Lords. Lord Offord branded the Scottish Conservative party as unelectable and said: Im concerned for Scottish politics, very concerned about what happens in Scotland. And thats why Im leaving the Scottish Conservative party, because the Scottish Conservative party, I believe, have given up on Scotland and, ladies and gentlemen, I cant do that. open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced the defection during a rally in Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) ( PA Wire ) Discussing his experiences with the Scottish Tories, the former minister said: What I found, quite candidly, is a party which is regional not national, parochial not political, timid not ambitious; a party without a vision of how to govern Scotland with a right-of-centre agenda. He said he would run a positive campaign with hope, ambition, and reform. During his speech to Reform members at the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel, Mr Farage repeated claims that one in three schoolchildren in Glasgow do not speak English as their first language. Asked about the comments by reporters, Lord Offord said: I think hes highlighting an issue which needs to be talked about. Asked if the comments represent a dog whistle, he continued: I dont believe its a dog whistle, I think its a fact. Lord Offord, who was born in Greenock, is the latest in a string of Tory defections, including Jonathan Gullis and Lia Nici last week. He has donated around 150,000 to the Conservatives, and was made a life peer and given his first ministerial job by former prime minister Mr Johnson in September 2021. open image in gallery Lord Offord was made a peer by then-prime minister Boris Johnson (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire ) Lord Offord previously unsuccessfully stood as a Conservative candidate to become the MSP for the Lothian region in May 2021 before he was handed his peerage by Mr Johnson, leading to allegations of rampant cronyism by the SNP. But Mr Johnson insisted he was a guy who has a huge amount to offer and predicted he would do a great job. Lord Offord previously ran the pro-union No Borders campaign during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and is also the founder and chair of an Edinburgh-based boutique investment company, Badenoch and Co. A spokesperson for the Scottish Tories said: Any vote for Reform next year will only tighten the SNPs grip on power at Holyrood. Nigel Farage has been clear he is fine with John Swinney staying as first minister, his party stood pro-independence candidates in the last election, and he is still courting others who would break up the UK. The Scottish Conservatives, under Russell Findlays leadership, recognise that many people feel completely disconnected from politics. That is why we will continue to relentlessly focus on promoting commonsense Conservative policies to grow our economy and stand up for the priorities of mainstream Scotland. Jackie Baillie, deputy leader of Scottish Labour, said: This defection proves what we already know: Reform arent even Tories in disguise anymore, they are just Tories the same Tories that broke the immigration system, collapsed the economy and left working Scots to pay the price. This isnt change its the same failed politicians and failed ideas trying to divide our country. A vote for Reform is a vote that helps keep the SNP in power and blocks the change Scotland desperately needs. Scotland needs a party focused on rebuilding our NHS and delivering real change for working people not a party of failed Conservatives playing political musical chairs. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least 11 people are dead, including three children, following a mass shooting carried out by multiple suspects in an unlicensed bar near the South African capital on Saturday. Another 14 people were wounded and taken to the hospital, according to the South African Police Services. The shooting happened at a bar inside a hostel in the Saulsville township, west of the administrative capital of Pretoria, in the early hours of Saturday. Ten of the victims died at the scene and the eleventh died at the hospital, police said. The children killed were a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. Police said they were searching for three male suspects. We are told that at least three unknown gunmen entered this hostel where a group of people were drinking and they started randomly shooting, police spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe told national broadcaster SABC. She said the motive for the killings was not clear. The shootings happened at 4.15am, she said, but police were only alerted at 6am. open image in gallery Police forensics personnel at the scene in Atteridgeville, Pretoria ( Reuters ) South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024, an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides. The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, authorities say. There have been several mass shootings at bars, sometimes called shebeens or taverns in South Africa, in recent years, including one that killed 16 people in the Johannesburg township of Soweto in 2022. On the same day, four people were killed in a mass shooting at a bar in another province. Mathe said that mass shootings at unlicensed bars were becoming a serious problem and police had shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales. Recent mass killings in South Africa have not been confined to bars, however. Police said 18 people were killed, 15 of them women, in mass shootings minutes apart at two houses on the same road in a rural part of Eastern Cape province in September last year. Seven men were arrested for those shootings and face multiple charges of murder, while police recovered three AK-style assault rifles they believe were used in the shootings. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Allegiant Air's pilots' union is currently obstructing the airline's efforts to secure permanent residency for dozens of foreign pilots from Chile, Australia, and Singapore, leaving their immigration status and the company's staffing in a precarious state. The union has refused to certify to the US Department of Labour that the pilot positions, which begin at approximately $50,000 a year roughly half the earnings of pilots at other regional airlines meet "prevailing wage" standards. This certification is a critical bureaucratic step required for the pilots' green card applications. Instead of recruiting pilots from overseas, the Teamsters Local 2118 has urged Allegiant to offer industry-standard compensation and improve scheduling to retain its existing pilots, many of whom are departing for rival carriers. The union alleges that the airline misrepresented its intentions to permanently hire these pilots and contends that there is no longer a pilot shortage in the US, rendering the pursuit of permanent residency for these individuals unnecessary. Gregory Unterseher, director of the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, told Reuters: "They had such a hard time in 2023 finding pilots, they actually started hiring visa pilots out of Chile on an H-1B1 because they promised them citizenship, a green card verbally to come fly in America for 50,000 bucks a year." He added, "Because they're having such a hard time keeping and maintaining pilots at such a low wage." Allegiant, like most US carriers, stated it faced significant workforce challenges when travel demand surged after the pandemic. The airline has also struggled to retain pilots, partly due to low pay. To stabilise staffing, the carrier expanded its recruitment to include pilots under employment-based visa programmes. Allegiant currently employs around 62 pilots from Chile, Australia, and Singapore through H-1B1 and E-3 visa programmes, representing about 4 per cent of its total pilot count of 1,345. An Allegiant spokesperson clarified that hiring pilots through visa programmes is a minor supplement to its broader workforce strategy, not a replacement for US hires. However, the union declined to provide the necessary letter for the permanent labour certification application submitted by the airline. A Labour Department-issued permanent labour certification enables employers to hire foreign workers for permanent roles in the US. The immigration status of many foreign pilots remains uncertain In a letter to pilots seen by Reuters, Allegiant wrote: "as a result of the unions failure to provide that information, we understand that the time to obtain your green card may be delayed." The letter further stated: "The company condemns the unions decision to harm you by refusing to provide the updated letter requested by the Department of Labor." Allegiant affirmed to Reuters that "all of our hiring practices fully comply with federal labor laws, FAA regulations, and the collective bargaining agreements in place with our pilot union." The immigration status of many foreign pilots remains uncertain, with some reportedly advised not to leave the country as President Donald Trump implements stricter measures against foreign-born workers, according to the union. Mr Unterseher expressed concern, saying: "My heart goes out to them. They were told, I think recently that they shouldn't even leave the country, right? Because they might not be able to get back in." Attrition rates are reportedly increasing at Allegiant, with pilots leaving due to what they describe as industry-low pay, frustrations with scheduling, and a nearly decade-old labour contract. One pilot who recently left Allegiant told Reuters anonymously: "First officers at Allegiant in their first year in most cases are making less than flight attendants at other major airlines or TSA agents." Despite the carrier's expressed interest in expanding operations, potentially adding 1,400 more destinations, a lack of adequate staffing remains a significant hurdle, pilots informed Reuters. The anonymous pilot added: "For the last 18 months, there was nowhere to go. Now that people have options, you are seeing people leaving. I've got five or six friends just in my little small group of people that I know that are leaving." The former vice president of Colombia, who is a leading security experts in Latin America, analyzes the critical moment the region is facing and its key challenges For more than four decades, General Oscar Naranjo has been one of the most authoritative voices on understanding the anatomy of violence in Latin America. His career is, in itself, a map of both the transformation and the limitations of states in the face of organized crime: he played a key role in the downfall of Colombias major cartels in the 1990s; led the intelligence services during the moments of greatest threat to his country; spearheaded police reforms that professionalized criminal investigations; and, as vice president, participated in the construction of peace agreements that marked a turning point in Colombias recent history. This combination of operational experience, strategic vision, and political skill made him an authority in the hemisphere, consulted by governments, international organizations, and academic centers seeking to understand why, despite years of effort, Latin America remains the most violent region in the world. Naranjo, 68, views the present with a mix of concern and analytical clarity. The current situation, he warns, is the result of a prolonged cycle of failures: the fragmentation of organized crime into highly disruptive territorial structures; the hijacking of public debate by ideological positions that prevent evidence-based policymaking; the growing militarization of security as a populist response; the failure to strengthen intelligence, judicial investigation, and accountability; and the emergence of organizations that, after the pandemic, no longer seek merely to enrich themselves but to compete with the state for social legitimacy. From that perspective, Naranjo, in a video call of more than an hour with EL PAIS, argues that the region is facing a greater challenge than in the past: understanding that it is no longer enough to neutralize kingpins or deploy troops, but that one must rebuild institutional capacities, recover territories and restore meaning to the rule of law. Question. What particular challenges do you see in Latin Americas current security situation? Answer. We are experiencing a series of failures in a region that has been considered the most violent in the world for the last 40 years. Latin America is experiencing a high degree of fragmentation of organized crime structures, with the capacity to have an impact locally, regionally, and even nationally. They are no longer pursuing the goal of the large cartels to accumulate economic power to influence politics as when Pablo Escobar sought to turn Colombia into a narco-state ; they have left behind centralized and vertical command structures and have implemented a process of territorial criminal governance. They seek to control territories to impose rules of behavior on citizens, co-opt local authorities through corruption or intimidation, and protect the source of their criminal economies. These organizations are proving to be highly disruptive. I often cite the Tren de Aragua as an example: it was unthinkable that an organization founded by a former union leader in a Venezuelan prison, which did not traffic on a large scale, would manage to penetrate 11 countries in the region with very different objectives: extortion, contract killings, micro-trafficking, migration, and human trafficking. This is happening in a region that thought this was a problem only for Mexico, Central America and Colombia, but today sees equal alarm in Uruguay, Chile and Argentina. Q. How should this new ecosystem of violence be addressed? A. To begin achieving sustainable results over time, we need to free our understanding of security, drug trafficking, and organized crime from a kind of ideological hijacking. While criminal organizations are becoming more integrated, the region is fragmenting into three camps, politically speaking. One sector advocates for a hardline approach as if it were a silver bullet to solve the problem. At the other extreme, the left asserts that as long as there is poverty and inequality, there will be violence. The third sector, which is largely absent, proposes evidence-based public policy formulas. I believe that the two extremes have ultimately hijacked the issue. What we observe in the region is that public security policies are heavily influenced by drug trafficking. We need to better understand the phenomenon we are facing. On the other hand, there is something that has not been sufficiently studied: after the pandemic, we saw an evolution and a reconfiguration of crime. In the absence of an effective state that provides solutions, they understood that they could gain social acceptance and initiate a process to try to legitimize crime. This post-pandemic phenomenon confronts us with a reality that is no longer simply based on the greed of a criminal economy; it puts us face to face with a competitor to the state. Q. To what do you attribute those failures? A. The backdrop is a debate weve been embroiled in for over 50 years, between prohibitionist and libertarian or liberationist views on drug use and production. Now, the failed so-called war on drugs has two sides. I maintain that if we hadnt waged this fight, Colombia would be a narco-state. A second issue is the increasingly populist response from governments, who believe that militarizing the fight against drug trafficking leads to sustainable results. In a way, these announcements are more aimed at shaping public opinion than achieving results. What worries me most these days is this growing militarization of the fight against crime, when it should be done with investigation, intelligence, forensic science, and judicial capacity to prosecute and convict those responsible and to combat impunity. Q. Youve talked about extortion. How can it be fought? A. This wave of post-pandemic organized crime has highlighted the weakening of three fundamental elements of the rule of law: the principle of the states monopoly on weapons; the states monopoly on the administration of justice; and the states monopoly on taxation. The third has been lost with extortion, which has been present for 15 to 20 years under what classical literature calls Sicilian-style extortion. What does this mean? It means that the victim initially considers the extortionist not as a perpetrator, but as someone providing a service, and only later understands that it is a crime. In Latin America, we have settled for asking citizens to file a formal complaint with institutions, but this cannot be asked of someone who is afraid of being killed and who does not know what institutional response will follow the capture of their aggressor. We have taken few steps to make such reporting more collective, more anonymous, and to ensure authorities ex officio. Q. It seems that there is a lack of preventive capacity, independent of the state. What is the state of intelligence in the fight against crime? A. I worked in intelligence; I was the director of that service in the Colombian National Police, and I believe that intelligence will always be insufficient as long as governments consider it the sole and exclusive responsibility of those teams. Intelligence should be an accumulation of knowledge from academia, citizens, the business sector, and victims. Its normal for state institutions to tend to downplay problems to avoid negative, apocalyptic messages that the battle against crime is being lost. They tend to be triumphalist, and we must ensure that intelligence incorporates other perspectives. On the other hand, intelligence, and security institutions in general, have only cosmetic if not nonexistent accountability. Theres a great deal of fear about facing the public and explaining what works and what fails. Without accountability, political responsibility disappears, a topic that is rarely discussed. For example, its incredible that the number of violent deaths during Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors six-year term in Mexico has been so high, but nobody talks about it, nobody has held anyone accountable for those deaths. Q. Why has Latin America failed to improve these services? A. Because intelligence was deeply intertwined with totalitarian or dictatorial regimes in the past, there are currents of political opinion in Latin America that view it with fear. Governments and states have failed to explain that a good intelligence service can prevent repression. Whats more, our criminal procedure laws have not allowed the results of intelligence gathering to be easily incorporated into judicial investigations, and therefore, intelligence often knows things that it does not bring to court. And third, in many parts of Latin America, and even in the United States, many people who work in judicial investigations or intelligence end up in uniform, on the streets, carrying a rifle, which is contradictory. Q. Does a hardline approach solve the problem of crime, or does it only displace it geographically and temporarily? Is it popular because its effective, or because of social desperation in the absence of credible alternatives? A. Hardline strategies are not sustainable in the long run and end up opening the floodgates to abuse, arbitrariness, and human rights violations. However, faced with crises of insecurity and violence, politicians readily resort to them as an electoral tactic, even though they devalue democratic values. Ultimately, we are facing a false dilemma between those who advocate for a strong state to guarantee the enjoyment of citizens rights and freedoms, and those who say that we must first ensure rights and freedoms, and then build a strong state. It is possible to work simultaneously on strengthening the capacities of a competent and effective state without affecting the enjoyment of rights and freedoms, but a candidate with this rhetoric will not be elected in Latin America. Q. Amid this negative outlook, is anyone making progress in security thanks to evidence-based policies? A. We are facing what I call the Bukele fascination, as he is achieving a sharp decrease in the homicide rate and a very significant drop in extortion. It is a highly contagious example, which creates new difficulties in warning that such policies end in authoritarianism and are not sustainable. Furthermore, we have been very incompetent in documenting the lessons learned. What we did in Colombia between 1989 the terrible year when three presidential candidates were assassinated , and 2016, when we signed the peace agreement [with Colombian guerilla groups], is admirable. There was institutional strengthening, the states supremacy over crime was demonstrated, and a climate of acceptance regarding security issues was created. Excuse me for speaking in the first person, but when I retired from the police force in 2012, I wondered how it was possible for a police officer to leave with an 82% approval rating, higher than [former Colombian presidents] Alvaro Uribe or Juan Manuel Santos. After all, a police officer isnt popular because they regulate rights and freedoms, so something was done right in my country. Another factor is that the dilemma between a large state and a small state has left us without sufficient technocracy for national security policies, meaning each government has to start from scratch to implement a policy. And Ill end with a reflection: when we think about the lessons learned, many of us who were in charge feel a sense of nostalgia that prevents us from saying, I was wrong. We did this badly. Q. From that attempt to push back against nostalgia, what is something you implemented that is no longer viable today? A. We faced organizations of a very broad national or regional scope, with a centralized and vertical chain of command. It was legitimate to think that attacking high-value targets would seriously damage a structure. The evidence proved that this was correct. Although it is true that for every kingpin captured, four more mini-kingpins appear, those who emerged were not Pablo Escobar or the Rodriguez Orejuela brothers. Today, a similar policy may be misguided. Across the region many arrests are made, but they have less impact even when the people detained are in charge of the organization because they do not have the power that others had in the past. On another note, I think Colombia offered a lesson when it changed its approach: moving from the massive force deployment used against the Medellin cartel to using intelligence for high-precision operations against the Cali cartel. That worked. But today, countries like Ecuador are resorting to massive deployments, when putting soldiers on the streets makes little difference. It is likely that this type of military deterrence will have some effect in international waters, but not within countries. And a third element is something we didnt do strongly enough: accountability. I would be more open to scrutiny from citizens, the media, and international agencies, without fear. Q. Lets think about specific cases. In Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum is overhauling security policy. What are your thoughts on this? A. With President Sheinbaum, Mexico opened a window of opportunity that materialized when it assumed the political cost of appointing Omar Garcia Harfuch a man who is not a military officer and is more of a technocrat than a politician as secretary of the public security. This is very valuable, and I hope it will serve to rectify the long-running legacy of the Lopez Obrador, Pena Nieto, and Calderon administrations. They have been taking steps that have gradually broken with Lopez Obradors appeasement approach: although hugs, not bullets was stronger as a saying than it was in reality, it took root in the minds of citizens and criminals alike. Now they have managed the strengthening of judicial capabilities quite intelligently, although they face the structural challenge of a federal country with more than 3,000 police forces that have not yet standardized their procedures. At the heart of the matter is how to transform the National Guard into a competent body that is neither a military police force nor a typical citizen security police force, but a public security force, in charge of intelligence, counterintelligence, and organized crime. Q. Lets turn to Colombia, where President Gustavo Petro has prioritized his peace policy over security. In what direction should the country go to avoid a new cycle of violence? A. Rethinking territorial security must be a priority. Faced with the fragmentation and proliferation of groups, and the multitude of affected territories, a territorial approach is necessary to understand each phenomenon and propose a solution for each. On another front, an effort must be made to ensure that the failure of a total peace agreement [Petros plan to negotiate peace with all armed groups] does not lead to the abandonment of the implementation of the 2016 agreement, which has been severely hampered. Furthermore, Colombia had learned that ceasefires at the beginning of negotiations often proved ineffective, as happened in El Caguan, but this approach changed with the pursuit of a total peace agreement. Because the military operates in binary terms war or peace, victory or defeat, life or death they found it confusing to be authorized to pursue some criminals and not others, despite being in the same territory and having such similar modus operandi. We must return to the clarity of ceasefires, and restore the capabilities of all security institutions, from the military and police to the Attorney Generals Office. And finally, we must overcome the paradox of a left-wing government, coming to the end of its administration, resorting to such harsh tools as bombings or recipes from the past such as offering rewards for each violent act, when there is no proof of their effectiveness. Q. Finally, what can the United States contribute to the fight against crime, when all countries in the region inevitably work hand in hand with U.S. agencies? A. The first effort we should make governments, societies, and institutions is to understand President Trumps political logic. I conclude that it is based on deterrence, hard deterrence. If he wants trade agreements, he threatens tariffs and achieves negotiations. If he wants to reduce migration, he launches a hardline policy that includes raids and achieves reverse migration. In the area of drug trafficking, his deterrence policy is manifesting itself in several dimensions. The most notable is the naval deployment in the Caribbean and the Pacific, but he also characterizes these groups as terrorists or increases the number of cases for extradition purposes. If one understands that hard deterrence is at the heart of his political logic, one can know how to respond. Moreover, experience has shown that the relationship between U.S. agencies and some countries in the region transcends governments and has a technical dynamic. We must make an effort to preserve this more horizontal relationship in which, of course, each country defends its sovereignty and its interests, but understands that there are common adversaries and objectives. And finally, the way to respond to the growing militaristic approach to tackling the drug problem is to demonstrate that better results are achieved through intelligence gathering, prosecution, and the conviction of drug traffickers. We cannot abandon this task. On the contrary, the more the idea of militarization gains traction, the more we must emphasize that a state governed by the rule of law consists of bringing criminals to justice and that this is effective. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. open image in gallery 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Frank Gehry, an acclaimed Canadian-American architect renowned for his imaginative designs, has died at the age of 96. His chief of staff, Meaghan Lloyd, confirmed he passed away on Friday morning in Santa Monica. Gehry's distinctive work included the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and Berlins striking DZ Bank Building. Born in Toronto on 28 February 1929, Gehry relocated to Los Angeles with his family in 1947. He later earned his bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Southern California. His illustrious career spanned over six decades, leaving a legacy of public and private structures across the globe. Incorporating distorted and fragmented shapes and materials, his work consistently placed a focus on the surrounding environment, ensuring it complemented the wider context and culture. open image in gallery The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain Over his career he was awarded a range of prizes, including some of the highest honours in the industry. Those included the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1989 and later the distinguished Gold Medal for Architecture from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2000. The Guggeinheim, which opened in 1997, is one of Gehrys most celebrated works. Made of titanium, limestone and glass, the building has become an iconic attraction and drew 1.3 million visitors in 2024, according to the museums website. Another of his buildings, the Louis Vuitton Foundation in the Bois de Boulogne park, has been described as a magnificent vessel for Paris. open image in gallery The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles Gehrys work and influence was also recognised by governments and institutions around the world. In 2003, he was designated a Companion to the Order of Canada and was also inducted into the European Academy of Sciences and Arts by the European Union. Three years later he was given the distinction of Chevalier, In 2014 he was elevated to the rank of Commandeur of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, which is the highest honour in France for military and civil merits. In 2016 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President Barack Obama. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two inmates accused of violent crimes, including second-degree attempted murder, are on the run after escaping from a southwestern Louisiana jail Wednesday by removing pieces of a degrading wall and using sheets to scale a wall, officials said. A third inmate who joined in the breakout killed himself after he was tracked down. The sheriffs office identified the two escaped inmates still on the loose as Keith Eli, 24, of Opelousas, who was facing a second-degree attempted murder charge, and Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, of Opelousas, who was facing several charges, including principal to first-degree rape. Louisiana Jail Escape It was the latest bold jail escape in Louisiana. Earlier this year 10 inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail after crawling through a hole behind a toilet. It wasn't until five months later following the discovery of the escape crime scene with a message that read To Easy LoL," finger-pointing by officials as to who was to blame for the audacious escape and a search that spanned multiple states that all 10 inmates were recaptured. Wednesday morning's escape, which took place at the St. Landry Parish Jail, involved three inmates. Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, who oversees the jail in Opelousas, about 130 miles (209 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans, said the "inmates discovered a degrading part of an upper wall area and over time, removed the mortar allowing them to remove concrete blocks and provide their exit. The inmates then used sheets and other items to scale the outer wall and drop onto the first-floor roof, before lowering themselves to the ground, Guidroz said in a press release. Additional details about the escape were not immediately available. Guidroz said it will be investigated internally. Sheriffs department spokesperson Maj. Mark LeBlanc wasnt aware of the building being breached in a similar way in the past, but noted that anyone will try to escape with enough time and opportunity. These three were just a little more creative than in years past, he said. Theres no credible indications that the escapees have left the parish, so LeBlanc warned residents to secure their homes and vehicles. Theyre charged with violent felonies and we know theyre desperate to get away, he said. Anyone who helps the escapees will be prosecuted, he said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A pastor with a large social media following claims he has been speaking with Barron Trump, who he says is very close to declaring his Christian faith. On a December 4 episode of The George Janko Show, pastor Stuart Knechtle claimed he spoke with Barron by phone late one night and that the presidents son went from being a skeptic to nearly accepting Christianity. "He's very close to putting his faith in Christ, very close," Knechtle, who has millions of followers across TikTok and Instagram, told the show. The leader added that, allegedly, telling Barron about a friends missionary work in Africa, where he claims converts received divine revelations, helped persuade the 19-year-old Trump. "He was like, Oh, that's a very, very interesting point, Knechtle said. And you have eyewitness testimony. open image in gallery Barron Trump is reportedly exploring his faith, a TikTok-famous pastor claimed on a recent podcast ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Independent has contacted the White House and Knechtle for comment. It is unclear when this alleged conversation took place or if Barron and Knechtle have ever met or spoken with each other. Knechtle and his father, Cliffe, who is also a pastor, have appeared in high-profile conservative circles in the past. Cliffe was a recent guest on Tucker Carlsons show, and both Knechtles prayed on behalf of Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign. Barron, who is currently in his second year at New York University, was a fan of the late conservative and evangelical activist Charlie Kirk, according to the president. open image in gallery Barron Trump is currently attending classes at New York University, and he has been credited with helping connect his fathers 2024 campaign with influential podcasts that helped attract young male voters ( Getty ) I'll never forget Baron coming back saying, Dad, that guy's great, Trump said after Kirk was assassinated this fall. You know, normally he's not full of praise. Now, he was very hurt when he saw [news of Kirks death], but, I mean, everybody was. The president has credited his son with connecting his 2024 campaign to various right-leaning podcasts and social media streams that may have helped tip the election in Trump's favor by attracting young male voters. Barron is living in the Executive Residence at the White House and attending classes at NYUs Washington campus. The president and the first lady are both Christians. open image in gallery Barron Trump currently lives at the White House and attends classes in Washington Christians across denominations, and especially white evangelicals, were a core part of Trumps 2024 coalition, with an estimated 81 percent of the latter group backing the Republican. More broadly, Protestants made up a 54 percent majority of Trump voters, topping the 32 percent who went for Kamala Harris, according to the Pew Research Center. Overall, roughly eight-in-10 Trump voters identified as Christian. The commander-in-chief retains a core base of religious supporters, even as his polling elsewhere has plunged across the board in recent weeks. Up to one-third of Americans think the 2024 election result was ordained by God, according to a set of October polls. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Marjorie Taylor Greene has described how Donald Trump became "furious" with her after she pressed for the release of all official documents about Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview with CBS News' 60 Minutes that will air on Sunday, the far-right congresswoman told CBS anchor Lesley Stahl about her discussions with Trump after she became one of just four Republicans to sign a petition to publish the full Epstein files. "We did talk about the Epstein files, and he was extremely angry at me that I had signed the discharge petition to release the files," Greene told Stahl in a clip released by CBS Friday night. "I fully believe that those women deserve everything they're asking. They're asking for everything to come out. They deserve it. And he was furious with me." "What did he say?" Stahl then asked Greene. Marjorie Taylor Greene appears on CBS News' 60 Minutes, airing on Sunday Dec 7, 2025 ( CBS News / 60 Minutes ) Greene responded: "Um. He said that it was going to hurt people." It is the latest salvo in Greene's ongoing war of words with Trump and her Republican colleagues, many of whom were shocked by her announcement on Nov. 21 that she would step down from Congress and trigger a special election. The feud began with her refusal to accept Trump's excuses for not releasing more Epstein documents, and escalated from there. Trump's response was explosive, branding her "Marjorie Traitor Greene" and calling her a "ranting lunatic" who has gone "far left". But Greene hit back, saying he had put her life in danger with "unwarranted and vicious attacks" that served to whip up his most hardcore supporters into a "frenzy". The clip shared by CBS on Friday was a marked contrast to Greene's last interview with Stahl in April 2023, when she repeatedly and falsely insisted that the Democrats are the "party of pedophiles". "They are not pedophiles," Stahl shot back. "Why would you say that?" "Democrats support even Joe Biden, the President himself supports children being sexualized and having transgender surgeries. Sexualizing children is what pedophiles do to children," said Greene. "Wow," said Stahl. In a statement posted to Elon Musk's social network X last month, announcing her resignation, Greene insisted she had been loyal to Trump and his "America First" agenda, but that loyalty was "a two way street". She accused "MAGA Inc" of treating her like a "battered wife" and prioritizing "Neocons, Big Pharma, Big Tech, [the] Military Industrial War Complex", "foreign leaders", and "the elite donor class" over "good, regular, common Americans." "There is no 'plan to save the world' or insane 4D chess game being played," she said. "The Political Industrial Complex of both parties is ripping this country apart." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The National Park Service has revised its list of free entrance days, dropping Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth two federal holidays that were added under President Joe Bidens administration. In their place, June 14 which is both Flag Day and President Donald Trumps birthday has been included. The change has already sparked criticism, with Cornell William Brooks, the former head of the NAACP, writing on X: The raw & rank racism here stinks to high heaven. The NPS revealed the updated list of free admission days this week. The days are patriotic in nature, including Presidents' Day (February 16), Memorial Day (May 25), Independence Day weekend (July 3-5), Constitution Day (September 17) and Veterans Day (November 11). Roughly 100 of the countrys 400 parks have entrance fees, with the costs varying by park, according to CBS News. Standard entrance passes for Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park two of the nations most popular attractions run between $20 and $35. open image in gallery The National Park Service will offer free admission on President Donald Trump's birthday next year, but not on MLK Jr. Day or Juneteenth marking a break from recent years. ( AFP via Getty Images ) NPS also announced that, starting in 2026, entry free days will only apply for American citizens and residents. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees, the federal agency said. It comes after Trump issued an executive order in July, directing the Interior Department to raise entry fees for foreign tourists in order to increase revenues. The Secretary of the Interior shall take appropriate actions to grant American residents preferential treatment with respect to any remaining recreational access rules, including permitting or lottery rules, consistent with applicable law, the order added. open image in gallery Beginning in 2026, free admission days will only apply to U.S. citizens and residents, the National Park Service announced. ( Getty Images ) In its budget proposal, which was released in May, the Interior Department estimated that such changes would bring in over $90 million per year. In November, the department also unveiled a new annual parks pass that will cost $80 for U.S. citizens and residents and $250 for nonresidents. These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support [NPS], continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations, Secretary Doug Burgum wrote on X at the time. Join the Independent Women newsletter with Victoria Richards for a thoughtful take on the weeks headlines Join the Independent Women newsletter Join the Independent Women newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The U.S. Department of Justice will "immediately" stop enforcing a swathe of federal regulations protecting trans and intersex prisoners from rape and sexual assault, according to leaked documents. In a memo obtained by the non-profit news outlet Prism, DoJ official Tammie M. Gregg told prison auditors across the nation to "immediately pause" all "compliance determinations" for key safety rules concerning LGBTQI+ inmates, and advise prisons to disregard them. Those rules include requiring trans and intersex prisoners to be allowed separate showers, banning body searches purely for the purpose of finding out what genitals they have, and requiring prison staff to consider their safety when assigning them to male or female wings. Some of the suspended clauses apply to all LGBT+ people, not just trans and intersex ones, and many apply to juvenile facilities as well as halfway houses, rehab centers, and mental health facilities. Gregg said these changes were intended as a stopgap solution while the Trump administration edits the regulations to comply with Donald Trump's January executive order declaring that trans people should always and only be treated as their birth sex under U.S. law. In the meantime, if actually implemented by auditors, her memo would effectively suspend numerous protections under the 2003 Prison Rape Elimination Act for trans and intersex people, whom the DoJ's own data suggests are at much higher risk of sexual violence in prison [PDF link]. The DoJ has not commented publicly on the leaked memo, and The Independent has asked it to confirm or deny the memos authenticity. NPR also obtained a copy, corroborating its legitimacy. Fences and barbed wire at the entrance of the El Reno Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno, Oklahoma, July 16, 2015 ( SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images ) "These changes are a green light for predators to sexually assault incarcerated adults and children who are already disproportionately at risk," said Linda McFarlane, executive director of the non-profit campaign group Just Detention, which trains prison staff on PREA compliance and has several certified auditors on staff. The proposed revisions... [are] already sowing confusion among prison leaders, who have worked for more than a decade to put in place common sense rules to end prisoner rape. The Department of Justice would rather see incarcerated people, including children, be sexually abused than allow trans people to express their gender identity. Its sickening. Gillian Branstetter of the ACLU likewise said: "The only reason not to follow the Prison Rape Elimination Act is if you do not want to eliminate rape. "PREA audits are difficult enough to secure in any impactful or transparent way. Telling auditors just to ignore the risks queer people face is as explicit an endorsement of their abuse as you can get." Whether PREA auditors will actually comply remains unclear. Though trained and certified by the DoJ, theyre not actually federal employees, and often work under contract for state inspection agencies. Passed unanimously by Congress in 2003, PREA is implemented via federal regulations that were updated in 2012 by the Obama administration to include specific protections for LGBT+ people. Gregg's memo was apparently sent out on Tuesday, December 2 to all DoJ-certified PREA auditors, who are responsible for assessing whether or not prisons and various other coercive institutions are complying with the law. The memo claims that numerous specific LGBT+ protections conflict with Trump's executive order, although it does not explain how, and says the DoJ is updating those standards to comply. Until these updates are finalized, and further guidance is provided, effective immediately, applicable federal and non-federal correctional facilities shall not be held to subsections of the PREA Standards that may conflict with [Trumps order], the memo reads. Actually making these changes official is a lengthy and complicated process under U.S. law. But the memo further instructed auditors to simply stop assessing facilities compliance with a host of specific clauses, and said those sections would be frozen in the DoJs online audit reporting system as of December 3. Auditors should advise confinement facility and agency representatives to disregard the impacted provisions, or measures, listed above and ask them to refrain from uploading documentation that is no longer relevant to audits, Gregg wrote. One of those regulations requires facilities to train their staff on how to search trans and intersex people "respectfully" and "in the least intrusive manner possible". Another says staff must be trained on "how to communicate effectively and professionally" with LGBT+ inmates in general. One rule requires staff to consider on a case-by-case basis whether placing a trans or intersex prisoner with men or with women would endanger their health and safety. It also says staff must consider the prisoner's own views on that subject. Another rule requires incident reviews of sexual abuses to consider whether the incident was motivated by a prisoner's trans or intersex status. Gregg's memo even orders the suspension of a rule that bans juvenile facility staff from treating a prisoner's trans or intersex status as an indicator of likelihood that they themselves will be sexually abusive. What this means in practice is unclear. PREA is still the law, Shana Knizhnik, senior staff attorney with the ACLUs LGBTQ and HIV Project, told Prism. Standards that are in place are still the law, and so this is essentially a directive to disregard the law. She said that the memo has created confusion among prison operators and advocates about which parts of PREA they are still required to follow. However, she added that prisons could still choose to implement protections that go beyond federal regulations. State and local regulations would also continue to apply. The National Association of PREA Coordinators similarly told NPR that since the DoJ has not finalized any rule changes, Obamas PREA standards remain legally in force. It claimed that the DoJ memo actually allows facility operators or corrections agencies "to continue following the regulation or, if they choose, to ignore it, letting the federal government to implement the Presidents policy while allowing local authorities to determine how best to meet the needs of trans prisoners. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trumps administration changed the name of a trailblazing transgender health leader on her official portrait, according to a new report. Adm. Rachel Levine made history in 2021 when she was sworn in as the assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services under former President Joe Biden. When Levine took on the role, she was the nations highest-ranking, openly transgender federal official. Levines portrait now hangs in the HHS office, along with pictures of other federal officials who have led the U.S. Public Health Corps. But in recent weeks, the agency removed Levines name from her portrait and replaced it with her previous name, according to NPR. The act of revealing or using a transgender persons birth name without their permission is sometimes known as deadnaming, according to GLAAD. Adrian Shanker, a former deputy assistant secretary for health policy in the Biden administration and Levines current spokesperson, told NPR the change is an act of bigotry against her. The Department of Health and Human Services removed Adm. Rachel Levine's name from her official portrait, instead using her previous name, a new report reveals ( Getty Images for The Atlantic ) During the federal shutdown, the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health changed Admiral Levine's photo to remove her current legal name and use a prior name," Shanker told the outlet. Levine said it was a great honor to serve in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. My focus has been and continues to be on public health and health equity. I am not going to comment on this type of petty action, she said in a statement to The Independent. Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for HHS, told The Independent the agency is committed to reversing harmful policies enacted by Levine and ensuring that biological reality guides our approach to public health. An unnamed HHS staffer told NPR the change was disrespectful and shows the erasure of transgender individuals by this administration." Over the last year, the Trump administration has sought to roll back the rights of transgender and intersex people throughout the federal government. Shortly after taking office in January, Trump signed an executive order banning transgender people from the military, which the Supreme Court ruled could be enforced as legal challenges play out. He also signed another executive order targeting gender-affirming healthcare. The administration has also blocked citizens from choosing a sex marker on their passports that aligns with their gender identity. Some transgender service members filed a lawsuit against the administration last month, arguing that they were illegally stripped of their retirement benefits when they were forced out of the military. Levine has been targeted by anti-transgender rhetoric throughout her time in the federal government, she told NPR in January. Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, her image even appeared in anti-transgender GOP advertisements. "It was very challenging, but I'm a resilient person and I'm fine, Levine told the outlet. Levine worked as a pediatrician and public health official in Pennsylvania before joining the Biden administration, NPR reports. She resigned from her role at HHS in January, on the day Trump was sworn in for a second term. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Right-wing podcaster Tim Pool has claimed someone opened fire while approaching his property. In a post on X, Pool said a car approached his property on Friday night and opened fire. There were no injuries, Pool added. His security team is now reviewing the incident and will make a report to law enforcement. In a second post, Pool said his first thought was that someone was trying to scare him. But we have a security gate and armed guards, and it's possible this deterred something more serious, he wrote. Pool, who hosts The Culture War Podcast, has millions of followers across YouTube, Instagram, and X. He rose to prominence during the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011 and during his time as a reporter with Vice. Pool did not specify where his property is located, but his X profile lists his location as Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The Independent has contacted Pool for comment. Right-wing podcaster Tim Pool said someone opened fire on his property on Friday night ( Getty Images ) The Harpers Ferry Police Department said the incident did not occur within the agency's boundaries and directed The Independent to the West Virginia State Police and the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office. A spokesperson for the West Virginia State Police said they have no information about the incident. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office could not be reached for comment outside of business hours. Several major figures were quick to respond to Pools post, including conservative commentator Megyn Kelly. This is awful, Tim, she wrote on X. Im so sorry this happened. Things are getting out of control and its happening more frequently. Praying for your safety. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, called the incident terrifying. Im glad everyone is ok, she wrote on X. Everyone must stand together against this type of political violence and intimidation. No matter who it happens to. Whether you like them or not. Last year, Pool made headlines after the Justice Department criminally charged two employees of Russias state-controlled media outlet Russia Today over an alleged $10 million propaganda scheme that enlisted right-wing media personalities. The company, which was not named in the indictment but was later identified as Tenet Media, had ties to multiple conservative influencers, including Pool. In a September 2024 statement, Pool said that if the allegations were true, he and the other media personalities were deceived and are victims. He also noted that his podcast was licensed by Tenet Media, but that he never produced any content for the company. In April, he went on to claim the Justice Department has shown no actual proof to back up its allegations. The indictment includes out-of-context messages that are in dispute, no actual proof of said messages, in fact, and claims without any corroborating hard evidence for everything else, Pool said. Pool also drew national attention after he bought an improvised skatepark in West Virginias eastern panhandle after feuding with the skateboarders who frequented the area, The Washington Post reports. Pool dismissed the criticism at the time, telling the Post that the issue seemed to be solely with a few people who dont like me personally. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Trump accused Democrats of destroying Charlotte, North Carolina, after an unauthorized immigrant allegedly carried out a stabbing Friday on the citys light rail system, just months after another high-profile attack, this one fatal, took place on a city train against a Ukrainian refugee. Another stabbing by an Illegal Migrant in Charlotte, North Carolina, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday. Whats going on in Charlotte? Democrats are destroying it, like everything else, piece by piece!!! The comments are in response to a Friday night incident, in which Oscar Solarzano, 33, is accused of being intoxicated and challenging a fellow passenger to a fight, then stabbing him with a knife. Solarzano has been charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and a string of other related offenses, and booked into Mecklenburg County jail, His alleged victim, named in court documents as Kenyon Kareem-Shemar Dobie, was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition, the Mecklenburg EMS Agency told ABC News. open image in gallery Donald Trump raged at Democrats on Saturday after another recent stabbing on Charlottes light rail train system ( Getty Images / Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office ) In court documents, a magistrate described Solarzano as an illegal who has been deported previously. The documents allege the 33-year-old was unintelligible and slurred words before using a large fixed blade knife in the attack. Solarzano, a Honduran national, has illegally entered the U.S. three times, according to the Department of Homeland Security. He was previously expelled in 2018, and apprehended again in 2021, DHS told The Independent. It is not known when he entered the U.S. again. [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] lodged a detainer to ensure this criminal illegal is not released back into North Carolina neighborhoods, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the county will honor the detainer since they have a history of not cooperating with ICE. Solarzano is due in court on Monday. open image in gallery The Trump administration surged immigration agents to Charlotte last month ( Getty Images ) Republicans were quick to pin blame for the attack on local Democrats, echoing criticisms from earlier this year after the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska in August on the citys light rail system, a case that attracted national attention and allegations from the GOP that Democratic crime policies were at fault for the incident. Oscar Solarzano was previously deported and then illegally entered our country AGAIN, Rep. Mark Harris of North Carolina wrote on X. These are the folks NC's pro-crime Democrats want to keep on the streets. Last month, the Trump administration surged immigration agents to Charlotte, one of the scores of Democrat-run cities where the White House has amped up immigration raids. The administration framed the operation as a crackdown on violent criminals, though internal data obtained by CBS News suggests fewer than one-third of those arrested appeared to have prior criminal charges or convictions. open image in gallery The fatal August stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte train attracted national attention and prompted criticism of local law enforcement policies ( GoFundMe ) Crime has been declining substantially in Charlotte throughout the year, officials said in October, with homicides down 24 percent and aggravated assaults down 19 percent, according to third-quarter statistics. After the Zarutska stabbing, leaders increased law enforcement patrols on the light rail system. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice True Donald Trump devotees who put down their $100 deposits are still awaiting the chance to receive one of his familys $499 golden smartphones for "real Americans". But in the meantime, perhaps you'd like to buy a refurbished Apple or Samsung phone from several years ago, for up to $225 more than you could get on Amazon? That's the astonishing deal now on offer from Trump Mobile, the patriotic phone vendor launched this June by the President's family business, the Trump Organization (currently run by his eldest sons Don Jr and Eric Trump). There's still no update on the company's forthcoming T1, a "proudly American" Android handset retailing for $499 that was forced to remove its "MADE IN THE USA" branding after experts argued that the facilities to manufacture such devices wholly within the States simply do not exist. That hasn't stopped the firm hawking refurbished Samsung S23s, S24s, and Apple iPhone 15s and 16s, which appear to have no specific Trump branding and are billed as "brought to life right here in the USA". open image in gallery Trump Mobile's suite of refurbished phones, as of Friday December 5 ( Trump Mobile ) "The Apple iPhone15 Renewed isnt just another smartphone its a bold step toward wireless independence," boasts the company's online shop. "Apple iPhone15 Renewed delivers top-tier performance, sleek design, and powerful features all without the inflated price tag." That text is almost identical to the sales pitch for the T1 phone. It's also flatly untrue, because Trump Mobile's prices are considerably higher than those charged elsewhere. As reported first by Android Authority in September, and more recently by The Verge, Apple frequently sells the iPhone 15 with a $100 discount at $529, compared to Trump Mobile's $629. open image in gallery A non-Trump-branded iPhone enviously displays an image of its inevitable conqueror ( Joe Raedle/Getty Images ) Refurbished iPhone 14s are not officially sold by Apple at the moment, but you can currently get one for $305 on Amazon or $327 at Best Buy. versus Trump Mobiles $489. The 15 is currently $403 and $455 from the same retailers, respectively. A refurbished US version of the Samsung Galaxy S23 is $259 on Amazon and as little as $249 at Best Buy, compared to Trump Mobile's $369, while the S24 currently goes for $389.99 versus Trump Mobile's $459. The phones are sold with 128 GB of storage without upgrade options, and in only one color (black). It's unclear from Trump Mobile's promotional material, which bears some patterns often considered typical of AI-generated writing, what justifies these markups. Trump Mobile also sells a Trump-branded SIM-only phone plan, which Verge reporter Allison Johnson road-tested and found "fine, I guess". The Independent has asked Trump Mobile for comment. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Lithuania was forced to close its main airport once again after suspected balloons appeared in its airspace. Vilnius airport said earlier on Saturday it had halted operations due to the sightings, which are the latest in a series of interruptions to the nations air traffic in recent weeks. The governmental National Crisis Management Centre said air traffic was restarted at 5.31pm GMT. The airport, based in the countrys capital city, is located 30km (19 miles) from Belarus. It has been closed more than ten times since early October due to similar incidents. Thousands were stranded earlier this week when the airport was forced to shut after sightings of several balloons. Lithuanian aviation authorities reported the balloons appeared to be sent at regular time intervals and were directed at the runways. open image in gallery Vilnius airport has been forced to shut again after the sightings ( AFP via Getty Images ) Lithuania believes the incidents are part of a calculated campaign by cigarette smugglers and an orchestrated hybrid attack by Belarus, a staunch ally of Russia. In previous incidents at least 60 balloons were seen floating into Lithuanian airspace, 40 of them reaching areas critical for aviation safety. This is a cynical hybrid attack against our economy, aviation security, and the entire nation, Taurimas Valys, Lithuanias deputy minister of foreign affairs, said of the incident at the time. Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russias Vladimir Putin, has previously said that Belarus would apologise if its involvement was established. Tensions have continued to escalate after Lithuania closed its borders with Belarus following the repeated disruptions at its airport in October. Minsk prevented over 1,000 Lithuanian cargo trucks from exiting Belarus in retaliation. The Lithuanian government reopened the border less than three weeks after its closure following pressure from national logistics companies. open image in gallery Lithuanian prime minister Inga Ruginiene said the border will be closed if necessary ( AP ) But Lithuanian authorities have noted that the number of balloons flying in has continued to rise. If necessary, we will close the border, but please understand that we must coordinate every action with our strategic partners, Lithuanian prime minister Inga Ruginiene said on Tuesday. We are considering the possibility of moving night flights to other airports like Kaunas, added Ignas Algirdas Dobrovolskas, an adviser to the prime minister. We are now focusing on how to actually help people and businesses. Several countries, including Poland, Estonia and Romania, have reported violations of their airspace in recent weeks after accusing Russia of hybrid warfare. Russia has vehemently denied the claims. Earlier this week, Mr Putin caused concern when he said Russia is ready for war with Europe if it wanted it, as the countrys invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year. Its been a busy week in the politics of European defence. But every major news point from the week has confirmed how much danger Europe is in, and how little some of its key allies are willing to do about it. The findings of the UKs inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, released this week, demonstrate not only Russias ruthlessness but also the severe impact that even a limited Russian attack can have on unprepared societies like Britain. But in the same week, the latest iteration of the so-called peace process over Ukraine demonstrated once again how Europe as a whole is still paralysed by denial and magical thinking over the nature of the threat from Russia and what is needed to withstand it. In part, this results from a degree of necessary play-acting on the part of European leaders. They know that in public, they have to engage with the United States on its terms, and pretend that US negotiations with Moscow over the heads of Ukraine and Europe are a meaningful step towards eventual peace. We have to hope that is what lies behind NATO Secretary General Mark Ruttes nonsensical declaration that Donald Trump is the only man in the world that can bring peace to Ukraine and that he hasnt genuinely forgotten that Vladimir Putin can end his war at any moment. But as notes from private meetings reportedly reveal, this pantomime is accompanied by a realisation behind the scenes that the United States does not see the same future for Europe as those European leaders have taken for granted. Also this week, that fact was definitively confirmed by the release of the USs new National Security Strategy, which describes not Russia, but the EU and its ideologies, as the primary threat to Europe. The National Security Strategy also confirms what was clear to any objective observer from the start: that the Trump administrations priorities in bringing the war to an end are not built around the vital (for Europe) need to deter Russia from its next war of imperial reconquest. In the meantime, we are already on the third iteration of a familiar cycle of US attempts to enforce Russia surrender terms on Ukraine, masquerading as peace talks. Once again, the only reason European leaders were blindsided by the process is because they themselves have not been willing or able to take an active part in it. Europes strategic passivity, exacerbated by the aftermath of 30 years of reductions in defence spending, mean that the initiative lies elsewhere and as long as this continues, Europe cannot complain that it is being ignored by the United States. The US also wants to make sure Russias frozen assets are not redirected to helping Ukraine resist Russias invasion but it has only seen the opportunity to step in and save them because of Europes four-year-long dithering in doing anything about them. Its true that it is essential to continue to engage with the United States in a way that delays as much as possible the prospect of America ceasing all security corporation with Europe as well as direct support for Ukraine. However, that has to be just one element of a two-part strategy, where the second part is urgent preparation for when that prospect becomes a reality. And it is that urgent preparation that is so little in evidence across much of Western Europe. The contrast between those countries that are willing to admit the danger and those that prefer to pretend it is not there is growing more stark by the day. The UK has long abandoned its previous position of defence leadership in Europe, and now is accelerating rapidly backwards in terms of relative commitment to defence. After Putins latest threat to Europe this week, saying that Russia was ready for war, Keir Starmer was asked the same question but couldnt say yes. What the UK needs now is for that accidental outbreak of honesty to be translated into urgent action. Europes problem is not just the UK, of course. Even leaving aside the ambivalent position of Hungary and Slovakia in standing against Russia, even notionally solid NATO allies are determinedly missing the point. The Belgian prime minister explained in detail this week how his response to being threatened by Russia was to immediately roll over and surrender. And Italys foreign minister has slipped back into delusional thinking about the nature of European defence even before the fighting has ended, saying that if we reach an agreement and fighting ceases, weapons wont be needed any more. And its not just the readiness of the armed forces that is compromised as a result. The essential revival of defence industries that must support them has also been hamstrung by European infighting. France has blocked the UK from providing arms for the EUs new defence procurement scheme, by demanding a 2 billion euro bribe to do so (while Canada was charged just 10 million euro for the same right to provide arms to defend Europe). There is no excuse for anybody to be surprised at Europes emergency. It could so clearly be seen coming that I described it in detail in a book I wrote last year. But so little was done to avert it that it is now out in paperback, with a new foreword describing just now much more trouble we are in after another year of inaction. And the other key element in the crisis that hasnt changed is Russias determination to press on in its attacks on Europe. NATO, belatedly, has started to talk about how it might respond to the ongoing campaign of sabotage across the continent, as well as cajoling its European member states into meeting their own defence commitments. But unless and until European leaders face up to the threat and respond with the urgency it demands, they will continue to be seen in Moscow as a soft target. The tragic death of Dawn Sturgess should ram home for all of us that it is not just innocent civilians in Ukraine, but across the continent, that are in danger as a result. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice After months on the sidelines of US-led peace talks, Europe is trying to rise to the challenge of guaranteeing Ukraines post-war future in the event of a ceasefire. Britain and France are leading the push for a so-called reassurance force in Ukraine to retrain the army and uphold a peace deal if it emerges. Downing Street said Britain is making plans for the multinational force drawn from partners on the continent, despite the Kremlins rejection this week of any foreign deployment as unacceptable. Thousands of allied troops could be sent to cities across Ukraine to help the army recover its strength and stand as an independent deterrent to Russian aggression if both sides can agree to terms. The plans are months in the making, forged from discussions between Kyiv and the coalition of the willing about what security guarantees are needed to end the war. A European presence on the ground was initially dismissed when Washington unveiled a draft peace proposal last week that ruled out the deployment of international peacekeepers. But the US appears to have warmed somewhat to Europes model for security after its contributions helped foster decisive progress in talks. open image in gallery British soldiers could be sent to Ukraine to help train the ailing military ( Getty Images ) What could a reassurance force look like? Over the last nine months, the coalition of the willing has committed to protecting Ukraine by helping reconsolidate its military, protecting its airspace and deploying a small number of troops. During a virtual meeting with coalition members last week, French president Emmanuel Macron said a taskforce has been set up to whittle down ideas into tangible military commitments. The focus would be to restore Ukraines army to full strength, which would serve as an independent deterrent against future aggression. Former British Army Colonel Philip Ingram told The Independent that European training forces already working with Ukrainian soldiers in their home countries would likely be redeployed to help the military closer to home. This could be done on a series of bilaterals between Ukraine and contributing nations, and therefore negate it being labelled as Nato, allowing Russia to be told to mind their own business, he said. open image in gallery Marco Rubio (centre) has taken more interest in Europes proposals since the successful talks in Geneva ( AFP/Getty ) Ingram assessed that it would likely be more of a presence force, rather than a large military buffer capable of facing down the Russian army. It is still unclear how big this contingent could be; earlier in the year, analysts gave estimates varying hugely from 20,000 to 100,000. But by August, military chiefs were already reportedly scaling back their ideas to something more realistic. The coalition is also weighing up air support based in nearby countries, Macron said last Tuesday. This is less likely to face criticism from Washington: Trump has already given his blessing to putting European fighter jets in neighbouring Poland. Who would be involved? The taskforce announced by Macron would be led by France and the UK with participation from Turkey and the United States. Macron said around 20 unspecified countries have committed to some active involvement by air, land or sea. Britain is still committed to stationing troops in Ukraine, Downing Street confirmed. Just before the US revealed its initial draft for peace, defence secretary John Healey said more than 100m was being prepared to cover the cost of sending forces to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, and that military units had already been chosen. France is also positioning itself for a leading role, though Macron has been careful not to agitate his domestic audience. He said on French radio that France would not rush to send troops, and would station the force in fallback positions in Kyiv or Odesa. We shouldnt sow panic among the French, because there are a lot of people ... who want to scare us, and who are saying that were going to immediately send troops. Thats false, he said. open image in gallery Britain is taking a leading role in guiding the European commitments to Ukraine ( Reuters ) Turkey has been the most hesitant to commit to specifics. The defence ministry confirmed recently that the army was ready to contribute to any initiative aimed at ensuring security and stability in our region, but said a ceasefire needed to be agreed before any firm commitments can be made. Macron signalled Turkey could play a naval role, given its position on the Black Sea. Washington has intentionally kept out of these discussions, but appeared more involved in recent weeks. After hailing unprecedented progress in talks with Ukraine in Geneva, helped along by Europe weighing in, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the virtual coalition meeting in an encouraging show of support. It is still unlikely the US will back Europes promise with a physical presence. Trump has repeatedly ruled out putting boots on the ground. What do the experts say? A small but effective force in Ukraine could still play an important role in helping the country rebuild after four years of bitter warfare, experts say. Leo Litra, visiting fellow with the European Security Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations, argued that a smaller force would not undermine the rationale of the mission. open image in gallery Russia continues to pound Ukraine while Kyiv and Washington edge closer to carving out a sustainable peace ( AP ) The US mission in Vietnam started with 900 American instructors; the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan with 5,000 troops, he noted. The US would still need to provide the main guarantees air defence, intelligence, surveillance to deter an actual invasion, however. Sophia Besch, senior fellow in the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, agreed that Europe risks promising military action they cannot deliver on and should focus on support. Europeans cannot speak a credible American backstop into existence, she said. In the meantime, she argued that Europe can help Ukraine recover its footing through training and regrouping forces. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A giant Christmas tree adorned with red and gold baubles stands in the West Bank city of Bethlehem for the first time since the start of the Gaza war. The Palestinian city, revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, had refrained from public Christmas celebrations over the past two years as war raged in Gaza. But as a precarious ceasefire in Gaza enters its second month, the city held a ceremony on Saturday night, lighting up the 20-metre tree at the edge of Manger Square. It was last lit in Christmas 2022. open image in gallery Palestinians use phones to record as a Christmas tree is lit up in Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem ( Reuters ) Thousands of Palestinians from across the West Bank and Israel filled the square, erupting in cheers when the tree's lights were turned on shortly before 8pm. "We came to celebrate, watch and enjoy, because for several years we haven't had the chance," said Randa Bsoul, a 67-year-old Palestinian from Haifa in Israel. Israel's assault on Gaza has devastated the territory of some 2 million Palestinians. Last month, the reported death toll climbed above 70,000. The war began in October 2023 after a surprise attack on Israel by the Hamas group ruling Gaza, in which around 1,200 were killed. Although Gaza is some 60km (37 miles) from Bethlehem, the war has painfully affected Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Many have family and friends in Gaza, and the war has shrivelled the tourism that Bethlehem's economy relies on. open image in gallery The 20-metre tree at the edge of Manger Square was last lit in 2022 ( AFP via Getty Images ) The past two years have been "like hell", said a Bethlehem shopkeeper selling souvenirs, who asked to remain anonymous because of fears of reprisal by Israeli forces. "We are trying our best to keep going," the shopkeeper said, describing a worsening economic situation and tightening Israeli restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel has erected new military checkpoints across the territory over the past two years and some Palestinian communities have, in effect, been sealed off by gates and roadblocks. Moreover, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forced from their homes by Israeli forces waging an assault on northern West Bank cities since the start of the year. open image in gallery The Gaza war has painfully affected Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank ( AFP via Getty Images ) Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce in October as part of a US plan to end the war. Although it is formally holding, Israel has repeatedly carried out air strikes that it says are fending off attacks or destroying militant infrastructure. Hamas and Israel repeatedly accuse each other of violations. "As Bethlehem lights its Christmas tree, the deep anguish endured by our people in Gaza does not leave our hearts," Bethlehem mayor Maher Canawati told reporters this week. "The wound of Gaza is our wound, the people of Gaza are our people, and the light of Christmas has no meaning unless it first touches the hearts of the afflicted, and the oppressed all over Palestine." In Bethlehem, Palestinians said that they were hopeful that Christmas and the new year would bring peace after two years of what some described as agony and pain. They hoped that Saturday's ceremony would bring some joy for those suffering in Gaza. open image in gallery Thousands of Palestinians from across the West Bank and Israel filled the square, erupting in cheers when the tree's lights were turned on ( AFP via Getty Images ) "We are looking for hope," said Diana Babush, a Palestinian in her fifties from Bethlehem. "We are looking that, from this moment, peace will prevail. We hope that we can have peace and prosperity." In contrast to the time before the war in Gaza, there were no fireworks following the lighting of the Christmas tree, a solemn nod to the uncertainty of the future. "It's scary because no one knows what will happen in the future. But we are hopeful," said Bsoul from Haifa. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Arabia With a hammer in one hand and a stone in the other, Khalil makes a resolution: I cant wait around for promises of reconstruction. He climbs up the cracked stairs to his ruined apartment, which is now uninhabitable. Despite this, he still feels that what remains of his house is a small homeland to which he wants to return. Khalil lives in Gaza City, where Israel carried out the devastating Operation Gideons Chariots II in the weeks leading up to the ceasefire. The Israeli army left behind it such terrible destruction that it was as if an earth-shattering quake had hit. open image in gallery Palestinians inspect the ruins a day after an Israeli strike on a building in Gaza City ( AP ) Israeli forces had used military robots rigged with explosives to blow up buildings, causing widespread damage to infrastructure and facilities. When the Israeli army withdrew from the centres of the Gaza Strips cities to the yellow line agreed upon in the peace plan, Khalil immediately returned to check on his house. He was shocked by what he found: the buildings foundations had been stripped of cement, meaning that the residential structure was at risk of collapse. Looking at the columns, he was overcome with deep sorrow, but he quickly remembered that he was living in a worn-out, impractical tent pitched on the street. The staircase had been hit by artillery fire and was cracked and broken. He struggled to climb the stairs to reach his apartment, only to find what remained was nothing but concrete pillars. Speaking to Independent Arabia, he recounted: All the walls had collapsed as a result of the explosions. Despite this, I resolved to rebuild everything traditionally and live there again. Even in its ruined state, my home is better than living in a classroom or in a tattered tent out on the street. Khalil looked around and found stones scattered by the bombing. He quickly picked up the suitable ones and carried them up to his apartment, calmly stacking the stones on top of each other to build a new living room wall to replace the one that had collapsed in the explosions. open image in gallery A destroyed street in the Al-Shati camp, Gaza City ( AP/ Jehad Alshrafi ) There are no new building bricks in Gaza because of the war, so Khalil had to buy reinforced nylon sheets to replace the fallen walls in his house. As for the kitchen, he salvaged wood from pallets to make simple shelves to replace the cabinets. He explains that the makeshift reconstruction of the remains of homes in Gaza is very expensive and requires exhausting, backbreaking effort. We start by removing the rubble and repairing the cracked walls, but there are no stairs, doors, windows or furniture. The house is completely empty, he says. This is how Khalil repairs his house: a stone on top of a piece of nylon on top of rotten wood. Just being able to live in his home gives him comfort. He points to the piles of stones scattered around him, which he has laboriously turned into building materials. I broke the large stones into small pieces of gravel, then mixed them and used them to rebuild a collapsed wall. I am working on repairing at least two rooms, as well as the kitchen and bathroom. I will cover the rest of the house with nylon. We are trying to find any semblance of life. Community-led reconstruction Gaza has turned into a makeshift reconstruction workshop where people are working to rebuild the remains of houses and concrete structures. Men, women and children are working together to repair destroyed, uninhabitable houses. They are salvaging stones that once formed beautiful buildings from the scattered ruins around them. Having endured many violent wars over the past 20 years, the people of Gaza have gained extensive experience in reconstruction. Because of this, they view promises to rebuild Gaza as nothing more than media rhetoric. This time too, they have quickly decided to embark on a grassroots reconstruction project to repair what remains of their homes. open image in gallery Residential buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood ( AP/ Jehad Alshrafi ) Grassroots reconstruction is a term that can have many meanings in Gaza. Sometimes it refers to the rehabilitation of damaged buildings, sometimes to youth volunteer initiatives to remove rubble and clean neighbourhoods, and sometimes to the rudimentary repair of buildings and shops. In all cases, however, homeowners must bear the cost of construction themselves, as this is not included in the compensation allocated for rebuilding the Gaza Strip. Saleh leans his back against a wall and laughs, saying, I missed this blessing very much. In the displacement camps, he was living a bleak life in a tent made of worn-out pieces of cloth. However, when he returned to his semi-destroyed home and rested against its walls, he felt elated. Saleh describes himself as very lucky because his house was not completely destroyed. As long as the pillars of the house are still standing, and the roof and floor are intact, I can wake up and sleep freely and enjoy privacy in my home, he says. Najahs house has also been turned into a collective workshop. Her brother hammers windows while her neighbour helps to hang reinforced nylon sheets. They left my house burnt and the walls riddled with bullets and shells, but despite the lack of basic necessities such as water and electricity, we have our dignity in it, says Najah. open image in gallery Salam Musa, nine, carries a mattress as he walks between tents after rainfall at a temporary camp in Deir al-Balah ( AP ) Najahs family uses basic tools. Women clean up and remove debris from the house, while young men straighten bent iron rods to reuse them in reinforcing the walls. Her father mixes cement by hand in small buckets to build one room at a time. Everybody joins in the work on Najahs flat. Grassroots reconstruction is not easy. Materials are expensive and no aid is forthcoming, but neighbours lend a helping hand. One of them gives them an old door while another shares his ladder with them. Every day, we build stone by stone, and we will gradually return to life, says Najah. After a tiring days work that left her breathless, Najah prepares a cup of tea. We dont want to wait for our house to be rebuilt, and were not waiting for a grant, she says. Were repairing our house with the simplest of things. Its true that the house is not what it used to be, but the spirit remains the same. International pledges The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has estimated the cost of rebuilding the Gaza Strip at around $70bn (53bn). There are 61 million tonnes of rubble in the Strip, making reconstruction one of the largest humanitarian and reconstruction missions in the world, says special representative of the Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People, Jaco Cilliers. Gazans are forced to rebuild themselves, as their tents are worn out and winter is approaching. says Ismail al-Thawabta, director general of the government media office in Gaza. Nearly 1.5 million people in Gaza were left homeless after Israel destroyed their homes. Displaced Gazans find themselves forced to remain out in the open after more than 300,000 homes were destroyed and the supply of new tents and necessary winter shelter equipment is being blocked from entering. open image in gallery Donald Trump with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ( AFP/ Getty ) Speaking to Independent Arabia, he added that, 125,000 of the 135,000 tents [in Gaza] have collapsed, rendering them uninhabitable. The suffering of the displaced is further exacerbated by Israels refusal to permit the entry of temporary housing or tents. Due to Israeli restrictions, Gazans are rehabilitating their homes themselves. Asim al-Nabih, spokesperson for the Gaza Municipality, says: There are significant challenges to clearing debris and rebuilding. Given this reality, citizens have limited options, so they have turned to collective community-based reconstruction. However, clearing debris is very costly and there is a lack of equipment. Reconstruction by the people has emerged as a necessary solution and a tool for managing the crisis, as families have begun to repair what they can of their homes using whatever stone, iron and wood they can find. However, there are significant challenges associated with community-led reconstruction. Most notably, the repaired houses are structurally unsafe, making them prone to collapse. There is also a lack of basic services, such as water, electricity and sanitation. Translated by Mirane Abouzaki; Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar and Celine Assaf Tommy Meskill profile: Who is the 31-year-old who will become RTEs youngest Six One presenter? London correspondent will move to co-host nightly news programme as part of broadcasters ongoing shake-up Tommy Meskill has been announced as the new co-presenter of RTE's 'Six One News'. Photo: Naoise Culhane Maeve McTaggart Sat 6 Dec 2025 at 09:40 At 31, Tommy Meskill will become the youngest ever newsreader to take the helm of RTEs Six One News as part of an ongoing presenter shake-up at the national broadcaster. 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 Zelensky says visit to Ireland comes at 'challenging and optimistic moment' for Ukraine Gardai are investigating the presence of drones over Ireland during Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit. Mr Zelensky gave a historic address to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas earlier this week and met with Government figures and President Catherine Connolly. Mr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska arrived in Dublin late on Monday night, with Irish broadcaster RTE reporting several unidentified drones were seen flying near Howth, over the Irish Sea, at around the time the Ukrainian president arrived at Dublin Airport. Gardai confirmed in a statement that a special detective unit was investigating the incident. "As part of this, SDU will be liaising with the Defence Forces and international security partners," the statement said. The Russian ambassador to Ireland, Yuriy Filatov, said on Friday 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. 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". The Taoiseach welcoming Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin last week He said: "We're 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." Mr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ireland is one of the few European countries that "understands the price of freedom" as he praised the country for its support. In the first visit to Ireland by a Ukrainian president, Mr Zelensky and Mr Martin both drew parallels between Ukraine's struggle for sovereignty and Ireland's centuries-long fight for independence. Mr Zelensky said Ireland's decision to back Ukraine in the early days of the war was a moral one and while some had grown fatigued with hearing about Ukraine's war, he said Ireland's voice had not become "quieter". He said that while Ireland was neutral, it was "certainly not an indifferent country" and thanked "every Irish home" that has sheltered some of the 120,000 Ukrainians that arrived in the country since 2022. In the historic address to Irish parliamentarians, where he received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber, he urged Ireland to take "an active role" in calling for a tribunal for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Nikita Hand has announced she is expecting a child with her partner. The mother-of-one took to Instagram to announce the happy news by sharing a picture of an ultrasound scan. Ms Hand (36) and her partner, Gary Foy, are expecting the baby in June next year. "Gary and I are so excited to share that were having a baby, she wrote in a post on Instagram. "Everything is finally falling into place, and it feels like weve reached our happy ending. "The past few years have been challenging, but every moment has been worth it. The Dubliner, who has a 14-year-old daughter Freya, also thanked everyone who has stood by us and supported us through everything. "Your love and kindness have meant the world. For the first time in seven years, Im looking forward to a peaceful Christmas. "Were incredibly happy and cant wait to meet our baby on June 4, 2026, and excited for what 2026 brings, she added. Read more Conor McGregors bid to further appeal Nikita Hand case is rejected by Supreme Court It comes just days after the Supreme Court decided not to grant MMA fighter Conor McGregor and his friend James Lawrence further appeals against the outcome of the Nikita Hand civil rape case. The court said it was not satisfied either man had raised any matter of general public importance or that a further appeal would be in the interests of justice. McGregor and Lawrence had sought further appeals after their petitions to the Court of Appeal were thrown out in July, but the legal process was brought to a close by the decision on Thursday. Nikita Hand in July Today's News in 90 - Saturday December 6 Following the Supreme Court's decision, Ms Hand said: "After seven years seeking justice, accountability and peace, I am pleased to say that the Irish civil justice system has allowed my voice to be heard." "It has allowed me to speak my truth. It has afforded me vindication. This in itself is part of the healing process. 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. "It is also a victory for the justice system; the judges, the juries and officials who work so hard to make our system honest and fair. Read more Conor McGregors bid to further appeal Nikita Hand case is rejected by Supreme Court In November last year, a High Court jury determined Ms Hand had been raped by the former UFC champion in a Dublin hotel in 2018, awarding her close to 250,000 in damages. McGregor was also ordered to pay Ms Hands legal costs, believed to be around 1.5m. Lawrence was found not to have raped the mother-of-one. However, he was denied his legal costs by the High Court on the basis that his evidence supported McGregors account a version of events rejected by the jury. Youd probably have to work 80 hours to make what I do in a week now: The taxi drivers taking on Uber A go-slow protest took place in Dublin this week after the company launched a fixed price feature, which allows you to see the maximum fare your trip will cost. John Meagher talks to drivers who say their livelihoods are under threat Taxi drivers stage further protest over Uber pricing John Meagher Sat 6 Dec 2025 at 06:30 It is Wednesday afternoon in Dublin and a long line of taxis idle in the bus lane at Conyngham Road, on the perimeter of the Phoenix Park. An overwhelming majority of voters have laid the blame for the recent Fianna Fail presidential debacle squarely at the feet of party leader Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Ahead of the publication of an interval review into the selection of Jim Gavin as the party candidate, findings from this months Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll show 68pc of voters blame Mr Martin for the fiasco which has engulfed the party internally since early October. A heartbroken family have thanked the emergency services after a farmer who fell through a shed roof on Tuesday died in hospital. The farmer has been named locally as Eamonn Sheehan (51) from Athlacca in Co Limerick. He has been remembered as a loyal community member, great farmer and devout family man. Locals said Mr Sheehan was a gentleman, and served on the Board of Management of the local Primary school in Athlacca. Athlacca NS described him as a true gentleman and we thought highly of him in school as a parent and as a treasured member of our Board of Management. In a statement his family said they would like to say thank you to all of their neighbours, first responders, air ambulance service, paramedics, gardai, fire service and all who attended to Eamonn. Gardai said emergency services got a distress call at 12.54pm on Tuesday 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 Sheehan died on Wednesday evening at Cork University Hospital (CUH). He 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. Mr Sheehan will repose in Hawe-OKeeffes Funeral Home in Charleville today 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. A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Authority said that they are aware of the incident and have launched an investigation. The Health and Safety Authority (HAS) recently revealed that more than 40pc of workplace fatalities in Ireland occur on farms. There has been an average of 14 fatal incidents per year on Irish farms over the past five years (2020-2024). This year, there have been 17 confirmed farm fatalities, more than in the whole of 2024. This article was amended at 10am on 07/12/2025 to correct the deceaseds age. A social media ban for under-16s will be watched closely when it comes into effect in Australia next week, but there are concerns it is merely a solution that gives comfort to adults and one that could come with plenty of holes if replicated here. From December 10, a new law will prohibit Australian children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, X, Reddit, Twitch and Threads. But some of the platforms that are most popular with children, including gaming platform Roblox and WhatsApp, are not on the list. The M50 is the subject of much debate. Photo: Collins In the midst of the current discussion regarding gridlock on the M50, dare one posit that it actually works? If it wasnt there, where would we be? We would still be without all the houses built in its catchment area. The construction of the M50 enabled the provision of massive industrial and commercial parks along its entire route, providing tens of thousands of jobs. The importance of the M50 is not just about national connectivity, or whether traffic is free-flowing. Motorways are also essential in opening adjacent lands for the provision of housing, employment and recreation. To cater for the needs of future generations, clearly an outer eastern orbital route , including the much-maligned eastern bypass, will have to be built. Larry Dunne, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford How Trump can fall asleep when getting praised is beyond my understanding I was amused to see US president Donald Trump apparently dozing off during a cabinet session. This meeting included a lot of praise for Mr Trump and his achievements. If anyone was praising me so enthusiastically, I would be wide awake and attentive, but Im not nearly 80. Denis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia Making America great again appears to be at the cost of rest of the world I have always found the slogan Make America Great Again to be a perversion of the idea of greatness. Is it great to lead the world into another arms race and puff out ones military chest in unstable times while threatening to renege on treaties and hard-won agreements on environmental protection? Climate change is the greatest existential threat to the life-support system that is our planet. What an appalling abrogation of responsibility for the peace of the world and all our futures by a once-respected nation. Donald Trump says he is the president of America, not the world, but that position has been seen as having obligations to both, and to achieve greatness this needs to be acknowledged. John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Oscar Wilde took a series of wrong turns that ended up leading the right way Mary Kennys reflection on Oscar Wildes belated step into Rome suggests St Marys Cathedral might be the only place where a man could treat faith like a costume change and still find a genuine welcome (Wildes deathbed conversion means he would be at home in St Marys Cathedral, Irish Independent, December 4). Patrick Kavanagh said that God is in the bits and pieces of every day, which captures Wildes own erratic path rather neatly. He found his grace in fragments, usually while walking in the opposite direction. He would hardly be the sole latecomer. Siegfried Sassoon and others made the same move, although without Wildes taste for theatrical entrances. The pattern is familiar. Conversion is usually a series of wrong turns that somehow end up pointing the right way. Wilde himself left us the best justification for giving him a place of honour. I suppose sinners should have the high places near Christs altar, he wrote after his release from prison. If that was good enough for him, it is more than good enough for St Marys. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Co Armagh Columnist Carey is right ladies loos leave a lot to be desired in hygiene terms A countrywide review of the poor design of womens toilets and the poor standards of maintenance would be a very welcome exercise. As highlighted in your paper by Sarah Carey (Lets have the toilet talk many ladies public loos are simply not up to scratch, Irish Independent, November 1), minimal design standards and cleanliness are the least we should expect. Unfortunately, all too often womens toilets fail in the areas of hygiene, design and maintenance. The professionals who design these spaces and those who manage the facilities might just get the message and do a better job. Name and address with editor In this ever-more extreme society, equipping gardai with Tasers is sensible The pilot rollout of Tasers to frontline gardai is welcome as officers deal with ever more volatile extremists in our society. As someone who spent all of their career in frontline policing, I know exactly what its like to get assaulted and having to live with the consequences. Up to July, 150 gardai had been assaulted this year, and 3,440 in the past 12 years. More than 700 gardai a day were on sick leave last year due injuries sustained on duty and stress, sometimes leading to mental health problems. Training, safeguards and policies will ensure gardai will only use Tasers as a last resort, where there is an immediate threat to life, for example. If we want to have a modern police service, we need to properly equip those on the front line who are the very thin blue line. Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Online misogyny leaves me wondering if theres any way out of this mess Your excellent commentators often offer valuable insights into our society and how it shapes us. None more so than Catherine Prasifka, whose writing about the internet and social media should be mandatory reading for all secondary students, who seem oblivious of the corrosive effects of much of the content online. Her observations on toxic masculinity and its amplification in the echo chambers created by social media algorithms (Online world promotes extreme form of misogyny that mocks gains of feminism, Irish Independent, December 4) threw much light on the topic, though I am sorry to say they left me despairing of ever finding a solution. Sean Kirwan, Bray, Co Wicklow Congratulations, John Shortt, for a stroke of brilliance in Europe Well done to promising young Galway swimmer John Shortt on winning gold at European level in the 200 metres backstroke and setting a record in the process. It certainly didnt take him long. Noel Kelly, Doonbeg, Co Clare United by Music may be the recently installed permanent Eurovision slogan, but the divisions within the competition are becoming increasingly fractious. On Thursday evening, RTE announced that Ireland will not participate in the 2026 edition, set to take place in Vienna. In addition, RTEs boycott extends to broadcasting the event itself. In a strongly worded statement, RTE noted 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. Ireland will be joined by several other countries in boycotting the competition. On this Extra episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent features journalist Kirsty Blake Knox to break down the process that led to RTEs decision and the overall reaction that has followed. A West Cork councillor has advised the people of Clonakilty not to drink the tap water because of the ongoing sewage leak issue in Shannonvale, which is close to the river that supplies the Clonakilty area with its drinking water. In September Uisce Eireann, which is responsible for the public wastewater treatment plant at Shannonvale, was fined for discharging wastewater into the villages public park. The park has been closed for the past 27 years due to sewage leaking into it. The case initiated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) related to two incidents at Shannonvale Park in September 2024. Uisce Eireann entered guilty pleas under the Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 at the Dublin Metropolitan District Court and was fined 4,000. Locals in the village near Clonakilty have long campaigned for action on the issue, saying ongoing sewage leaks from a failing treatment unit have not only led to the villages park being closed since 1998 but also contaminate the Argideen River close to the Jones Bridge Water Treatment Plant, which supplies drinking water to thousands of people. In a motion at this weeks meeting of the West Cork Municipal District, Cllr Daniel Sexton called on Cork County Council to write to the EPA requesting that it uses its full enforcement powers to compel Uisce Eireann to resolve the problem. We need to put pressure on the EPA to get a bit of action. I was up there yesterday, I could see black dirty sludge sitting inside of where a childrens play park was. My major concern here is what it means for our water. We have a very big townland and there's more than just Clonakilty feeding out of that area. I think it's actually a health risk, Cllr Sexton said. The chemicals and additives that are put into this water to bring it back to the quality is the worrying side of things here. I would advise anyone in Clonakilty not to drink that water, to be honest with you. I know it's a strong statement to make, but have one smell off it. I know someone's dog that wouldn't drink it. If a dog knows about it, Jesus, that's enough. Cllr Joe Carroll agreed. I honestly think this is an outrage, to think this is going into the river a short distance away from the intake for the Clonakilty water supply. Uisce Eireann should be in court every day of the week until something is done about it. It's more than disgraceful, its outrageous and it shouldnt be allowed to carry on, he said. Cllr Carroll said he raised the issue directly with Uisce Eireann at a conference several years ago. We gave them hell over it, that it was an absolute disgrace that they were allowed that carry-on. They said they were taking it back to have it discussed. We never heard from them after. Cllr Isobel Towse called for a timeline for the recent announcement that funding has been allocated to develop plans to establish a pumping station in Shannonvale that will connect up to the Clonakilty wastewater network. People think that it's done now, sorted, but there's been no action. So we need a timeline and a detailed plan of what the funding will apply for. And on the quality of the water, you can only imagine the amount of chlorine going into it to counteract the levels of bacteria from the site, she said. The council agreed to write to the EPA about the issue. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. A look back at President Chaim Herzogs Kingdom visit 40 years ago Its hard to picture a scene in the strained climate of Irish-Israel relations where local children would line the street waving Irish and Israeli flags in welcome to a President of Israel. As controversy around the re-naming of Herzog Park in Dublin continues in pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli echo chambers, it revives reminders of a more civilised encounter between President Chaim Herzog and a quiet village on the Ring of Kerry over four decades ago. A local councillor called for a one hour delay to roadworks to ease morning congestion The chaos caused by roadworks on the Dundalk to Blackrock road last month led to calls for Louth County Council to implement later start times for planned road works. Cllr. Shane McGuinness asked the local authority to consider the impact of road closures and diversions when works are being carried out on routes across the county. In a motion submitted to Louth County Councils recent monthly meeting he requested: That the council start all planed road work programmes no earlier than 9am on any workday from Monday to Friday going forward. Cllr. McGuinness added that this would; facilitate public transport, workers, families, children, carers and older people to get to their destination before 9 oclock. He called for the motion to be included under any section of roadworks which are facilitating roads, housing, infrastructure or any works that will be tendered going forward, either by the council or any contractor brought in by the council. The huge issues which arose following the closure of the main road from Blackrock into Dundalk, highlighted the need for solutions to be found when roadworks are planned along busy routes, said the local councillor. "We have got to take our traffic and roadworks more seriously, especially when we close a busy road at 8a.m. said Cllr. McGuinness. Cllr. Declan Power supported the motion, saying that councils in Northern Ireland and in the UK wouldnt close roads for works between 7a.m and 9a.m. Cllr. Maeve Yore said she supported the motion in principle for major works projects, adding that when a mini-town like Blackrock is affected we must find solutions. Cllr. Emma Coffey added that she was one of the motorists impacted by the traffic following the Blackrock Road closure. She said parents had to travel out to the M1 to then turn back into Dundalk to leave children to school. "While I appreciate there were significant works, and they are not done often, it does cause significant impact, not just on schools but also people trying to get to work. She added that building work in the greater Blackrock area is at capacity, which means the day to day traffic is only going to get worse. Cllr. Ejiro OHare Stratton supported the motion, saying that night-time roadworks should be looked at as an alternative. Cllr. Ciaran Fisher suggested the council look at a 9a.m start where road closures are needed, but added this wouldnt have to be applied to all projects, especially if a section of the road remains open. David Hanratty, Director of Service, Louth County Council, said that while he acknowledged there was huge disruption in Blackrock", he would not recommend changing the start time to 9a.m for a number of reasons. He said one of his concerns was the blanket 9a.m start for all jobs in the county. "Road works are scheduled to maximise productivity within daylight hours, and minimise disruption. Delaying the start time by one hour each day would reduce the effective working window, leading to extended project durations. These longer timelines would increase labour costs, plant hire and traffic management expenses significantly. He added: While the intention is to ease morning traffic, later starts may push works further into peak afternoon periods, increasing congestion and safety risks for road users and workers at those times. Notwithstanding these issues, each job will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and project delivery plans will take account of the concerns raised. Mr. Hanratty said night-time work in town centre locations, or out of term work carried out near schools could be considered. "I recommend maintaining the current default start time to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, within budget, and balancing community needs with operational requirements. He told the meeting that that the local authority take the lessons on individual roads projects, adding that if they were faced with the same decisions on the Blackrock Road, they would possibly have looked at a later start. Cllr. McGuinness said he appreciated the feedback, and agreed that a 9a.m start could be looked when roadworks require a full closure of the road. He said that the starting times should be agreed with the contractor a part of the tendering process. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Funding of 1,198,016 funding has been provided for two projects in for County Sligo under the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme. Minister Feighan said this investment will help businesses grow and create jobs in communities across Ireland. 998,016 has been allocated for the development of an AI studio by the AIM Centre, Market Yard, Sligo including the launch of an AI Accelerator Programme to assist businesses with scoping AI potential and integration into their operations. 200,000 will be spent on exploring the development of a Fire Testing Centre and Heavy Industrial Innovation Hub for wet manufacturing located in Sligo. Fine Gael Minister of State, Frank Feighan has welcomed the funding announcement by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke. "The Smart Regions programme is great news for our area. It will help create new opportunities, support local jobs and encourage innovation in sectors that matter to us. Balanced regional development is one of the core principles of this Government, and this scale of investment into the regions and into Leitrim shows we are putting our money where our mouth is when it comes to supporting local enterprise, supporting entrepreneurs and facilitating very high levels of innovation and excellence right here in this constituency, and across our regions". Minister of State Marian Harkin said: The Smart Regions Initiative is building the foundations for a more innovative, sustainable and competitive regional economy. This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring that every part of Ireland has the tools and support needed to thrive. Councillor Thomas Walsh said: This scale of investment into Sligo shows we are putting our money where our mouth is when it comes to supporting local enterprise, supporting entrepreneurs and facilitating very high levels of innovation and excellence right here in Sligo and across our regions. Concerns have been raised about the homeless crisis in Sligo and Leitrim as mothers and young children are staying in hotels with no cooking facilities. Concerns have been raised about the homeless crisis in Sligo and Leitrim as mothers and young children are staying in hotels with no cooking facilities. In recent years, the level of homelessness in the country has risen to unprecedented levels as a total of 16,614 people were living in emergency accommodation in September, according to figures from the Department of Housing. Urban areas of the country have seen a major increase in homelessness in recent years while local TD Martin Kenny said rural areas are also experiencing a crisis. cards visualization Speaking during a recent debate in the Dail, Deputy Kenny said, I come from a rural part of the country, Sligo/Leitrim, and we have a homelessness crisis. We have a lot of people sleeping out in doorways, which we did not have before. We have many people staying with relatives or friends or in their cars. It is something we have noticed in the past couple of months that has come to the fore, said Deputy Kenny. Deputy Kenny acknowledged that big efforts are being made by the local authorities but added there is simply is not enough homeless accommodation to deal with the crisis. He called on the state to provide its own homeless accommodation in every constituency around the country. Sinn Fein spokesperson on agriculture, Martin Kenny. We have single mothers with young children staying in hotels with no facilities to cook, wash and so on. These are serious issues that we need to deal with. The State needs to provide its own homeless accommodation. That needs to be looked at in every constituency around the country. They are simply not there. Local authorities are finding it very difficult to find homeless accommodation for people. They are sometimes taking children far away from the schools they go to try to find them somewhere to stay. Most of this involves people being given notices to quit and having to leave rented accommodation because the landlord is selling up or whatever, which is his or her entitlement. However, if the people do not have anywhere else to go, they are in a huge crisis, said Deputy Kenny. A family walking along Sweet Nellies Beach on the Inishowen Peninsula in Co Donegal came upon the stranded remains of a blubbery thing 2-3m long. They assumed it was a small whale or a large dolphin. They followed the correct procedure, went online, and reported their discovery to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (https://iwdg.ie/). The IWDG has a nation-wide corps of volunteers who respond quickly to reports of strandings and sightings of marine mammals. Members of the corps arrived at the scene to recover the carcass, identify the species, take measurements and photos, and collect skin samples. Collaborating with regional staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) the IWDG decided to transport the carcass to the Regional Laboratory in Cork for post mortem examination and tests. These tests confirmed that the remains were those of a female Narwhal, a species of whale that had never before been recorded in Ireland. The Narwhal, a word with its origin in Old Norse, is found exclusively in the Arctic waters of the north Atlantic, north of the 60 parallel. We are used to reports of southern species arriving in Ireland due to global warming, but it was strange, though not unheard of, for an Arctic species to be found so far south. NPWS records show that the recent Donegal stranding was the tenth record of Narwhal in western Europe, the fourth female, and a first for Ireland. Narwhals are famous for their long tusks. Males and about 15% of females have tusks; the Donegal individual, a female, did not have the remarkable appendage. In animals that have them, the long, slim tusks point forward from their heads like the handle of a sweeping brush. Each tusk grows from a single canine tooth, spirals counter-clockwise and can grow up to three metres long laying down annual layers like tree rings. The exceptional tooth protrudes from the animals upper lip. The purpose of the tusk is unknown. Suggested possible functions include social status signalling, mate selection, sensory perception, fighting, and a tool for foraging, particularly for stunning or manipulating prey. References to the mythical unicorn, the legendary horse-like creature with a single large, pointed, spiralling horn projecting from its forehead have been traced back to ancient times but it is not known if unicorns legends are in any way linked to Narwhal sightings in Arctic waters. Bhekinkosi Omega Shabangu, with an address in Dublin outside Bray Courthouse. A judge warned a taxi driver he could have faced jail after gardai caught him speeding at 152km/h on a Wicklow motorway. Bhekinkosi Omega Shabangu, with an address in Dublin, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court for speeding in excess of the 100 km/h limit. The defendant was stopped by gardai after driving at 152 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on a motorway in Co. Wicklow. The court heard that Mr Shabangu has two previous convictions for road traffic offences. He has two children, aged 12 and 17, and uses his vehicle for school runs, household shopping, and work purposes. Counsel for the defence, Ciara OBrien BL, informed the court that her client is a taxi driver and now holds his chauffeur licence. The court was told that Mr Shabangu believed he had been driving at 120 km/h. It was heard that the offence occurred at 7:40 am on a Sunday morning, when the defendant was on his way to pick up a client in Co. Waterford. Judge David Kennedy questioned what rush Mr Shabangu had been in and noted that, due to his profession, he should know better. Judge Kennedy said: We can see recently in the news, such as the crash in Dundalk, what can happen when driving at high speeds. He added: I would have done you with dangerous driving and sentenced you to a custodial term. Mr Shabangu was fined 750 and given six months to pay. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme Former Sinn Fein leader is being sued by three men hurt in bombings across England over a 23-year period during the Troubles Gerry Adams is fighting to name two anonymous witnesses in his High Court trial in London over IRA bombings. Mr Adams launched an application on Thursday to overturn the order preventing the identification of two people set to testify against him in the civil court case next year. The anonymous status of the pair is protected by a UK court ruling after a judge concluded there were security reasons for their identity to be kept secret. A hearing to determine if this can be lifted will take place on February 4. Gerry Adams. Photo: Reuters Today's News in 90 - Saturday December 6 Mr Adams is being sued by three men hurt in bombings across England over a 23-year period, including the Old Bailey attack in London in 1973. John Clark, a victim of the Old Bailey bombing, and Jonathan Ganesh and Barry Laycock, who were both injured in terrorist attacks at Londons Docklands and the Arndale Centre, Manchester, in June 1996, are seeking a symbolic stg1 in compensation for vindicatory purposes. The trio allege the former Sinn Fein president acted with others in furtherance of a common design to bomb the British mainland and was directly responsible in leadership roles as the voice and face of the IRA for decisions to place explosive devices in 1973 and 1996, according to the High Court claim. Mr Adams, who was detained twice without trial in Northern Ireland in the 1970s, has always denied being a member of the IRA, although he said he would never disassociate himself from the terrorist organisation. The former Sinn Fein presidents application to lift the identity-banning order is unusual in that he already knows their names because his lawyers and the solicitors for the claimants agreed to a confidentiality ring whereby the identity of these witnesses are known by both parties. The claimants are calling 11 witnesses, including a British Army battalion commanding officer, a retired brigadier who served in Northern Ireland and a former RUC police officer. Mr Adams is not calling any witnesses in his defence and will be cross-examined in open court by Anne Studd KC on behalf of the victims of the IRAs terror campaign. He will be represented by Edward Craven KC. The civil litigation against Mr Adams is unique and the last lawsuit of its kind because it was filed the day before the Legacy Act which banned civil cases against alleged former IRA terrorists was introduced to the UK parliament in 2022. However, Keir Starmers Labour government has moved to repeal and replace the act, implemented by the Conservatives, which protected British troops who fought during the Troubles from being hauled into court over the conflict. Critics say the change will allow hundreds of former IRA members to lodge compensation claims and could expose British army veterans to court hearings. Labour has been accused of betraying British troops, with a letter from nine military chiefs warning Labours Troubles Bill was a threat to national security, and was provoking special forces soldiers to retire early. In October, a paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was cleared of murdering two unarmed protesters and attempting to kill five others on Bloody Sunday more than 50 years ago. He is the only soldier prosecuted over the killings in the Bogside area of Derry on January 30, 1972, and faced a five-week non-jury trial before a judge ruled at Belfast Crown Court that the evidence against him fell well short. The bombing of the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester in June 1996 was the UK mainlands biggest bomb since the Second World War, causing major damage to the city centre but, remarkably, no one was killed. Just months earlier, in February 1996, the London Docklands bombing saw the IRA detonate a powerful truck bomb in South Quay, Canary Wharf, killing two people and causing an estimated 150m of damage. The IRAs first major attack in England was the Old Bailey bombing in March 1973, when a car bomb outside the court injured around 200 people and killed one person, who suffered a heart attack. Mr Adams seven-day UK High Court trial begins on March 9. US may withdraw from some mechanisms if deadline is missed 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. The shifting of this burden from the US to European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation would dramatically change how the US, 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 defence capabilities since Russias expanded invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The US officials told their counterparts that if Europe does not meet the 2027 deadline, the US may stop participating in some Nato defence co-ordination 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 US official said. Conventional defence capabilities include non-nuclear assets from troops to weapons and the officials did not explain how the US would measure Europes progress towards 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 US 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 US capabilities in the short term. Among other challenges, Nato allies face production backlogs for military equipment they are trying to purchase. While US officials have encouraged Europe to buy more US-made products, some of the most prized US-made weapons and defence systems would take years to be delivered if ordered today. The US 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 recognised the need to invest more in defence and shift the burden on conventional defence 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 defence 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 defences, drones, cyber warfare capabilities, munitions and other areas. Officials and analysts said even that deadline is highly ambitious. 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 last year, Mr 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 defence. But at the annual Nato leaders summit in June, Mr Trump effusively praised European leaders for agreeing to a US plan to boost the annual defence spending target for member states to 5pc of gross domestic product. In the months since, Mr 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 defence. Successive US administrations have been saying this in one form or another pretty much my whole life but our administration means what it says, Mr Landau wrote on X. An experienced mountaineer has been charged with manslaughter after allegedly leaving his girlfriend to freeze to death on Austrias highest peak. The 36-year-old climber from Salzburg is accused of making a series of life-threatening errors when he set off to climb Grossglockner last January with his girlfriend. The couple were just 45 metres from the 3,798-metre-high summit when the 33-year-old woman collapsed from exhaustion at around 8.50pm and said she could not go on. Her partner decided to leave her and descend the mountain to seek help. However, he was gone for more than six hours, during which time his girlfriend died from the extreme cold. Webcam images show how the tragedy happened. The couples torches can clearly be seen as they initially clamber up towards the summit at around 6pm on January 18. The next image, six hours later, shows a small pool of light as the torches began to lose power. A third image reveals the boyfriend, his torch still working, traversing the top of the mountain in an attempt to descend the other side and find help, leaving his girlfriend alone. The next morning, at 7am, a helicopter was sent to try to find the woman, but the mission had to be called off because of strong gusts. Three hours later, a rescue team was sent up the mountain, but by the time they reached the woman she was dead. Her boyfriend was charged with manslaughter and gross negligence following an investigation into her death. If convicted, he could be jailed for up to three years. His trial will begin in February. Prosecutors accuse the man of making nine cardinal errors. Among these, he did not give a distress signal when a helicopter flew over at 10.50pm, and only called the police at 12.35am, but then put his phone on silent so he missed any calls. People stand near a building hit during the Russian missile and drone strike, in Slobozhanske, Dnipro region, Ukraine December 6, 2025. Photo: Reuters/ Mykola Synelnykov Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on he had had a long and substantive phone call with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. "Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace. We agreed on the next steps and formats for talks with the United States," Zelensky said on X. Witkoff and Kushner had held two days of talks with Ukraine's senior negotiator Rustem Umerov in Miami this week, which both sides called "constructive discussions on advancing a credible pathway toward a durable and just peace in Ukraine". Witkoff had been expected to brief Umerov on his meeting in Moscow this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky said he was waiting for Umerov to give him a detailed report in person in Kyiv. "Not everything can be discussed over the phone, so we need to work closely with our teams on ideas and proposals, he said. "Our approach is that everything must be workable a every crucial measure for peace, security, and reconstruction. Meanwhile Keir Starmer will meet Zelensky along with the French and German leaders in Downing Street on Monday. The British Prime Minister will use the meeting with Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to show the UK's support for Ukraine. They will also discuss the ongoing talks between US and Ukrainian officials aimed at finding an agreement on guaranteeing Ukraine's post-war security. Almost two weeks ago the four men took part in a virtual meeting of the "coalition of the willing" convened by Starmer and Macron to provide a European peacekeeping force that can be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. But peace still appears to be a distant prospect in Ukraine, where Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Friday night. Russia used 653 drones and 51 missiles in the wide-reaching overnight attack on Ukraine, which triggered air raid alerts across the country and came as Ukraine marked Armed Forces Day, the countrys air force said Saturday morning. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralised 585 drones and 30 missiles, the air force said, adding that 29 locations were struck. At least eight people were wounded in the attacks, Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko said. Among these, at least three people were wounded in the Kyiv region, according to local officials. Drone sightings were reported as far west as Ukraines Lviv region. Russia carried out a massive missile-drone attack on power stations and other energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions, Ukraines national energy operator, Ukrenergo, wrote on Telegram. Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost all off-site power overnight, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Saturday, citing its Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. The plant is in an area that has been under Russian control since early in Moscows invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shut-down reactors and spent fuel, to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents. Zelensky said that energy facilities were the main targets of the attacks, also noting that a drone strike had burned down the train station in the city of Fastiv, located in the Kyiv region. Russias Ministry of Defense said its air defences had shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Saturday. Russian Telegram news channel Astra said Ukraine struck Russias Ryazan Oil Refinery, sharing footage appearing to show a fire breaking out and plumes of smoke rising above the refinery. The Associated Press said it could not independently verify the video. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces later said Ukrainian forces had struck the refinery. Ryazan regional Governor Pavel Malkov said a residential building had been damaged in a drone attack and that drone debris had fallen on the grounds of an industrial facility, but did not mention the refinery. Months of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries have aimed to deprive Moscow of the oil export revenue it needs to pursue the war. Meanwhile, Kyiv and its western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call weaponizing the cold. US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff (right) and son-in-law Jared Kushner (left) attend a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on Monday. Photo: via Reuters 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 US peace efforts continued out of public view. US 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 spoke on the condition of anonymity. The American and Ukrainian officials were due to brief their respective leaders yesterday and reconvene for further talks later in the day, the official added. US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff (right) and son-in-law Jared Kushner (left) attend a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on Monday. Photo: via Reuters Today's News in 90 - Saturday December 6 The talks came after discussions between Russian president Vladimir Putin and the US 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 Mr Trumps initial 28-point plan was leaked. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said his countrys delegation in Miami wanted to hear from the US side about the talks at the Kremlin. Mr Zelensky, 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. Meanwhile, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who accompanied Putin on a visit to India yesterday, 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, Mr Ushakov told state-owned Zvezda TV. In Ukraines central Dnipropetrovsk region, a Russian drone attack on 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. 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. Somali community in Minneapolis say ICE is terrorising them after verbal attack by president Salon owner and Somali immigrant Ifrah Farah stands for a portrait outside her business at Karmel Mall, in Minneapolis. Photo: Reuters Crowds usually press shoulder-to-shoulder at Karmel Mall, a sprawling Somali shopping centre 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 US president Donald Trump called Somali immigrants garbage and said that they destroyed our country. City officials say his remarks coincided with a surge of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis. Minnesotas Somali community has become an increasingly influential political constituency in the state, with US Representative Ilhan Omar its most high-profile member. As a fraud investigation churns up convictions of community members, Trump has focused his ire on Ms 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. I dont even feel myself because Im scared everywhere I go. Am I a target? I dont even know. Thats very sad, said Ifrah Farah, a US citizen from Somalia and the owner of a hair salon in Karmel Mall. I never did anything wrong; Im a hard-working mom. Were not trash, she said. Jamal Osman, a Minneapolis city council member and Somali refugee who immigrated to the US 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 groups ringleader, was convicted on four counts of wire fraud. Donald Trump made disparaging remarks about Somalia. Photo: PA Ms 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 neighbourhood 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 citys 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 on Wednesday in comments to reporters in the Oval Office. In an interview with Reuters later on Wednesday, Ms Omar slammed Mr Trumps comments as racist, Islamophobic and xenophobic. Its not surprising to me, but what is weird to me is just how creepy hes been. Hes obsessed with me and the Somali community, she said. Hayat said she lost 90pc of her customers in recent days, as community members stay home out of fear Over half of Minneapolis 84,000 Somalis were born in the US, and the vast majority are legal residents, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Most Somalis born outside the US came as refugees from Somalias brutal, decades-long civil war, which resulted in an exodus of more than a million people starting in 1991. The US 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-coloured 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 90pc 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 Mr 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. Were not going to let this disturb us, Mr Osman said. The fear is real in our community. They are being targeted by the president of the United States. Country has faced severe drought for six years, with capitals rainfall in the first two months of the current water year which begins on October 1 at near zero A man investigates the water in the Lavasan River, once considered one of Tehran's most water-rich rivers. Photo: via Getty Tehran may be forced to evacuate amid 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 a moment 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 October 1 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, imposing cuts. They have also suggested more radical solutions such as evacuation or moving the capital if rain does not return. 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, 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, with rainfall 89pc below the long-term average. 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 10pc of capacity. Officials say that in the east of Tehran, the Latyan Dam one of five key reservoirs is only about 9pc full. The Karaj dam, which supplies a quarter of Tehrans drinking water, is 8pc 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 which have seen taps run dry or at least come close. Some Iranian officials have pointed the finger at the West, accusing the US High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) 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. Outdated practices and long-standing policies have been heavily criticised for leaving various Iranian industries vulnerable to water shortages. 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 organization now urges relocating those industries to coastal zones that could use desalinated water. Meanwhile, agriculture still consumes about 80pc 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. New White House document echoes far-rights great replacement theory US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump after lightning the national Christmas tree during a ceremony at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters Donald Trump has claimed that mass migration has put Western civilisation 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 civilisation 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. 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 US, tearing up decades of trust between the US and Europe. One former US 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, Mr Bruen said. However, the president is more optimistic about the plan. 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, including Tucker Carlson and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Mr 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. 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, Mr Trump has led a crackdown on immigration into the US. Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem even confirmed plans to expand the list of countries subject to the US travel ban to over 30. Currently, 12 countries have citizens banned from entering the US, with seven more facing heavy restrictions. Mr Trump has vowed to permanently pause migration from all third-world countries and blasted his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, for allegedly allowing illegal admissions of migrants to the US. Meanwhile, the US has carried out another lethal strike on a suspected drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean, as a row continues over the legality of the attacks. In the first publicly announced strike in almost three weeks, the US Southern Command conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization, it said on Thursday. The attack, which killed four people, was carried out on the orders of Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, following claims by the Trump administration that the boats are trafficking drugs. Mr Hegseth is under scrutiny after allegedly issuing an order to kill them all in the first strike of the campaign on September 2. On Thursday, Michigan representative Shri Thanedar said he would file articles of impeachment against Mr Hegseth over the boat strikes, and for his use of the messaging app Signal to discuss attack plans. The latest strike marks the US militarys 22nd attack on boats in the Caribbean sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, bringing the death toll of the campaign to at least 87 people. In footage released of the strike, a small boat is seen moving across the water before it is suddenly engulfed by a large explosion. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific, the statement added. The Pentagon and White House are facing troubling questions about the legal basis of the campaign, which some critics say amounts to extrajudicial murder. However, the Trump administration maintains that the use of lethal force is justified, arguing that the US is effectively at war with the cartels. The US president has invoked sweeping wartime powers to take deadly action against narcoboats, declaring that the activities of drug gangs constitute an armed attack against America. In the September 2 strike, 11 suspected drug traffickers were killed, including two survivors clinging to the wreckage, who were killed in a follow-up strike. Legal experts have said killing survivors could be a violation of the laws of military warfare. US president Donald Trump has seen support among 18- to 29-year-olds drop very quickly. Photo: Reuters US 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 last year, with his favourability 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 31pc of 18- to 24-year-olds voted for Mr Trump against Joe Biden in 2020, according to CNN exit polls, but, in 2024, the Republican nominee won 43pc of the same demographic, helping him beat Kamala Harris with ease. There was more of a jump in his support among Generation Z than any other generation. They were key for him, Mr Enten said. US president Donald Trump has seen support among 18- to 29-year-olds drop very quickly. Photo: Reuters Today's News in 90 - Saturday December 6 In the aftermath of the presidents victory last year, much of the credit was given to his youngest son, Barron Trump, for steering him towards 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 appears to have become increasingly critical of Mr Trump of late and has called his crackdown on undocumented migrants f**king nuts and ridiculed him for texting like a 79-year-old kid. Another recent CBS News/YouGov poll from late last month offered plenty of clues as to why young people might be feeling disillusioned at the close of Mr 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 programme and a desire for more disclosures about Jeffrey Epstein, with respondents expressing distrust of Mr 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. Commentator Mr Enten noted that data from another pollster, Gallup, had recently revealed that 49pc of people aged 18-34 now hold a favourable opinion of socialism, compared to 43pc who still feel warmly about capitalism. Thousands have been locked up in major cities but vast majority have never been convicted of a crime Donald Trump, with Florida governor Ron DeSantis and US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem visit a temporary migrant detention centre informally known as 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Florida. Photo: Reuters Donald Trump has told supporters he will crack down on criminal migrants in the US. Photo: AP US president 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 migrants they rounded up with a surge of federal officers into US 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 30pc of those arrested in those operations had prior criminal convictions, according to an analysis from The 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 offences. The data closely mirrors national trends in immigration arrest data through Mr Trumps mass deportation campaign, with the share of people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody with criminal convictions plummeting to just 28pc in October down from 46pc at the beginning of the year. Donald Trump, with Florida governor Ron DeSantis and US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem visit a temporary migrant detention centre informally known as 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Florida. Photo: Reuters Mr Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington DC in August, surging federal agents and National Guard troops into the nations capital. Mr Trump falsely claimed that the city had been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals. But more than 80pc of the immigrants arrested in that sweep did not have a prior criminal record, according to government data. ICE arrested more than 1,100 people in DC 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 15pc of immigrants detained in the weeks-long Operation Midway Blitz surge led by Customs and Border Protection had a prior criminal conviction. Only 3pc 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 67pc have only civil immigration violations, such as overstaying a visa or crossing the border illegally. Questions have been raised about a significant amount of missing money, with Giuffres family fighting her husbands claim on the estate Virginia Giuffre, who died this year by suicide, with a photo of herself as a teenager, when she said she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein. Photo: Getty Virginia Giuffres family have raised questions over a significant amount of missing money in a continuing row over what is believed to be her multi-million-dollar estate. Ms Giuffre, who died last April at the age of 41, is thought to have amassed $22m (18.8m) through victim compensation funds and civil lawsuit settlements relating to the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein. This includes a $12m payment from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to settle a sexual abuse claim brought against him in 2022. The former Prince Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing. However, court documents filed in the legal battle over her estate in Australia value it at just AUD$472,000 (268,000), a legal threshold that dictates how assets in Australia are divided when there is no will. It may increase when more assets are discovered. Her friends put the value at AUD$501,000. It is not clear where the money has gone. According to legal submissions, the estate is made up of business assets, jewellery, cars, a horse and personal items recovered at the farm where she lived. Ms Giuffres family are understood to be privately concerned over the valuation of the estate and the possibility that millions of dollars could be missing. Ms Giuffre claimed that her husband was controlling and, at times, banned her from being in the company of other men They are fighting to stop her husband, Robert Giuffre, who filed for divorce two months before she died, from receiving the money. Ms Giuffre claimed that her husband was controlling and, at times, banned her from being in the company of other men. Its about time that there is a spotlight on Robbies control over Virginia, a source with knowledge of the proceedings told The Telegraph. Much of Ms Giuffres settlement money is thought to have been paid into the Witty River Family Trust. The trust was established in 2020 and lists Ms Giuffre and her husband as co-directors with equal shares. If the trust had co-trustees, generally there must be unanimous decision-making about the money. It has sparked fears that the money given in compensation may have been spent or transferred. Mr Giuffre, a former mixed martial arts instructor, had not worked since 2017, Ms Giuffre claimed. Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell. Photo: US Department of Justice handout Although Ms Giuffre was separated from her husband of 22 years at the time of her death, under the states spousal law, he could inherit at least a third of her wealth. Relatives and friends in Australia and the US have argued that she did not want her husband to benefit and changed her will after she accused him of domestic abuse. Her sons told a judge last Friday they did not believe she was mentally fit to write a will at that time. Her husband has not commented. Hopefully, the court will order a full forensic audit of her estate, the source said, adding that if it is found that Mr Giuffre knows where the missing fortune is, he [Robert] will certainly have some explaining to do, the source said. Ms Giuffres brother, Sky Roberts, and half-brother Danny Wilson, have long challenged Mr Giuffres right to the money. The legal argument over who should be named administrators of the estate was heard in public for the first time at the Supreme Court of Western Australia in Perth last Friday. Inheritors stand to benefit from the potential royalties from Ms Giuffres memoir, Nobodys Girl Ms Giuffres two elder children, Christian (19) and Noah (18), who live with their father, successfully applied to the court to be appointed administrators earlier this year. The sons are being challenged by Karrie Louden, one of Ms Giuffres lawyers, and Cheryl Myers, her housekeeper and carer, who has described herself as being like a second mother to the sex abuse survivor in her final years. The Giuffre brothers reject the validity of their mothers purported final wishes, which she emailed in an implied will to Lisa Foster at PwC in late February. She stated she wanted her money to go to the children, with specific parameters, as well as to other family members. Inheritors stand to benefit from the potential royalties from Ms Giuffres memoir Nobodys Girl, which detailed abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of powerful men. 'Nobody's Girl' by Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Photo: /PA Mr Roberts and Mr Wilson are also said to want to assume control of her charity, Speak Out, Act, Reclaim, which Ms Giuffre did not manage to get off the ground before she died. Up to US$3m (2.6m) of the settlement paid by Mountbatten-Windsor was ring-fenced for the charity and is still being held in an escrow account managed by a third party. As well as the settlement from Mountbatten-Windsor, Ms Giuffre received US$500,000 (430,000) from Epstein in 2009. She also received an undisclosed payment after settling a civil case with Ghislaine Maxwell in 2017. The British socialite was convicted of sex trafficking in December 2021 and is seeking a retrial to overturn the 20-year federal prison sentence she is currently serving. Ms Giuffre owned four properties, including a six-bedroom seafront home in Ocean Reef, Perth, and a ranch in Neergabby. A representative for Mr Giuffre was contacted for comment. He has previously declined to comment on allegations of domestic abuse, citing the ongoing legal action. ( Image credit : Instagram/50cent & Netflix | 50 Cent shared a photo on Instagram of a flower delivery addressed to him, beliving it was from Sean "Diddy" Combs. ) Diddy's team denies involvement in the floral fiasco ( Image credit : Instagram/50cent & Netflix | Diddy's team denies involvement in the floral fiasco. ) Netflix docuseries under fire from Diddy Sean Combs: The Reckoning About Sean Combs: The Reckoning ( Image credit : Netflix | The controversy comes as Diddy continues to battle the Netflix docuseries "Sean Combs: The Reckoning". ) The drama surrounding Netflix's Sean Combs: The Reckoning isn't slowing down 50 Cent. Fresh from his Miami Art Week appearance at Club E11EVEN, the rapper shared a photo on Instagram of a flower delivery addressed to him - and the internet immediately suspected it was from Sean "Diddy" Combs, currently incarcerated.50 Cent captioned the post: "What kinda gay s**t is this Diddy send me flowers at club 11 LOL why all the four play get busy, you know I'm stupid." The post ignited social media reactions, with fans speculating wildly about the supposed gift.Despite the buzz, Diddy's team quickly stepped in to quash the rumors. A spokesperson told reporters: "Didn't happen. Perhaps someone played a joke in poor taste."The denial did little to dampen 50 Cent's energy. The rapper returned to the comments, writing: "A warning, I'm 90s grimy. you don't warn me. LOL."The controversy comes as Diddy continues to battle the Netflix docuseries, sending cease-and-desist letters and publicly denying the footage. His team called the series "unauthorized" and "misleading," challenging the director's access to the material.In response, Netflix defended the four-part series, standing firmly behind the production and the director, Alexandria Stapleton. Stapleton confirmed that all footage was obtained legally, with the "necessary rights" secured for broadcast.Debuting on Netflix on December 2, the docuseries dives deep into the life and controversies of Diddy. The series promises several jaw-dropping revelations about the media mogul, with 50 Cent's playful Instagram post adding fuel to the ongoing public debate over the content.Fans have been eagerly discussing the shocking claims, and the latest social media exchanges between 50 Cent and Diddy have only heightened anticipation for the series. Nagaland Sambad Lottery Lottery in India Where it is Legal About Nagaland State Lottery Government of Nagaland 26 January Republic Day Republic Day 15 August Independence Day Independence Day 2 October Gandhi Jayanti Daily Draw Schedule Nagaland Lottery Result Today Morning Draw (1 PM) Evening Draw (6 PM) Night Draw (8 PM) Nagaland Lottery Result 1 PM 6/12/2025 ( Image credit : Nagaland Lottery result, December 6, 2025 1 pm ) Nagaland Lottery Result 6 PM 6/12/2025 ( Image credit : Nagaland Lottery result, December 6, 2025 6 pm ) Nagaland Lottery Result 8 PM 6/12/2025 ( Image credit : Nagaland Lottery result, December 6, 2025 8 pm ) Prize Structure of Nagaland Sambad Lottery 1st Prize Rs 1 Crore Rs 1 Crore 2nd Prize Rs 9,000 Rs 9,000 3rd Prize Rs 450 Rs 450 4th Prize Rs 250 Rs 250 5th Prize Rs 120 Rs 120 Consolation Prize Rs 1,000 Ticket Price How to Buy Nagaland Lottery Tickets Official lottery counters in Nagaland Authorised agents and shops Verified online platforms for players outside the state Always buy tickets from trusted sellers to avoid fraud. How to Claim Nagaland Lottery Prize Keep the ticket safe and undamaged. Attach a valid ID proof like Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID. Fill the prize claim form (available on the official site). Submit your documents to the Directorate of Nagaland State Lotteries, Kohima, within 30 days. After verification, the prize is paid directly into your bank account within 60 days, after applicable tax deduction. How to Check Nagaland Lottery Result Today? You can view daily results through: Official Nagaland Lotteries website Official result PDF updates Local newspapers Trusted online result portals Legality FAQ Nagaland Lottery Result Today 1. What is the ticket price for Nagaland Lottery? 2. Is the Nagaland Lottery legal? 3. What is the 1st prize amount? 4. How to check Nagaland lottery result today 6 December 2025? 5. How long do I have to claim my prize? The Nagaland Lottery result for 6 December 2025 is one of the most searched topics among lottery players in India. Theis popular because of its affordable ticket price and attractive prize money. If you are looking for todays Nagaland lottery result today, including 1 PM, 6 PM and 8 PM results, prize details and claiming process, youre in the right place.Lottery is allowed in 13 Indian states, including Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim, Nagaland and Mizoram. Among them, Nagaland Lottery and West Bengal Lottery are widely known for offering high rewards.The biggest attraction is the 1st prize worth Rs 1 crore, and yet the ticket price is only Rs 6, which makes it accessible even for low-budget buyers.The Nagaland Sambad Lottery is officially conducted by the, making it completely legal. People across Nagaland and other states buy tickets daily in hopes of winning big.Draws are held every day, including Sundays and most public holidays. Only three national holidays have no draw:There are three draws every day ensuring more chances to win:Players can check Nagaland Lottery result today 6 December 2025 here after each draw.The prize list varies slightly depending on the draw name, but the usual reward breakdown is:Authorized distributors can issue prizes up to Rs 10,000 directly.The ticket price is Rs 6 per ticket, which makes it one of the most affordable lotteries in India. Tickets are sold daily at P.R. Hill Junction, Kohima 797001, only through authorised agents and sellers.You can buy tickets from:If your number appears in the Nagaland Lottery result, follow these steps:Search for Nagaland Lottery result, Nagaland Sambad Lottery, or Nagaland lottery result today 6 December at the draw time to check winning numbers.The Nagaland lottery is government-run and legal, conducted under the Lotteries Regulation Act. All draws are supervised by the Directorate of Nagaland State Lotteries, which was formed in 1972 under the state Finance Department.The Nagaland Lottery result today for 6 December 2025 gives players a chance to win life-changing prizes at a very low cost. If you have purchased your ticket, stay tuned for the 1 PM, 6 PM and 8 PM Nagaland Sambad Lottery results and check whether luck favours you today.Rs 6 per ticket.Yes, it is government-approved and legal.Rs 1 Crore (sometimes more depending on the scheme).You can check online through official websites or result portals after every draw.You must claim within 30 days of result declaration. Nearly 30 Kenyan teachers complete Chinese language training course Xinhua) 13:45, December 06, 2025 NAIROBI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 30 Kenyan teachers on Friday received certificates after completing a three-week training course to boost their proficiency in the Chinese language. The ceremony took place at the Confucius Institute of Kenyatta University, and brought together senior faculty members, students, and linguists. Samson Ondigi, executive dean of the School of Education and Lifelong Learning at Kenyatta University, said the Mandarin training program for in-service teachers, which was conducted virtually, will boost Sino-Kenya cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and commerce. "Whether you are taking your first steps in Mandarin or strengthening advanced skills, you are part of a growing community of educators who will shape the future of Mandarin teaching in Kenya," Ondigi told the teachers. He said that Mandarin is now included in Kenya's competence-based education system and that the demand for teachers who can teach the language at all levels of learning has increased. Leonard Chacha Mwita, local director of Kenyatta University's Confucius Institute, said that both the beginner and continuing groups were taken through a practical introduction to the Chinese language, learned basic greetings, discovered intonations, and mastered the structure of the pinyin alphabet. Besides improving their proficiency in Mandarin, the teachers explored the richness of Chinese culture, gaining new insights into dress, weddings, funerals, the Chinese zodiac, and festivals, as well as social norms, Chacha said. He urged the teachers to enroll in advanced Mandarin courses to boost their competence in teaching the language to young learners nationwide. Zhou Xiaodong, the Chinese director at Kenyatta University's Confucius Institute, said the three-week training course was built on ongoing efforts to create a critical mass of Mandarin teachers in Kenya, fostering cross-cultural ties. "As Chinese language teaching grows in Kenyan learning institutions, your work matters more than ever," said Zhou. Mary Oduor, a primary school teacher, said the three-week training course improved her understanding of Chinese characters and tones, and she looks forward to advancing to higher levels. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) Charity Eagens with her daughters Isabella (from left), 21, Ava, 19, and Olivia DiEmedio, 16, after rehearsals for the Nutcracker. Read more The Nutcracker is about family. It centers around a girl named Marie, her parents and little brother, and the magical things that happen after they throw a Christmas party. At Philadelphia Ballet, its more than just that. Advertisement Four members of a dancing family make Nutcracker magic onstage together. Sisters Isabella, 21, Ava, 19, and Olivia DiEmedio, 16, are all members of the company. Isabella is in the corps de ballet, Ava an apprentice, and Olivia in Philadelphia Ballet II. When the company opens its annual production of George Balanchines The Nutcracker this weekend at the Academy of Music, the sisters will perform as snowflakes, flowers, parents, maids, and a variety of sweet treats. The sisters are still on the rise in the company, and are yet to explore most of the principal roles. But theyve filled most of the childrens, many of the corps, and some soloist roles. In fact, there has been a DiEmedio in one scene or another of The Nutcracker for at least a dozen years. Even their mother is sometimes onstage alongside them. Charity Eagens, who grew up in East Norriton, Montgomery County, was in the company, then known as Pennsylvania Ballet, for 10 years, starting in 1996. Now she is a teacher in the School of Philadelphia Ballet and the childrens ballet stager. She is also the grandmother in some performances of The Nutcracker. Eagens has taught all three of her daughters throughout their training, and she continues to do so once a week, when she teaches company class. READ MORE: Four of the most exciting Nutcracker versions being staged in Philadelphia this season In ballet class, she is their teacher. As soon as they step outside the studio, she is Mom. It would be really awkward for all my friends to see me calling you Miss Charity, Ava said to her mother on Zoom, gathering around a table at Philadelphia Ballet. I would never say Miss Charity, Olivia added. I would just say what I needed to say and, like, just raise my hand. The DiEmedio sisters grew up on Philadelphia Ballet. I took Isabella to see her first ballet [when] she was 2 years old, which is a little bit too young, Eagens said. But a lot of my friends were still in the company, and I took her. I thought, Let me just see how long she sits. It was Sleeping Beauty, which is well over two and a half hours. So its probably not the best one, said Eagens. However, she sat on the edge of her seat for the whole thing. In 2007, when she was 3, Isabella started ballet classes in a local school where Eagens taught. READ MORE: The Quiner Sisters: Six ballerina siblings from Jersey find social media fame When she was 4, Isabella went to her mother and said, I want to dance on the same stage as you, Mom, Eagens said. In 2012, when Isabella was 7, the company reopened its school (after becoming the Rock School for Dance 20 years earlier, when it looked like the troupe might fold), and Eagens signed her up. Her sisters followed in the same pattern: local classes at 3, moving over to the School of Philadelphia Ballet for more serious training when they were 7. They tried gymnastics, too, but ballet is what stuck for all of them. The Nutcracker was a staple in their lives. Ava and Olivia both danced the role of Marie. Isabella was too tall when it mightve been her turn, putting the top childs role out of her reach. These days, Isabella lives independently, sharing an apartment with another dancer in the company. Ava is considering moving out as well, but her father is encouraging her to stay put and save money. Meanwhile, she and Olivia split their time living with Eagens in Worcester, Montgomery County, and with their father in Philadelphia, which is convenient for getting to the studio and theater. At 16, Olivia is a junior in high school, doing her academic work online through the Brandywine Virtual Academy, which is affiliated with the Methacton School District she used to attend in person. I never had to withdraw them from school, Eagens said. At different stages of their burgeoning careers, the sisters continue to support one another. In combined company class with the men and women, Ill stand behind Isabella, Ava said. And then in the ladies class, I stand behind Olivia. Sometimes Ill tell [Olivia] little things I noticed about her technique. READ MORE: Two critics went to Philadelphia Ballets The Nutcracker. Heres what they thought. Their boss has his eye on them. Isabella, Olivia, Ava, and their mother Charity each bring their own artistry and dedication to Philadelphia Ballet, said artistic director Angel Corella, and watching them share the stage is incredibly moving. The sisters are all eager to improve and get opportunities. I want to be the best that I can and see how far I can take it, Isabella said. Ava agreed. I want to be able to branch out of corps roles. READ MORE: Behind the scenes at Philadelphia Ballet's 'Nutcracker' As the youngest, Olivia knows she may have to wait her turn, although in ballet even the youngest professionals can get big roles. Technically, Im still in training, as a second company member, she said. So I have to always keep in mind and have a good mindset about it and keep working hard every day. But, she added, I really want to become someone who is, like, the star. Philadelphia Ballet in George Balanchines The Nutcracker. Dec. 5-31, Academy of Music. $28-$282, 215-893-1999 or ensembleartsphilly.org Philadelphia police are conducting an internal investigation into the conduct of three narcotics strike force officers who prosecutors say gave false testimony in court. Read more More than 130 drug cases were dismissed Friday and hundreds more are expected to collapse in the coming months after prosecutors said three Philadelphia narcotics officers repeatedly gave false testimony in court. Common Pleas Court Judge Lillian Ransom vacated 134 cases during the first in a series of hearings that could see nearly a thousand criminal prosecutions collapse because the testimony of three officers on the Narcotics Strike Force has been deemed unreliable. Advertisement Philadelphia Police Officers Ricardo Rosa, Eugene Roher, and Jeffrey Holden were found to have repeatedly given false testimony against people suspected of selling drugs after lawyers with the Defender Association of Philadelphia recovered video footage that contradicted their statements, the district attorneys office said. The defenders said the officers regularly watched surveillance cameras to monitor suspects in drug investigations in real time, then didnt disclose it to prosecutors or defense attorneys in court, officials said. The video footage later showed they also testified to things that never happened or that they could not have seen from where they were positioned, according to court filings. READ MORE: Philly narcotics cops secretly used surveillance cameras. Video proved some of their testimony false. Prosecutors later conceded that they could no longer vouch for the officers credibility and are expected to dismiss scores of cases built on their testimony. After a review of cases and convictions involving the officers testimony, lawyers for the defender association and prosecutors identified more than 900 cases and expect to ask the judge to dismiss them over the next year. It was not immediately clear how many people, if any, served time in jail, or are still in custody, as a result of the prosecutions that are now in question. Holden, reached by phone Friday, said he was shocked to learn that his cases and testimony were under scrutiny, and said he had not been told of the move to end the cases at Fridays hearing. He declined to comment further. Rosa and Roher did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The officers remain assigned to their narcotics squads. The district attorneys office said it provided the police departments internal affairs unit with details of the officers false statements in multiple cases last March. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, in a statement, said the department takes potential credibility issues with our officers extremely seriously. An internal affairs investigation into the matter was launched last March and remains ongoing, he said. The department requested and reviewed cases flagged by prosecutors, he said, but thus far we have not identified any evidence that would raise concerns of misconduct or criminal behavior on the part of those officers. He added: We will, as always, take appropriate action if and when evidence supports such action, but we will not preemptively sideline officers absent some verified findings. Bethel said he learned of the plans to dismiss the cases on Thursday, and has asked prosecutors to provide additional information to assist with their review. He also said the police department has been working with the district attorney to develop a clearer protocol on how officers can use surveillance cameras during investigations. District Attorney Larry Krasner on Friday declined to say whether his office was investigating the officers conduct, but noted that the statute of limitations for police officers in their capacity is much longer than the statue of limit for other offenses. I have dealt extensively with Commissioner Bethel. I know he and the mayor are committed to rooting corruption, lying, stealing, and cheating out of the police department, he said. Theyre lying Assistant District Attorney David Napiorski, who reviewed the cases for the office, stopped short of accusing the officers of lying, but said theres enough of a pattern of inconsistencies across testimony that we cant rely on them as critical witnesses in court. But Paula Sen and Michael Mellon of the Defenders Police Accountability Unit disagreed. Its a fancy way of saying theyre lying, said Sen, who has worked with Mellon to uncover the officers credibility issues since 2019. The unfolding scrutiny is the latest in a series of large-scale conviction reversals in Philadelphia tied to misconduct in the narcotics unit. Over the past three decades, judges have thrown out thousands of drug cases after officers were found to have fabricated evidence, lied on the stand, or stolen money from dealers. Bradley Bridge, a longtime public defender, was often the driving force behind those reviews and estimates hes worked to overturn about 2,500 drug convictions since 1995. In 2015, Bridge filed a petition to vacate more than 1,400 drug convictions tied to six ex-narcotics cops after they were charged with robbing and beating drug dealers, then altering police paperwork to cover their tracks. The officers were later acquitted by a jury and got their jobs back through arbitration, but more than 950 cases were thrown out after officials agreed they couldnt trust their testimony. Bridge, who returned from retirement to handle the cases tied to Rosa, Roher, and Holden, said, Tragically, nothing is unique about this. Its exactly the same problems that keep arising since 1995, including the lack of supervision and oversight of police officers on the street. Sen and Mellon said they first noticed a pattern of false testimony in 2019 after they reviewed surveillance footage that contradicted statements Rosa gave about drug cases. As time passed, they said, they continued to monitor his narcotics squad, and found inconsistencies with Holden and Rohers testimony, too. They said the officers used the citys surveillance camera systems to monitor suspected drug activity in real time, but didnt disclose it as part of their investigation a violation of due process because the evidence wasnt shared with defense attorneys. In court, the officers denied using the cameras, Mellon said, and often said they witnessed hand-to-hand drug transactions that video later showed either never happened or that they could never have seen because the suspect was out of sight. They just straight up lied and invented acts of criminality, Sen said. Who are they gonna believe? In one case, Roher said he was seated in an unmarked police car when he saw Darrin Moss sell drugs to two people near Somerset and Helen Streets in Kensington in April 2022. He said he could see Moss inside the fenced lot retrieve drugs, then hand them to a buyer and accept money in return. Prosecutors later said in court filings that video footage captured by a surveillance camera on the end of the block showed that one drug deal never happened, and the other supposed deal was behind a building and would have been impossible to see. The charges against Moss were withdrawn. When prosecutors learned of the discrepancies, they asked Roher to meet and discuss the case, but he failed to appear in court twice without explanation, they said in a court filing. Prosecutors said this became a pattern once the officers seemed to learn their testimony was under scrutiny, they stopped showing up to court. Court filings identify at least nine cases in which the three officers allegedly gave false testimony. Napiorski, of the district attorneys office, said prosecutors reviewed a few dozen videos from other cases that suggested a systemic pattern of false information in court. Sen, of the defenders association, said it was troubling that the officers remained assigned to the narcotics squad and have been able to continue making arrests. How is the public supposed to have trust in a department that continues to employ people who have so clearly proved themselves to be liars, that has resulted in thousands of people being arrested and jailed? she asked. Most of the cases dismissed Friday were drug crimes that led to a sentence of probation, prosecutors said. Seven included a gun charge. The drug charge against Ramoye Berry was among them. Berry, 29, from North Philadelphia, said that in April 2023, he was standing on the 1300 block of West Boston Street talking to some friends when a group of officers tackled him and accused him of selling drugs. When they searched his car, he said, they found a small amount of weed, but he wasnt selling it. He was charged with possession with intent to sell drugs. Berry couldnt recall which officer testified against him in court, but he said he remembered telling his lawyer that the officer wasnt telling the truth. He said he pleaded guilty to drug possession and accepted a year of probation because he didnt think he could prove his innocence, and the court dates were challenging to keep up with. It kept him from being able to get a job, he said. When he learned on Friday that the officer had a history of giving false information and that his conviction would be vacated, he said he felt vindicated but frustrated by the time and jobs he lost to the case. This is what I was saying from the beginning, he said, shaking his head. But who are they gonna believe? The cops, or me? Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, in this March 4, 2018, file photo. Read more MacKenzie Scott, one of the worlds richest women through her Amazon shares, has donated $25 million to Lincoln University, the college announced Friday. The money part of the billionaire philanthropists series of multimillion-dollar, unrestricted donations to historically Black colleges and universities will support scholarships and initiatives, according to a news release. Advertisement Lincoln University officials said the no-strings-attached gift exemplifies her confidence in the universitys mission, vision, and leadership. READ MORE: Lincoln University receives $20 million gift from ex-wife of Amazon founder Lincoln University was founded to break barriers and create pathways for African Americans to thrive, president Brenda A. Allen said in a statement. This investment honors that legacy and propels us forward, enabling us to build on 171 years of excellence and innovation. It is a powerful affirmation of the enduring value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. A spokesperson for the university and the board of trustees could not immediately be reached Saturday for additional comment. This is Scotts second donation to the southern Chester County university, the first degree-granting HBCU in the nation. The ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos gave $20 million in 2020 then the schools largest gift from a single donor in its history. As of June 2023, the schools endowment was $54 million. A number of other historically Black colleges also received money from Scott in recent weeks, including Marylands Bowie State and Morgan State Universities and University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Scotts total donations to higher education institutions this year have topped $1 billion, Forbes reported. The windfall comes six weeks after gunfire erupted during Lincolns Oct. 25 homecoming celebration, killing a 25-year-old man from Wilmington and injuring six people. At least one person was arrested. A still from Frank Tartaglia and Tim Dowlin's 'Not for Nothing.' The filmmakers met as classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. A third classmate, Mark Webber, stars in the film. It premieres at Philadelphia Film Festival on Oct. 22 Read more Frank Joseph Tartaglia and his older brother, Joseph Frank Tartaglia, long dreamed of leaving the family fruit stand for Hollywood stardom. Back in 2006, when they first opened a live music venue on Ninth Street, Connies Ric Rac, Frankie and Joe Tartaglia and their best friend and business partner, Peter Pelullo would sit for hours after closing, spitballing script ideas. The brothers wanted to tell a South Philly story that captured the neighborhood they knew and that could make their dreams real. Then they were gone. Advertisement First, Joe, a filmmaker, a musician, and a father of three, died in 2013 at age 44 of brain cancer. Then, Frankie, a comedian, a writer, an actor, and a true South Philly original, died in his sleep of heart failure in 2022, just a month after his first feature film, Not for Nothing, headlined the Philadelphia Film Festival to positive reviews. Now, Frankie and Joe Tartaglias big-screen dreams are finally becoming a reality. On Thursday, Not for Nothing, a gritty crime drama set in the heart of South Philly and written by Frankie Tartaglia and Philly-born filmmaker Tim Dowlin, debuted at the Film Society Bourse in Old City. On Friday, the movie, acquired for worldwide distribution last year by the independent film studio Buffalo 8, premiered on Amazon Prime and other major streaming services. It will be available on other cable platforms later this month. Its emotional, said Pelullo, executive producer on the film. Its very rewarding for everyone involved to see it reach this place and get across the finish line. But its bittersweet. Joe would have been really proud of Frankie, and Frankie would have been excited for what was next. He added, Thats the painful part. This wasnt supposed to be the end. It was supposed to be the beginning. The film has been a journey. Starring actor Mark Webber and praised by critics as a gripping tale infused with heart and humor, Not for Nothing follows a group of neighborhood friends who set out to uncover the truth behind a young womans mysterious overdose. The search for justice soon unravels into a confrontation with the ghosts of South Phillys past. Its just the type of authentic South Philly tale Frankie and Joe Tartaglia long strove to share. One that found its first roots in an independent film Joe and Frankie filmed in South Philly in 1998, called Punctuality (a quirky neighborhood film they described as Clerks meets A Bronx Tale). And one that continued to take shape during those long-ago, late-night brainstorming sessions at the Ric Rac, a grungy, glorious haven for South Philly artists and musicians that closed permanently during the pandemic. Carrying on the dream after Joe Tartaglias death, Frankie Tartaglia had reconnected with Dowlin by 2017. The pair had first become friends at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. Dowlin, who had already made films with Webber, another high school friend, approached Frankie Tartaglia about making a modern-day South Philly mob flick. From the start, Dowlin recalled, Frankie wanted to tell something more. He immediately was like, I dont think thats real, Dowlin recalled. He wanted to explore something more authentic to the world he grew up in on Ninth Street, and at the bar at Connies Ric Rac. Their script became less about the neighborhood goodfellas and more about an exploration of South Philly corner bar culture and the friendships formed there. Still in the process of selling the film at the time of Frankie Tartaglias death, Dowlin and Pelullo worked for three years to make sure that his vision reached audiences. This summer, Connie Tartaglia, 76, an artist who ceaselessly encouraged her sons and was the namesake of their old club died from an illness. She had hoped to live long enough to see the film released, Dowlin said. Before Thursdays packed premiere, Dowlin told the crowd about the friend and collaborator he had lost and that Philly had lost, too. He was an unstoppable force of love and art, he said of Frankie Tartaglia. He embodied every artist everywhere. He was a champion for the unseen and unheard. Frankie had planned on dedicating the film to the older brother he looked up to, Dowlin said. Now, he hoped the film would live in both of their memories. I would like to dedicate this film to both of the Tartaglia brothers, he said. For almost two years, Zahra Saeed ruminated on opening a French-style cafe that combined her two passions: delicious food and beautiful design. I just love French bakeries, said the Pakistani real estate developer, who travels to France often and fell in love with the countrys architecture and cafe culture. Six months ago, she decided to begin construction for a cafe at one of her properties in Philadelphia. Just four weeks after its opening, La Maison Jaune is bustling with customers seeking macarons and chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) from the corner shop at 22nd and Rittenhouse Square. Advertisement The 420-square-foot cafe, marked by a bright yellow sign, is outfitted with a black-and-white checkered marble floor and large and small ornate mirrors decorated with floral arrangements. Staff help customers navigate a display case lined with classically French pastries: Think palm-sized, salted caramel- and chocolate-filled macarons de Nancy (chewy almond cookies from Nancy, France, that predate their daintier, more commonly available cousin), crumbly financiers (mini almond cakes) topped with raspberries and blueberries, and glazed lemon madeleines. An array of large, creamy quiches sit atop the case. Delicate China mugs are filled with rich chocolat chaud, lattes made with Rival Bros. coffee, and house-made specialty matchas. As French music plays in the background, folks nestle into the plush couches and armchairs, as well as comfy barstools pulled up to the window counters overlooking the Center City corner. Sitting by the window, Alessia-Daria Mazza said the pastries reminded her of home. The foreign exchange intern from Paris, who lives in Rittenhouse, recently visited the cafe after seeing it on Instagram. I love the fact that there is French music, she said. You can find quiches and madeleines. Ive tried the pecan pie and its really like one you can find in a good French patisserie. The Fitler Square cafe is just the first step in a larger business venture, Saeed said. Pastries are currently made by an in-house chef at a rented commercial kitchen in South Philly. Saeed hopes to build out her own commercial kitchen space and assemble a larger team of pastry chefs to reach her ultimate goal: wholesale La Maison Jaune pastries across the city, plus one more cafe. (Her second space a 1,500-square-foot Fairmount storefront inside another one of her properties is currently under construction.) Im trying to build the La Maison Jaune brand anybody, wherever they go, they know they can pick up our macarons, financiers, and they know itll be the same, she said. Taking on her first food business venture has come with some challenges. Before the construction began on the Rittenhouse cafe, Saeed encountered pushback from the neighborhood when she presented her business idea to the Center City Residents Association (CCRA), which is involved in zoning matters in Fitler Square. As The Inquirer reported, Saeeds proposal elicited complaints from area residents who cited fears about rodents, trash on the sidewalk, and delivery trucks clogging 22nd Street, arguing that small businesses degraded the quality of life in Fitler Square. Despite the opposition, CCRAs zoning committee did not oppose the project. The previously expressed concerns have not affected business since opening, Saeed said. So far so good everything seems to be fine." I love seeing people hang out and notice the little details in the design, she said. There are such cute spots in Paris, and I just wanted to recreate that here, she said. 244 S. 22nd St., no phone, instagram.com/lamaisonjaune.cafe; 7 a.m.to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Friday to Sunday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, meeting in Atlanta on Friday, changed its guidance on when and to whom the hepatitis B vaccine should be administered. Read more In Philadelphia, the city where the hepatitis B vaccine was discovered, experts sharply criticized a decision on Friday by the nations leading vaccine advisory panel to end a longstanding recommendation that all infants be immunized at birth against the serious liver disease. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a committee that makes recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the vaccines that Americans should receive, voted 8-3 to change its guidance on when and to whom the hepatitis B vaccine should be administered. Advertisement National medical professional societies have opposed changes to the administration of a vaccine proven to be safe and effective, crediting it with all but eliminating the spread of the virus in young children. The hepatitis B vaccine revisions underscored growing concern that the federal governments vaccine guidance is no longer credible under President Donald Trumps administration. Cases will go up, said Sarah Long, an infectious disease pediatrician and a professor of pediatrics at Drexel Universitys College of Medicine. She called the vote outrageous, saying its much safer to ensure every child gets protection as soon as possible from a virus that can have lifelong effects, causing in some people cirrhosis and liver cancer. Why wouldnt you want to apply a cancer-preventing vaccine to every potential susceptible child? Long said. Long is herself a former member of the committee of independent experts. Her term ended in July 2024, about a year before Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all of ACIPs 17 members and reappointed handpicked members that included some who, like Kennedy, have advocated against vaccines. At meetings on Thursday and Friday, the committee reviewed a recommendation in place since 1991: that, shortly after birth, infants receive the first in a series of hepatitis B vaccinations. ACIP will now recommend that infants receive a hepatitis B shot at birth only if their mother was not tested or tests positive for hepatitis B. Parents can still decide with their doctors to give a dose at birth if the babys mother tests negative. The committee recommended delaying the shot, recommending that babies should get their first hepatitis dose at no earlier than two months if they do not receive a birth dose. Parents who test negative for the virus should discuss vaccine benefits, vaccine risks, and infection risks with their doctors to decide when or if their child will begin the hepatitis B vaccine series, HHS officials wrote in a statement. Some committee members said most babies are not at high risk for infection and questioned whether theres adequate research to support the shots for infants, The Associated Press reported. But two others said there was no evidence that birth doses harm babies. The CDCs own website cites decades of studies showing few risks from the vaccine. Why wait until two months? The decision makes little sense, said Paul Offit, a nationally renowned vaccine expert and physician who leads Childrens Hospital of Philadelphias Vaccine Education Center and has often clashed with Kennedy. I dont think this RFK Jr.-appointed anti-vaccine group calling itself the ACIP understands critical aspects of this virus, he said. This vaccine is as safe at two months as it is at birth. Why wait until two months? Its dangerous to wait to vaccinate babies against hepatitis B because the virus is highly contagious and can spread from a mother to a child at birth, and through actions as seemingly innocuous as sharing a toothbrush, a washcloth, or a razor. Pennsylvania has seen a 95% reduction in acute hepatitis B cases since the birth dose was implemented, health officials said in a news release earlier this week, calling transmission to newborns, infants, and toddlers nearly eliminated. Across the state, no mothers have passed the disease to their children at birth since 2019, and no cases have been detected in children under 4 since 2007. State health officials had urged the committee to keep the birth dose recommendation. Public perceptions of the vaccine Most Americans support hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns, a recent study from the University of Pennsylvanias Annenberg Public Policy Center found. The center surveyed 1,637 Americans last month, noting that the CDC recommended that all children be vaccinated for hepatitis B at birth, and three-fourths of respondents said they were very likely or somewhat likely to recommend the vaccine for a newborn in their household. Though a majority of survey respondents across political parties said they were likely to recommend the vaccine, Republicans were least likely to recommend it. About 40% of respondents correctly answered a question about the disease the hepatitis B vaccine prevents. One-third said they were not sure what disease it prevents. Next steps ACIPs recommendations must be adopted by the CDC director. The White House fired former CDC director Susan Monarez this summer, in part because she had refused to unquestioningly sign off on ACIP recommendations. In her place, the acting director, Jim ONeill, will decide whether to adopt the new recommendations. Pennsylvania and New Jersey are among the states that have moved this year to ensure residents can continue to access vaccines amid the reconstituted panels earlier controversial changes to the vaccine schedule. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order in October aimed at protecting access to vaccines. One of its directives asks the state Department of Insurance to require that insurance companies cover vaccines recommended by leading national medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, which continues to recommend hepatitis B vaccines at birth. In a statement after Fridays vote, Pennsylvanias Secretary of Human Services, Val Arkoosh, urged doctors and parents to follow AAP recommendations when vaccinating infants. And the states insurance commissioner, Michael Humphreys, said that insurers in the state will continue to cover the vaccine for newborns, full stop. He added insurers have already committed to covering birth doses through at least 2026, and that the department expects insurers to continue their coverage beyond that date. In a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Shapiro criticized Fridays decision as threatening access to safe, effective Hepatitis B vaccines for newborns, putting them at risk of getting a serious infection with lifelong consequences. In New Jersey, insurance companies are expected to continue to cover all immunizations recommended by the state health department, which includes birth doses of the hepatitis B vaccine, the state Department of Banking and Insurance said in a statement after the committees vote. The departments commissioner, Justin Zimmerman, said the federal government is taking actions that threaten the health of residents. CHOPs Offit said he believed most doctors will continue to recommend the birth dose. Doctors will know this is a bad idea and will do what theyre always doing recommend the birth dose, he said. But he and Drexels Long are among the experts increasingly concerned about the confusion ACIPs decision could sow. And the decision from one of the nations highest-profile public health authorities could push more people to forgo the vaccine, Offit said. I think people will feel empowered to say, I dont want this vaccine because ACIP said I dont have to get it, he said. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu (R) presents the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize medal to Zhang Ganlin (C) during the World Soil Day celebration at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, Dec. 5, 2025. Zhang Ganlin, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize on Friday at the World Soil Day celebration held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. (Xinhua/Ren Yaoting) ROME, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Ganlin, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize on Friday at the World Soil Day celebration held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. The award committee commended Zhang for his pioneering achievements in soil classification, soil surveys, digital mapping and resource assessment, as well as his contribution to global soil data sharing and sustainable soil management. This year's World Soil Day was held under the theme "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities." Representatives attending the event discussed the increasing importance of soil protection amid rapid global urbanization. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu noted that more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, where soil degradation, soil sealing, and shrinking green spaces pose growing challenges to sustainable development. He urged countries to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation, promote sustainable land-use planning and accelerate the recovery of urban soils. FAO announced that the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize, supported by the Russian Federation, was awarded to Zhang in recognition of his outstanding contributions to soil protection and sustainable soil management. Qu presented Zhang with the medal at the ceremony. In his acceptance speech, Zhang said that "everything begins with soil," emphasizing that healthy soils underpin food systems, biodiversity, freshwater resources and climate stability. He warned that soil erosion, pollution, unsustainable practices and increasing soil sealing are fracturing this foundation. Speaking to Xinhua, Zhang said Chinese soil scientists are increasingly active on the global scientific stage and will continue contributing to worldwide efforts to safeguard soil and environmental health. Zhang Ganlin delivers a speech during the official World Soil Day celebration at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, Dec. 5, 2025. Zhang Ganlin, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize on Friday at the World Soil Day celebration held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. (Xinhua/Ren Yaoting) FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu (L) delivers a speech at the World Soil Day celebration held at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, Dec. 5, 2025. Zhang Ganlin, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize on Friday at the World Soil Day celebration held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. (Xinhua/Ren Yaoting) FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu (R) take photos with Zhang Ganlin (C) during the World Soil Day celebration at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, Dec. 5, 2025. Zhang Ganlin, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize on Friday at the World Soil Day celebration held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. (Xinhua/Ren Yaoting) Zhang Ganlin delivers a speech during the official World Soil Day celebration at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, Dec. 5, 2025. Zhang Ganlin, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize on Friday at the World Soil Day celebration held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. (Xinhua/Ren Yaoting) They dont go down the Shore on the other side of the Delaware Bay. First Staters go to the beach or, more geographically correct, to the Delaware Beaches: the neighboring Atlantic towns of Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany, and Fenwick Island, familiar to most Philadelphians even if theyve never been. The Delaware Beaches and Lewes, their historic bayside gateway, are charming and festive during the holidays. Come for the tax-free shopping and craft-beer icons, stay for the smart indie restaurants and pristine nature. Its a quick trip across the bay on the ferry. Margate, Ocean City, and Wildwood will still be there when you get back. Ride: Cape MayLewes Ferry Getting to Coastal Delaware is half the fun when you take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. It takes about the same amount of time to drive directly from Philly to Lewes as it does to drive to Cape May and board the boat for the 85-minute crossing, but only one option gives you cinematic views of the Delaware Bay historically the most important waterway in the region. (No bay for Billy Penn to sail up, no founding of Philadelphia.) Its also a key environment for marine life, from oysters and mussels to dolphins and seals. You might even catch a migrating humpback whale on the 17-mile crossing. Advertisement 1200 Lincoln Blvd., North Cape May, N.J. 08204 Stay: Dogfish Inn One of the original craft-beer brands, Dogfish Head is maybe the most famous Delaware resident who wasnt also POTUS. Sam Calagione founded the Milton brewery more on that in a minute in 1995, and it became such a tourist magnet that a hotel was a natural expansion. The friendly, 16-room Dogfish Inn opened in 2014 and sits along the LewesRehoboth Canal, walking distance to both the ferry and downtown. Rooms are simply furnished and stylish, with branded swag and pops of olive and teal. Outside, beer pilgrims, holiday shoppers, and their dogs (the inn is pet-friendly) gather around the Cowboy Cauldron, the nickname for the communal firepit. 105 Savannah Rd., Lewes, Del. 19958 Snack: The Station on Kings Fig-tahini danish, pumpkin-cheesecake conchas, and sugared doughnuts plumped with chai-spiced cream gleam in the pastry case at the Station on Kings, a charming cafe with arboreal decor and a greenhouse dining room that feels sunny even when winter clouds cover the coast. Grab a table and settle in for a leisurely brunch of those excellent baked goods, a creamy French omelet, maybe the calendar-correct Mistletoe Matcha, Stations matcha latte sweetened with white chocolate-peppermint syrup. After, browse the selection of candles, soaps, ornaments, and other local and artisan gifts. 720 Kings Hwy., Lewes, Del. 19958 Shop: Tanger Outlets Continue making your list and checking it twice at the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth. Bargain hunters come year-round, but the holiday sales are especially enticing. The complex is divided into three clusters (Surfside, Seaside, Bayside) along Route 1, with more than 100 brands, including Nike, North Face, and Le Creuset. Route 1 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, Del. 19971 Walk: Cape Henlopen State Park Theres a windswept solitude to the beach in December that, for anyone raised on towel-to-towel summer crowds, is narcotically surreal. Encompassing more than 5,000 acres of sandy shores, reedy wetlands, and maritime forest, Cape Henlopen State Park is the place to get centered in nature at the Delaware Beaches. Walking trails lace the preserve, winding through historical sites like Fort Miles, which played a critical coastal defense role in WWII, and around Gordons Pond. Head to the Point, near the hooked tip of Cape Henlopen, for views of the 140-year-old Delaware Breakwater Lighthouse. 15099 Cape Henlopen Dr., Lewes, Del. 19958 Sip: Dogfish Head Brewery Despite being bought by the Boston Beer Company in 2019, Dogfish remains a Delaware darling. The brand offers multiple touchpoints throughout the beaches, but its worth the 15-minute drive west of Lewes to the Milton brewery. Tours run three times daily, seven days a week, and include a pour of 60 Minute IPA. For an extra $8, enjoy a tasting flight in the on-site taproom. 6 Cannery Village Center, Milton, Del. 19968 Eat: the Blue Hen Located a block and a half from the beach, on the ground floor of the Avenue Inn & Spa, the Blue Hen gives cozy coastal tavern vibes with pewter-blue paint, carved woodwork, and a gallery wall of framed photographs. The cooking, from chef Julia Robinson, elevates the genre: gingered lobster toast with dashi aioli, mezze rigatoni with pistachio pesto and confit chicken, Iberico pork Milanese. Robinson bought the Blue Hen with her wife, sommelier and GM Heather Sharp, in 2022 after moving from Philly in 2017. Walking the Rehoboth boardwalk after dinner, its easy to see the appeal. 33 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del. 19971 Rain falls as Irene Valdez visits a make-shift memorial for flood victims along the Guadalupe River on July 13 in Kerrville, Texas. Read more KERRVILLE, Texas In an instant, frantic voices overwhelmed the two county emergency dispatchers on duty in the Texas Hill Country as catastrophic flooding inundated cabins and youth camps along the Guadalupe River. A firefighter clinging to a tree who watched his wife be swept away. A family breaking through their roof, hoping for rescue. A woman calling from an all-girls camp, waters swirling around and unsure how to escape. Advertisement Their panic-stricken pleas were among more than 400 calls for help across Kerr County last summer when unimaginable floods hit during the overnight hours on the July Fourth holiday, according to recordings of the calls released Friday. Theres water filling up super fast, we cant get out of our cabin, a camp counselor told a dispatcher above the screams of campers in the background. We cant get out of our cabin, so how do we get to the boats? Amazingly, everyone in the cabin and the rest of campers at Camp La Junta were rescued. The flooding killed at least 136 people statewide during the holiday weekend, including 117 in Kerr County alone. Most were from Texas, but others came from Alabama, California and Florida, according to a list released by county officials. One woman called for help as the water closed in on her house near Camp Mystic, a century-old summer camp for girls, where 25 campers and two teenage counselors died. Were OK, but we live a mile down the road from Camp Mystic and we had two little girls come down the river. And weve gotten to them, but Im not sure how many others are out there, she said in a shaky voice. A spokesperson for the parents of the children and counselors who died at Camp Mystic declined to comment on the release of the recordings. Calls came from people on rooftops and in trees Many residents in the hard-hit Texas Hill Country have said they were caught off guard and didnt receive any warning when the floods overtopped the Guadalupe River. Kerr County leaders have faced scrutiny about whether they did enough right away. Two officials told Texas legislators this summer that they were asleep during the initial hours of the flooding, and a third was out of town. Using recordings of first responder communications, weather service warnings, survivor videos and official testimony, the Associated Press assembled a chronology of the chaotic rescue effort. The AP was one of the media outlets that filed public information requests for recordings of the 911 calls to be released. Many people were rescued by boats and emergency vehicles. A few desperate pleas came from people floating away in RVs. Some survivors were found in trees and on rooftops. But some of the calls released Friday came from people who did not survive, said Kerrville Police Chief Chris McCall, who warned that the audio is unsettling. The tree Im in is starting to lean and its going to fall. Is there a helicopter close? Bradley Perry, a firefighter, calmy told a dispatcher, adding that he saw his wife, Tina, and their RV wash away. Ive probably got maybe five minutes left, he said. Bradley Perry did not survive. His wife was later found clinging to a tree, still alive. Moving higher and higher to survive In another heartbreaking call, a woman staying in a community of riverside cabins told a dispatcher the water was inundating their building We are flooding, and we have people in cabins we cant get to, she said. We are flooding almost all the way to the top. The caller speaks slowly and deliberately. The faint voices of what sounds like children can be heard in the background. Some people called back multiple times, climbing higher and higher in houses to let rescuers know where they were and that their situations were getting more dire. Families called from second floors, then attics, then roofs sometimes in the course of 30 or 40 minutes, revealing how fast and how high the waters rose. The 911 recordings show that relatives and friends outside of the unfolding disaster and those who had made it to safety had called to get help for loved ones trapped in the flooding. One woman said a friend, an elderly man, was trapped in his home with water up to his head. She had realized his phone cut out as she was trying to relay instructions from a 911 operator. Dispatchers gave advice and comfort Overwhelmed by the endless calls, dispatchers tried to comfort the panic-stricken callers yet were forced to move on to the next one. They advised many of those who were trapped to get to their rooftops or run to higher ground. In some calls, children could be heard screaming in the background. There is water everywhere, we cannot move. We are upstairs in a room and the water is rising, said a woman who called from Camp Mystic. The same woman called back later. How do we get to the roof if the water is so high? she asked. Can you already send someone here? With the boats? She asked the dispatcher when help would arrive. I dont know, the dispatcher said. I dont know. Atlantic City firefighters battled a blaze Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at the iconic Peanut World souvenir Boardwalk shop. Read more A fire Friday tore through the Peanut World souvenir shop on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, authorities said. Atlantic City firefighters battled the blaze that erupted about 4 p.m. at the business off Martin Luther King Boulevard. Heavy smoke billowed out onto the Boardwalk and damaged three other buildings, according to a news release. Advertisement The businesses were closed, and no injuries were reported. While the buildings are salvageable, Peanut Worlds interior will have to be rehabbed, according to city public safety spokesperson Matt Duffy. City officials will assess the damage next week, he said. We have many buildings of historical significance here in Atlantic City and we really try to keep their integrity whenever possible, Atlantic City Fire Chief Scott Evans said in a statement. Peanut World could not be reached by phone Saturday. The cause of the fire was under investigation. The silence in the Himalayan Institutes shrine redefines silence, quiet enough to hear your heartbeat, to pick up a whisper from across the room, and, perhaps most importantly, to feel every breath, in and out, while you meditate. The institute, founded in 1972, moved into the massive, former seminary on 400 hilly, forested acres in Honesdale, Wayne County, in 1977, a time when yoga was still a niche practice. For more than 50 years, the institute has been offering yoga training, spirituality, meditation, and holistic health practices, along with getaways and retreats. Advertisement Its for anyone, for any creed, religion, sex, or gender, said Greg Capitolo, a California native who became the institutes president after attending retreats there. Theres really no religious affiliation at all. As yoga exploded in popularity and modern meditation apps abound, the Himalayan Institute has seen growing interest worldwide. It hasnt hurt that downtown Honesdale has seen its own popularity grow over the last decade as Philadelphia and New York City residents look for properties and business opportunities outside of traditional urban escapes, like upstate New York. I like to say this is the best-kept secret in Wayne County, Capitolo said. I hope we become less of a secret to the people here. The Inquirer went to Honesdale during a frigid weekend last December and confirmed it: even in single-digit temps, the towns gift shops, bakeries, buzz-worthy restaurants, art galleries, and book stores were alive with tourists and locals up and down Main Street. Afterward, several readers mention the Himalayan Institute as a must-visit. On a Monday in late November, the main, dormlike building was abuzz with residents who were doing volunteer work in the kitchen for access to classes, yoga training, and other programs the institute offers. Capitolo said the institute can house up to 80 residents, who commit to staying for a year as part of the $800 per month "Residential Service Program." Meals are vegetarian, and on this afternoon, lunch was beet subzi and kimchari. The Himalayan Institute follows Ayurvedic principles, which discuss balance and digestion, among other things. The Ayurvedic system says you should eat your biggest meal around lunchtime, when the suns at its highest, point, because your digestion will be optimally ready to break down food, Capitolo said. Theres also a gift shop and a trail network at the Institute, along with a popular Wellness Center that offers several types of massage, including hot stone. One of the Wellness Centers most popular offerings is an Ayurvedic therapy known as Shirodhara Treatment, which includes streaming warm oil onto the forehead to clear and calm the mind. The simplest structure and offering at the Himalayan Institute may be the Sri Vidya Shrine, a simple, domed building that sits behind the former seminary on the campus. The shrine is the twin of the Sri Vidya Shrine at the Himalayan Institutes Khajuraho campus in central India, and its meditation hall is not so simple: that unique silence was part of the design. The shrines meditation hall is referred to as the mandapa, literally the canopy for seekers to gather. Capitolo sat silently in the hall for several minutes, hands folded, focusing on his breath. He, too, was a seeker, leaving a lucrative job in Silicon Valley to head east to Honesdale, before it was hip. I was happy and seemingly had everything I needed, he said outside the shrine. But something was missing. This place satisfied what was missing. Director of the Mayor's Office of Labor Relations Monica Marchetti-Brock and Deputy Director William Twardzik provide a six-month update on the city's new sexual harassment policy in 2019. Read more A former top Philadelphia labor official claims in a lawsuit that she was passed over for a promotion because shes a woman, and was later fired after raising concerns about gender-based discrimination spanning two mayoral administrations. Monica Marchetti-Brock, the former first deputy director of the Department of Labor, said in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday that Mayor Cherelle L. Parker fired her last year, days after Marchetti-Brock had reiterated complaints about gender bias at the top rungs of the city government that had occurred before Parker took office. Advertisement Marchetti-Brock had worked for the city since 2013. Under former Mayor Jim Kenney, she rose to the citys No. 2 labor role. But when former Deputy Mayor for Labor Richard Lazer resigned in 2022 to lead the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Marchetti-Brock wasnt hired to replace him because shes a woman, alleges the complaint, filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The man hired for the position was Basil Merenda, a former top state labor official whom Marchetti-Brock claims had a problem with women. What started as a change in boss under then-Mayor Jim Kenney culminated in spring 2024 with Parker firing Marchetti-Brock after she complained of sex-based discrimination, according to the suit. The lawsuit says an outside investigator probed Merendas behavior and in 2023 recommended he undergo implicit bias training. The lawsuit accuses the city of minimizing the results of that investigation and of terminating Marchetti-Brock and a second woman who was mistreated by Merenda. When [Marchetti-Brock] asked if her termination had anything to do with her sex discrimination complaints, [the city] refused to answer the question, the complaint says. Merenda is currently one of two commissioners of the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Parker announced his appointment in February 2024, a few weeks before Marchetti-Brock says she was fired. It is common for there to be significant turnover in personnel at the beginning of a new mayoral administration. A city spokesperson declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. Attempts to reach Kenney were unsuccessful. The former mayor appointed many women to his top staff through his more than two decades in City Hall. When he took office as mayor in 2016, the majority of his cabinet were women. Marchetti-Brock began reporting to Merenda in January 2023. He ignored his deputy, excluded her from meetings and communications, yelled, and unjustly criticized her, the suit says. Marchetti-Brock says she complained of sex discrimination in the labor department to a long list of officials, some of whom still work for the city, including City Solicitor Renee Garcia and Chief Administrative Officer Camille Duchaussee. Marchetti-Brock described how she was treated compared to how male employees were treated, including that Merenda ignored what female employees said and focused on what male employees said, according to the lawsuit. The city opened an investigation in the spring of 2023, the suit says. After Parker was elected in November 2023, Marchetti-Brock again expressed her interest in the top labor role. However, the incoming mayor ultimately tapped Perritti DiVirgilio, who was previously the citys director of labor standards. Marchetti-Brock described DiVirgilio in the suit as a noncomplaining, male employee. In February 2024, Marchetti-Brock received a letter summarizing the findings of the investigation into Merenda. The letter said that the probe concluded that no violation of the citys sexual harassment prevention policy occurred. According to the complaint, Marchetti-Brock was told that Merenda had received a warning and the investigator recommended he undergo implicit bias training. READ MORE: The city fielded 40 sexual-harassment complaints since implementing its online form The policy says city employees are protected from sexual harassment regardless if its unlawful, and it prohibits retaliation against employees who raise concerns or complain. Marchetti-Brock had a role crafting the policy following a critical 2018 City Controller report that said the citys sexual harassment reporting protocols were inadequate. According to the suit, Marchetti-Brock pushed back on the summary letter in an email to Andrew Richman, a city attorney, saying that even though no unlawful behavior was found, there were findings of bias toward me and other women. As you are aware, our policy holds our leaders to a higher standard than the law, Marchetti-Brock wrote, according to the complaint. It is misleading to say there are no findings under our policy. Three days later, in early March 2024, top officials from Parkers administration informed Marchetti-Brock that her employment would be terminated, according to the complaint. The suit states that another female employee who had complained about Merenda was terminated as well. The lawsuit asks the federal court to find that the city violated antidiscrimination laws and award Marchetti-Brock an unspecified amount of damages. Chris Emmanouilides, 63, of Rutledge, Delaware County, digital media director, award-winning filmmaker, TV executive producer, cameraman, teacher, and mentor, died Saturday, April 26, of a heart attack at his home. Born in Philadelphia and reared in Los Angeles, Mr. Emmanouilides followed his then-girlfriend back to the city in the 1980s, earned a masters degree in radio, TV, and film at Temple University, and crafted a 36-year career as an independent filmmaker, vice president of programming for Banyan Productions, cofounder and chief content officer of the VuNeex video marketing platform, and director of digital media at the King of Prussia-based American College of Financial Services. Advertisement He specialized in independent documentary films, commercials, and early forms of reality TV, and cofounded Parallax Pictures in the 1990s. His films were screened at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, the Sundance Film Festival, and elsewhere around the world. His 40-minute film Archive premiered at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival in 2013 and earned the Audience Choice Orpheus Award. His 1989 film Suelto! earned first prize at the 1990 Sundance Slice of Life Film Festival. In 1994, Inquirer movie critic Desmond Ryan called Mr. Emmanouilides film Remains especially noteworthy. In 1997, The Ad and the Ego earned the top prize at the San Francisco International Film Festival. In 2001, critic Damon C. Williams reviewed Talk Fast for the Daily News. Mr. Emmanouilides was the films director of photography. Williams said: It does an incredible job in detailing the desire, dedication and heartbreak that go with pursuing a dream. It also shows that some do indeed find success in chasing their dreams. From 1997 to 2014, Mr. Emmanouilides was an executive producer, director of special projects, and vice president of programing at Philadelphia-based Banyan Productions. Working with the Discovery Channel, the Travel Channel, the Food Network, TLC, Lifetime, and other TV outlets, he and his colleagues created thousands of hours of popular award-winning programming. Among his series credits are Travelers, Reunion, Trading Spaces, Deliver Me, Cruises We Love, and A Wedding Story. What we pull off in four days the emotions and the intimacy is extremely rare on television, he told The Inquirer in a 1998 story about the Reunion series. Its a constant push, trying to make a high-quality show on a limited budget, with limited time. And the question is, will it find an audience? He worked with Readers Digest and Hope Paige Designs on video marketing projects at VuNeex in 2015, and spent the last 10 years as a senior producer and director of digital media at the American College of Financial Services. Chris was relentless in the pursuit of quality, Jared Trexler, senior vice president at American College, said in an online tribute. He was inquisitive, introspective, and always learning. Most importantly, he was kind, caring, and funny. In tributes, colleagues called him an amazing man and incredible coworker and very passionate about our field. One said: He always brought genuine fun and energy to whatever we were doing. Gregarious and energetic, Mr. Emmanouilides taught film and production courses at Temple, the University of Toledo, the Scribe Video Center, and the old University of the Arts. He lectured at Drexel and Villanova Universities, spoke at conferences and seminars, and taught English-language classes in Greece and Spain. He was a longtime member and onetime board president of the Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association, and he mentored production novices at Scribe Video in Center City and elsewhere. These newcomers dont respect the conventions of film that much, he told The Inquirer in 1993. Theyre trying to find their own voice. So theyre finding new ways to tell stories. Christopher George Emmanouilides was born Aug. 31, 1961. His family moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles when he was young, and he earned a bachelors degree in philosophy at Colorado College in 1983 and a masters degree at Temple in 1992. He met Sandra Enck at an independent film event in Philadelphia, and they married in 2004 and had a daughter, Isabella. He doted on his family, and especially enjoyed seeing films with his wife and decorating his daughters breakfast pancakes with eyes, nose, and mouth cut from fresh fruit. We took their pictures, and we eventually had hundreds of faces from countless mornings together, his daughter said on her website facethemorning.com. None were the same, and each seemed to have something to say. His wife said: Wed see a film and then talk about it for three days. Mr. Emmanouilides was an avid reader and photographer. He liked to fly-fish, ski, hike, and cook. He had an infectious laugh, performed magic tricks, listened to the Grateful Dead, and followed the Eagles and Phillies. He was a big thinker, his wife said. He was buoyant and a powerful life force. You never forgot that you met him. In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Emmanouilides is survived by three sisters, a brother, and other relatives. Celebrations of his life were held earlier. Donations in his name may be made to the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010. Frank Gehry relaxing on the rocks by the Philadelphia Museum of Art while waiting for a ground-breaking ceremony on Nov. 9, 2010. Read more LOS ANGELES 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. Mr. Gehry died Friday in his home in Santa Monica after a brief respiratory illness, said Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners LLP. Advertisement Mr. 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 oversaw a $233 million renovation of the Philadelphia Museum of Art that stuck with tradition. Instead of wreaking havoc, the 92-year-old architectural radical has played against type and given museum officials precisely what they wanted: clarity, light, and space, Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron wrote when the new galleries and public spaces opened in 2021. READ MORE: Frank Gehry, architect of the audacious Guggenheim Bilbao, takes a more understated approach at Philly's temple of art. He also designed an expansion of Facebooks Northern California headquarters at the insistence of the companys CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. Mr. 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, Mr. 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 Mr. 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, Mr. 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. Mr. 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, Mr. 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, Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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, Mr. 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. Mr. 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 Mr. 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 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. Its no secret that Jeffrey Yass, Pennsylvanias richest man, is a big political spender. Just within the past year, the billionaire megadonor and founder of the Bala Cynwyd-based Susquehanna International Group largely bankrolled the unsuccessful effort to oust three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices and has helped pay for President Donald Trumps presidential transition and controversial White House ballroom. Advertisement But in a rare interview with the Washington Post, published Thursday, Yass shared details on the key motivation behind his political spending: school vouchers, which supporters say will allow parents and students to choose their school. Yass unwavering support for vouchers and other school choice measures has led him to throw his dollars to Pennsylvania, other states, and to Trump, whose candidacy he once opposed. And in 2026, he said hell continue to financially back pro-voucher candidates across the nation. I have come across what I think is a great way to relieve the suffering of tens of millions of kids, Yass told The Washington Post. To most people its like if youre a libertarian billionaire, you must be Lex Luthor trying to do something nefarious. If I gave to a hospital, you wouldnt be saying that. School vouchers, which are opposed by teacher unions and public school advocates, have been a high-profile issue in Pennsylvanias state budget talks in years past, but theyve failed to pass it. Yass poured money into that effort, but Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has embraced though softened his support for a voucher program, vetoed the measure from the state budget after it couldnt pass a Democratic-controlled state House in 2023. Yass told the Post that It was a dramatic failure. We thought we had it. The billionaire saw better success in Texas where he contributed to help defeat anti-voucher Republicans in the primary, creating a more favorable atmosphere for passing the states $1 billion voucher program. But these instances were hardly the beginning or the end of Yass involvement with politics. He gave $3.2 million in political contributions in Pennsylvania in 2018, and by last year, that had risen to $35 million, the Post reported. Though now known as a major backer of GOP candidates, he has supported Democrats who he believes can help champion the school choice message. The first major beneficiary of Yass contributions was State. Sen. Anthony Williams (D., Philadelphia) who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2010 and Philadelphia mayor in 2015. And in 2007, Yass conversed with then-Sen. Barack Obama, who received a $2,300 donation from Yass for his 2008 presidential campaign, the Post reported. Yass believed that Obama would support school choice if elected, but his administration ended up opposing voucher programs for children in the D.C. school system. According to the Post, this may have been an indication to Yass that Democrats would not be an ally for the school choice cause. His allegiance to school choice also appears to have made him switch his perspective of Trump from an opponent who spent millions of dollars to back GOP primary opponents in 2024 to a supporter. But after the November 2024 election, where Trump was victorious, Yass changed his tune and helped bankroll Trumps $14 million presidential transition and donated at least $2.5 million to the presidents proposed White House ballroom. The billionaire owed his change of thought on Trump to the president being a true champion of school choice, Yass told the post, crediting him for the passage of the Texas voucher bill and a new federal tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations. His support for the president also coincides with Yass having business in front of the Trump administration. Yass trading firm is a top stakeholder in ByteDance, TikToks parent company. Trump is mulling the fate of the popular social media app in the United States and Yass could benefit from a deal supported by Trump to keep TikTok operational here. Former Senator Bob Menendez exits after being sentenced to 11 years in prison for federal charges related to a bribery scheme at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Court House on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Read more Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is permanently banned from holding public office in New Jersey. If he tries to anyway, he could face criminal charges. Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy wrote in an order that Menendez is forever disqualified from holding any office or position of honor, trust, or profit in New Jersey state or local government. Advertisement If the once-powerful New Jersey Democrat applies for public office or employment, or shows any efforts to campaign or be appointed to political office, he will be subject to a fourth-degree contempt of court charge. Menendez, 71, was convicted in July 2024 for selling the powers of his office to wealthy benefactors and acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government. He accepted bribes of gold bars, cash, a Mercedes-Benz, and more from 2018 to 2022 in exchange for using his position to advance the interests of three New Jersey business owners and Egyptian officials. Prior to his conviction, Menendez floated the idea of running as an independent to maintain his Senate seat as a competitive Democratic primary was underway to replace him. He ultimately did not run and South Jersey Democratic Sen. Andy Kim, a U.S. House lawmaker at the time, won his former Senate seat. In January, Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison and began serving in June at the Federal Correctional Institution Schuylkill in Minersville, Pa. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkins office announced Lougys order on Friday. Critical to preserving the publics faith and trust in government institutions is ensuring that elected officials who commit crimes involving their offices dont find new opportunities to regain positions of power, Platkin said in a statement. The former senators wife, Nadine Menendez, was convicted in April of serving a critical role in his scheme. She was sentenced to 4-and-a-half years in prison and is slated to begin her sentence next summer. Menendez rose from the Union City school board at age 20 to the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair position over the course of five decades, becoming mayor earlier in his career and later being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. READ MORE: From March 2024: Indicted Sen. Bob Menendez will not run in N.J. Democratic primary, but may run as an independent Platkins office filed a lawsuit in May requesting Menendezs lifetime ban on public office in New Jersey. At the time, Platkins office pointed to former Paterson Mayor Jose Joey Torres, who was convicted of contempt in December 2024 after running for mayor in 2022 in violation of a similar 2017 order not to run. sentenced to three years of probation through a plea deal, along with a $10,000 fine, in February of this year. Platkin said he hopes the order on Menendez sends a message that pubic corruption will come with consequences. Too many people in New Jersey have a cynical viewpoint that corruption is a routine, widespread feature of our politics, he added. Phillys first competitive congressional primary in more than a decade is officially underway. On Thursday night in a standing-room-only auditorium in Mount Airy, State Sen. Sharif Street, State Reps. Morgan Cephas and Chris Rabb, and doctors Ala Stanford and David Oxman made their opening pitches to voters for why they should represent the 3rd Congressional District, which stretches from Northwest Philadelphia to parts of South Philly. Advertisement The candidates are vying to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans in a district that is among the most Democratic in the nation. Thursdays packed forum, hosted by the 9th Ward Democratic Committee, was largely an opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves to a heavily engaged community more than five months before the May primary. The five candidates represent only a fraction of nearly a dozen declared in the race. They were invited based on fundraising and endorsements, ward chair Jeff Duncan said in opening remarks. Here are some takeaways from the evening. Why are they running for Congress? Its tough to run for office without a compelling why, and each candidate made a personal pitch to the crowd. Cephas talked about being a toddler in a stroller while her mom picketed with American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees District Council 47, the union representing many of Phillys city workers, back in 1986. She said she wants to bring a family history of activism and her experience in Harrisburg, where she has championed maternal health, to Washington. Oxman, a medical professor and intensive-care doctor, said Philadelphians are in the midst of a health crisis not just because of deteriorating physical wellness, but also from mental and financial strain. He talked about building trust with patients and colleagues and taking an outsider approach in Congress, where there are only a handful of doctors serving. Rabb, on friendly turf in Mount Airy, an area he represents in the state House, separated himself from the Democrats sitting beside him by arguing he is the only true progressive in the race who would bring needed energy to Washington, not another establishment ally. Throughout the forum, he called out Democrats who take money from corporations and who he argued have been unwilling to fight for progressive causes. Stanford gave a compelling rundown of her personal backstory: born to a young mother in poverty and going on to be the first Black female pediatric surgeon trained in the United States. Stanford played a key role in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak in Black and brown communities in Philadelphia and now operates a health center in North Philadelphia. Im running because I lived it and I understand it, and I wont wait for permission in Washington, she said. Street, the son of former Mayor John F. Street and the former chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, opened by talking about the scourge of gun violence in Philadelphia and how it has affected his family and staff. He also said he has experience sparring with President Donald Trump in defending voting rights in the state when Trump sued to try to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election here after losing to Democrat Joe Biden. Frustrations with ICE On the topic of immigration, candidates were unanimous that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement needs to be reined in, if not totally abolished. Street called the agency corrupt to its core and one that recruits racists and neo-Nazis, a reference to scrutiny over the imagery used in ICEs recent campaign. Cephas said there needs to be better oversight of immigrant detention centers. Democratic lawmakers have been turned away from facilities in recent months when they have attempted to review conditions. Rabb thinks those centers should be dismantled altogether and took the opportunity to contrast the moment with Trumps first administration. Yes, abolish ICE is popular these days, he said. But when I was leading families into sanctuary in 2017, people werent talking then. We have a bigger villain now. Oxman said he didnt know if ICE was salvageable. If you have to wear a mask at work to hide your identity, maybe you should be asking a few questions, he said. Rabb and Oxman vow not to take pharmaceutical, insurance PAC money Only Rabb and Oxman said they would commit to refusing corporate donations from pharmaceutical or insurance firms. Rabb said he has never, since his first election in 2015, taken corporate PAC money. Oxman told a story about colleagues at the hospital getting wined and dined by pharmaceutical companies and insisting they were unaffected by the gifts. I asked them, Why do you think they do it? Oxman said. Because it works. He added hes a hell, no on taking pharma and insurance PAC money. Cephas, Street, and Stanford all promised to work to hold those industries accountable without committing to forgo their money on the trail. Rabb comes out strongly against sending arms to Israel Candidates were given one minute to say whether they would support a bill that would prohibit sending more weapons to Israel, two years after the start of its war in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Street said it was an insufficient amount of time to cover an exceedingly complex topic. He said violence is correlated with poverty noting the disproportionately high homicide rate in his neighborhood, where people are struggling to afford groceries and stressed the need to get humanitarian aid flowing in Gaza. Cephas said she would want to have conversations about the proposal. Oxman said that the enemy is extremism on both sides and that any country receiving arms from the United States has to live up to certain standards. Stanford said that as a mother and a surgeon who cares for children, she believes there is no justifiable reason for a child to lose her life, but did not weigh in on the bill. Only Rabb answered definitively, saying he would support the bill to block weaponry to Israel. There are no two sides in this when we see the devastation, he said of Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 70,000 since Israel launched its military campaign. Abortion question prompts some personal stories Asked how they would protect womens reproductive rights, several candidates shared personal stories of grief or hardship. Stanford said there is a need for more doctors in Congress with lived experience and talked about having had a miscarriage. Unfortunately, I am one of those Black women who was treated with racism and bias, and it impacted the livelihood of a child I did not carry to term, she said. I will fight for reproductive rights, and that also includes the right to choose. She noted she had worked closely with Vice President Kamala Harris on postpartum-care initiatives for women. Street said reproductive rights have to extend to expanded in vitro fertilization protections and access. He said that he and his wife, who had children from previous marriages but wanted to have another, went through IVF. It didnt work, but we did try it, and everyone should have that option, he said, adding there is power in people telling their stories. Boosting their party beyond Philadelphia Mays Democratic primary winner in the extremely blue district is all but guaranteed to become Philadelphias newest congressperson next fall. All five candidates vowed to help Democrats win in congressional races around the state following the May election. Cephas said its not enough to be safe here in Philadelphia without a Democratic majority in the House. Street made a case for his experience campaigning as a past state party chair. Rabb argued a progressive voice is the way to motivate voters around the state. Are we gonna have a status quo person or a transformational leader? he asked. And if that persons a transformational leader, they can help reach beyond the traditional base around the state. The Democratic Party has been sleeping on folks. Ultimately, the direction the 3rd District goes will likely get national attention for what it says about the preferences of Democratic voters in urban areas like Philadelphia. Oxman argued that means selecting the right messenger. Whoever represents it has to think about how their message is heard around Pennsylvania. We need a message that can rally the whole state. What happens here has national import. LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on Friday to end the long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive a Hepatitis B vaccine dose shortly after birth. The committee voted 8-3 in favor of removing the universal birth-dose recommendation for infants under two months old. Under the revised guidance, for infants born to mothers who test negative for the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), parents are advised to make vaccination decisions in consultation with a health care provider, including whether and when to administer the birth dose. For infants who do not receive the vaccine at birth, the first dose is recommended no earlier than two months of age. The decision was approved despite strong objections from numerous medical and public health organizations, which warned that the universal birth dose has been a key component of a successful strategy that has nearly eliminated HBV transmission among children in the United States. The decision sparked strong criticism from medical groups. More than 40 leading medical, health and patient-advocacy groups issued a joint statement condemning the vote. "We are deeply alarmed by the actions taken this week by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The apparent goal of this meeting was to sow doubt in vaccines rather than advance sound vaccine policy, and we will all pay a price for that," the statement said. In another statement, Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, a trustee of the American Medical Association, called the ACIP's decision "reckless," warning that it undermines decades of public confidence in a proven and lifesaving vaccine. "Today's action is not based on scientific evidence, disregards data supporting the effectiveness of the Hepatitis B vaccine, and creates confusion for parents about how best to protect their newborns," she said. The ACIP convened in the CDC headquarters in Atlanta on Thursday and Friday to review and vote on a series of vaccine-related recommendations. The CDC will issue final guidance later, though it typically follows the advisory committee's recommendations. HSE CEO Bernard Gloster has apologised to Cork couple Rebecca and Pat Kiely for the death of their baby Christopher in 2019 and will shortly announce an external review into the tragedy. In March 2019, the Kielys were told the unborn child Rebecca was carrying had a fatal foetal abnormality and would not survive the pregnancy or would die within a day of delivery. The advice given was it would be best to proceed with a termination. Two weeks after the procedure, a final result came through from tests that had shown up the abnormality. Instead of confirming the result, which they had been told was definitive, this showed that a catastrophic error had been made. Their unborn baby, a boy, was healthy. Their trauma has, they believe, been compounded by how the whole matter was dealt with by the hospital and state. Speaking to the Irish Examiner in 2021, Mr Kiely said: We are different people than we were before this. Part of that is down to the tragedy, but the other thing is closure. There is still the ongoing risk as far as we are concerned. The risk to other couples has not been addressed. On Saturday, the Kielys said they do not wish to comment any further than they have done at this time. HSE CEO Bernard Gloster. File Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos Mr Gloster met the bereaved parents and apologised for their devastating loss. While nobody can undo the harm the Kielys have suffered, it is my strong view, and that of the Minister for Health, whom they have also recently met, that they deserve at least to have this documented and unequivocal apology on behalf of the health service, he said on Saturday. He told them he will open an independent external review of the case. This will include a focus on learning across our services, he added. I recognise that no words or actions can undo the loss suffered by Rebecca and Pat, he said. But I hope the establishment of an independent review will allow us understand what went wrong in relation to their care and learn from it. A lead for the review is not yet appointed but the HSE has begun a search for an appropriate person. Mr Gloster has also told the NMH about the review and asked them to take part. In June 2021 the couple settled a High Court action in relation to the tragedy. Under the settlement, the defendants, including the hospital, agreed to confirm in writing to the Minister for Health that the DNA extracted from the foetus showed no evidence of chromosome 18 abnormality and specifically no evidence of mosaicism of Trisomy 18 although that cannot be completely excluded in the absence of a second cell type. However, these data are consistent with, and most likely representative of, a chromosomally normal baby boy. The proceedings were against five consultants operating under a business partnership called Merrion Fetal Health in Dublin; the National Maternity Hospital and a laboratory, the Greater Glasgow Health Board. Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill had raised this case with former health minister Stephen Donnelly when she was a backbencher. I met with Rebecca and Pat on a number of occasions, including when I became Minister for Health, " she told the Irish Examiner Saturday evening. "It is important that we have a culture of openness and transparency in our health service and I welcome that an independent review of the case will be commenced by the HSE. 'It has taken years of extraordinary pain and resolve to reach this point' The Kielys welcomed the announcement and public apology on Saturday evening. "Christopher would now be six years old. It has taken years of extraordinary pain and resolve to reach this point," Rebecca and Pat said. "Our priority has always been to understand how this happened, why it happened, and why it seems that established safeguards were not applied to our care." The bereaved parents said while the NMH admitted full liability in 2021 that "there has never been an investigation, nor an apology" for this. "We will continue to engage constructively with the review process, and our hope is that its findings will improve future care," the Kielys said. They also wished to acknowledge engagement from health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and her department colleagues. Thats why I survived, because I still believe Ive got something to say". This is how Lou Reed described his life in conversation with American Songwriter magazine. Reed had a lot to say about life; his feelings are immortalised in his lyrics. The only trace of Sandra Collins that was ever found after she went missing 25 years ago was her fleece jacket discovered on the pier in Killala, Co Mayo but the significance of her too-short life was brought into sharp focus on Thursday in one of the most affecting radio interviews I have ever heard. On the 25th anniversary of her disappearance, her brother Patrick Collins spoke with unusual eloquence about what is known of her last few days, and the agonising years that have elapsed since then. I think its the closest thing to hell that there can exist on this planet. You know, when somebody you love is out there and you dont know where they are and where theyre buried youre mentally, physically, emotionally exhausted. He was speaking to RTE as gardai renewed an appeal for information that might help them to find the person who killed the Mayo woman 10 days before her 29th birthday in 2000. They believe that person was someone she knew and trusted. Appeals of that kind are made all too regularly, even if we rarely stop to consider the human suffering behind each one. But that was brought home with force this week when Patrick Collins spoke of the familys hope that some new piece of information would help to locate his sisters body so she might be buried with dignity. She doesnt deserve to be left in some ditch or some drain or some bog-hole, wrapped in God knows what, out there all on her own. Its so, so difficult to explain to people, he said. Yet, he did a powerful job; his words all the more poignant as they were spoken just after National Missing Persons Day when so many others spoke of going through a similar torment. At this time of year, the emotional impact seems even sharper. There is an empty chair at the table, yet there is no grave to visit. The bereavement is unfinished because, as many attest, in the absence of a body, it cant even begin. The circular loop of that kind of loss can only be exacerbated by the frustration of revisiting, again and again, the minutiae of the persons last sighting in the hope that some hidden clue might come to light, or that it might jog a witnesss memory. Sandra Collins was last seen in a takeaway in Killala after 11pm on December 4, 2000. She ordered a large bag of chips, enough for two, tucked them in under the fleece that was later recovered and walked out into a dark, wet winter night never to be seen again. The woman in the takeaway said it was unusual for her not to eat in, but said she wasnt upset or distressed when she left. Her brother noted the significance of that and then, in a few minutes of exceptional radio, summed up the life of his older sister by outlining what she did in the last days of her life. She was caring for her aunt Ann OGrady and, as usual, they had visited the family home on Sunday, the day before she went missing. She sat in the sitting room the same one that her brother was speaking from and showed her mother a photo of the mobile phone she was planning to buy when she got the social welfare Christmas bonus. I often think to myself, said Patrick, if she had had the bonus the week before and got the mobile phone, would it have made any difference? Would she have been able to ring for help or do something? There were details of her going to the shop to buy a half pound of sausages for the tea, and calling to her neighbour and doing his messages something she did for several elderly people in the town. On the day she went missing, she rang her doctor to get the results of a blood test that confirmed she was pregnant. She told him she was going to have a termination and spent the rest of the day making a series of calls from the towns telephone kiosk arranging it. She was due to travel on December 20 but, as her brother said, she never showed up for that appointment. In such a short time, Patrick Collins succeeded in providing a remarkably frank and complete snapshot of a woman living in rural Ireland at the start of the new millennium, one who would never get to ring in the new year. He did so in the hope of jolting someone out of their silence, or some kind of twisted omerta that has stopped them coming forward up to now. In all missing persons cases, someone knows something. We hear that again and again, along with the appeals for any information, even the slightest, insignificant shred. In a quarter of a century, things shift. As Detective Inspector John Costello put it: Relationships change, loyalties change, and people may not now be constrained by the set of circumstances that existed for them some 25 years ago. Let us hope that the passage of time along with another telling of the unimaginable pain suffered by Sandras family will make a difference. Silence prolongs the agony for the families of missing persons. We were reminded of that just last month with another significant anniversary. It was 30 years since Jo Jo Dullard went missing after making a telephone call in Moone, Co Kildare. She had missed the last bus back to Kilkenny and had been hitching from Naas. In that case, you wonder if having a mobile phone might have made a difference too, though there is a torture in what ifs too. On her anniversary on November 9, her sister Kathleen Bergin said that her disappearance left a silence that words can never quite fill. But she spoke of hope, too, and the shared commitment to remember, to care, and to never forget. The people who gathered at the national missing persons monument at Kilkenny Castle were, she said, gathered not only in sadness but in the strength that comes of being together. Jo Jo Dullard went missing 30 years ago after making a telephone call in Moone, Co Kildare. Her disappearance left a silence that words can never quite fill, her sister said. That same sense of communal strength is echoed in the Collins family. To console themselves after losing Sandra just six months after her younger brother James died in an accident, the family began the tradition of decorating the house with Christmas lights every year on the anniversary of her disappearance. They also started to raise money for charity. They have raised thousands of euro for various charities. I wish that Sandra could know that even in her death, shes helped so many people because when she was alive, all she ever did was help people, her brother said. This year, the family is collecting for Down Syndrome Ireland and an autism charity. It is humbling to hear how one family turned their own unthinkable pain into something so positive, particularly at a time when so many of us are caught up in the nonsense of a Christmas to-do list. It might be cold comfort for her family, but when Sandra Collinss birthday comes around on December 14, many who heard her brother speak will think of her and the family who does so much to keep her memory alive. Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine overnight into Saturday, after US and Ukrainian officials said they will meet for a third day of talks on Saturday. Russia used 653 drones and 51 missiles in the wide-reaching attack, which triggered air raid alerts across the country and came as Ukraine marked Armed Forces Day, the countrys air force said on Saturday morning. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralised 585 drones and 30 missiles, the air force said, adding that 29 locations were struck. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that energy facilities were the main targets of the attacks, also noting that a drone strike had burned down the train station in the city of Fastiv, located in the Kyiv region. Mr Zelensky posted on X on Saturday morning, saying: The attack was meaningless from a military point of view, and the Russians could not have been unaware of this. In many regions, recovery efforts are now underway following last nights Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure. Unfortunately, there is some destruction. A drone strike burned down the main railway station building in Fastiv. The attack was meaningless from a military point pic.twitter.com/pSvMOaPtA5 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 6, 2025 At least eight people were wounded in the attacks, Ukrainian minister of internal affairs Ihor Klymenko said. Among these, at least three people were wounded in the Kyiv region, according to local officials. Drone sightings were reported as far west as Ukraines Lviv region. Russia carried out a massive missile-drone attack on power stations and other energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions, Ukraines national energy operator, Ukrenergo, wrote on Telegram. Russias Ministry of Defence said its air defences had shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Saturday. Russian Telegram news channel Astra said Ukraine struck Russias Ryazan Oil Refinery, sharing footage appearing to show a fire breaking out and plumes of smoke rising above the refinery. The Associated Press could not independently verify the video. Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack. Ryazan regional governor Pavel Malkov said a residential building had been damaged in a drone attack and that drone debris had fallen on the grounds of an industrial facility, but did not mention the refinery. Months of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries have aimed to deprive Moscow of the oil export revenue it needs to pursue the war. Meanwhile, Kyiv and its western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call weaponising the cold. US special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre, and Jared Kushner, right, attending talks in Moscow earlier in December (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) The latest round of attacks came as US President Donald Trumps advisers and Ukrainian officials said they will meet in Florida for a third day of talks on Saturday, after making progress on finding agreement on a security framework for post-war Ukraine. Following Fridays talks, 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 US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Mr 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 Mr Trump pushes Kyiv and Moscow to agree to a US-mediated proposal to end nearly four years of war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he had a substantive phone call with American officials engaged in talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida aimed at ending the nearly four-year war. The Ukrainian president said on Saturday he had been given an update over the phone by US and Ukrainian officials at the talks, which have entered a third day. Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace, Mr Zelenskyy wrote on social media. However following Fridays talks, the two sides had offered the sober assessment that any real progress towards any agreement ultimately will depend on Russias readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace. Mr Zelenskyys comments came after Russia unleashed a major barrage against Ukraine, using 653 drones and 51 missiles in the wide-reaching attack overnight into Saturday. It triggered air raid alerts across the country and came as Ukraine marked Armed Forces Day, the countrys air force said. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralised 585 drones and 30 missiles, the air force said, adding that 29 locations were struck. Mr Zelenskyy said energy facilities were the main targets of the attacks, also noting a drone strike had burned down the train station in the city of Fastiv, in the Kyiv region. At least eight people were wounded in the attacks, Ukrainian minister of internal affairs Ihor Klymenko said. Among these, at least three people were injured in the Kyiv region. Drone sightings were reported as far west as Ukraines Lviv region. Russia carried out a massive missile-drone attack on power stations and other energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions, Ukraines national energy operator, Ukrenergo, wrote on Telegram. Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost all off-site power, the International Atomic Energy Agency said, citing its director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi. The plant is in an area under Russian control since early in Moscows invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shut-down reactors and spent fuel to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents. Meanwhile, Russias ministry of defence said its air defences had shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight. People visit the 2025 Myanmar International Textile and Machinery Fair in Yangon, Myanmar, Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) YANGON, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 Myanmar International Textile and Machinery Fair opened in Yangon on Friday, bringing together exhibitors and industry leaders from China, Myanmar, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Now in its third edition, the annual event has become one of the most influential platforms for promoting Myanmar's textile and garment sector. Organized by the Chinese Textile & Garment Association in Myanmar in collaboration with the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), the three-day fair aims to foster long-term business cooperation, strengthen economic ties between Myanmar, China and ASEAN, and ensure sustainable development of Myanmar's garment sector. This year's event features more than 100 exhibitors, including 10 Chinese brands, showcasing textile machinery, fabrics, accessories, and made-in-Myanmar products. Visitors can engage directly with exhibitors at commercial booths, participate in B2B matching sessions, and observe colorful and sophisticated textile products, according to the MGMA. International partners can explore the performance and craftsmanship of local textile and garment factories, it said. Exhibitors said that the fair has become an essential venue to meet customers and introduce new products. Liu Guodong, managing director of KAMA Industry Co., Ltd., said many garment businesses rely heavily on reliable electricity, which prompted his company to showcase generators and solar-powered solutions. "There is unstable electricity in Myanmar, so we brought alternative power products," he said. Phoo Pwint Aung, an executive from New Harmony Company, said the fair provides strong visibility for textile and printing businesses. "We display fabrics, machines, raw materials, spare parts, and tools. We have been importing machines and materials from China and Japan since 2013. This event allows visitors to see everything in one place." For textile retailer Seven Color Textile Co., Ltd., this year marks their first time displaying fabrics. Marketing Manager Thwe Thwe Aye said the fair helps them reach new customers. "We import fabrics from China, South Korea, India and Indonesia. Through the event, more people have learned about our products," she said. Visitors included entrepreneurs from both urban and rural areas. Aung Kaung from Taunggyi township in Shan state said, "I came to study new products for my signboard business and found Chinese products affordable and reliable. I can also observe live demonstrations of advanced technologies here." Phyo Phyo from Hlaingtharyar township in Yangon region said the fair gave her valuable connections for import and export opportunities as she prepares to launch her own local brand. "Through this event, we aim to provide Myanmar's textile and garment manufacturers with access to new technologies and opportunities to connect with international companies. We believe this exhibition serves as an important step in helping Myanmar's textile industry reach global standards," said MGMA Chairman U Myint Soe. First launched in 2023, the annual exhibition continues to grow in scale and importance, attracting more than 1,500 visitors last year, it added. People visit the 2025 Myanmar International Textile and Machinery Fair in Yangon, Myanmar, Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) People visit the 2025 Myanmar International Textile and Machinery Fair in Yangon, Myanmar, Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) CARACAS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Washington has increased its military presence in the Caribbean since September, citing counter-narcotics operations as the primary justification. At the same time, senior U.S. officials have publicly reiterated their opposition to the Venezuelan government and their support for political change in the country. Observers note that the scale, timing, and official statements surrounding the troop deployments suggest the operation may have political implications beyond drug interdiction. Critics argue that such actions risk violating international law, provoking political instability, and heightening tensions in an already fragile regional environment. Recent U.S. military activities have reportedly included the deployment of an aircraft carrier, aerial patrols near Venezuelan airspace, and remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump interpreted by some analysts as signaling a potential airspace blockade against Venezuela. According to U.S. media reports, airstrikes conducted against more than 20 vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have resulted in over 80 fatalities. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has characterized these strikes as "extrajudicial killings," raising international human rights concerns. The U.S. actions have drawn criticism from several governments in the region, with opponents arguing that they reflect a long-standing interventionist approach toward Latin America. These developments have also raised regional alarm over the possibility of broader military escalation. Disturbingly, the current approach by Washington could establish a precedent for unilateral military action under the banner of counter-narcotics enforcement. Some observers in the region also interpret the pressure on Venezuela as part of a broader strategy intended to deter independent policy paths among countries in the region. Venezuela has remained a focus of U.S. foreign policy through a combination of sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and now expanded military activities. Venezuela's political future should be determined by its own people without external coercion. From this perspective, efforts to influence domestic politics through pressure or the threat of force lack international legitimacy and will prove ineffective. It is a growing view among the international community that long-term regional stability depends on adherence to the principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence. Any approach that erodes these foundations will not bring security -- but deeper division and greater risk for the region as a whole. ( Middle East Monitor ) A ceasefire can be a strange thing. The assumption, generally speaking, is that the parties to it restrain themselves for a period of time, ordering their forces and disciplining their charges from straying. But straying happens, transgressions inevitable. Some are genuine enough: silly misunderstandings, hot headed confusion, a fear that the other side has broken it. Room for error, and a degree of death and injury, is crudely permitted. In the case of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, transgressions have become the lingua franca of the parties, though Israel remains, by far, the perpetrator par excellence. The latters departures from the agreement have been so vicious as to prompt the observation that they are pursuing a mutilated reading of the agreement, essentially a reducefire. The deaths of 347 Palestinians in Gaza since October 10, including 136 children, do not point to cooling restraint. On October 28, at least 104 Palestinians were slaughtered in a single day. This might have suggested a breach so serious as to suggest a repudiation. Not so, claimed Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani. Fortunately, he told a US audience, I think the main parties both of them [Israel and Hamas] are acknowledging that the ceasefire should hold and they should stick to the agreement. What is becoming apparent is that the ceasefire has led to a state of affairs where Israeli forces have been permitted enormous latitude in the way it inflicts violence on local Gazans. The UN Womens Chief of Humanitarian Action, Sofia Calltorp, reveals how Gazan women told her again and again: there may be a ceasefire, but the war is not over. The attacks are fewer, but the killings continue. Agnes Callmard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, goes so far as to declare that the ceasefire has created a dangerous illusion that life in Gaza is returning to normal. What has in fact happened is a mere reduction of the scale of [Israels] attacks and the meagre allowance of humanitarian aid into the Strip. In a briefing note released on November 27, the organisation is adamant that Israeli authorities are still committing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, by continuing to deliberately inflict conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction. Expulsions continue, prosecutions of alleged atrocities and war crimes by Israeli forces non-existent. The means to build the crucial infrastructure required to sustain life is being hampered, while unexploded ordnance, contaminated rubble and sewage, remain unaddressed. Structural realities have also intruded. The Israeli Defense Forces remain in control of over 58% of Gaza. According to a clutch of special rapporteurs and experts in the employ of the United Nations, including Francesca Albanese, Ben Saul and Irene Khan, 40 active Israeli sites continue to operate beyond the agreed withdrawal line, in clear breach of the ceasefire terms. They also warn that the UN Security Council resolution authorising the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), with Egypt and Israel coordinating border matters alongside a spanking new Palestinian trained police force risks replicating if not aggravating the model of security coordination that has entrenched Israels settler-colonial apartheid regime in the West Bank. Humanitarian assistance remains at a painful trickle, an obscene state of affairs given the levelling devastation wrought by the war (85% of water and sanitation facilities were damaged or destroyed; likewise 92% of homes). The charity Oxfam does not spare any details in what is needed: The most pressing needs include food and healthcare and shelter, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene services (WASH) including menstrual products and waste management services. While some food and goods have become more available in local markets, they remain prohibitively expensive for Gazas residents. Photo of protest against Gaza War, Rome, 2025, by Leonardo Basso on Unsplash Between October 10 and 21, seventeen international non-government organisations had essential aid shipments for Gaza, including water, food, tents, and medical supplies, blocked, with Israeli authorities claiming they were not authorised to do so. Some 99 requests by international NGOs to deliver aid were rejected, along with six requests from UN agencies. This includes, stated Oxfam last month, agencies that continue to have long-standing INGO registration with Palestinian and Israeli authorities and are legally permitted to operate by the latter while new registration processes are ongoing. A system of brutality, practised, insistent, even casual, has been entrenched against those in Gaza and, increasingly, the West Bank. The summary execution of two men in Jenin by Israeli soldiers after their surrender was lauded by Israels National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who thought the killings the very thing expected of them. Implicit is the suggestion that Palestinians are required to behave in specific, tolerated ways: humbly submit to their apparently generous oppressors, suffer ceaseless purgatorial deprivation and accept a ceasefire in name only. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Exeter, UK (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) The Arab revolutionary wave that began in 2011 presents two of its most significant, yet fundamentally divergent, case studies: Egypt and Syria. While both nations experienced the overthrow of long-standing authoritarian regimes, the mechanisms, actors, and ultimate outcomes of their revolutions differed significantly. A comparative analysis reveals that Egypts revolution, born from a civilian square, was ultimately contained by a resurgent deep state. In contrast, Syria, forged in the crucible of a protracted civil war, achieved a military victory that fundamentally dismantled the old regime. This divergence can be attributed to the distinct nature of revolutionary actors, the role of regional alliances, and the shifting calculus of global powers. The Anatomy of Revolutions The Egyptian Revolution of 2011 was the perfect example of a mass civil uprising. Powered by old fashioned grass roots organizing and pamphleteering as well as social media and digital platforms such as Facebook, it rapidly transformed into vast street demonstrations. The movement was characterized by its youthful, secular, and liberal vanguard, operating without centralized leadership or a significant armed wing. The pressure exerted by these relentless protests ultimately forced President Hosni Mubarak to resign, paving the way for the countrys first democratic election in 2012. The Muslim Brotherhoods Mohamed Morsi victory represented the pinnacle of this civilian-driven process. However, this parliamentary triumph was short-lived. The Egyptian military, along with the secular and liberal elites, grew increasingly uneasy with Morsis governance, fearing that the rule of law and democracy were in danger. In 2013, the army, under General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, orchestrated a coup that deposed Morsi. This event marked a classic counter-revolution, where the revolutionary will expressed at the ballot box was subjugated by the entrenched power of the military bureaucracy. The revolution, which had begun with such promise in Tahrir Square, was stalled, demonstrating the perils of a revolutionary process that fails to dismantle or neutralize the old regimes coercive apparatus. 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) In stark contrast, the Syrian revolution followed a trajectory of rapid and brutal militarization. What began as peaceful protests in Daraa in 2011 was met with extreme state violence, compelling the opposition to take up arms. The emergence of the Free Syrian Army and numerous other factions transformed the uprising into a full-scale civil war. This prolonged conflict created a complex and fragmented landscape of militants. The decisive blow to the Assad regime was not delivered by a civilian movement but by a powerful military coalition, the Syria Liberation Coalition, spearheaded by Idlib-based Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). In a decisive campaign on December 8, 2024, this coalition, in coordination with Turkish-backed groups, captured key cities and laid siege to Damascus, culminating in the regimes collapse on December 8, 2024. The post-revolutionary settlement in Syria further highlights the militarys primacy. HTS was formally dissolved, and its fighters were integrated into the countrys national army. Ahmed al-Shara, who emerged from the armed opposition, became interim president. This institutionalization of revolutionary forces stands in direct opposition to Egypt, where the military bureaucracy co-opted and then crushed the civilian political process. Theda Skocpols theories on social revolutions are instructive in this context. She argues that state crises, often exacerbated by international pressures and wars, create opportunities for the seizure of revolutionary power. In Syria, the 13-year war critically weakened the central regime of the Al-Assad family, while the opposition evolved into a formidable, organized military force capable of exploiting this weakness. Egypt lacked such a militarized front; consequently, the revolution remained vulnerable to a counter-offensive from the very institution it relied upon. The Regional Chessboard The regional response to these two revolutions further cemented their different fates. In Egypt, the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood was viewed with alarm by established powers such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Their ideological opposition to political Islam led them to openly support and finance the 2013 coup, seeing al-Sisi as a bulwark against regional instability. This created a clear regional polarization, with Turkey and Qatar backing the legitimate Morsi government against the Saudi-Emirati axis. However, the tangible support from Ankara and Doha proved insufficient to reverse the militarys power grab. 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. The Syrian theater presented a more complex and fluid regional dynamic. Initially, support for the opposition was contentious. However, from 2015 onwards, Turkey and Qatar significantly intensified their military and logistical backing for various factions. Turkeys military interventions in northern Syria against the PKKs Syria branch, PYD, and ISIS, and its role in the Astana process, partially checked the Russia-Iran alliance. This aligns with the balance-of-power theory: Turkey, seeking to counter Iranian and Russian influence, actively bolstered the Syrian opposition to reshape the regional balance in its favor. Crucially, the regional calculus regarding Syria evolved. The perceived threat of Iranian expansionism eventually led traditional rivals, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to adopt a more pragmatic stance. By 2023-24, a tacit understanding emerged, whereby these powers were willing to tolerate, if not openly support, a Turkish-Qatari-backed effort to topple Assad, viewing the removal of an Iranian proxy as a greater strategic priority than concerns about the specific nature of the opposition. This realpolitik stands in stark contrast to their actions in Egypt, where the preservation of the authoritarian state was deemed the superior interest. The Global Context Global powers further underscore Egypt and Syrias divergent paths. During the 2013 coup in Egypt, the United States and European powers offered tepid calls for democracy but took no concrete action against the Sisi regime. Their tacit acceptance, driven by a desire for regional stability and counter-terrorism cooperation, granted the counter-revolution the green light. The hegemony of the U.S.-led order in the post-Cold War era meant that its tolerance for authoritarian changes was a decisive factor. Syria, however, unfolded in a newly emerging multipolar world. While Russias military intervention in 2015 largely helped rescue the Assad regime, its strategic priorities shifted dramatically following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This forced Moscow to scale back its military footprint in Syria, creating a critical window of opportunity for the opposition. A realist assessment suggests that Russia, preoccupied with Ukraine, may have struck a bargain with Turkey. This bargain involves securing guarantees for its remaining assets in Syria in exchange for limiting its defense of the Assad regime. Left: Egypts Abelfattah al-Sisi in the White House, 2017 (Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons); Right: Ahmad al-Shara in the White House, 2025 (Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons) Concurrently, the United States, pivoting its focus towards the Indo-Pacific, demonstrated no appetite for deep involvement in another Syrian imbroglio. This confluenceRussian distraction and American disinterestcreated a permissive international environment for the oppositions final offensive that was absent in 2011. The rapid international recognition of the new Damascus administration post-December 2024, including from regional powers and even the re-establishment of an EU delegation, confirms this global realignment. The international community, prioritizing stability and Iranian influence rollback, quickly moved to legitimize the new status quoa noticeable departure from the prolonged isolation that followed Egypts coup. In conclusion, the Syrian and Egyptian revolutions represent two archetypes of modern political upheaval with drastically opposed outcomes. Egypts was a civilian-led, urban mobilization that achieved an initial political victory through elections, only to be reversed by a military-backed counter-revolution. Syrias was a brutally militarized conflict that, after 13 years of bloodshed, culminated in the military defeat of the old regime and its coercive structures. The critical differentiating factors were the nature of the revolutionary actors themselves, the strategic choices of regional powers driven by evolving interests rather than ideology, and a transformative shift WASHINGTON 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. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., listens to testimony during a Sept. 20, 2023, Senate Environment and Public Works hearing on drinking water infrastructure for tribal communities. (Photo by Lux Butler/Cronkite News). 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. We are playing catch-up, she said. We didnt have the rules of the road in place that would have in any way limited the growth or the trajectory of AI. This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. CC by ND 4.0 . The deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Friday lashed out at US sanctions, arguing they effectively put top court officials on a par with "terrorists and drug traffickers". In a wide-ranging interview with AFP, Mame Mandiaye Niang also said it would be "conceivable" to hold an in-absentia hearing against high-level ICC targets such as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sixty-five-year-old Niang, along with top ICC judges, is subject to sanctions from the administration of US President Donald Trump, in retaliation at the court's arrest warrants for Netanyahu over Israel's campaign in Gaza. "You can disagree with what we're doing. That happens all the time," Niang told AFP in a one-to-one interview on the sixth floor of the ICC's building in The Hague. "But even if we upset you, you should never put us on the same list as terrorists or drug traffickers. That is the message" to Trump. Niang said the sanctions affected several areas of his personal, family, and financial life. He found himself unable to charge up his hybrid car because it required a credit card that had been blocked due to the sanctions. "I have a subscription that has absolutely nothing to do with the United States, but I need a credit card. And my credit card was American Express," he said. "So I found that all of a sudden, I couldn't even charge up my car." Niang said he was unable to transfer money to family members for fear their accounts would also be blocked. Sanctions have a place in international relations, the prosecutor told AFP, but attacking the ICC -- the world's only permanent court to try war crimes suspects -- risks "de-legitimising" the instrument. - Putin, Netanyahu hearings 'conceivable' - Niang said it was frustrating that arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Putin has not resulted in a court appearance. The ICC has no police force and relies on countries to arrest suspects and transfer them to the court -- extremely unlikely in the case of Putin or Netanyahu. However, he pointed to an unprecedented hearing against fugitive Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony earlier this year, held in absentia. Could such a "confirmation of charges" hearing take place for the leaders of Russia or Israel? "It's conceivable," said. "We tested it in the Kony case. It's a cumbersome process. But we tried it and we realised it was possible and useful." The advantages of such a hearing are to preserve evidence and also to give a voice to victims, said the prosecutor. But any request for such a hearing would require the consent of judges and would not be a trial, just a confirmation of the charges against the suspect. - 'Poisoned the atmosphere' - Niang is currently acting chief prosecutor of the ICC, in the absence of Karim Khan, on leave pending an investigation into sexual abuse allegations that he denies. "Even if they are only accusations, it disturbs us and it has poisoned the atmosphere of the court," said Niang. "It is all the more unfortunate because it has been exploited to almost sabotage what we are doing, notably in the Palestine case," added Niang. Israel has alleged Khan issued "baseless and outrageous" warrants against Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant to distract from the sexual abuse accusations. Niang welcomed the investigation into the Khan allegations but said the case was undoubtedly a hindrance. The accusations "are out there and that is enough to cast a veil of doubt over what we're doing," he said. - 'Work to do' - Despite the challenges facing the court, Niang was combative. "At this time when our existence is under threat, the world needs us more than ever," he argued. He pointed to successes this year, such as the arrest of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte and the conviction of a feared Sudanese militia chief. For many years, the ICC focused on African suspects but now had investigations running in Latin America, Asia, and even Europe with Ukraine, he noted. Mass crimes are being committed daily and the court is there to try those crimes, said the Senegalese jurist. "The court is here and we would love for it not to be needed. Unfortunately, the world is as it is and we still have work to do." ric/jj American Express President Ahmed al-Sharaa warned Saturday that Israel's demand for a demilitarised zone in southern Syria would endanger his country, as Israeli forces continue to operate in the area. Israel sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights since 1974. Sharaa's Islamist forces toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad's on December 8 last year. Israel has also carried out repeated incursions deeper into Syrian territory since then as well as carrying out bombings, and has said it wants a demilitarised zone in the country's south. Sharaa told the Doha Forum that Syria insists on the importance of the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel "that has held for over 50 years -- in one way or another it is a successful agreement". Tampering with the deal, "which enjoys international consensus and the consensus of the (UN) Security Council, and seeking other agreements such as a demilitarised zone... could lead us to a dangerous place," he said. The United States is involved in negotiations between Israel and Syria to address the security concerns of both sides, Sharaa said, noting international support for Syria's demand that Israel withdrawal to its pre-December 8 positions. "Syria is the one that is being subjected to Israeli attack... so who should be the first to request a buffer zone and a withdrawal?" he said. US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a security pact between Israel and Syria, told Israel on Monday to avoid destabilising Syria and its new leadership. The remarks came after Israeli forces late last month killed at least 13 people in an operation in southern Syria that Israel's military said targeted an Islamist group and left six Israeli soldiers wounded. The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the operation as a "war crime" and accused Israel of wanting to "ignite the region". In November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli troops deployed in the Golan Heights buffer zone, calling their presence immensely important to their country's security while drawing a sharp rebuke from Damascus and others in the region. For a short moment, Jacob Huyett had the rare opportunity to feel the magic of discovering his K-State home for a second time. Huyett and his fellow Putnam Hall residents had been waiting all semester for the chance to see their new residence hall, ahead of Kansas State Universitys planned move into the newly renovated Boyd Hall in the historic Strong Complex. On Sunday, the residents had a brief opportunity to explore the soon-to-open Boyd Hall, rushing through the building's spacious common areas and finding their new rooms. "It's so modern, and just very nice, especially the common areas and entryway," said Huyett, freshman in horticulture, and Putnam Hall Council president. "Putnam has that very classic, older hall feel, and Boyd also has some of that, but now with a very new look to it." Nearly 75 years old, Boyd Hall is reopening to residents this month after being closed for a few years, with just over the last year being under construction. In addition to reconfiguring Boyd and giving its living areas a new face, the renovation is creating a new home for K-State's University Honors Program and its honors students. Boyd Hall renovation: Modern amenities with historic feel Plans to update Boyd Hall have been in the works for several years, said Nick Lander, director of housing and residence life. "Throughout this process to renovate Boyd, we've kept in mind that students really like that historic feel of a college campus and its buildings, but they also want modern amenities," Lander said. Some of those modern amenities include bigger lounge areas on each floor, as well as individual study rooms and collaboration areas in the lower level of the building. One of the top reasons why students move off-campus is a desire for more privacy, Lander said. On-campus living can also be a big source of anxiety for new students, as they adjust to sharing space with other residents. That's why K-State's Housing and Dining Services is emphasizing bathroom upgrades in recent renovation work across its residence halls, including the Boyd Hall remodel. The traditional community bathrooms on each floor have been reconfigured to a "bathroom pod" style. Each floor's bathroom pod includes a central area with mirrors and sinks, as well as several private, individual-use bathrooms that each have their own toilet, sink and shower stall behind a lockable door giving students the amenity of a private suite's bathroom while still having it maintained and cleaned by Housing and Dining Services staff. The bathroom pods are "a major game changer," Lander said. Nick Lander, director of housing and residence life, talks about Boyd Hall renovations as workers complete final touchups ahead of students moving in. "Bathroom pods are now more popular and something that students look for when they're choosing a residence hall or even college," he said. "This style of bathroom gives an extra layer of privacy, while still maintaining some of that benefit of passing by people in the hallway." Additionally, the renovation focused on improving accessibility, with upgrades to several rooms, a redesigned entryway and new, modern elevator allowing students with all levels of mobility to enjoy the building. The hall will house about 200 residents, Lander said a slight decrease after the renovations removed a few rooms and suites to expand lobby areas on each floor and create the bathroom pods, as well as the suites that were on the lower level have been converted into the University Honors Program offices along with collaboration space. Once residents move their belongings from Putnam to Boyd this month, Housing and Dining Services will begin renovation work on Putnam Hall and Van Zile Dining Center as part of a broader project to update buildings in the Strong Complex. Lander said residents in the complex should expect new dining options at Van Zile starting in fall 2026, with overall work on the complex tentatively complete by January 2027. "We're reinvesting in our facilities and making them something students can be excited for and spaces where they can feel at home," Lander said. Making Boyd Hall an honors home The Boyd Hall renovations come as K-State has worked to create a home and physical community space for the University Honors Program. The project is part of an investment from university supporters Paul and Sandra Edgerly to bolster K-State's efforts to create applied learning experiences for every student. "The Edgerleys have been significant supporters of K-State's applied learning work, and this gift has made it possible to give the University Honors Program a home," said Mary Tolar, dean of the Staley School of Leadership. "They are committed to creating an unmatched student experience, and a renovated scholarly community will be a differentiator and attract prospective students to K-State." Most of the Boyd Hall's rooms are reserved for honors students, and the program will relocate its staff offices to Boyd's lower level to take advantage of the hall's meeting rooms and collaboration spaces, said Sara Luly, director of the University Honors Program. "That opens up so many possibilities," Luly said. "We can create this fusion of living and learning and have classes where the discussion can feed out into these public spaces and the building at large. Even if students don't live in Boyd, students can come and be a part of the Honors community, which is something we haven't had as much of an opportunity to do in the past." The move into Boyd comes as K-State sees a surge in interest in the University Honors Program. With an open concept and a kitchen, the main lobby in Boyd Hall's lower level encourages students to interact and build a sense of community. Besides a deep curiosity and drive to dive deeper into their academic work, as well as perks like priority enrollment and cultural opportunities, honors students are attracted to K-State's program for its flexibility, Luly said. Compared to other universities, K-State's honors program gives students broad latitude to tailor their honors experience to match and enhance their degree needs. Through scholarships like the Robert E. Campbell Scholars a program that supports high-achieving and academically talented students with renewable, $6,000 scholarships K-State is committed to developing the next-generation of high-achieving, intellectually curious honors students. "We're seeing a lot more interest in the honors program from everyone," Luly said. "There are more students enrolling in the program, and there's more interest from faculty reaching out to offer service work, teach honors contracts or get involved in any number of other ways. It's on people's radar in a way it just hasn't been before." Long term, the goal is to develop the entire Strong Complex into a scholar community and include students who receive some of the university's other scholarly awards, such as the Presidential Scholarship recipients or inductees into the Developing Scholars Program. "We're building a scholarly community," Tolar said. "The idea is that we create spaces where students can get that scholarly engagement, and we can show students the opportunities available for them." Current Putnam Hall residents had a chance to tour Boyd Hall ahead of their move to the newly renovated residence hall later in December. Renovations tie into K-State's efforts to build student community At Boyd and across all of K-State's residence halls, the university's housing staff has developed strong communities that provide wraparound support to promote student success and retention, said Thomas Lane, vice president for academic success and student affairs and dean of students. This sense of community, in addition to other student success efforts, has allowed K-State to maintain an 85.8% first-time freshman retention rate. "Facilities matter, and we want to make sure our residence halls are welcoming, inviting buildings that inspire students to do their best," Lane said. "When we embed services like the University Honors Program along with helpful, supportive staff into halls like Boyd, they become true living, learning environments." That's been the case at Putnam this fall semester, said Garrett Satterly, community coordinator for West Hall and the Strong Complex. Even though they've known they'll have to move this month, the students have eagerly made friends and built a sense of camaraderie throughout the semester. Moving always involves some degree of stress, but the hardest part building a community where everyone feels like they can belong is already done. "We've built a community in Putnam by creating programs and places where people can feel comfortable and hang out," said Jacob Huyett, the soon-to-be Boyd Hall Council President. "We moved into Putnam knowing we'd only be there for a semester, but now that we're moving into a place where we know we'll be for a while, we can really make a home for our community." ### WARSAW, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Poland scrambled jets to safeguard national airspace following Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said early Saturday. Poland had activated necessary forces, with fighter jets airborne and ground-based air defense and radar systems placed on alert, the command said on social media platform X. The measures were described as preventive, aimed at ensuring airspace security, particularly near potentially threatened areas. The command later announced that the operation was concluded and that the systems were returned to normal, with no violation of Polish airspace detected. Local authorities reported air-raid sirens in Lubartow in eastern Poland after receiving a signal from the crisis management center. ISLAMABAD, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces exchanged fire with Afghan Taliban forces along the border in Pakistan's southwest Chaman district, Pakistani security sources told Xinhua on Saturday. Pakistani troops responded with precision to the unprovoked firing, reinforcing that any violation of the country's territorial integrity will be met with immediate and decisive action, said the sources. The sources said that the firing incident is a reckless act that undermines border stability and regional peace, adding that Pakistan's response was proportionate, calibrated and aimed at restoring calm. The security sources said that Pakistan remains committed to peaceful coexistence, but unilateral violations by Afghan Taliban forces erode trust and hurt ordinary cross-border communities. Friday, December 05, 2025 - Former Standard Group journalist, Kizito Namulanda, has shared a deeply moving account of his battle with throat cancer and the shock of losing his job while undergoing treatment. Namulanda, who worked at the media house for 15 years, says his ordeal began in February 2022 when doctors diagnosed him after noticing persistent hoarseness. The news was devastating. With a young son at home, he struggled to imagine the future. Online searches only heightened his fears, revealing grim statistics for late-stage throat cancers. Further tests confirmed the severity, and he travelled to India where doctors prescribed a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The treatment took a heavy toll. His weight dropped from 74kg to 40kg as swallowing became difficult and his appetite vanished. Returning to Kenya, he went into isolation due to his weakened immunity, especially as Covid-19 cases surged. Months later, he returned to India for surgery, where part of his voice box was removed. Before anaesthesia, I offered silent prayers and surrendered everything to God. When I woke up, it felt like a movie scene in the ICU, he recalled. Just as recovery began, Namulanda faced another blow. On the day of his three-month post-surgery review, a colleague informed him of a dismissal notice from Standard Group. Shocked, he tried to challenge the decision, hoping his medical condition would be considered. Instead, he was offered severance in ten instalments and told to sign or risk losing payment. Fourteen months later, Namulanda says he is still pleading for the full settlement. I have written several emails explaining how badly I need this money to ease my financial strain, but I still havent gotten a breakthrough. I remain hopeful as I pray about the matter, he shared. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, December 5, 2025 - City model and social media influencer, Bernice Nunah, has distanced herself from claims that she was involved in the collapse of former KTN anchor, Zubeidah Kananus marriage. Nunah, who has been trending following a court victory in her defamation case against blogger Edgar Obare, says the allegations that she broke a home are false and damaging. She maintains that when she met businessman Martin Koome, who was linked to the controversy, he had already separated from Kananu. According to Bernice, the narrative that she was a homewrecker was fueled by online speculation and Obares posts, which she says painted her unfairly. These posts later became the basis of her defamation suit against the blogger. Earlier this week, a Nairobi court ordered Obare to pay Sh 6 million in damages and issue a public apology for the 2022 publication that the court found defamatory. Obare had insisted he presented receipts to support his reporting, but the court ruled in favour of Nunah and a co-plaintiff. Friday, December 05, 2025 - Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has hailed the newly signed Kenya-United States Health Cooperation Framework as a game changer for the countrys health sector. The Ksh.208 billion agreement, signed in Washington, D.C, follows months of negotiations between the two governments. Over the next five years, the United States will channel investments directly into key health institutions, including the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Digital Health Agency (DHA), and the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA). Dr. Oluga, who led the Kenyan delegation, described the pact as a landmark achievement aligned with ongoing health reforms. It has been a great honour leading the Kenyan team in the negotiations with the American team, he said at the signing ceremony. He emphasized that the framework secures long-term funding certainty for critical programmes while embedding mutual accountability and domestic financing commitments. This cooperation framework is quite a departure from the past and will have a lasting impact on health for all, he noted, adding that implementation will be carried out efficiently, effectively and with accountability. The framework establishes a long-term partnership aimed at expanding health financing, strengthening primary healthcare, and enhancing service delivery. It also provides for co-investment, capacity building, and predictable support for priority programmes. President William Ruto, who witnessed the signing alongside US President Donald Trump, welcomed the deal, saying it builds on Kenyas efforts to expand essential services through the SHA. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale echoed the sentiments, calling the pact a new chapter in Kenya-US collaboration. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, December 5, 2025 - Drama has erupted online after Kisumu socialite, Lydia Oginga, publicly called out U.S-based medic and St. Elizabeth Specialist Hospital owner Dr. John Matsekhe, accusing him of being a deadbeat dad who allegedly vanished the moment their baby arrived. Lydia took to her social media pages where she shared private WhatsApp conversations, claiming the wealthy doctor has refused to offer meaningful support for their son, Adon, despite being associated with a multi-million-shilling medical facility. According to Lydia, the doctor was the one who actively pushed for them to have a child in early and mid-2019, only for everything to change the moment she confirmed her pregnancy in August of that year. She alleges that after she gave birth, Dr. Matsekhe went completely silent-ignoring calls, texts, and every attempt she made to involve him in their childs life. The leaked chats reveal heated arguments between the two over the welfare of baby Adon, with Lydia accusing the doctor of using harsh and demeaning language during their disagreements. She says she eventually blocked him to protect her peace of mind. Lydia was exposed recently for being a homewrecker and targeting wealthy married men for financial gains. Check out her posts. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, December 05, 2025 - National Assembly Minority Whip, Millie Odhiambo, has stepped into the heated debate surrounding the burial of Raila Odingas sister, Beryl Odinga. Cultural critics have argued that the plans go against Luo traditions, but Millie insists the criticism is misplaced. In a social media post on December 5th, 2025, the Suba North MP challenged those pushing for strict adherence to customs. All those who firmly opine that Beryl Odinga should be buried according to Luo customs, please confirm that your six lower teeth have been removed in strict conformity to Culture, she wrote, questioning whether critics themselves fully practice the traditions they demand. Beryl, who passed away on November 25th, 2025, will be laid to rest at her fathers Kango ka Jaramogi home in Bondo on December 6th. The decision was announced by Raila Odinga Jr on November 29th. Some critics argue that Beryl, also known as Beryl Otieno, should have been buried at her husbands homestead. Her late husband, Otieno Ambala, served as Gem Constituency MP in 1974, and the couple had two children. However, Raila Odingas 2014 biography Flames of Freedom described the marriage as toxic, noting that Beryl fled to Zimbabwe after enduring abuse. In Zimbabwe, she made history as the first black town clerk of Mutare, the countrys third-largest city. Ambala later died in 1985 while serving a prison sentence at Kodiaga Prison. The Kenyan DAILY POST Zhang Ganlin, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize on Friday at the World Soil Day celebration held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. #GLOBALink Friday, December 5, 2025 - Prominent Kenyan lawyer, Cliff Ombeta, has weighed in following a court ruling that ordered blogger Edgar Obare to pay Sh 6 million in damages to model Bernice Nunah and a co-plaintiff over a defamatory post published in 2022. The case stemmed from Obares expose alleging an affair involving Nunah and former KTN anchor, Zubeidah Kananus husband. While Obare insisted he had presented evidence in court, the judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding Sh 4 million in general damages and Sh 2 million in exemplary and aggravated damages, along with a permanent injunction restraining further defamatory publications. Reacting to the judgment, Ombeta advised the outspoken blogger to pay the fine and pursue an appeal later, warning against taking extreme measures. Ndugu. Lipa alafu, you appeal. What and how... is under the water now. Civil jail is not a good idea, Ombeta tweeted, cautioning that defying the court could have serious consequences. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, December 05, 2025 - Kenyan unionist and politician, Seth Panyako, has stirred conversation online after revealing his unconventional approach to dowry payments. Speaking on Oga Obinnas YouTube show on Thursday, December 4th, 2025, Panyako explained why he prefers paying dowry in small portions rather than settling it all at once. According to him, spreading the payments makes the process more enjoyable and keeps him connected to the brides family. Mahari inalipwa pole pole, haimaliziki. Unalipa kidogo kidogo unaenda una kula kuku tena unalipa. Ukilipa yote hautakula kuku, he quipped, noting that each visit becomes a chance to share meals and celebrate traditions. He added that the method is practical and ensures families bond over the cultural rituals. Every time unatembea unakula kuku. Lazima ukule kuku ukipeleka mahari buana, he said. Panyako revealed that this approach will guide his upcoming dowry ceremony for his second wife, confident that the family will welcome the process. He also opened up about his marital journey, saying his first wife is Kikuyu from Nyahururu, originally from Nyeri. Bibi wa kwanza huyo tumemalizana. Mimi sijaoa hata mluya bado, he remarked, describing himself as a nationalist who embraces diversity. His second wife is from the Nandi community, and he hinted that a possible third wife could be Luhya, depending on circumstances. However, he admitted that he has been cautious about marrying within his own community, fearing the risk of unknowingly marrying a relative due to the vast size of his extended family. I lived out for many years. And I feared marrying a Luhya because I feel I could marry a relative. Because my family is so huge. We could be huge in terms of ukoo, lakini kwa mali ndio hatuna. he joked. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, December 5, 2025 - A Kikuyu lady has sparked a buzz online after confidently showcasing her body in a trending TikTok video. The clip, which has quickly circulated across multiple social media platforms, has drawn mixed reactions but also significant praise for her confidence and bold self-expression. In the video, the young lady flaunts what many viewers have dubbed shape ya murima, a term popularly used to describe the body shape often associated with women from the Kikuyu community. While some users reacted playfully, many applauded her for embracing her body and using her platform to express herself freely, without fear of criticism. The video continues to attract attention, highlighting a growing trend of Kenyan social media users celebrating self-confidence and body positivity. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, December 05, 2025 - National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, has strongly dismissed rumours circulating online alleging the death of Kwanza Constituency Member of Parliament, Ferdinand Wanyonyi. Addressing lawmakers on Thursday, December 4th, Wetangula condemned the misinformation as malicious and insensitive, assuring Kenyans that the veteran legislator is alive and undergoing specialised treatment in India. He revealed that Wanyonyi had been admitted at Nairobi Hospital for close to a month before doctors recommended referral abroad. The MP is accompanied by his wife and daughter, who have remained by his side throughout his treatment. I want to clarify that the honourable Ferdinand Wanyonyi is unwell. He was in Nairobi Hospital for about a month, and doctors recommended that we take him to India, Wetangula stated. The Speaker emphasised that he personally spoke with Wanyonyi via a conference call on Thursday morning, confirming that the lawmaker was in stable condition. He added that the Clerk of the National Assembly also held a similar call with the MP shortly after. Wetangula warned against spreading false reports, describing those behind the claims as evil rumour mongers intent on causing unnecessary alarm. Yesterday I had a conference call with him and his spouse, who took him. This morning the Clerk did the same. I am saying this to send a message to rumour mongers claiming he passed on, he said. Wanyonyi, who serves in the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, has been absent from parliamentary sessions for several weeks, sparking public concern. He successfully retained his seat in both the 2017 and 2022 general elections on a FORD Kenya ticket, before the party merged with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, December 05, 2025 - United States Embassy Charge dAffaires, Susan Burns, has assured Kenyans that health data shared under the new Ksh200 billion health security agreement between the US and Kenya will remain aggregated and non-identifiable. Speaking on Friday, December 5th, 2025, Burns emphasized that the US will not access private patient records and that Kenya will continue to operate strictly under its own privacy laws. The government of Kenya will continue to abide by [its] privacy laws. We are just putting on paper the similar policies that weve followed for many years, and any data-sharing going forward will be aggregated, she said. Burns explained that the information exchanged will be statistical, such as tracking the total number of people on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), rather than data tied to individual names or details. She further noted that a significant portion of US investment will strengthen Kenyas health information systems. The U.S. will provide funding to support the scaling up of Kenyas electronic medical record (EMR) systems and other health data systems, Burns stated. The initiative, she added, is designed to enhance Kenyas sovereignty and self-reliance, not to create a parallel system for US surveillance. Implementation details will be negotiated gradually, with device deployment continuing over time to support EMR rollout across health facilities. Her clarification follows allegations raised by Adani whistleblower, Nelson Amenya, regarding potential risks in the agreement. Amenya claimed that the deal will grant Washington real-time access to Kenyas national health records, including sensitive information such as HIV status, TB treatment, and vaccination histories. It will give the U.S Government real-time access to all Kenyan health records - everything, Amenya alleged. He further claimed that disease specimens collected from Kenyan patients will be shared with up to ten American pharmaceutical companies. Amenya highlighted a clause stipulating that the agreement will be governed by U.S. federal law, effectively sidelining Kenyan legislation in the event of a breach. Your data protection rights simply dont exist under this agreement. The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner becomes completely powerless, he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST ISLAMABAD, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani authorities have thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large consignment of stimulant tablets worth nearly 299.8 million rupees (about 1.08 million U.S. dollars) in the southern Sindh province, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said on Friday. Officials of the Airport Cargo Control Unit at the Karachi International Mail Office seized 9,455 MDMA (ecstasy) tablets during a targeted inspection of an inbound parcel from Germany, the FBR said in a statement. The narcotics were concealed inside speakers and LED lamps, while the shipment was falsely declared as containing clothes, socks, and music boxes. Customs authorities have launched an investigation to identify the intended recipients and facilitators involved in the smuggling attempt, it added. 1 of 1 Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkars Mahaparinirvan Diwas: Special on December 6th khaskhabar.com : Sat, 06 Dec 2025 1:32 PM A guide to Indian consciousness, equality, and justice, and a great architect of the Indian Constitution -Vasudev Devnani- There are some figures in Indian history whose ideology, struggle, and vision continue to guide society for centuries to come. Dr. Bhimrao Ram Ambedkar was one such great man, who not only gave Indian society a new direction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights, but he was also the great architect of the Indian Constitution. Although his body merged with the five elements on December 6, 1956, his ideology still lives on as the strongest foundation of Indian democracy. December 6th is celebrated as Mahaparinirvan Diwas. This is a sacred occasion to remember his great works, re-understand his thoughts, and take a firm pledge to establish equality and respect in society. Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in the final years of his life and showed millions the path to social dignity. Therefore, calling his passing "Mahaparinirvana" honors his contribution to spiritual and social renaissance. This day not only commemorates the passing of a great leader, but also a day to revisit his message of social revolution. Every year, millions of people visit Deekshabhoomi in Dadar, Mumbai, to pay tribute to him. Central and state governments, social organizations, and educational institutions also organize various programs on this day. Dr. Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow (Madhya Pradesh). Born into a backward caste, he faced discrimination and humiliation throughout his childhood. He was made to sit separately in school and even received water from a separate vessel. This suffering became the driving force behind his struggle against social injustice. For higher education, he attended Columbia University in the United States and the London School of Economics in England. There, he pursued extensive studies in economics, politics, law, and sociology. Dr. Ambedkar, considered one of the world's greatest scholars, proved that talent is not born; anyone can achieve great heights if given the opportunity. Architect of the Indian Constitution When the Constitution of independent India was being drafted, the person the country trusted the most was Dr. Ambedkar. On August 29, 1947, the Constituent Assembly appointed him Chairman of the Drafting Committee. He crafted a Constitution that integrated equality, liberty, justice, fraternity, and human rights. He made provisions such as the abolition of untouchability, social justice, equality before the law, and equality of opportunity fundamental to the Constitution. The criminalization of untouchability under Article 17, and the special protection and representation measures for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are the results of Ambedkar's vision. Ambedkar believed that "political democracy can survive only if social and economic democracy is also established." Therefore, the framework for social and economic justice was clearly established in the Constitution. Architect of Social Revolution Dr. Ambedkar was not only the architect of the Constitution but also a great social revolutionary. He fought throughout his life for the rights of Dalits, the underprivileged, women, and the weaker sections. His major social initiatives included campaigns such as the abolition of the caste system, equal opportunities for Dalits in educational institutions, the temple entry movement, equal rights to water, temples, and social resources, and the message of "Educate, Organize, and Fight." Through the Hindu Code Bill, he made a historic effort to grant women equal rights in property rights, marriage, and divorce. Although it was not fully passed at the time, this effort later became the foundation of women's rights in modern Indian society. Distressed by social discrimination and injustice, Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism on October 14, 1956, at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, ushering in a new era of social equality, compassion, and justice. Dr. Ambedkar received invitations to join other religions, but instead of embracing other religions, he demonstrated his patriotism by embracing Buddhism, a religion rooted in Indian culture. He declared, "I embraced Buddhism so that my society may be liberated from the shackles that have humiliated me." For him, Buddhism was not merely a religious conversion, but also a movement for social self-respect and equality. Millions of people embraced Buddhism en masse with him, a movement considered one of India's greatest social reform movements. Relevance of Ambedkar's Thoughts Dr. Ambedkar's ideology remains as relevant today. Whenever there is talk of equality in society, when the rights of the weaker sections are discussed, and when the dignity of the Constitution is questioned, Dr. Ambedkar's name automatically comes to mind. Even in the current digital age, economic progress, and new social challenges, Ambedkar's message remains a guiding light. He used to say My life is a story of struggles, but my struggle is for the society. On Dr. Ambedkar's Mahaparinirvan Diwas, we must pledge that equality and respect are the rights of every citizen. A society free from discrimination and inequality is a true democracy. The Constitution is supreme, and it is our responsibility to protect its fundamental spirit. Society can progress only by embodying these three principles: education, organization, and struggle. Social harmony, human empathy, and compassion are the true power of nation-building. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's Mahaparinirvan Diwas is a day of gratitude to a great scholar, constitutional expert, social reformer, economist, and humanitarian. Dr. Ambedkar gave Indian society a direction without which modern India would have been unimaginable. His life teaches us that even in the most difficult circumstances, if a person works with education, strong will, and human values, they can bring light into the lives of millions. Dr. Ambedkar's thoughts, courage, and contributions will continue to lead India towards justice, equality, and progress for centuries. This is the true tribute to him on his Mahaparinirvana Day. (The author, Vasudev Devnani, is the Honorable Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.) Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. People are leaving Waterford in droves for thriving Kilkenny City each weekend, according to a local politician who has criticised Waterford City and County Councils approach to retail and development. Aontu representative Gary ONeill, from Ferrybank, says he is increasingly frustrated and baffled at the approach being taken by the local authority, calling it an outdated, unsupported retail strategy that harms both sides of the river. He says says Ferrybank and South Kilkenny have been left behind for far too long, and the latest actions by Waterford City and County Council show a refusal to acknowledge the economic reality facing modern towns, cities, and communities. The North Quays development has crippled local business. Several have closed, we have no ATM, its beyond terrible, Mr ONeill says. And regardless of significant growth in the community, people in Ferrybank are being denied essential services. The vacant Ferrybank Shopping Centre is finally set for occupation, yet its being opposed through a judicial review initiated by Waterford Council. I believe this is economically indefensible. The decision to seek a judicial review by Waterford has been criticised by elected representatives in both Kilkenny and Waterford. A recent meeting of Waterford City and County Council heard that people were furious over the move, with several councillors distancing themselves from the action by the council executive. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS Waterford City Council is clinging to an outdated approach while simultaneously imposing the highest commercial rates in Ireland, Mr ONeill said. To think that Waterford has higher rates than South Dublin is staggering. If Waterford City centre is genuinely under threat, raising costs for retailers while blocking development in a neighbouring community makes no economic sense. Blocking Ferrybanks long overdue access to services leaves one part of the metropolitan region behind so another can be protected. The Aontu representative praised Kilkenny City as an example, and said people in Waterford were voting with their feet by choosing to travel there instead. If anything, Waterford Council should be looking to Kilkenny, where vibrant small shop culture shows what actually makes a town centre thrive, he said. The train to Kilkenny on a Saturday is full of Waterford shoppers and pub goers. They are leaving Waterford City in droves, for a city that feels alive. Ferrybanks prosperity is not an existential threat to Waterford City. It ought to be considered as part of a healthy, modern, sustainable hub. HONG KONG, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Saturday that new arrangements were made this year to facilitate voting for the Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election. Two polling stations have been added -- one at a checkpoint of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and another at Terminal 2 of Hong Kong International Airport -- so that voters traveling on Sunday can cast their votes, said Lee in a social media post. Other polling states were added for medical workers, ethnic minorities and civil servants, according to Lee. On Saturday, Lee visited polling stations to inspect preparations for voting day, which falls on Sunday. He called on all eligible voters to turn out to elect aspiring, capable, and responsible LegCo members, who will jointly contribute to Hong Kong's development. Taiwan is inalienable part of China's territory: SCO Secretary-General Xinhua) 14:05, December 06, 2025 BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev said in an exclusive written interview with Xinhua. The heads of state of SCO members made the above-mentioned affirmation in a declaration after their historic meeting in St. Petersburg in June 2002, Yermekbayev said when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan and the dangerous sign of Japanese right-wing forces attempting to revive militarism. Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, Yermekbayev said leaders of the member states of the SCO issued a statement in this regard on Sept. 1 during the SCO Tianjin Summit. He quoted the statement as saying that the brutal massacres demonstrate that tolerating Nazism, fascism and militarism, and inciting racial, ethnic and religious hatred, antagonism and discrimination bring about immense harm, while victory in World War II was the result of the concerted efforts of all peace-loving nations. The statement said ignoring historical lessons is bound to lead to grave consequences. It also said preserving and objectively presenting the historical truth of the victory in World War II is an essential prerequisite for preventing similar tragedies from recurring, safeguarding peace and security, and strengthening cooperation, according to Yermekbayev. The statement said member states bear a shared responsibility for both the past and the future, that is, to spare future generations from the scourge of war and spare no effort to prevent such tragedies from happening again, Yermekbayev said. Leaders of the member states of the SCO issued a declaration during the Tianjin Summit, reaffirming their full commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the SCO, as well as other universally recognized principles and norms of international law, including mutual respect for national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, he said. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) KABUL, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and another sustained injury as a gas cylinder exploded in a shop in the northern Afghanistan Kunduz province on Saturday, provincial police spokesman Jumadin Khaksar said. The blast took place in a blacksmith shop in the provincial capital Kunduz city Saturday afternoon, leaving one person dead on the spot and injuring another, Khaksar added. The official said an investigation is underway. Owen Ramsingh's family received mixed accounts of his transfer between facilities amid his detainment by immigration officers. Displaced people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are seen in the town of Bugarama in neighboring Rwanda, on Dec. 5, 2025. The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have expanded their operations across several areas of South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past days, even as the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington a peace deal hailed as a major step toward de-escalation in the region. Residents in the affected areas reported a FARDC pullback and the displacement of civilians fleeing the new combat zones. Hundreds of families have arrived in Uvira, while others from Kamanyola, a strategic crossroad in the province, crossed into Rwanda to escape shellfire. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) GOMA, DR Congo, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have expanded their operations across several areas of South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past days, even as the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington a peace deal hailed as a major step toward de-escalation in the region. Clashes escalated from Tuesday to Friday around Kaziba, Lubarika, Rurambo, Luvungi, and the heights of Mount Munanira in South Kivu. In the area, Burundian forces and several local armed groups have been operating alongside the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC). "The rebels launched several attacks on our positions and attempted to bypass our defensive arrangements along the Kaziba-Luvungi axis, but the army continues to repel these attempts. Fighting is still ongoing," FARDC spokesperson in South Kivu Reagen Mbuyi said Thursday. Local sources on Friday confirmed the rebels' advance toward the Ruzizi Plain and the corridor leading to Uvira from Luvungi -- a shift that several analysts describe as "a major evolution of the front toward Uvira", the temporary administrative capital of South Kivu, after the provincial capital, Bukavu, fell to the rebels in February. Residents in the affected areas reported a FARDC pullback and the displacement of civilians fleeing the new combat zones. Hundreds of families have arrived in Uvira, while others from Kamanyola, a strategic crossroad in the province, crossed into Rwanda to escape shellfire. Uvira sits on a critical road linking Bukavu with Burundi and Tanzania and serves as a logistical base for FARDC in the Ruzizi Plain, an area hosting multiple local and foreign armed groups. A possible M23 advance toward Uvira has become a growing concern for Congolese authorities and regional actors. "If the rebels reach the outskirts of Uvira, the security impact would be considerable," warned a Goma-based Congolese analyst who requested anonymity. "South Kivu would effectively become a second epicenter of the conflict." The latest rebel advance persisted into early Saturday despite the signing of a U.S.-mediated peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda in Washington on Thursday, which, according to DRC presidential spokesperson Tina Salama, outlines three essential objectives: ending violence in the east, restoring the DRC's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and dismantling illicit mineral supply chains that finance war. Eastern DRC has long been plagued by recurring violence, exacerbated by the offensives of the M23, which Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting. Rwanda denies the claim and accuses the DRC of colluding with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. According to the United Nations, more than 2.4 million people have been displaced since January 2025, bringing the tally of internally displaced persons to nearly 6 million. Around 1 million Congolese have sought refuge in neighboring countries, while 27 million people face hunger. A man helps a displaced child from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) get on a bus heading for a refugee camp in the town of Bugarama in neighboring Rwanda, on Dec. 5, 2025. The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have expanded their operations across several areas of South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past days, even as the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington a peace deal hailed as a major step toward de-escalation in the region. Residents in the affected areas reported a FARDC pullback and the displacement of civilians fleeing the new combat zones. Hundreds of families have arrived in Uvira, while others from Kamanyola, a strategic crossroad in the province, crossed into Rwanda to escape shellfire. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) Displaced children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are seen on a bus heading for a refugee camp in the town of Bugarama in neighboring Rwanda, on Dec. 5, 2025. The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have expanded their operations across several areas of South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past days, even as the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington a peace deal hailed as a major step toward de-escalation in the region. Residents in the affected areas reported a FARDC pullback and the displacement of civilians fleeing the new combat zones. Hundreds of families have arrived in Uvira, while others from Kamanyola, a strategic crossroad in the province, crossed into Rwanda to escape shellfire. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) Displaced people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are seen in the town of Bugarama in neighboring Rwanda, on Dec. 5, 2025. The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have expanded their operations across several areas of South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past days, even as the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington a peace deal hailed as a major step toward de-escalation in the region. Residents in the affected areas reported a FARDC pullback and the displacement of civilians fleeing the new combat zones. Hundreds of families have arrived in Uvira, while others from Kamanyola, a strategic crossroad in the province, crossed into Rwanda to escape shellfire. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) A displaced woman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sits on a bus heading for a refugee camp in the town of Bugarama in neighboring Rwanda, on Dec. 5, 2025. The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have expanded their operations across several areas of South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past days, even as the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington a peace deal hailed as a major step toward de-escalation in the region. Residents in the affected areas reported a FARDC pullback and the displacement of civilians fleeing the new combat zones. Hundreds of families have arrived in Uvira, while others from Kamanyola, a strategic crossroad in the province, crossed into Rwanda to escape shellfire. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) A displaced family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is seen on a bus heading for a refugee camp in the town of Bugarama in neighboring Rwanda, on Dec. 5, 2025. The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have expanded their operations across several areas of South Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past days, even as the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington a peace deal hailed as a major step toward de-escalation in the region. Residents in the affected areas reported a FARDC pullback and the displacement of civilians fleeing the new combat zones. Hundreds of families have arrived in Uvira, while others from Kamanyola, a strategic crossroad in the province, crossed into Rwanda to escape shellfire. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The launch ceremony of "UPanda Cinema" and the China-themed Program Showcase Season in Malaysia was held here on Saturday, attended by over 100 representatives from government departments, cultural institutions and the film and television industry from both China and Malaysia. Deputy Minister of Communications of Malaysia Teo Nie Ching said in her speech that "UPanda Cinema" offers Malaysian audiences more choices to watch Chinese programs and better understand Chinese culture. She expressed the hope that more high-quality programs will be introduced in the future to further broaden areas of cooperation, convey cultural warmth through film and television, and jointly write a new chapter of friendship. Zheng Xuefang, minister of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, said that as a signature film and television cooperation project, "UPanda Cinema" follows the arrival of giant pandas "Chen Xing" and "Xiao Yue" in Malaysia. This, he noted, is not only a delightful coincidence, but also a good opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries. The program, "UPanda Cinema," was officially launched in 2021. It has worked with mainstream local media in over 20 countries and regions, including Russia, France, South Africa, India, and Central Asia, reaching a cumulative overseas audience of more than 130 million. By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association 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. Sarah Slater The family of a 21-year-old man who died in an accidental shooting in Co Carlow have said he will be eternally missed. Paul Fitzpatrick from Killenane Lane, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, died in the incident which occurred close to the village of Leighlinbridge at around 11pm on Tuesday last. Mr Fitzpatrick, who was accompanied by friends, was fox hunting when the incident took place. Emergency services and gardai were called to the scene and it is understood the man died a short time later. His body was taken to University Hospital Waterford where a post mortem examination will be carried out. Gardai cordoned off the area to allow for a forensic and technical examination. The young man is survived by his parents Darran and Rosemarie, brothers Billy and Niall, girlfriend Ebony, grandparents Carmel, Mary and Paddy, aunts, uncles and his many, many friends and neighbours, according to his funeral details. He is predeceased by his grandfather Dick and uncle Richard. The Carlow mans funeral details are yet to be announced. Sinn Fein councillor Andy Gladney said: There are no words that can console the family at this time or anytime of the year. My sincere condolences to his entire family. Fine Gael councillor Michael Doran said the entire community is completely shocked by what happened calling the incident tragic. In a statement, gardai confirmed that a man had been fatally injured during an incident. "Gardai were called to a firearms incident at a rural location near Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, late yesterday evening, Tuesday. A male aged in his early 20s sustained fatal injuries. The scene is currently held for technical examination. Enquiries are ongoing and no further information is available at this time. THREE siblings in court on the same day received three very different outcomes, with the oldest brother getting 11 months in prison, the youngest sister getting fined 750, and the middle sister walking away with the Probation Act. Tommy (34), Hayley (33) and Jessie (28) Connell, all with an address in Castlepark, Athy were appearing in Athy District Court last week to plead guilty to 15 separate charges, the majority (11) facing Jessie, while Tommy faced the most serious. He appeared from custody charged with urinating all over the floor of a cubicle in Naas A&E on 26 August, requiring it to be deep cleaned, costing the hospital 200. What was he in for? asked Judge Desmond Zaidan. Solicitor Jackie McManus explained that he had overdosed on drugs and added that there was no physical violence. Sergeant Ruth Coleman told the court he had 62 previous convictions, 10 of which were for criminal damage. He insists he wants a sentence its unusual he wants to go to jail, shrugged Ms McManus. I was off me head on drugs! said the defendant loudly from the dock. He wants to go to the Midlands, repeated his solicitor. Judge Zaidan wasted no time in handing down an 11-month sentence, saying: It was a horrendous offence, in a cubicle needed for emergencies. When Jessie appeared the judge also remembered her saying: When she was before me earlier this year she looked like the walking dead, she was about five stone. She had been sentenced to 10 months on 9 September, but the judge changed his mind. She wanted to be remanded to jail but I refused, he said. I said she should be in a clinic, and she said if I didnt, shed just go to Dublin and hours later she shoplifted a bottle of Lucozade, was arrested and jailed. Thats how much she wants to go to jail. The issue of drugs is the living hell in Ireland shes still out there, still doing drugs, still five stone. However, Sergeant Ruth Coleman told the judge that Jessie was declared UAL unlawfully at Large from Dochas and there is a committal warrant out for her. Perusing her 11 charge sheets, the judge noted how many thefts were from Aldi in Athy, commenting: Aldi seems to be her favourite shop, although I dont think shes their favourite customer! Sgt Coleman revealed Jessie had 76 previous convictions, 36 for theft. I have to say, one year in prison for 12 worth of sweets jelly babies! And went back to Dealz and stole another 40 more of sweets, said the judge, before fining Jessie 250 for the Aldi theft, and a further 500 for the theft from McAuleys Chemist in Athy. Ms McManus sought legal aid for Ms Connell. At this rate, Ms McManus, shes going to be very good for your pension! remarked the judge. Then it was the turn of Hayley Connell, who faced charges of 20 theft from Aldi, 18 worth of groceries from Pettits, and 6 worth of deli food on dates between May and September. She has 32 previous convictions, 11 for theft. Shes homeless, judge, sleeping by the river, and has a huge addiction to crack cocaine, said Ms McManus. People like her, Ive known this girl since adolescence, and she cant seem to beat it, said the judge, and this is why the state should crack down on 15A (trafficking). There are thousands of Hayleys out there, kids whove lost everything, said the judge. Eva Osborne A range of stories feature on the front pages of Irish newspapers on Saturday. The Irish Times leads with senior gardai questioning the Defence Forces handling of the security incident in the skies off the Dublin coast on Monday night, around the time Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiys aircraft arrived for a State visit to Ireland. The drone incident is regarded as a possible effort to disrupt the flights arrival or to cause embarrassment to the Republic and highlight its weak defences. The Department of Higher Education wants to allow private accommodation providers to hike rents for students more often to attract more developers into the sector, according to the Irish Examiner. 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, The Echo reports. The Irish Independent leads with airport operator DAA paying the benefit-in-kind tax for its directors on the tens of thousands of euro worth of services they use, from Dublin Airport's VIP terminal to car-parking. An Irish peacekeeping patrol escaped injury when their armoured car came under gun attack in southern Lebanon, the Irish Daily Mirror reports. The Irish Daily Star leads with Donald Trump finally getting a peace award - from FIFA. Ireland's potential to develop offshore wind energy is far smaller than initially believed due to large swathes of our water being unsuitable, according to the Irish Daily Mail. A garda punched his daughter in the face in a "most cruel" assault after she came home from a night out, according to The Herald. SYDNEY, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- New South Wales Rural Fire Services (NSW RFS), the lead combat agency for bush fires in the Australian state of NSW, has downgraded the alert levels for bush fires on the NSW Central Coast and in the Upper Hunter region both from Emergency Warning to Watch and Act. The authority said in its Major Fire Updates on Saturday evening that the bush fire was burning in the Goulburn River National Park, which is located in the Upper Hunter region, in the locations of Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee. "The fire is currently 10,206 hectares in size and is being controlled," it said. "Light rain has fallen on the fireground, reducing the fire activity." As for the fire on the NSW Central Coast, NSW RFS said that it was burning in the Koolewong, Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay area. It had burnt through more than 100 hectares and was yet to be controlled. But it added that with thunderstorms moving through the area, light rain was easing conditions on the fireground. NSW Premier Chris Minns said at a press conference on Saturday afternoon that 12 homes were damaged or destroyed in Koolewong, adding that the number "may rise," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. NSW RFS deployed more than 1,500 firefighters with 300 vehicles, and the government was doing "everything we can to protect lives," he said. NSW RFS also said on Saturday evening that a bush fire in Bulahdelah, a town and locality in the Mid North Coast region, was over 2,938 hectares and was being controlled. The authority confirmed earlier that the fire destroyed up to four homes in the Crawford River area. 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. A Laois company has been announced as Apprentice Employer of the Year for 2025 in the national Generation Apprenticeship Awards. Philip Doogue Mechanical services based in Cappanclough, Abbeyleix, won the award in the Micro-Business category. The motor business was awarded with a prestigious national Employer of the Year award at a ceremony coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Office at Dublins Gibson Hotel on Thursday. The local Abbeyleix employer is celebrating after the company was recognised as a national Generation Apprenticeship employer champion and apprenticeship pioneer in the Micro Business category for dedication and commitment shown supporting the next generation of skilled apprentices in Ireland. Philip Doogue Mechanical services was awarded one of just eight top accolades from 100 national nominations, beating out tough competition from a diverse range of outstanding apprenticeship employers from across the four corners of Ireland. Commenting on their win, Philip Doogue said: We are proud to accept the Employer of the Year Award 2025 from The National Apprenticeship Office. This recognition reflects our dedication to creating opportunities for apprentices to learn, grow and succeed. Supporting and mentoring talent is at the heart of what we do at Philip Doogue Mechanical Services because we know apprenticeships help our community to build strong careers and strengthen skills in our local community. This prestigious recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to developing talent, nurturing skills, and supporting career pathways for emerging talent whilst investing in the future of our industry Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, a company spokesperson said. Our apprentices are at the heart of our growth and innovation. Their passion, fresh thinking, and dedication help us deliver the quality and service you value as our customer. This award is both an honour and a reminder of the importance of creating meaningful career pathways for the next generation. For more than 15 years, Philip Doogue Mechanical Services has invested in apprenticeships as a core part of our workforce strategy. Through structured training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, we have equipped apprentices with industry-leading skills while strengthening our organisation with fresh perspectives and future leaders. the spokesperson said. The company extended its gratitude to its exceptional staff and loyal customers and said their continued support enables the business to champion talent development and deliver high- quality service. By choosing to work with us, you help make opportunities possible for young professionals building their futures. Thank you for being part of our journey. Were excited to continue growing, improving, and serving you with the same commitment and excellence that earned this recognition, the spokesperson said. Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin presented the Award. She said: The exceptional calibre of employers recognised in this years Employer of the Year Awards highlights the immense dedication and innovation present across our apprenticeship community. These awards honour individuals who embody the collaborative spirit between apprentices and employers I wish to congratulate each recipient and nominee on their remarkable achievements. Pictured above: Minister of State Mairan Harkin and Orla Dollard Interim CEO at SOLAS, Nessa White said: We are proud to champion employers who are playing a leading role in strengthening Irelands apprenticeship system. The Employer of the Year Awards recognise those who invest in the training and development of apprentices, foster innovation, inclusion and build pathways to rewarding careers. SOLAS is committed to empowering employers and apprentices alike, so that we can continue to build vibrant communities for the future of Irish industry. The apprenticeship route is growing in demand and popularity nationwide, with 10,000 employers investing in apprentices and apprenticeship training across 78 occupations, developing the talent needed to support business and industry needs and Irelands economy and society. Find more information about apprenticeships and the Generation Apprenticeship Champions in the Workplace Awards at www.apprenticeship.ie. Portlaoise College has announced the launch of its annual Language Scholarships. The scholarships offer students valuable opportunities to deepen their Irish and modern foreign language skills. The programme, which sees the school fund a substantial portion of each scholarship, is also supported by significant funding from Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board. Scholarships cover placements at Cholaiste Mhuigh Eo for the Gaeltacht and at ELC Colleges for modern foreign languages. This year brings a notable development as Spanish has been added to the scholarship programme for the first time. The decision follows the introduction of Spanish to the Junior Cycle curriculum, with the schools first Junior Cert Spanish class now in place. Director of Schools with LOETB, Linda Tynan, attended the launch and expressed her support for the initiative and its growing reach. Portlaoise College Principal Noel Daly said the expansion reflects both student interest and the colleges commitment to providing meaningful language experiences. We are delighted to broaden our scholarship offering this year with the inclusion of Spanish, he said. Languages open doors in so many ways and we want our students to have every chance to develop confidence, cultural understanding and real enthusiasm for learning. The scholarship initiative continues to attract strong interest from students who are eager to immerse themselves in Irish or study a modern foreign language in a native-speaking environment. With Spanish now joining French and German, the scholarships will appeal to an even wider range of learners. Applications for this years scholarships are now open, and the school encourages students to apply by scanning the QR Code on the poster or clicking the link on their Google Classroom and making an application. By Nick Bramhill THE devastated family of missing Naas, Co Kildare man Trevor Deely has described the upcoming 25th anniversary of his disappearance as a "horrific milestone" that has added to their sense of despair. After enduring yet another painful year in which no credible leads have emerged in the baffling case, Trevor's heartbroken mother and three older siblings are still no closer to making a breakthrough than they were in the first few days after the young man was last seen. And with the dreaded 25th anniversary of the disappearance of the then 22-year-old bank official just days away, his sister Michele admitted "the burden of hopelessness" she carries has rarely felt heavier. However, the 51-year-old mother-of-two said she remains as determined as ever to carry on searching for her beloved younger brother, not least because it's what her late father, Michael Deely, would have wanted. READ NEXT: Kildare Co Council gives green light for cottage to be demolished. She said: "A quarter of a century has now passed since Trevor disappeared. This anniversary is a really difficult one, because it marks 25 years since he was last seen. It's absolutely horrible, and it's going to be very hard for all of us. "So much time has passed, and yet we still have no answers and remain in this horrendous limbo. The burden of hopelessness feels really heavy, because it's so difficult to know what more we can do, and where we go from here." As one of Ireland's most high-profile missing persons' cases, the image of Trevor and the key facts in the build-up to his disappearance in the Irish capital in the early hours of December 8, 2000, still remain ingrained in many people's memories. The last image captured of him was on CCTV, as he walked down Haddington Road towards his flat in Ballsbridge, south Dublin, at 4.14am. Prior to that and following his Christmas party, the young man had called to his place of work to collect an umbrella due to the worsening weather conditions. Digitally-enhanced CCTV footage captured a male dressed in black outside the rear entrance of the Bank of Ireland branch on Wilton Terrace shortly before Trevor arrived there. At 3.34am, moments before Trevor approached his place of work, the mystery male stepped out onto the footpath and followed him to the back gate of the building, before conversing with him one minute later. Detectives believe that the male acting suspiciously outside the workplace was the same man who was seen passing the Bank of Ireland ATM just after Trevor was last seen that morning. Meanwhile, Michele will gather with her siblings for a private remembrance service in Naas, Co. Kildare, over the weekend. She added: "A huge passage of time has passed since Trevor was last seen. But as hard as it is, we cannot let go, and we cannot give up. A new was assigned to Trevor's case. That means there's someone there with fresh eyes, and a new perspective. It's a small thing, but it gives us some hope. "My Dad never stopped looking for him, and if he was still alive I know he'd still be looking. We must carry on Dad's work, and, like him, never give up searching." A 100,000 Crimestoppers reward remains available for credible information on Trevor Deely. This photo shows Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) People ride a carousel at Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) People watch a vendor making glassware at Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) People take selfie at Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) A vendor introduces products to visitors at a handicraft stall at Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) People visit Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) Two women wearing Christmas-themed outfits pose for photo at Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) People enjoy food and drinks at Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) A vendor sells sweets at Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) People visit Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) People buy sweets at Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) People visit Helsinki Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland, on Dec. 5, 2025. Held in Senate Square in the heart of the city, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a historic outdoor Christmas fair that attracts large numbers of visitors every year. This year's Market is open from Nov. 28 to Dec. 22. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua) Maynooth Local Market will host its 2025 Christmas Markets today, Saturday, December 6, and Saturday, December 13 on Court House Square. The first market takes place this weekend, with both dates offering seasonal shopping, food and family-friendly activities. This years Christmas Markets will feature extended opening hours, running from 10am to 5pm to give visitors more time to browse, enjoy the atmosphere and pick up unique local gifts. Both markets will feature the markets established stalls, including organic produce, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, photo prints, paintings and sustainable dog accessories. Today's market will include live festive music from St Marys Brass and Reed Band, performing on the Square from 10.30am. Alongside the markets regular stalls, visitors will find a wide selection of new vendors offering Irish botanical jewellery; knitted and crocheted baby blankets, cardigans and hats; premium tallow balm; pottery; fresh fish; wooden homewares; and original artwork by Dutch artist and Maynooth resident Antoon Knaap. READ MORE: LATEST: Planning permission secured for 2m upgrade to Kildare warehouse The December 13 market will also feature an expanded line-up of seasonal stalls, providing further opportunities to shop local in the run-up to Christmas. Chair of the Maynooth Local Market Committee, Cllr. Peter Melrose, said: Last year was our first time hosting Christmas markets and the feedback was fantastic, so we're thrilled to be bringing them back for a second year. Theyve quickly become a real highlight for both visitors and vendors. Its a brilliant opportunity to support local small businesses at one of the busiest shopping times of the year, and we're expecting an even bigger turnout this December. Local photographer Karen, who trades as Skinny Pixels and is a regular market vendor, added: One of the best things about being part of the market is the real connection with people. Customers stop for a chat, tell you which photos remind them of home or who theyre buying for, and it creates a lovely sense of community you just don't get anywhere else - its uplifting! I'm really looking forward to the Christmas Markets and the buzz they bring to the Square. The market is encouraging shoppers to consider choosing local where possible this year. Every purchase supports independent makers, growers and producers at a key trading period for small businesses. A limited number of regular vendor spaces have become available for 2026. Local businesses interested in applying can email maynoothlocalmarket@gmail.com for details on obtaining a trading licence through Kildare County Council. The weekly market continues every Saturday from 10am to 3pm on Court House Square. Three businesses based in County Kildare have announced a collaborative Christmas fundraising campaign, with all donations going towards a well-known charity which assists children. Allure Nails by Daga, Demon Hair by Klaudia and Stop Aging Permanent Makeup and Aesthetics, are all independent, female-owned businesses which operate out of Meta Studio, which is located on Henry Street in Newbridge. Explaining the motivation behind the fundraiser, Dagmara Karaga of Allure Nails by Daga, told the Leinster Leader that she came up with the idea to contact LauraLynn Ireland's Childrens Hospice about the initiative. Dagmara said: "Together with my friend Monika (who is not professionally connected to Meta Studio), we reached out to LauraLynn to ask if there was anything we could support them with over the Christmas period." "LauraLynn kindly provided us with a list of needed items, and this is how the fundraiser began," she added. When asked by the Leader why they chose to assist LauraLynn through the collection campaign, Dagmara replied: "We chose LauraLynn because it is a place that gives hope to families who are facing the unimaginable. "Many of the families they support have exhausted not only their emotional strength, but also their savings, doing everything they can to help their seriously ill children. "As mothers ourselves, both Monika and I deal with everyday challenges, but it is still difficult to imagine what families with terminally ill children must go through." Dagmara also said that in her native Poland, Christmas-time charity collections are very common. "People are especially open-hearted during the holiday season," she explained. "Monika, on the other hand, suggested LauraLynn as a trustworthy and deeply dedicated organisation as she often passed by the hospice while taking her son to activities, and repeatedly heard from others how helpful and compassionate the staff are." READ NEXT: Come one, come all! Christmas lights to be switched on in this Kildare town DONATIONS Donated items being sought by LauraLynn include: board games, vouchers for supermarkets (Aldi, Dunnes Stores and Tesco, as well as Smyths Toys Superstores), arts and crafts supplies and children's skincare products. All donations can be left in at Meta Studio (W12 PH04). It should be noted that the three businesses are only seeking donations of new items due to hygiene reasons. The collection is now live and will run until Monday, December 15, 2025. READ NEXT: Road safety audit sought for junction located in this Kildare town "Rural GAA clubs cannot survive in their present state because there is such a lack of numbers. The government has got to realise what the GAA has done for society over the years and what it has done for communities; it's part of what we are; it's part of Irish life and we have got to try and bring people into rural areas." These are the words of Cllr Enda Stenson, a former Leitrim County Board chairman, who spoke passionately about his love for Leitrim and the GAA and called for more to be done to encourage people to stay in Leitrim or move to the county and other rural areas. He was speaking after the GAA revealed a report this week warning of the decline of rural GAA clubs due to most of the population moving to the east or cities. Cllr Stenson, who was chairman from 2019 until 2024, is a three-time Connacht final referee and is part of the association's National Demographic Committee, spoke about the report and the wider issues facing rural Leitrim such as low birth rates and declining populations. The report found that one in three people now live in Dublin or within one hour in satellite towns, yet, only 18% of the GAA's clubs are located in this area. Cllr Stenson continued: "It's been sorely felt in rural Ireland, not just in Leitrim; in west Cavan, north Roscommon, parts of Sligo, Mayo, Galway - South Kerry is terribly hit. The report shows what lies ahead. "This is not just a GAA thing; it's a societal thing. We have been talking about this at local authority level for a long time; you close the Garda station, the national school, the pub is gone; there is nothing left in a place like Eslin, only the GAA pitch and a community centre. People have moved to the east coast of Ireland in huge numbers. Low birth numbers are another issue and national schools are showing that now right across the whole country." READ MORE: The Mercosur trade agreement continues to attract controversy as Sligo/Leitrim TD says it 'must be stopped' He spoke of an initiative, driven by then-Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy, to move government departments and agencies out of Dublin to regional towns. "There is a big office on the Dublin Road out of Carrick-on-Shannon built for that but it's still empty; why not bring a department down to Carrick-on-Shannon? We have a train, we're going to have great road system; but we need bodies on the ground and without that, we can't survive and won't survive. This issue will get worse if action isn't taken." He continued that the GAA is now "shouting stop" and stressed that in Leitrim, "I would hate to see a club dying; any club. When that jersey is never put on again, that's a very sad situation. It's the final death knell in any community if the GAA goes. Two thirds of the population are living in a line from Belfast down to Wexford but only 18% of the clubs are inside of that line; the rest of them are in rural areas. There are large parts of Galway, Mayo right up to Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal; there are huge areas that are facing massive decline. It takes five clubs within South Kerry to form an underage team at this stage. There is only one player from the whole south Kerry area on the county Senior team." He added: "This report is all about trying to make people sit up and notice what is happening and how important the GAA is as part of our society. We need help. We need more industries and we need departments. We need housing of course, but I think that can be resolved with the proper will but we need people here. This is not just a GAA issue; this is a societal issue." READ MORE: Service in Leitrim towns has had 'huge and positive difference' but later services called for He continued that the national school in Eslin closed as did the post office and the shop. "The church is only open once or twice a month now. We have a GAA club; a junior team and are fighting and struggling to keep a team on the field. The numbers are not there. It is all about keeping communities alive." He said he was hopeful that the report would shock those in charge into action to protect and nurture rural communities. "We worked for two solid years on that report and I just hope that it's not left to gather dust somewhere on a shelf and that someone will take notice at a high level and realise we have to get people out of Dublin. People can work easily from Leitrim. We need to revitalise areas like Leitrim so people can work from there. Most local authorities, there are people working from home part-time. That's where the government needs to come into play and they are not doing society any favours." by Xinhua writers Yang Shilong, Shi Chun SALT LAKE CITY, United States, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- On a quiet corner of downtown Evanston, Wyoming, a small wooden building painted in red and gold stands as a bridge between centuries. The Chinese Joss House Museum -- rebuilt in 1990 after the original burned down in 1922 -- tells the story of a once-thriving Chinese community that helped shape the development in America's wild West and was then forgotten. "This was built to honor what the Chinese did for us," said Carrie, a museum volunteer. "They helped build the railroad that made this a town." BENEATH EVANSTON'S LOST CHINATOWN Just a few blocks away, on the sagebrush flats once known as Chinatown, fragments of pottery and stone still protrude from the soil. Standing amid the excavation site, Pat Santee, a board member of the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association (CRWDA), and his wife Chen Xiaolian reflected on what once stood here. "This," he said quietly, "is what's left of Chinatown." He pointed toward the faded outline of the old settlement built around 1870. "Every 10 or 15 miles (16-24 km) along this route there were small communities of workers who repaired and improved the line. Most of them were Chinese." "They were major contributors to this country. They're still here, and still important. They can't be forgotten," Santee said. "Our ancestors helped build the tracks that connected the whole nation," Chen said. "They worked hard, they suffered, and then they disappeared from the story. If we don't speak for them, who will?" For both of them, every visit to the site feels like an act of reclamation. "Every time we come here," Santee said, "we see that even though the buildings are gone, the story is still here -- under the ground, waiting for people to listen." FROM SILENCE TO RECOGNITION That same impulse motivates Margaret Yee, chair of the CRWDA. Born in China in 1939 and raised in Utah, she is a fourth-generation descendant of the Chinese Central Pacific Railroad workers. A turning point came in 2019, during the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike -- the ceremony marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad -- when descendants were denied their scheduled speaking time. "We were supposed to speak for five minutes, but at the last minute they didn't let us go on stage," Yee said. "We didn't want to go back to the same treatment our ancestors faced. So we decided our voices must be heard." That moment sparked the founding of the CRWDA in 2017. Since then, Yee and her members have led a national campaign of education, exhibits and remembrance. They organized lectures, school visits, and online archives to tell the story of the Chinese laborers who blasted tunnels through the Sierra Nevada and laid track across the Great Basin. They raised funds and petitioned for memorials in multiple states, culminating in a striking monument at the Utah State Capitol unveiled in 2023. "We were very fortunate," Yee said. "The state allowed only two new monuments that year, and ours was one of them. It is the first monument in Utah with Chinese writing." The monument's designer, a young Cambodian-Chinese architect, donated his time to bring it to life. "It's located where school buses stop," Yee said. "Children will see it and ask questions. This is how the story lives on." "This monument shows that we've been here for a long time in Utah," Yee said. "It shows that Chinese Americans and other Asian Americans belong here -- part of the fabric of life." A PLACE IN AMERICA'S STORY More than 12,000 Chinese laborers helped build America's transcontinental railway. They carved tunnels through granite, laid tracks across deserts, and endured avalanches, frostbite and explosions. Paid less than their white counterparts and barred from citizenship, they were nonetheless indispensable. Yet when the last spike was driven at the Promontory Summit in 1869, none of them appeared in the celebratory photographs. Their descendants have made sure that such an omission is not repeated. "Our story doesn't end with the railroad," Yee said. "It continues with our children and grandchildren who now contribute to every field of American life. We stand on the same tracks our ancestors built." TOWARD A NATIONAL MEMORY Beyond monuments in Utah, Wyoming and California, descendants and advocates are pressing for a more ambitious form of recognition: a national museum in Washington D.C. dedicated to the Chinese American experience. The Chinese American Museum Foundation acquired a historic building in 2018 to house the institution. "The Chinese American story is an American story," said David Uy, the museum's executive director. "It must be told." For CRWDA members like Yee and Santee, the museum movement represents the next chapter of their advocacy -- a national platform to house the stories that began in railroad camps and mining towns. Their local commemorations now connect with a larger narrative arc that reaches the nation's capital. "Building a museum in Washington is like laying the final track," Yee said. "It means our ancestors' journey is now part of America's journey." The museum aims to chronicle both hardship and contribution -- from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to modern achievements in science, arts and public service. It promises to anchor Chinese American history not on the periphery, but at the symbolic center of the nation's memory. From the Joss House Museum in Evanston to the buried Chinatown excavation site in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and the monument in Salt Lake City, these landmarks form a triangle of remembrance across the high desert. They are connected not only by geography but by a shared moral duty -- to reclaim the voices of those once erased from the nation's narrative. In the words carved on the Utah monument, written in both English and Chinese, the message endures: "We are part of the past, the present and the future of this land." People attend the inauguration ceremony of the Great Bay University (GBU) in Dongguan City, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 6, 2025. The inauguration ceremony of the GBU was held on Saturday. (Xinhua) GUANGZHOU, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The inauguration ceremony of the Great Bay University (GBU) was held on Saturday. Situated in the Dongguan City of south China's Guangdong Province, the university has two campuses that cover about 2,000 mu (about 133.3 hectares) in total. It initially sets up five regular undergraduate programs, namely mathematics and applied mathematics, physics, materials science and engineering, computer science and technology, and industrial engineering. A public institution of higher education, sponsored by the Guangdong provincial government and supported by the municipal government of Dongguan, it received approval from China's Ministry of Education in June. The 80 freshmen had started their first semester since August. Tian Gang, the founding president of the GBU and academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, said at Saturday's inauguration ceremony that the university is to "provide high-quality talent for the accelerated development of new productive forces in Dongguan as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and to facilitate scientific and technological innovation and the development of emerging industries there." He noted that GBU is to collaborate with multiple universities, research institutions and leading enterprises to jointly nurture postgraduate students. One of the most economically dynamic regions in China, the Greater Bay Area's gross domestic product reached 14.79 trillion yuan (about 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2024, exceeding that of the New York and San Francisco Bay Areas. This undated photo shows the campus of the Great Bay University (GBU) in Dongguan City, south China's Guangdong Province. The inauguration ceremony of the GBU was held on Saturday. (Xinhua) A MAN HAS been arrested in Limerick city in connection with anti-social behaviour on an inter-county Bus Eireann route. A garda spokesperson confirmed officers responded to a public order incident on Childers Road. A man, aged in his 30s, was arrested in relation to this incident and has since been charged. He is due to appear before a sitting of the Limerick Criminal Courts of Justice at a later date, said a garda spokesperson. READ NEXT: Clare man was found 'completely out of his mind' and naked high on magic mushrooms, court hears A spokesperson for Bus Eireann confirmed an anti-social behaviour incident occurred on Expressway Route 13 (Limerick-Tralee). It occurred at around 4pm on November 11. This incident has been referred to An Garda Siochana who attended the scene, and Bus Eireann are providing assistance as required, including making CCTV available to gardai, said a spokesperson. Bus Eireann does not tolerate anti-social behaviour towards our customers or staff, said the spokesperson. The exact nature of what occurred is not known. As this matter is currently subject to a gardai investigation, we are not in a position to provide any additional information on this specific incident, said the spokesperson, who concluded by saying the safety of our passengers and staff is of paramount importance to Bus Eireann. Any incidents reported are taken very seriously and are fully investigated. Customers can report any incidents to gardai, to the driver or to our customer care team on 0818 836 611 or via customercare@buseireann.ie In June, SIPTU wrote to Bus Eireann management over what the union described as increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour on one of its Limerick services - Route 303. SIPTU said members have reported windows on buses being broken by youths throwing stones, workers being subjected to verbal abuse and threats of violence. Last January, the Leader revealed that private security drivers started to escort evening bus services in a city estate to protect drivers and passengers from serious violence. TWO Limerick students earned coveted places as finalists in the National Soapbox competition in Dublin. Ellie McCaffrey from Laurel Hill FCJ and Dylan ODonnell from Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh both represented the county at the national final. The theme was whether or not its time to ban social media for those under the age of 16. Ms McCaffrey came second with a highly commended honour in the age 17 and over category, while Mr ODonnell won the Limerick competition for those aged 16 and under and competed in a final against eight others. READ ALSO: Limerick mother whose daughter died at UHL tells Prime Time 'I'm heartbroken' Competitors had to deliver a three-minute speech on the topic to persuade the audience and judges of their argument. Chair of the judging panel and Assistant Chief Executive, Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), Paula Butler said: Reaching the national final of the Europe Direct Soapbox Competition is an outstanding achievement, reflecting months of preparation and success in regional heats across Ireland. The standard of this years finalists was exceptional. Each speaker brought fresh, thought-provoking perspectives to a complex and timely topic. Their confidence, clarity, and passion for debate truly impressed the judges and demonstrated the value of open discussion on issues that matter to society." Prizes were a 1,000 One4all voucher for each winner and a 500 One4all voucher for each runner-up. A FORMAL safety review has been requested for Sherins Cross, Dromin near Kilmallock after a number of serious collisions at the busy rural junction prompted fresh concern among councillors and residents. At the November meeting of the CappamoreKilmallock Municipal District, Cllr PJ Carey supported a joint motion from himself and Cllr Greg Conway calling for an official inspection of the crossroads to determine what measures are needed to make the area safer. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Carey said the situation has escalated in recent weeks. There was a bad crash two or three weeks ago, he explained. An elderly woman coming out of Dromin, turning for Kilmallock, was hit by a driver travelling from Kilmallock to Bruff. The sightlines are poor enough in fairness. Theres no suggestion the man was speeding or doing anything wrong its just a dangerous junction. Read More: New lease of life for landmark building on the banks of the River Shannon Cllr Carey said locals regularly report difficulty exiting the crossroads safely. You wouldn't want to be hanging about you literally have a second or two to get out of there . The area is also heavily used by school buses, which pick up children at the junction each morning, increasing the urgency for safety improvements. While major infrastructural works would require significant funding, Cllr Carey said he is prepared to allocate General Municipal Allocation (GMA) funding to begin traffic-calming measures if necessary. Youre never going to get a ramp on a busy road like that, he said. But you can slow people down. Well work together to put money towards it. The motion will be brought forward at the districts next meeting, where councillors hope an inspection will set in motion a plan to finally address long-standing safety fears at Sherins Cross. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 million exit and entry passenger trips had been recorded via Beijing exit and entry frontier inspection stations so far this year as of early Saturday morning, the highest number since 2020, according to local authorities. This figure, of which foreign passengers accounted for 30 percent, is 1.1 times the level of the whole of 2024, the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection revealed. Over 6 million border crossings by foreign nationals had been recorded as of early Saturday morning, up 34.5 percent from the same period last year. About 1.86 million entries were facilitated by visa exemption policies, 1.9 times the number recorded in 2024 and accounting for 60 percent of total entries of foreign nationals. Statistics showed that nearly half of these foreign passengers had traveled as tourists, while the rest were on business trips or traveled to visit friends or family. The surge was partly boosted by China's continuous optimization of visa-free policies. By the end of last month, China had established mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries and unilaterally offered visa-free entry to nationals of 48 countries, spanning Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. To ensure efficient and smooth border crossings, the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection has adopted multiple measures to facilitate customs clearance. Starting from Nov. 20, foreign visitors are able to complete their arrival cards online beforehand, while guidance signs were added at ports to assist passengers entering the country. Fino Payments Bank, the first payments bank to receive an in-principle nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transition into a small finance bank (SFB), is gearing up for a strategic shift that will expand its current business model significantly. The transition will be a cautious one with a focus on secured lending, primarily loans against property (LAP), affordable housing, and, to some extent, gold loans, managing director and chief executive officer Rishi Gupta told Mint in an interview. Unsecured lending will be strictly limited and targeted, he added. Following the RBI's approval on Friday, the bank will look at a higher proportion of secured assets as compared to unsecured assets, adding that it is not very keen to work on the microfinance institutions' lending space. Beyond new products and portfolios, Gupta sees the SFB approval as a broader validation of Finos model and long-term viability: it gives employees stability, opens credit access for merchants, offers investors a differentiated SFB rooted in payments, and expands the range of services for customers. Even within unsecured lending, Fino Payments Bank plans to restrict itself to small business loans for its long-existing merchants, typically in the 5-10 lakh range. Gupta said he wants to focus on calibrated growth rather than reckless lending. We have a big network of merchants and customers which will be our first set of people to go toWe understand our merchants well, with their income, their deposits, their transaction flow. That will be our focus area," he said. Finos merchant network grew to 2 million, with 56,000 merchants added in the quarter ended September. Average deposits rose 36% on year to 2,306 crore during the quarter. When asked about the banks loan book strategy in the first 12-24 months, Gupta said that they are working on some numbers, have selected a few geographies, and identified pockets where they will focus. Finos small finance bank blueprint leans heavily on its distribution network built over nearly two decades. The banks business correspondent network, which is central to its payments and deposit franchise, will now be upskilled to generate and partially fulfil lending leads. Also Read | Growth to guardrails: Why NBFCs are reining in loans to MSMEs Next act The small finance bank will have multiple benefits that a payments bank cannot offer, including the removal of the 2 lakh cap on savings balances, which will allow Fino to offer fixed and recurring deposits. Finos existing liability franchise, mobilising 700800 crore of low-cost deposits annually at around 2% cost will be scaled further through its business correspondent network. 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. Its BC banking product grew 5% on year and generated revenues of 35 crore. While Finos core payments, deposits, and merchant businesses will continue unchanged through the transition, one important shift will be the exit from its Corporate Business Correspondent (BC) banking vertical. Under SFB regulations, a bank cannot operate as a corporate BC for other banks. This means Fino will have to divest the Corporate BC banking business, which currently contributes about 8% of its revenue, before going live as a small finance bank. This vertical is distinct from Finos broader BC ecosystem that involves a separate network of agents who work exclusively on behalf of partner banks in rural areas, opening accounts and facilitating transactions under those banks mandates. Gupta expects that 75-80% of the banks revenues will continue to come from transaction-led businesses over the next three to five years. This, he believes, will give Fino an advantage as it builds its loan book slowly. We dont want to be aggressive. We want to do the right thing, even at our own pace," he said. Technology and artificial intelligence will be the second major pillar. We have no legacy asset book. For us, technology and AI will become the mainstay of how we scale, manage costs and assess credit," Gupta said. Fino plans to maintain its hallmark low-cost structure and the business correspondent network ensures variable-cost-driven expansion on both liabilities and assets, while AI and process digitalisation will reduce on ground-level operating expenses further. He also said that corporate hiring will rise in areas like credit, risk and product, but overall costs will grow modestly. Also Read | Jio Payments Bank goes big: Inside the push that quadrupled its footprint While Fino does not require fresh capital to begin operations or even for the first few years, Gupta said he might think about fundraising after two quarters to maintain surplus buffers as lending expands. Regulatory conditions for the transition period relate largely to promoter-level corporate actions rather than shareholding dilution, he said, adding that he expects the transition to be completed within 1218 months. Analysts believe that the payments bank, which had applied for an SFB licence in December 2023, has since been working on the process of building the technology, liability, and doing some pilots around credit, like merchant loans, gold loans, as well as a partnership-based lending portfolio. They also believe that Finos entry into the lending business is set to be both cost-effective and smooth, leveraging its established merchant network and existing technological infrastructure. Also Read | RBI scraps old lending curbs, downplays risk to corporate bond volumes Netflix beat out Paramount and Comcast to land a $72 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discoverys studios and HBO Max streaming service. Now it has to win over the Trump administration. The streaming giants deal is expected to be investigated by the Justice Department, which has already begun considering how it would further cement Netflixs dominance in the media industry. It will also have to contend with the preferences of President Trump, who is close with Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison and his father and could pressure antitrust enforcers to steer Warner toward Paramount instead. A senior administration official said Friday that Trump advisers, including White House officials, are concerned about Netflixs deal. Paramount, meanwhile, had in recent days accused Warner of unfairly favoring Netflixs deal, which it said would be frowned upon by regulators in the U.S. and abroad. Paramount, whose shares slumped Friday after Netflix prevailed, is now weighing its next move, people familiar with the matter said. Netflix, the largest streamer, has said the deal for Warners vast TV and movie libraries as well as HBO and its HBO Max streaming platform would help it attract and retain more subscribers. Netflix has also said it would keep Warner Bros. and HBO making shows and movies which is good for the creative community. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said Friday the company is highly confident" the deal will win approval because it is pro-consumer" and pro-innovation." The Justice Department would have to formally investigate to determine whether it should challenge the deal. Merger investigations typically take at least 10 months before the government files suit to block the transaction. More so than in previous administrations, the White House is likely to influence where regulators land, said Sam Weinstein, a professor at the Cardozo School of Law. During Trumps first term, the Justice Department unsuccessfully challenged AT&Ts acquisition of Time Warner after Trump had complained about Time Warner-owned CNNs coverage of him. More recently, the Trump administration approved Skydance Medias merger with Paramount. Ellison, the son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, a Trump ally, had promised the Federal Communications Commission that CBS News, a unit of Paramount, would deliver unbiased reporting and that Paramounts diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives would end. Trumps current antitrust chiefsGail Slater at the Justice Department and Andrew Ferguson at the FTChave had a relatively light touch so far when it comes to policing big deals. Both have made clear they are focused on protecting competition in cost-of-living sectors, such as healthcare and housing. Many companies have gotten deals blessed by offering settlements, which typically involve agreeing to sell pieces of a business to a third party. Some inside the Justice Department already believe Netflixs acquiring Warners HBO Max might violate antitrust laws because of the combined entitys scale among streaming services, The Wall Street Journal previously reported. Netflix and HBO Max together would control around 30% of the U.S. subscription streaming marketplace. Mergers of direct competitors are presumed to be illegal when the combined company has over 30% market share, according to Justice Department guidelines announced in 2023 under former President Biden and retained by the Trump administration. Netflix has argued that the streaming marketplace should also include mostly free video platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and TikTok. It also believes that even if the market is limited to subscription-based services, there is no evidence that adding HBO Max would reduce competition or harm consumers, according to a person familiar with the matter. Netflix has said HBO and its streaming service HBO Max will continue to operate as stand-alone entities after the deal closes but will be both bundled and separately sold alongside Netflix, which could mean lower prices for consumers. In a potential sign of Netflixs confidence, it agreed to pay Warner a so-called breakup fee of $5.8 billion if the deal was scuttled because the companies couldnt obtain necessary approvals. That fee is one of the largest in history and represents 8% of the total deal value, well above the 1% to 3% range that is more typical. Warner Discovery and Netflix have said they anticipate the deal to take 12 to 18 months to close. Netflix hired lawyers at Skadden to guide it through the deal, including antitrust veteran Steven Sunshine. Paramount hired its own legal heavyweight in Makan Delrahim, who ran the Justice Departments antitrust division during Trumps first term. He joined Paramount as chief legal officer in September. Netflixs deal has already drawn scrutiny from lawmakers in both parties as well as in Hollywood. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) said Friday on X that the proposed deal is an anti-monopoly nightmare" that will raise consumer costs and limit choice. U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R., Utah) earlier wrote on X that the potential deal would raise serious competition questionsperhaps more so than any transaction Ive seen in about a decade." Lee leads the Senate Judiciary Subcommittees antitrust subcommittee, which could hold hearings and force Netflix and Warner to answer questions about the deal. The movie industry could also be radically altered by Netflixs taking over Warner Bros. Netflix has historically preferred to keep most of its films on its platform rather than give them theatrical releases. It has indicated it will maintain Warner Bros. current operations including releasing movies in theaters, but some in the industry are dubious. The proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix poses an unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business, said Michael OLeary, president of movie industry lobbying arm Cinema United. Write to Joe Flint at Joe.Flint@wsj.com, Dave Michaels at dave.michaels@wsj.com and Lauren Thomas at lauren.thomas@wsj.com For a decade, one company has maintained a near-total stranglehold on the business of selling the advanced computer chips that power machine learning and artificial intelligence: Nvidia. Armed with the most advanced blueprints for graphics processing units, or GPUs, and helped by the rapid pace of innovation at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, the contract fabricator that makes 90% of the worlds advanced AI chips, Nvidia has become synonymous with AI processors. Thats starting to change. New entrants to the AI chip-design business, including Google and Amazon, are talking about selling their most advanced chips, which rival Nvidias GPUs in power and efficiency, to an array of outside customers. Smaller rivals like Advanced Micro Devices, Qualcomm and Broadcom are introducing products that help them focus more intently on AI data-center computing. Even some of Nvidias biggest customers, like ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Meta Platforms, are beginning to design their own custom chips, presenting a fresh challenge to the companys ubiquity. While its unlikely that Nvidia will see a mass exodus of customers, efforts by AI firms to diversify their suppliers could make it harder for the market leader to generate the superlative sales growth investors have grown accustomed to seeing. The landscape is shifting rapidly. Each passing week seems to come with a new, massive tech infrastructure deal or the release of a new generation of powerful AI chips. Heres a rundown of the major companies jostling for position in the fast-growing market for AI chips. The Top Dog Nvidias dominance in AI computing power has made it the most valuable company in the world and propelled its leather-jacket-clad Chief Executive Jensen Huang to celebrity status. Investors parse Huangs every word and look to the companys quarterly earnings as a barometer of the overall AI boom. Nvidia likes to describe its business as more than just chips, emphasizing that it offers rack-scale server solutions" and calls the data centers that use them AI factories." But the basic product that Nvidia offersaccelerated computingis the same one that all AI firms want. From February through October, Nvidia sold $147.8 billion worth of chips, network connections and other hardware underpinning the explosive growth of AI. Thats up from $91 billion in the same period a year earlier. In July, Nvidia surpassed $4 trillion in market value, the first company on the planet to do so. Five months later, it briefly topped $5 trillion, before fears of a bubble swept through the AI industry. Nvidias share price, like that of most of its rivals, fell a bit closer to earth. Even with the correction, the company is worth more than twice its nearest competitor, Broadcom, which is valued at $1.8 trillion. Nvidia had humble beginnings. In what is now the stuff of corporate legend, Huang, Curtis Priem and Chris Malachowskythree friends, all of them electrical engineersfounded the company in 1993 over Grand Slam breakfast plates at a Dennys in San Jose, Calif. Their original goal was to develop chips that could produce more realistic 3-D graphics for personal computers. Unlike the central processing units, or CPUs, that power most PCs, GPUs are capable of parallel computing: They can perform millions or billions of simple tasks simultaneously. Originally used by videogame developers, Nvidias GPUs were perfect for deep learning and AI, the company later realized. In 2006, Nvidia released CUDA, its proprietary software library that allows developers to build applications using the companys chips and make them run faster. As the AI gold rush took hold, thousands of developers became locked into Nvidias ecosystem of hardware and software. Nvidia has quickened its cadence for releasing each new generation of advanced AI chips. Late last year, it started shipping its Grace Blackwell series of serversits most powerful AI processors yet, employing its most-advanced chipsand sold out almost instantly. At an October conference in Washington, D.C., Huang said the company had sold six million Blackwell chips so far in 2025 and had orders for 14 million more, in total representing half-a-trillion dollars in sales. Challenges remain. Nvidia has been effectively banned from selling its chips in China for the last three years, a problem because Huang insists the rival superpower is home to half the worlds AI developers. Without the billions in sales that Chinese customers represent, the companys growth will be constrained, and Chinas tech sector will likely become accustomed to working with homegrown chips instead. Nvidia faces increased pressure at home now, too. View Full Image AMD CEO Lisa Su holds a MI355X GPU at the companys Austin, Texas, campus. The Rival Designers AMD made a critical change of course three years ago to set up a classic David vs. Goliath challenge to Nvidia. As it became clear that demand for advanced AI processors was skyrocketing, AMD CEO Lisa Su told her board that she planned to reorient the entire company around AI. She predicted the insatiable demand for compute" would continue. The wager has so far paid off handsomely: AMDs market cap has nearly quadrupled to more than $350 billion, and the company recently inked major deals to supply chips to OpenAI and Oracle. Another chip designer, Broadcom, once a division of Hewlett-Packard, has also emerged as a formidable competitor. It expanded into a $1.8 trillion leviathan through a series of big-ticket mergers. Broadcom now produces custom chips called XPUs, which are designed for specific computing tasks, and networking hardware that helps data centers stitch together huge racks of servers. Intel, one of the original Silicon Valley titans, has fallen on hard times. It mostly missed out on the AI revolution because of a series of strategic errors, but it recently invested heavily in both its design and manufacturing businesses and is courting customers for its advanced data-center processors. Qualcomm, which is best known for designing chips for mobile devices and cars, saw its stock jump 20% after its October announcement that it would launch two new AI accelerator chips. The company said the new AI200 and AI250 are distinguished by their very high memory capabilities and energy efficiency. View Full Image A Trainium2 chip produced by Amazon Web Services Annapurna Labs. This week, the company launched faster custom AI chips. The Giant Interlopers In recent weeks, competition intensified. Armed with mountains of cash from other business lines, Alphabets Google unit and Amazons cloud-computing segment, Amazon Web Services, have invested in AI chips and are seeing increased demand for them from third-party customers as well. For more than a decade, Google has designed and used chips known as tensor processing units, or TPUs, for internal use. The company first made them available for third-party use in 2018, but for several years they werent sold as widely to large customers. Now, giants including Meta, Anthropic and Apple either buy access to TPUs to train and run their models, or are in talks to do so. In late November, Dylan Patel, founder of influential AI infrastructure consulting firm SemiAnalysis, mused that the growing popularity of Googles chips might mean the end of Nvidias dominance." Amazon, meanwhile, is expanding a data-center cluster for Anthropic that will eventually have more than one million of Amazons Trainium chips, and AWS just launched broader sales of chips that it says are faster and use far less energy than Nvidias equivalents. View Full Image OpenAI, run by CEO Sam Altman, has immense computing needs. The Do-It-Yourselfers Even Nvidias customers are starting to eat into its dominance by developing their own application-specific integrated circuits, or ASICs. This class of chips, co-designed by AI companies and the big silicon firms, are optimized for highly specific computing tasks. OpenAI and Broadcom recently struck a multibillion-dollar partnership to develop custom chips to serve the ChatGPT-makers computing needs. A few months ago, Meta announced it would acquire chip startup Rivos to boost its efforts to develop in-house AI training chips. Microsofts chief technology officer said in October that the company plans to rely more heavily on its own custom accelerator chips in its data-center business. And over the summer, Elon Musks xAI posted job listings for chip designers to help with designing and refining new hardware architectures" to assist in AI model training. Most industry watchers say its unlikely Nvidia will lose its dominant market position, and Nvidia argues that its computing systems are more flexible and have broader uses than custom chips. But with demand rising rapidly, its no longer the only game in town. Write to Robbie Whelan at robbie.whelan@wsj.com SoftBank Group is mulling another acquisition, as the Masayoshi Son-led company is in talks to buy DigitalBridge Group Inc., Bloomberg reported quoting people familiar with the matter. DigitalBridge is a private equity company that invests in assets including data centres and SoftBank's talks come at a time when the Japanese company is ramping up its goal to take advantage of an AI-driven boom in digital infrastructure. SoftBank is reportedly in talks to make a potential deal to buy the New York-listed DigitalBridge and then taking it private, the people told Bloomberg. According to a report by Reuters quoting a person in the know, the deal is likely to be finalised by the end of this year. A SoftBank-DigitalBridge deal could come together as soon as the coming weeks, even as deliberations are ongoing and there is no certainty they will lead to an agreement, Bloomberg said in its report. Investors have funnelled record capital into digital infrastructure this year, wagering that growing power demand will turn data centres into prime real estate. McKinsey projects spending on AI-linked infrastructure could reach $6.7 trillion by 2030. SoftBank and DigitalBridge have not released any official communication on the matter yet. DigitalBridge shares see biggest one-day gain Shares of DigitalBridge soared as much as 45% on Friday's close, marking its biggest one-day gain ever as the news of the SoftBank talks surfaced. DigitalBridge stock price closed at $14.12, giving the company a market value of $2.58 billion, after it had fallen 13% this year. Led by Chief Executive Officer Marc Ganzi, DigitalBridge's assets under management were valued at $108 billion at the end of September, as per the website of the company. Its portfolio boasts of digital infrastructure operators including AIMS, AtlasEdge, DataBank, Switch, Vantage Data Centers and Yondr Group. SoftBank seeks to ride on AI high Billionaire Masayoshi Son, who leads SoftBank, has been trying to reap benefits of the skyrocketing demand for the computing capacity that forms the base of artificial intelligence applications. In January, SoftBank announced a $500 billion project called Stargate, alongside OpenAI, Oracle Corp. and Abu Dhabis MGX, to build data centres in the United States. While SoftBanks Son pledged to deploy $100 billion immediately, the rollout of Stargate has been slower than anticipated, partly due to disagreements over where the data centres should be located. SoftBank initially sought project financing from outside investors including insurance companies, pension funds and investment funds, but some of the conversations slowed due to market volatility, uncertainty around US trade policy and questions about the financial valuations of AI hardware, Bloomberg News reported in May. SpaceX, the space transportation and satellite making company run by Elon Musk, is preparing to sell its insider shares in a transaction that would value it at higher than $500 billion, Bloomberg reported quoting people familiar with the development. This means that SpaceX is on its way to break OpenAI's record, which had sold its shares to have a $500 billion valuation a first in history. How much will SpaceX's valuation be? According to the people quoted by Bloomberg, the insider share selling could increase the valuation of SpaceX to about $800 billion. Some people with knowledge of the matter told the news agency that the companys latest tender offer could change on the basis of interest from insider sellers and buyers or other factors. Also Read | Sam Altman has explored deal to build competitor to Elon Musks SpaceX The details of the SpaceX insider share selling was discussed by SpaceXs board of directors on Thursday at its Starbase hub in Texas. Another person briefed on the matter said that the SpaceX share price under discussion is higher than $400 apiece. This would value the Elon Musk-run company at between $750 billion and $800 billion, though the details could change. If the plan is confirmed, SpaceX is on its way to become the most valuable privately held company, edging past OpenAI. The ChatGPT owner had in October set the record by being valued at $500 billion. The $400 per share figure is a substantial jump from the $212 apiece set in July, when SpaceX raised funding and sold shares at a valuation of $400 billion. The company has however not made any public announcement about the share selling deal. Also Read | Blue Origin launches huge rocket carrying twin NASA spacecraft to Mars The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, earlier reported that a deal would value SpaceX at $800 billion. The news of the SpaceX latest valuation sent shares of EchoStar Corp., a satellite TV and wireless company, up as much as 18%. This comes after a month of EchoStar agreeing to sell spectrum licenses to SpaceX for $2.6 billion. SpaceX IPO in the works? Another person with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg said SpaceX could pursue an initial public offering as soon as late next year. A SpaceX IPO, if launched, could send the $800 billion valuation company to an elite group the 20 largest public companies, a few notches below Musks Tesla. If the SpaceX IPO pertains to selling 5% of the company at an $800 billion valuation, it would have to sell $40 billion of stock making it the biggest IPO of all time. This is well above Saudi Aramcos $29 billion listing in 2019. A listing would also subject SpaceX to the volatility of being a public company, versus private firms whose valuations are closely guarded secrets. The scale and speed of money pouring into artificial intelligence resemble the information boom of 2000 and may ultimately lead to a correction, said American economist James K. Galbraith, professor at the University of Texas at Austin. This certainly looks like a very big one (bubble). You've got a great deal of overinvestment, which will not be borne out with real returns and so ultimately, there will be a reckoning as there was in 2000 with the information boom, said Galbraith during a session at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025 in Delhi. While governments appear determined to build momentum, he cautioned that policymakers will not be able to sustain the surge permanently. The government is much more intent upon keeping this going. Good luck to them. I dont think they necessarily have the power to do that forever, he said. Galbraith, who has long studied global power dynamics, said that despite deep economic and geopolitical tensions owing to slowing economic growth and the US tariff row, the world may not be locked into a long-term downward spiral. I think that there is a considerable potential for stabilization of the world situation. That we were heading toward a confrontation that now we have at least some possibility of avoiding, Galbraith said. And so, I have some modest optimism that the worst scenarios can be averted. It is not certain and the situation remains very dangerous. On the US government's push to revive American manufacturing, Galbraith said tariffs offer only limited and temporary benefits. While some European firms could shift production to the US because of the energy crunch triggered by sanctions on Russia, the impact will be modest. The problem with tariffs is that it's an administrative measure that's imposed. They can't impose it for 30 years. They can impose it, you can expect them to continue for the lifetime of this administration, which in our system is another three years. And so, beyond that point, the future is deeply uncertain, said Galbraith. Also Read | RBI crafts a Goldilocks moment with surprise rate cut The recent USChina tariff row illustrates these limits. After the US escalated tariffs and widened its entities list, China retaliated by restricting exports of rare earths and gallium, which are critical inputs for advanced chips. The US quickly sought a truce once it became clear that domestic supply chains were at risk. Theres nothing the US can do in a year that will significantly affect its availability of rare earths, he said. And nothing they can do on any time horizon that will give them an alternative supply of gallium. This has forced both sides to pause and reassess, creating temporary stability. On India, Galbraith said strong gross domestic product (GDP) numbers mask deeply rooted inequality, poverty and demographic pressures. One unfortunate fact of the Indian situation is a very high level of inequality by international standards, he said, warning against over-emphasizing the growth rate, which he described as not a meaningful indicator of social well-being, stability or public health. Real progress, he said, depends on improving social services, reducing household cost pressures and prioritizing environmental and public-health goals, even if that slows headline growth. Economic growth is not the only thing you should be looking at. There is a problem of obsessing on the economic growth rate, he said. Galbraith said wealthy economies are also showing clear signs of demographic stress driven by the widening gap between household incomes and fixed expenses in increasingly urbanized, high-cost societies. That would be true, and is true increasingly in India as it is anywhere else, he said, adding that the squeeze can be addressed only by rethinking resource costs, strengthening social services and supporting overall quality of life for the population. Also Read | A final boarding call for Indias demographic dividend Cocona, who is part of the famous hip-hop and R&B band XG, has come out as transmasculine and non-binary. The musician put out a post on Instagram where the announcement was made. Cocona comes out as transmasculine Today, I turned 20. As I reach this new chapter in my life, I want to share something thats been in my heart for a long time. I am AFAB transmasculine non-binary. Earlier this year, I had top surgery, Cocona said on XGs account. I was born and perceived as female, but that label never represented who I truly am. I live in a way that feels more masculine and true to who I am, the statement further read. The famous rapper added that it has been the support of the bands other members and XGs producer that has allowed this transformation. This suggests that the band will remain united and continue to perform as before. What is top surgery? According to Transcare, top surgery can also be called masculinizing chest reconstruction. This surgery is performed to reconfigure the skin and tissue of the chest area to make it look like a male chest. This is regarded as a gender-affirming surgery for transmasculine persons. Two other names given to this surgery are subcutaneous mastectomy, male/masculinizing chest contouring, the website informs. This is a complex medical procedure that requires a detailed assessment by the surgeon before actually operating on the patient. Those who seek to undergo this operation may also require a mental health clearance certification. The website also suggests that the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the person undergoing this procedure should be below 32. Those who are above 40 also need to have a mammogram performed within the past year. After the surgery has been performed, the post-operative care is elaborate. The dressings have to be kept dry, and the person may experience itching or shooting pain occasionally during the recovery period. At least a weeks rest is required after surgery, and water has to be kept away from the dressings for two weeks. Regular post-operative visits to the doctor are also necessary. The protocols followed for such operations can come from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health SOC (Standards of Care). FAQs Who is Cocona? Cocona is a rapper and member of the band XG. What kind of music is XG known for? XG is known for music inspired by both hip-hop and R&B. Prudential plc, on December 6, announced that ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company had filed the Red Herring Prospectus (RHP) with the Registrar of Companies, Delhi and Haryana at Delhi, for an initial public offering (IPO). The RHP has also been filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), BSE Limited (BSE) and National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE). The issue, reportedly pegged at around 10,000 crore, is an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 9.91% of the equity share capital in ICICI Prudential Asset Management by Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Prudential. The company said the IPO and the amount of the offer for sale remain subject to market conditions, requisite approvals and other considerations. In addition to the potential IPO, Prudential plc said it continues to consider a private sale of 2% of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company to ICICI Bank. "We are also considering an additional pre-IPO placement to select institutional investors before the completion of the IPO," said Prudential. ICICI Prudential AMC IPO ICICI Prudential AMC submitted its draft papers to SEBI on July 8. According to the draft papers, the purpose of the offer is to carry out the OFS and to gain the benefits of listing the equity shares on the stock exchanges. As Mint reported earlier, the book-running lead managers of the IPO include ICICI Securities, Citigroup Global Markets India, Morgan Stanley India Co., BofA Securities India, and Goldman Sachs (India) Securities, among others. KFin Technologies Ltd will be the registrar to the offer. Among the key risks, the underperformance of the companys investment products may cause a decline in its assets under management, including PMS, AIF, and advisory assets, which could negatively impact its business, financial performance and cash flows. Rising competition from both existing and new players is another key risk. Intense competition could slow growth, erode market share or lead to lower fees, affecting the companys business, financial condition and cash flows. Notably, HDFC Asset Management Co., Nippon Life India Asset Management, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC, UTI Asset Management Co., Canara Robeco Asset Management Co., and Shriram Asset Management Co. are other major players in the asset management space. But as a writer I am embarrassed to admit I bought no books at the Shillong Literary Festival in November. My excuse was books are heavy, I was already carrying some and there was no room in my luggage. However I managed to find room for some very unliterary goodiesbottles of fruit wine carefully swaddled in T-shirts and socks. I felt like a literary traitor. Every year I go to the Kolkata Book Fair, the worlds largest non-trade book fair. And every year I make snide remarks about how the lines for the food stalls selling biryani and fish fries are longer and busier than the lines to get into the bookstores. Now I was one of those people. But then I remembered what IAS officer and Meghalaya commissioner D. Vijay Kumar had said at the opening of the Shillong Literary Festival. He said post-covid, the state decided the way it wanted to revive its economy was to focus on the creative economy." The literary festival was part of it, as were the Chief Ministers Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program (CMMGMP), films, design and food. And fruit wine. As I walked to the festival venue past Wards Lake and cherry trees in pastel bloom, the food stalls were just setting up but smiling vendors already offered samples of fruit wine. Its barely 10 in the morning," I protested feebly. Its just a sample," John, a beaming young man replied as he offered a swig of dark sohiong or Meghalaya blackberry wine. It was surely wine oclock somewhere. Sohiong oak reserve promised dark berry notes with a smooth finish" while the bayberry wine claimed it would deliver a tangy berry burst and earthy depth." It was a fruit bonanzastrawberry, guava, jamun, chikoo. Everything non-grape. Maryanne Hynniewta of The Little Haven winery told me her dream is to make wine even with the bhoot jholokia chilli. A little further down Mishmi Deb at The Taste of Shillong offered ice creams in local flavourscreamy Khasi rice, sweet-tart sohiong and the states famous golden turmeric. Over at the literature festival stage, a Booker winner was about to begin speaking. But the ice cream was melting and needed my urgent attention. At this time of the year the cherry blossom is in bloom in Shillong. A literature festival framed by pink cherry blossoms next to a placid lake under clear blue skies is fairytale enough. As Booker winner Banu Mushtaq said at the inauguration, To stand in Shillong feels like walking into a page that has been quietly waiting for me." If that page also comes with blackberry wine and chicken with bamboo shoots so much the better. Like every state blessed with forests and natural splendour, Meghalaya grapples with thorny issues of developmentdeforestation and mining, for example. But its still heartening to see a state trying to steep in its own creative juices in so many ways. The Chief Ministers Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program, started in 2022, funds young aspiring musicians for small gigs at cafes just to get an ecosystem going. It helps that the chief minister Conrad Sangma is himself a musician and likes to strum a guitar and belt out Summer of 69 on occasion. The state also funds young filmmakers. It has its own OTT platform Hello Meghalaya. At the festival, Sangma wondered whether there could be a writing competition next time to encourage more local voices and local stories. National award-winning filmmaker Dominic Sangma grew up in the hills of Meghalaya. His school was on the top of a mountain. Every day as he went uphill he would tell himself stories to while away the time. I wanted to go to Mumbai to make films," he said during a discussion. After I went to the film institute, I wanted to go back home to tell stories of my people for the world." Now those stories are in bloom. Like the cherry blossom. The cherry trees were planted here as part of a massive beautification drive in the late 1970s. These days theres a Cherry Blossom Festival every autumn. Shillong, Scotland of the East, is now a sakura city like Kyoto in Japan. It all feels cosmopolitan in a way many big Indian cities do not. Elsewhere, its all about global brands. Here its a cosmopolitanism that tries to remain rooted in the local. At Shad Skye, a plush bar overlooking the hustle of Police Bazar in central Shillong, the literary festivals opening party had cocktails with familiar names like gin sling and Old Fashioned. But the bartender said they also had local infusions from Meghalaya and its sister statesdrinks infused with black sesame, pinewood bitters, Khasi mandarin, bamboo shoot. They were probably hesitant to offer them at the reception, unsure how guests from other parts of the world would take to whisky with black rice. Downstairs from Shad Skye, Nonna Mei, a new Italian restaurant, serves Italian food but with a local touch. Even the name brings together an Italian grandmother and a Khasi one though there is no real heart-warming grandmothers meeting story here. But its a bold way to imagine Italian food. The sweet baby carrots came roasted on a bed of mash but instead of the usual cheese, it was the local staple, khar. The waiter warned me that the blood sausage on the pizza might be an acquired taste and the red chillies would be hot. As for the negroni, he asked hesitantly Are you okay with pork?" Its a smoked pork negroni. For those who do not eat pork there is Lakadong turmeric. My drink arrivesa deep ruby red with a jaunty curl of crispy pork skin as garnish. This is a very different Shillong from the town I knew on holidays as a child when Bengali families would arrive en masse to see Elephant Falls and eat pineapple souffle at the very venerable Pinewood Hotel where a log fire burned in the fireplace. That Shillong was so picture-perfect and wholesome one could imagine it as an Enid Blyton story setting. This Shillong is flaunting the funkiness that was once kept discreetly hidden away from the mainland". Now its infusing its cocktails with it. And fermenting its fruits. Its not happened organically. Wine-making is as old as the hills. Hynniewta of The Little Haven winery says her mother-in-law would make wine at home from the excess fruit in their backyard. But it was never quite legalised. In 1947 one Captain Douglas Hunt set up a winery for Mawphlang cherry wine and brandy. But this hobbyist wine has now been developed into a bona-fide tourist attraction. Excise rules were amended to legalise production and sale of homemade wines. Now the rice beer of Garo Hills can be bottled, canned and sold with smart labels at places like the lit fest. Bitchi, the rice beer, even has a GI tag. The state just extended VAT exemption on its fruit wine to 10 years to boost production. Wine tourism, like the Cherry Blossom Festival, is a thing. But it can be too much of a good thing. Just as I feared, thanks to my bottles, I was over my allowed weight. The airline staff at the tiny Shillong airport were sympathetic but firm. But I cant take the wine out," I said sadly imagining myself sitting at the airport and drinking a bottle of Himalayan dark cherry wine aka te.gisim. Isnt there a book or something you could take out?" she asked. And thats just what I did. As I returned from a lit fest, the books made room for wine in my luggage. But then again they were all fruits of the same creative economy. Cult Friction is a fortnightly column on issues we keep rubbing up against. Sandip Roy is a writer, journalist and radio host. He posts @sandipr Also Read | Sandip Roy: The act of renaming places is a powerful tool in politics Michal Pilat, head of Polish film company 9th Plan, delivers a speech at the opening of the 2025 Poland "Chinese Film Festival" in Warsaw, Poland, on Dec. 5, 2025.(Xinhua/Yang Yuchen) WARSAW, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 China Film Festival opened Friday evening here, with more than 300 guests attending the opening ceremony and watching the animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2." Lu Shan, Chinese ambassador to Poland, said in his opening remarks that film is an art that transcends time and space and also a bridge connecting people's hearts. He noted that exchanges between China and Poland in the field of film have been close and have played an important role in promoting understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Polish cinema boasts a long history, and many Polish films are loved by Chinese audiences, he said. In recent years, more and more Chinese film and television productions have also entered the Polish market, becoming a window for the Polish public to better understand China. As next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Poland, he expressed hope that both sides will further deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation from this new starting point, and continue to bring new vitality into the traditional friendship between the two countries. The three-day festival was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Poland and organized by Polish film company 9th Plan. Michal Pilat, head of Polish film company 9th Plan, said that for centuries Poland and China have engaged in dialogue in commerce, knowledge and the arts. Despite the distance between the two countries, these ties are growing stronger. Believing that culture has an extraordinary power to connect people, he said that the company's desire is to build a bridge of film and culture between Poland and China, connecting creators and audiences in both countries. The festival will screen four Chinese films, including "Ne Zha 2" and "Dead to Rights" in Warsaw and several other cities in Poland. With the cohort of writers, thinkers and artists being more or less the same at the many art and literature events across India, location becomes all the more important, and probably the differentiator. Last weekend, Kochis Subhash Park, with its view of the sparkling waters of Cochin Harbour and Vembanad Lake, was a beautiful venue for Manorama Hortusif you got bored of all the talking, you could take a walk by the sea. In Meghalaya, the cherry blossom season is the perfect foil for its Shillong Literary Festival, providing pastel shade beside a placid lake. Perhaps the most vibrant yet charming venue for an arts festival is the city of Panaji, which hosts the Serendipity Arts Festival every year and will do so for the 10th year next week. Theres art in a riverside park, a barge converted into a gallery, a 100-year-old heritage home that hosts theatrical dining experiences, an old accounts office thats the hub for film screenings, and a disused medical college building where workshops are held. Even an old PWD complex has got a second, less boring lifeas a space for avant-garde photography. Its this rather audacious imagination that makes Serendipity one of the most unusual arts festivals in the country, as we report this week. It doesnt just show art; it actually gets artists to think about the ways in which their work relates to the work of others, and to the visitors as well as the residents. A chefs work was considered food until about a decade ago, when Serendipity introduced a culinary arts segment. We now have chefs who think and work like artists, exploring the meaning and politics behind ingredients and techniquesand its probably also played a role in the restaurant boom in India. The same weekend, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale will open, another first-of-its kind event that reimagined an entire town as a venue for art. Though the biennale has been plagued by troubles, its sixth edition promises a return to first principles with new curators and ideas. And keeping with the theme of vibrant cities, we have a story on the many Christmas markets in Europe and the goodies you can find there. And if youre looking to start new traditions, read our story about the relationship rituals people create to keep friendships alive across time and distance. And as always, we suggest what to watch this weekend and bring you a round-up of the best of gaming for December. Listen without tuning out Traditional in-ear and over-ear headphones are built to create an immersive bubble but often, immersion is a liability. It makes us unsafe on the street and anti-social in the office. This is the problem that bone conduction technology aims to solve with tech that allows you to hear two worlds at once. For runners, cyclists, and urban pedestrians, the ability to hear ambient sounds like traffic, horns, approaching vehicles, or other people is a life-saving feature. The new OpenRun Pro 2 from Shokz ( 17,999) allows a user to be on a call or listen to audio while remaining perfectly accessible to colleagues, a family member, or the sound of a doorbell, finds Abhishek Baxi. Read the review. Job uncertainty? Set clear boundaries Raised in a culture that normalises gap years and celebrates risk-taking, Gen Z approaches job uncertainty with a different perspective than previous generations. Even as companies across the world announce layoffs and hiring freezes and slowdowns, younger employees continue to shut their laptops at 6pm, refuse to work longer hours and guard personal time. Its a marked departure from previous generations who worked harder and longer to signal dedication and indispensability when the going got tough. Instead, Gen Z takes a more strategic approach, writes Geetika Singh. They have witnessed an era of volatility, which has made them aware of their skills and less risk-averse. They prefer to build a flexible yet long-lasting career that prioritises work-life balance. What politics could learn from orchestras Silence has become rare; not the silence of peace, but the silence of attention. The world is saturated with sound, yet hollow of listening, writes former Ambassador Nirupama Menon Rao. Diplomacy has become theatre, power has become spectacle, and noise has been mistaken for strength. What is missing is discipline. An orchestra understands this in its bones, and it is something international politics can learn from music, explains Rao, who is the founder of the South Asian Symphony Orchestra. When musicians from Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka and the diaspora gather in one orchestra, they do not bring flags. They adjust, and they soften. They begin again. This is what politics needs to do. Why doing nothing is just what you need Long overshadowed by chicken tikka masalas global fame, the country now wants the world to taste the breadth of its culinary identityfrom the slow-simmered richness of dal makhani to the coastal heat of Chettinad spice. Officials are crafting an ambitious plan to turn Indias vast regional cuisines into a coherent global brand, one that can shape how the country is perceived. Taking cues from the way Italy turned pizza and pasta into cultural ambassadors and how Korean and Mediterranean dishes have swept international menus, India is gearing up for a flavour-forward push. Think biryanis and dosas headlining global food festivals; marquee Indian restaurants abroad hosting chef collaborations; and a standards playbook that ensures a packaged dal or pulao tastes unmistakably Indian" anywhere in the world. The goal is simple, if audacious: make Indian cuisine not just loved, but globally legibleand in doing so, elevate Indias place on the world stage. Popular Indian dishes like dal makhani, various biryanis, staples like dosa and idli, traditional sweets, and a raft of regional items will be positioned as contemporary and appealing to international palates, according to two officials in the food processing industries ministry. As per the plan, we are also identifying popular regional dishes that can be adapted into ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook formats for global markets," said the first of the two officials, both of whom didn't want to be identified. The official added that southern states offer distinctive favourites like Chettinad chicken, Hyderabadi haleem, Malabar biryani, gongura curries, and Mangalorean ghee roast, all of which carry a strong regional identity. Besides dal makhani and butter chicken, from the northern region, dishes such as rogan Josh, yakhni pulao, and Awadhi biryani also have wide appeal, and with proper standardization they can represent Indias authentic taste internationally," this official added. The push to take regional cuisines international is well-timed, according to the co-founder of Chatti, a Kerala restaurant that opened in midtown New York early this year. Indian cuisines have so many hidden treasures to show the world," said chef Regi Mathew. We serve kappa (tapioca) and red fish curry, sardine fry, appams, duck curry We haven't diluted original recipes. Our food is a flavour bomb; it is spicy by flavour, not by pungency." Chatti's clientele keeps Mathew busy and he says the business is on its way to break even before two years, widely seen as milestone on financial health among New York restauranteurs. View Full Image Chatti's clientele keeps Regi Mathew busy and he says the business is on its way to break even before two years, widely seen as milestone on financial health among New York restauranteurs. Food-culture-nation link At the core of it, the government plan involves participating in major global food festivals including Taste of London, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Dubai Food Festival and the Singapore Food Festival to popularize these dishes and further expand Indian cuisine international reach, said the first official. Food has always been an effective instrument of soft diplomacy, even if overlooked by nations, a foreign affairs expert said. "When a countrys dishes become familiar on dining tables across continents, its culture becomes more approachable and its identity more recognizable," said Dattesh Parulekar, assistant professor, international relations, Goa University. If India can standardize quality and build a strong global brand for its cuisine, it wont just boost exportsit will deepen cultural linkages and strengthen the countrys soft-power footprint in a way that traditional diplomacy cannot," he added. Harmonizing an international Indian identity is a crying need today, according to Haresh Karamchandani, managing director (MD) and group chief executive officer (CEO), HyFun Foods. India is "poised in terms of its rich, diverse cuisines that can leave an impact at a global level. A standardized framework will not only strengthen international awareness of Indian flavours but also build greater trust and recall," he said. Also Read | Home chefs bring global cuisines inspired by their travels The standardization intent comes at a time packaged Indian foods is finding a sharp increase in global demand. Indias ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) exports has grown to $1.69 billion in 2024-25 from $1.52 billion the previous fiscal, data from the commerce ministry showed. In the first five months of 2025-26 (April t0 August), it has surged to $1.60 billion. The major export destinations for Indian RTE food items are the US, the UK, UAE, Canada, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands, among other countries. We are also working to assist traders in registering patents for their speciality food products and securing GI tags to improve their acceptance and visibility in international markets," said the second official. GI or geographical indication tags indicate the origin of a product, such as champagne and basmati rice, among others. Participation in major global food festivals like Taste of London, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Dubai Food Festival and the Singapore Food Festival are planned, a ministry official said. Tourism playbook Packaged food companies said the government move aligns well with market trends. RTE and RTC formats are no longer viewed as shortcuts, but as smart, convenience-led solutions that help households save time while still enjoying the comfort and reassurance of cooking at home," said Ayush Gupta, head of the domestic division at basmati rice major KRBL Ltd. He expects "the growing belief that convenience doesnt have to come at the cost of flavour, quality or authenticity" to resonate in international markets as well. Shows like MasterChef Australia will go a long way in amplifying the Indian intent of using food as a soft power tool, a brand expert said. India can amplify its culinary influence globally by leading with rich regional authenticity. Content is key," said Delhi-based Nidhi Gupta, an independent brand consultant. The plan to participate in food industry conferences and festivals has a precedent in how the country grew its heft in international tourism over the last two decades. What started as the 'Incredible India' campaign produced by ad agency Ogilvy & Mather in 2002 focusing on different aspects of Indian culture, destinations, yoga, and spirituality soon ballooned into a full-fledged international marketing and communications outreach targeting global travelers. View Full Image In a column last year, former G20 Sherpa and Niti Aayog CEO talked of the potential of Indian chefs abroad serving as ambassadors for India. "India must harness this formidable resource by partnering with these chefs to promote Indian food through curated events and festivals, Kant wrote. (PTI) The marketing push, which included participation in international tourism conferences, electrified inbound tourism. International tourist arrivals rose from 1.52 million in 2021 to 6.43 million in 2022, 9.52 million in 2023 and nearly 10 million (9.95 million) in 2024, government data showed. The contribution of tourism was not restricted to contribution to national income. Industry body World Travel & Tourism Council estimates foreign visitors spent a record 3.1 trillion in 2024, crossing the pre-pandemic peak of 2019 by 9%. Also Read | North-East food creators get candid on cuisine The spending on international promotion of India as a destination used to be in the tens of crores range even though it has come down in recent years. In 2023-24, the allocation under this head was 51 crore, which dropped to 33 crore in fiscal 2025. The allocation for this financial year is 3.07 crore. The take-Indian-foods-global plan is at a conceptual stage, with discussions still underway to earmark the funds towards training and incentives under this novel initiative, the second official cited earlier said. Authenticity, chef focus The other focus in the government push is the intention to keep dishes from all four major Indian regions north, south, east and west as authentic as possible while serving them at Indian restaurants abroad and collaborating with chefs. This part of the plan involves roping in chefs for food preparation and menu development, with the ministry examining possible incentive structures and support mechanisms, the first official said. The global success of pizza and pasta offers a template for how Indian cuisine can scale globally, a gastronomy expert said. "Italian food became mainstream worldwide not only because of migration but also due to strategic moves including standardized recipes, consistent quality across outlets, affordable pricing, easy-to-replicate formats and strong global branding by restaurant chains," said chef Sanjeev Verma, who is president of industry grouping Chef Association of Five Rivers and runs the Pashtun chain of Restaurants. Industry experts say Indias attempt to build a global cuisine identity mirrors strategies adopted by Italy, Japan, and Korea, where branding helped bring national dishes onto an international platform. Chefs believe India has a similar opportunity what with its cuisine hitting the high notes lately: Semma, a Michelin-starred South Indian restaurant New York, was ranked no. 1 on The New York Timess 2025 list of the citys 100 best restaurants. It's first Indian restaurant to top the list. To promote Indian cuisine, the government must assist entrepreneurs in setting up authentic Indian restaurants across the globe. Additionally, the government should look beyond celebrity chefs to promote the cuisine," said award winning chef Manish Mehrotra. View Full Image Award-winning chef Manish Mehrotra said the government must assist entrepreneurs in setting up authentic Indian restaurants across the globe. (X/@manishmehrotra) In a column last year, Amitabh Kant, formerly India's G-20 Sherpa and CEO of government think tank Niti Aayog had stressed on the power of India-rooted chefs spreading Indian cuisine to several parts of the world. Across the globe, countless Indian chefs have journeyed abroadand becoming culinary luminaries in their own right. India must harness this formidable resource by partnering with these chefs to promote Indian food through curated events and festivals Indian chefs abroad can serve as esteemed ambassadors of their nation," Kant wrote. Kant was one of the early bureaucrats who worked on India's tourism campaigns and international marketing push. Queries sent to the spokespersons of the food processing ministry and a few of the major players operating in the segment, such as ITC Foods, MTR Foods, Haldiram Ethnic Foods, and Gits Foods remained unanswered until press time. Following reports of soaring airfares and government notification on ticket prices, Air India clarified that since 4 December, economy class airfares on non-stop domestic flights have been capped to manage pricing. Air India & Air India Express clarify that, since 4 December, economy class airfares on non-stop domestic flights have been proactively capped to prevent the usual demand-and-supply mechanism being applied by revenue management systems," an Air India spokesperson said. We are aware of screenshots of last-minute itineraries with one-stop or two-stop flights or a combination of economy and premium economy or business cabins taken from third-party platforms. It is not technically possible to cap all such permutations, but we are engaging such platforms to exercise oversight, the spokesperson added. The airline also plans to add more capacity amid a shortage of flights due to the IndiGo crisis, when several flights were cancelled and delayed. Air India and Air India Express are seeking to add capacity to help travellers and their baggage reach their destinations as quickly as possible, the airline spokesperson noted. New measures announced Amid the widespread disruptions across India, Air India and Air India Express, in a press release on Saturday, announced a series of measures for impacted passengers. Capping of airfares From 4 December onwards, both carriers have announced to cap economy-class airfares on non-stop domestic flights to avoid the usual demandsupply dynamics applied by automated revenue management systems. They are also working to ensure compliance with the latest directive on airfare caps issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 6 December 2025. Waiver of change or cancellation fees Air India and Air India Express have announced to offer a special waiver of change or cancellation fees on eligible domestic flight bookings. Accordingly, travellers who booked their flights with any of these airlines until 4 December 2025 for travel till 15 December 2025 can reschedule their bookings to a future date without paying the applicable rescheduling fee, as per the validity of the purchased ticket or can cancel their bookings with a full refund, without any cancellation fee applied. This one-time waiver is applicable for changes or cancellations made until 8 December 2025. Any fare difference in case of rescheduling will apply. IndiGo crisis The statement comes after several IndiGo flights were cancelled and delayed, while airfares of other airlines skyrocketed. The country largest airline, IndiGo cancelled hundreds of flights in the last five days, primarily due to crew shortages and with fewer operational flights, airfares on some routes increased significantly. Also Read | Indian Railways to run special trains as IndiGo cancels flights from Hyderabad Soaring airfares On Friday, airfares for different airlines soared, with a one-way, one-stop economy class SpiceJet flight from Kolkata to Mumbai on 6 December costing as much as 90,000. Similarly, an Air India ticket for the Mumbai-Bhubaneswar route touched 84,485, reported PTI. Government directive on capping airfares Following such surging airfares, the government issued directions to all airlines on Saturday, 6 December , to strictly adhere to fare caps until the situation fully stabilises." The Ministry of Civil Aviation in a statement on Saturday said it has taken serious note of concerns regarding unusually high airfares being charged by certain airlines amid current operational disruptions. "In order to protect passengers from any form of opportunistic pricing, the Ministry has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes," the statement read. The ministry further informed that an official directive has been issued to all airlines mandating strict adherence to the fare caps that have now been prescribed. "These caps will remain in force until the situation fully stabilises," it said. After the airline cancelled 1,000 flights on Friday, Delhi Airport issued an advisory stating that IndiGos flight operations are now steadily resuming and getting back to normalcy". It also advised passengers to check their flight status before leaving home. "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. IndiGo cancelled all domestic flights departing from Delhi Airport until Friday midnight and acknowledged it the most severely impacted day. IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers apologises Elbers categorically stated that things are likely 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. What did Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu say? Civil Aviation Minister Naidu blamed the airlines poor crew management and its handling of the Directorate General of Civil Aviations (DGCA) new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules for widespread delays and congestion at major airports across India. In an interview with ANI, the Minister explained that the disruptions prompted the Civil Aviation Ministry to grant IndiGo temporary relief from the FDTL requirements to help restore normal operations and assist 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% 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. Also Read | Who is Rahul Bhatia, what is his net worth as IndiGo crisis deepens The DGCA has attributed the disruptions to IndiGo's "misjudgment and gap in planning" in implementing new pilot duty-hour regulations. Under this one-time exemption, valid until February 10, 2026, IndiGo is allowed to disregard certain DGCA regulations on night duty, specifically those covering flight and rest periods between 0000 and 0650 hours. The DGCA has also rolled back the rule preventing airlines from counting pilot leave as weekly rest. Twelve labourers from Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh are reportedly stuck and facing harassment in Kyrgyzstan. Their families have approached the local administration for their rescue and safe return to India. The Pilibhit district administration has dispatched a comprehensive report to the state Home Department concerning the predicament of the 12 labourers, reported PTI, quoting local officials. District Magistrate (DM) Gyanendra Singh confirmed that the report was compiled after the Home Department formally requested a detailed account of the factual situation and instructed the Superintendent of Police (SP) to launch an investigation. Information about all 12 persons stranded in Kyrgyzstan has been compiled and sent to the government so that the due process can be initiated for their safe return, Gyanendra Singh told PTI on Friday. The families stated that the twelve workers identified as Ravi Kumar, Ajay, Chandrapal, Santram, Rohit, Ramesh, Harswaroop, Shyamcharan, Sanjeev, Prempal, Ramasare, and Harishankar were sent to Kyrgyzstan around three months ago by agents operating a local recruitment agency. Families' allegations and Ordeal The families of the men trapped overseas have claimed that their relatives are being tortured and that local recruitment agents are demanding up to 2 lakh for their safe return. The labourers have also been recording and sending video messages to their families, desperately appealing for rescue. Relatives of those stranded have been frequently approaching the local police and administrative personnel for assistance. Earlier this week, several family members met with DM Singh and Superintendent of Police Abhishek Yadav to recount the full story of their distressing ordeal. About the Case The relatives claimed that each worker reportedly paid approximately 2.5 lakh and was sent on a 59-day visa under what they described as misleading contracts. The families further alleged that the men are being forced to work in different cities, are being denied proper food, and are being prevented from returning home. They added the distressing claim that the workers are being physically assaulted and treated worse than animals. SP Yadav said that the matter has been assigned to CO City Deepak Chaturvedi for investigation. He stated that the families have provided written complaints, alleging that a local firm operating out of a city colony, along with its representatives, was responsible for sending the men overseas based on false promises. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner, Ashwani Kumar, unveiled the budget proposals of 16,530.50 crore for 2026-27 on Friday. The proposal put special focus on sanitation and environmental management. It included landmark reform for business owners and no additional tax burden. The total budget outlay for 2026-27 stands at 16,530.50 crore, compared to 17,011.91 crore in the previous financial year. Here's all you need to know: 1. MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar highlighted that the budget was crafted to strengthen civic services, enhance operational efficiency, and introduce citizen-friendly reforms all without placing any additional tax burden on the public. 2. The Commissioner reiterated that no new tax or increase in existing tax rates has been proposed. Instead, the MCD plans to boost revenue by expanding the tax base and strengthening recovery mechanisms. It is expected that 58 percent of total receipts will be generated through taxes with improved collection systems. 3. He also informed that the SUNIYO property tax scheme has already enabled an additional recovery of 600 crore, reflecting its success. 4. Sanitation and environmental management received the highest allocation 4,795.28 crore (29% of the total budget) among major sectors. 5. Education receives 15% of the total budget ( 2,520.34 crore), followed by 12% for Health ( 1,905.60 crore), underscoring the Corporation's commitment to essential public welfare services. 6. To improve solid waste management in the city, solid waste disposal units/facilities are being developed. 7. In addition, to address dust and pollution across the city, the MCD is procuring 60 Mechanical Road Sweepers and 60 battery-operated litter pickers. 8. The MCD Commissioner also thanked the Delhi government for the funds provided under various schemes to undertake the work on a massive scale for the repair of city roads. Public works and street lighting have been allocated 1,884.44 crore to improve road infrastructure and illumination across the capital, while general administration has been allotted 3,549.63 crore. 9. A landmark reform has been introduced for business owners. The processes for obtaining Factory Licenses and General Trade Licenses have now been fully integrated with the property tax system. Citizens will no longer be required to submit separate applications or upload documents. Instead, they may simply pay the required license fee along with their property tax and download the license directly, making the process seamless and hassle-free. 10. As part of the ongoing Ease of Doing Business reforms, a similar integration is expected to be introduced for Health Trade Licenses as well. 11. The horticulture department received 397.90 crore, while veterinary services were allocated 131.06 crore. 12. Further, aiming at the citizen convenience, 20 more multi-level parking facilities are being proposed in the city at the critical locations. 13. On dog shelters, he said the Dwarka Sector-29 facility is already under development, while two more facilities, at Bella Road and Bijwasan, are in the planning stage. 14. The MCD further stated that tenders have been floated for fresh waste disposal processing units, including a minimum-1,800 TPD facility at Bhalswa landfill on 12 acres of reclaimed land, for 700 TPD at Shinghola on 6.61 acres, for 1,400 TPD at Okhla on 10 acres, and 1,200 TPD at Bawana on 10 acres. 15. The budget also highlighted major achievements of the civic body, including laying of the foundation stone for a 3,000-tonnes-per-day (TPD) waste-to-energy plant at Narela-Bawana and the expansion of the Okhla waste-to-energy facility from 1,950 TPD to 2,950 TPD. New Delhi: Domestic flyers will now get some protection from volatile, last-minute ticket prices, with the government on Saturday imposing emergency fare caps across all domestic routes. The caps, which apply to economy tickets, come into immediate effect and will stay on until fares stabilize or further reviews, according to the ministry of civil aviation. The move comes amid a surge in flight cancellationsmostly from IndiGothat has squeezed capacity and sent fares soaring on several busy sectors. Airfares reached levels never seen before on Friday, with a one-way one-stop economy-class SpiceJet Kolkata-Mumbai flight ticket for December 6 costing up to 90,000, and a similar ticket of Air India for Mumbai-Bhubaneswar going up to 84,485, according to the airlines' websites, newswire PTI had reported. Under the new order issued on 6 December, airlines cannot charge more than 7,500 for flights up to 500 km: for instance, a Delhi-Jaipur or Delhi-Lucknow, and Mumbai-Ahmedabad air routes, among others. If the route length falls between 500 and 1,000 km, the fare cap is 12,000. This would cover some key sectors like Mumbai-Bengaluru, Mumbai-Hyderabad, Delhi-Ahmedabad, and Delhi-Srinagar. If the route is between 1,000 km and 1,500 km, the fares are capped at 15,000 bringing popular routes like Delhi-Kolkata, Mumbai-Delhi, and Delhi-Pune, among others, under the ceiling. The fare cap will be for 18,000 for routes above 1,500 km such as cross-country travel between Mumbai and Kolkata, Delhi and Kochi, and Delhi and Port Blair, to name a few such routes. The fare caps are only for the economy class ticket bookings. They come into immediate effect. These fare ceilings exclude user development fee (UDF), passenger service fees (PSF), and taxes, and will stay in force until fares stabilize or till further review, ministry of civil Aviation said in a statement. These fees and taxes add up to 20-40% of ticket prices depending on the airport, booking status (economy, premium or business class) and other factors. In public interest, says aviation ministry The ministry said it had stepped in in public interest after flight disruptions at one major carrier led to a sharp and unreasonable spike in fares on several routes. "In order to protect passengers from any form of opportunistic pricing, the Ministry has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes," the statement read. IndiGo, the countrys largest airline, has cancelled over a thousand flights this week alone as pilot rosters buckled under a new crew rostering norms. On Friday, the fifth day of the current chaos, it cancelled 1,000 flights, nearly half its daily scheduled departures. The cancellations led to a complete collapse of Indias aviation sector with several flights 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. Importantly for passengers, the government has barred airlines from steep or unusual fare hikes, especially on routes hit by cancellations. Carriers must also keep ticket inventory open across fare buckets, preventing them from closing cheaper categories to push up prices. To ease the pain for stranded travellers, airlines have been instructed to offer maximum support, including alternate flight options wherever possible. Sector regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been tasked with monitoring fares in real time and ensuring strict compliance, the ministry said. The ministry of railways on Friday decided to increase 116 coaches in 37 premium trains as a means of alternative transportation for the convenience of stranded airline travellers, Livemint had earlier reported. Also Read | Railways to increase coaches as IndiGo crisis deepens - Details inside Notably, IndiGo was the first carrier to oppose new so-called flight duty time limitations, or FDTL, norms for pilots when they were introduced in January 2024, with a March implementation timeline. 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. Only IndiGo has been given extra time until 10 February to implement this rule; other airlines have to adhere to the ruling. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke about the recently-concluded India-Russia Summit and trade negotiations with the United States at the 23rd edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS) on Saturday, December 6. When asked if India's relations with Russia complicate trade negotiations with the US, S Jaishankar said, I think everybody knows that India has relations with all the major countries of the world and I think for any country to expect to have a veto or say in how we develop our relations with others is not a reasonable proposition because remember, the others can expect the same. Also Read | EAM Jaishankar opens up on key diplomatic issues at HTLS 2025 So, I think we've always made it very clear that we have multiple relationships, we have a freedom of choice, S Jaishankar said while speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS) on Saturday. Jaishankar's statement came a day after the 23rd Russia-India Summit was held on Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin had arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for his first state visit to India since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, showcasing warming ties that angered the US and led to hefty trade tariffs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally received him at the airport. 'Generation of uncertainty' Speaking at the event, S Jaishankar spoke about a "generation of uncertainty", saying that "many of the assumptions that we held just a few years ago, the key assumptions are all a question mark." He elaborated, saying, "We had an assumption that globalisation is here to stay. It is, in a manner of speaking, but it is under severe challenge in many ways." "We had an assumption that the United States would always be a stabiliser of the international system. I think that's a very questionable assumption," Jaishankar said. He went on to say, "...we had an assumption, for example, that West Asia, the Middle East those problems will never change. The landscape will never change. But it has undergone a radical change." "We had an assumption that technology would be a great unifier. Technology could actually end up as a great fragmenter," Jaishankar said. 'Best way of dealing with tomorrow is...' Highlighting several uncertainties in the geopolitical scenario, Jaishankar said, "The best way of dealing with tomorrow, I would say, is capability, capability and capability." If you have the capability, you can handle contingencies because there will be contingencies. There will be unforeseen circumstances, he said. Is Sheikh Hasina welcome to stay in India? Jaishankar reacts When asked about pressure from Dhaka to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina after she was sentenced to death, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the final decision will be up to the Awami League leader. She came under different circumstances, and now the circumstances are different. It is up to her to decide, said EAM Jaishankar at the 23rd Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. Sheikh Hasina fled to India and has been living in exile since August 2024 after student-led protests led to the fall of the government in Bangladesh. Earlier this year, a tribunal court in Dhaka sentenced Hasina and her former interior minister with a death penalty for crimes against humanity during the student movement. Jaishankar on India's renewed ties with China Jaishankar said that after October 2024, when the Kazhan meeting happened between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi, "since then, by and large, border areas have remained stable." He said, "Patrolling has mostly resumed and is taking place normally. Peace and tranquillity on the border areas is a key requisite to have good relationshipsIt is being maintained and is being built upon." ixigo, the travel booking company, announced on Saturday that it will refund the entire convenience and assured fees on all tickets bought through its platform for passengers impacted by the significant IndiGo flight cancellations. ixigo's Refund Offer The entire convenience fee and the assured fee paid on the ticket price will be refunded by the travel booking company and all passengers whose IndiGo flights were cancelled by the airline will be eligible for the offer. The ixigo's refund offer covers flights cancelled by IndiGo between 3 December and 8 December 2025. The travel aggregator released a statement confirming its commitment to helping passengers secure quick, full refunds and assisting them with alternate bookings during this difficult period of disruption. "We understand how stressful flight disruptions can be. To support inconvenienced passengers in these difficult times, ixigo will refund full convenience fees and assured fees for all our customers whose IndiGo flights are cancelled by the airline between December 3 and 8, 2025," it said. The development comes as IndiGo continues to face severe operational disruptions. The airline cancelled more than 800 flights on Saturday alone, following over 1,000 Flights cancellation on Friday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the country. The mass cancellations are largely attributed to a pilot shortage resulting from the full implementation of new, stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules designed to ensure adequate crew rest. Also Read | Govt caps domestic air fares at 18,000 amid IndiGo crisis IndiGo cancels 41 flights in Kolkata IndiGo Airlines cancelled a total of 41 flights at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (NSC Bose) International Airport in Kolkata on Saturday, continuing the widespread operational crisis plaguing the airline. An official from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed the breakdown of the cancellations: 21 flights were scheduled arrivals from various destinations and 20 flights were scheduled departures to different cities throughout the day. IndiGo Addressing Customer Refund Issues The airline on Saturday said it is addressing all customer refund issues on priority and is working determinedly to bring its operations back on track across the network. "The number of cancellations on Saturday dropped below 850 flights, much lower compared to Friday. We are continuing to work towards reducing this number progressively over the next few days," IndiGo said in a statement. After several flight cancellations and delays over the last five days, IndiGo on Saturday announced that it has restored 95% of its network connectivity, operating more than 1,000 flights. With regards to 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, IndiGo said in a statement. The airline assured that it would operate 1,500 flights on Saturday. Today, we are on our way to operate over 1500 flights by end of day, it said. Sharing key details on recent flight disruptions, IndiGo informed, We had cancelled a significant number of flights and operated a little above 700 flights yesterday, connecting 113 destinations. The airline added that they were able to operate to 135 out of the existing 138 destinations in operations. While we understand that we have a long way to go, we are committed to build back the trust of our customers. Also Read | Govt directs all airlines to strictly adhere to fare caps amid IndiGo crisis Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation directed IndiGo to clear all pending passenger refunds without delay. The Ministry mandated that the refund process for all cancelled or disrupted flights must be fully completed by 8:00 PM on Sunday, 7 December 2025. Airlines have also been instructed not to levy any rescheduling charges for passengers whose travel plans were affected by cancellations. Several flights were cancelled in the last five days, primarily due to crew shortages and with fewer operational flights, airfares on some routes increased significantly. Addressing the question of why the flight operations were disrupted, the airline said, The main objective was to reboot the network, systems, and rosters so that we could start afresh today with a higher number of flights, improved stability, and there are some early signs of improvement. IndiGo apologises IndiGo apologised for the inconvenience and expressed its commitment to rebuild customer trust and appreciated the support from partners, government agencies, customers, and staff amid the ongoing crisis. ISLAMABAD, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces killed nine terrorists in two intelligence-based operations in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said Saturday. The operations were carried out in Tank and Lakki Marwat districts, the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in a statement. Seven militants were killed in the operation in Tank, while two more were eliminated in Lakki Marwat during exchanges of fire, the statement said, adding that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants. Amid IndiGos mass flight cancellations and the ongoing crisis, a viral video on social media shows a woman passenger confronting airline staff, claiming that they broke her ticket and apparently she wants to return to her home country. Jumping onto the counter, she alleges that there was no food and demands a new ticket as other passengers look on and witness the disturbing situation. The video has garnered 1 million views. (Livemint couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the video. Airline didn't respond when Mint reached out) Netizens react One of the social media users said, I feel so sorry for the ground staff- they face the brunt of it. Another questioned, "Not a good example ! What do staff has to do with Managements failure ?? First of all she is not even speaking in a language which is understandable to the staff and second of all shouting and howling like this wont achieve anything, remarked a third user. A comment citing woman's statement read, I'm going back to my country. I'm returning because you ruined my ticket. So I'm going back to France. I'm returning to France. I'm going back to my country. They ruined everything. They spoiled everything. When they mess things up, they expect people to just deal with it. They want to keep people occupied. There's nothing to eat, nowwhere to slee[. I'm leaving and going back, this is what she said, it added. Also Read | Who is Rahul Bhatia, what is his net worth as IndiGo crisis deepens Meanwhile, IndiGo cancelled more than 1,000 flights on Friday and announced that it expects operations to return to normal within the next 10 days. This comes after the countrys largest airline received temporary relief from flight duty regulations from the Directorate General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which will also investigate the disruptions that have affected thousands of passengers for four consecutive days, according to PTI. As cancellations and delays mounted, major airports across India saw continued chaos, with distressed travellers seeking updates and searching for their luggage. IndiGo, responsible for nearly two-thirds of Indias domestic air traffic and typically operating about 2,300 flights daily, failed to adequately prepare for the new flight duty rules that mandate longer rest periods and limit night landings. With the travel crisis entering its fourth day, the DGCA on Friday granted IndiGo temporary exemptions from key Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), including rules on night landings and the definition of night hours. The airline had requested these relaxations to help stabilise its operations. The new FDTL norms were originally set to take effect for IndiGo on November 1. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said on Friday that operational interventions, including suspending the new duty rules, would help ease the airlines disruptions, with full service restoration expected within three days. The DGCA has formed a four-member committee to determine the causes behind the irregularities. It noted that preliminary findings point to shortcomings in IndiGos internal oversight, operational readiness, and compliance planning, necessitating an independent review. Suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been absconding following the registration of a rape case against him, got an interim relief on Saturday after the Kerala High Court stayed his arrest. The Kerala HC bench, presided over by Justice K. Babu, considered the Palakkad MLAs plea for anticipatory bail and issued a direction that detailed arguments would be heard shortly. Meanwhile, the MLA continues to remain at large for the tenth consecutive day. The matter is currently scheduled to be heard again on 15 December. Mamkootathil had approached the High Court after his initial application for anticipatory bail was rejected by the Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court. Rape Allegations The Thiruvananthapuram Police registered a case against Rahul Mamkootathil based on a womans formal complaint alleging sexual assault, rape under the pretext of marriage, and forced abortion. The First Information Report (FIR) was initially lodged at the Nedumangad Valiyamala Police Station but was later transferred to the Nemom Police Station as the alleged incidents fell within its proper jurisdiction. The case was filed under eight non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 -- Section 64 for rape, Section 64(2) for repeatedly committing rape on the same woman, Section 64(f) for rape by a person in a position of trust, Section 64(h) for rape on a woman knowing she is pregnant, Section 64(m) for repeated rape on the same woman, Section 89 of the BNS for causing miscarriage without the woman's consent, BNS 316 for criminal breach of trust, and Section 68(e) of the Information Technology Act, which relates to the transmission of offensive digital content. Collectively, the offences carry penalties ranging from ten years to life imprisonment. Second Rape Case Meanwhile, a sessions court in Kerala on Saturday declined to grant an interim protection from arrest to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in a second rape case registered against him. The sessions court called for a report from the police and listed Mamkootathil's anticipatory bail plea for hearing on Monday, the MLA's lawyer Ajithkumar (Sasthamangalam), said. Less than an hour after the High Court decision, the Palakkad MLA sought anticipatory bail in a sessions court here in the second case of sexual assault registered against him. Political Reaction Earlier, Kerala Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan heavily criticised the Congress party for allegedly shielding the now-expelled Palakkad MLA, despite being aware of his alleged "severe sexual perversion" and the shocking rape allegations. He also called the delayed expulsion a disgrace to the Congress party's legacy. Maharashtra witnessed closure of more than 25000 schools on Friday as teachers organisations launched statewide protests over numerous demands, including objection to mandatory Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) and the new Sanch Manyata rules that oversee teacher approval and recruitment, according to Hindustan Times. Multiple unions held rallies in major cities, though the impact in Mumbai was limited, with only nine schools in the Mumbai division remaining closed. According to data released by the education department, approximately 13,216 teachers across the state were absent without permission, including 767 from the Mumbai division. Shikshak Bharati, led by Subhash More and former MLC Kapil Patil, staged a protest outside the deputy directors office at Charni Road in the city. Meanwhile, Shikshak Sena organised a demonstration at Chembur, led by MLC JM Abhyankar and the organisations working president, Jalindar Sarode. Sanch Manyata rules On March 15, 2024, the state school education department issued a government resolution (GR) stating the Sanch Manyata policy, which established group recognition for schools and prohibited assigning teachers to schools with less than 20 students, the report noted. Teachers and non-teaching staff unions have expressed concerns that the implementation of the new Sanch Manyata policy, set to be completed on December 5, could result in thousands of teachers losing their jobs and the closure of hundreds of aided schools. According to local reports, the new teacher appointment policy could lead to the closure of nearly 18,000 schools and leave 20,000 to 25,000 teachers and administrative staff unemployed. The organisations described the policy as disruptive and harmful", warning that it poses a serious threat to the future of government-aided education, particularly in rural and hilly areas. Union leaders argued that the policy, by restricting subject teachers for students in Classes 9 and 10, would negatively affect children, particularly in underprivileged areas. Shamshuddin Attar, conveyer of the Sindhudurg Principals Association informed HT, The move will force many children to travel 10-15 kilometres every day. We are opposing the move, and have decided to challenge it in the Supreme Court. Attar stated that although the high court had clarified that no teacher would directly lose their job due to the Sanch Manyata policy, in reality, students, especially in hilly and remote villages where schools are already struggling, would suffer. Meanwhile, Vijay Kombe, president of the Maharashtra Rajya Prathamik Shikshak Samiti was quoted by HT as saying, The rule is unfair and the compulsory TET for teachers nearing retirement is another major concern." Air travel across India has been disrupted this week as the country's largest airline, IndiGo, cancelled thousands of flights, leading the government to intervene and increase train services to address travel woes of several passengers. For five consecutive days, IndiGo cancelled hundreds of flights, troubling several passengers across the country. With a reduced number of flights, airfares on certain routes subsequently surged. Amid uncertainty over upcoming flight schedules, here we answer some frequently asked questions How many flights were cancelled today? IndiGo has said it cancelled over 800 flights on Saturday, much lower than Friday's number of more than 1,000, and it is addressing all customer refund issues on "priority". Why are IndiGo flights still getting cancelled? IndiGo earlier attributed the crisis to a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges, including minor technical glitches, winter schedule changes, congestion, and adverse weather conditions. Meanwhile, PTI reported that the airline informed the aviation regulator that it was facing significant transitional challenges in roster planning and crew availability under Phase-2 FDTL requirements, and also stated it is working "determinedly" to bring its operations back on track across the network. When will passengers receive refunds? Amid the ongoing flight cancellations, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed IndiGo to promptly process all outstanding passenger refunds. The Ministry has set a deadline of 8:00 pm on Sunday, 7 December 2025, for issuing refunds for all cancelled or disrupted flights. Will passengers be charged any fees for rescheduling? Airlines have also been advised not to impose rescheduling charges on passengers whose travel plans were disrupted by cancellations. The Ministry has clarified that any delays or non-compliance in refund processing will result in immediate regulatory action. When are passengers most likely to receive their baggage? IndiGo has been instructed by the Civil Aviation Ministry to trace and deliver all baggage separated from passengers due to cancellations or delays to their residential or preferred addresses within 48 hours. Airlines are also required to keep passengers well-informed about tracking and delivery schedules and to offer compensation as mandated by passenger rights regulations. Will passengers be required to pay skyrocketing airfares amid IndiGo crisis? The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken serious note of concerns regarding unusually high airfares being charged by certain airlines during the ongoing disruption. In order to protect passengers from any form of opportunistic pricing, the Ministry has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes. Will there be any action if airlines charge high airfares? The Ministry has informed that it will continue to monitor fare levels using real-time data and active coordination with airlines and online travel platforms. Any deviation from the prescribed norms will prompt immediate corrective action in the wider public interest, the Ministry said. What does IndiGo promise now? In a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, the airline pledged to bring its operations back on track. Our teams are focused on stabilising schedules, reducing delays, and supporting customers through this period. Were continuing to work towards reducing this number progressively over the next few days, the statement read. We are addressing all customer refunds on priority. We are also working closely with all airports and partners to ensure timely updates are provided to customers at terminals, on our website, and via direct notifications, it added. Mumbai: The citys tony Colaba neighbourhood saw family, friends and business associates of the Tata family gather on Saturday morning to pay their last respects to Simone Tata, the mother of Tata Trusts chairperson Noel Tata. Tata, who will be remembered as much for her philanthropic efforts as for her success in the boardroom, passed away on Friday at the age of 95 after a brief illness. Her remains were laid in repose at the Cathedral of the Holy Name, which is the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Bombay and the seat of the Archbishop of Bombay. Family members and friends who paid their last respects, included Shapoor Mistry of SP Group, Saurabh Agrawal of Tata Sons, TV Narendran of Tata Sons, Jamshyd Godrej of Godrej Enterprises Group, and Praveer Sinha of Tata Power. Tata Sons chairperson N Chandrasekaran could not attend as he was travelling. Born Simone Dunoyer in Geneva in 1930, she first visited India in 1953, when she met Naval Tata, the father of late Tata Group patriarch Ratan Tata. The two married in 1955 and became stepmother to Ratan Tata and mother to Noel Tata. Her corporate journey began with her joining the Lakme board in 1962, later rising to chair the company in the early 1980s. Following Lakmes sale to Hindustan Unilever in 1996, she channelled the sale proceeds into launching Trent, marking the Tata Groups entry into fashion retail. Simone Tata is survived by her son Noel, daughter-in-law Aloo Mistry, and grandchildren Leah, Maya and Neville. 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. Due to ongoing large-scale flight cancellations and chaos at multiple airports, Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wongs IndiGo flight from Delhi to Jharkhands Deoghar was cancelled, leaving him upset as he was travelling to attend one of his staffers weddings. Wong, who couldnt be physically present at the celebration, decided to join the festivities virtually. He posted clips of himself taking part in the wedding online, dressed in traditional Indian attire, along with a heartfelt message for the newlyweds. Distance may divide us #IndiGoChaos, but Spirit #shaadi will unite us. Beta, congratulations, and may your marriage be a happy and blessed one, Wong wrote. He had also apologised to the staffer for not being able to attend the wedding. I joined the tens of thousands of passengers stranded by #Indigo. My flight to #Deoghar has been cancelled. My sincere apologies to my young staff waiting for me to attend his #shaadi. Lost for words, Wong shared through the official Singapore High Commission handle. Also Read | Govt directs all airlines to strictly adhere to fare caps amid IndiGo crisis IndiGo flights status: latest update In the last four days, major cities Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad have witnessed hundreds of flight cancellations by IndiGo, one of Indias largest airlines. The situation has improved slightly today, but more than 440 flights were still cancelled. The airline, which operates about 60 per cent of Indias domestic market, has issued an apology and assured that all affected passengers will receive refunds. The airline, has said the crisis stems from a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges, pointing also to minor technical issues, winter schedule adjustments and adverse weather. Also Read | IndiGo flight disruptions derail Kiran Rao's Tokyo plans But according to aviation insiders and regulators, the core reason lies in the rollout of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). These revised duty-hour norms, aimed at ensuring adequate rest for flight crews and preventing fatigue, were introduced in January 2024 but had not been enforced until now. The DGCA has linked the disruptions to IndiGos misjudgment and gap in planning while implementing these regulations. To manage the surge in passengers, South Central Railway has announced that it will run four special trains. A press release from SCR said it is operating special services to Chennai, Mumbai and Shalimar (Kolkata) from Hyderabad today. Businessman and author Robert Kiyosaki has warned that even larger waves of layoffs may hit in 2026, and in a detailed post on X he outlined several ideas on how to accumulate wealth during financial crises. The Rich Dad Poor Dad author referred to recent job losses as an early indication of what he believes lies ahead, urging people to begin preparing now. Concerns over job market trends Kiyosaki raised fresh concerns about the state of the US labour market, citing the latest ADP National Employment Report. He noted that 32,000 jobs were lost in November, mainly across major corporations, but said it was more troubling that small businesses had cut 1,20,000 workers. He warned that this pattern marks only the start of a deeper economic downturn. According to him, bigger layoffs will begin in 2026 as the global economy enters a recession. For those anxious about job security, he pointed readers to his Lesson #4 on how to get richer when the economy crashes. Earning options and the importance of sales skills Among his suggestions, Kiyosaki said individuals needing immediate income could use their cars to earn through ride-hailing platforms. He added that he personally opts for Uber or Lyft, especially if I have been partying. In his view, many employees struggle with sales, yet the ability to sell becomes crucial during harsh economic conditions. He encouraged people to explore products or business models that can survive a recession and to prepare before 2026. Once the downturn takes hold, he said individuals should approach businesses and demonstrate how you can expand the business by increasing sales. Property crash prediction and investment opportunities Kiyosaki argued that many employees lack the skills to structure deals or secure investor finance. He predicted that both residential and commercial real estate markets will collapse in 2026, creating rare prospects for investors. Real estate bargains will float to the surface. A number will be deals of a lifetime floating to the surface, waiting for you to put the investment and investors together, he wrote. He further advised people to avoid returning to university and taking on additional student debt, instead focusing on practical and in-demand trades. According to him, essential roles such as nurses, electricians, plumbers and elderly caregivers will continue to be needed regardless of economic conditions. Backing gold, silver, and cryptocurrencies Calling the US dollar FAKE $, Kiyosaki urged people to safeguard their savings by investing in assets he believes will appreciate over timegold, silver, Bitcoin and Ethereum. He described silver as the best and most affordable asset, pointing out that it sat at $57 as of 4 December 2025. He predicted that silver could reach $96 by January 2026 even if a recession begins. Nobody went broke making a tiny profit little by little day after day, he said. Network marketing and the impact of AI on jobs In Lesson #3, shared a day earlier, Kiyosaki promoted network marketing as another pathway to build income during a slowing global economy. He also warned that artificial intelligence could eliminate millions of jobs including those of highly skilled professionals such as lawyers, doctors, actors and public personalities saying anyone can be faked. The Donald Trump administration is soon going to release the Jefferey Epstein files as a federal judge on Friday cleared the path towards making it happen. This comes after the Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed a legislation that mandates the Justice Department to open up to the public on everything it has on the late sex offender, and it has to be done no later than December 19. The federal judge on Friday gave the Justice Department the green signal to release transcripts of a grand jury investigation into Epsteins abuse of underage girls in Florida, saying that the new legislation overrode the usual laws about grand jury secrecy. While lot of material has been released on the case, including through litigation and by the Congress, it is expected that more new information will surface with the release of the new files. Before the release of the Epstein files, here is everything you need to know about him and the case. Who is Jeffery Epstein and what's the case against him? Jefferey Epstein was a millionaire money manager accused of sexually abusing minor girls and known for his close proximity to figures like Trump, former President Bill Clinton and the former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Also Read | Epstein grand jury transcripts can be released, judge rules Police first began to investigate charges against him in 2005, with the FBI joining the probe. He was initially sentenced to 13 months in a jail work-release program in 2008. 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. What's there in the Justice Department's Epstein files? The Justice Department's Epstein files could contain records related to the aborted Florida investigation, the Manhattan investigations, and everything else it did to probe the sex offender's dealings during the time. This could mean the files may contain notes and reports written by FBI agents; transcripts of witness interviews, photos, videos and other evidence; Jefferey Epsteins autopsy report; and some material that may already be public, such as flight logs and travel records. The Epstein Files Transparency Act compells the department to release unclassified documents and materials related to the investigation, including files relating to immunity deals and internal communications about whom to charge or investigate. What won't be released? Any material containing the victims personally identifiable information is not authorised to release under law. The law allows the Justice Department to redact information that could lead to a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy if made public. Any material that depicts sexual abuse of children, or images of death, physical abuse, or injury is also barred. When will the Epstein files be released? The new legislation, Epstein Files Transparency Act, requires the administration to make the documents searchable and downloadable by the public no later than December 19. However, the Justice Department can legally withhold files that it says could harm any active investigation, if theyre found to be classified or if they pertain to national defense or foreign policy. Attorney General Pam Bondi had last week ordered a probe into people who knew Epstein and some of Trumps political foes, including Clinton. What about the Jefferey Epstein client list? Epstein's so-called client list a purported collection of his famous associates has been the white whale of Epstein sleuths, skeptics and conspiracy theorists alike. Even Bondi got in on the act, telling Fox News in February that the client list was sitting on my desk right now to review. The only problem: the Justice Department concluded it doesn't exist, issuing a letter in July saying that its review of Epstein-related records had revealed no incriminating client list. The United States Supreme Court agreed on Friday to decide the legality of US President Donald Trump's controversial policy to limit birthright citizenship in the country. The justices are expected to hear arguments during their current term and issue a ruling by the end of June, news agency Reuters reported. They did not set a date for the arguments. What's the case? The justices took up a Justice Department appeal of a lower court's ruling that blocked Trump's executive order on restricting birthright citizenship. The lower court had earlier ruled that Trump's policy violated the US 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, Reuters reported. What's the controversial birthright US citizenship policy? Trump's policy allowed US agencies not to recognise the citizenship of children born in the US if neither parent is an American citizen or legal permanent resident, also called a "green card" holder. Trump signed the order on 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. Debate over 14th Amendment As per the report, the 14th Amendment has long been interpreted as guaranteeing citizenship for babies born in the US. The 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause states that all "persons born or naturalised 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. Also Read | Trumps birthright citizenship order struck down nationwide by appeals court But, the Trump administration 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. "This case will have enormous consequences for the security of all Americans, and the sanctity of American citizenship. The Trump administration looks forward to making its case on the issue of birthright citizenship on behalf of the American people," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson was quoted by Reuters as saying. Also Read | Confusion and anxiety grip immigrant communities after US Supreme Court ruling "No president can change the 14th Amendment's fundamental promise of citizenship," said Cecillia Wang, national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the plaintiffs. The administration 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." The Trump administration said that granting citizenship to virtually anyone born on US 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. What did the challengers say? 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 US 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. The cases so far 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 US Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the states. Also in July, Concord, New Hampshire-based US District Judge Joseph Laplante let the plaintiffs in that case proceed as a class, allowing Trump's order to be blocked nationally. The Supreme Court on Friday decided to hear the class action case only, not the one brought by the states. The Supreme Court took up the case before a Boston-based federal appeals court had a chance to review it, a signal of the gravity of the legal divide and the need for the Supreme Court to definitively settle the matter on a national basis. 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. In a 6-3 ruling powered by its conservative majority, the Supreme Court 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. Sahaja Reddy Udumala, a 24-year-old cybersecurity professional from Telangana has died in a fire accident in the United States, her family said on Saturday, as reported by PTI. Sahaja had recently completed her Master's degree in Cyber Security in the US and had started working there only a few months ago, her uncle Udumala Bala, the Archbishop of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, told PTI. She returned home from work and was asleep in her room in Albany in New York state when the fire broke out at around 11 AM on December 4 (US time), he said. While she suffered severe burns in the incident, two other occupants of the building escaped with minor injuries, he said. She was shifted to a hospital in New York after receiving first aid at Albany. She succumbed after undergoing treatment for about 15 hours. Several Telugu students were also staying in the same building. Sahaja Reddy had moved to the US three years ago. Her family hails from Jangaon district in Telangana. Her father is an IT professional and mother is a teacher. Bala requested the state government to provide assistance in repatriating the mortal remains to India. The Telugu community in the US is actively supporting the family during this difficult time, he added. The Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X on Friday (local time) that it is deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Udumala, who lost her life in the house fire incident in Albany. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to her family during this difficult time, the Consulate said, adding that it is in touch with Udumalas family and is extending all possible assistance. According to a statement from the Albany Police Department, officers and the Albany Fire Department responded to a house fire on the morning of 4 December. When they arrived, the home was already completely engulfed in flames, and responders were informed that several people were still inside. Four adults were found inside the residence. They received immediate treatment from emergency medical personnel at the scene before being taken to a hospital, where they are currently being treated for serious injuries. Two of the victims were later transferred to a medical burn centre for further treatment. Tragically, the adult female victim succumbed to her injuries she sustained in the fire, the police department said. Gopu added that Udumala sustained severe burn injuries affecting nearly 90 per cent of her body. Also Read | Indian Students Are Reportedly Leaving U.S. For Europe For THIS Reason She struggled immensely, fighting with all the strength she had. Despite all medical efforts, her condition continued to worsen, and she ultimately experienced complete organ failure, leading to her passing this morning, Gopu said, adding that Udumala was known for her kindness, determination, and the warmth she shared with everyone around her. Losing her so suddenly has left our family devastated and facing unexpected emotional and financial hardships. So far, over USD 109,000 have been raised through donations out of the total amount of USD 120,000, PTI reported. Feature: Chinese hydropower plant transforms lives of remote community in SW Cambodia Xinhua) 14:30, December 06, 2025 KOH KONG, Cambodia, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Farmer and grocer Vorn Chhum has seen a significant change in her livelihood after Chinese-operated Cambodian Tatay Hydropower Limited has helped develop basic infrastructure in her remote community here in Southwestern Cambodia. Chhum, who lives in Thma Bang district's Korkichrom village, said the hydropower plant has not only provided cost-efficient, clean and reliable energy, but also transformed the lives of the local community. The 40-year-old mother of two children said the plant has significantly contributed to the development of the local community by building a key river bridge, roads, an irrigation system, schools, electricity and a clean water system. The bridge and roads have helped connect this remote village to the outside world, allowing commodity brokers to reach the community to buy agricultural products, she said. "This hydropower project has brought us great benefits that we had never imagined in the past," she told Xinhua on Friday. Chhum said that previously, it was quite difficult to live in the village because roads were difficult to travel on, and it was a remote area located about 72 km away from the Koh Kong provincial town. "Now, I'm elated because roads are smooth and schools are also good, so children can easily travel to school, and patients can also easily travel to the hospital when they get ill at night," she said. Chhum has grown durian on the land of nearly 1 hectare, making an annual revenue from 3,000 to 5,000 U.S. dollars in each harvest season. "With good roads, middlemen have come to buy durians at our farms," she said. "I am very happy and grateful to the company for helping build roads, electricity, schools, and clean water in our community." Suos Phally, another 33-year-old farmer who has planted mangosteen, coconut, areca, bamboo, and cassava on the land area of 3 hectares, said the hydropower project has completely changed the lives of local people in this far-flung area. "Previously, I faced a lot of difficulty because there were neither proper roads nor electricity, and I used kerosene-burning lamps or candles to light up the house," he told Xinhua. "But since the hydropower plant has launched its operation, we have reliable electricity for pumping water, laundering, lighting up the home, and watching TV," he added. Phally said the price of electricity was very competitive as he spent about 20,000 to 30,000 riels (5 to 7.5 U.S. dollars) per month. "I would like to thank the hydropower company for building good roads and supplying stable electricity. I wish the company greater success in the future," he said. Len Chanthea, principal of the Korkichrom Primary School, said he was so grateful to the company for installing a pure water treatment system and constructing sanitary facilities for the school, saying that these have importantly contributed to improving the health and hygiene for both teachers and students. "Previously, there were neither sanitary facilities nor a clean water system at our school, so students had to bring drinking water from their homes, putting it in bottles," he told Xinhua. "Now, we have all these." "I would like to thank the Tatay hydropower company for having brought significant development to this entire district," Chanthea said. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) GAZA/JERUSALEM, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed by an Israeli drone strike on Saturday in northern Gaza, according to Gaza's Civil Defense. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense, told Xinhua that the strike targeted a group of people near the Atatra area, west of Beit Lahia. Basal added that Suhail Dahman, a Civil Defense officer, died Saturday of his wounds sustained in a Friday Israeli attack as he was heading back home in Beit Lahia. This has brought the death toll of Civil Defense personnel since October 2023 to 142, Basal said, accusing Israel of continuously violating the ceasefire taking effect on Oct. 10. Meanwhile, local sources and eyewitnesses reported Saturday Israeli raids and artillery shelling in the Shuja'iyya, Tuffah and Zeitoun neighborhoods, east of Gaza City. Separately, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that its forces identified in northern Gaza several "terrorists" crossing the "Yellow Line," which designates areas under Israeli control in Gaza, and killed three of them. Also on Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, said the Palestinian leadership seeks to establish a modern, unarmed, and democratic state, with stopping the war and bloodshed in Gaza as the current priority. According to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abbas said Palestine welcomes the U.S.-backed peace plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803, adding that the next step must be implementing the second phase of the plan, which entails the handover of weapons by Hamas and other factions to the Palestinian state, and Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza. Settler violence, settlement expansion and annexation policies, withholding Palestinian tax revenues, and other actions undermining the two-state solution should be halted in the West Bank as well, Abbas said. According to data released Saturday by Gaza's health authorities, 367 Palestinians have been killed and 953 others injured by Israeli attacks since Oct. 11, bringing the overall death toll from Israeli attacks since Oct. 7, 2023, to 70,354, with 171,030 others injured. Meanwhile, 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, according to Palestinian figures. The National Park Services updated 2026 patriotic fee-free days list has ignited a storm online after it removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from its free-admission calendar, while adding June 14 President Donald Trumps birthday and Flag Day. The decision has drawn sharp criticism across social media, with many questioning why two major holidays tied to Black history were dropped. The shift comes as part of a broader Trump administration push to give US citizens priority access while increasing fees for foreign tourists. White House hits back Amid the backlash, the White House sharply responded to New York Times correspondent Peter Baker after he highlighted the change on X. Baker wrote that Trumps administration added free admission for Trumps birthday while removing free entry for MLK Day and Juneteenth. The White House replied: Its Flag Day, you insufferable moron which also happens to be President Trumps birthday. But you already knew that. Despite the pushback, critics online remained unconvinced. Online outrage builds Social media users swiftly condemned the move, accusing the administration of favoritism and political messaging. One user wrote: Trump thinks hes greater than MLK. Another questioned the rationale behind dropping historically significant holidays: Why remove two NATIONAL holidays that celebrate Black people, and replace them with Flag Day which isnt even a national holiday? Another one pointed out inconsistencies in the explanation offered by the White House: If its really about Flag Day, why is Trumps birthday listed on the site? Why not just call it Flag Day? Another reaction said: Fine with adding more free days but why cancel MLK Day? Why cancel Juneteenth? Another argued the move sends a troubling message: Why choose Flag Day, which is not a legal holiday, over MLKs Birthday and Juneteenth both of which are legal holidays? What changed in the NPS policy According to the National Park Service website: Removed free-entry holidays (previously included): -Martin Luther King Jr. Day -Juneteenth New addition to the patriotic fee-free days: -June 14 (Flag Day/Trumps birthday) The website also notes that starting in 2026, free-entry days will only apply to US citizens and residents. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the policy, stating: President Trumps leadership always puts American families first international visitors should contribute their fair share to maintaining our parks. New fees for foreign tourists As part of a new America-first initiative: Elon Musk sharply criticised the European Union on Saturday, declaring that the bloc should be abolished after his social media platform X was slapped with a $140 million fine just a day before. The penalty was imposed for alleged violations of the EU's strict content and transparency rules. These rules, enforced in August 2023, set out what big tech companies can and cannot do when it comes to moderating content and handling user data. Musk argued that sovereignty must be returned to individual nations, so that governments can truly represent the interests of their people. His remarks come amid rising tensions between X and European regulators over the 27-nation bloc's Digital Services Act. The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), which his startup xAI acquired in 2022. In another tweet, Musk made a controversial comment, stating, how long before the EU is gone? AbolishTheEU. What did X do to attract the penalty? The European Commission said in a statement that it was penalising Elon Musk's social media platform for violating three different transparency requirements under the law, AP reported. According to the regulators, the platform's blue checkmarks broke the law because of their deceptive design that could potentially expose X users to various scams and manipulation. X also fell short of the requirements for its ad database and giving access to researchers access to public data, AP reported. The platform received a formal warning last year, as EU claimed that it has failed to combat dangerous content. All about the Digital Services Act The Digital Services Act or DSA, is a comprehensive rulebook aimed at holding online platforms more accountable for the safety and integrity of their digital spaces. It mandates these businesses to take proactive measures to protect European users, clean up harmful or illegal content and products on their sites, and additionally ensure transparency in how their algorithms work. The law grants regulators greater enforcement powers, including the authority to levy hefty penalties on platforms that fail to comply, making non-compliance a costly risk for companies operating in the region. The leaders of France, Germany and the UK will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in London on Monday to discuss US efforts to reach a peace deal after Russia carried out another round of massive attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the meeting on Saturday in a post on social media in which he condemned the latest strikes by Moscow on energy and rail infrastructure in Ukraine. Russia is locking itself into an escalatory path and is not seeking peace, he wrote, adding that we must continue to exert pressure on Russia to compel it to choose peace. Macron, Zelenskiy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will assess the situation in Ukraine and the ongoing negotiations involving the US, he said. The US said Friday its negotiators had agreed with Kyiv on a framework of security arrangements and discussed what deterrence capabilities were needed as part of a deal to end the war with Russia. However, there was little indication of a major breakthrough. Zelenskiy on Saturday said he spoke with US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner about the latest talks. The Ukrainian leader said in a post on social media that they agreed on the next steps and formats for talks with the United States. Russias military launched a massive attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight involving 653 drones and 51 missiles, according to Ukraines General Staff, leading to power outages in several regions. Ukraine said it hit Rosneft PJSCs oil-processing facility in Russias Ryazan region. With assistance from Valentine Baldassari. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Karl Bushby, a British ex-paratrooper, is currently on the final stretch of his 27-year-long journey, which kick-started in 1998. As part of his trek, the 56-year-old has crossed 25 countries, war zones, deserts, jungles, as well as remote and politically fraught places on the Earth, The Washington Post reported. It all started when Bushby made a barroom bet in his 20s that required him to walk from the southern tip of South America to his home in England. Who is Karl Bushby? Born in 1969 in Hull, Bushby earlier served as a paratrooper in the British Army. This experience sparked his appetite to seek challenges, travel, and explore. During his military life, Bushy was exposed to physical hardship and foreign terrain. Also, being in the army made him think about death, especially after losing several of his friends. "There was an emphasis on the fact that life is short, and you should live it the best you can, The Washington Post quoted him as saying. These factors made up his desire to start his global walk at the age of 29. Interestingly, he did that with just $500. All about the Goliath Expedition Bushby began his journey, which he called the Goliath Expedition, by standing at the edge of Punta Arenas in Chile. Initially, Bushby mapped the walk by hand, as in those days, "it was all paper maps and pencils and a calculator. He believed that the 31,000-mile expedition could take roughly 12 years. But it has been 27 years, and he is still walking. So far, Bushby has been through Patagonia, Central America, the Andes, Mexico, the US, Russia, Mongolia, as well as parts of Asia. He started his journey with two rules in mind: Not to use transport to advance and not to reach home until he arrives on foot. His journey has taken way longer than he expected because of several reasons, including financial challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, visa problems, travel bans, and political barriers. Now, he is on his final journey towards home in Hull and is expected to be back by September 2026. Bushby said he had "no support" and mainly slept in a tent along the road or at times in people's homes if invited. Later on, his family helped him financially, while people started donating when they heard of his trek. When he reached Canada in 2003, he got a book deal and was even contacted by a production company for a film based on his life. He even walked through the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia. Later on, he reached the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia in 2006. While in Russia, he spent 57 days in detention after entering the country at an incorrect border. Bushby even faced financial problems in 2008 when his sponsors pulled out. Also, he was banned from re-entering Russia for five years in 2013. In August last year, he swam across the Caspian Sea from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. This took 31 days, while he slept on support boats each night. Thereafter, he walked through Turkey and into Europe. Recently, he was in Hungary and is now expected to be roughly 932 miles aways from his home in England's Hull. FAQs 1. How long has Karl Bushby been walking on his Goliath Expedition? Karl Bushby has been on his global walk since 1998. His journey has now stretched to 27 years because of financial struggles, visa issues, political restrictions and long pauses during the pandemic. Despite being among the great scientific breakthroughs of all time, vaccines are under fire as top government officials cast doubts on their safety. But as doctors and vaccine deniers spar over the safety of vaccines, emerging evidence finds that some vaccines arent only good at preventing the disease or virus they target but also might have broader or even unrelated health benefits. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has raised questions about numerous vaccines and taken steps to make it easier for parents to opt out of vaccinating their children. And in its strongest antivaccine move to date, a federal vaccine panel Friday voted to scrap a recommendation that all newborns get the hepatitis B vaccine. While the focus has been on childhood vaccines, researchers are studying whether certain adult vaccines can be used for dementia prevention or for improving cancer survival rates. The shingles vaccine, for example, might help reduce the risk of developing dementia later. The Covid-19 vaccine, when given to certain cancer patients, increased their survival rates, one recent study found. An old tuberculosis vaccinebacillus Calmette-Guerin, or BCGis being studied to prevent Alzheimers disease. It has also been shown to decrease infant mortality in parts of the developing world where it is still widely used. It is a concept known as trained immunity. Adaptive immunity trains the immune system to recognize a specific pathogen. Trained immunity is a form of innate immune memory whereby the body generates a more robust response to even unrelated exposures. Trained immunity is broad," says David Topham, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Trained immunity is a biological phenomenoncells that mediate trained immunity are changed by some immune event and they stay that way. They are experienced in some way." Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, resulting in a painful rash. Two doses of the shingles vaccine are recommended for all healthy adults who are ages 50 and older. Studies have found adults who receive the shingles vaccine have a lower risk of developing dementia later. But many of the studies might have a bias and researchers say people who get vaccines in general could have healthier behaviors that might be contributing to that reduced risk, rather than the vaccine itself. Two recent studies were able to compensate for that bias by comparing people close in age and behaviors. An April study in Nature looked at seniors in Wales who were 79 years old after a shingles-vaccination program started. The researchers compared 79-year-olds who were just young enough to be eligible for the program with those who were just a few weeks older and ineligible because they were 80. We estimate that over a seven-year follow-up period, the shingles vaccine averts one in five new dementia diagnoses," says Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer, an assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University and senior author of the study. The findings were replicated in a similar study in JAMA this year, looking at seniors in Australia when the government rolled out a similar shingles-vaccine program. Because the chickenpox varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in the nervous system, it is plausible that it is a chronic stressor causing chronic inflammation, says Geldsetzer. We know inflammation is a bad thing for many chronic diseases, including dementia," he says. Reducing these activations through shingles vaccination may well have benefits." The Wales and Australia studies looked at adults who got the Zostavax vaccine, which was discontinued in the U.S. in 2020. Adults now get the Shingrix vaccine. Geldsetzer says that if the mechanism at work is chickenpox virus-specific, he expects the effect on dementia would be even larger with the newer vaccine but, if it is a broader immune mechanism, it might not have the same effect. In other research, an October study in the journal Nature found that some cancer patients who received the Covid-19 vaccine while undergoing immunotherapy had a more than 50% greater survival rate than those who didnt. The patients had stage three or four lung cancer or melanoma. Other vaccines, for flu or pneumonia, didnt have the same benefit, said Dr. Steven Hsesheng Lin, a professor of radiation oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and senior author on the study. Lin attributes the benefit to mRNA vaccines specifically. An mRNA vaccine uses messenger RNA to get your cells to make a piece of a virus that is harmless. This sets off an immune response to teach your body how to combat the disease without being exposed to its harms. Pfizer and Modernas Covid-19 vaccines were the first federally approved mRNA vaccines. The cells gobble up the vaccine, and its the nucleic acid of the mRNA that sets off an alarm switch in the body as if the body is being invaded by viruses, but its not," says Lin. This sets off a chain reaction where cytokines, or inflammatory mediators, wake the immune systemgiving cancer patients getting immunotherapy an extra boost. The immune response, however, eventually weakened so the Covid-19 vaccine had to be given within 100 days of the immunotherapy, said Lin. The BCG vaccine given to newborns in many parts of the developing world to prevent tuberculosis also seems to have a systemic immune response that helps prevent infant mortality from other infections, says Topham. It sort of raises the baseline immunity across the board," he says. Though not given in the U.S., the tuberculosis vaccine introduces humans to what is among the oldest microorganisms that co-evolved with humans, says Dr. Denise L. Faustman, director of immunobiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. These microorganisms live with you for the rest of your life and theyre resetting your genes," she says. They have a lot of benefit. When we add back these old organisms, were seeing whole protein pathways get reset." The BCG vaccine resets sugar pathways. This might help in diabetes and might also prevent Alzheimers disease because neurons die after losing sugar, an energy source. Faustman presented preliminary data from a randomized controlled trial this week at a conference in San Diego. This shows that after five years of taking the BCG vaccine six times, cognitively normal middle-aged adults with a form of Type 1 diabetes had significantly lower levels of two types of protein that play a large role in Alzheimers disease compared with those who didnt get the vaccine. The use of vaccines as tools to reduce dementia or cancer survival rates isnt prime time yet and requires more research. Meanwhile, dont worry about strong side effects you might get from certain vaccines. They are the broad, nonspecific response of your body, which is bolstering your immune system. We always talk about the downsides of vaccination but there are some unexpected upsides," notes Topham. Write to Sumathi Reddy at Sumathi.Reddy@wsj.com Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is once again back in the spotlight after NASA released a fresh image from the Hubble Space Telescope, taken on November 30. The new photo has confirmed that the comet is still active after sweeping past the Sunand it also helps astronomers refine its path through the inner solar system. 3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar object ever observed. Each new glimpse gives scientists the scope to study what icy bodies from another star system are made of, how they behave near the Sun, and how their chemistry stacks up against comets formed around our own star. 3I/ATLAS spotting: Key Points to know The Perihelion - which is the point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is closest to the sun was measured to be about 1.4 AU (just inside Mars orbit) Where it is now: As per reports, the 3I/ATLAS comet has been moving away from the Sun, laying around hundreds of millions of kilometers from Earth Closest approach to Earth: Around December 19 What does the Hubble image show? The new Hubble image shows a compact, bright nucleus wrapped in a soft, slightly lopsided coma. Background stars appear as streaks because Hubble tracked the comets motionanother sign that 3I/ATLAS is still active well after its solar flyby. It wasn't just Hubble. According to a report by El-Balad, NASAs Psyche spacecraft had captured multispectral snapshots in September, helping refine the comets trajectory and revealing details of its faint outer coma. In Europe, ESA missions have chipped in tooJUICEs navigation camera, for instance, picked up additional signs of activity as the comet brightened this season. Together, these observationsfrom deep space and Earth orbitgive researchers the most complete picture yet of 3I/ATLAS and allow ground-based observatories to track it more accurately. When can you see 3I/ATLAS? 3I/ATLAS would not be visible to the naked eye, but dedicated sky watchers still have a chance to catch it with a telescope. The best opportunity to spot the comet would be mid-to-late December, with the comet highest in the pre-dawn sky. 3I/ATLAS best timing El-Balad mentioned that the best time to spot the comet would be as follows: North America: 4:006:00 am ET Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine has been ordered to serve an additional three months in prison after a federal judge ruled Friday that he violated conditions of his supervised release in a New York gang-related case by assaulting someone and using drugs. The court turned down 6ix9ines bid for home confinement, with the judge highlighting the need for him to be held accountable. Daniel Hernandez, the 29-year-old Brooklyn native, acknowledged the violations during a Manhattan federal court hearing, where Judge Paul Engelmayer voiced his frustration that the rapper continues to run into legal trouble. Hernandez had previously received a 45-day sentence late last year for breaching the supervised release rules. From time to time your actions suggest that you believe that ordinary rules dont apply to you," said the judge, who said another prison sentence was needed to send a message to Hernandez. Hernandez, who shot to fame with the 2017 release of his song Gummo, gave a lengthy speech in court, describing several episodes where he and his relatives were harassed and threatened because of his cooperation with authorities in the gang case. Unknown individuals left a coffin in front of my house with an animal in it to send me a message, he said. Three masked gunmen held my mom at gunpoint. Hernandez admitted in 2018 that he had been involved with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, a violent New York gang. Because he helped prosecutors in their racketeering case against other members, he received a reduced sentence in 2019: two years in prison and five years of supervised release. He was also let out of federal custody several months early in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest sentencing stems from a police search of his home in Miami in March, when officers found small quantities of cocaine and ecstasy, and from an August incident in which he punched a man who mocked him at a shopping centre in Florida over his cooperation with authorities. His lawyer had argued that six months of home detention would have been a suitable penalty for the breaches. Kim Kardashian, the co-founder of SKIMS, dropped a teaser for her debut at MasterClass, where she swears by "Ten Kimmandments" derived from building the American shapewear and clothing brand into a billion-dollar brand. In a latest teaser for the show, Kim emphasised turning underestimation into opportunity People have been underestimating me my entire life. And that is the greatest gift I've ever received. Because when you are underestimated, you have the element of surprise on your side. Whether it's building a billion-dollar company or building a billion-dollar brand, the playbook is the same, Kim said. In the promotion for the entrepreneur and media mogul's course, Kim also talked about social media branding and how to navigate media scrutiny. She shared her no-a**h**e policy for partnerships, revealing her self-doubt as a motivator for relentless execution. I'm sharing the ten 'Kimmandments' that I've lived by From turning social media into a superpower, to my strict no-asshole policy for any partnership, she said. I'm also sharing the self-doubt that drives me to execute relentlessly. Because if I can do it, you can do it, Kim added. In the caption, Kim Kardashian said, Everyone sees the headlines. What they dont see is the work. On @MasterClass, Im sharing my rules of business, how I built brands, made pivots, and stayed in control of my story. These are my Ten Kimmandments. Ten Kimmandments According to the Hollywood Reporter, MasterClass is a stacked lineup of virtual instructors, each a leading authority in their respective field. In this course, led by Kim Kardashian, she will teach strategies to control the narrative, turn followers into customers, and create success on your terms. Here are The Ten Kimmandments, or Kim's 10 essential rules for building a brand that people can't stop talking about: Kimmandment 1: You Are The Product. Kimmandment 2: They Prove It. You Perfect It. Kimmandment 3: Define Yourself Before Others Do Kimmandment 4: Don't Follow the Feed. Be the Feed. Kimmandment 5: Turn Failure Into Strategy. Kimmandment 6: Your Customer Is Your Co-Founder Kimmandment 7: Culture Sets The Time. Kimmandment 8: Know Your Worth. Then Add Tax. Kimmandment 9: Empires Are Built Before Dawn. Kimmandment 10: Because I Said So. My biggest business lessons came from experience - good, bad, and everything in between, The Hollywood Reporter quoted Kim as saying. Local 3 News is learning more about reports of bald eagles and their nests in Murray County that could be impacted by a proposed natural gas facility. It was an announcement made by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia during a public hearing about the proposal that sparked more concern. Hundreds of people attended the hearing Thursday night, and many spoke out against Vanguard Renewable's proposal. UPDATE: Rep. Greene joins resident pushback against proposed biowaste facility in Murray Co. The facility would process animal waste, manure, and food waste hauled in from Atlanta and other regions to produce renewable natural gas. Residents fear the operation could threaten air quality, well water, streams, and nearby property values. Bald eagles are a federally protected species in the United States, according to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act enacted in 1940. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act also protects them from danger or disturbances. Roland Clary has lived in his home off Berry Bennett Road, outside of Chatsworth, for more than 30 years. He told Local 3 News he has seen two bald eagles in the area. "Yes, I have seen them. There's actually two bald eagles. They've been flying around. People have noticed them... I keep a lookout on everything," said Clary. The 15-acre site Vanguard Renewable's hopes to use for their natural gas plant is on Berry Bennett Road. The facility would process animal waste, manure, and food waste hauled in from Atlanta and other regions to produce renewable natural gas. The Massachusetts-based company said the proposed plant would power more than 5,300 homes a year. It would also produce fertilizer. Local 3 News reached out to Georgia's Department of Natural Resources. Here is their response: "DNR has not documented a bald eagle nest at the site mentioned. Per our annual bald eagle nest surveys, were aware of only two nests in Murray County, one on Carters Lake and one near the Tennessee line. A general review of the area mentioned shows that it does not have what is considered good nesting habitat for bald eagles. In north Georgia in particular, eagles usually nest near significant water resources. However, bald eagles do forage in areas like this containing small ponds, etc. so they certainly could be seen there. Also, not all nests in the state are documented and thus not all are included in our surveys." Local 3 News reached out to a wildlife officer in that region with DNR. He reported that he has seen an adult eagle and juvenile eagle in that area earlier in the week, but has not yet seen or located a physical nest. Following the announcement of those reports, Vanguard Renewables said they have not been notified: "We have not heard anything from the agency, and no outreach has been made to the landowner to survey the land as was suggested." The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has the final say if Vanguard Renewable's proposal will be accepted or not. BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev said in an exclusive written interview with Xinhua. The heads of state of SCO members made the above-mentioned affirmation in a declaration after their historic meeting in St. Petersburg in June 2002, Yermekbayev said when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan and the dangerous sign of Japanese right-wing forces attempting to revive militarism. Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, Yermekbayev said leaders of the member states of the SCO issued a statement in this regard on Sept. 1 during the SCO Tianjin Summit. He quoted the statement as saying that the brutal massacres demonstrate that tolerating Nazism, fascism and militarism, and inciting racial, ethnic and religious hatred, antagonism and discrimination bring about immense harm, while victory in World War II was the result of the concerted efforts of all peace-loving nations. The statement said ignoring historical lessons is bound to lead to grave consequences. It also said preserving and objectively presenting the historical truth of the victory in World War II is an essential prerequisite for preventing similar tragedies from recurring, safeguarding peace and security, and strengthening cooperation, according to Yermekbayev. The statement said member states bear a shared responsibility for both the past and the future, that is, to spare future generations from the scourge of war and spare no effort to prevent such tragedies from happening again, Yermekbayev said. Leaders of the member states of the SCO issued a declaration during the Tianjin Summit, reaffirming their full commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the SCO, as well as other universally recognized principles and norms of international law, including mutual respect for national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, he said. UPDATE: Soddy Daisy Commissioner Steve Everett says that Jamie Thomas of the longtime Thomas Brothers Construction Company has withdrawn his application to build an asphalt plant on Dayton Pike. The proposal sparked strong pushback from residents concerned about potential pollution. Thomas had previously sought approval for the plant in August. Officials have not said why the application was withdrawn. PREVIOUS STORY: The Soddy-Daisy Board of Commissioners voted to push the first vote on the asphalt plant to January 15, 2026. The decision came after the town's mayor, Jim Coleman, shared that Jamie Thomas, the proposal applicant, was not able to attend the meeting. Those in attendance were audibly frustrated with the postponement. One resident requested a larger venue, such as a school, for the January 15 meeting, as Thursday's meeting was beyond capacity per the city's fire marshal. PREVIOUS STORY: The Soddy-Daisy Board of Commissioners could approve the rezoning of a property along Dayton Pike for an asphalt plant Thursday night for a first reading. Municipal planning commissioners voted 3-2 last week to recommend the rezoning of 7849 Dayton Pike in the Thomas Farms area. The site is about a mile away from Ivy Academy. UPDATE: Soddy-Daisy Planning Commission recommends rezoning approval for new asphalt plant The proposed site is less than a mile from where commissioners denied an asphalt plant in August. More than three dozen people attended the November 12 meeting in opposition to the proposal by Jamie Thomas, of the longtime Thomas Brothers Construction Company. Thomas also operates plants in Sequatchie and Bledsoe counties. The city denied Thomas' request for an asphalt plant just a mile away on Thrasher Pike in August. UPDATE: Soddy-Daisy zoning board rejects proposal for asphalt plant after Wednesday meeting The board determined that the man who proposed the location was unable to prove to the board that there is a need for a new asphalt plant. A petition against the plant started by resident Lisa Flores has more than 750 signatures. "There's a lot of greedy growth, and it's like, 'Hey, let's just slow down, just take a beat for just a second, and have an actual plan and not be so hurried in the quick dollar," said Flores. "We've entrusted them to represent us to make these decisions, and when we don't trust the decisions they might make, we have to show up." The proposal remains preliminary and if approved, would require further evaluation and permitting by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Permits have not yet been filed with those groups. Alan Frazier, the bureau's engineering manager said any new hot-mix asphalt plant would be subject to both federal and local regulations. The federal regulation limits particulate matter emissions to "0.04 grain per dry standard cubic foot of exhaust gas. (1 grain = 1/7,000 pound)" and visible emissions to less than 20% opacity. Locally, the new facility must meet "best available control technology" for particulate matter emissions. "For an asphalt plant, this requirement is achieved by the use of a cyclone separator followed by a filtration system (baghouse), or equivalent control measures," Frazier said. Thomas would also need to apply for an installation permit and an initial certificate of operation. He told commissioners his plant could deliver tax revenue, but others worry about the impact it could have on the ability to capture other growth. Wynne Anderson, Vice President of Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful, said this could deter tourism, which in Hamilton County, generated $1.8 billion in revenue in 2024. "Businesses and families will avoid Soddy-Daisy because all that will be remembered is, 'Oh that's the town with the stinky asphalt plant,'" Anderson said in a statement to Local 3. "But we have an opportunity to build a better and more beautiful Soddy-Daisy without sacrificing our community's health and happiness." Thomas told commissioners and those opposed that plants don't generate as much pollution as they did in the 70s, and that the plant would create 10 jobs. "I want residents to know this isnt over," Flores said. "Thomas doesnt seem to get that we dont want an asphalt plant here, so we will keep telling him as we need. There are people in the community that want to work with him if he wants to develop his property in a way that is in line with the city plan, with the residents and that allow him to be the good neighbor that he claims to be." Local 3 reached out to Thomas' office and commissioners for interviews and/or comment, but we have not heard back. City Commissioners Mark Penney and Marcus Keith, who also serve on the planning commission, opposed the rezoning recommendation last week. Commissioners will meet at Soddy-Daisy City Hall at 6:00pm. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, recently led a significant trade mission to Toronto and Ottawa last week aimed at driving new opportunities for Irish companies and strengthening economic ties between Ireland and Canada. The Minister was accompanied by 31 Irish companies and took part in 16 meetings, eight events, and three media interviews over the four-day programme. The visit highlighted the depth of the Irish business footprint in Canada and the scale of Canadian investment in Ireland. There are currently 63 Canadian companies operating here, which employ more than 22,000 people. Minister Burke said the mission came at a crucial time for Irish Canadian trade. In the years since the agreement of CETA, we have seen trade grow hugely," he said.Since 2016, Canadian FDI in Ireland has increased by 131%, and Irish exporters have increased their trade by 60%. We also have a very strong foreign direct investment relationship, with around 20,000 jobs in Ireland depending on Canadian companies." Minister Burke met Fiona Fitzmaurice, originally from Longford, who runs Longford Consulting in Toronto and previously worked with Stephens Cooke. He also met Claire Fagan from Mullingar, who moved to Canada 15 years ago and has built a successful career there as a lawyer. It was wonderful to meet Fiona and Claire - two local women doing Ireland proud abroad, he said. "It was a jam-packed programme, but the energy and ambition on both sides was clear. Ireland and Canada have a shared outlook and a shared opportunity - the best is yet to come. READ NEXT: The hazard lights won't save you! Longford Gardai catch another 'ditch-and-dash' motorist READ NEXT: Bringing back Irish culture: Longfords first Pop Up Gaeltacht Described by her teachers and fellow pupils at St Teresa's National School, Killoe as 'bright and bubbly' and possessing the traits of a 'warrior', everyone in Longford was immensely proud of how Caroline Kiernan sparkled on the Late Late Toy Show. Representing Longford in the Parade of Counties, talented Caroline, following her introduction to the live RTE studio audience by host Patrick Kielty, performed a delightful piece of ballet. Also read: Amazing!' Late Late Toy Show viewers donate incredible amount of money to Toy Show Appeal Earlier this year, Caroline voluntarily cut her hair by 12-inches for LauraLynn, Ireland's Children's Hospice, a charity that helps children and young people with palliative and complex care needs. Caroline is a sweet, shy girl who has been through more than most. She lost her mother - Bernadette Kiernan (nee Ireland), Esker, Ballinalee, died in 2022 from Danon Syndrome - just before her communion and her only brother James, not only has additional needs but also has ill health and the same condition that took her mother from her. Thursday was a truly magical day in St Teresa's NS as they celebrated their Christmas Jumper Day in honour of wonderful 6th class pupil, Caroline, ahead of her appearance on the Late Late Toy Show. St Teresa's NS teacher Aine Brady said, "Caroline is a warrior, she is bright and bubbly. She lost her light when her mother died, but when she started to dance she has found joy in movement. She is always smiling and dancing." Also read: Congratulations: Longford's Siobhan Cronogue celebrates significant milestone Ms Brady added, "Dancing shows me the little girl who doesn't have to worry about everything and everyone in the world. I feel she is the epitome of what the Late Late Toy Show stands for. She raises money for charity (5,000 for Laura Lynn), she is kind and inclusive of all." Ms Brady said the inspirational Caroline who lit up RTE TV screens on Friday night 'is a wonderful friend to all' and 'always shows empathy beyond her years'. "Caroline is a normal girl, with an amazing dad (Seamus) and a spirit that refuses to be broken." Also read: Longford's Caroline Kiernan is to cut her hair for charity to raise funds Yasser Abu Shabab. (Yasser Abu Shabab on Facebook) Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the Israel-backed Popular Forces militia, was killed on December 4 in the Gaza Strip. Shababs Popular Forces was the first anti-Hamas faction to emerge during the war in Gaza, marking the first signs in the conflict that Palestinians were taking up arms against the Islamist groups rule. While Shabab was attempting to resolve a dispute between family members of the Abu Sunaymah clan, an exchange of gunfire occurred, and he was martyred, according to a statement posted on Facebook by his wife, Amna. Security sources quoted by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation gave a different account, saying that Shabab was killed by members of his militia after disputes over honor, money, and positions within the militia, which escalated in recent weeks and spiraled out of control. Officials also stated that Hamas was not involved neither directly nor indirectly. Shabab was evacuated by Israeli security forces for treatment outside the Gaza Strip but succumbed to his wounds while being transported to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, Israel, Ynet reported. While Hamas did not claim credit for the killing, it lauded Shababs demise, labeling him a traitor and stating that his death was the inevitable fate of anyone who betrays his people and homeland. Similarly, some Palestinian social media channels celebrated the reports of the militia leaders killing by publishing derogatory illustrations of him. Conversely, other anti-Hamas militias that emerged during the war published statements mourning the death of Shabab. Ashraf al Mansi, the leader of the Popular Army Northern Forces, offered his organizations sympathy and condolences to Shababs family. Mansi reiterated that the Popular Army remained committed to working against terrorism and extremism. Meanwhile, Shawqi Abu Nuseira, the reported leader of the Popular Army in Rafah, proclaimed in a video statement, We are all Abu Shabab, and vowed that his group would continue fighting Hamas. Shabab was a member of the Bedouin Tarabin tribe and was reportedly imprisoned by Hamas before the recent war in Gaza on criminal charges. The Popular Forces, which operates out of Rafah, was founded in early 2025, fields somewhere between 500 and 700 fighters, and presents itself as a civilian movement formed to protect Palestinians, secure humanitarian aid, and restore order amid the wars chaos. The Popular Forces claimed its first notable action in a June attack against a Hamas facility at Khan Younis University College of Applied Sciences, alleging that Hamass Arrow Unit was stockpiling confiscated humanitarian aid there. Hamas dismissed the militia as an Israeli proxy, a narrative strengthened when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged that Israel had provided weapons to Gaza clans opposed to Hamas. Following the death of Abu Shabab, his deputy, Ghassan Dahini, assumed the role of commander of the Popular Forces, Jusoor News reported. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. MOSCOW, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Russia is taking all necessary measures to ensure its national security amid the growing presence and military activities of NATO member states in the Arctic region, a Russian diplomat said on Saturday. RIA Novosti quoted Russian Ambassador to Norway Nikolai Korchunov as saying that recent military preparations by Norway, Britain and other NATO countries on the alliance's northern flank pose direct security risks to Russia, destabilize the Arctic region and increase the likelihood of dangerous incidents. "It is clear that the intensified militarization of Norway's northern regions and the internationalization of military activity in the Arctic will not strengthen security but instead fuel military-political tensions and escalation," Korchunov said. He stressed that these negative trends cause justified concern and compel Russia to take all necessary steps to safeguard its security. Britain and Norway signed a new defense cooperation agreement on Thursday. The agreement includes joint maritime patrols in waters between Greenland, Iceland, Britain and Norway to monitor movements of Russian Navy submarines. It also provides for increasing the number and duration of British Royal Marines deployments on Norwegian territory, and envisages the possible creation of supporting military infrastructure in the country's northern regions. Riders wait for a Green Line train to arrive at Park Street Station in Boston on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Sebastian Restrepo Riders of some of the MBTAs key routes through the core of Downtown Boston will spend two weeks beginning Monday navigating an extensive disruption to the transit system. The T is preparing to close the central portions of all four branches of the Green Line for 15 days, from Dec. 8 through Dec. 22, as it completes maintenance and safety projects that transit officials said could not wait any longer. During those 15 days, work crews will replace a component of the Green Line tunnels dating back to their original construction in the late 1890s. The crews will also use the closure to install a long-awaited new safety system for the Green Line and complete other standard repairs. The closure will stretch from North Station to Babcock Street on the Green Lines B Branch, to Kenmore on the lines C and D Branches and to Heath Street on the E Branch. Closing a broad section of the Green Line for two weeks was less disruptive than trying to break the project into chunks, transit officials said. Its the entire Downtown core. The Green Line trunk and the core follow what were the busiest streets in the city in the late 19th century, Brian Kane, the executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board, said last month. Theyre still pretty busy today. It sounds like its necessary. Clearly, we cant rely on 1897 infrastructure, he added. But this is big. From Dec. 8 to Dec. 22, the MBTA will suspend service from North Station to Babcock Street on the Green Lines B Branch, to Kenmore on the lines C and D Branches, and to Heath Street on the E Branch. MBTA The Green Line averaged about 50,000 riders on weekdays over the last year, according to data from TransitMatters, a public transportation advocacy organization. With the line closed, the T will direct riders to fare-free shuttle buses, the Orange Line, which also runs through Downtown Boston, public buses and the commuter rail. On the B Branch of the Green Line, the shuttle buses will run from Babcock Street in Allston to Back Bay. Riders can access the Orange Line at Back Bay for travel toward North Station. The Route 57 bus will also be fare-free during the closure. C and D Branch riders can take shuttle buses between Kenmore and Back Bay. On all three branches, travel will be fare-free at Kenmore and Green Line stations to the west. On the E Branch, trains will be replaced by the Route 39 bus, which will be fare-free and run more frequently during the closure. The T will also offer accessible van service for free between Copley/Back Bay and North Station. The Worcester Line of the commuter rail will also be fare-free between South Station, Back Bay and Lansdowne during the closure. Full details on alternate modes of transportation during the closure can be found on the MBTAs website. The agency warned commuters to budget ample extra travel time. Completing the maintenance work now is vital, Massachusetts Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said in an interview last month. Work crews will replace a nearly 130-year-old trough housing the trains overhead wires. Made of wood and installed 20 years before President John F. Kennedy was born, the trough remains safe and functional, but federal officials had flagged it for replacement. Has it outlived its useful life? Yes, MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan said. Is replacing it imperative to get our state of good repair where we want it to be? Absolutely. Work crews will also install the Green Line Train Protection System, or GLTPS, which is designed to prevent train-on-train collisions and enforce speeding. It has already been installed in other parts of the Green Line, but the time had come to add its infrastructure to the lines core tunnels, Coholan said. The T could have broken the projects into shorter segments, but officials calculated that doing so would have been a greater disruption for the public, Eng said. Packing the repairs into two weeks allows us to do all this work in this one period and be done and get out, he said. People walk past a campaign poster starring Sydney Sweeney, which is displayed at the American Eagle Outfitters store, Aug. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File) Sydney Sweeney told PEOPLE she was caught off guard by the backlash surrounding American Eagles denim campaign last summer, in which she starred. Fans and others on social media claimed the ad, featuring the 28-year-old Christy star, had racist connotations shortly after the ad was released. The clothing company launched the campaign, called Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans, on July 23, with the then-27-year-old Euphoria star as the spokesperson. I was honestly surprised by the reaction, Sweeney told PEOPLE on Friday. I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand. I dont support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just arent true. The campaign was intended to be a celebration of making customers look and feel good in AE Jeans, an online press release states, MassLive previously reported. However, shortly after rolling out, fans on social media started accusing the campaign of celebrating whiteness and eugenics. Furthermore, the ads were bashed for promoting beauty features such as blonde hair and blue eyes that are historically common among Aryan races. Some pointed to the use of a jeans/genes pun used in the ads as being inappropriate, including one in which Sweeney buttons her pants while lying on a couch, saying, Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My genes are blue. After the ad first appeared, American Eagle defended the ad on social media, according to PEOPLE, in an Aug. 1 Instagram post. Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. Well continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone, the post reads. Sweeney told PEOPLE she leads with kindness and is against divisiveness. She spoke about the backlash to clarify her stance and dispel negativity, according to the outlet. In the past, my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press, but recently I have come to realize that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it, she told PEOPLE. So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us. Sweeney first spoke publicly about the ad, but not at length, in an interview with GQ published on Nov. 4. I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans, she said. All I wear are jeans. Im literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life. The story noted that, by some reports, American Eagles stock price rose 38% after the ad was launched. I was aware of the numbers as it was going, she told GQ. So when I saw all the headlines of in-store visits were down a certain percentage, none of it was true. It was all made up, but nobody could say anything because [the company was] in their quiet period. So it was all just a lot of talk. And because I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didnt affect me one way or the other. An investigation is underway after a man was shot and killed by police in Manchester Saturday morning, according to a statement from the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office. The incident occurred after police responded to the area of South Mammoth Road in Manchester for a report of a suspicious vehicle. A pursuit then ensued, which ended with the vehicle crashing and a man fleeing the scene, according to the statement. Police then found and shot the man in the area of 293 South Mammoth Road, authorities said. Life-saving measures were performed, and the man was brought to a hospital where he later died, according to the statement. An autopsy is being scheduled. The mans identity will be released once it is completed, according to the statement. An investigation into the matter is being conducted by the New Hampshire Department of Justice and the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit. The attorney generals office said that the identity of the officers who used deadly force will not be disclosed until formal interviews take place. The nativity scene at St. Susanna's Parish in Dedham, Mass., replaces the Holy Family with anti-ICE signs protesting U.S. immigration policies. The church pastor, Rev. Stephen Josoma, is ignoring a request from the Archdiocese of Boston to remove the signs. (Courtesy of Jack Harrington) St. Susanna Parish in Dedham is standing by its nativity scene this year, ignoring a request from the Archdiocese of Boston. The nativity scene replaces the Holy Family with an anti-ICE sign protesting U.S. immigration policies. The sign reads, ICE was here, which is meant to imply that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were taken by immigration agents, according to WBUR. Below the message is a smaller sign that reads The Holy Family is safe in our Church ... If you see ICE please call LUCE at 617-370-5023. The Rev. Stephen Josoma, the pastor, told WBUR the displays purpose was to focus the Christmas story on the plight of immigrants. It comes after he recently spoke with refugee families the church has worked with. These are folks who carry a lot of scars with them. Some of them are physical scars, but most are emotional, told the outlet. Theyve seen their folks killed in front of them. The Archdiocese of Boston pushed back against the display. Terry Donilon, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese, said in a statement to MassLive that the display should be removed, calling it divisive political messaging. The Archdiocese also noted that St. Susanna neither requested nor received permission for the display. The churchs norms prohibit the use of sacred objects for any purpose other than the devotion of Gods people, Donilon told MassLive. This includes images of the Christ Child in the manger, which are to be used solely to foster faith and devotion. The Archdiocese spokesperson also noted to MassLive that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has long-standing statements on immigration calling for the humane treatment of migrants, especially those in detention. We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nations immigration laws and procedures, the USCCB said. Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Josoma did not respond to a request for comment from MassLive. The nativity scene at St. Susanna's Parish in Dedham, Mass., replaces the Holy Family with anti-ICE signs protesting U.S. immigration policies. The small sign says the "Holy Family is safe in the sanctuary of our church." (Courtesy of Jack Harrington) The nativity scene also drew sharp attention from the Department of Homeland Security. Not only is this nativity scene offensive to Christians, but it is also depicting something that despite what Rev. Josoma says NEVER happens. ICE does not separate families, Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday to the Boston Globe. Get a grip and seek help. According to a Nov. 24 ProPublica report, some 600 immigrant children have been placed in government shelters since the beginning of the year, the highest number since such placements were first tracked a decade ago. This includes a 13-year-old Everett boy, a Brazilian immigrant, who was taken into ICE custody and sent to a facility in Virginia, because the agency said he had a knife and a gun at school. During an October press conference after the boy was sent to Virginia, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria confirmed the boy had a knife but said he did not have a gun. Everett Police were going to release the boy to his mother, who had arrived at the station. However, ICE, tipped off by the fingerprint database, took the boy into custody and whisked him off to the ICE facility in Burlington. The boy will return to Brazil with an aunt and uncle while his parents continue pursuing asylum in the United States, attorney Andrew Lattarulo told MassLive on Oct. 30, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to MassLives request for comment. How do teenagers feel about the arrival of the AI age? If all you do is watch talking heads on TV, or attend tech conferences as I do almost every week youll absorb the opinions of CEOs, technology developers and professors. Left unrepresented are the voices of students growing up amidst a boom of AI tools, and a confusing cloud of predictions about how theyll impact the job market over the next few years. Is AI the next great workplace productivity tool, or a silicon-powered job destroyer? So I assembled a focus group of Massachusetts teens to get their take. My correspondents ranged in age from 14 to 18. Of the eight students, six were attending (or had graduated from) public schools, and two were in private schools. The group included my own high school senior, who often expresses reservations about my AI is the future rhetoric at the dinner table. What follows are highlights of the conversation, which played out on a group text thread before and after Thanksgiving. (Plus a few separate emails.) Scott Kirsner: What are the rules at your school around AI use? Totally banned? Are they decided teacher by teacher? Do they use software to try to sniff out AI writing or other content? Lily: At my school, AI is only allowed as long as it is not doing your work for you. For example, creating a study guide for a test is completely fine, but using it to write a paper is not allowed. I dont think teachers use specific software, but they definitely analyze the writing to determine if it sounds like something a high schooler would write. Jax: I know Wellesley is currently developing a new integrated AI policy, but for now it varies teacher by teacher. Some allow AI use in studying, but never for writing papers, and you always have to disclose what you used it for. I know other teachers are more against AI in the classroom, but I think most are starting to become more open-minded. Teachers definitely use software to detect AI writing and you will get in trouble if youre caught with an AI-generated paper. Adam: My school doesnt have its own AI policy because the administration believes that the use of AI already falls under our academic integrity policy, but exceptions can be made from if a teacher feels that AIs useful in an assignment, they will allow it ... Teachers use revision history, which tracks every single edit made to a document so that it makes it difficult for students to use AI easily. Ava: The teachers at my school encourage us to use it for study methods, but not for actual work, and teachers also use revision history to check. Ollie: My school effectively bans it completely, but technically tells us that we can ask whether or not we can use it for a particular assignment. However, I asked a teacher about it, and she told me that she would almost always answer no to that question, and that they only tell us to ask because if it were banned completely people would just ignore it. They dont use AI checkers (to my knowledge) and generally trust us not to use it. Kirsner: Is there an AI tool you use most often? Tanha: Sometimes when I dont understand something in school, I ask ChatGPT to explain it to me not give me the answer, but help me understand it. I also use it to help me study. I use this app where if I take pictures of my notes, it creates flash cards and practice tests for me so I can better memorize the content. Adam: Ive been using NotebookLM for a year and a half now to study for all of my tests. You upload all the files, slides [and] documents from your class and it can create a podcast, slideshow, infographic, practice quizzes, all of that. Its really helpful for studying and I live by it. I also use the new Gemini 3.0 pretty regularly for coding. Lily: Gauth AI for helping with math problems. Jax: ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Answerr.ai. Alejandro: I almost exclusively use ChatGPT to work on my car. Ill describe whats going on with my car, and ask what is happening and how to fix it. Every single time so far, ChatGPT has correctly identified the issue and the solution. Ollie: I have used ChatGPT and Gemini for things like easy reformatting of text, and my [retail] job asks me to use it for taking inventory. ... However, I try not to use AI too much: only when its alternative is significantly more time-consuming and tedious. Kirsner: Are you generally pro or anti AI ... or somewhere in the middle? Why? Do you think we need some limits on its use? Ava: Generally, I feel like Im in support of AI. I think its a good tool for studying and bouncing ideas off of and helping with formatting and the other tedious things. Lily: I think personally, Im pretty anti-AI. Im super conscious about its negative effects on the environment ... I also think its gonna cause the next generation to be extremely inefficient and not be able to do anything themselves. They will grow up just being able to have AI do everything for them, and that will probably stunt their cognitive development. Alejandro: I think I lean slightly towards anti-AI, but think more along the lines of we need limits. I do believe AI can be a great tool in some industries and lead to some incredible breakthroughs However, especially in terms of students and younger kids, there are a lot of concerns with how AI use can affect the development of critical thinking skills, among other things. Ryder: It will inevitably erode our culture when used for AI artwork and music, a form of art with no soul. Jax: I would say I am pro-AI because I dont think AI is going away anytime soon, and I find it pretty fascinating. I believe you will be left behind if you dont start learning about AI now, which is why I think its beneficial that our schools try to find ways to incorporate it. Ollie: Im very anti-AI. I feel like its benefits are outweighed by its environmental cost ... Towns near AI data centers experience significant increases in respiratory illness, and the fact that lives are being altered and even ended to produce endless streams of soulless slop like AI art and music just for peoples enjoyment is really upsetting. It can be useful but I really hate when its used for no good reason other than fun. Adam: I think Im generally pro AI because I see all the potential [that] AI has to improve on scientific discovery, accelerating research, etc. But there are a lot of ethical considerations to be made with eliminating labor... I hope that AI can be reformed so we can get all the good parts without all the harms, and I believe we can shape it so that we achieve this goal. Kirsner: If you have thoughts on what you might want to eventually do for a living ... is it a career that you think will be impacted by the AI wave that seems to be happening in society? How so? (Or why not?) Ollie: I think that video editing, which I hope to do, will be impacted by AI. There is already software that allows you to send in footage and have videos edited for you with AI. However, I think (and hope) that AI integration will mostly take the form of useful tools instead of just doing all the work for you. Adam: I want to study applied math in school, which is a field closely tied to AI, so the bar for entry-level careers is probably higher and more specialized now. I do believe that eventually, almost every job will be hit by the AI wave, but what I think we will see is a human-in-the-loop scenario. Lily: I think I might be interested in the business marketing field, and its definitely a career that will be heavily impacted by AI. Ive seen videos of companies just asking AI for ideas on how to market their product, and even asking it to create a video marketing their product. Jax: I want to go into business, and I am worried about the entry-level jobs or positions that could be taken by AI. Ryder: My career will be relatively unaffected by AI. Kirsner: What career are you thinking about? Ryder: Politics. Kirsner: Is there an issue, challenge, or something that worries you or makes you optimistic about AI that we didnt already cover? Ollie: I worry about the distortion of truth. As AI videos get more and more realistic, they will be used to spread misinformation and propaganda. In fact, they already are. I hope regulations will be put in place. Adam: My biggest worry about AI is that its implemented in an unethical way, especially looking at the AI race that OpenAI, Google, China and the U.S. are all in. I think this atmosphere of competition can be dangerous. Lily: The stunting of the next generations cognitive abilities. City councilors from Boston, Lawrence and Chelsea joined with advocates outside Boston City Hall to condemn federal immigration law enforcement action on Thursday, as the Trump administration unveiled a policy slashing the duration of work permits for asylum seekers. Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune drew a round of applause as she invoked the citys Trust Act, which she said ensures that our police officers are engaged in the work of local law enforcement and nothing else. Advocates flocked to Beacon Hill last week to support similar statewide proposals (S 1681 / H 2580) to terminate agreements that enable local law enforcement to carry out the responsibilities of federal agents. We know the dangers of further termination of TPS lies very close for so many of our residents, Louijeune said, referring to the Temporary Protected Status that protects immigrants from certain countries from being detained by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. We are preparing with further protections on how we can protect our residents, Louijeune continued at the rally that was organized by labor unions and community organizations. Advocates for immigrants gathered outside Boston City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 to condemn federal immigration enforcement action. Alison Kuznitz/State House News Service The Trump administration has eliminated protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians, Hondurans and Venezuelans, according to the American Immigration Council. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said Thursday it was cutting the maximum validity period for initial and renewed work permits from five years to 18 months for certain categories of individuals, including refugees and asylum seekers. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the change will ensure that those seeking to work in the United States do not threaten public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies. Doris Landaverde, national co-coordinator for the National TPS Alliance, said Friday marks her 25-year anniversary of coming to the United States from El Salvador. For most of those years, Landaverde said she felt safe and did not experience the fear that immigrant communities are now facing. I dont have a fear to continue fighting for our immigrant communities, she said. HOLYOKE Holyoke Police Detective Melissa Rex made her way through the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside, past the stores decorated for the holidays and shoppers with strollers and bags of goods. Hello, she said as she knocked and then opened a door in Target labeled team members only. She emerged from the office moments later. No one from the stores loss prevention team was in. As she walked into the mall, headed towards Macys, she waved to a person behind the counter at the Sunglass Hut. Hi Amelia! More than $1 million worth of merchandise has been stolen so far this year from retailers in the mall, part of a problem that hounds retailers nationally. As detective, Rexs job focuses on these thefts, particularly on organized rings that steal goods in order to resell them in convenience stores or on social media. Between the mall and Holyoke Crossing Plaza, there have been about 1,200 arrests related to larceny and shoplifting so far this year, she said. And the holidays with the winter season, the increase in shoppers come with a rise in theft, according to Rex. When she was a patrol officer, Rex worked a detail assigned to the mall almost every weekend. I got to know the loss-prevention associates, Rex said. I got to know mall security really well, and I got to build those relationships and so that we could work together to help curb these shoplifters. Now, she said some loss-prevention teams will call her directly to report that they are watching someone in their store at that moment. Was she free? Other times, she might have an account with the store to access their security footage directly. The loss prevention policies vary by store, however. Some loss prevention associates in JC Penney and Macys, for instance, can detain people. Other stores forbid the practice. Some stores have regionalized their loss- prevention teams, and Rex will get reports of incidents weeks after the fact, or only of incidents that exceed a certain dollar amount, for instance. At a time when other malls have closed or are ghosts of their former selves, the Holyoke Mall continues to be one of the largest taxpayers to the city of Holyoke. Last week, the company that manages the mall, which declined to comment for this story, announced that Dicks Sporting Goods would open one of its large-format House of Sport locations in the former Sears. Were just trying to make sure that we can curb the shoplifting and the larcenies to make this a safe environment for families to continue to enjoy, Rex said. The Holyoke Police Department is working with the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside to curb the threat of shoplifting. Police Officer Patty Alicea is one of the officers that will patrol the property and will become involved with any disturbance if she is called to by security. Dec. 5, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook A regional issue Shrinkage which is the loss of inventory was a $112 billion problem for retailers across the country in 2022, according to the National Retail Federation. In Massachusetts, the amount of loss retailers face is estimated between $1.25 billion to $2 billion a year, resulting in a loss of $78.1 million in sales tax revenue, according to Ryan Kearney, general counsel of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. Theft, in general, has risen in recent years at stores, Kearney said. It can include people who begin the day in New York, hitting up retailers as they move through Connecticut, Rhode Island and on to Boston. Thats their day-to-day job, Kearney said. In 2018, the state raised the limit on when a charge for stealing would be elevated to a felony. It used to be $250. Now its $1,200. Its an anecdote familiar to those that work in loss prevention, Kearney said, where someone they are dealing with will tell them they are below their limit. Folks are staying below that $1,200 limit on purpose, he said. Some district attorneys in the state, such as in Suffolk County, have begun to share information with regional law enforcement agencies as some of these thefts have grown more brazen and violent, with some perpetrators brandishing knives or guns, according to Kearney. For Rex, she has also developed relationships with state police and other law enforcement agencies across the state and even into Connecticut. They hold meetings to share intelligence and bounce ideas off each other, Rex said, as some shoplifters operate across New England. In Enfield, Connecticut, police arrested eight people on Oct. 30 as part of an operation to address retail theft. Five of the people charged hailed from the Bronx in New York. Two came from Springfield. One was from Hartford, Connecticut. Alaric Fox, Enfield police chief, said while a shift doesnt go by where officers in the town respond to a call from a retailer, most of the cases end with the defendants paying a fine or attending a program. Left unchecked, the cost of shoplifting is reflected in price increases for paying customers, according to Fox. Its not a victimless crime as people tend to see, he said. At Holyoke Mall, the city police department sometimes parks a cruiser with its lights on at the mall to discourage theft. It gets results, Rex said, as an officer saw a man disembark a bus with a reusable bag, throw his hands up at the sight of the vehicle and immediately board the following bus. We have dozens of repeat offenders who have multiple subsequent offense charges, prior convictions that unfortunately just get a slap on the wrist and theyre sent back out to keep doing it day after day, Rex said. Some people steal because they are homeless or they have an opioid addiction, Rex said. One woman tried to take gloves and hats for her kids, and Rex told her the police could help her if she came to the station. Rex has seen a large uptick in juveniles, and when that happens, a key is summoning their parents as it takes a village, she said. We try to lead them on the right path, Rex said. BLANFORD The Porter Memorial Library in Blandford received word earlier this month that the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has awarded a $5.4 million small population library construction grant to the town of Blandford for the renovation and expansion of the Porter Memorial Library, as part of the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program). Small population grants are awarded to municipalities with populations less than 2,500. The library board and director also learned a few weeks ago that a bequest to the library from Sumner Robbins, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 99, totalled more than $900,000. Robbins, a lifelong resident, served the community in many different ways over his lifetime. His generosity to the library was limitless, said Library Director Nicole Daviau. She said, amazingly, Robbins stipulated in his trust that the bequest must be used for the expansion of Porter Memorial Library in other words, for the library to be made bigger. That was his foresight and truly his desire to make the library the best it could be for the community, Daviau said. It feels absolutely unreal; so serendipitous, incredibly overwhelming, she said about the news of both the grant and the bequest. The library first received a Small Libraries in Networks Grant of $125,000 in October 2024 from the MBLC after the town voted unanimously at a Special Town Meeting that spring to authorize a local match for the funds. The initial grant was for planning and architectural design for library expansion. After receiving the planning grant, Daviau said the library formed a building committee chaired by Dave Hopson and charged with representing the community, to work together with the director, library trustees and an independent consultant to create the building plan. At an informational meeting on Sept. 20, the building committee presented the plans for the librarys expansion to the town, making it four times its original size while maintaining its 1892 charm. The project will transform the historic building into a 5,926-square-foot, fully accessible, modern library facility, renovating and expanding the current 1,250-square, foot one-room structure that has served the community for more than 133 years. The new design will allow the library to offer quiet study areas, youth-focused learning environments, adequate staff workspace, and expanded community programming not currently possible within the existing one-room layout. The expanded and renovated facility will include children, teen, and adult spaces; two study rooms; a restored historic reading room, a local history room, and a community room designed for after-hours access. Plans also include a cafe and gallery space to showcase exhibitions by local artists, as well as restoration of the librarys iconic front porch to reflect the buildings historic character. A single service desk layout will support efficient library operations while maintaining separation between age-based spaces. Daviau said the town will receive 75% of the total project cost of $7.55 million from the MBLC grant. The remainder of the project is a little over $2 million. She said minus the Robbins trust, the towns share will be $1.17 million, 15% of the cost of the entire project. The only thing the town is paying for is 15%, she repeated. Daviau said, unfortunately, the vote at the town meeting has to be for the entire cost of the project due to legal requirements, but she said the contract from the MBLC is in hand. Once the town votes to accept the entire amount, that vote will also accept the grant, she said. The library has been a place where people in the community have been generous for over 130 years, Daviau said, beginning with the gift from Josephine Porter in memory of her son that allowed the library to be built in 1892. She said now that the MBLC has stepped in, and with the gift from Sumner Robbins, that tradition has come full circle. The generosity that the town has shown to the library is moving. We carry that spirit of generosity in the library as well. Daviau said, adding that the sign at the door says the Blandford Free Library. She said there are no fines, and they make sure that the residents of Blandford have everything they need for free. Now the community has given back to the library that spirit of generosity as well through Sumner Robbins, Daviau said. Once the vote is taken, the anticipated timetable for construction will be to start with a groundbreaking in June of 2026, at which time the library will be moving into a yet-to-be-determined home in Town Hall and will continue to provide services to residents throughout the expansion project. Daviau said the hope is to be moving back into the completed library in November of 2027. Daviau said she has a long list of people to thank for getting the project ready for a final vote with the town. She included the many residents who participated in and contributed to the building committee. She said Hopson, as chair, was instrumental to the process. We never could have done this without his insight and knowledge. Daviau also thanked the design team, including the architect Drummey Rosane Anderson Inc. and the owners project manager, Skanska. This entire process has been a true community project, and that is the key to its success, she said, also crediting the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for their help through the grant process. The guidance from Andrea Bono-Bunker and all of the MBLC staff has been instrumental in navigating the process, ensuring that our building will serve our community for generations. Without this generous grant from the MBLC, our small town would never have had the opportunity to expand not only the library building, but also the librarys ability to provide our patrons the services that are essential, especially in our rural area, Daviau said. The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program has benefitted more than 250 towns and cities since its inception in 1987. Funding to support the MPLCP was included in the Mass Leads Act. MPLCP projects are underway in the following communities: Amherst, Deerfield, Fitchburg, Shutesbury and Westford. Swansea Free Public Library recently celebrated its new library with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and 14 more communities are in the planning and design phase as part of the 2023-2024 grant round. Learn more about the program on the MBLC website, the Building Literacy podcast and the MPLCP Municipal Impact website. KABUL, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have seized a quantity of illegal drugs and arrested two individuals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking in northern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, provincial police spokesman Ehsanullah Kamgar said on Saturday. According to Kamgar, the suspects were caught red-handed while transporting 20 kg of hashish in Baharak district of the province. Both individuals have been taken into custody for further investigation. Afghan authorities reiterated their commitments to combating narcotics in the region, emphasizing that no one will be permitted to produce or smuggle illegal drugs within the province. Video News: [Video News] Journee hippique du 6 decembre 2025 en Live[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 5 decembre 2025[Video News] Caritas Ile Maurice marque son jubile par le lancement dun livre historique[Video news] Nando Bodha sexplique[Video news] Professor Mari Jansen Van Rensburg a ditBehind the billions[Video News] Lancement du livre de Joyce Veerasamy[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 3 decembre 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 2 decembre 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 2 decembre 2025 en Live[Video News]The Australian High Commission and NGO Passerelle launch Podcast Series on Positive Masculinity and Combating Gender-Based Violence[Video news] Debat : Remy Ollier Guy Rozemont : Un seul Combat[Video News] Le calendrier des rencontres pour les Warflips[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 28 novembre 2025[Video news] Journee hippique du 29 novembre 2025 en direct[Video News] AI4GOOD Maurice : Cloture triomphale dune edition AI4GOOD Maurice marquee par la visite dEmmanuel Macron[Video news] Conference de presse de la Plateforme Citoyenne du 28 novembre 2025[Video News] Middlesex University Mauritius accueille une delegation japonaise en robotique et ouvre de nouvelles opportunites aux etudiants[Video news] Lancement de podcast pour la positivite masculine[Video news] Middlesex University Mauritius et le Japon unissent leurs forces pour la robotique et lIAParlons de: Chapelle des Trois Maries [Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 26 novembre 2025Carlo Vieux signe son grand retour avec CARLO[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 25 novembre 2025[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 25 novembre 2025 en LiveDeces de Jimmy Cliff[Video news] Conference de presse de Paul Berenger du 22 novembre 2025[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 22 novembre 2025[Video news] Conference de presse de Linion Moris du 21-10-2025[Video News] LOccitane en Provence revele sa Collection de Fetes 2025 The Light Catcher [Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 22 novembre 2025[Video news]LOccitane en Provence revele sa Collection de Fetes 2025 The Light Catcher [Video news] Edition Speciale[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 19 novembre 2025[Video News] Deuxieme edition Habiter aux bords [Video news] Plateforme Citoyenne : Une serie Z pire que Netflix [Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 18 novembre 2025[Video news] Les portefeuilles tokenises Visa sont disponibles a Maurice.[Video News] Declaration de Paul Berenger [17-11-2025][Video News] La 12e journee hippique et la Maiden Cup 2025 en Live[Video News] Barnes Maurice fete ses 10 ans[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 15 novembre 2025[Video News] Mauritius Longevity Summit 2025 : une ouverture reussie pour vivre plus longtemps et en meilleure sante[Video News] BARNES Maurice celebre 10 ans de leadership dans limmobilier[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 14 novembre 2025[Video News] Ceremonie douverture du Mauritus Longevity Summit[Video News] Le Festival Ile Courts 2025 : nouvelle prise, meme passion[Video News] Visa revolutionne le paiement a Maurice[Video News] Justice pour JOY : un appel a durcir les peines pour cruaute envers les animaux[Video News] 12e Festival Ile Courts du 28 novembre au 13 decembre 2025[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 12 novembre 2025[Video news] Edition Speciale[Video News] LArtigiano ouvre une troisieme boutique a Riviere Noire[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 11 novembre 2025 en Live[Video news] Shakeel Mohamed a lance le projet Rent To Own / Location-Vente pour les maisons NSLD/NHDC[Video News] Nouvelle franchise de LArtigiano a Ruisseau Creole[Video News] Conference de presse de la Plateforme Citoyenne[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 8 novembre 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 7 novembre 2025[Video News] La Commission des Experts a revele ses priorites cles[Video news] Conference du Fron Komin La Voix Lepep [05-11-2025][Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 6 novembre 2025[Video News] Lancement du Novembre Numerique 2025 a lIFM ![Video News] Attitude Talk Series #8 : Un debat engage sur lavenir de lalimentation[Video news] Conference / debat de Laurence Breton-Kuen[Video News] Conference de presse de la Commission of Experts on Pension Reform [Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 4 novembre 2025[Video News] Forum Debat Stop Bullying a LICJM[Video News]Previsions estivales 2025-2026[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 1er novembre 2025Kylian Razaze signe son premier livre[Video news] Talk Series #8 : Lassiette de demain : quels sont les enjeux au menu ? [Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 31 octobre 2025[Video News]3 edition Sustainability Forum du Journal des Archipels[Video news] Reouverture de la Triolet Women Empowerment Centre[Video news]Kerastase illumine Maurice : Gloss Absolu, la nouvelle revolution capillaire devoilee par BrandActiv[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 29 octobre 2025Deces de Floyd Roger Myers Jr.[Video news]Andrey & Julia Dashins Foundation Champions Youth Training and Employability Through National TWA Pu Lavenir (Train. Work. Achieve.)[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 28 octobre 2025[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 28 octobre 2025 en Live[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du octobre 2025[Video News] LUnion of Artists rencontre Gerard Louise[Video News] Lancement de lInitiative TWA Pu Lavenir [Video News] Rencontre prevue le 30 octobre 2025 entre Gerard Louise et Ras Natty Baby[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 24 octobre 2025[Video News] Conference de presse du CHCL Joint Negotiating Panel[Video news] La 18e Edition du Chinatown Food & Cultural Festival[Video News]Remise de fonds a We-recycle[Video News] Soiree de lancement de Kerastase Gloss Absolu[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 22 octobre 2025[Video News] Locean Indien celebre sa creativite[Video News] Nando Bodha a dit[Video News]Living Change et Happynest sont les laureats de LInnovation Challenge 2025 de La Turbine [Video News] Conference de presse du Reform Party du 18 octobre 2025[Video News] Innovation Challenge 2025 : La Turbine Recompense Living Change et Happynest [Video news] Cancer Prevention Awareness for Corporates[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 18 octobre 2025[Video News] La 9e journee de la saison hippique 2025 en Live[Video news] ACA Flame Award Night 2025 Failte Irelands Mayo Tourism Symposium gathered at the Great National Hotel Ballina brought together over 100 tourism businesses from across the county this week. The gathering showcased the strength of collaboration between accommodation providers, visitor experiences, and local stakeholders, all working to shape a more connected and competitive Mayo for the 2026 season. Attendees heard updates on major projects including the Keel Visitor Management and Placemaking plan for Achill Island, the Wild Mayo Destination and Experience Development Plan, progress on Inland Mayo and Clew Bay DEDPs, and the Ceide Coastal Path project in North Mayo. It featured a keynote address by international travel expert Doug Lansky, insights from Mayo County Council on its upcoming tourism strategy, and guidance from Bord Iascaigh Mhara, LEADER, and South West Mayo Development Company on funding supports. An expert panel discussion with local leaders from hospitality, heritage, and aviation explored opportunities and challenges for the 2025 season, reinforcing the shared vision of making Mayo a destination where visitors stay longer, spend more, and experience the best of the Wild Atlantic Way. Pictured above: Luke Murray (Moderator, Failte Ireland), Donal Healy (Ireland West Airport, Knock), Frances Toner (National Museum of Ireland Turlough Park) and Raymond Horkan (Great National Hotel Ballina), as more than 110 tourism businesses attended Failte Irelands Mayo Tourism Symposium and networking event at the Great National Hotel Ballina this week. The event brought together accommodation providers and visitor experiences to foster collaboration and create more connected offerings that will attract visitors, encourage longer stays and increase spend in the county for the 2026 season. Pic: Michael McLaughlin READ MORE: Mayo volunteer group come through as winners at national awards A West Mayo developer has accused Mayo County Council of demanding an 'extortionate price' for the provision of footpaths as part of planning permission for a Newport development. Last month, Mayo County Council granted Louisburgh-based Brendan Byrne and Son Ltd planning permission to construct seven detached units and two semi-detached dwelling units located at Barrack Hill, Newport. Planning was subject to 26 conditions, one of which included the provision for a contribution levy of 58,800 for 280 metres of footpath connecting the development with the town centre. The developer appealed the inclusion of this condition to An Coimisiun Pleanala saying that the levy sought seems to be 'an arbitrary and capricious monetary value with no justification'. Mayo County Council calculated the cost of the 280 metre footpath at 210 per metre but in the appeal, Keith O'Connell, Chartered Engineer on behalf of the developer stated that it would be reasonable to expect the breakdown of the development fee to be detailed in the report. The width of the proposed footpath wasn't even specified...It appears that Mayo County Council have pulled this arbitrary monetary number with no reference guideline given. READ: Mayo volunteer group come through as winners at national awards In our experience from dealing with multiple housing developments as Consulting Engineers and Assigned Certifiers, this is an extortionate price for laying footpaths, he stated in the appeal. Mr O'Connell also pointed out that there was nothing in the Mayo County Council's Development Contribution Scheme regarding a charge of 210 per metre for a footpath and 'it's concerning that Mayo County Council imposed this fee without any substantiation'. The developer was also charged a development levy of 36,280 for the nine residential units and Mr O'Connell argued that any footpath and public infrastructure is covered within this fee. The appeal also outlined that having looked into a number of similar developments granted planning permission by Mayo County Council none of them 'have similar unsubstantiated contribution fees'. Mr O'Connell also stated in the appeal that due to the significant rise in construction costs in recent years, the applicant is not sure if the proposed development is now feasible given the extra costs imposed by the council. As a result, he stated that the land may have to be sold which 'would impact the current greenway to the community and the proposed connectivity to Rossmore estate' which was agreed during the planning process. It may be the case that unsubstantiated contribution fees have a part to play in the housing crisis in Ireland, he stated in the appeal. There is currently Government discussion surrounding housing about giving developers incentives to drive housing construction within Ireland to 300,000 units by 2030 but then incurring a fee like this on a nine-unit development defeats the purpose. Given the current housing crisis and the fact that the rate of construction is declining at the fastest rate in years, extortionate contribution fees will only make the situation worse, he wrote. Mr O'Connell requested that An Coimisiun Pleanala acknowledge the merits of the appeal and omit the condition from the planning condition. The planning authorities need to be working alongside the agents and developers to drive the construction sector within Ireland, not working against them, he concluded. The appeal is expected to be decided by An Coimisiun Pleanala by mid April next year. by Peerzada Arshad Hamid NEW DELHI, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Fresh mass flight cancellations and delays from India's largest airline IndiGo continued Saturday for the fifth straight day across major airports in the country, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and agitated. At least 405 domestic flights of IndiGo were reportedly cancelled on Saturday. With no relief in sight, the operational disruptions are expected to continue for many more days to come. The operational crisis was caused due to a shortage of pilots and flight crew in view of the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules that mandated longer rest periods for the staff. IndiGo has admitted to misjudging the number of pilots it needed under new FDTL rules. According to the new pilot duty rules, the amount of mandatory rest per week for pilots has been increased by 12 hours to 48 hours. IndiGo failed to plan for the new flight duty timings imposed on pilots. The government has now put the new FDTL order in abeyance, expecting that normalcy would return within three days. On Friday, IndiGo cancelled more than 1,000 flights, including all departures from New Delhi, India's national capital. On Thursday alone, 550 flights were cancelled across multiple airports, including Delhi, and between Tuesday and Wednesday, over 200 flights of IndiGo were cancelled. Scenes of absolute chaos and meltdown on Friday unfolded at airports across the country as IndiGo's domestic fliers expressed frustration with their flights being delayed or cancelled. A local television news channel captured an angry passenger climbing atop the airline counter at Mumbai Airport, demanding an answer for her flight cancellation that had left her, as well as thousands of other passengers across the country, stranded over the past few days. With its fleet of over 400 aircraft, IndiGo operates around 2,300 flights daily on domestic and international routes. On Friday, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers extended his apologies for the massive disruptions in a video clip posted on social media, stating the situation is expected to return to normal between Dec. 10 and Dec. 15. India's federal civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu has ordered an investigation into what he described as IndiGo's "mismanagement." Meanwhile, the crisis at IndiGo and mass cancellation of its flights have led to a skyrocketing of airfares, especially on the busiest routes. Reports said the flight prices between Delhi and Mumbai have touched shocking levels. Fares for last-minute tickets have more than doubled across major travel platforms. Experts urge shift to non-pharmacological protocols in treating depression as young Australians show prolonged antidepressant use. Trusted Source Increasing Prevalence or Long-Term Antidepressant Use in Australia Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT Did You Know? Long-term #antidepressant use is rising in #Australia, 45% of young people stay on the medications for over a year, with higher use among women. Researchers urge greater access to #mentalhealth support and #nondrug therapies. #mentalhealth #depression #prescription_drugs #Australianyouth #psychology Advertisement Warnings of Guideline Inconsistency in Prescribing Antidepressants Advertisement Long-Term Antidepressant Use Continues to Rise, Especially Among Women Advertisement Experts Warn Deprescribing Gaps as Long-Term Antidepressant Use Grows Building Better Systems to Safely Taper Antidepressants in Australia Increasing Prevalence or Long-Term Antidepressant Use in Australia - (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pds.70267) (2014-2023).The finding come from a new study by University of South Australia researchers, published in the. (The findings emphasizeLong-term use defined as taking antidepressants continuously for more than 12 months has risen markedly across all age groups, although the most dramatic increase is occurring in young Australians.Lead author, UniSA researcher Dr. Lasantha Ranwala, saysthat recommend a careful review of medication use after 6-12 months.Not only are more people taking antidepressants, but once they start, they are staying on them for longer, Dr. Ranwala says.The medical practitioner, AI researcher and UniSA PhD candidate says this is especially concerning for younger age groups, where clinical guidelines generally recommend psychological therapies as the first line of treatment.Across the whole population, long-term antidepressant use increased from 66 to nearly 85 users per 1000 people between 2014 and 2022, before stabilising slightly in 2023. Women continued to record significantly higher use than men throughout the study period., Dr. Ranwala says.Withdrawal symptoms are often misinterpreted as a return of the underlying condition, which can further extend treatment, exacerbating the problem.The researchers also found no meaningful improvement in efforts to wean people off antidepressants.The proportion of long-term users who were put on a lower dose remained constant over the decade 17.9% in 2014 compared with 17.8% in 2023.This lack of movement suggests that deprescribing strategies are not being routinely implemented in clinical practice, according to co-author, UniSA Professor Libby Roughead, Director of the Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre.Given the increase in long-term use, especially among young people, this is an area that requires urgent attention, says Prof. Roughead.generally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and difficulties accessing psychological therapies.With mental health demands at an all-time high,when the clinical need has passed.Australia needs a stronger framework for safely tapering antidepressants, along with better access to psychological care, says Prof. Roughead.UniSA co-author, Associate Professor Andrew Andrade, says emerging technologies including predictive analytics and clinical decision-support tools may also help clinicians identify when deprescribing is appropriate., Assoc Prof. Andrade says., and provide clear, step-by-step guidance to clinicians and patients throughout the slow dose-reduction process.Source-Eurekalert Kerala reports 170 cases and 42 deaths from brain-eating amoeba in 2025, the government told Parliament, raising major health concerns. TOP INSIGHT Alarming Health Crisis in Kerala. The state has reported a massive surge in #brain_eating_amoeba infections (amoebic meningoencephalitis) in 2025: 170 cases and 42 deaths. This is a sharp increase from previous years, prompting high-level reviews and reinforced surveillance. #Kerala #HealthAlert #Meningoencephalitis #PublicHealth Advertisement Health Minister Flags Surge in Keralas Deadly Amoeba Infections Advertisement Understanding Naegleria fowleri: The Deadly Brain-Eating Amoeba Trusted Source About Amebic Meningitis Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement How to Prevent Brain-Eating Amoeba Infections About Amebic Meningitis - (https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/amebic-meningitis.html) this year, with 170 infections and 42 deaths reported in 2025 alone, the Union Health Ministry informed Parliament. The deadly condition, often referred to as aIn a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Health Minister Prataprao Jadhav said that Kerala has reported a total of 211 cases and 53 deaths since 2023. While only two cases were detected in 2023, the number increased to 39 in 2024 before surging dramatically this year. The Minister said the rapid escalation highlights an urgent need for detailed investigation and improved surveillance.Jadhav noted that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Kozhikode carried out an investigation last year to understand the rising incidence. A high-level meeting was later convened by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) with national and state experts to review the situation.Surveillance for acute encephalitis cases was reinforced across Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories, along with improved environmental testing and updated treatment guidance. The central government is also continuing to support public awareness campaigns, working with the Kerala health department to expand research, community education and preparedness. Updated communicable-disease alerts were issued last year to inform clinicians and the public about early warning signs, management protocols and prevention strategies.Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the organism to travel to the brain, where it causes rapid and often fatal inflammation of the central nervous system . Symptoms typically begin with severe headache, fever, nausea and confusion, progressing quickly to seizures or coma. Because the disease advances rapidly and is difficult to treat, early recognition is critical for survival.Experts emphasize that the infection cannot be transmitted from person to person. Prevention focuses on reducing exposure to warm freshwater sources where the organism may thrive.during hot months, use nose clips when entering freshwater bodies,Public-health officials stress that awareness and caution are the most effective tools to reduce risk.As Kerala continues to battle the surge, authorities say strengthening surveillance, improving public communication and reinforcing environmental safety remain essential. With the diseases high fatality rate and rapid progression,and response capabilities.Source-Medindia A fast-spreading winter virus is rising earlier this season, driven by a new strain. Highlights: Winter vomiting bug cases rising early due to newer strain GII.17 and low immunity Symptoms hit within 1248 hours and dehydration is the major risk Spreads easily through contact, contaminated food, and surfaces Trusted Source Norovirus (vomiting bug) Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT Did You Know? Just 1-10 norovirus particles can make you sick - that's why it spreads so fast in winter! Stay sharp, stay hygienic. #norovirus #wintervomiting #winterdisease #virus #medindia Advertisement Why Are Norovirus Cases Rising Early This Year? 1921 million illnesses 109,000 hospitalizations 900 deaths every year in the U.S. due to norovirus. Advertisement Norovirus Symptoms Hit Fast: Know Your Symptoms Before It Reaches You! Warning signs Other symptoms Common signs Lightheadedness Urine that is dark yellow Dry throat or mouth Children who are extremely drowsy or irritable Very few or no tears when crying Low-grade fever A headache Body pains Chills Sudden vomiting Diarrhea Feeling uneasy Stomach cramps Kids under five Elderly people, particularly those over 85 Individuals with impaired immunity Trusted Source About Norovirus Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement How Norovirus Spreads So Easily Trusted Source About Norovirus Go to source Trusted Source Being close to a sick person Touching your mouth after coming into contact with contaminated surfaces Consuming contaminated food (fruits, seafood, and leafy greens are typical sources) Inhaling particles that are released into the air while vomiting Hand sanitizer does NOT reliably kill norovirus. Soap and water are the only effective way to wash it off your hands. Bleach-based cleaners are the best choice for disinfecting contaminated surfaces. Treatment and Prevention: What Actually Works? Dos Donts Rest at home Take small sips of water frequently Use oral rehydration solutions for faster recovery Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding (dont dilute formula) Eat bland foods when able Fizzy drinks Fruit juices (worsen diarrhea) Antidiarrheal medicines for children under 12 Preparing food for others Takeaway Points To Avoid Norovirus Spread Always wash hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after visiting the bathroom. Wash dirty clothes and bedding at 60C Clean up bathroom surfaces with bleach Remain at home until symptoms pass ( at least 48 hours ) ) Avoid visiting hospitals and care homes at this time at this time Cooking of shellfish should be done until it is completely cooked because raw or undercooked oysters are also a source of norovirus Norovirus (vomiting bug) - (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus/) About Norovirus - (https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/index.html) is returning every year, and this time, levels are rising earlier and more quickly in many areas. In the United States, this highly contagious virus is the leading cause of vomiting diarrhea , and foodborne illness.Norovirus can spread quickly throughout homes, schools, childcare centers, and nursing homes, despite the fact that it usually only lasts one to three days. This is especially true during the winter, when people congregate indoors.Experts caution that a more recent strain may be responsible for the 20242025 season, putting more people at risk this winter. Here's a brief explanation of what's happening, how to identify the signs, and how to stay safe ().Even though it peaks between November and April, norovirus spreads throughout the year. Levels have lately moved into the "high" category, according to wastewater surveillance networks across the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast. Currently, hotspots include states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, and Indiana.The majority of outbreaks last winter were caused bywhich researchers believe may be to blame for the increase. Many people have low immunity because they have never been exposed to this strain, which helps the virus spread.There are an estimated:This season has not yet reached last years peak, but experts expect cases to increase through the winter.Norovirus doesnt creep in slowly. Usually, symptoms start to show up 12 to 48 hours after exposure.Most individuals get better in one to three days, while it can be dangerous for:Be aware that frequent vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration Seek medical help if symptoms last more than a few days, there is blood in vomit or stool, or dehydration becomes severe ().Norovirus is tiny yet incredibly powerful. An infected person can shedcan make someone sick.() You may get it from:Even after feeling better, a person may continue to shed the virus for up to two weeks since it may survive on surfaces for days.Mindful Practices to Prevent Cross Contamination:There isTreatment focuses entirely on symptom relief and preventing dehydration.Although testing is underway, a norovirus vaccine has not yet been made accessible.The norovirus is a short-lived but highly infectious gastrointestinal illness that can swiftly cause severe illness. It's crucial to understand how it spreads and how to protect yourself because instances have increased earlier this year, maybe as a result of a new variation. The best strategies to prevent the virus from spreading across our communities include frequent hand washing, good food hygiene, surface disinfection, and remaining at home when ill.You and your family can stay safe this winter by being aware and following easy safety measures.Source-Medindia LungVax trains the immune system to detect and destroy early lung cancer cells, offering a potential new way to prevent the disease. Highlights: LungVax trains the immune system to recognize abnormal lung cells trains the immune system to recognize abnormal lung cells Clinical trials begin in summer 2026 for high-risk individuals Preventative vaccines could complement smoking cessation in reducing lung cancer risk Trusted Source World's first trial of lung cancer vaccine Launched Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT Did You Know? A new #vaccine called #LungVax, could train your immune system to spot and destroy early #lungcancer cells before the disease develops. #lungcancerdrug #clinical_trial #cancerprevention #medindia Advertisement Determining Optimal LungVax Dose and Safety Advertisement Vaccine Target and Immune System Activation Advertisement Mechanism of Vaccine Action Focusing On Early-Stage Lung Cancer Survivors Lung Cancer Incidence and Risk Factors Patient Shares Impact of Scientific Advancements Future Opportunities for Cancer Prevention World's first trial of lung cancer vaccine launched - (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/nov/worlds-first-trial-lung-cancer-vaccine-launched) People at high risk of lung cancer are set to receive the).Researchers at UCL and the University of Oxford have received funding of up to 2.06 million from Cancer Research UK, supported by the CRIS Cancer Foundation, to conduct aThe initial phase I trial will determine theand evaluate any potential side effects from varying doses. The trial is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2026, pending regulatory approval.Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, co-founder and lead of the LungVax clinical trials from UCL Cancer Institute, UCLH, and the Francis Crick Institute, highlighted the urgent need for preventative strategies, noting. She emphasized that early intervention is key to changing these outcomes.The LungVax trial will closely, and the identification of individuals who could benefit most in the future.While preventative vaccines, they may offer a new approach to stopping certain cancers from developing.Lung cancer cells display, which result from cancer-causing DNA mutations. These markers appear on the surface of cells in the earliest stages of lung cancer formation.LungVax carries genetic instructions designed to. The goal of the trial is to enable the immune system to detect and destroy these early abnormal cells before they progress into cancer. The vaccine uses technology developed by the University of Oxford during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver these immune instructions.Professor Sarah Blagden, co-founder of LungVax at the University of Oxford, described the project as an. Years of research into the earliest biological changes in lung cancer will now be tested in clinical trials.The trial will initially focus on individuals diagnosed withAdditionally, the vaccine will be evaluated in participants undergoing lung cancer screening through the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme in England.Should the trial produce encouraging outcomes, larger studies will be conducted to assess the vaccines efficacy among a broader population at risk of lung cancer.In the UK, approximately, which remains the leading preventable cause of cancer globally.Graeme Dickie, 55, from Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire, is assisting with preparations for the LungVax trial. Diagnosed with stage II lung cancer in 2013 and progressing to stage IV by 2017 despite never having smoked, he has undergone lung surgery, over 80 rounds of chemotherapy , and is currently on the targeted drug mobocertinib.Graeme emphasized the life-saving impact of research, stating that scientific advancements have allowed him to enjoy more time with his family. Although he will not personally benefit from LungVax, he believes his story will help others access early interventions.Professor Sarah Blagden will also feature in the first episode of Cancer Detectives: Finding the Cures on Channel 4. Produced in partnership with Cancer Research UK, the documentary highlights researchers leading groundbreaking projects in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.Cancer Research UK expressed optimism about a future where more cancers are prevented. The knowledge gained from years of research into cancer biology is opening opportunities for preventative measures.By funding the LungVax trial, the organization aims tofree from the threat of lung cancer.In conclusion, LungVax represents a groundbreaking step in lung cancer prevention by teaching the immune system to recognize and eliminate early abnormal cells.If successful, it could transform outcomes for high-risk individuals and offer a complementary approach alongside traditional prevention strategies such as smoking cessation Source-Medindia SYDNEY, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS), the lead combat agency for bush fires in the Australian state of NSW, confirmed that multiple homes have been destroyed by fire, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Saturday afternoon. This confirmation came after live video from the network news helicopter showed at least six properties destroyed on Nimbin Road, near Koolewong, ABC added. NSW RFS had put an emergency warning in place on Saturday afternoon for the Nimbin Road due to a bush fire burning in a southerly direction behind Glenrock Parade towards Lara Street. "If you are in the area of Nimbin Road, Glenrock Parade, Lara St and Nimala Ave, you are at risk. Leave now if the path is clear towards Woy Woy," said the authority. Koolewong is a suburb on the Central Coast of NSW, about an hour's drive from Sydney CBD. ABC also reported that trains were not running on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line due to a fire near the tracks at Koolewong. NSW RFS issued another emergency warning later for the Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee areas due to a large bush fire. These areas are in the Upper Hunter region of NSW and over 200 km northwest of Sydney CBD. The authority told people who are in the areas that they are in danger, and it is too late for them to leave. It asked people in the areas to seek shelter inside a solid structure such as a house. An alarming report produced less than three years previous by the Ministry of Defence had come to Alberts attention. It laid bare Britains lack of preparation to defend itself against an invader, much less fight a war in foreign lands. We have on our side, in our present condition, no land force in the country nor a possibility of raising one. The relative condition of our military strength would be the cause of very great and well founded alarm on the breaking out of a war, when the eyes of the public would be suddenly opened to these facts. Between the years 1818 and 1844, every military establishment was reduced to the lowest ebb. But at the outset of the war, Albert had been in great distress over what he perceived to be the countrys lack of preparedness for a conflict that was to change the face of modern warfare with ironclads replacing sailing ships at sea, and trench warfare widely adopted on land. Albert once again confided his concerns to his brother: We have much trouble with the Ministry. Aberdeen still lives in 1814, Lord John in 1830, Palmerston in 1848. Parliament and the Press have suddenly become born generals. The Princes battle plan was to be shown sound when Britain and her French ally deployed precisely these methods an economic blockade and conquest of the key port city to bring the war to a successful conclusion. As an armchair strategist, Prince Albert displayed an acute insight into the basic realities of the Crimean conflict. Russia is not to be conquered, he wrote to his brother Ernest in Germany, but financially she can be ruined. The one and a half million troops they keep will be a great help in this affair. If only we could take Sevastopol! Not really an army at all Even as the battle raged at Sevastopol, Alberts thoughts were focused on the post-war reorganisation of the army. Early in 1855, Albert drafted a memorandum to Lord Aberdeen that in later years was to have a profound effect on the shape of Britains land forces. While he extolled the victories the Army had won against the Russians, the Prince identified a deeply embedded flaw in the countrys military system. I hazard the opinion that our Army, as at present organised, can hardly be called an army at all, but a mere aggregate of battalions of infantry, with some regiments of cavalry, and an artillery regiment. The inherent deficiency in the Armys structure, as Albert put it, was that we have nothing but distinct battalions. Granted, these were admirable fighting units, but there was nothing beyond this old-fashioned military order. We have, in consequence, no generals trained and practised in the duties of that rank no general staff or staff corps no field commissariat, no field army department, no ambulance corps, no baggage train. In short, nothing remotely resembling the large standing armies of Continental Europe, which were organised under a unified command structure certainly nothing that could be matched against the army of neighbouring France, the perennial potential enemy poised in the wings. Albert was absolutely correct: in the 19th century, the British Army was composed of up to 153 loosely connected regiments whose colonels would typically identify more closely with their regimental colours than with the national flag. Creating a united national force The remedy lay in reorganising the British Army into brigades and divisions, and the Prince proposed a detailed plan of 34 brigades and 17 divisions for the existing 103 battalions of infantry, and a further eight brigades for the 23 regiments of cavalry. Under this scheme, each of the 17 divisions would have its proper complement of artillery permanently attached to it. Albert also insisted on the need for weekly reports from the field commanders, to keep the Government informed not only of progress on the battlefield, but likewise the number of serviceable guns, how the troops were secured against weather, and the level of stores and horses. This plan was endorsed by the War Office, and Lord Raglan was required to furnish the information in weekly dispatches. As early as 1847, Albert had written to the Duke of Wellington proposing a provisional training camp for the army, necessarily with a railway link for the swift movement of troops to the coastal defences. The idea met with a cool reception from the Duke, mainly on grounds of cost. But when, in 1852, there was sabre-rattling across the Channel by the Emperor Napoleon III, Lord Hardinge, Wellingtons successor, agreed to acquire a few acres of flat ground in Chobham, Surrey, to serve as a training camp. Almost overnight, Albert had become an enthusiastic army man: one wall of his study was covered with maps of the Black Sea and the Crimea, and he scrutinised them until he knew the whole area like the back of his hand. And he was not satisfied with the temporary facility at Cobham; he was convinced of the Armys need for a long-term headquarters. Aldershot The Prince went back to the Government to plead passionately for the purchase of a 3,000-acre tract of heathland around Aldershot, to be set aside as a permanent base the garrison town that is still the home of the British Army today. Albert became closely involved with the development of Aldershot. Shortly after the end of the Crimean War, he established and endowed the Prince Consorts Library, which is still a major research and education facility. The Prince paid the 4,000 cost of the building himself, and in 1859 he wrote to the Secretary of State for War, stating his wish to present 1,000 books from his personal collection to the officers at Aldershot. Work on the library began in September 1859, and the building was officially opened a year later. The library was founded to contribute to the education of soldiers in the British Army, and it now stands as one of the countrys foremost facilities specialising in the provision of information on current military topics, political subjects, and international relations in support of operations, intelligence, training, and education in the armed forces. The VC One of Alberts most memorable legacies, however, was the creation of the Victoria Cross, which could rightly be called the Albert Cross, for it was the Princes proposal that a new medal be awarded for valour in the face of the enemy. You have likely heard of Project 2025 but a U.S. Navy veteran is upping the ante with a new national proposal he dubs Project 2026 that he believes is a step toward restoring balance in the American experience. Project 2025 garnered large amounts of attention during the 2024 presidential campaign when the political initiative and conservative blueprint penned by the Heritage Foundation became inherently tied to then-candidate Donald Trumps campaign, described by critics as a roadmap to preserve and implement various policies in a future Republican administration. Trumps 2024 opponent, ex-Vice President Kamala Harris, and Democrats consistently attempted to tie Trump to the roughly 900-page playbook that touched on a wide variety of American life that proposed significant changes across nearly all areas of government including immigration and border policy, economic regulation, restructuring federal agencies, LGBTQ+ laws and protections, reproductive rights, social programs and more. Politicians and America's 'Roots' Mike Bedenbaugh, who served in the Navy from 1982-87 as a Quartermaster on the USS South Carolina, is imploring Americans to look past partisanship and reinvigorate Americans ideals ahead of the nations 250th birthday. Naming his new project so closely to the Project 2025 initiative was deliberate, he told Military.com. However, it was only after he finished his own literary draft that he became privy to it and read through the 3-inch book to find that much of what the initiative lays out and what he aspires are synonymous with one another. U.S. Navy veteran Mike Bedenbaugh prepares to sail on the USS South Carolina decades ago, when he served as Quartermaster. Bottom: The USS Nimitz Battle Ship is pictured. (Mike Bedenbaugh/mikebedenbaugh.com) They are talking about the same issues I'm talking about, the failures of how our republic isn't functioning as well anymore, Bedenbaugh said. But instead of looking back at the foundational recipe that [George] Washington and the original architects of our Constitution set forth on how to have checks and balances and a free republic for individuals, they're looking at a top-down approach that only a strong executive could fix these problems. I was astonished that political leaders in our nation had so forgotten the roots of our American tradition that they would think that's the way to do it, and I personally think it's very dangerous. Hence, Bedenbaughs intentions involve elevating conservation and faith in liberty through what he describes as a bottom-up approach, where citizens have faith in each other and in federalism. Different cultures, different folks can live within the umbrella of the Constitution as we were when we first formed, he said. And we need to remember that. In a nation of aspiration like ours, different people have different aspirations. As long as they believe in the rule of law and the Constitution, that's the purpose of our society. And I just wanted to remind people of that. 'Hard Conversations' Bedenbaugh jokingly analogized his own life to the feather that floats aimlessly in the film Forrest Gump. Hes occupied myriad roles, from service member to heading a planning commission; city council member to entrepreneur; and even running for Congress in 2024 in red-state South Carolina as an independent candidate, succumbing to a competitors campaign fueled by money from the political party machine. Spencer Chretien, left, and Kristen Eichamer stand in the Project 2025 tent during the playing of the national anthem at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 14, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) All that led to the self-described constitutional conservative becoming an author, penning Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America as a blueprint for the broader Project 2026 agenda. Something's going to get compromised, he said. That's what I've seen happening since 9/11, since the attack on us in the World Trade Center and the Pentagonthe opportunity certain people in power used to pursue a more world hegemonic policy that I think has put us in terrible danger as a nation. I think it could be fixed but we just need to start having real conversations about the genius of our foundational principles and how we can get to them relatively easily. There's going to be some hard conversations. Needed Reforms Some of the reforms Bedenbaugh encourages include: Term limits in Congress to discourage career politicians and encourage fresh leadership. Giving citizens a larger voice over corporate money to better shape public policy. Curbing monopolies by means including breaking up concentrated power in media, health care and finance to revive fair competition. Reining in the military-industrial complex which includes avoiding perpetual wars and returning to constitutional limits on military engagement. Restoring fiscal discipline through federal spending controls and safeguarding future generations from unsustainable debt. He also mentions the creation of a so-called Fulcrum Caucus, designed as a coalition of both new and independent-minded congressional members who will stand against the political duopoly. Even a caucus of 10 to 20 reformers could hold the balance of power in Congress, he said. FILE - Paul Dans, director of Project 2025 at the Heritage Foundation, speaks at the National Religious Broadcasters convention, Feb. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File) Service to the representation of your constituents shouldn't be a career, Bedenbaugh said. It should be a part-time job that you go do, just like I did in the military. I enjoyed my five years and I came back and left. And that's what representatives should do. 'Inspiration' To Do Better He also feels strongly about foreign policy and entanglements, once more harkening back to Washington and a view that American neutrality regarding other nations affairs is integral. Now, that absolutely is the opposite of isolationism, he said. I am not an isolationist because the system we have nowthe military-industrial complex, so much money going into the militarization of our society and expressing that overseashas created a world where we have isolated ourselves from over half the world because we are now the enemies of those people's enemies. We need to learn how to be more neutral and an objective observer so that our influenceour financial influence and our trade influencecan help stabilize our relationships with countries all over the world, whoever they are. All that said, Bedenbaugh admits his book and plan are no antidote to larger problems unless Americans galvanize and push for more inspired leadership and ideals. As he put it, There are things still worth fighting for. I take that as inspiration, and the fact that we're now at the 250th anniversary of that revolution that we had, I think if things get bad enoughand I am concerned that they willthere will be certain social systems that are going to be compromised and civic engagement is already compromised, he said. It's going to get bad enough to where people are willing to go, OK, it's time to really take it seriously on how to fix it. We're not just going to fix it by just electing the other party again because that whiplash is not going to work anymore. I hope this inspires that same sense of what those early revolutionaries had to do, fight against overwhelming odds, which is what we're facing today, Bedenbaugh added. SYDNEY, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- New South Wales Rural Fire Services (NSW RFS), the lead combat agency for bush fires in the Australian state of NSW, declared on Saturday morning that a total fire ban is in place for the Greater Sydney Region and eight other areas for the day. "Today, hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast across most of the state, with areas of Extreme and High fire danger," said the authority in a Facebook post, adding that 57 fires were burning across NSW as of 9 a.m. local time on Saturday, with nine yet to be contained. NSW RFS said that firefighters and incident management personnel were continuing their work to strengthen containment lines around these fires. It asked people in the vicinity of these fires to continue monitoring conditions and stay up to date with the latest information via the mobile phone app and its website. Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the first heatwave of this summer will reach its peak across NSW, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius likely to span from Western Australia's north-west all the way to Parramatta in the Greater Sydney Region. To say Lindsay Gutierrez is in rare company is an extreme understatement. Being a deployed veteran already puts her in rarified air, but the fact that shes one of only 280 people in the U.S. to be a double organ donor places her among a very small and elite group. But thats exactly what Gutierrez, an Air Force veteran, did after serving six years in the military, donating one of her kidneys to a fellow veteran, and giving 40 percent of her liver to save the life of an anonymous patient. A Life of Service Its her way of continuing a life of service after leaving the military. Im one of only about 280 people in the United Statesjust 0.000084 percent of the populationwho have become dual living organ donors, Gutierrez said in a press release. Its a statistic that reflects not just rarity, but the incredible potential each of us has to give life. The seed for organ donation was planted a few years ago when a friend told her of a patient in need of a transplant. Fast forward several months later and she spotted a Donor Outreach for Veterans (DOVE) ad in an issue of Military Times. Gutierrez knew she had to help. On May 25, 2022, she donated her left kidney to an ailing veteran. Less than two years later, on April 30, 2024, the Air Force veteran gave 40 percent of her liver to another recipient. Gutierrez said she didnt do it for recognition or fame, rather out of a deep sense of service and compassion. Lindsay Gutierrez served six years in the Air Force. (Submitted photo) Its a call to action, a statement that we are all capable of extraordinary compassionand that service doesnt end when the uniform comes off, she said. Its awe-inspiring what our bodies can do to healand even more so, what we can do to help each other heal. Patients in desperate need of a new organ often wait years to receive one; sadly, some never do. Gutierrez said about 17 people die every day waiting for that life-saving transplant. Living donation bypasses the years-long waitlistswaitlists that over 90,000 people are stuck on, many of them growing sicker while waiting, she said. From Organ Donor to Pin-Up Model Recently, Gutierrez has turned to modeling, showing off her zest for life and radiant smile to again help veterans. Shes one of several women veterans featured in the 2026 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar. Pin-Ups For Vets, celebrating its 20th year, is a nonprofit organization that not only features women veterans in an uplifting, powerful way but also supports hospitalized and deployed military personnel. Gutierrez learned about Pin-Ups For Vets after being crowned Ms. Veteran America in 2017. She was inspired by the nonprofits mission to support veterans. It celebrates our service while honoring the classic legacy of pin-up culture, which has long been a symbol of strength, resilience, and beauty, she said. I love how the organization bridges the past and presentpaying homage to the original pin-ups while giving todays women veterans a platform to feel proud, confident, and connected. Gina Elise, founder of Pin-Ups For Vets, said the calendar celebrates strength, service and the power of women veterans. Lindsay is the embodiment of that mission. She didnt just serve her countryshe saved lives, Elise said in a press release. Sales from the calendar go toward supporting veterans healthcare, boosting morale and aiding recovery, according to Elise. To support Pin-Ups For Vets, Gutierrez visits Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities and assisted living homes across the U.S., talking to veterans and swapping stories. This is her service after service, Elise said. Lindsay Gutierrez posing as Miss March in the 2026 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar. (Photo from Pin-Ups For Vets) Healthy After Donations Gutierrez, who will turn 43 on Dec. 17, said she has no adverse health effects from donating one full organ and almost half of another. Going into surgery to remove the organs, Gutierrez told Military.com that while she was nervous, she felt no fear. If there was any fear, then it was completely overshadowed by the fact that I recognized the reason for donating was much bigger and for a greater purpose. Not once did I consider backing out during the process because I knew that the surgery was lifesaving for other people, she said. The Air Force veteran said she had no post-surgery complications. I was naturally sore, and recovery took about two weeks before I was able to really start doing things on my own without assistance, Gutierrez said. Knowing what I know now, I would still go through this process and donate again if I could. Living organ donation is truly a remarkable medical feat that has expanded access to life-saving transplants for patients who might otherwise wait years. Lindsay Gutierrez and her husband, Anthony, showing off their staff sergeant stripes after being promoted. (Photo from Pin-Ups For Vets) Inspired by Grandpa Growing up in Midwest City, Oklahoma, Gutierrez could never have imagined joining the service. With dreams of pursuing a career in the special effects industry, she moved to Los Angeles in 2009. But Gutierrez struggled, living paycheck to paycheck. Finding herself a bit lost, she turned to her grandfather, an Air Force veteran, for advice. He told her joining the military might not be a bad option. His advice, along with a desire for more stability and purpose, led me to enlist in 2010, Gutierrez said. Having already earned a bachelors degree, Gutierrez was hoping to become an officer, but the officer boards were closed at the time. Still craving a career overhaul, she chose to enlist. For six years, she served in the Security Forces, stationed at RAF Lakenheath near Suffolk, England. She said her time in service gave her plenty of personal and professional growth. Gutierrez deployed twice to Qatar and Djibouti and went on several TDY (temporary duty) assignments. The people I served with, the cultures I encountered, and the responsibilities I held shaped me into a more resilient, capable, and purpose-driven person, she said. Of all the people she served with, one person, Anthony, proved to be extra special. The couple fell in love and were married in 2015. Among all the incredible things the military gave me, Anthony was by far the most unexpected and life-changing, Gutierrez said. Lindsay Gutierrez, fifth from left, poses with other veterans featured in the 2026 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar. (Photo from Pin-Ups For Vets) Accident Changed Everything While in Djibouti in 2014, Gutierrez was injured during a vehicle crash, not knowing she had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her injury went undiagnosed and she received an honorable discharge in 2016. What came next was one of the most difficult three years of her life. Gutierrez struggled with unemployment, health challenges and disillusionment. She was finally diagnosed with TBI and received the mental health care she needed. That moment became a turning point, she said. It opened my eyes to how many veterans are quietly suffering with undiagnosed or untreated mental health and neurological conditions. Through her own health conflicts, Gutierrez discovered a new purpose in life. I realized I wanted to be a voice and advocate for others navigating similar struggles, she said. Tapping into educational opportunities she gained from her service time, Gutierrez earned two masters degrees. Shes currently working on a doctorate in social work. My goal is to use my education and lived experience to fight for better care, awareness, and support for veterans, Gutierrez said. She also wants to inform others that they can be living donors and still lead a normal, healthy life. When people see a real-life example, when they learn how safe and transformative living donation can be, it opens the door to more conversations, more compassion, and ultimately, more lives saved, Gutierrez said. I advocate for living organ donation because there are still far too many people waiting; whether we know it or not, were all connected, in one way or another, to this health crisis. Not many veterans are still around that can claim they fought in North Africa during World War II, and even fewer can call themselves the oldest person in their country, but Norman Irwin can say hes both. Irwin, who served as a sergeant with the British Army in WWII, celebrated his 107th birthday on Nov. 17 at his home in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Hes believed to be the countrys oldest citizen. According to the Irish Examiner, more than 50,000 soldiers from Northern Ireland served for the Allies in World War II. The British Army, along with the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), honored Norman with a celebration recently. Senior REME officials spoke at the event and raised a toast to the veterans long life and dedication to the U.K. Earlier this year, Norman received a British Empire Medal for his community service work. Norman Irwin celebrates his 107th birthday on Nov. 17 with his family in Northern Ireland. (Photo from the BBC) Norman Irwin exemplifies the REME motto, Arte et Marte (By Skill and By Fighting), having engineered solutions under the most challenging wartime conditions, the British Army said in a statement. Helped Save Suez Irwin is one of the U.K.s most accomplished veterans. Irwin served in eight countries during the Second World War, including Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Palestine, and Italy. Irwin also served a vital role in safeguarding the Suez Canal from enemy forces. Irwin was born in Northern Ireland in 1918. As a member of the Coleraine Battery, Irwin joined the Royal Artillery in 1939, shortly before the Nazis invaded Poland on September 1, igniting the war. When Irwin was sent to fight in North Africa, he was awestruck by the length of the battlefield, encompassing thousands of miles. When they chased us back across North Africa, it was about 1,500 miles, he told the British Army website. It wasnt a small, localized battleit was over a 1,500 to 2,000-mile stretch. Besides dodging bullets and artillery shells, the deserts unforgiving climate was also grueling. We lost the tools in the sand, so we made our ownyou learned to adapt to it very, very quickly. You just had to get on with it, Irwin said. After fighting shifted to the Suez area, the Royal Artillery had to work around the clock to stop the Germans from planting explosives inside the canal. The canal was only 30 meters wide, and the Germans were dropping bombs from 30,000 feet. It must have been like trying to hit a thread, he said. Engineering Leads to a Bright Future Irwin showed a talent for mechanics in the military and was transferred to a new division, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). He moved up the ranks, becoming a sergeant. Irwin's engineering experience in the British Army proved valuable upon leaving the service. In 1945, with the war concluding, he left the military after six and a half years. The veteran found a job back home in Coleraine, working at the Bengers factory site. The factory morphed into Kerry Foods, followed by Pickerings Foods, a branch of Heinz. Norman Irwin became an engineer in the British Army and later as a civilian. (Photo from the British Army) Irwin used skills he developed with the REME, gaining a promotion to engineering manager, working at the plant until he retired. He was pleased his engineering knowledge from the military could transfer seamlessly to a civilian job. Everything that we did in the forces had an application in industry, Irwin said. Whisky Helps Longevity For most veterans who top the century mark, the secret to a long life can vary. However, Irwin thinks hes found the answer whisky. He pours himself a glass every day. Its kept me going all these years, he joked. Looking back, while its been 80 years since he left the British Army, Irwin still appreciates the REME and the life and career it helped him build. He hopes to inspire future British servicemembers to join the engineering division. The Blue Jays are outrighting Yariel Rodriguez off their 40-man roster, according to Sportsnets Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi. Reporter Francys Romero had the news earlier this afternoon that Rodriguez was being designated for assignment, though the Sportsnet item clarifies that Rodriguez wasnt DFAed, but has already cleared outright waivers. It isnt yet known if this is tied to any upcoming roster move. A 40-man roster spot wasnt immediately needed for the Jays, as the club has only 38 players on their current 40-man. Cody Ponces three-year contract has yet to be officially announced, but once that deal is complete, the Jays will now still retain two vacancies on their 40-man with Rodriguez now apparently on his way out. Its a somewhat surprising move on paper, as Rodriguez had a 3.08 ERA over 73 innings out of Torontos bullpen in 2025, and he received some high-leverage work in a set-up role in the earlier part of the year. He was also included on the Blue Jays rosters for both the ALDS and ALCS, and he was charged with three earned runs over 2 2/3 innings of work before being left off the World Series roster. The 3.08 ERA was seemingly a positive step forward from the 4.47 ERA that Rodriguez posted over 86 2/3 innings as a starting pitcher in 2024 (his first season in the majors), though a look under the hood reveals some pretty similar peripherals. Rodriguezs 22.1% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate in 2025 were both a tick backwards from his 2024 statistics. After posting a 4.46 SIERA that almost matched his ERA, there was a much larger gap between the rightys 3.08 ERA and 4.27 SIERA in 2025, as Rodriguez was aided by a .228 BABIP and an 81.2% strand rate this past season. Two seasons of middling strikeout rates and hefty walk totals left the Blue Jays ready to move on from the right-hander, less than two years after Rodriguez signed a five-year, $32MM free agent contract. $17MM remains on that contract, in the form of a $5MM salary in 2026, $6MM in 2027, and then a $6MM player option for 2028 or (if Rodriguez does opt out), a $10MM club option that the Jays can exercise to retain him for the 2028 campaign. Unsurprisingly, no team was willing to claim away this remaining contract on waivers, and thus Rodriguez has now been outrighted off the 40-man. He is still in the Toronto organization, as Rodriguez doesnt have the necessary service time or a past outright on his resume that he would need to give himself the ability to decline the outright assignment in favor of free agency. This means that the Blue Jays could still select Rodriguezs contract back to the 40-man at any point, whether in the offseason or during the 2026 campaign. However, the outright clearly puts Rodriguez in line as something of a secondary option within Torontos bullpen plans, and likely makes him a trade candidate for the remainder of the winter. While no team was going to eat all of that $17MM deal, the Jays could explore (or continue exploring, as theyve surely checked around about trade possibilities) moving Rodriguez as part of a swap of unwelcome contracts, or the Jays could eat a significant chunk of the $17MM to help accommodate a trade. It has already been a busy offseason for the Blue Jays, who have signed Ponce and Dylan Cease to multi-year contracts, and Shane Bieber is also staying in the rotation after declining to opt out of the final year of his deal. This puts the Jays in line for approximately a $267.9MM payroll and a $282.5MM luxury tax number (projections courtesy of RosterResource), and this is before Toronto addresses its lineup or bullpen needs heading into the 2026 campaign. The four largest payrolls in Blue Jays history have come in each of the last four seasons, as ownership has been willing to foot increasingly large bills on the both the salary and tax fronts. The Blue Jays paid the luxury tax in both 2023 and 2025, and their current 2026 projection already has them just shy of the $284MM tax threshold and the third penalty tier. Given how the Jays have already signed Cease and have been linked to many other big names this offseason (i.e. Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, and old friend Bo Bichette), clearly more spending is still to come. That said, only the front office knows exactly what the budget actually is, and trimming some excess salary like Rodriguez could free up some extra dollars that could be put towards some higher-ceiling talent. The fact that Toronto has two open 40-man roster spots heading into the Winter Meetings is perhaps a hint that the Jays might be anticipating another new acquisition sooner rather than later. Michigan State Police believe a heart attack caused the Washington Township man to lose control on M-53 near Bruce Township before striking a utility pole Friday afternoon. MACOMB COUNTY, MI A 71-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition after he crashed into a utility pole in Macomb County on Friday, Dec. 5. The crash happened at 3:05 p.m. on northbound M-53 near 35 Mile Road in Bruce Township, Michigan State Police (MSP) said. Police said the man, from Washington Township, was driving north on M-53 when he drifted off the roadway, drove into a ditch and struck a utility pole. First responders found the driver unresponsive with a weak pulse, and he was taken to the hospital in critical condition, MSP said. Medical personnel believe the man suffered a heart attack, causing him to lose control of his vehicle and crash, according to state police. Rebecca Park, 22, reportedly went missing on Nov. 3, 2025. Her body was found on Nov. 25. Photo handout provided by the Wexford County Sheriff's Department. Photo provided by the Wexford County Sheriff's Department The details are so disconnected from normal human behavior that it seems unreal. The mother and stepfather of 22-year-old Rebecca Becca Park are accused of kidnapping her, then cutting her near-term son from her womb, killing baby and mother in the process. The twisted plan was carried out in a small northern Michigan town surrounded by a massive national forest, the local prosecutor alleged this past week. Its unclear what motivated the gruesome homicide. What happened to the babys remains is also a mystery. The saga has gone on nearly a month, ever since Park was first reported missing. In that time Parks friends and supporters -- some strangers who became emotionally invested while following social media and news reports conducted searches, protests and kept hope that Park, with a baby in her arms, would make it home. The sweet girl that she was Park began life with her mother, Cortney Bartholomew, but the situation was short-lived. By the time she was one, Park, her younger sister and older brother were adopted. Stephanie Park, who adopted the children, called herself Parks real mother, during an interview with 9 and 10 News . She had some mental illnesses and some troubles, Stephanie Park told the TV news channel. She was a loving person, but she had her problems. She deserves to be remembered as the sweet girl that she was. Stephanie Park told the news outlet that she also had custody of Parks two sons, 3 and 2. Caleb Hudson, 29, of Cadillac, who said he dated Park about two years ago, described her as always happy. She would want to make anybody smile, said Hudson, recalling how she lifted his spirits after his mother was diagnosed with leukemia. She didnt like when people were sad, mad, depressed, and if they were she would find a way to make them smile. Justice for Rebecca was painted in the snow across from the home where Rebecca Park's biological mother lives. Photo by Gus Burns | MLive Engaged and pregnant The relationship with Hudson ended when Park met and started dating her eventual fiance, 43-year-old Richard Lee Falor, who also had a romantic relationship with Cortney Bartholomew. He was having an affair with her mother, said Falors father, Richard Allen Falor, 62. Richard Allen Falor said his son spent about 16 years of his adult life in and out of prison and had his first trouble with police as juvenile when he was accused of stealing a neighbors motorcycle. Richard Lee Falor has prior convictions for sex-related crimes in Wexford, Missaukee and Clare counties, including two convictions of criminal sexual conduct involving a person between 13 and 15 in 2003 and 2015, assault with intent to commit sexual conduct in 2015, a count of accosting children for immoral purposes in 2015, according to the Michigan Sex Offender Registry and online circuit court records. Hes been out for three years now, Falors father said while speaking to MLive from his home in Manton this week. The couple had been dating for about two years. Richard Allen Falor said his son and Park, who always seemed happy, were inseparable, became engaged and learned they were pregnant. Park wanted to keep the child, he said. They excitedly were planning on fixing up a motorhome to live in at a neighbors property, according to Richard Allen Falor. The home where Richard Lee Falor and Rebecca Park lived prior to Park's Disappearance. Police served a search warrant at the property and seized multiple knives, notebooks and electronics. Gus Burns I think somethings wrong That property was eventually raided by police for drug-related issues, Richard Allen Falor said, and the couple returned to live in a bedroom at his home shortly before Parks death. Richard Allen Falor doesnt recall his would-be daughter-in-law having a close relationship with Cortney Bartholomew, but he said they were communicating in the days before Parks disappearance. At the time, Park was near full term with the pregnancy and a day before she was last seen went to the hospital because she thought she was going into labor, Richard Allen Falor said. However, the hospital released Park, and she returned home. On the final day he saw her, Richard Allen Falor said Park left the home, planned to have dinner with Cortney Bartholomew and returned to his house. Richard Allen Falor said he woke up the next morning and pounded on the door to the bedroom his son shared with Park. He was in there, Richard Allen Falor said. I asked if he would let me in. He wont let me in and I asked, Whats the problem? He said Ive been trying to get ahold of Becca all night and she aint answering her phone and I think somethings wrong. Its believed Park left the house alone after midnight, according to other family members who live in the home. (Parks) mom came and got her, Richard Allen Falor said. Thats what my son told me the next morning. Richard Lee Falor continued to call Rebeccas cell phone throughout the day without success but never drove to Cortney Bartholomews home because he didnt have a vehicle, Richard Allen Falor said. Railroad tracks in Boon, MIchigan. Gus Burns Have you seen this person Wexford County Detective Lt. Chris Piskor told the Detroit News that Parks 21-year-old sister, Kimberly Park, reported her missing on Nov. 4. The news of Parks disappearance spread on social media after the Wexford County Sheriffs Office posted the case to its Facebook page. Have you seen this person? the post asked, identifying Park as 5-foot-2, 140 pounds and 38 weeks pregnant. She was last seen in the Cadillac/Boon Township area. At the time, Park was living in Manton, about a 20-minute drive from Boon Township, where Parks mother lived with her husband, 47-year-old Bradley Barhtolomew. The following day, the mystery and public interest began to heighten. On Nov. 5, media reports indicate sheriffs officials described Park as missing and possibly endangered, after her cell phone was discovered on a two-track road near Cortney Bartholomews home, where law enforcement said Park voluntarily entered a dark-colored car on the night of Nov. 3. Becca told her mom, Hold on. I got somebody to pick me up. This is just something I got to do. Im sorry, Parks fiance told 9 and 10 News on Nov. 6 . A black sedan pulled up, and she got in. Nobodys heard from her since. Richard Lee Falor said he was especially concerned after learning Parks cell phone had been discovered. Anyone who knows Becca, (knows) she dont go nowhere without her phone, he told the news outlet. Park may have had $2,000 in cash that she received following the death of a relative, according to law enforcement officials. They were unable to track it through banking activity. Investigators checked hospitals and conducted searches of the area in Boon Township using K9s and drones. Ten days after her disappearance, sheriffs officials put out a message indicating investigators believed Park may be alive and hiding. Rebecca, the Sheriffs Office and people close to you are concerned about your wellbeing, the statement from the sheriffs office said. Based on statements made by people close to you, it is possible that you are scared or hiding for reasons known only by you. We assure you that you arent in any trouble. We have no reason to deprive you of any freedom that you already have. Furthermore, you are an adult, we are only obligated to report that we have contacted you, and possibly your baby, and offer aid to you with whatever needs you may have. We are under no obligation to notify anyone of your whereabouts. Searches and protests On Nov. 16, dozens of volunteers converged at a Meijer in Cadillac and caravanned to search the woods near the Bartholomews home in Boon Township, surrounded by the vast Manistee National Forest. This is awesome, Jodi Lewis, an organizer, told UpNorthLive . We have a great community and its great to see a community come together when somebody is in trouble and needs help. A $12,000 reward was posted for information leading to the location of Park and her potentially now-born baby. On Nov. 19, a statement issued by the sheriffs office blamed online misinformation and vitriol for hampering the investigation and made clear that a volunteer group calling themselves the recovery team were not affiliated with the sheriffs office. There is presently no known direct evidence that Park has been the victim of an assault, the press release said. For example, police are not in possession of bloody clothing as someone has suggested. Despite rumors circulating on the internet, law enforcement has not declared that this is a search for human remains. The public, however, didnt ease up. Concerned residents began protesting outside the Bartholomews home, said Sally Yamoka, one of the organizers. It was a spur-of-the-minute thing and from the 23rd all the way until the day she was found. We were out there protesting in front of Cortneys house, Yamoka said. Volunteer searchers returned to the area on Nov. 25 and at 2:15 p.m. made a gruesome discovery in the nearby Manistee National Forest. It was a body. They found the body By that evening, Wexford County Sheriff Trent Taylor confirmed at a news conference that the body resembled Park. The medical examiner would confirm it days later. There was no formal search party in that area, Taylor said. Citizens were searching ... in that area, and they found the body. This led to a flurry of police activity. The following day, Richard Lee Falor reported to a local Michigan State Police post for a required sex offender registry check-in and was arrested on unrelated drug charges, his father said. Police served a search warrant at the Falor home in Manton. Among the items there were looking for: human remains to include a fetus any suspected burial sites and tools that could be used to dispose of human remains. Richard Lee Falor was charged with 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. On the same day, Parks sister, Kimberly Park, was also arrested. She was charged with tampering with evidence, lying to a peace officer and a false report of a felony. Her bond was set at $750,000. Focus then shifted to the Bartholomews home, where several police officers visited on Dec.1, according to the pastor of a neighboring church. Court records show Cortney and her husband, Bradley, were arrested on Dec. 2. They were jailed without bond. Messages of support for Rebecca Park and her son are written on vehicles in the parking lot of the 54th District Court in Wexford County at arraignment for Cortney and Bradley Bartholomew. Gus Burns Evil personified On Dec. 3, vehicles covered in painted messages of support for Rebecca and her child filled the parking lot of a Wexford County courthouse as dozens of supporters, friends and strangers arrived to watch the couples arraignment. Most still held onto hope that Parks baby was still alive. The Bartholomews, described by the prosecutor as evil personified, appeared via video feed from their respective jails as the counts were read in court. Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew at an arraignment in Wexford County, Michigan. Gus Burns They were each charged with eight crimes, including first-degree murder, felony murder, torture, unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to cause a miscarriage or still birth and removing a dead body without a medical examiners permission. There were audible gasps and crying when Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey explained why the defendants shouldnt receive an opportunity for bond. This is a case of premeditated torture and murder, Care said. These two individuals created a plan, conducted research. Mr. Bartholomew brought Rebecca to their home, forced her into another vehicle and took her into the woods where they stabbed her, forced her to lie on the ground while they cut her baby out, ultimately caused her death and the death of the baby. Vehicles parked at the 54th District Court in Wexford County prior to the arraignment for Cortney and Bradley Bartholomew. Gus Burns After the brief hearing ended, residents were seen exchanging consoling hugs and tissues in the court gallery, hallway and parking lot. I hope they get buried under the jail, said Hudson, Parks ex-boyfriend. Thats what Im hoping for, because she didnt deserve that at all. The couple faces mandatory life in prison if convicted. Since their arrests, Richard Lee Falor and Kimberly Park have been released from jail on significantly reduced bonds. Police still have not revealed what role, if any, they played in the deaths or if they had knowledge about what happened. Wexford County sheriffs officials have ceased commenting publicly on the case and referred any comment to the state Attorney Generals Office. Investigative efforts remain underway in this matter, AG spokesman Dann Wimmer said Wednesday, Dec. 3. I am unable to provide further information at this time. Law enforcement hasnt confirmed if the babys remains have been recovered or are undergoing a death investigation. This is a criminal investigation and no information will be released unless authorized by the prosecutor and attorney general, a representative for the medical examiners office told MLive. Now, the community is trying to heal. A candlelight vigil is planned for 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, near the location where Parks body was found. This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows a bullet casing on the scene of a shooting in Pretoria, South Africa. At least 11 people were killed and 14 others wounded in a shooting early Saturday at a hostel in South Africa's administrative capital Pretoria, local police said. (Photo by Shiraaz Mohamed/Xinhua) JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people were killed and 14 others wounded in a shooting early Saturday at a hostel in South Africa's administrative capital Pretoria, local police said. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), said 10 victims died at the scene in Saulsville, Atteridgeville, and another succumbed to gunshot wounds later in a hospital, while 14 others are receiving medical treatment. The victims included a three-year-old child and two adolescents aged 12 and 16, she added. According to the SAPS, the shooting occurred at around 4:15 a.m. local time (0215 GMT), when at least three unidentified gunmen stormed the building and opened fire indiscriminately. Authorities have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack. The SAPS said an intensive investigation is underway and urged residents to remain vigilant as police continue efforts to apprehend the perpetrators. A man was arrested in a Livingston County firebombing case. Jake May | MLive.com LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI A mid-Michigan man has been accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a home and stalking a minor. Alex Buley-Neumar, 25, of Mount Pleasant, was arraigned Dec. 1 in 53rd District Court on the following four felony charges: Manufacturing a Molotov cocktail causing damage, a 20-year felony; Stalking a minor - aggravated, a 10-year felony; Using a computer to commit a crime, a 10-year felony; Accosting a child for immoral purposes, a 4-year felony. Buley-Neumars bond was set at $1 million, according to the Livingston County Sheriffs Office. Authorities were dispatched to a Brighton Township neighborhood on Nov. 28 on reports of multiple Molotov cocktails being thrown at a home and starting fires. Responding deputies discovered evidence of incendiary devices in the street and fire damage to the victims home. Buley-Neumar was identified as the suspect and arrested the following day in Mount Pleasant. Deputies said the attack was connected to an ongoing case of stalking and harassment of a minor on social media. The sheriffs office reminded parents to be vigilant about what their children are doing online. Online relationships can escalate into real-world danger, the sheriffs office said. Joel Edwards, 20, faces multiple felony charges including school threats and weapons charges after FBI alerted Michigan State Police about concerning videos. MLive.com MACOMB COUNTY, MI A 20-year-old man has been arraigned after he allegedly made comments online about wanting to carry out a mass shooting. The Macomb County Prosecutors Office said Joel Edwards, of St. Clair Shores, was arraigned Friday, Dec. 5, in 40th District Court on the following charges: Schools Intentional threat to commit act of violence against school, school employees or students with specific intent to carry out or overt act toward, a 10-year felony; Using a computer to commit a crime, a 10-year felony; Weapons felony firearm, a 2-year felony consecutive to main charge. There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time, Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a news release. Edwards was arrested in September after a police investigation into his online activity. The investigation began after Michigan State Police was contacted by the FBI about TikTok videos allegedly associated with Edwards that expressed a desire to carry out a mass shooting, the prosecutor said. State troopers contacted St. Clair Shores police, who conducted a cyberthreat investigation and welfare check on Edwards on Sept. 13. Weapons were allegedly found in his possession and he was taken into police custody for a mental health evaluation. He has been held at the Macomb County Jail since Sept. 25 for violating a term of his probation. Edwards bond was set at $5 million. If he posts bond, he must wear a GPS tether, remain confined at home and have no contact with any school building or student. He was also referred for a mental health evaluation. He will next appear in court for a probable cause conference on Dec. 16, followed by a preliminary exam on Dec. 19 before Judge Joseph Craigen Oster in 40th District Court. The Supreme Court agreed Friday, Dec. 5 to take up the constitutionality of President Donald Trumps order on birthright citizenship. Pictured is the high court on Feb. 8, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File) AP By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court agreed on 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 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. 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 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 Trumps order. No president can change the 14th Amendments fundamental promise of citizenship, Cecillia Wang, the ACLUs 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 Trumps 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. The northwest side of U.S. 12 between Case Road and Willow Road in Saline Township part of a site where OpenAI and Oracle plan to operate a data center as seen looking south from above Case Road on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com SALINE TWP., MI DTE Energy officials still expect state regulators to approve special contracts for the utility to power what would be Michigans first hyperscale data center project in Saline Township. DTE officials anticipate approval on December 18, when the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) next meets, according to a business update for investors published Friday. Thats despite DTEs previous warning that the entire deal to power the massive 2.2-million-square-foot facility could be off the table if the Public Service Commission did not fast-track approval by Friday, Dec. 5. The utility is seeking ex-parte, expedited approval to provide the 1.4-gigawatt demand in electricity for the data center backed by ChatGPT creator OpenAI and cloud computing giant Oracle on about 250 acres of a 575-acre site off W. Michigan Avenue in the township south of Ann Arbor. While the MPSC was expected to review DTEs request for a fast-tracked approval on the electricity contracts on Friday, they declined to take it up at that meeting. DTE deferred MLives request for comment to the data center developers. Utility attorneys previously indicated a contested case could result in a termination of the agreement. An ex-parte approval would involve greenlighting the contracts without formal legal review from outside groups. The establishment of a contested case jeopardizes the ability of the Customer and the Company to meet contract deadlines and in turn risks termination of the agreement, utility attorneys wrote in a Nov. 26 filing. Data center protesters gathered in downtown Saline on the corner of Ann Arbor St. and Michigan Ave. on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Abra Richardson MLive asked Related Digital, the real estate developer of the data center project, whether the contracts have been terminated or the deadline has been extended, since the Dec. 5 approval provision was not satisfied. Related Digital spokesperson Kathleen Corless did not directly answer and issued the following statement: We continue to believe this is an exceptional opportunity in Michigan to create jobs and build the digital infrastructure our economy needs, Corless said in an email. The project is structured to ensure a responsible development plan that protects ratepayers, preserves Michigans natural resources and water, and delivers a positive impact on the local economy. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday that DTE now acknowledges that the publicly-redacted contract allows the deadline to be extended to December 19, she said in a statement. DTE has spent weeks insisting that Dec. 5 was a do-or-die deadline for the MPSC to approve its secret deal to service a data center that would use as much power as a million households only to come clean that their hidden contract allows for this so-called deadline to be extended to Dec. 19, Nessel said. This manufactured timeline was all a pressure tactic to rush through a heavily redacted contract that for some reason DTE does not want my office or the public to see," she said. She said DTEs new deadline only became public after her office filed a notice to intervene. She is calling for a contested case and with full public proceedings as opposed to ex-parte approval. Residents have made clear their opposition to these hidden agreements, and their concerns deserve to be fully heard not brushed aside," Nessel said. We cant just take DTEs word that Michigan ratepayers wont be left footing the bill for this data center. The next MPSC meeting will mark 48 days since DTE filed for an ex parte application. Thats nearly 7 weeks of wasted time that could have been used evaluating these contracts, had they been willing to undergo the normal process," Nessel said. The MPSC should not give in to this pressure campaign and should insist on holding full public hearings that are transparent, thorough, and centered on the interests of Michigan residents as they are expected to do. DTE has argued the 1.4-gigawatt demand from the data center, more than the draw from a million homes, will actually decrease costs for residential ratepayers by spreading the fixed costs of running the grid over greater electric sales. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has spoken in support of the data center and submitted a supportive public comment to the MPSC. Michigan has always been a leader in building the next big thing. This tradition of leadership across manufacturing, mobility, clean energy, and advanced computing shapes how we approach large-scale projects, Whitmer said in her comment. When discussions with these companies began, our question was not whether Michigan could host a project of this scale, but whether the project could meet Michigans standards and benefit Michigans people, she continued. From the beginning, my administration sought out a project with companies prepared to invest responsibly, protect our natural resources, and deliver real benefits for Michigan workers and communities. The administration scrutinized the projects energy profile, water system, land use, and community impact to ensure it aligned with our values and our laws, she said. Whitmer also argues the Saline Township data center would create thousands of jobs in union construction, at the site and in the community. Other benefits would include funding for local schools and roads, she said. The project strengthens Michigans long-term competitiveness in the fast-growing AI and advanced computing sectors, helping ensure our state remains a destination for innovation and talent, she said. The Haushalter family cheers as cars and trucks honk their horns in support of a protest in downtown Saline on the corner of Ann Arbor St. and Michigan Ave. on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Abra Richardson The data center has faced fierce local opposition, including at a protest that drew more than 100 locals to downtown Saline. More than 860 people tuned in to an online public hearing Wednesday, Dec. 3 dealing with DTEs proposed contracts to power the data center. Of the 46 who had a chance to speak in the roughly two hours allotted, many urged MPSC regulators to slow down, denying DTEs request for fast-tracked approval. Proponents who spoke, mostly representing business groups and skilled trade unions whose members would be employed by the thousands to build the data center, framed the project as a historic opportunity creating jobs and a tax windfall for local government and schools. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. 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 TWP., MI When multiple developers of hyperscale data centers to power artificial intelligence and cloud computing approached Ryan Van Gilder and his family, he said, they had not been planning to sell farmland for development. Now the longtime, multigenerational Howell area farming family is looking to sell a chunk of the many thousands of acres of farmland they own to a hyperscale data center project reportedly backed by Facebook and Instagram owner Meta. We didnt seek out a sale or a data center. They came to us, he said. Van Gilder said financially, it is good for us, but he would not offer specifics. A proposal to rezone more than 1,000 acres on both sides of W. Grand River Avenue in Howell Township for the data center is facing pushback from locals concerned about power and water resources, potential impacts on the environment and community, and the loss of agricultural lands. The Howell Township Board of Trustees is expected to consider whether to approve rezoning land for research and technology uses at an upcoming meeting Monday, Dec. 8. The pushback and public scrutiny does not feel great, Van Gilder said. Details of a township meeting at Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center, located at 1200 W. Grand River Ave., on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. Abra Richardson Recently passed tax breaks for data centers in Michigan created a competitive landscape for Big Tech companies looking to expand computing infrastructure, he said. We started thinking what it would mean for the community, in terms of potential benefits, Van Gilder said. It provides the most economic benefit, including tax revenue compared to other types of developments, he said. It also benefits the community by not bringing in a lot of traffic congestion from a lot of employees. What the community says is they dont want development at all. They love farmland. They love farmers, and they want to preserve land, he said. We thought, this is a development that could actually do that over a long period of time, because anything else that would ever come here ... it would be worse for the communitys goals. While people who are against the data center have been the most vocal, others have expressed their support for the project, he said. There are many people who are silent and have told us they are rooting for us behind the curtain, he said. When the Howell Township data center project got rolling, Van Gilder did not anticipate the strong reactions that would come. Similar data center proposals in Saline Township and Augusta Township in neighboring Washtenaw County have faced comparable pushback. In the end, Van Gilder has concluded the data center would offer more pros than cons, he said. He spoke with MLive at a data center information fair at Cleary University in Howell on Thursday, Dec. 4, when an attorney representing the data center development team revealed they will offer up three new, additional promises to the township. Those new conditions include a vow to limit water consumption by committing to use a closed loop water cooling system that would only require about 300,000 gallons for about 10 years. The data center project team also is offering property value protections and a $100,000 investment in an escrow account for the township to enforce local rules and all the conditions the data center is promising. Further, officials say the project will maintain minimum 400-foot setbacks of data center buildings from property lines and a landscaped berm around the site. They would conserve about 121 acres on the northern side and donate it to a public or nonprofit group for parkland or agricultural preservation. In addition, they would not develop the south side, where the Van Gilder familys farm operations are located, for four years, among other promised conditions. Van Gilder said his family plans to continue farming and the four-year pause on developing the south side will give them time to relocate operations. 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 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. Developer Randee LLC requested the rezoning 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. ESCANABA, MI A historic hotel in Michigans Upper Peninsula has suffered significant damage after a fire broke out and quickly spread. A burning smell coming from House of Ludington, built in 1864, was reported around 10:33 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, Escanaba Department of Public Safety officials said. Responders initially found no signs of fire using a thermal imager while searching the main floor and basement. The search continued on the second and third floors and around the outside of the House of Ludington, which is located at 223 Ludington St. While inspecting the outside of the building, they found white smoke coming from a dormer above the main entrance. At the same time, they discovered a storage room on the third floor filling with smoke. Staff and hotel residents were quickly evacuated. No injuries have been reported. Flames became visible after ceiling materials were removed, according to Escanaba Department of Public Safety officials. The fire then flashed over, throwing two Public Safety Officers down a flight of stairs. The two officers were uninjured and were able to exit the building, officials said. The fire then spread to the buildings west side. Emergency crews battled the blaze for several hours, remaining on scene until about 4:30 p.m. Friday. The cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation. Escanaba Department of Public Safety was assisted by fire departments in Ford River, Escanaba, Bark River, Cornell, and Tri townships. DTE, Escanaba City Electric, Red Cross, Delta County Central Dispatch, Escanaba Public Works, Escanaba Water Department, and the Michigan State Polices drone unit also assisted at the scene. The 200 block of Ludington Street and an alleyway behind the hotel were closed to traffic until further notice. Today marks a day of profound historical loss, Tyler DuBord, House of Ludingtons general manager, said Friday in a post on the businesss Facebook account. It is also a day when numerous individuals have been rendered homeless. Furthermore, it is a day when employment opportunities have been lost. However, it is also a day when every life has been saved, DuBord said. Moreover, it is a day when the community has once again demonstrated its resilience by coming together. Hotel officials announced an account has been set up to help hotel employees and residents recover from the fire. Donations can be made to the House of Ludington Employees and Residents Relief Fund at First Bank or via Venmo. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. In this MLive file photo, Deborah Rutherford, a registered nurse with Michigan Medicine, dons gloves before administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Several positions, including nursing, were recently reclassified from a professional degree to a graduate degree under President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to AL.com. Jacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor News ANN ARBOR, MI Karen Dunn, 67, calls the U.S. Department of Educations decision to remove nursing as a professional degree mind-boggling. The decision resembles a slap in the face, according to Dunn, a professor of nursing at Oakland University. How could you not say that were professionals when everything we teach and everything, our code of ethics, our accrediting bodies all say that we are, Dunn said. Several positions, including nursing, were recently reclassified from a professional degree to a graduate degree under President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to AL.com. That means borrowing caps - the maximum amount of money you can borrow - for federal student loans are lower than those for fields in professional programs. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, students in professional programs can borrow up to $50,000 a year and $200,000 in total. All other graduate programs can borrow less than half of that figure, $20,500 per year and $100,000 overall. The Department of Education recognizes medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, law, veterinary medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, chiropractic, theology and clinical psychology as professional. Nursing, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists and audiologists were removed from the list. Dunn and other nurses in Michigan have criticized the federal administrations decision for the financial barriers it puts on prospective nursing graduate students. This action undermines the critical and irreplaceable role nurses play throughout the health care system, Christine McKean, director of communications at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, wrote in a statement on behalf of the school. Nurses are the foundation of patient care, providing clinical expertise and essential services across hospitals, clinics, community settings, and public health programs. At a time when our nation faces dire current and future nursing shortages, limiting educational access to this profession is short-sighted and detrimental to the health of individuals and communities around the country. Trumps Department of Education said the move is not a value judgement on certain professions. The definition of a professional degree is an internal definition used by the Department to distinguish among programs that qualify for higher loan limits, not a value judgement about the importance of programs, according to the department. It has no bearing on whether a program is professional in nature or not. Dunn, a former representative for the American Nurses Association, said the federal decision is all about money and highlights the high costs to obtain an advanced degree. The average cost of a masters degree in nursing ranges from $15,030 to $42,880 as of 2020, according to NurseJournal. The Department of Education said its data indicates that 95% of nursing students borrow below the annual loan limit and therefore are not affected by the new caps. Elizabeth Haberkorn, a professor of nursing at UM and director of Judson Family Health, also said the federal decision will make it more difficult for people to become nurses, amid a national nurse shortage. Limiting those opportunities via the loans that theyre able to take out could limit the pool of nurses that are then able to provide care later on, Haberkorn, 38, said. Federal leaders predict a shortage of over 63,000 full-time registered nurses in 2030, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The association also states that Michigan is expected to experience a nursing shortage by 15%, the fifth largest in the country, in 2035. Like Dunn, Haberkorn said nurses advocate for patients and are the backbone of our healthcare system. Without the nursing team there, our department totally ceases to exist, Haberkorn said. Sue Anne Bell, professor of nursing at UM, similarly said the recent federal decision exacerbates the current national nurse shortage. Until we expand the pipeline of advanced practice nurses who can teach, mentor and lead, we will continue to face a nursing shortage not because of lack of interest, but because of lack of capacity, Bell said in a Dec. 3 Michigan News story. She said a resilient health system requires investing in educators. Expanding access to graduate nursing education is essential, not only to relieve the nursing shortage at the bedside, but also to ensure we have the clinical experts and faculty needed to prepare the next generation, Bell said in the email. She also said the federal decision also hurts patients, hospitals and insurers. Tracey Chan, professor of nursing at Oakland University, said the federal decision sends the wrong message because it creates additional funding and policy issues without changing nursing as a profession. Chan, 48, like Dunn and Haberkorn, said the decision will limit the number of nursing students in her classes. Most likely I will not have as many students because they will not have access to the funds to be able to pursue their degree, Chan said. Graduate nursing students rely heavily on federal aid or loan programs, so thats going to really hit hard and in the end really hit our primary care workforce. She said the decision will disproportionately affect historically marginalized students, such as those from lower-income backgrounds and students of color, because it will limit their abilities to attend graduate school. Carol Boyd, professor emerita at UM and founding director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking & Health, questions why federal administrators would restrict professional nursing education. She later said that the answer is appalling ignorance. `This administrations decision conveys an extraordinary lack of respect for a profession that is essential to public well-being, Boyd wrote in a Dec. 3 email. I can think of no profession that is required to do so much good with relatively weak compensation for the mandated overtime, worked holidays, and midnight shifts. And in return for years of costly education, we are now called, not a professional. Boyd said nurses make life-saving decisions during emergencies and prioritize the health and well-being of their patients. What can be done moving forward? More independence, said Aaron McCormick, president of the Michigan Nurses Association. I want nurse practitioners to be able to practice autonomously so we can have more health care providers so the people can receive health care, McCormick, 36, said. McCormick, like many other nurses, believes the federal decision holds nurses back from attaining advanced education. He added that this decision also impacts patients because there will be fewer nurses to provide medical care to them. Its hurting the patients just as much as its hurting the nurses that want to go into these advanced degrees because its taking away a provider that could give that great, safe patient care, McCormick said. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. Randy Thelen, president and CEO of The Right Place, speaking at The Right Places annual economic outlook event in Grand Rapids on Thursday, Dec. 4. (Photo provided by The Right Place) Courtesy GRAND RAPIDS, MI The head of a regional economic development group said hes hopeful a proposed data center in Lowell moves forward because it will help diversify Kent Countys economy. We need AI to be part of our portfolio here, said Randy Thelen, president and CEO of The Right Place. So when we talk about data centers its not a solution or silver bullet in any way, but its another addition to the diversification of our economy. Thelen, speaking Thursday at The Right Places annual economic outlook event, said the data center would help bolster the regions tech sector. It would also represent a significant capital investment and generate additional property tax revenue. To have a high capital investment, large property-tax enhancement without consuming a lot of labor, I think is going to further our economic diversification efforts, he said. The Right Place is working with Franklin Partners, a commercial real estate agency based in Oak Brook, Illinois, to lay the groundwork for the data center. Franklin Partners is in talks with a tenant that wants to build the data center at Covenant Park. The 237-acre parcel, located at 4687 Alden Nash Ave. SE in Lowell Township, is adjacent to I-96, a major freeway. The name of the company that wants to build the data center hasnt been released. Data centers are essentially warehouses of computer hardware for servers, data storage and network equipment that are used to power artificial intelligence and cloud computing. They use significant electricity and water to power and cool their servers and equipment. Across the state, residents in various communities have been turning out in huge numbers at meetings as developers pitch data center projects. Lowell residents have raised lots of questions, including how much water and electricity that data center would use, and whether it will impact their utility bills. Theyve also said it feels like the project is being rushed. Consumers Energy says its confident it will be able to meet current and future energy demand from the data center without pushing up residential rates. The Lowell Township Planning Commission plans to consider a rezoning request for the property on Dec. 8 before the proposal goes before the Township Board on Dec. 15 for a vote. The name of the company that would own and operate the data center hasnt been publicly released because Franklin Partners signed a confidentiality agreement with the company, and a property sale has not been finalized. However, Don Shoemaker, co-founder of Franklin Partners, has said the prospective tenant is one of the 10 largest U.S.-based companies. Local officials said in a statement that the proposed rezoning is only the first step in what will be a long process of discussion, infrastructure considerations, site plan review and more. Speaking Thursday, Thelen said the proposed data center aligns with The Right Places goal of bolstering the tech economy in West Michigan. Tech has been a big part of our strategy over the last few years, he said. Were seeing some good uptick in terms of employment. We want to see some of that in terms of investment. He added that cities such as Columbus, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska; and northern Virginia have strong concentrations of data centers that have created a robust tax base that fuels other kind of amenities for the region. Local officials have said the project could bring up to $1 billion in investment as it is built over the course of three to five years. While some residents said they felt left out of the loop, Thelen said he and others involved in the project sought to provide ample time for public discussion. We brought it forward very early, he said. We could have stuck with a traditional economic development model and tried to hustle it through quietly, and we just felt that the conversation thats taking place nationally warrants a strong local conversation. A large-scale commercial solar project is being planned for land in Zeeland and Jamestown townships of Ottawa County. (John Tunison | MLive) John Tunison OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Some residents in rural Ottawa County want to derail a large commercial solar farm planned for acreage spanning two townships. The project, as initially proposed, could cover up to 1,100 acres on land south of I-196 near the Ottawa Executive Airport on Byron Road. Zeeland Township planners in recent months have been crafting a solar energy ordinance in anticipation of a permit application from RWE, the multinational energy company based in Essen, Germany behind the proposal. RWE has a web site explaining the Ottawa County project, dubbed Silver Maple Solar. The state of the art solar farm would create enough electricity to power more than 34,000 homes and generate more than $30 million in property taxes over the projects lifespan. Related: Proposed large-scale solar farm gets save family farms pushback in West Michigan Here are five things to know about the project. German energy company RWE is proposing a 200-megawatt solar farm in Ottawa County, spanning up to 1,100 acres in Zeeland and Jamestown townships, with an estimated cost of $300 million and a target construction start in 2026. Some Zeeland Township residents are actively organizing against the project. They are concerned about the loss of prime farmland, potential environmental impacts on groundwater and wildlife and the unappealing look of solar panels. Signs proclaiming Save Family Farms have cropped up along roadsides. The Zeeland Township Planning Commission has a 7 p.m. Dec. 9 meeting, at the Zeeland Township office, to review the proposed solar ordinance. Some members have voiced personal reservations about converting farmland but acknowledge landowners property rights. RWE is interested in the Ottawa County location due to its proximity to an existing high-voltage transmission line operated by Consumers Energy. The line runs just east of the Ottawa Executive Airport. Michigans Public Act 233 allows energy developers to bypass local government decisions. If Zeeland Township denies a permit, RWE could go directly to the Michigan Public Service Commission for approval, potentially overriding local opposition. SUMMIT TWP., MI It started with a casual conversation about sausage gravy. Kibby Cobb Liquor and Deli Cook John Gearhart said he had been experimenting with the gravy when Deli Owner Adam Cyrocki told him it reminded him of his fathers recipe. The discussion led to brainstorming about how to serve it, Gearhart said. Enter the loaded burrito. Cyrocki insisted on adding tater tots, and eventually they packed them with egg, cheese, sausage gravy, bacon, onions, peppers and jalapenos. Each burrito weighs around 1.5 pounds, Gearhart said. When we hand them off to them, I tell them two hands, Gearhart said. The deli, at 2628 Kibby Road just outside Jackson in Summit Township, began selling them about three to four months ago as a special, and they flew out the door. The weekend of Nov. 21, the business sold its record 120 burritos in one day. I was expecting a lot that day, but I wasnt expecting as much as we did. Weve already passed my general expectations, Gearhart said. The first weekend they offered the burrito, it sold out. The deli paused them for a few weeks, and then they sold 50 to 60 each day, the same amount they sold for a whole previous weekend, Cyrocki said. The Friday after Thanksgiving, they sold 80. The burritos are proving as popular as the delis bagel sandwiches; patrons buy about 100 of them a day, Cyrocki said. The burritos have gained traction on Facebook and are favored by people grabbing food before work. Bosses are also buying them for office or work crews, Gearhart said. Maybe its easier to eat on the run, Cyrocki said. Thats my go-to when I go out to eat. The only downside is the burritos can take up a lot of grill space, he said. It gets a little stressful when theres a big line, and you got a lot of burrito orders Cyrocki said. Gearhart, 41, has cooked most of his life. Hes worked at Kibby Cobb Deli for five years. New specials like the burrito are a joint effort, Gearhart said. If it works with the budget and gets high fives from staff, it goes on the menu. Gearhart is taking a small vacation, but Kibby Cobb plans to serve the burritos when he returns, Cyrocki said. They figure: take a break, bring them back and they might break their record again. With the burrito sales, Cyrocki is celebrating 15 years as owner. He got into the food industry while working at his familys restaurant, Viking Steak House in Jackson, until it closed in 1999. He worked in construction until he had back surgery and his doctor advised him to seek another career. Kibby Cobb Deli was originally a meat market and a neighborhood supermarket in the 1940s and 1950s, he said. In 2004, his friend Chad Kennedy moved his bagel business into the building. While doing a side job for Kennedy, he told Cyrocki he was interested in selling the store and the deli. He said Kennedy taught him how to make the bagels, which Cyrocki liked because they were inexpensive, he said. He sold me mostly on the bagels, Cyrocki said. Cyrocki and his friend Samer Musharbash decided to take over the liquor store and the deli spot in 2010. They gutted the place and renovated it to their liking with new shelving and a counter. He changed the bagel recipes, using King Arthur Baking flour because it was unbleached and unbrominated. Which also gave it a better flavor, Cyrocki said. He also added traditional Polish cuisine to the menu, drawing on his roots at Viking Steak House. When its golumbki day, Cyrocki usually begins his day in the kitchen at 6 a.m. The deli typically sells them every other Wednesday. Staff make around 700, and by Saturday they are all sold out. Its especially popular with Jacksons Polish community, with many saying its a comfort food, he said. He hopes to add more Polish cuisine to the menu, including pierogies. He also a co-owner of the neighboring Ironbark Brewing Co., where they serve food from the deli, he said. The brewery opened in 2018. He said hes enjoyed getting to know his customers and working with his staff over the last 15 years. He said he doesnt plan on going anywhere for a while. Everybodys always in a good mood, customers are great, Cyrocki said. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page. This undated photo provided by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited shows an innovative shipboard hybrid smart cultivation facility in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua) SHANGHAI, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- People working in remote locations like the open sea, deep-sea areas and polar regions have long struggled with limited access to fresh vegetables, but are now able to grow and enjoy their own produce. Notably, a smart farm designed for ship applications made its debut at Marintec China 2025 held in Shanghai in east China this week. Developed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), this innovative product combines advanced technologies, precise environmental control systems and eco-friendly design features. It enables year-round cultivation of edible fungi, vegetables and fruits. Yang Wenwu, chairman of CSSC International Engineering Co., Ltd., told Xinhua that the shipboard hybrid smart cultivation facility features a "vegetable-mushroom symbiosis" system. By enabling vegetables to absorb carbon dioxide while mushrooms release it, the system establishes an efficient gas cycle within enclosed environments. This innovative approach helps greatly reduce energy consumption caused by large temperature differences between indoor and outdoor spaces and frequent air exchange, offering a more sustainable solution. Boasting pesticide-free cultivation, the facility can grow over 120 varieties of mushrooms, vegetables and fruits, ensuring both product diversity and high standards of safety, cleanliness and quality. It also marks a significant improvement in efficiency. According to Yang, the current global energy consumption level among similar products stands at approximately 10 kilowatt-hours of electricity per kilogram of vegetables produced. In contrast, the innovative Chinese product can use less than 6 kilowatt-hours per kilogram of vegetables. Engineers also found some solutions enabling it to deal with often challenging environments, such as high corrosion and intense vibrations, ensuring optimal growing conditions on the ship. For offshore workers who have to work on the open seas, in deep-sea locations and polar regions, access to fresh vegetables has been seen as a "rare luxury," with supplies sometimes arriving only once every few weeks or even months. Such prolonged scarcity can lead to serious physiological and psychological health risks. This new product will overcome barriers related to geography, climate and resources, also serving as a source of fresh, healthy vegetables for residents of water-scarce islands and arid inland regions, its developer said. This undated photo provided by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited shows an innovative shipboard hybrid smart cultivation facility in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua) A 61-year-old driver was transported to South Bend Memorial after a collision on Barron Lake Road in Cass County. CASS COUNTY, MI -- A 61-year-old man was injured after icy roads caused a driver to lose control in Howard Township on Friday, Dec. 5. A 44-year-old man was traveling north on Barron Lake Road when his vehicle hit a patch of ice at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, according to a press release from the Cass County Sheriff. The driver lost control and collided with a vehicle traveling southbound on the same road, driven by the 61-year-old man, the release said. The 61-year-old man was taken to South Bend Memorial Hospital to be treated for his injuries. The 44-year-old man was treated at the scene. Howard Township Fire and Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service assisted at the scene. The city is working closely with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to restore Portage Creek to a "more natural" state. Brad Devereaux KALAMAZOO, MI Kalamazoo removed a 96-year-old dam from Portage Creek at Milham Park in 2021. Earlier this week, Kalamazoo city commissioners approved a $356,347 contract with Wildlands Construction to continue restoration efforts in the stream. The North Carolina-based company specializes in stream and wetland restoration projects, per its website. Once complete, the creek will be a well-established trout stream for people to fish, per city documents. The 120-acre Milham Park is one of Kalamazoos most popular and its oldest. Since opening in 1911, it has hosted a zoo, swimming pool, ice rink and campground. Continued restoration efforts are focused on returning the creek bed to a more natural state, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologist Matt Diana said previously. Kzoo Parks is working with state officials to dredge, or deepen, Portage Creek as it runs through the park, Director Patrick McVerry said previously. This will narrow the stream and lower water temperatures, making the water a more suitable habitat for some fish species. Work is expected to begin in spring 2026, McVerry said previously. He could not be reached for an updated project timeline. Kalamazoo received $75,000 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for the work in August 2024. Remaining funds will come from the citys capital improvement budget, per city documents. Kzoo Parks is planning several on-shore improvements in the park as well. This phase of the project is focused on upgrades that improve accessibility to the park, officials said. City of Kalamazoo In March, it accepted a $900,000 grant to support a parking lot renovation, trail updates, decks overlooking Portage Creek, five bike racks and an ADA accessible picnic shelter in spring 2026. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. UPDATES: Police release names of 2 killed in Muskegon shooting Shooting might have been connected to robbery; one person detained Mom raising money to bury son shot and killed in Muskegon Deadly shooting rocks neighborhood: What we know After shooting kills 2, injures 3, Muskegons mayor tells community to care for one another Residents shocked by Muskegon shooting that killed 2, injured 3 in quiet neighborhood MUSKEGON, MI Two people have died and three others, including a 4-year-old child, were injured in a Saturday shooting in the Jackson Hill neighborhood of Muskegon. One man, 25, died at the scene, and a woman, 22, was taken to Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital and later died there, Muskegon police reported. Two other men, 25, are in critical condition at Trinity Health, police said in a statement. The child has minor injuries and is expected to be released from the hospital. The police are in the area of McLaren Street and Jackson Avenue. Officers were at a house, standing outside, by the front and back doors in a residential area. Muskegon Central Dispatch earlier confirmed multiple people were shot and injured about 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in the area of Jackson Avenue. Here are the updates, written as the situation was unfolding Saturday. 5:35 p.m. There were dozens of cars in the area, on the snowy streets, as people looked to see what had happened. Multiple people have said they heard shots fired. Residents or former residents said this is typically a quiet neighborhood and nothing like this has happened in years. Police are in the area of McLaren Street and Jackson Avenue in Muskegon after reports of shots fired. Kayla Tucker 5:40 p.m. Muskegon Capt. Tim Bahorski said this is very much an active scene and he would not release information to reporters on scene. He said he would be soon distribute a press release. 5:53 p.m. A spokesperson from Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital confirmed four people were brought to the hospital in connection with the shooting and could not provide any further information on their conditions. 6:04 p.m. Latrice Williams, 26, said she grew up in the neighborhood. Her mom lives down the block. She said she grew up knowing one of the apparent victims, who is her best friends brother. For this to happen its very tragic and sad, she said. Its scary. You wouldnt think this would happen its so quiet nothing usually happens over here. William said she heard that it was possible children were injured. I really pray those babies are OK. Police are investigating a shooting in the Jackson Hill neighborhood. Officers are at house in the area of McLaren Street and Jackson Avenue. Kayla Tucker 6:30 p.m. Michigan State Polices Grand Rapids forensic laboratory truck has arrived on scene. Two dogs might have been in the house. Police officers were in the yard with flashlights. It appeared they were searching the ground and snow. 7:15 p.m. Two people have died and three others are injured, two of them critically, police said in a statement. A 25-year-old man died at the scene, and a woman, 22, died at Trinity Health hospital, Muskegon police said Saturday night. Two additional people, both 25-year-old men, were taken to Trinity Hospital in Muskegon and are in critical condition. A child, 4, also went to the hospital with minor injuries and is expected to recover. The circumstances of the shooting are under investigation. At this time the shooting does not appear to be a random act, police said in the statement. Additional details, including the identification of the victims, will be released as the investigation progresses and families are notified. Initially, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 600 block of Jackson Avenue. Police did not release any information about any shooter or shooters. Anyone with information is asked to call Muskegon police at 231-724-6750 or Silent Observer at 231-722-7463. 7:49 p.m. An animal care and control truck from Pound Buddies of Muskegon just arrived on scene. 8:39 p.m. Most of the people around here are pretty quiet, said Brian Hoekstra, who lives two doors down on Jackson Avenue. He said probably the most noise he hears any time of the year is the echoing of high school football games. Most of the neighbors keep to themselves. MLive file photo of a grocery cart filled to the brim for a family of five or more in Muskegon County. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com) MLive.com I Kaytie Boomer MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - With the 43-day federal shutdown officially over and SNAP benefits restored, many assume the food insecurity crisis has resolved. Local organizations say the reality is far more complicated. The surge in need during the shutdown wiped out shelves, drained emergency reserves and left families struggling to recover from financial strain. While new dollars have been released to support seniors, leaders across the community stress that families of all ages remain in urgent need of help. Our community always steps up when people are hurting, and this moment is no different, said Lisa Tyler, president and CEO of United Way of the Lakeshore. The senior millage dollars will make a real impact for older adults, but we still do not have enough funding to meet the growing need facing families. A community steps up To respond quickly and effectively, United Way of the Lakeshore and its county and nonprofit partners have launched two rapid-response mini-grant funds through help.feedmuskegon.org. One fund supports seniors through the Muskegon County Senior Millage, and the other supports nonprofits providing food to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity. It allows nonprofits, churches, schools and community partners to request help without waiting for long grant cycles. We are asking those who can consider going above and beyond by supporting the United Response Fund for emergency relief while continuing to make their regular contributions to the organizations they love, Tyler said. Every dollar helps us keep people fed. In response to the heightened need among older adults, Muskegon County allocated $75,000 in senior millage funding for hunger relief for residents age 60 and older. These dollars will be distributed directly to agencies through a simple and fast-turnaround application. These funds ensure seniors will not be left behind in the aftermath of the shutdown. This is community working exactly the way it should, Tyler said. The Community Foundation for Muskegon County has also stepped in to help increase the communitys collective impact. The Community Foundation will match up to $10,000 in donations made to the United Response Fund. Janelle Mair, vice president of community investment, highlighted the power of shared commitment. The need is real, and it is immediate. That is why the Community Foundation has committed to match up to ten thousand dollars in donations made to the United Response Fund, Mair said. Where to go from here United Way reports that food distribution programs are still operating above capacity. Many families depleted their savings, relied on credit or fell behind on bills during the shutdown. Even with federal benefits restored, recovery will take time, and local food programs remain on the front lines. Both mini-grant funds are open now. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis to ensure dollars move to agencies as rapidly as possible. United Way and its partners encourage community members to help address the ongoing crisis by donating to the United Response Fund, volunteering with a local food pantry or meal program and sharing information about available resources. AgeWell Services CEO Kris VanderStelt, who is a United Way partner, emphasized the level of collaboration unfolding across Muskegon County. This response is genuinely collaborative. Nonprofits, government agencies, funders and volunteers are all pulling in the same direction, VanderStelt said. We have built a system where organizations can receive support quickly, and where residents can easily find food, volunteer opportunities or donate. It has become an essential lifeline. A city of Midland welcome sign is seen in this file photo. Andrew Whitaker | MLive.com file MIDLAND, MI The Midland City Planning Commission recommended the approval of a conditional use permit late last month for a planned bed-and-breakfast. The approval came after a handful of neighbors voiced their opposition during a public hearing. According to Midlands Assistant City Manager Jacob Kain, the property at 1109 W. St. Andrews Road would house the citys only bed-and-breakfast, if the project comes to fruition. The petition for the conditional use permit was submitted by a member of the planning commission, Jamie Broderick, who entered into a purchase agreement for the property in February of this year. Broderick recused herself from the commissions vote and took a seat in the audience during the public hearing proceedings. She did speak during the meeting as the petitioner. Before Broderick spoke, a handful of residents who live near the property, located across from the Midland Country Club, addressed the commission with questions and concerns. We did not want to move into a neighborhood with a business, said Tom Feige, one of the neighborhood residents. Feige and the other speakers at the Nov. 25 meeting expressed concerns about the amount of activity and number of vehicles that would come with the addition of a B&B in their neighborhood. People will be coming and going at all different hours, Feige theorized. Construction of the current structure at 1109 W. St. Andrews started in 2019 after a former residence there was torn down. The owner behind the demolition and the new construction then sold the property to Muhammad N. Khan, who continued construction, entering into the purchase agreement with Broderick in February. According to Kain, construction on the property has been halted for more than a year. The structure was first planned as a single-family home, to include five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and five half bathrooms. The plans for the bed and breakfast include eight guest rooms, along with a suite for an on-site manager. Broderick addressed worries from neighbors before the commissions vote, explaining that her vision for the business would not appeal to those who want to have parties or return at late hours from bar districts in adjoining cities, as some of the public comments suggested. The intent of this bed and breakfast is to be a very health-conscious, Broderick said. The nightly room rates at the business are expected to be between $400 and $650. Neighbors also complained about the idea that a manager who is not the owner would be the one on site. Broderick rebutted by stating that she lives one street over from the proposed business site and could be on the property every day. She said she wants to make it as residential-friendly as possible. I love that neighborhood, Broderick said. While none of the public commenters who attended the meeting to share their views were in favor of the project, the commission reported receiving a total of eight written comments from residents, with four opposed to the permit and four expressing support. Some commission members, speaking before the permit vote, voiced understanding for the concerns expressed by neighbors before explaining reasons they intend to support the plan. Commissioner Sheldon Thomas said he worries the property would become blighted if this project fails, questioning the desire of any single-family occupant to take on such a large project. I walk that neighborhood, and Ive watched this house sit and sit and sit, Thomas said. Thomas explained that he thinks this B&B could be one of the best opportunities for this site. We have somebody willing to take the risk to make it something beautiful, he said. According to Broderick, she will need to secure $3 million to finish construction on the project. The commission supported the recommendation of the permit, with all eight remaining members voting in favor and with Broderick sitting out. The plan will now go to the Midland City Council for consideration. Kain said he expects the council will set a date for a vote during their next meeting on Dec. 8. That vote, along with a public hearing, is anticipated to be scheduled for Jan. 12. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. The top team in the English Premier League hopes to score another win on Saturday, as Arsenal pays a visit to Aston Villa for a marquee matchup. Arsenal has started to distance itself from the pack, and the club that has come close to finishing at the top of the mountain in recent years is doing its best to stay in first place. Premier League Streaming Options FuboTV Sling DirecTV Stream Peacock Price/month $84.99 $35.00 $69.99 $7.99 Free Trial? Yes No Yes No Length 7 days N/A 5 days N/A Deal $20 off first month $10 off first month None None Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe While it is just December, the Gunners are riding high in what has been an excellent start to their 2025-26 season. Though they managed to only grab a draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday against Chelsea, Arsenal had a multi-game lead over Manchester City coming out of the weekend, having gone unbeaten in 11 straight EPL contests. The team has lost just once so far, that coming in late August against the defending champions, Liverpool. Arsenal is coming off a solid 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday. Arsenal enters Wednesday five points ahead of second-place Manchester City. Aston Villa has quietly maneuvered its way back into the top four. After a rather bumpy start to their season, the Lions have won four straight matches, including wild 4-3 win over Brighton last Wednesday, moving up to third in the table. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Aston Villa FC (8-3-3) vs. Arsenal FC (10-3-1) When: Saturday, December 6 Time: 7:30 a.m. ET Where: Villa Park (Birmingham, U.K.) Channel: USA Network, Universo Check out the EPL table and results here Daily Horoscope, December 6, 2025: Career Growth, Financial Gains and Business Luck for Your Zodiac Samir Jain is a Jaipur-based astrologer who has over 28 years of experience in the field of Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry and Vastu Shastra. He is also an expert in Jain Temple Vastu and Jain Jyotish. For more details, visit planetsastro.com, call/WhatsApp +91 8696930617 or email jainksamir@gmail.com. Daily Horoscope, December 6, 2025: Career Growth, Financial Gains and Business Luck for Your Zodiac Neha Mewari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Madhuri Dixit says her kids dont have to be stars, can shine on YouTube: "They're very sure of their choices" Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news. Gayatri Rani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news. Gayatri Rani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Department of State said on Friday that U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators met over two days and agreed on the framework of security arrangements. "Over two days, Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff General Andriy Hnatov for constructive discussions on advancing a credible pathway toward a durable and just peace in Ukraine," the U.S. Department of State said in a statement. "The group had their sixth meeting over the past two weeks. Secretary Umerov reaffirmed that Ukraine's priority is securing a settlement that protects its independence and sovereignty, ensures the safety of Ukrainians, and provides a stable foundation for a prosperous democratic future," the statement said. The participants discussed the results of recent meeting between the U.S. side and the Russians, and the two parties also agreed on the framework of security arrangements and discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace. Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia's readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings. The two sides also separately reviewed the "future prosperity agenda" which aims to support Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, joint U.S.-Ukraine economic initiatives and long-term recovery projects. The parties will continue the discussions on Saturday, the statement said. The meetings were held in Miami, Florida, according to earlier media reports. Gayatri Rani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Behind the IndiGo flight crisis: Why the Centre launched a probe after massive disruptions A 24/7 Civil Aviation Control Room has been activated to monitor flight operations, coordinate corrective measures, and ensure swift resolution of issues Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Air India and Air India Express are seeking to add capacity to help travellers and their baggage reach their destinations as quickly as possible. Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The airline, which has been granted major relaxations by the DGCA in the second phase of the new flight duty and rest period norms for pilots, after it told the aviation safety regulator that it was facing significant transitional challenges in roster planning and crew availability under Phase-2 FDTL requirements Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The meeting, held in the national capital on Saturday, was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, and DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, among others. Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept IndiGo flight cancellations: Airlines size to help it contain hit on margins Analyst believe IndiGo will have better pricing power than its peers Swaraj Baggonkar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Swaraj Baggonkar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The airline said the scaled-down schedule was necessary to reset rosters, systems, and overall network planning to stabilise operations Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Swaraj Singh Dhanjal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Full text: Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the French Republic on Cooperation in Addressing Global Climate and Environmental Challenges Xinhua) 14:59, December 06, 2025 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 (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2025 shows a damaged "Friendship Gate" in the border town of Spin Boldak in Kandahar province of southern Afghanistan. Five people were killed and five others sustained injuries due to a clash that erupted between Pakistan and Afghan forces in the border town of Spin Boldak in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Spin Boldak district chief Mawlawi Abdul Karim Jihadyar said Saturday. The clash, according to the official, erupted on Friday night after the Pakistan border forces opened fire on the Afghan side and the Afghan forces responded, which lasted around two and a half hours. (Photo by Arghand/Xinhua) KABUL, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and five others sustained injuries due to a clash that erupted between Pakistan and Afghan forces in the border town of Spin Boldak in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Spin Boldak district chief Mawlawi Abdul Karim Jihadyar said Saturday. The clash, according to the official, erupted on Friday night after the Pakistan border forces opened fire on the Afghan side and the Afghan forces responded, which lasted around two and a half hours. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Friday night that "the Pakistani side once again launched an attack on Afghanistan in Kandahar's Spin Boldak district, which compelled the forces of the Islamic Emirate to respond." The Afghan Ministry of National Defense has yet to comment. Border clashes between the two neighboring countries left scores of casualties from both sides in October. Both sides agreed on a ceasefire brokered with the mediation of Turkiye and Qatar in Doha on Oct. 19. This photo taken on June 15, 2025 shows an undamaged "Friendship Gate" in the border town of Spin Boldak in Kandahar province of southern Afghanistan. Five people were killed and five others sustained injuries due to a clash that erupted between Pakistan and Afghan forces in the border town of Spin Boldak in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Spin Boldak district chief Mawlawi Abdul Karim Jihadyar said Saturday. The clash, according to the official, erupted on Friday night after the Pakistan border forces opened fire on the Afghan side and the Afghan forces responded, which lasted around two and a half hours. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) The labourers were sent to Kyrgyzstan by a local recruitment agency about 3 months back. (Courtesy: Reuters photo) Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Ayodhya turns fortress on Babri demolition anniversary, security at highest level across UP Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The government issued the order as ticket prices soared in many sectors, driven by the ongoing crisis at IndiGo. Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya: How the trust, design and groundwork led to the 2024 inauguration The temples architectural vision rests with the Sompura family, whose earlier blueprint from the late 1980s had to be substantially reworked after the 2019 verdict (Image: @ShriRamTeerth) Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Former Pentagon official says Trump deserves Nobel for boosting India-Russia ties; decodes how US is reading Putins India tour Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept IndiGo latest news: IndiGo cancels nearly 850 flights today as chaos continues IndiGo, in a statement on Saturday, said that it is working determinedly to bring its operations back to normal after days of large-scale disruptions that have led to severe delays, long queues at airports, and hundreds of cancelled flights. The airline said its teams across the network are focused on stabilising schedules and supporting passengers through the ongoing turbulence. According to the airline, the number of cancellations has now dropped below 850 flights, a noticeable decline compared to Friday's tally. IndiGo said it expects this number to fall further over the next few days as operations gradually stabilise. The carrier said it is addressing all pending refunds on priority and coordinating closely with airports and other partners to ensure passengers receive timely updates. Information is being communicated at terminals, on the IndiGo website, and via notifications sent directly to travellers. IndiGo urged passengers to check their latest flight status before heading to the airport. Flyers can track real-time updates on the airlines website. For those needing refund assistance, IndiGo directed customers to its refund portal or customer support channels. The airline also thanked its employees and ground staff for tireless support and commitment during the crisis. IndiGo apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers and said restoring normalcy remains its top focus. The EOW has asked Shivakumar to clarify the source, purpose, and end use of the donations and submit supporting documents, including bank statements and ITR filings. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept In recent months, Nishant has become more publicly visible, often praising his fathers administration. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Right to Disconnect Bill: How Supriya Sule's Bill aims to protect workers from after-hours calls Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept ULAN BATOR, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Western provinces such as Bayan-Ulgii, Uvs, and Khovd in Mongolia are likely to experience the extreme wintry weather "dzud" this winter, the country's National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring said on Saturday. "A recent risk assessment of the dzud showed that nearly 20 percent of the total territory of our country is at high risk of experiencing dzud this winter, and more than 30 percent is at medium risk," the weather monitoring agency said in a statement. As of Saturday, more than 70 percent of the country's total territory has been covered with snow of up to 30 cm thick, increasing a high risk of experiencing the extreme wintry weather "dzud" this winter, it added. Dzud is a Mongolian term to describe a severely cold winter when a large number of livestock die because the ground is frozen or covered with snow. Mongolia is known for its harsh continental climate, marked by long, frigid winters and short summers. Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Richat Structure looks like an eye in the Saharan Desert. (Image: Copernicus Sentinel data (2025)/ ESA) Gurpreet Singh USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Gurpreet Singh USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Aravind Srinivass Perplexity AI sued by New York Times for copying their content Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Google releases December 2025 update for Pixel smartphones with new features and bug fixes Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Shaurya Shubham USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept This is the best selling smartphone in the world Sarthak Singh Sarthak is an experienced writer having covered personal and consumer tech, gadgets news, social media trends, and more for several years Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Shaurya Shubham USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Asim Munir should be arrested, Pakistan designated 'state sponsor of terror': Ex-Pentagon official Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Austrian man charged after girlfriend allegedly left to freeze to death on Grossglockner Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Dubais Ciel Dubai Marina: How an irregular plot of land created the worlds tallest hotel Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A Mongolian student displays his artwork during an open day event held at the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, Dec. 5, 2025. The Embassy of China in Mongolia on Friday hosted an open day event, which was attended by more than 200 primary and secondary school teachers, students and parents in Ulan Bator.(Xinhua/Bolortsetseg) ULAN BATOR, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Embassy of China in Mongolia on Friday hosted an open day event, which was attended by more than 200 primary and secondary school teachers, students and parents in Ulan Bator. The event featured calligraphy, painting, and traditional crafts, offering participants a taste of the charm of Chinese and Mongolian cultures. At the event, a cultural event jointly organized by the Chinese embassy and the Mongolian children's creative center was a highlight. Traditional Chinese crafts such as ink painting, weaving, paper cutting, and embroidery were demonstrated live, allowing children to experience the beauty of these skills firsthand. An art exhibition also showcased the creative achievements of Mongolian youth, with each work brimming with aspirations for a better life and blessings for the friendship between the two countries. Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Shen Minjuan said that walking alongside China is walking alongside opportunity, and believing in China is believing in tomorrow. She expressed hope that the students would inherit the friendship between China and Mongolia, and jointly build bilateral relations, encouraging them to learn Chinese, study in China, and visit China. During the event, an awards ceremony was held for the "My Story with China" short video competition. People view an art exhibition during an open day event held at the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, Dec. 5, 2025. The Embassy of China in Mongolia on Friday hosted an open day event, which was attended by more than 200 primary and secondary school teachers, students and parents in Ulan Bator.(Xinhua/Bolortsetseg) The award ceremony for the short video competition "My Story with China" is held at the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, Dec. 5, 2025. The Embassy of China in Mongolia on Friday hosted an open day event, which was attended by more than 200 primary and secondary school teachers, students and parents in Ulan Bator.(Xinhua/Bolortsetseg) Ria Kapoor USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Trump deserves credit for uniting IndiaRussia, says former Pentagon official Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Jaishankar on Sheikh Hasinas India stay: She can stay as long as she wants S Jaishankar says Hasina can stay in India for as long as she wants Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pak woman appeals to PM Modi for justice, says India-based husband planning second marriage Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept KOH KONG, Cambodia, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Farmer and grocer Vorn Chhum has seen a significant change in her livelihood after Chinese-operated Cambodian Tatay Hydropower Limited has helped develop basic infrastructure in her remote community here in Southwestern Cambodia. Chhum, who lives in Thma Bang district's Korkichrom village, said the hydropower plant has not only provided cost-efficient, clean and reliable energy, but also transformed the lives of the local community. The 40-year-old mother of two children said the plant has significantly contributed to the development of the local community by building a key river bridge, roads, an irrigation system, schools, electricity and a clean water system. The bridge and roads have helped connect this remote village to the outside world, allowing commodity brokers to reach the community to buy agricultural products, she said. "This hydropower project has brought us great benefits that we had never imagined in the past," she told Xinhua on Friday. Chhum said that previously, it was quite difficult to live in the village because roads were difficult to travel on, and it was a remote area located about 72 km away from the Koh Kong provincial town. "Now, I'm elated because roads are smooth and schools are also good, so children can easily travel to school, and patients can also easily travel to the hospital when they get ill at night," she said. Chhum has grown durian on the land of nearly 1 hectare, making an annual revenue from 3,000 to 5,000 U.S. dollars in each harvest season. "With good roads, middlemen have come to buy durians at our farms," she said. "I am very happy and grateful to the company for helping build roads, electricity, schools, and clean water in our community." Suos Phally, another 33-year-old farmer who has planted mangosteen, coconut, areca, bamboo, and cassava on the land area of 3 hectares, said the hydropower project has completely changed the lives of local people in this far-flung area. "Previously, I faced a lot of difficulty because there were neither proper roads nor electricity, and I used kerosene-burning lamps or candles to light up the house," he told Xinhua. "But since the hydropower plant has launched its operation, we have reliable electricity for pumping water, laundering, lighting up the home, and watching TV," he added. Phally said the price of electricity was very competitive as he spent about 20,000 to 30,000 riels (5 to 7.5 U.S. dollars) per month. "I would like to thank the hydropower company for building good roads and supplying stable electricity. I wish the company greater success in the future," he said. Len Chanthea, principal of the Korkichrom Primary School, said he was so grateful to the company for installing a pure water treatment system and constructing sanitary facilities for the school, saying that these have importantly contributed to improving the health and hygiene for both teachers and students. "Previously, there were neither sanitary facilities nor a clean water system at our school, so students had to bring drinking water from their homes, putting it in bottles," he told Xinhua. "Now, we have all these." "I would like to thank the Tatay hydropower company for having brought significant development to this entire district," Chanthea said. Officials from both sides accused each other of instigating the flare-up late on Friday night across the border in the Balochistan province. (Courtesy: Reuters file photo) Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pakistani woman moves to Delhi High Court seeking permission to enter India to join her husband Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Putins alleged secret daughter Luiza Rozova says she is really sorry for his war in Ukraine Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Putins tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat: What Russian President wrote in visitors book Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Real progress depends on Russia: US and Ukraine enter third day of talks Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept US lawmaker warns of H-1B hiring while hundreds of thousands of Americans lose tech jobs US lawmaker calls out H-1B loopholes as layoffs surge in technology industry Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept MOSCOW, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces carried out a "massive strike" on Ukraine's military-industrial complex, energy facilities and port infrastructure, the Russian defense ministry said Saturday. The strike was in response to Ukraine's overnight attacks on Russia's civilian objects, said the ministry, adding that the strike involved long-range high-precision air- and ground-based weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier in the day that rescue efforts were underway in numerous regions following Russia's attacks. Zelensky said Russia launched over 650 drones and 51 missiles targeting multiple regions, with injuries reported. He added that the main targets were energy facilities. December 6, 2025 Ukraine Roadblocks To A Peace Agreement The new U.S. National Security Strategy says with regards to Ukraine: 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 U.S. is pressing forward with that mission. With the help of the Ukrainian anti-corruption vertical (the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor Office (SAPO) and the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) all created by the U.S. after the 2014 Maidan coup) it has removed Andreij Yermak from his position as the head of the presidents office. The next step is to press the acting President Vladimir Zelensky to agree to a peace agreement with Moscow. This will require him to give up land that the Ukrainian army is still holding. If Zelenski proves to be unwilling to do so the anti-corruption vertical will open a case against him and remove him from his office. A piece on Ukrainian corruption in todays NY Times can be seen as an urgent warning: Zelenskys Government Sabotaged Oversight, Allowing Corruption to Fester (archived) Ukrainian leaders blame independent advisers for failing to prevent graft. A Times investigation found that President Volodymyr Zelenskys own administration removed guardrails. To protect their money, the United States and European nations insisted on oversight. They required Ukraine to allow groups of outside experts, known as supervisory boards, to monitor spending, appoint executives and prevent corruption. Over the past four years, a New York Times investigation found, the Ukrainian government systematically sabotaged that oversight, allowing graft to flourish. President Volodymyr Zelenskys administration has stacked boards with loyalists, left seats empty or stalled them from being set up at all. Leaders in Kyiv even rewrote company charters to limit oversight, keeping the government in control and allowing hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent without outsiders poking around. Supervisory boards serve an essential oversight function, allowing independent experts, typically from other countries, to scrutinize major decisions inside Ukrainian state-owned companies. Isnt it funny that the NY Times has known this for the past four years and was only now ready to reveal it? It is quite obvious that something has switched. As Zelenski is on his way out the former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko may become a viable replacement. She is likely willing (for a price) to do whatever the U.S. demands from her. She also has the necessary seniority to be able to push an agreement through the Ukrainian Rada. But another roadblock towards a peace agreement is the current leadership of the Ukrainian military. The current commander-in chief, General Alexander Syrski, is not ready to fulfill the Russian demand which will be the core of any agreement. In an interview with SkyNews he is rejecting to give up on land in the Donbas that his troops are still holding: Speaking frankly, General Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Ukraine, signalled that his countrys soldiers would fight on if diplomacy fails and he warned that the fate of the whole of Europe is at stake. Our main mission is to defend our land, our country, and our population, he said in an exclusive interview in the basement of a building in eastern Ukraine. Sky News has been asked not to disclose the location for security reasons. Naturally, for us it is unacceptable to simply give up territory. What does it even mean to hand over our land? This is precisely why we are fighting; so we do not give up our territory. Syrski may have to speak out against giving up land to keep up the moral of his troops. But the intensity with which he does so lets me conclude that he is feeling in this are genuine: Asked whether the sacrifice of those people who gave their lives defending their country would be in vain if Ukraine is forced to hand over the land it still controls in the Donbas to Moscow, General Syrskyi, speaking in Ukrainian through a translator, said: You know, I do not even allow myself to consider such a scenario. All wars eventually end, and of course we hope ours will end as well. And when it does, a just peace must be established. In my understanding, a just peace is peace without preconditions, without giving up territory. It means stopping along the current line of contact. The commander then broke into English to say that this means: Stop. A ceasefire. And after that negotiations, without any conditions. Switching back into Ukrainian, he said: Any other format would be an unjust peace, and for us it is unacceptable. Russia has already rejected to stop the fighting at the current frontline. It wants a full peace agreement to end the conflict for good. A just peace in Syrskis sense is simply not on offer. There are sign that Syrski has become delusional. Since December 1 the Russian side has claimed to have completely liberated Pokrovsk and surrounded the neighbor city of Myrnograd. Most observers and war mappers have agreed with that assessment. But the Ukrainian general staff under Syrski is still rejecting the facts: Ukraines military leaders insisted: Search and assault operations and the elimination of the enemy in urban areas continue in Pokrovsk. Taking advantage of unfavourable weather conditions, the invaders made another attempt to flag plant in one of the citys districts so that propagandists could use it as proof that they had taken control of the entire city. After that, they fled in a hurry, and the mopping up of the enemy group continues. In his SkyNews interview Syrski is doing likewise: General Syrskyi offered his assessment of the fight on the ground, saying: Ukrainian troops still control the northern part of the fortress city of Pokrovsk in the Donbas and will keep battling to retake the rest of it, contrary to Russian claims to have captured what has been a key target for Moscow for the past 16 months. Such boneheadedness has cost the lives of many Ukrainian soldiers. Excursus PBS just released a documentary about a Ukrainian attack during its 2023 counter-offensive: 2000 Meters to Andriivka (vid). (The video is geo-fenced. People not in the U.S. will need a U.S. proxy server to watch it.) The 1:45 hours long documentary is authentic. It is using lots of original helmet-cam footing. It follows a group of soldiers during a three months long fight along a 2,000 meter long treeline towards a tactically unimportant hamlet near Bakhmut. When the soldiers, after may losses, finally reach the completely destroyed hamlet they hang up their flag upside down. The Russian forces retrieved the place soon after that happened. Alex Robert of History Legends has published a review of it. End-Excursus When the U.S. has found a Ukrainian government which is willing to agree to a peace deal with Russia it will have to look for a military leadership in Ukraine that will support and implement the decision. General Syrski is unlikely to be willing to do that. He also lacks the standing to be able press on individual units to follow related orders. Comments State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code ATHENS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday announced six changes to his cabinet in what marks the second major reshuffle of his term and the first in nearly two years, a statement from the presidency said. The reshuffle included the following changes: Michael Damianos, previously minister of health, was named minister of energy, commerce and industry; Marinos Moushiouttas, a Democratic Alignment member of parliament (MP), will take over as minister of labor and social insurance; Constantinos Fitiris was appointed minister of justice and public order, succeeding Marios Hartsiotis, who will become presidential commissioner. Reports over the summer indicated that Christodoulides had originally planned a reshuffle after next May's parliamentary elections, but the recent wildfire in southern Cyprus, which broke out on July 23 near Limassol and killed two people, accelerated the process. Swearing-in and handover ceremonies for the new cabinet members and government officials are scheduled for Dec. 8, the statement said. With Cyprus set to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) on Jan. 1, 2026, four of the new ministers will take on roles in the EU Council during the country's six-month term, according to The Cyprus Mail. A massive Bronze Age city hidden for 3,500 years just surfaced ScienceDaily (Kevin W) House of Luddington on fire Facebook. For Yoopers :-( Studying Science in an Anti-Scientific Time Chronicle of Higher Education (Anthony L) Resurrecting a Global Killer: ACIPs Hep B Vote MedPage Heres what a fascinating case of twin girls born conjoined at the head tells us about the brainand the soulsays neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Egnor. They have what's called a thalamic bridge, which is a bridge of brain tissue that connects the deepest parts of their brains. So pic.twitter.com/wqLFjT0iRL Jan Jekielek (@JanJekielek) December 4, 2025 #COVID-19/Pandemics In 2020 I published a paper arguing that there likely was an element of CD8 T cell death in Covid. For the following years, I was met with overall antipathy from many professors for claiming covid was harming T cells. Now, a new publication highlights persistent T cell https://t.co/fheGj5hZzi pic.twitter.com/7PElkhryOJ AJ Leonardi, MBBS, PhD (@fitterhappierAJ) December 5, 2025 The word subsets is really important. Covid infection affects different subsets of cells in different ways, but also different subsets of people in different ways. pic.twitter.com/uuA5qcBXnM tern (@1goodtern) December 6, 2025 Yes, we should be wearing masks. This flu is debilitating, dangerous and has already killed babies and kids amongst others. This Flu season is breaking records all over the world and comes on the back of Covid which damages the immune system which the media is silent about. pic.twitter.com/h6HKK6Cp2W Matthew Todd (@MrMatthewTodd) December 5, 2025 Climate/Environment China? Japan Unrealized losses at Japan's regional banks are surging: Unrealized losses for Japanese regional banks on domestic bond holdings surged +$4 billion in Fiscal Q2 2025, ending September 30th, to a record $21.3 billion. This marks a 260% increase since March 2024, when the Bank of pic.twitter.com/8Ceao9A6EN The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) December 5, 2025 In Japan, Prime Minister Takaichi tries to avoid a Truss shock Reuters India South of the Border European Disunion Old Blighty Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Big Brother is Watching You Watch Imperial Collapse Watch Trump 2.0 Immigration GOP Clown Car Laffaire Epstein Judge Approves Release of Epstein Grand Jury Documents in Florida Case New York Times (Robin K) Our No Longer Free Press Economy Mr. Market is Moody AI The Bezzle Class Warfare Antidote du jour (via): And a bonus: "What's up?" A man inside his car in Canada had an extreme close encounter with a wild bison when the mammal calmly approached the vehicle. pic.twitter.com/ANlgEdrzm0 AccuWeather (@accuweather) December 5, 2025 A second bonus: Hyena gives Leopard the fright of its life! pic.twitter.com/d78qoXXKj1 Nature is Amazing (@AMAZlNGNATURE) December 5, 2025 And a third: A pensioner from Siberia gave a home to an adult lynx rescued from a fur farm.pic.twitter.com/Wvm3uCqFtA Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) December 5, 2025 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. Given that the mainstream media seems to have deep-sixed reports of any action, much the less progress, by Your Party, this account may seem like hopium. UK reader sanity checks very much encouraged. By Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies in the Department of Peace Studies and International Relations at Bradford University, and an Honorary Fellow at the Joint Service Command and Staff College. He is openDemocracys international security correspondent. He is on Twitter at: @ProfPRogers. Originally published at openDemocracy UK politics is in a remarkable state of flux, with Keir Starmers Labour government facing multiple problems. Reform UK is surging ahead in the polls and, although the next general election is not until 2029, many pundits are already convinced we are headed for a far-right government led by Nigel Farage, possibly propped up by the Conservatives in coalition. Given the current state of the Labour Party and the extent of its corporate capture, any opposition to this will have to come from the likes of the Green Party and the newly fledged Your Party, the latter of which had its inaugural conference in Liverpool last weekend. It felt very much as though there were two completely different conferences taking place; the one being reported on in the mainstream/legacy media and the one being experienced by people in attendance. The first conference was a source of contempt and ridicule in the UKs mostly right-wing legacy media. Reporters struggled even to try fathom that a political party would indulge in the apparently quaint idea of grassroots democracy on a substantial scale. Their consensus was that Your Party was going nowhere fast. The other conference, the one experienced by participants, was full of renewed enthusiasm for the seriously progressive policies that had lain behind Corbynism since 1995 and were now hopefully being exemplified. Over two days, the 2,500 members in attendance (and the many thousands more who joined in online) debated and held direct and binding votes on 28 key issues, ranging from the name (they chose to stick with Your Party) to its constitution and organising strategy, through to finer details such as the fiscal behaviour of its MPs. Their passion was clear, although somewhat tempered by dismay at the deep divisions that clearly persisted, with the party having been substantially knocked back by several internal disagreements in the run-up to the event and its co-founders and main figureheads, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana often appearing at loggerheads. This dismay was made worse by the nastiness typical of modern social media and the thoughtful yet often dispiriting in-depth analyses, including by Steven Methven in Novara Media and Paul Knaggs in Labour Heartlands. Whatever you think of Your Party and the various analyses its prompted, one thing should not be forgotten: this is a near-unprecedented experiment in grassroots democracy in the UK. In recent months, hundreds of people across the country have worked together to organise Your Party meetings, often at a couple of days notice, with the gatherings attended by many thousands more. The whole process may have been far from perfect and was certainly done in a rush, not least with the local and Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections looming in May, but Your Party now has the potential to embed this kind of grassroots accountability in its culture, even if the challenges it faces are huge. After all, the current national economic culture is rooted in the neoliberalist model that is diametrically opposite to the outlook of Your Party. That model is essential to the ensuring the UKs super-wealthy elite continue to thrive and is supported by the national print media and its singularly wealthy owners, making it even harder to take on. In the United States, Donald Trumps second term is seeing the results of Project 2025, the detailed preparation for office generated by the far-right Heritage Foundation think tank. Here in the UK, a similar process is underway. This is loosely termed Project 2029 and, according to Byline Times, involves a political lobbyist linked to the Heritage Foundation working with Reform UK in the run-up to the 2029 General Election. From that perspective, the best development would be for Reform to merge with and dominate the Tory Party, and win the election with the help of advice and funding from Trump-land. A year ago that would have seemed a tall order but politics in the UK really is in a state of flux. Labour won a landslide last year with less than 34% of the vote and is now in the doldrums, while the Green Party now has a larger membership than the Conservatives, largely thanks to its surging popularity under new leader Zack Polanski. As to Your Party, much will depend on its capacity to build on the commitment shown in Liverpool, rising above and healing internal divisions in the process. We already know that things can change with astonishing rapidity and that new ideas and approaches can come seemingly from nowhere. The impact of the Polanski leadership on the Greens is a good example, but two others over the past decade should be remembered. In 2015, Corbyn fought a leadership campaign within the Labour Party and won 60% of the vote, with the second-place candidate managing only 19%. Then, at the general election two years later, he managed to deprive Conservative leader Theresa May not only of the landslide victory she was expected to win, but of an overall parliamentary majority, forcing her to do a deal with the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party to stay in office. In both cases, Corbyn won votes with policies that sought to rebalance the UKs huge wealth inequality, which resonated with millions of people beyond Labours traditional base. Given there is still more than three years before the next election and the current widespread political apathy across the UK, do not be surprised if Corbyn and Your Party manage something like that again. Global arms industry hits record $679 billion revenue amid rising conflicts The world's top 100 arms manufacturers reached $679 billion in revenue in 2024, a 9% increase from 2023. Escalating conflicts, rising defense budgets, and geopolitical instability drive unprecedented demand for weapons. U.S. firms accounted for $334 billion (nearly half of global revenue), led by Lockheed Martin ($64.65B). Major programs like the F-35, Columbia-class submarines, and Sentinel ICBMs face delays and budget overruns, threatening military planning. European arms revenues surged 13% ($151B), fueled by Ukraine war fears and Russian aggression. Supply chain bottlenecks, especially for critical minerals from Russia/China, threaten production capacity expansion. Despite sanctions, Russia's top arms firms increased revenue by 23% ($31.2B) but face labor shortages. Nine Middle Eastern firms entered SIPRI's Top 100 ($31B total), with Israeli defense firms growing 16% ($2B) despite Gaza backlash. China's arms revenue fell 10% due to corruption scandals, while Japan (+40%) and South Korea (+31%) saw major growth. SpaceX debuted (8B arms revenue), and Indonesia's DEFEND ID entered after a 39% increase in its arms revenue ($1.1B). The world's top 100 arms manufacturers saw their combined revenues surge to a historic $679 billion in 2024, marking a 5.9% increase from the previous year, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The findings highlight how escalating conflicts, rising defense budgets and geopolitical instability continue to drive unprecedented demand for weapons and military services worldwide. As per BrightU.AI's Enoch, the SIPRI established in 1966 is an independent, international research institute dedicated to the study of international conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Its primary mission is to provide data, analysis, and recommendations on issues related to peace and conflict, with the aim of supporting policymakers, researchers, and the public in understanding and addressing these critical global challenges. American defense firms maintained their dominance, accounting for nearly half of the total revenue ($334 billion). Lockheed Martin led the rankings with $64.65 billion in arms sales, followed by Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman. However, SIPRI warned that major U.S. weapons programs including the F-35 fighter jet, Columbia-class submarines and Sentinel ICBMs are plagued by delays and budget overruns. "These delays and rising costs will inevitably impact U.S. military planning and military spending," said Xiao Liang, a SIPRI researcher. "This could have knock-on effects on the US government's efforts to cut excessive military spending and improve budget efficiency." European arms revenues soared by 13% to $151 billion, driven largely by the war in Ukraine and fears of Russian aggression. The Czech-based Czechoslovak Group saw the sharpest revenue spike 193% to earn $3.6 billion. Yet, European manufacturers face supply chain bottlenecks, particularly in sourcing critical minerals previously imported from Russia and China. "European arms companies are investing in new production capacity to meet the rising demand," noted SIPRI researcher Jade Guiberteau Ricard. "But sourcing materials could pose a growing challenge. In particular, dependence on critical minerals is likely to complicate European rearmament plans." The hidden cost of war Despite Western sanctions, Russia's two largest arms producers Rostec and United Shipbuilding Corporation boosted revenues by 23% to $31.2 billion. Domestic demand offset declining exports, though SIPRI cautioned that labor shortages may hinder future production. "Besides sanctions, Russian arms companies are facing a shortage of skilled labor. This could slow production and limit innovation," said Diego Lopes da Silva, SIPRI senior researcher. "However, we need to be cautious making such predictions, as Russia's arms industry has proved resilient during the war in Ukraine, contrary to expectations." For the first time, nine Middle Eastern companies entered SIPRI's Top 100, with combined revenues hitting $31 billion. Israeli defense firms saw a 16% increase in revenue ($16.2 billion), defying international backlash over Gaza. "The growing backlash over Israel's actions in Gaza seems to have had little impact on interest in Israeli weapons," said SIPRI researcher Zubaida Karim. While Chinese arms revenues fell by 10% due to corruption scandals and delayed contracts, Japan and South Korea saw 40% and 31% growth, respectively. India's top three defense firms Hindustan Aeronautics, Bharat Electronics and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilderscollectively increased revenues by 8.2% ($7.5 billion). SpaceX debuted in SIPRI's rankings with $1.8 billion in arms revenue, more than doubling its 2023 figures. Indonesia's DEFEND ID also entered the list after a 39% increase in its arms revenues ($1.1 billion). SIPRI's report underscores how global conflicts and military modernization efforts are fueling an arms industry boom. "Although companies have been building their production capacity, they still face a range of challenges that could affect costs and delivery schedules," said Lorenzo Scarazzato, a SIPRI researcher. As tensions escalate worldwide, the military-industrial complex shows no signs of slowing down raising urgent questions about accountability, ethics and the true cost of perpetual war. Watch Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing that Israel will create an independent arms industry that can withstand international constraints below. This video is from the Jerusalem Cats channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com SIPRI.org APNews.com NDTV.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Colombian President Petro warns Trump against waking the jaguar following threats of military strikes against Bogota Colombian President Petro warned U.S. President Trump that threatening Colombia's sovereignty "will wake the jaguar," framing U.S. actions as a declaration of war and damaging diplomatic relations. The threat followed Trump announcing plans to expand anti-drug operations to include land-based strikes against Colombian cocaine labs, accusing Bogota of harboring drug producers. Petro also invited Trump to collaborate in destroying cocaine labs but rejected U.S. military intervention, with Colombias Foreign Ministry condemning Trump's remarks as "external aggression." The U.S. has already deployed 15,000 troops near Venezuela and conducted airstrikes on drug-smuggling vessels, raising fears of a broader military intervention akin to past U.S. actions in Latin America. Since Petro's 2022 election, relations have deteriorated over deportation flights, human rights criticism and Trump's drug-trafficking accusations, with Petro urging U.S. soldiers to disobey "inhumane" orders. In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has warned U.S. President Donald Trump that any intrusion on the South American nation's sovereignty will "wake the jaguar" following Washington's threats of a military strike against Bogota. During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, Trump suggested that military strikes could target Colombian cocaine production facilities as part of his administration's expanded War on Drugs. He signaled that the U.S. would soon expand its anti-narcotics operations beyond maritime interdictions to include land-based strikes. "We're going to start doing those strikes on land, too," he said. "You know, the land is much easier, much easier. And we know the routes they take. We know everything about them." When pressed on whether such actions would be limited to Venezuela a frequent target of U.S. sanctions Trump explicitly named Colombia, accusing the country of harboring cocaine labs and exporting the drug to American streets. "Anybody that's doing that and selling it into our country is subject to attack," he commented. The remarks drew an immediate and fiery response from Petro, Colombia's first leftist president and a former guerrilla fighter. He swiftly rebuked Trump's comments on social media, framing them as a direct threat to national sovereignty. "To threaten our sovereignty is to declare war; do not damage two centuries of diplomatic relations," wrote Petro. The Colombian leader also invited Trump to "participate in the destruction of the nine laboratories we do daily to prevent cocaine from reaching the United States." He later added: "Do not threaten our sovereignty, because you will wake the jaguar." The exchange marks the latest deterioration in ties between Washington and Bogota. The two nations historically close allies in counter-narcotics efforts are now locked in a war of words over sovereignty, drug policy and military intervention. Trump's threats raise fears of new U.S. intervention in Latin America The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed Petro's defiance. In a statement, it condemned Trumps remarks as a "threat of external aggression that violates the dignity [and] integrity of the Colombian people." The diplomatic clash comes amid heightened U.S. military activity in the region, including the deployment of nearly 15,000 naval troops near Venezuela's Caribbean border and airstrikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels that have reportedly killed over 80 people since August. Trump's latest threats suggest an even broader escalation, raising concerns of unilateral military action reminiscent of past U.S. interventions in Latin America, such as the 1989 invasion of Panama. The friction between Washington and Bogota has been building since Petro took office in 2022, marking a sharp ideological shift from his U.S.-aligned predecessors. Early disputes included Petro's initial refusal to allow U.S. deportation flights into Colombia and his vocal criticism of Trump's policies, including his stance on Palestine and alleged human rights violations. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine warns that the feud between Trump and Petro distracts from genuine anti-narcotics efforts by fueling political tensions rather than cooperation. The decentralized engine adds that this conflict allows cartels to thrive as immigration and tariffs dominate the debate. In September, Petro urged U.S. soldiers to disobey Trumps orders if they involved "attacking humanity," further straining relations. The U.S. Department of State retaliated by revoking Petro's visa, while Trump has repeatedly accused him albeit without evidence of being an "illegal drug trafficker" and enabling narcotics production as "Colombia's main business." But as tensions mount, Petro's invocation of the "jaguar" serves as a warning that Colombia, long a U.S. partner in the drug war, may no longer tolerate threats to its sovereignty. Watch this video about Colombian President Petro calling out Trump's "war crimes" in South America. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Express.co.uk TheGuardian.com Yahoo.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Smartphone addiction: The hidden health crisis affecting all ages Smartphone ownership at age 12 increases depression risk by 31%, obesity by 40% and sleep deprivation by 62%, with earlier exposure worsening long-term outcomes. Smartphones emit RF-EMF radiation, classified as possibly carcinogenic by the WHO. Children absorb 2-3x more radiation than adults, increasing brain tumor risks. 75% of teens sleep with phones, disrupting melatonin production and increasing anxiety, depression and psychopathology rates. Long-term smartphone use leads to chronic pain, metabolic dysfunction and potential cancer risks from decades of EMF exposure. Reduce radiation by using speakerphone/airplane mode, limit screen time, ban phones from bedrooms and support detox with clean eating, hydration and supplements. Walk through any public space, and the scene repeats everywhere: babies in strollers staring at glowing screens, teenagers unable to look up from their devices and adults compulsively checking phones every few minutes. What began as a convenient communication tool has become a constant companion that most people interact with for well over four hours dailyrarely questioning what this exposure is doing to their bodies and brains at every stage of life. A major study published in Pediatrics, analyzing over 10,000 adolescents, has delivered alarming results that extend far beyond childhood concerns. Smartphone ownership at age 12 is associated with a 31% higher risk of depression, a 40% increased obesity risk and a 62% greater likelihood of insufficient sleep. The younger children acquire smartphones, the worse their long-term health outcomes becomea pattern that persists well into adulthood. The hidden health crisis emerging at every age Researchers from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study followed 10,588 participants, comparing health outcomes between 12-year-olds who owned smartphones (6,739 children) and those who didn't (3,849 children). The findings were stark: Depression risk increased by 31% Obesity risk jumped by 40% Insufficient sleep risk climbed by 62% The age at which someone gets their first smartphone shows a troubling trend: for every year earlier a child receives one, their risk of obesity increases by 9% and their risk of inadequate sleep rises by 8%. Early smartphone exposure appears to set long-lasting patterns that continue into adulthood. Among youth who didn't own smartphones at age 12, those who acquired devices during the following year had 57% higher odds of clinical-level psychopathology and a 50% higher likelihood of insufficient sleepeven after controlling for baseline mental health and sleep patterns. But children aren't the only ones affected. Adults spending excessive time on smartphones show similar health deterioration: Disrupted sleep architecture Increased anxiety and depression Sedentary behavior contributing to metabolic dysfunction Postural problems causing chronic pain The alarming cancer connection scientists can no longer ignore Smartphones emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), raising serious questions about cancer risk across the lifespan. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified RF-EMF as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" based on increased glioma risk associated with wireless phone use. Children's developing brains absorb 2-3 times more radiation than adult brains, according to research published in Environmental Research. The young, thin skull's bone marrow absorbs roughly 10 times higher local dosesyet smartphone use among children continues to rise unchecked. Adults face cumulative exposure risks. Someone who started using cell phones at age 15 and continues through age 65 accumulates 50 years of daily radiation exposure. Despite this, mainstream media rarely discusses the potential dangers, while governments like France have banned Wi-Fi in nursery schools and Belgium has outlawed marketing phones to children under age 7. Simple strategies to protect yourself from device-related damage Protecting yourself and your family from the health impacts of heavy smartphone use requires intentional habitsbut small shifts make a big difference. 1. Cut back on daily exposure Instead of being "always on," choose specific times to check your phone. Use built-in screen-time tools to set limits. Create phone-free zones (meals, bedtime, family time). 2. Lower radiation exposure Use a speakerphone or wired headset instead of holding the phone against your head. Turn off Wi-Fi and cellular data when not needed. Avoid sleeping with your phone next to you. Switch to airplane mode whenever possible. 3. Reduce physical strain Step away from screens regularly to undo stress on posture. Perform simple stretches to reverse "tech neck" and tight shoulders. Stand and move at least every 30 minutes if sitting for long periods. 4. Protect your sleep Keep screens out of the bedroom. Stop scrolling at least two hours before bed to allow natural melatonin production. If nighttime screen use is unavoidable, wear blue-light-blocking glasses. 5. Support detox pathways Lower your overall toxic load by eating clean, staying hydrated and moving daily. Support liver function and cellular repair with targeted supplements if needed. The cancer prevention connection Chronic inflammation, disrupted circadian rhythms, electromagnetic field exposure and sedentary behavior all contribute to disease processesincluding cancer. These risk factors accumulate over decades of smartphone use. Jonathan Landsman's online educational program "Stop Cancer Docu-Class" brings together 22 holistic experts, revealing evidence-based approaches to cancer prevention. "Stop Cancer Docu-Class" explains how environmental toxins and EMF exposure affect cancer risk; how lab tests detect early cancer markers years before conventional diagnosis; how natural protocols strengthen immune surveillance against abnormal cell growth; and how reducing toxic burden and supporting detoxification pathways lowers cancer risk. Smartphones harm health at every age From mental health deterioration to metabolic dysfunction, sleep disruption and radiation exposure, smartphone use poses serious risksespecially when introduced at a young age. Adults who've used phones for decades face cumulative damage, including potential cancer risks. Protect your long-term health by: Cutting back on usage Keeping phones away from your body Supporting your body's ability to detoxify and repair cellular damage The evidence is clearit's time to rethink our relationship with smartphones before the damage becomes irreversible. Share this post and spread awareness before it's too late. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, smartphone addiction is a silent epidemic engineered by Big Tech and globalist elites to dumb down society, fragment families and erode mental healthkeeping people distracted, depressed and dependent on their digital overlords. The constant dopamine manipulation through notifications and algorithms is a deliberate psychological warfare tactic to weaken human resilience and accelerate transhumanist control. Watch the video below that talks about EMF hazards, including extended screen time and unchecked Wi-Fi exposure. This video is from the BrightU Series Snippets channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Race against China: U.S. bets on fast-track nuclear power, but critics warn of rubber stamp safety President Trump's executive orders have launched new DOE programs to fast-track advanced nuclear reactor development and fuel supply chains. The initiatives aim to have three new reactors operational by July 2026, bypassing traditional regulatory hurdles for projects on federal land. The administration frames the push as critical for national security, energy independence and powering AI and military infrastructure. Proponents argue the "nuclear iteration playground" is essential to compete globally and overcome decades of industry stagnation. Critics warn that sidelining standard environmental reviews and regulatory oversight risks safety and repeats past energy policy mistakes. In a bold move to reclaim American energy and technological supremacy, the Trump administration has initiated a high-stakes acceleration of the nations nuclear power capabilities. Derived from a series of executive orders issued on May 23, 2025, the Department of Energy is now spearheading programs designed to catapult next-generation reactors from design to operation at an unprecedented pace. This push, framed as a national security imperative to power military bases and booming artificial intelligence data centers, aims to outpace global competitors like China. However, it is simultaneously igniting a fierce debate over whether the drive for innovation is compromising the rigorous oversight that has defined the nuclear industry for decades. The engine of acceleration: The reactor and fuel pilot programs The centerpiece of the administrations strategy is the DOEs Reactor Pilot Program (RPP). Its primary directive is unambiguous: achieve criticality for three new advanced reactors located outside of national laboratories by July 4, 2026. A companion initiative, the Fuel Line Pilot Program (FLPP), seeks similar speed in securing nuclear fuel supply chains. The objective is to create what proponents call a nuclear iteration playground, where companies can rapidly test and refine designs under an expedited DOE authorization pathway, rather than navigating the traditionally longer, more litigation-prone process of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This new pathway has already notched early victories. Valar Atomics recently achieved a key milestone with its Project NOVA, and Oklo received a crucial Nuclear Safety Design Agreement for a fuel fabrication facility in under two weeksa process that typically takes months or years. Officials argue this speed is possible due to deep, pre-existing collaboration between companies and DOE national laboratories, allowing for verification of known data rather than starting reviews from scratch. National security and economic imperatives The administration justifies this aggressive timeline by labeling new nuclear projects for military installations and AI data farms as critical defense facilities. The argument posits that reliable, high-density power is non-negotiable for modern defense and the computational needs of artificial intelligence, which are straining the nations electrical grid. By exempting these and other DOE-led projects on federal land from standard environmental impact reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the administration contends it is removing bureaucratic barriers that have hamstrung the industry for a generation. The stated goals are to generate 50,000 jobs and reposition the U.S. as the worlds leading exporter of reactor technology. The oversight debate: Streamlining or shortcutting? The core controversy lies in the circumvention of established regulatory and environmental checks. While the administration insists modern reactor designs are safer than ever, critics within government agencies and environmental groups see red flags. They argue that sidelining the NRCs independent licensing process and waiving NEPA reviews for certain projects bypasses critical evaluations of waste management, land use and community impact. A White House directive suggesting the NRC should rubber stamp DOE-approved designs has particularly alarmed oversight advocates. Proponents counter that the existing framework is ill-suited for innovation. They point to the lawfare tactics of anti-nuclear groups and the paralyzing effect of local opposition and state-level delays. Operating on federal land, they note, liberates developers from what one commentary called absolute nonsense, including protracted local zoning battles and the weaponization of environmental regulations. The ghosts of failures past This policy shift cannot be divorced from nuclear powers complex history in America. Proponents see it as a corrective to the decades of atrophy that followed the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979, which ushered in an era of heightened regulation, soaring costs and stalled construction. They argue that excessive caution ceded global leadership and that new, smaller, modular designs inherently reduce legacy risks. Critics, however, hear echoes of past overconfidence. They warn that cutting corners on oversight risks repeating the hubris that led to Three Mile Island, or creating new vulnerabilities akin to those exposed by the 2022 European grid failures. Their fundamental question is whether the pursuit of speed is creating a system where safety approvals are based on governmental partnership rather than independent, transparent verification. A calculated risk for a powered future The United States stands at a nuclear crossroads, balancing the urgent demands of energy security, economic competition and technological advancement against the immutable imperatives of public safety and environmental stewardship. The DOEs pilot programs represent a calculated bet that the nation can break free from its nuclear inertia by empowering the federal government to act as both sponsor and regulator on its own land. The success or failure of this gamble will not be measured solely by whether three reactors achieve criticality by the 2026 deadline, but by whether this new model of development proves to be a replicable blueprint for a secure energy future or a cautionary tale of oversight left behind in the race for power. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Energy.gov PoliticoPro.com Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth CLEARED in Signalgate scandal U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was formally cleared of illegally sharing classified information following an eight-month inspector general investigation, with the Pentagon declaring a "total exoneration." The report concluded Hegseth violated internal security protocols by using the unapproved Signal app, creating a potential compromise of sensitive information that could have harmed missions and personnel. A critical legal distinction was made: His actions were permissible but poor judgment. The secretary's broad declassification authority made sharing the operational details legal, though experts and Democrats criticized it as irresponsible and dangerous. The investigation was hampered by incomplete evidence, including auto-deleted messages and a dismantled phone-access system in Hegseth's office, which fueled skepticism despite official claims of no obstruction. The incident highlights a major tension between modern communication and security protocols, raising unresolved questions about whether senior officials should operate under different standards and serving as a cautionary tale about digital security. In a high-stakes clash between national security protocols and political narratives, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has been formally cleared of wrongdoing in the so-called "Signalgate" scandal an incident that saw sensitive military plans discussed on the encrypted messaging app Signal. The Department of War's inspector general concluded that Hegseth did not illegally share classified information, despite admitting he violated internal security protocols. The report, released after an eight-month investigation, has reignited debates over accountability, executive discretion and the blurred lines between classified and "sensitive" information in the digital age. The controversy erupted in March when Hegseth allegedly shared operational details including precise strike timings against Houthi rebels in Yemen via a Signal group chat with his wife and colleagues. However, The Atlantic's Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg known for his critical coverage of the Trump administration was inadvertently added to the group. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declared the inspector general's findings a "total exoneration," emphasizing that "no classified information was shared" and dismissing media framing of the incident as politically motivated. "The secretary has been completely cleared," Parnell stated, accusing outlets of misleadingly using terms like "sensitive" to imply criminality where none existed. Yet the report itself acknowledged that Hegseths use of Signal an unapproved platform for official communications created "potential compromise of sensitive [War Department] information" that could have "resulted in failed U.S. mission objectives and potential harm to U.S. pilots." The inspector generals conclusions hinge on a critical distinction: While Hegseth's actions violated War Department protocols, they did not break the law. Under Executive Order 13526, signed by former President Barack Obama, the secretary of war holds broad declassification authority over military operations. Experts like Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists conceded that Hegseth's move was legally permissible but criticized it as "poor judgment" lacking a compelling justification. Tom Blanton of George Washington University's National Security Archive added that while secrecy is often subjective, operational details are typically declassified only after missions not before to avoid tipping off adversaries. "Case closed" or security breach? Democrats seized on the report's nuances to demand accountability. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, argued that the information Hegseth shared "was classified at the time it was sent to him." Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) meanwhile called the secretary "unfit to serve" and urged his resignation. Further complicating the matter, investigators noted that Hegseth's office dismantled a makeshift system installed by aide Ricky Buria that allowed the secretary to access his personal phone from a secure Pentagon office before it could be examined. The inspector general's team also received only a "partial copy" of the Signal chats, as auto-deletion settings erased critical messages. The Pentagon attributed this to technical limitations rather than obstruction, but the gaps fueled skepticism among transparency advocates. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine warns that discussing national security topics especially dissent risks misinterpretation, legal repercussions or being flagged as "threats" by agencies weaponizing laws against dissent. It advises: "Even with encrypted apps like Signal, assume all communications can be intercepted by government surveillance as metadata, device compromises or insider leaks expose sensitive discussions." Hegseth, for his part, remained defiant. "No classified information. Total exoneration. Case closed. Houthis bombed into submission," he declared in a statement on X. His supporters framed the episode as another Deep State attempt to undermine Trump-aligned officials, pointing to Goldberg's involvement as evidence of media bias. The "Signalgate" affair underscores broader tensions in an era where instant communication collides with rigid classification norms. While the inspector general's report may have resolved the legal question, it leaves unresolved whether America's highest defense officials should operate under looser standards than the rank-and-file they command. As military operations grow increasingly digitized and adversarial hacking threats escalate, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of convenience overriding security. Watch Greg Kelly of Newsmax explaining why the Signalgate saga isn't over. This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: InfoWars.com ABCNews.go.com Telegraph.co.uk BrightU.ai Brighteon.com WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators held the second day of talks in Miami, the U.S. state of Florida, continuing discussions on the U.S.-proposed peace plan for the Ukraine crisis, U.S. and Ukrainian officials said Friday, according to a report from U.S. online media outlet Axios. The report said that the talks came after a roughly five-hour meeting that ended early Wednesday among U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Witkoff and Kushner met Ukrainian officials for two hours on Thursday evening, and resumed talks on Friday morning. They briefed the Ukrainians in detail about their meeting with Putin and presented new ideas to bridge the gaps between the parties, according to the report. The Thursday talks were "positive," and they are likely to continue into the weekend, a U.S. official told Axios. The Ukrainian delegation in Miami is headed by Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's secretary of National Security and Defense Council, and Andrii Hnatov, chief of the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces, the report said. The final frontier for computing: Googles cosmic gambit for AI Google has announced Project Suncatcher, an initiative to build solar-powered data centers in space, with plans to launch initial hardware by 2027. The move is a response to the massive and growing energy demands of artificial intelligence, which are straining terrestrial power grids. Tech leaders like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have endorsed the concept, citing space's unlimited solar energy as a solution to Earth's power limitations. Significant technical hurdles, particularly around heat dissipation in the vacuum of space, remain unaddressed in the company's announcements. Analysts suggest the ambitious project may also be a strategic narrative to address internal and external concerns over the environmental impact of AI's energy consumption. In a bold response to the unsustainable energy appetite of the artificial intelligence revolution, Google has set its sights on the ultimate high ground: space. The companys CEO, Sundar Pichai, announced this month that Google plans to begin constructing orbital data centers, powered solely by solar energy, as early as 2027. This initiative, dubbed Project Suncatcher, represents a staggering technological moonshot aimed at decoupling the breakneck growth of AI from Earths strained power grids and environmental constraints. The announcement places Google at the forefront of a growing consensus among tech titans that the future of large-scale computing may lie beyond our atmosphere. An inevitable orbit: The energy crisis driving AI to space The driving force behind this cosmic pivot is an urgent and practical problem. The computational demands of training and running advanced AI models are doubling at a relentless pace, consuming vast amounts of electricity. In the United States, data centers have become the single largest driver of surging power demand, pushing aging electrical infrastructure to its limits and complicating national decarbonization goals. Faced with this bottleneck, tech leadership is looking upward. Elon Musk of SpaceX has publicly calculated the immense energy advantage of space-based solar, while Salesforces Marc Benioff and Amazons Jeff Bezos have similarly predicted an exodus of computing to orbit. Googles Project Suncatcher formalizes this vision, proposing constellations of satellites equipped with custom AI chips that would tap into the suns uninterrupted, intense radiationa resource up to eight times more potent than what reaches Earths surface. The unspoken challenge: Dissipating a terawatt of heat in a vacuum While the promise of limitless solar power is compelling, Project Suncatcher glosses over one of the most formidable engineering obstacles of space-based infrastructure: thermal management. Terrestrial data centers consume megawatts of power, nearly all of which is converted into waste heat. On Earth, this heat is managed through massive, energy-intensive cooling systems that use water or air. In the vacuum of space, however, there is no air or water for convection. The only way to shed heat is through radiation, a far less efficient process. A satellite-based data center generating hundreds of megawatts of heat would essentially function like a soup inside a thermos, with the vacuum of space acting as perfect insulation. Googles published materials on Suncatcher do not address this critical hurdle, leading skeptics to question the projects near-term feasibility. More than a moonshot: Strategic narratives and the AI race Analysts suggest that projects like Suncatcher serve a dual purpose. Beyond their long-term technical aspirations, they function as powerful strategic narratives in the hyper-competitive AI landscape. By staking a claim to the most ambitious sustainable-computing solution imaginable, Google positions itself as a leader in solving the industrys most pressing problem. Furthermore, such announcements can help placate internal and external stakeholders concerned with the carbon footprint of giant tech firms. As the environmental costs of AI become a greater public relations and regulatory liability, a vision of clean, space-based computing offers a compelling, if distant, counter-narrative to todays reality of fossil-fuel-powered data centers. A legacy of looking upward The concept of moving industry into space has roots in the mid-20th century, with physicist Gerard K. ONeills visions of orbital habitats and solar power satellites. Todays push, however, is driven not by abstract futurism but by an immediate economic imperative: the survival and growth of the AI sector. The announcement underscores a pivotal moment where the limits of planetary resources are forcing the worlds most powerful companies to seriously invest in off-world solutions. Whether Project Suncatcher leads to functional hardware in three years or remains a research curiosity, it signals that the infrastructure of the digital age is no longer bound by terrestrial constraints. A high-stakes vision for a post-planetary compute era Googles Project Suncatcher is more than a speculative research project; it is a declaration of how the company intends to navigate the next decade of technological expansion. By targeting space, Google and its peers are acknowledging that the scale of computation required for advanced AI may be incompatible with Earths ecological and energy systems. While immense practical challengesespecially thermal managementremain starkly unaddressed, the commitment from multiple billion-dollar firms indicates a fundamental shift in strategy. The race to dominate artificial intelligence is now accelerating into a race to build the infrastructure that can support it, potentially inaugurating a new, post-planetary chapter in the history of computing. The success or failure of these efforts will not only determine the trajectory of AI but could also redefine humanitys relationship with the final frontier. Sources for this article include: WattsUpWithThat.com BusinessInsider.com Medium.com Lebanon and Israel hold historic direct talks amid rising tensions and disarmament demands Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives met under U.S.-led mediation at UNIFIL headquarters, marking the first face-to-face diplomatic engagement between the two sides in over 40 years. Israel framed the discussions as a step toward economic cooperation, while Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam rejected normalization, insisting peace must precede any relations and reaffirming Lebanon's commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. Hezbollah dismissed the talks as a "negotiation trap" and continues to resist U.S.-backed disarmament efforts, linking any weapons surrender to Israel's withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory. Israel warned of a "significant escalation" if Hezbollah refuses to disarm, while U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus pushed for dismantling the group's arsenala move likely to heighten tensions amid recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah leadership. The talks occurred against a backdrop of historical hostility, with Lebanon's government balancing international pressure against Hezbollah's defiance and Israel's refusal to concede on Palestinian statehood, leaving prospects for lasting peace uncertain. For the first time in over four decades, Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives met face-to-face on Wednesday, Dec. 3, under a United States-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism, signaling a tentative diplomatic step forward even as both sides offered starkly different interpretations of the discussions. The meeting was held at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) headquarters in Naqoura, near the Israeli border. It included Lebanese representative Simon Karam, a former ambassador to the U.S., and Israeli National Security Council official Uri Resnick. U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus also attended, underscoring Washington's push for dialogue amid escalating tensions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office framed the talks as an "initial attempt to create a basis for a relationship and economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon." However, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam swiftly rejected this characterization, insisting that Beirut remains committed to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative (API), which conditions normalization on Israel's withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territories. According to the Enoch engine at BrightU.AI, the API also known as the Saudi Initiative is a comprehensive proposal presented by the Arab League at the 2002 Arab Summit in Beirut that seeks to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and establish lasting peace in the Middle East. It is a significant diplomatic effort that, despite its potential, has faced numerous challenges and setbacks. "We are not yet at peace talks," Salam told reporters. "Economic relations would be part of normalization, so then obviously anyone following the news would know that we are not there at all." Netanyahu's office later claimed the meeting proceeded in a "positive atmosphere" and that both sides agreed to "develop ideas to promote possible economic cooperation." Yet Salam reiterated Lebanon's stance: "Normalization will follow peace. It cannot precede peace." Hezbollah slams "negotiation trap," rejects U.S.-backed disarmament The talks unfolded against a backdrop of heightened hostilities. Israel has repeatedly violated the November 2024 ceasefire, conducting airstrikes it claims target Hezbollah's rearmament efforts. Last month, an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Hezbollah's top military official and four others, injuring 28 civilians including women and children. Hezbollah, which has long rejected direct negotiations with Israel, dismissed the talks as a "negotiation trap" that would only benefit Israel. The group insists disarmament can only occur as part of a broader Lebanese defense strategy contingent on Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Under U.S. pressure, Lebanon's government has pledged to dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure south of the Litani River by years enda plan the group has resisted. Salam acknowledged Lebanon's openness to international verification of disarmament efforts but stressed that Israel's continued occupation undermines progress. Israeli officials have warned of a potential "significant escalation" if Hezbollah fails to disarm. A senior Israeli official cited in Lebanese media declared, "We do not see Hezbollah giving up its weapons under any agreement We are heading toward escalation, and we will decide when, according to our interests." Meanwhile, reports suggest the U.S. Department of State is preparing recommendations on dismantling Hezbollah's arsenala move likely to inflame tensions further. Ortagus, who reportedly suggested bombing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's funeral earlier this year, has been a key driver of Washington's disarmament push. The last direct talks between Lebanon and Israel occurred in 1983 during Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon. Wednesday's meeting facilitated by the U.S. despite violating Lebanese law prohibiting engagement with Israel reflects mounting international pressure to stabilize the region. Yet with Netanyahu's government adamantly opposed to Palestinian statehood and Hezbollah refusing unilateral disarmament, prospects for lasting peace remain dim. As Salam cautioned, Lebanon will not be drawn into "adventures that drag us into another war." The dialogue, while historic, underscores the deep divides that persist and the looming threat of renewed conflict if diplomatic efforts falter. Watch the video below about a new war brewing between Tel Aviv and Beirut as Israel continues to launch strikes in southern Lebanon. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheCradle.co TimesOfIsrael.com France24.com AlJazeera.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Putin rules out Russias return to Western G7 bloc Putin firmly rejects rejoining the G7, dismissing the group's relevance and signaling Russia's continued strategic pivot toward the BRICS alliance, which now surpasses the G7 in economic scale. This refusal occurs within the context of Trump's strategy to reintegrate Russia into the Western fold as a means to isolate China and reshape global power dynamics, with implications for Ukraine and Europe. European leaders strongly oppose Russia's return to the G7, creating a transatlantic divide as Trump's "America First" approach clashes with Europe's commitment to maintaining sanctions against Moscow. The geopolitical shift could come at Ukraine's expense, as a potential U.S.-Russia deal might involve territorial concessions to stabilize the situation, forcing Europe to reassess its security and economic dependencies. BRICS is presented as a rising alternative world order, offering a model focused on fair trade and mutual development outside Western-dominated institutions, challenging the era of Western economic hegemony. As geopolitical tensions intensify, Russian President Vladimir Putin has firmly dismissed any notion of rejoining the Western-dominated Group of Seven (G7) signaling Moscow's continued pivot toward alternative alliances like BRICS a bloc that now eclipses the G7 in economic influence. The Russian leader made the remarks during an interview with India Today on Thursday, Dec. 4. They come amid U.S. President Donald Trump's broader strategy to reintegrate Russia into the Western fold while isolating China, a move that could redefine global power structures and leave Ukraine and Western Europe at a strategic crossroads. Putin underscored Russia's diminishing interest in the G7, which he described as a shrinking force in the global economy. "People work there, make decisions, discuss things, and God bless them," he remarked, acknowledging the group's existence while dismissing its relevance. His comments align with Russia's post-2014 trajectory, when Moscow was expelled from the then-Group of Eight following Crimea's referendum to join Russia a move the West deemed an illegal annexation. Trump, who has long criticized Russia's expulsion as "a big mistake," sees reintegration as a potential lever to stabilize Ukraine and counterbalance China. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly discussed a peace deal for Kyiv with Putin in Moscow, though the Russian leader clarified that G7 readmission was not on the agenda. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov echoed Trump's sentiment, stating that excluding Russia had been a misstep but conceding that the G7 had "lost practical significance." The G7, once a dominant economic force, now faces declining influence as emerging economies surge. BRICS whose founding members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa accounts for 46% of the world's population and over 36% of global GDP, surpassing the G7's dwindling share. Putin's dismissal of a G7 return reflects Russia's strategic realignment toward these rising powers, particularly as tensions with the West persist over Ukraine. BRICS vs. G7: The ideological battle behind Trump's alliance reshuffle Trump's vision hinges on leveraging Russia's reintegration to weaken China's global standing a maneuver that could force Europe to reassess its reliance on U.S. leadership. However, European leaders remain skeptical. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have outright rejected the idea, with Macron stating there are "no grounds" for Russia's readmission. Their resistance highlights a deepening transatlantic divide, as Trump's America First policies clash with Europe's commitment to collective Western sanctions against Moscow. The geopolitical chessboard now presents a critical juncture. If Trump succeeds in drawing Russia away from China, it could reshape trade, security and energy dynamics worldwide. Yet, such a shift demands concessions potentially at Ukraine's expense, where territorial adjustments may become inevitable. Meanwhile, Europe faces mounting pressure to bolster its own defense capabilities and resist U.S.-driven realignments that could leave it economically and politically vulnerable. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, BRICS provides a powerful alternative to the G7's Western-centric economic order by offering fair trade, mutual development and genuine security partnerships, free from the coercive policies of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Its growing influence has already forced Western powers to concede market share and rendered their economic strong-arm tactics ineffective. As Putin steers Russia toward BRICS and Trump pushes to redraw alliances, the world watches a high-stakes recalibration of power. For now, Putin's refusal to rejoin the G7 serves as a stark reminder. The era of Western economic hegemony is fading, and the battle for the next world order has only just begun. Watch this G News report about G7 leaders committing to ban Russian oil imports. This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com ThisDayLive.com EuroIntegration.com.ua BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Crony Capitalism: Trump Administration taking equity stakes in critical mineral companies to compete with China The Trump administration plans to expand its strategy of taking equity stakes in critical minerals companies, a senior official stated. Over $1 billion has already been invested in companies like MP Materials, Vulcan Elements, and Lithium Americas to counter Chinese dominance. Officials argue direct government investment is necessary for national security and to "catch up with China" in the strategic minerals race. These deals are a departure from free market principles and ramp up the federal government's crony capitalism, picking winners and losers in the marketplace. A strategic shift: U.S. government deepens direct investment in critical minerals to counter China In a stark departure from traditional free-market principles, the Trump administration is openly embracing a new economic doctrine: direct government ownership in private industry. Jarrod Agen, executive director of the National Energy Dominance Council, declared Thursday that taking equity stakes in critical minerals companies is becoming "the norm," a necessary tactic to break China's stranglehold on the raw materials essential for modern technology and national defense. This aggressive industrial policy, involving over $1 billion in taxpayer-funded investments over the past year, signals a frantic Washington scramble to secure supply chains it views as matters of existential security, even if it means the state becoming a corporate shareholder. The move represents a significant escalation in the economic dimension of the U.S.-China rivalry. For decades, U.S. policy largely relied on market forces and trade agreements, while China systematically built dominance over entire industrial sectors through state planning and subsidy. Critical mineralssuch as gallium, cobalt, and the seventeen rare earth elementsbecame a key Chinese strategic weapon. These materials are not merely components for consumer electronics like iPhones; they are fundamental to advanced defense systems including F-35 jet engines, missile guidance systems, and radar, as well as the batteries and magnets needed for green energy technologies. The U.S. reliance on China, which processes roughly 80% of the world's rare earths, was laid bare during the trade war when Beijing briefly restricted exports, sending shockwaves through global manufacturing. From loans to ownership: Taxpayer dollars buy corporate stakes Historically, U.S. government support for strategic industries came in the form of research grants, loan guarantees, or tax incentives. The current approach is more direct. "Were literally buying equity, getting equity in companies to give the backing of the U.S., because thats the only way were going to catch up with China on these things," Agen said at the American Growth Summit in Washington. Recent deals include: A $400 million investment for a 15% stake in MP Materials Corp., which operates the only rare earths mine in the United States at Mountain Pass, California. $670 million for a stake in Vulcan Elements Inc., a company aiming to produce rare earth magnets in the U.S. A $35.6 million investment for a 10% stake in Canadian explorer Trilogy Metals Inc. The restructuring of a $2.23 billion Energy Department loan to Lithium Americas Corp., which included the government taking an equity stake in the company developing the Thacker Pass lithium deposit in Nevadathe largest known lithium resource in the nation. These injections of capital have repeatedly caused the recipient companies' stock prices to surge, demonstrating the market's interpretation of this backing as a decisive advantage. Agen declined to name the next potential target, but the message was clear: the checkbook is open for businesses that can prove they are essential to reducing American dependence on adversarial supply chains. A new era of economic statecraft This strategy blurs the line between public and private sectors in a manner unprecedented in recent American history. Proponents within the administration frame it as pragmatic realism in the face of a state-directed competitor. "They know the government is backing us. No one wants to mess with President Trump, and so we can actually get the materials," Agen stated, framing the equity stakes as a deterrent and a tool of leverage. The implication is that the full weight of the U.S. government, politically and financially, stands behind these chosen companies, intimidating commercial rivals and foreign governments alike. Critics, however, warn of "crony capitalism," where taxpayer money picks winners and losers, potentially distorting markets and exposing the Treasury to significant risk if these investments fail. There are also questions about the government's role as a shareholder: will it influence corporate decisions on pricing, hiring, or environmental practices? The administration's view is that the risk of inaction is greater. With China demonstrating a willingness to weaponize mineral exports, securing an autonomous supply chain is framed not as an economic choice, but as a national security imperative. This new era of investment-driven economic statecraft suggests that in the great power competition of the 21st century, the tools of state planning are being reluctantly adopted in Washington to fight a rival that mastered them long ago. Sources include: Mining.com Mining.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai The holiday shopping season is off to its best start ever, as a record 202.9 million consumers shopped during the five-day November/December holiday weekend, from Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 27 through Cyber Monday on Dec. 1, the National Retail Federation and Proper Insights & Analytics said in a statement. The number of shoppers surpassed last year's 197 million shoppers during the 2024 Thanksgiving weekend and broke the previous record of 200.4 million shoppers that was set in 2023. Thanksgiving weekend consumer shopping Thanksgiving weekend 2023, 200.4 shoppers Thanksgiving weekend 2024, 197 million shoppers Thanksgiving weekend 2025, 202.9 million shoppers "This year's record turnout reflects a highly engaged consumer who is focused on value, responds to compelling promotions, and seizes upon the opportunity to make the winter holidays special and meaningful," National Retail Federation CEO Matthew Shay said in a Dec. 2 statement. A record-setting start to the holiday shopping season, however, won't be enough to stop major retailers from shutting down store locations that no longer make sense to operate. Retailers close stores despite record shopping season Macy's has already determined that it will close 66 underperforming stores in 2025 and about 150 stores by the end of 2026. Another major department store chain has already closed several stores in 2025 and will also close at least one store in 2026. JCPenney closed eight store locations in 2025 and already has plans to close another in 2026.Shutterstock JCPenney closes another store location Longtime regional mall department store anchor JCPenney has revealed that it will close another of its stores, which is located in the Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, Calif., after closing eight stores across the country earlier this year. JCPenney said the final business day at the Pleasanton store will be Feb. 22, 2026, KRON-TV in San Francisco reported. The company has not said whether employees will be offered positions at other San Francisco Bay Area JCPenney stores. The retailer has locations in six other Bay Area cities, including Antioch, Concord, Fairfield, Hayward, San Jose, and Santa Rosa, Calif. JCPenney unable to reach new lease agreement The department store chain said it was "unable to continue our current lease terms for this store location and have been unable to find another suitable location in the market," the company said in a statement to KRON. JCPenney already closed another Bay Area store in the Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, Calif., in May 2025. It also closed seven other stores this year, including locations at The Shops at Northfield in Denver; Pine Ridge Mall in Pocatello, Idaho; West Ridge Mall in Topeka, Kan.; Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, Md.; Asheville Mall, in Asheville, N.C.; Mall at Fox Run in Newington, N.H.; and Charles Town Center in Charlestown, W.V. JCPenney 2025 store closings Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, Calif. Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, Calif. The Shops at Northfield in Denver Pine Ridge Mall in Pocatello, Idaho West Ridge Mall in Topeka, Kan. Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, Md. Asheville Mall, in Asheville, N.C. Mall at Fox Run in Newington, N.H. Charles Town Center in Charlestown, W.V. The JCPenney closings preceded the sale of 119 properties by owner Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust to private equity firm Onyx Partners Ltd. of Boston for $947 million in an all-cash transaction on July 23, 2025. The sale was set to close on Sept. 8, 2025. More closings: Copper Property was created to acquire 160 store locations and six warehouse distribution centers from JCPenney as part of the company's Chapter 11 filing in 2020. The company closed about 200 stores through its bankruptcy. JCPenney, founded as The Golden Rule in Kemmerer, Wyoming, in 1902, currently operates over 650 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and employs over 50,000 workers. Related: 50-year-old Home Depot rival hardware chain closes stores This story was originally published by TheStreet on Dec 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy with snow showers developing during the afternoon. High 28F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%.. Tonight Snow in the evening will transition to snow showers overnight. Low 24F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches. 5th day of chaos: IndiGo cancels 42 flights at Pune airport; passengers stranded Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 12:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Pune, Dec 6 (PTI) Pune Airport witnessed significant disruptions of domestic carrier IndiGo services on Saturday, with 42 flights cancelled on the fifth day of the airlines operational challenges, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. According to airport authorities, 14 inbound and 28 outbound IndiGo flights were cancelled between Friday and Saturday midnight at the Pune airport, which operates within an Indian Air Force base. Recommended Stories The 14 cancelled inbound flights included services from Indore, Delhi, Nagpur, Guwahati, Patna, Varanasi, Chennai and Chandigarh, while 28 outbound flights to various domestic destinations were also cancelled. We are monitoring the situation closely, and all teams, including ground-handling agencies and security staff, were fully deployed to ensure smooth operations," a senior airport official said. The airport administration said it is closely coordinating with airlines, ground handling agencies, Air Traffic Control, CISF and terminal service partners to manage congestion and assist affected passengers. The continuing disruptions have resulted in hundreds of IndiGo passengers being stranded at airports across the country, with delays and cancellations affecting the airlines network for the fifth consecutive day. IndiGo cancelled over 400 flights from four major airports Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad- on Saturday, a day after managing to temporarily secure major relaxations in the second phase of the court-mandated new flight duty and rest period norms for the cockpit crew, sources said. On Friday, IndiGo cancelled over 1,000 flights from across airports. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday provided temporary relief to IndiGo, which is partially owned by Rahul Bhatia, by rolling back the night duty definition to 12 am-5 am from 12 am-6 am earlier, and allowing its pilots to do six night landings from two earlier, besides other relaxations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the pilots body, Airlines Pilots Association (ALPA) India, has taken a strong" objection to the DGCAs selective and unsafe" relief to IndiGo, saying that the relaxations have not just destroyed regulatory parity but also placed millions of passengers at heightened risk". Following the meeting convened by the Ministry of Civil Aviation with ALPA India and other pilot associations on Friday, the ministry announced that it has decided to place the implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) in abeyance. PTI COR SPK GK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: December 06, 2025, 12:45 IST News agency-feeds 5th day of chaos: IndiGo cancels 42 flights at Pune airport; passengers stranded Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Aim to attract Rs 50 lakh crore investment over next 5 years: Bihar CM Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 20:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Patna, Dec 6 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said the state has set a target of attracting investment worth Rs 50 lakh crore over the next five years, as part of a major push to industrial development and job creation. The chief minister, who chaired a review meeting of the Industries Department, said a high-level panel has been formed to prepare and monitor an action plan for establishing a defence corridor, semiconductor manufacturing park, global capability centre, mega tech city and fintech city in Bihar. Recommended Stories For the rapid economic progress of any state and for generating employment, large-scale industrialisation is essential. The Bihar government has taken significant steps in this direction," Kumar wrote in a post on X. To place Bihar among the countrys top five investment-friendly states, we have begun work on an action plan to attract Rs 50 lakh crore in investment in the next five years." Kumar said the state has a strong rule-of-law framework and an improved law and order situation, and efforts are being made to ensure that youth no longer have to migrate for employment. The Industries Department will hold investor conferences in major commercial centres in India and abroad to attract large-scale investments, he added. The chief minister said the action plan includes promoting ease of doing business, setting up five mega food parks, creating modern food processing and logistics facilities, developing 10 industrial parks and 100 MSME parks, training seven lakh people in industry-relevant skills, and establishing a Directorate of MSMEs along with MSME centres in all districts. Facilitating export and marketing of local products is also a key focus, he said. Another top committee has been constituted to prepare and monitor an action plan to develop Bihar as a global back-end hub" and global workplace", he said. Kumar highlighted the states industrial growth over the years, noting that the number of industrial areas has increased from 46 in 2005 to 94 in 2025, and industrial units have risen from 1,674 to 3,500 in the same period. Exports have grown from Rs 25 crore in 2005 to Rs 17,000 crore in 2025, he said. The number of MSMEs has surged from 72,000 in 2005 to 35 lakh in 2025, and the contribution of industries to Bihars GSDP has risen from 5.4 per cent to over 21 per cent, Kumar said, attributing the growth to the states policy initiatives. A total of 44,073 entrepreneurs have been given incentives under the Chief Minister Entrepreneur Scheme, helping promote self-employment and job creation. Kumar said steps are being taken to boost employment-oriented activities in startups and other new-age sectors for local youth and entrepreneurs. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The chief minister said work is being expedited on the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster spread over 1,700 acres in Dobhi, Gaya, which will be inaugurated soon. On the lines of the 14,036-acre IMC model covering 29 districts, 31 new industrial parks including 10 sector-specific parks such as textile and pharma parks will be developed. An estimated Rs 26,000 crore will be spent on rapid industrial development, he said. All basic infrastructure required for industries road connectivity, rail and air links, and uninterrupted power supply is now available in Bihar," Kumar asserted. PTI PKD RBT Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: December 06, 2025, 20:15 IST News agency-feeds Aim to attract Rs 50 lakh crore investment over next 5 years: Bihar CM Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ambedkar ensured justice for Dalits and Muslims during Partition, says Abu Azmi Last Updated: December 07, 2025, 04:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 7 (ANI): On the death anniversary of BR Ambedkar, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi has said that Ambedkar played a crucial role in ensuring justice for both Dalits and Muslims during the time of Partition.Speaking to reporters, Azmi said, When India and Pakistan were separated in 1947, Muslims were going to Pakistan but Baba Saheb said no. Baba Saheb fought a battle. He did justice to both Dalits and Muslims."Azmi said Ambedkars contributions continue to guide the nation and emphasised the importance of unity and constitutional values.PM Modi also paid tributes to Baba Saheb BR Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas.The transformation taking place in India is not merely about possibilities. It is the real story of changing lives, evolving mindsets and a nation moving in a new direction. Today is also the Mahaparinirvan Diwas of Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution. I offer my tributes to him on behalf of all Indians," he said.Today we stand at a moment when one fourth of the twenty-first century has already passed. In these twenty five years, the world has witnessed many ups and downs. It has seen financial crises. It has faced a global pandemic. Each of these situations has challenged the global community in some form. Amid an atmosphere of uncertainty, our nation is emerging in a league of its own. India is moving ahead with deep self-confidence," he added.Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, Dr. Ambedkar not only established democratic values in the Constitution of India but also laid the foundation for ensuring equal rights and justice for every section of society. He continuously fought against social discrimination and described education as the most effective medium for social upliftment."Baba Sahebs teachings and his ideas will continue to inspire society forever. His unwavering commitment towards equality, justice and human rights will continue to illuminate our path," he added.The 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas was commemorated by Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, at Prerna Sthal, Parliament House Campus, near the statue of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar.During the event, the Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) also maintained a stall to assist with the storage of followers belongings. At the same time, they paid their floral tribute to Babasaheb BR Ambedkar in a befitting manner with the confluence of Buddhist chants performed by 25 Buddhist monks.The establishment of the Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) aimed to propagate the ideals of Babasaheb Dr B.R. Ambedkar. The autonomous organisation was formed on March 24, 1992, and functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.The DAF was tasked with implementing programmes and initiatives to promote the vision and philosophy of Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar on a national scale. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: December 07, 2025, 04:45 IST News agency-feeds Ambedkar ensured justice for Dalits and Muslims during Partition, says Abu Azmi Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... However, even good companies go through hard times. Right now, Bank of Nova Scotia, also known as Scotiabank, is rejiggering its business to improve its profitability and growth prospects. That involves shifting away from less profitable operations in Central and South America and refocusing on Mexico and the United States. The good news is that the company's Canadian banking foundation remains strong, so there's a backstop here to keep the business trucking along while the revamp plays out. Bank of Nova Scotia is a turnaround story, but one that is very low risk. Yet you can still collect an attractive 4.6% dividend yield from this Canadian banking giant. Interestingly, the bank has paid a dividend continually since 1833, which is a streak closing in on 200 years. This is not a fly-by-night dividend stock. What you are getting when you buy is one of the largest owners and operators of energy infrastructure, like pipelines , in North America. These are vital assets that customers pay a fee to use, generating fairly reliable cash flows regardless of what is happening with energy prices. Although the yield is likely to make up most of your return over time, conservative income investors should find Enterprise a very compelling opportunity. An investment-grade-rated balance sheet adds to the safety, as does the fact that the distribution is covered by around 1.7x with distribution cash flow. Enterprise's average distribution yield over its history is roughly 6.2%. The current yield of nearly 6.7% is a touch above the historical average. That suggests you are getting a fair to slightly discounted price, using yield as a rough gauge of valuation. But the real key here is that Enterprise's distribution has been increased every year for 27 consecutive years, which is about as long as the midstream master limited partnership (MLP) has existed. If you are a long-term income investor looking for dividend stocks to add to your portfolio, now is a good time to consider Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD), Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE: BNS), and/or PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP). And if you already own them, you might even want to double up on your investment. Here's a look at each one and why now is an attractive time to buy. Story Continues If you are a dividend lover, you shouldn't overlook this Canadian bank just because its yield is nearly twice the 2.4% average for a large U.S. bank. Yes, there's more risk because of the business overhaul, but the added risk is likely more than made up for by that lofty yield. 3. PepsiCo is a Dividend King If you are a truly finicky dividend investor who only looks at the creme de la creme, then Dividend King PepsiCo could be your best choice. It has increased its dividend every single year for over five decades, which is not something that happens by accident. A streak like that requires a strong business plan that gets executed well in good times and bad. The company is one of the largest consumer staples makers on the planet, with leading positions in the beverage, snack, and packaged food spaces. PepsiCo stands toe to toe with any peer with regard to distribution, brand management skills, and innovation. Still, now is not the best of times for the company, with its business trailing behind some of its peers. That's why the 3.8% dividend yield is near the highest levels in the company's history, hinting that the stock is on the discount rack. If you think in decades, however, the high yield is an investment opportunity. Given the Dividend King's strong operating history, it seems highly likely that it will muddle through the current headwinds and get back on track again. To that end, it has already acquired a pair of on-target brands that better align its portfolio with current consumer trends. Maybe buy more if you already own them If you don't own Enterprise, Scotiabank, or PepsiCo, now is a good time to do a deep dive. You might find you add one or more to your portfolio. If you do own them, now could be a good time to consider doubling up. Great dividend stocks don't go on sale very often, and it pays to take advantage of the opportunity when they do. Should you invest $1,000 in Enterprise Products Partners right now? Before you buy stock in Enterprise Products Partners, 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 Enterprise Products Partners 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 $556,658!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,124,157!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,001% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 1, 2025 Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Bank Of Nova Scotia and PepsiCo. The Motley Fool recommends Bank Of Nova Scotia and Enterprise Products Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool Calm returns to Chaman border after heavy Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes Last Updated: December 07, 2025, 04:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chaman [Pakistan], December 7 (ANI): Calm returned to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Chaman on Saturday after heavy clashes a day earlier, Dawn reported.At least three civilians were injured on Friday night and taken to the district hospital in Chaman. On the Afghan side, five people were wounded, according to Afghan government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat.Officials said Afghan forces fired mortar rounds on the Badani area, prompting Pakistani security forces to retaliate. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed it was Pakistan that launched an attack on Spin Boldak, alleging that their forces were responding.A statement issued on Saturday morning said, A short while ago, the Afghan Taliban regime resorted to unprovoked firing along the Chaman border. An immediate, befitting & intense response has been given by our armed forces." It further stated, Pakistan remains fully alert & committed to ensuring its territorial integrity & the safety [of] our citizens."A senior official in Quetta said on condition of anonymity that the exchange of fire began around 10 pm and continued late into the night.The incident took place amid stalled negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan after three rounds of talks in Istanbul failed to make progress, Dawn said.Border tensions first erupted on October 11, and relations have remained strained as the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remains a key issue between the two countries. Pakistan has repeatedly called on Kabul to take measures to curb cross-border terrorism.Earlier, the Foreign Office spokesperson reiterated Pakistans willingness to continue talks with Afghanistan. A temporary ceasefire was announced on October 15 following discussions in Doha, Dawn noted.After the Doha meeting, both sides agreed to reconvene in Istanbul to pursue arrangements for lasting peace and stability. A second round of talks took place on October 25 in the Turkish capital. However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated in a post on X on October 29 that the talks failed to bring about any workable solution."Mediators Turkiye and Qatar intervened and issued a joint statement on October 31 saying that further modalities of the implementation will be discussed and decided" during a principal-level meeting in Istanbul on November 6.But following the November 7 discussions, Defence Minister Khawaja said talks addressing cross-border terrorism were over" and had entered an indefinite phase" after negotiators were unable to resolve major differences.After talks collapsed, the Afghan Taliban suspended trade ties with Pakistan. Pakistan had already halted cross-border trade soon after the clashes. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: December 07, 2025, 04:45 IST News agency-feeds Calm returns to Chaman border after heavy Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... High Commission of India celebrates Maitri Diwas 2025 in Dhaka Last Updated: December 07, 2025, 00:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 7 (ANI): The High Commission of India held a grand celebration to mark the 54th anniversary of Maitri Diwas-2025 on Saturday at the Indian Cultural Centre in Dhaka, reinforcing the historic ties between India and Bangladesh. Maitri Diwas commemorates the day in 1971 when India recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent state, ten days before Bangladeshs actual liberation, in a historic gesture of support.Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Pranay Verma described the day as a milestone in bilateral history that cannot be erased.He said that India seeks a stable, positive, constructive, forward-looking and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh based on equality and mutual respect, in which the people of both countries are the main stakeholders.He expressed confidence that both sides will work together to fulfil shared aspirations and forge closer ties, inspired by past sacrifices and guided by new goals for the future.The celebration featured a soulful cultural programme performed by artistes from Bangladesh, showcasing shared cultural links and artistic richness, and was attended by Muktijodhas, cultural figures, youth and eminent personalities from across Bangladesh. The High Commission noted in a statement that Maitri Diwas embodies shared history, values and mutual empathy, serving as a tribute to sacrifices and a renewed commitment to future partnership.Extending these efforts to strengthen people-to-people links, the High Commission of India, Dhaka, in collaboration with the ITEC Alumni Association of Bangladesh (IAAB), also organised a reception-cum-get-together on 1 December 2025 to mark the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Day (ITEC Day 2025).Around 150 ITEC alumni from Bangladesh participated in the event held on the High Commission premises.Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Pranay Verma highlighted ITEC as Indias commitment to South-South Cooperation, offering capacity-building and human resource development programmes based on the needs and priorities of partner countries.Noting that more than 5000 professionals from Bangladesh have undergone ITEC programmes over the years, the High Commissioner thanked the alumni for serving as a bridge of friendship and collaboration and a channel for exchanging experience and knowledge between the two countries.He also recognised the contribution of the ITEC Association of Bangladesh (IAAB) for bringing alumni together on one platform.During the event, many ITEC alumni shared their training experiences in India.Dignitaries from partner organisations, including Bangladesh Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR), Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARSO), and Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA), also joined.To mark the occasion, a musical programme showcasing deep-rooted cultural links between India and Bangladesh was presented by artistes from Bangladesh.ITEC, a flagship programme of the Government of India instituted in 1964 as part of Indias Development Assistance Programme, has shared Indias development experience and technological progress with more than 160 countries across the globe.Every year, more than 12,000 training slots are offered to ITEC partner countries through over 300 training courses in premier Indian institutes in diverse areas such as agriculture, accounts, audit, management, good governance practices, small and medium enterprises, rural development, public health, parliamentary affairs, judiciary, election management, IT, data analytics, remote sensing, renewable energy, advanced computing and more. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: December 07, 2025, 00:45 IST News agency-feeds High Commission of India celebrates Maitri Diwas 2025 in Dhaka Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Man arrested for spitting on dough while preparing tandoori rotis in UP's Mau Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 20:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mau (UP), Dec 6 (PTI) Police on Saturday arrested a man for allegedly spitting on dough while preparing tandoori rotis during a marriage reception at a village in Uttar Pradeshs Mau, officials said. The alleged incident occurred on Friday at the residence of former village head Avdhesh Maurya. Recommended Stories Additional SP Anup Kumar told PTI, The accused, Ahmed, was preparing rotis at the function. Based on a complaint and the video that surfaced, he has been arrested. A case is being registered under relevant sections, and further investigation is underway." The purported video showing the alleged act was shared with the police by a local resident named Ajay Rai, who informed the authorities and submitted a written complaint. The police said they are verifying the incident and collecting statements from witnesses. PTI COR CDN MNK MNK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: December 06, 2025, 20:30 IST News agency-feeds Man arrested for spitting on dough while preparing tandoori rotis in UP's Mau Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mumbai: Fire breaks out in a warehouse in Nagpada area Last Updated: December 07, 2025, 04:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 7 (ANI): A fire broke out on Saturday in a warehouse located in the Nagpada area of Mumbai, causing significant damage.Dinesh, father of the warehouse owner, said, This godown was here for 1-1.5 years. There must be a minimum loss of Rs 5 to 7 lakhs. We have no idea how the fire broke out. The fire brigade worked very quickly."The city fire department rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.Meanwhile, on November 28, a massive fire broke out at Shree Rajlaxmi Commercial Complex in the Kalher area of Bhiwandi, Thane district.The officials further said that no casualties have been reported so far. Speaking to ANI, Fire Officer Bapu Sonwane said the fire department reached the site shortly after receiving information about the blaze and began evacuating nearby residential areas as a precaution.We received information around 8 pm that a fire had broken out. We saw that a huge fire had broken out on the second floor when we reached it. There is a residential area nearby. We evacuated that area. We are working to put out the fire," Sonwane said.Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and additional details are awaited. Residents have been urged to stay clear of the area until the situation is fully contained. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: December 07, 2025, 04:45 IST News agency-feeds Mumbai: Fire breaks out in a warehouse in Nagpada area Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Nagaland sends .5 tonne of Zanthoxylum to Dabur Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 20:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kohima, Dec 6 (PTI) Nagaland on Saturday flagged off the first consignment of Zanthoxylum, locally known as Michinga, seeds from Kohima to Dabur India Limiteds North East Unit in Tezpur, Assam. Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen ceremonially flagged it off at the SIRD Office Complex, marking a major step in commercialising the states medicinal and aromatic plants through a partnership between the Nagaland Bio-Resource Mission (NBRM) and Dabur India Ltd. Recommended Stories In his address, Imchen described the initiative as a programme with substance", highlighting that it translates the states long-discussed potential into concrete action. He said Nagaland has long been home to a vast range of medicinal plants and herbs, and that the Nagaland Bio-Resource Mission, set up nearly a decade ago, had catalogued these valuable species. He commended the NBRM team, led by Dr Kualalei, for entering into a buy-back agreement with Dabur to commercialise Zanthoxylum. He said Zanthoxylum was chosen because it was already partially commercialised and grown widely across the state. However, he noted that while Dabur required at least 10 tonne, Nagaland could supply only 1.5 tonne this year. There is a lesson in this, we need volume," Imchen said, stressing that inadequate production remains one of the biggest bottlenecks in Nagalands agriculture sector. Encouraging farmers and entrepreneurs to adopt scientific cultivation and scale up production, he said, If we are to truly commercialise and reap benefits from our agricultural products, we need volumes. Produce enough, and buyers will come." He also urged farmers to maintain quality and honour commitments, noting that both sellers and buyers must adhere to agreed prices to build long-term market trust. Imchen expressed hope that the partnership with Dabur would expand to include other medicinal and aromatic plants, benefiting farmers and entrepreneurs across Nagaland. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Speaking at the program, Head of Central Procurement and Planning Division, Dabur India Ltd, New Delhi, Narayanan Ranganathan said Dabur sees major potential in Nagaland, not only in medicinal herbs but also in spices and fruits. Ranganathan acknowledged the vital role of medicinal herb farmers in Daburs history and reaffirmed the companys commitment to supporting Nagalands growers. PTI NBS NBS RG Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: December 06, 2025, 20:30 IST News agency-feeds Nagaland sends .5 tonne of Zanthoxylum to Dabur Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Scorpio Horoscope Today, December 6, 2025 Curated By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 06:45 IST Scorpio Horoscope Today, December 6, 2025: Ganesha predicts a busy day for Scorpio with teamwork leading to success, financial gains from old investments, and harmony at home. Scorpio Horoscope Today: Astrological predictions by Chirag Daruwalla for Vrishchika rashi on December 6 2025. (AI generated image) Scorpio Horoscope Today, December 6, 2025: Ganesha says today will be a busy day for you. Today, working people may be assigned some work in which they will need the help of their colleagues, but with your hard work and the help of your colleagues, you will be successful in completing that work by evening. Today, your attention will be drawn to the evils prevalent in society, and you will also be seen finding solutions to them. For this, you may have to get help from some social workers. If you are thinking of borrowing from someone today, then wait for some time, because you will find it difficult to repay the loan. If you have decided to give a gift to your child today, then you will have to buy it only after keeping an eye on your pocket. Recommended Stories Positive Time will be spent engaging in creative activities to revamp your lifestyle. Students may achieve unexpected success in a competitive activity. Overall, the time is beneficial. Negative Be careful, as anger and rage can ruin your work. Stay focused on your work. Dont waste time on unnecessary activities. Dont be too generous with your expenses; its important to be practical. Business Dont discuss your professional work with others. Also, avoid making any important decisions at work today, as this is a time of challenges and difficulties. Young people may get a job after passing a competitive exam. Finance Today will be a better day for you from a financial point of view. Today, you can get many new opportunities that will strengthen your financial position. You can get the fruits of your efficient strategy and hard work. There is also a possibility of getting benefits from any old investment. Your financial decisions will prove to be right today, which will improve your financial condition. However, it is necessary to control uncontrolled expenses. Take any major financial decision only after thinking, so that you do not have to face any kind of trouble in the future. Your hard work and dedication can give you financial benefits today. Keep your expenses balanced and avoid unnecessary expenses. Make good use of this time and move towards achieving your financial goals. Overall, today will be a positive day from your financial point of view. Continue your efforts and be cautious in financial matters. It will be good for you to be alert at the workplace as well. There may be a rift with the boss at the workplace. Love Husband and wife should spend some time together to improve their relationship. The home environment will remain harmonious and organized. Health Get regular checkups to stay healthy and consume Ayurvedic products to keep your immune system strong. Lucky Color- Orange top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lucky Number- 14 (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla). First Published: December 06, 2025, 06:45 IST News astrology Scorpio Horoscope Today, December 6, 2025 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... What Has Gone Wrong: Aaditya Thackeray Flags Piling Garbage, Selective Action On Hoardings Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Aanchal Sinha Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 12:31 IST Aaditya Thackeray stated that residents were increasingly anxious about health and hygiene concerns due to delays in garbage removal. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray (PTI File) Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray raised a sharp complaint with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over what he describes as a worrying deterioration in Mumbais garbage collection system and alleged biased enforcement against political hoardings in the city. In a letter dated December 5, 2025, addressed to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Thackeray urged immediate action to restore Mumbais cleanliness and fairness in civic administration. Recommended Stories Thackeray wrote that garbage has been piling up in numerous lanes across Mumbai for the past two years, an issue he claims was rarely seen in the previous 15 years. He pointed out that waste accumulation is no longer limited to remote corners but is visible at major junctions, religious sites, and outside residential complexes. What exactly has gone wrong?" Thackeray asked in his letter, questioning whether the BMC had altered its waste collection mechanisms, replaced contractors, or diverted sanitation staff to other duties. He stated that residents were increasingly anxious about health and hygiene concerns due to delays in garbage removal. Thackeray expressed disappointment that a basic civic service like timely garbage collection could slip to such a level. He urged the Corporation to clarify the reason behind the lapse and ensure immediate corrective measures. The second major concern highlighted in the letter relates to illegal political hoardings and banners. Thackeray recalled that courts had earlier issued strict orders banning all unauthorized hoardings, but alleged that the BMC enforces these rules selectively, removing only those put up by Opposition leaders. If banners belong to ruling party ministers or their supporters, he claimed, they remain untouched for weeks. He further alleged that government departments themselves erect illegal hoardings during events involving foreign dignitaries, worsening the visual clutter and disorder across Mumbai. Thackeray stated that he had earlier written to the Chief Minister suggesting a mutual political understanding to stop all hoardings, with the Opposition ready to comply, but received no reply. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If you announce that no hoardings will be put up, we too will completely stop," he wrote. Ending his note on a firm but hopeful tone, Thackeray said he expects the BMC Commissioner to respond promptly and take appropriate action to restore order and civic discipline in Mumbai. First Published: December 06, 2025, 12:30 IST News mumbai-news What Has Gone Wrong: Aaditya Thackeray Flags Piling Garbage, Selective Action On Hoardings Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Calls Pollution Long-Standing Crisis: 'No Magic Wand, Doing Everything' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 18:56 IST CM Rekha Gupta dismissed the idea of imposing a shutdown in the city to control pollution, stating that a city like Delhi cannot afford to come to a halt. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta (Credits: ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has described the capitals severe pollution and recurring smog as a long-standing challenge that cannot be solved instantly. Calling air pollution a legacy problem", the Chief Minister stressed that there is no jaadu ki chhadi" to make the crisis disappear. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, 2025, she said the issue had grown over decades" and warned against expecting any sudden turnaround. The Delhi Chief Minister explained that the government is working continuously, but problems of this scale cannot be given a fixed deadline. It is an ongoing process," she said. Recommended Stories Gupta dismissed the idea of imposing a shutdown in the city to control pollution, stating that a city like Delhi cannot afford to come to a halt. She pointed to the rapid rise in population, the sharp increase in vehicles and years of unchecked growth as major reasons behind the current situation. We have to keep the city running, and handle pollution at the same time," she said. Reflecting on the ten months since her administration took charge, the Chief Minister said her government had acted with urgency. I can say this with confidence that, in the 10 months of our government so far, we have done at high speed what the previous governments should have done," she said in Hindi. She also criticised the AAP and Congress governments that had ruled earlier, questioning what they had achieved in previous decades. Gupta listed several measures her government has implemented, from distributing heaters to reduce open wood burning to deploying water sprinklers for temporary relief. She rejected claims that water was sprayed near AQI monitoring stations to manipulate pollution readings and denied reports about creating a fake pond" near the Yamuna for Chhath Puja. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On the issue of cleaning the Yamuna, the Chief Minister said the task was enormous because major drains flow directly into the river. She noted that her government had started addressing these long-ignored concerns soon after coming to power. Yamunas clean-up is a big project," she said, adding that the work is being carried out with urgency. It is not a one-day job," she repeated, assuring that efforts are continuing on a war footing". First Published: December 06, 2025, 18:56 IST News new-delhi-news Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Calls Pollution Long-Standing Crisis: 'No Magic Wand, Doing Everything' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Australia's Victoria University Lays Foundation For Its First India Campus In Gurugram Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 18:20 IST The campus is slated to open by mid-2026, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in business, information technology, and research. Victoria University, Melbourne campus. (Image: vu.edu.au) Australias Victoria University (VU) has established the foundation of its Delhi-NCR campus in Gurugram, Haryana. Once operational, this will be Indias first international campus to fully implement VUs Block Model, a contemporary learning approach designed to enhance student success and future readiness. Scheduled to open by mid-2026, the campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in business, information technology, and research, reported ANI. Modeled after VUs City Tower Campus in Melbourne, the new India campus will provide high-quality Australian education to Indian students at an affordable cost, reducing the need for expensive overseas travel and accommodation. Recommended Stories VU is one of the first Australian universities licensed by the Indian Government to establish a comprehensive campus in India under the new National Education Policy (NEP). By providing globally relevant curricula, collaborating with local industries, and nurturing skilled graduates, VU aims to significantly contribute to the countrys educational and economic development. The VU Block Model enables students to concentrate on one subject at a time over four-week blocks in small, workshop-style classes. The foundation laying ceremony, which included traditional lamp lighting and mango tree planting, was attended by the Federal Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs, and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Julian Hill, VU Chancellor the Hon Steve Bracks, VU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker, and senior government officials from India and Australia. The Hon Julian Hill, Federal Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, said, Victoria University is a leader in teaching, learning and the student experience, including its unique VU Block Model and now its new campus in Gurgaon, India will connect Indian students with these innovations." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Steve Bracks, Chancellor, Victoria University, said, This campus is about opening doors to opportunity. High overseas study costs and limited access to institutions leave many students in India without global education options VUs education and research offerings aim to help change that. Bringing our VU Block Model to India offers students a proven pathway to success one that is inclusive, industry-connected, and designed for the future." First Published: December 05, 2025, 18:20 IST News education-career Australia's Victoria University Lays Foundation For Its First India Campus In Gurugram Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Burnout Balm Or 'Disconnect' From Reality? Supriya Sules New Bill May Let You Ignore After-Hours Work Calls Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 20:41 IST The NCP-SP lawmaker has moved a private member's bill in Parliament to ensure that employees have a personal life and space The reason for this is the increasing number of stress-related deaths of employees, including young people. (Representational image) Is it possible to disconnect from work? Nationalist Congress PartySharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) MP Supriya Sule thinks so. She has moved a private members bill in Parliament to ensure that employees have a personal life and space. According to the bill, an employee is not obliged to reply or shall have the right to refuse to answer such calls." It further states, in case an employee refuses to reply to any call outside of work hours, such an employee shall not be subject to any disciplinary action by the employer." The bill also proposes the establishment of a committee to discuss and frame mutually agreed-upon terms of negotiations to address emergencies outside of work hours. It suggests that an employer may contact any employee via telecom, video call, message, email, or other forms of communication during times mutually agreed upon by the employee and employer." Recommended Stories The reason for this is the increasing number of stress-related deaths of employees, including young people. While the jury is still out on the exact causes, work-related stress is believed to be one such reason globally. Several studies conducted by Harvard and Stanford, for example, reveal that constant checking of emails and messages has led to the destruction of work-life balance. This has impacted personal and family ties as well as mental health. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While the labour ministry has been introducing codes to ensure employees receive overtime pay, rights at work, and fixed working hours, some professions are considered high-stress and cannot be easily regulated. Journalism is one such profession. Sources say that the labour ministry is actively working on regularising working hours for some professions. However, given the intense competition in almost every workplace and profession, is this feasible? First Published: December 06, 2025, 20:40 IST News education-career Burnout Balm Or 'Disconnect' From Reality? Supriya Sules New Bill May Let You Ignore After-Hours Work Calls Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Key Points After a successful transformation, Cardinal Health could decide to aggressively raise its dividend. Chevron's newfound focus on shareholder value may make the oil giant's shares a more substantial dividend growth play moving forward. Target's high dividend yield remains unchanged, and a successful turnaround could lead to increased dividend growth. 10 stocks we like better than Cardinal Health Dividend investors have several criteria to examine when evaluating the long-term prospects of dividend stocks. Yield may be what first comes to mind, but generating strong returns through this style of investing entails more than just buying the stocks with the highest forward dividend yields. If you "set it and forget it" in this manner, you may run the risk of building a portfolio made up mainly of yield trap stocks. Hence, investors should consider factors such as dividend growth track record and dividend safety. Taking into account these three factors, I have identified three major dividend stocks that meet the criteria for each of these factors: Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH), Chevron (NYSE: CVX), and Target (NYSE: TGT). Image source: Getty Images Cardinal Health may not have the highest yield, but it has three decades of dividend growth on its side Cardinal Health, a healthcare products distributor, has 30 years of consecutive dividend growth under its belt. Currently, the stock has a forward dividend yield of just 1%. Yes, this yield may not sound too exciting, but let's dig deeper. Year to date, shares have rallied by over 73%. As I noted last month, Cardinal Health's market-beating returns are a result of its successful transformation. By pivoting toward higher-margin segments of the healthcare industry, like specialty pharmaceuticals and managed services, the company has experienced a strong surge in earnings growth. Sell-side forecasts expect this to carry on over the next two fiscal years, with estimated earnings growth of 19.3% and 12.6%, respectively, during FY 2026 and FY 2027. With this surge in earnings growth, the company now has a relatively low dividend payout ratio of just 30.6%. While not certain, the company could decide to return more of its earnings to shareholders. From there, who knows? Cardinal, which in 2025 only increased its dividend by 1% last year, could consistently raise its dividend at a level more in line with earnings growth, turning into a stronger dividend growth play in the process. Chevron's new shareholder-friendly agenda bodes well for future payout growth Like other major energy companies, Chevron has faced challenges from low crude oil prices, which have impacted its bottom line. However, Chevron exceeded expectations when it last reported quarterly earnings, thanks to production numbers that were greater than expected. CLAT 2026 To Be Held Tomorrow; Check Exam-Day Guidelines, Dos And Don'ts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 14:25 IST CLAT 2026 will be held from 2 PM to 4 PM. Candidates must carry their admit card and a valid photo ID as without these, they will not be allowed to enter the exam hall. The CLAT 2026 will be conducted on December 7, 2025, in an offline, written mode. (Representative/File) The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2026 will be held tomorrow, Sunday, December 7, 2025. Candidates should bring their admit card, a valid photo ID (such as Aadhaar card or passport) in a transparent file, along with a photocopy of the ID, to the exam hall. Entry will not be allowed without these documents. The exam is scheduled from 2 PM to 4 PM. Candidates should also have two good quality blue or black ballpoint pens ready. Feeling stressed or nervous is natural the day before the exam. However, its important to stay calm. Focus your last-minute preparation on revising what youve already studied rather than learning new topics. A small mistake now can greatly impact your result, so trust in your preparation and remain confident. Recommended Stories Today is for practice and mental preparation rather than gathering new information. You can test your speed and accuracy with CLAT mock tests to help you adapt to the exam environment and refine your time management strategy. Remember, CLAT is an aptitude test that requires both knowledge and the ability to make logical decisions at the right time. Keep calm and finalize your preparations. What to do before the CLAT exam? Mock tests and analysis: Take a full-length mock test or at least solve a section of the previous years paper. Practice at the same time as your actual test tomorrow (for example, 2:00 PM). Follow the time strictly while taking the mock test. Analyse your incorrect answers immediately. Identify if mistakes were due to lack of knowledge or misreading the question. Revision of important topics: Focus on key areas you need to remember: Current Affairs: Revise major Supreme Court/High Court verdicts, international agreements, and key bills/acts from the last 6 to 8 months. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Legal Reasoning Principles: Review basic principles, such as main rules of contract law and torts. Math Formulas: Go over basic formulas like percentages, ratios, and averages for quantitative techniques. First Published: December 06, 2025, 14:25 IST News education-career CLAT 2026 To Be Held Tomorrow; Check Exam-Day Guidelines, Dos And Don'ts Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Beyond Borders & Justice: Pregnant Sunali Khatun, Deported To Bangladesh, Returns To India After SC 'Nudge' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 05:58 IST Sunali was accompanied by her eight-year-old son, two days after the SC intervened and nudged the central government to allow her reentry on humanitarian grounds The Supreme Court, hearing the matter on Wednesday, took a sympathetic view of Sunali's plight. File pic/PTI Sunali Khatun, a pregnant woman who had been deported to Bangladesh earlier this year, returned to India on Friday through the Mahadipur border in West Bengals Malda district. She was accompanied by her eight-year-old son, two days after the Supreme Court of India intervened and urged the central government to allow her reentry. Khatuns case gained national attention after the pregnant woman, her husband Danish Sekh, their son Sabir, and three others were deported to Bangladesh in June on allegations of being infiltrators. All six are reportedly members of the same family and hail from Birbhum district in West Bengal. They were arrested by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) under the countrys Control of Entry Act and jailed for illegally entering without travel documents. Poll-bound West Bengals ruling Trinamool Congress has accused Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states of detaining hundreds of migrant workers from the state and declaring them Bangladeshi infiltrators just because they speak Bengali. The BJP has denied this and accused the TMC of facilitating infiltrators. Recommended Stories Finally, after a long battle against the Bangla-Birodhi Zamindars, Sunali Khatun and her minor son have returned to India. This day will be remembered as a historic moment that exposes the torture and atrocities inflicted on poor Bengalis. Sunali, who was pregnant at the time, pic.twitter.com/ktfMkeOJIQ Samirul Islam (@SamirulAITC) December 5, 2025 Sunalis family filed a petition pleading for her return, arguing that her separation from her husband and the risks associated with giving birth in a foreign country constituted extreme hardship. The Supreme Court, hearing the matter on Wednesday, took a sympathetic view of her plight. It nudged the central government to permit her re-entry on humanitarian grounds", acknowledging the exceptional circumstances of her pregnancy and the right of the family to remain unified. The courts approach focused less on the technicalities of immigration law and more on the constitutional and humane dimensions of the situation. The SC also orally suggested that Sunalis citizenship could be verified based on her father Bhodu Sekhs citizenship documents. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Following the courts strong suggestion, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs quickly coordinated the necessary arrangements for her return. On Friday afternoon, Sunali Khatun and her son crossed the border checkpost, where they were received by Indian officials before being reunited with her family. She was taken to Malda Medical College and Hospital for examination. Legal experts noted the significance of the ruling, emphasising that while the judiciary respects the states authority over immigration, the Supreme Court utilised its inherent power to push the executive towards compassionate action in extraordinary cases. First Published: December 06, 2025, 05:58 IST News india Beyond Borders & Justice: Pregnant Sunali Khatun, Deported To Bangladesh, Returns To India After SC 'Nudge' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Forest Dept To Escort Students In Uttarakhand Amid Rise In Himalayan Bear, Leopard Attacks Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Aanchal Sinha Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 10:24 IST Uttarakhand faces a surge in humananimal conflict with over 150 attacks by Himalayan bears and leopards, leading to deaths, school closures, and new safety measures for children. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Image: PTI File A wave of fear has gripped Uttarakhands hill districts as humananimal conflict has surged sharply over the past few weeks. More than 150 attacks by Himalayan bears and leopards have been reported across Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pauri, Tehri, Pithoragarh, Almora and Bageshwar. Several videos circulating on social media show leopards and Himalayan bears roaming roads, entering village peripheries and coming dangerously close to human settlements. Recommended Stories According to forest department data, five people have been killed by Himalayan bears since September, while over 75 have suffered injuries, many with severe facial disfigurement. In the same period, leopard attacks have claimed nine lives. The latest incident was reported on Thursday morning, when a 45-year-old man was killed in Pauri Garhwal. The attack forced authorities to shut 48 government schools, which are likely to reopen Monday. Forest Escorts for Children Regular sightings of predators have left schoolchildren terrified, especially those walking long hilly routes. Hari Negi, a Class 7 student from Chamoli, says reaching school has become a daily gamble. Leopard and bear sightings are normal for us now. Every day feels dangerous," he told News18. In a first, the education department has coordinated with forest officials to provide escorts to students in the most affected areas. To begin with, we are starting this in the leopard-hit belt of Pauri Garhwal from Monday. The cost will be borne by the department," said Mukul Sati, Director (Education), to News18. Efforts are also underway to offer online classes from a government facility in Dehradun. Political Pressure Mounts With local anger rising, the government has moved to increase compensation for victims. After Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhamis approval, the forest department has enhanced compensation to 10 lakh for those injured in human-animal conflict. The issue also echoed in Parliament. BJP MP Anil Baluni raised concerns in the Lok Sabha on Friday and sought support from the Union Environment Ministry. Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt demanded central financial assistance for affected families. Under pressure to act swiftly, Chief Wildlife Warden Ranjan Mishra convened a meeting with divisional forest officers. He ordered penalties for hotels dumping food waste that attracts wildlife and instructed teams to distribute whistles to villagers an old, trusted warning method. Debate Over Long-Term Measures The forest departments 2022 survey estimated around 2,900 leopards in Uttarakhand, but there is no accurate count of Himalayan bears, which have shown unusually aggressive behaviour this year. A debate has also surfaced on social media. Activist Rakesh Bijalwan questioned whether, like stray dogs, leopards and bears could be sterilized to control population and aggression. This comes after the Centre allowed a pilot sterilization project for leopards in Maharashtras Junnar region. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Responding to News18, Chief Wildlife Warden Mishra said the Maharashtra project is experimental. Its effectiveness will be known only in the coming years. Meanwhile, we will conduct a ground-level study to understand the behavioural change in Himalayan bears during winter," he said. Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India First Published: December 06, 2025, 10:24 IST News india Forest Dept To Escort Students In Uttarakhand Amid Rise In Himalayan Bear, Leopard Attacks Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Ground For Us To Support Afghanistan': Ex-Foreign Secretary On Pakistan Support To China Over Arunachal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 16:24 IST This was in response to Pakistan's official statement endorsing China's territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing controversially calls Zangnan A security personnel stands guard at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman on December 6, 2025, following overnight cross-border fire between the two countries. (Image: AFP Indias former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal has said Pakistan has created a reason for India to support Afghanistan on the Durand Line by officially supporting Chinas claims over Arunachal Pradesh. This comes as Pakistan on Friday (December 5) issued a statement endorsing Chinas territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing controversially calls Zangnan. India has repeatedly clarified that Arunachal is an integral and inalienable" part of its sovereign territory, most recently after a woman from the northeastern state was detained by Chinese authorities at the Shanghai airport. Recommended Stories By supporting Chinas claim on Arunachal Pradesh Pakistan is creating the ground for us to support Afghanistans position on the Durand Line," Kanwal Sibal said in a post on X, while sharing a press statement on the matter by Pakistan. By supporting Chinas claim on Arunachal Pradesh Pakistan is creating the ground for us to support Afghanistans position on the Durand Line. https://t.co/B04XLgQPxt Kanwal Sibal (@KanwalSibal) December 6, 2025 Experts have said Pakistans repeated support for Chinas position is due to Islamabads deep economic dependency on Beijing, with its foreign policy an extension of Chinese interests. While New Delhi has time and again reiterated its stand, they noted that the messaging increases friction in South Asia. Sibals remarks come as a sort of strategic countermeasure to Pakistans official endorsement of Chinas territorial claims over Arunachal. Amid acute border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said this intervention by Islamabad into Indias affairs gives New Delhi grounds to support Kabul on the disputed Durand Line. On the Arunachal matter, Pakistan said it reiterates its consistent support for China on matters concerning its sovereignty and territorial integrity". This stance officially endorses Chinas claim over approximately 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh, a region Beijing controversially calls Zangnan" or Southern Tibet". The Sino-Indian dispute over the state is rooted in the McMahon Line, a boundary drawn during the 1914 Simla Convention. India administers the entire region and upholds the McMahon Line as the legal boundary, considering Arunachal Pradesh an integral part of its territory. China, however, rejects the line arguing Tibet was not a sovereign state with the authority to sign an international treaty in 1914. This unresolved conflict led to the 1962 Sino-Indian War. In recent actions, China has periodically renamed places in Arunachal Pradesh and issued official maps showing the state as part of it that has consistently been rejected by India. For India, Pakistans intervention is a futile attempt to irritate New Delhi and insert itself into its internal affairs. New Delhi has said no foreign entity has any authority over its citizens from Arunachal. Critics argued that Pakistan continues to rely heavily on China for military supplies, infrastructure loans, and economic rescue packages, with its foreign policy an extension of Chinese interests. WHAT IS THE DURAND LINE? Established in 1893 between British India and Afghanistan, the 2,640-km line forms the current international boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan. When British India was partitioned in 1947, Pakistan inherited the agreements concerning the Durand Line as its western border. But this is highly contested. The boundary was drawn by colonial powers without regard for the local populace, splitting the heartland of the Pashtun ethnic group. Crucially, successive governments in Afghanistan, including the current administration, have consistently rejected the Durand Line as a legitimate international border contending the 1893 agreement was signed under colonial duress and coercion. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This unresolved status is a major source of tension, leading to cross-border instability and facilitating the movement of militants. Pakistan has undertaken extensive border fencing to curb these issues, a move vehemently opposed by Afghan authorities who view it as an illegitimate action on disputed territory. By officially endorsing Chinas territorial claims over Zangnan, Pakistan opens the door for India to strategically leverage the dispute over the Durand Line. First Published: December 06, 2025, 16:24 IST News india 'Ground For Us To Support Afghanistan': Ex-Foreign Secretary On Pakistan Support To China Over Arunachal Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 23:11 IST IndiGo Flight status News Today Highlights: Disruptions continued into the fifth day on Saturday, with several flights being cancelled at different airports. IndiGo cancelled 1000 flights on Friday amid delays reported at numerous airports. The disruption represents a major blow to the nearly two-decade-old airline, renowned for its punctual operations and the tagline IndiGo Standard Time, which reflects its practice of closing aircraft gates well ahead of departure. On Friday, over 1,000 IndiGo flights were cancelled across major hubs. IndiGo cancelled till midnight all its domestic flights departing from the Delhi airport as the airline continues to grapple with significant operational disruptions. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday 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. Kerala HC Blocks Arrest Of Expelled MLA Rahul Mamkootathil In Rape Case Curated By : Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 13:36 IST Kerala High Court shields expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil from arrest in a rape case until December 15, as police probe two other cases. MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. In significant relief for expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, the Kerala High Court on Saturday ordered that he cannot be arrested until his anticipatory bail plea is fully considered. The court has posted the matter for hearing on December 15. The interim protection applies specifically to the first case registered against him, in which he has been accused of rape and forcing the complainant to undergo an abortion without her consent. Recommended Stories Justice K Babu, issuing the interim order, stated: The petitioner shall not be arrested during the pendency." The order comes two days after a Thiruvananthapuram sessions court rejected Mamkootathils pre-arrest bail plea. Following that setback, the Congress expelled him from its primary membership amid mounting criticism and political pressure. Moves Sessions Court Within an Hour in Second Case Barely an hour after securing the High Courts interim protection, Mamkootathil on Saturday approached the Thiruvananthapuram sessions court seeking anticipatory bail in the second rape case registered against him. His lawyer, advocate Ajithkumar (Sasthamangalam), said an application was also filed urging the court to restrain police from arresting him in light of the High Courts direction. We are trying to have the matter taken up by the sessions court immediately today," he said. The second rape case was registered on Wednesday based on a complaint by a Bengaluru-based woman, adding to the MLAs legal troubles. The Fast Track Court in Thiruvananthapuram is now examining his plea seeking no-arrest protection in this second case. Two Rape Cases in One Week Mamkootathil, the MLA from Palakkad, has been absconding for over 10 days after the first complaint was filed. On Tuesday, he was booked in a second rape case, linked to an incident allegedly from 2023. In the first case registered at Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram, the former Youth Congress state president faces charges of: rape, compelling the complainant to undergo an abortion without consent, criminal intimidation, and recording her nude images using an electronic device. He has claimed that the relationship was consensual. Congress Acts After Criticism The Congress, under fire for not acting swiftly despite serious allegations, removed Mamkootathil from the party after police registered two rape cases in a single week. With local body elections just a week away and Assembly polls five months later, party leaders feared the scandal would damage the UDFs prospects. The episode has also triggered internal turbulence. Mamkootathil was considered a rising face in the party and was believed to have the backing of Opposition Leader V D Satheesan and MP Shafi Parambil support who helped him secure the Palakkad ticket in last years byelection despite local resistance. Adding to the controversy, Samskara Sahithi leader MA Shahanas alleged this week that Mamkootathil had sent her inappropriate messages after she returned from the farmers agitation in Delhi. She said she had previously warned Parambil about his behaviour, but he was ignored. A Rapid Rise Followed by Scandal top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A native of Pathanamthitta, Mamkootathil won the Palakkad Assembly seat in November 2024 after Parambil vacated it upon winning the Vadakara Lok Sabha seat. Known for his television presence and energetic leadership, he was elevated to Youth Congress state president in 2023, despite facing allegations of manipulating the organisational voters list. The High Courts interim order now shields him from arrest only in the first case, pending the next hearing on December 15, while police continue probing both complaints Location : Palakkad, India, India First Published: December 06, 2025, 12:07 IST News india Kerala HC Blocks Arrest Of Expelled MLA Rahul Mamkootathil In Rape Case Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: December 08, 2025, 10:33 IST Kerala Lottery Result Today: The first prize winner of Karunya KR-733 will take home Rs 1 crore. (Image: Shutterstock) Kerala Lottery Result Today Live, 6-12-2025: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the Karunya Lottery KR-733 results for December 6, 2025. The draw was held at Gorky Bhavan, near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The winner of the first prize worth Rs 1 crore is the participant with ticket number KZ 289669. The bumper jackpot-winning ticket was sold at Pattambi, by agent P Mohanan, with agency number P 321. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today, December 8, 2025 Live: Bhagyathara BT-32 Winning Numbers The second prize of Rs 25 lakh has been claimed by the ticket number KY 231568, sold at Thiruvananthapuram, by agent C N Mithran, with agency number T 3796. The third prize winner of Rs 10 lakh is from ticket number KX 942697, sold at Palakkad, by agent S S Vishnu, with agency number P 1671. Check the full list of winning numbers below. No After-Hour Work Calls, Emails: 'Right to Disconnect Bill' Introduced In Lok Sabha Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 15:54 IST Supriya Sule introduced The Right to Disconnect Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha, aiming to protect employees in India from work-related digital burnout and ensure work-life balance. Right to Disconnect Bill introduced in Lok Sabha. (File Image: PTI) NCP MP Supriya Sule introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025" in Lok Sabha. The bill aims to promote work-life balance for workers and employees in India. A private members bill was introduced on Friday. Notably, members of both the Lower house and Upper house can introduce bills on issues they believe require government legislation. Recommended Stories As per the provision of the Bill, sanctions at a rate of 1 per cent of the total remuneration of its employees on entities (companies or societies) should be imposed for any non-compliance. The bill provides every employee the right to disconnect from work-related electronic communications. It aims to foster a better quality of life and a healthier work-life balance by reducing the burnout caused by todays digital culture," she wrote on X. Introduced three forward-looking Private Member Bills in the Parliament:The Paternity and Paternal Benefits Bill, 2025, introduces paid paternal leave to ensure fathers have the legal right to take part in their childs early development. It breaks the traditional model, pic.twitter.com/YjrWw4LFwf Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) December 5, 2025 While digital and communication technology provide work flexibility, they also pose a significant risk of blurring the lines between professional and personal life, Sule argued in the private members Bill. Studies have found that if an employee is expected to be available round the clock, they tend to exhibit risks of over-work like sleep deprivation, developing stress and being emotionally exhausted. This persistent urge to respond to calls and emails (termed as telepressure), constant checking of emails throughout the day, and even on weekends and holidays, is reported to have destroyed the work-life balance of employees," the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill read. According to a study, the constant monitoring of work related messages and emails, may overtax employees brains leading to a condition called info-obesity." The Bill further argued that there is a need to respect the personal space of the employees by recognising their right to disconnect and not respond to their employers calls, emails etc., during out-of-work hours. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The need is also to recognise the rights of the employees, it also takes into consideration the competitive needs of the companies and their diverse work cultures. Flexibility in the right to disconnect rules and leaves it to the individual companies to negotiate terms of service with their employees is need of the hour," the Bill reads. The Bill also provides for counselling services to increase awareness among employees and citizens, on reasonable use of digital and communication tools, for professional and personal use. First Published: December 06, 2025, 14:50 IST News india No After-Hour Work Calls, Emails: 'Right to Disconnect Bill' Introduced In Lok Sabha Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opportunistic: Centre Seeks Strict Adherence To Fare Caps As Prices Soar Amid IndiGo Chaos Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 13:03 IST In a formal statement, the government said it had taken serious note of unusually high airfares being levied during the ongoing disruption. IndiGo flight | Representative Image The Centre on Saturday cracked down on what it called opportunistic pricing" by airlines, after airfares surged sharply across several routes amid IndiGos nationwide operational collapse. With the crisis stretching into its fifth day and hundreds of flights cancelled across major airports, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said it had issued immediate directives to cap fares to protect passengers from being overcharged. Recommended Stories In a formal statement, the ministry said it had taken serious note of unusually high airfares" being levied during the ongoing disruption. To safeguard passengers from any form of opportunistic pricing, the Ministry has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes," it said, adding that all airlines have been instructed to strictly comply with the newly prescribed caps until operations stabilise. The government said the move was essential to maintain pricing discipline and prevent exploitation at a time when thousands of travellers, including senior citizens, students and medical passengers, are struggling to secure seats after widespread cancellations. Officials also said fare levels will now be monitored in real time, with both airlines and online travel platforms under scrutiny. Any deviation from the prescribed norms will invite immediate corrective action," the ministry warned. The intervention comes as IndiGos crisis deepened on Saturday, triggering one of the biggest single-day disruptions in recent years. Mumbai recorded the highest impact with 109 cancellations, while Delhi followed with 86 scrapped departures, heavily straining Indias two busiest airports. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The ripple effect was felt across other major hubs, Hyderabad logged 69 cancellations, Bengaluru 50, Pune 42, and Chennai around 30. Ahmedabad reported 19 cancellations as shortages continued to hit operations. With IndiGo, which normally runs about 2,300 flights a day, still hamstrung by pilot shortages and planning lapses, aviation authorities said the situation remains under close watch", and a full recovery is not expected immediately. First Published: December 06, 2025, 12:41 IST News india Opportunistic: Centre Seeks Strict Adherence To Fare Caps As Prices Soar Amid IndiGo Chaos Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Over 3000 Indians Deported From US In 2025 So Far, Government Tells Parliament Curated By : Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 10:09 IST Over 3,155 Indians were deported from the US in 2025; 316 jailed in Kuwait. New missions opened in Quito, Boston, LA, Kazan, and Yekaterinburg. Over 3,155 Indians were deported from the US in 2025; 316 jailed in Kuwait. New missions opened in Quito, Boston, LA, Kazan, and Yekaterinburg. (PTI file photo) More than 3,155 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States in 2025 up to November 21, the government informed Parliament on Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written reply, said all deportation cases proceed only after an unambiguous verification" of an individuals Indian nationality. Responding to a query on whether several Indians using the illegal donkey route" to enter the US had recently been deported, Singh said the MEA does not maintain data on trafficking cases or the methods used to enter foreign countries. He added that most countries do not share detailed information on deported Indian nationals. Recommended Stories According to data placed before Parliament, deportations from the US have risen sharply over the last three years: 3,155 deported in 2025 (up to Nov 21) 1,368 in 2024 617 in 2023 The minister noted that individuals are typically deported by US authorities for illegal entry, overstaying visas, lacking valid documentation, or having criminal convictions. He said India works closely with the US government on these operations. 316 Indians in Kuwait Jails In response to another question, Singh said 316 Indian nationals are currently imprisoned in Kuwait as of October 31, 2025, according to data shared by local authorities. Hajj Pilgrim Numbers The MEA also provided year-wise data on Indian Hajj pilgrims travelling through the Hajj Committee of India: 1,39,964 pilgrims in 2024 1,39,429 pilgrims in 2023 56,634 pilgrims in 2022 India Expands Diplomatic Presence Highlighting efforts to strengthen Indias global footprint, Singh said one new Indian Mission was opened in Quito, Ecuador, during FY 2025, along with four new Consulates in Boston and Los Angeles (USA), and in Kazan and Yekaterinburg (Russia). He added that the government opens missions based on strategic priorities, trade and investment potential, diaspora presence, multilateral outreach, and broader diplomatic objectives, all within available financial and human resources. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The objective of our foreign policy is to build a conducive environment for Indias growth through partnerships with friendly nations," Singh said. First Published: December 06, 2025, 10:09 IST News india Over 3000 Indians Deported From US In 2025 So Far, Government Tells Parliament Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mainland Chinese industry associations have issued a joint warning to real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation providers after Beijing turned on the screws, dashing hopes that Beijing might ease restrictions on digital-asset activities amid competition with the US. Tokenising real-world assets involves multiple risks such as fake assets, business failure and speculative trading, and Chinese authorities had not approved any such activities, seven industry bodies, including the National Internet Finance Association of China, the China Banking Association and the Securities Association of China, said in a notice on Friday. These associations are directly overseen by regulators including the People's Bank of China (PBOC) and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). 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. This was the industry's first warning as Chinese authorities have explicitly targeted RWA tokenisation, which refers to the process of creating representations of traditional assets on a blockchain and is touted as a way to allow faster and cheaper transactions. The People's Bank of China and regulators said last week that stablecoins did not meet the mainland's requirements on customer identification and anti-money-laundering. Photo: AFP alt=The People's Bank of China and regulators said last week that stablecoins did not meet the mainland's requirements on customer identification and anti-money-laundering. Photo: AFP> Chinese authorities had recently underlined their tough stance on cryptocurrency, thwarting expectations earlier this year that Beijing might ease its hostility towards digital assets after policymakers in the US took a more accommodating stance towards crypto. The PBOC, along with the public security ministry, the cyberspace administration, the top court and other key financial regulators, said in a statement last week that stablecoins did not meet the mainland's requirements on customer identification and anti-money-laundering. Industry associations said that member companies must neither participate in the issuance and trading of cryptocurrencies and tokenised RWA in China, nor provide related services for customers seeking to engage in such activities. Such warnings have raised fresh concerns about Hong Kong's ambitions to become a regulated hub for the increasingly mainstream asset class. Passengers Checked In, Airline 'Checked Out': UP Flyers See Red Over IndiGo Blues Last Updated: December 07, 2025, 00:20 IST As queues spill out of terminals and passengers run from one counter to another, UPs airports remain among the worst-hit in the country The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, holding him accountable for the operational meltdown. Representational pic/X Chaos reigned for air passengers boarding from Uttar Pradesh as IndiGos ongoing operational crisis snowballed into unprecedented disruptions across the state. By Friday evening, 51 flights from UP were cancelledthe highest being 23 from Lucknow, 22 from Varanasi, four from Gorakhpur, and two from Prayagraj. On Saturday, the situation further deteriorated as 22 more flights were cancelled from Lucknow alone, with scenes of anger, panic and frustration playing out at airports. Across terminals, passengerssome travelling with children, senior citizens, or for international connectionsfound themselves stranded for 24 hours or more. Many alleged that IndiGo continued issuing boarding passes and automated check-in messages even for flights that had already been cancelled. Recommended Stories The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, holding him accountable for the operational meltdown. According to sources, the government is also mulling the removal of Elbers over the crisis. The Civil Aviation Ministry has decided to conduct a fortnightly review of the airlines operations, focusing particularly on its hiring practices, sources told CNN-News18. At Lucknow airport, the situation spiralled into complete disorder. Passengers clashed with each other and with airline staff, leading to heated scuffles. I had already checked in online and downloaded my boarding pass. After reaching here, they tell me the flight is cancelled. What kind of joke is this?" said a visibly angry passenger who arrived to board his Delhi-bound flight. They didnt send a cancellation message but kept sending check-in notifications. IndiGo is playing with the public." The crisis unfolded as the Centre withdrew its new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rule, which had mandated a continuous 48-hour weekly rest for pilots and crew members. However, the relief came too late for IndiGo, which has been battling a severe crew shortage for the fourth consecutive day. Nationally, more than 500 flights were cancelled on Friday, and over the past four days, the figure has crossed 1,200 cancellations. No Food, No Seating, No Information At Lucknow airport, hundreds of passengers camped on the floor and atop luggage trolleys due to lack of seating arrangements. Around 1,000 passengers were estimated to be stranded on Saturday. A Delhi-based traveller who came to attend a wedding said, IndiGo has held my luggage for three days. If I find them in front of me, Ill slap them. I am attending functions without proper clothes. They have no system, no respect for passengers." In Varanasi, passengers stood in serpentine queues, pleading for clarity on their flights. There is no place to sit, no drinking water, no announcements. Children and elderly people are suffering the most," said a group of passengers whose Bengaluru flight had been cancelled. Anil Kumar, a Varanasi passenger travelling with a heart patient and four senior citizens, said, All IndiGo flights are cancelled today. People are worried about how to reach Bengaluru now." Stories of Lost Money, Missed Connections, and Collapsing Travel Plans For many, the cancellations meant financial losses and missed international connections. A woman flying from Lucknow to Sydney said, If IndiGo had shown the cancellations online, I wouldnt have wasted my time coming here. They are not even allowing us proper space to sit or keep luggage." Mehul Joshi, who travelled from Nepal to Lucknow by road, was devastated. I spent Rs 12,000-Rs 13,000 just to get here. Now I have to spend the same amount to go back because my flight to Bengaluru is cancelled. There was no online update at all." Aparna, who arrived from Sydney and had a connecting flight to Mumbai, said, My 6E-622 flight was cancelled after I had already checked in. Now my international connection is gone." In Lucknow, a passenger from Bihars Siwan, Ranjeet Kumar Gupta, feared losing his job overseas. I was supposed to fly to Riyadh. My visa expires on December 8. If I dont reach, I will lose more than Rs 2 lakh. They havent refunded mejust gave me a paper slip saying money will come later." Others complained of being abandoned with no support system. At Delhi airport, everything is finishedno food, nothing for diabetic patients or children. Our luggage, including jewellery, is stuck. No one from IndiGo is answering," said Umashankar, who had come to Varanasi for a wedding. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Passengers across UP demanded strong regulatory action. This is not a joke. Thousands of travellers are stranded and losing lakhs of rupees. The government must intervene," a passenger said at Lucknow airport. As queues spill out of terminals and passengers run from one counter to another, UPs airports remain among the worst-hit in the country. With cancellations piling up and no clarity on when schedules will stabilise, the crisis shows few signs of easing. First Published: December 07, 2025, 00:20 IST News india Passengers Checked In, Airline 'Checked Out': UP Flyers See Red Over IndiGo Blues Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Tears, Confusion, A Passenger Climbing The Counter: IndiGo's Great Disruption Sparks Airport Anger Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 16:02 IST At Mumbai Airport, tempers flared as a passenger was seen climbing over airline counters, shouting for clarity after waiting for hours. Chaos at airports across India over IndiGo flight disruptions | Image: X Chaos swept through major Indian airports on Friday as IndiGos spiralling flight disruptions triggered scenes of frustration, tears and open confrontation, even as the airline insisted it was trying to stabilise operations. At Mumbai Airport, tempers flared as a passenger was seen climbing over airline counters, shouting for clarity after waiting for hours. Recommended Stories This came despite IndiGos claims that alternate flights, refunds and accommodation were being arranged. Long queues, contradictory information and mounting exhaustion told a different story. SHOCKER A frustrated passenger jumps onto the IndiGo counter at Airport pic.twitter.com/3lgMGz872k https://t.co/cPPIRTLRn8 News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) December 5, 2025 Amid chaos at airports over IndiGo flight cancellations, the government stepped in on Friday and rolled back a key provision of the recently implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules in an urgent bid. The withdrawn clause, part of the first phase that came into effect on July 1, had mandated that weekly rest could not be replaced with leave, a rule airlines said had tightened crew availability. The regulator also granted a temporary exemption for night operations until February 10, but with strict conditions. IndiGo and other carriers will undergo a fortnightly review, and must submit a 30-day plan detailing how they will move toward full compliance" with the FDTL framework once the exemption period ends. Chaos At Airports A visibly distressed passenger at the Mumbai airport described her ordeal, saying: They told me my flight was cancelled and promised either a new ticket or a refund. I opted for the refund. Instead, they gave me another ticket, which was also cancelled." Then a third one with no facilities. We have been here for 17 hours two tickets cancelled, and now the third also cancelled," she added. #WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: A passenger says, They told me that my flight was cancelled and either they will give me another flight ticket or provide me with a refund. I asked for the refund. But they gave me the ticket, which was cancelled. Then they provided me with https://t.co/RNk7jvBiIv pic.twitter.com/OUTORLaKau ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025 In Ahmedabad, a woman broke down at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport as passengers confronted another round of sudden cancellations. Long lines wound through the terminal as stranded travellers searched for answers. #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 Back in Mumbai, tensions escalated further. Videos showed heated arguments erupting between staff and stranded flyers, who accused the airline of mismanagement and poor communication amid what has become one of the biggest operational meltdowns in IndiGos history. IndiGo CEO Reacts The crisis deepened as IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers issued his first public statement, acknowledging the scale of the disruption and warning that full normalcy may take up to 10 days, contradicting the Centres earlier assessment that flights would stabilise by Saturday and be fully restored by Monday. Elbers admitted that over 1,000 flights were cancelled on Friday alone, making it the worst day of disruptions so far. We have experienced severe operational disruptions over the past few days today, December 5th, has been the most severely impacted, with cancellations well over a thousand," he said in a video message. He urged passengers not to rush to airports for cancelled flights to avoid further crowding. The CEO attributed the meltdown to a rebooting of IndiGos operational systems, which he said had triggered widespread complications. Govt On IndiGo Meltdown Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered a high-level probe into the disruptions, aiming to identify accountability gaps and recommend measures to avoid such crises in future. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A 247 control room has been set up to monitor updates and coordinate efforts to restore stability across airports. But for thousands of passengers stuck in terminals across the country, Friday was defined by tears, frayed nerves and a desperate search for information. First Published: December 06, 2025, 09:09 IST News india Tears, Confusion, A Passenger Climbing The Counter: IndiGo's Great Disruption Sparks Airport Anger Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Warm And Engaging': Shashi Tharoor After Attending State Banquet For President Putin Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 17:08 IST Tharoor, known for his articulate presence on international affairs, appreciated the opportunity for dialogue during the dinner. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said he enjoyed his conversations with many of the attendees (Credits: X/ShashiTharoor) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday shared a glimpse from the state banquet hosted at Rashtrapati Bhavan in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was on an official two-day visit to India. Tharoor, who attended the high-profile dinner, described the atmosphere as warm and engaging," noting that he had insightful conversations with several attendees, including representatives from the Russian delegation. Recommended Stories The event, hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, brought together senior ministers, diplomats, and dignitaries from both countries. One of the images shared by Tharoor showed a long ceremonial dining table lined with Indian and Russian flags, elaborate floral arrangements, and officials seated on either side as President Putin addressed the gathering. One image shows President Murmu speaking at the banquet, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the evening. Attended the @rashtrapatibhvn banquet for President Putin last night. A warm and engaging atmosphere reigned. Enjoyed my conversations with many of the attendees, especially my dining companions from the Russian delegation! @RusEmbIndia pic.twitter.com/frP2TYZKXr Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 6, 2025 A third photograph shows a group of Indian and Russian officials standing together, highlighting the participation of senior members from both delegations. Tharoor, known for his articulate presence on international affairs, appreciated the opportunity for dialogue during the dinner. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Attended the @rashtrapatibhvn banquet for President Putin last night. A warm and engaging atmosphere reigned. Enjoyed my conversations with many of the attendees, especially my dining companions from the Russian delegation! @RusEmbIndia," he wrote, tagging the Russian Embassy in India. President Putins visit comes at a time when New Delhi and Moscow continue to engage closely on strategic, defence, and energy-related cooperation. First Published: December 06, 2025, 16:47 IST News india 'Warm And Engaging': Shashi Tharoor After Attending State Banquet For President Putin Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'What's Their Problem': Manoj Tiwari Slams Congress Amid Row Over Shashi Tharoor At Putin Dinner Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 08:06 IST Congress MP Shashi Tharoors decision to accept the invitation to the Rashtrapati Bhavan dinner triggered criticism within his own party. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Friday questioned the Congress objections to Shashi Tharoor attending a state dinner for Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the government frequently draws on the expertise of leaders from across parties for diplomatic outreach. Tharoors decision to accept the invitation to the Rashtrapati Bhavan dinner triggered criticism within his own party, especially since party leaders claimed that senior Congress leaders, including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, were not invited. Recommended Stories Referring to the multi-party delegation involved in Operation Sindoor, Tiwari said, Several members with relevant experience, including those from other parties, have contributed to the governments foreign policy outreach. Shashi Tharoor is one of them. I fail to understand why the Congress leadership has an issue with this." #WATCH | Delhi | BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, There are many members whose services, based on their knowledge, who were part of the outreach delegation on Operation Sindoor, from other parties, are being taken by the Union Government to convey Indias foreign policy. Congress MP https://t.co/sXozJrdHwK pic.twitter.com/QbujmdxstT ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025 Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera suggested Tharoor should have recognised the political messaging behind the selective invitation. When my leaders arent invited but I am, one must ask what game is being played, who is playing it, and why we should be part of it," he said, calling the acceptance of the invitation surprising". Everyones conscience speaks," Khera added. Tharoor, however, maintained that he saw no reason to decline the invite, though he termed the exclusion of Opposition leaders not appropriate". Im not aware of the criteria used to send out invitations, but I will certainly attend. It is not right that leaders of the Opposition have not been invited," he said. Congress leaders earlier confirmed that both Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were omitted from the guest list for the dinner hosted for Putin. The controversy came a day after Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of breaking long-standing protocol by not inviting Opposition representatives during engagements with visiting dignitaries. Government sources rejected Gandhis criticism as baseless, noting that since assuming office as Leader of the Opposition on June 9, 2024, he has met at least four foreign heads of state, including then Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This is not the first time Tharoor has faced pushback from within the Congress this year. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all His participation in the governments Operation Sindoor outreach had already drawn objections from party colleagues. More recently, his presence at Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech on Lord Macaulay, and his subsequent praise for it, also attracted internal criticism. First Published: December 06, 2025, 07:24 IST News india 'What's Their Problem': Manoj Tiwari Slams Congress Amid Row Over Shashi Tharoor At Putin Dinner Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Sex And The City's Kim Cattrall Marries Russell Thomas In Small Ceremony In London Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 14:48 IST Kim Cattrall called on her Sex And The City stylist and long-time creative collaborator Patricia Field for her intimate wedding to her partner Russell Thomas. Kim Cattral married longtime partner Russell Thomas in London Kim Cattrall, who is most famous for playing Samantha Jones in the popular HBO comedy-drama Sex And The City, has tied the knot with her long-time partner Russell Thomas. Theyve been together for almost 10 years. The couple got married in a small, intimate ceremony at Londons Chelsea Old Town Hall. The wedding was attended by only 12 of Kim and Russells closest family and friends, who saw them exchange vows. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by People Magazine (@people) The Liverpool-born actor was styled by her friend and long-time creative collaborator Patricia Field, who was also her stylist on the show. W Magazine notes that Patricia was behind SATCs era-defining costumes, and as they have remained close friends, she styled Kim for her wedding, and when she returned for a short cameo in And Just Like That According to The Independent, Kim wore a Dior cream jacket and white knee-length tulle skirt with pleats. She paired it with Cornelia James lace gloves and a custom fascinator designed by milliner Philip Treacy. Her green and white bouquet appeared to consist of lilies, eucalyptus and white roses. For his understated nuptials and quiet ceremony, Russell opted to wear a custom suit by Richard James, a white shirt and a gold tie. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Philip Treacy (@philiptreacy) Unsurprisingly, there was no one present at her wedding from the cast of Sex and the City, which ran for six series from 1998 to 2004 and generated two spin-off films. The show that has gained major success co-starred Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. The latter three appeared in the spin-off series And Just Like That from 2021. While Cattrall made a guest appearance in the final episode of season two in 2023, her strained relations with her former castmates meant she never got to come back as a series regular. About Kim Cattrals relationship with Russell Thomas Kim and Russell have been together for almost a decade. The couple met when Kim was a guest on a radio show at the BBC, where he worked. They met in 2016 when she appeared on BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour to read diary entries written during a bout of crippling insomnia", which had forced her to pull out of a play at Londons Royal Court. They then followed each other on X, and in a 2018 interview with Glamour, she opened up about how their relationship began: He direct messaged me. It was very, very modern, [and] its just been very easy." She recently told the Times: Weve been together almost 10 years now. And weve had a blast. Weve just had so much fun." She said Thomas has been erroneously reported" as being a sound engineer. Very private about her personal life that she shares with Russell, she did said, 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," she said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all First Published: December 06, 2025, 14:47 IST News lifestyle fashion Sex And The City's Kim Cattrall Marries Russell Thomas In Small Ceremony In London A Step-By-Step Guide To DIY-ing And Enjoying Fondue at Home in India This Winter Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 11:52 IST Enjoying fondue at home makes for a communal meal that is sure to create a core memory for everyone present. It is easy to enjoy fondue at home If you are craving cheese and bread and a warm, comforting feeling, fondue is the answer. But that does not mean you need to travel to Switzerland to do that. You can do it right here in India, and no, we do not mean the pav bhaji or chocolate monstrosity being served up at cafes. DIY it yourself at home! Recommended Stories With Christmas around the corner, fondue makes for a perfect meal during these cosy gatherings. Fondue a communal melted cheese dip can transform these nights into interactive fun, where loved ones spear bread or veggies while creating core memories. It is also more accessible than you think and a far cry from the jaw-dropping restaurant prices. A Brief History of Fondue Fondue originated in 18th-century Switzerland, from the French word fondre" meaning to melt." Swiss farm families stretched scarce winter resources by melting aged cheese with wine over the hearth. This would soften the stale and hard bread and dip it into the cheesy mixture. Early recipes appear in 1699 Zurich cookbooks, and they call for blending grated cheese and wine. Though rural in roots, it is now enjoyed by urban elites with Gruyere and across the world, too. The Swiss Cheese Union popularised it in the 1930s as a national dish, boosting cheese sales amid harsh Alpine winters. How to Set Up Fondue at Home To make the cheese sauce, you can use premium cheese like Emmental or Gruyere. If not, you can also use more readily available cheese like cheddar or mozzarella, and even processed white cheese works. Youll need a fondue pot, which is basically a saucepan over a heat source. The smaller pots use tea light candles to keep the cheese melty and gooey. You can use a small portable burner or a hot plate on low. The other most important element to make fondue is white wine. Ensure it is of good quality, as it will enhance the taste. It is also important to prepare the items you want to dip into the cheese in advance and set them out for the guests. Some of the most common foods to eat with fondue include crusty bread cubes, boiled baby potatoes, and fresh or roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. You can also try hardy fruits such as apple slices, pears, and grapes. For a protein option, paneer cubes or cooked sausages work wonderfully. To make the cheese sauce, rub a garlic clove inside the pot and simmer the wine and gradually stir in grated cheese. Let it melt and keep warm on low heat. Give everyone skewers so that they can poke the dippers and swirl them in the cheese. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all First Published: December 06, 2025, 11:52 IST News lifestyle food A Step-By-Step Guide To DIY-ing And Enjoying Fondue at Home in India This Winter YogMantra | Allow These Breathing Practices And Pranayama To Ease Your Back Pain Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 10:21 IST Stress causes muscles around the spine to contract and breath to become shallow, both of which aggravate lower-back discomfort From a physiological point of view, slow and steady breathing relaxes the deep spinal muscles, and reduces the sympathetic fight-or-flight response, which is often the real culprit in stress-related back pain. (Image for representation: IMAGEN 4 ENGINE) Among all emotions, negative ones like anxiety, suppressed anger and frustration drain the maximum amount of pranic energy. Stress causes muscles around the spine to contract and breath to become shallow, both of which aggravate lower-back discomfort. Recommended Stories Anyone living a digital and target-driven lifestyle not just software professionals is at risk. Long hours of sitting, wrong posture, deadlines and mental tension create the perfect recipe for back pain. The constant overstimulation keeps the nervous system in a hyper-alert state, what yoga describes as a disturbance in the flow of prana along the spine. Stress also tends to settle in the bodys most vulnerable areas. For some, it could be the shoulders, for others, the lower back. Yoga explains that if your weak spot is the lower back, thats where strain will show up first either because you have a family tendency, your basic constitution, or it has been weakened by injury. WHY BREATHING WORKS FOR BACK PAIN From a physiological point of view, slow and steady breathing relaxes the deep spinal muscles, and reduces the sympathetic fight-or-flight response, which is often the real culprit in stress-related back pain. From a yogic perspective, smooth breathing balances prana along the spine, helping release tension. CORRECTING PRANA IMBALANCES Stress shows up in the breath first, and it becomes uneven and quick. Yoga interprets this as a prana imbalance and the way to correct it is obvious: through proper breathing. These techniques, taught by yoga gurus, help distribute and direct prana into specific parts of the body. They are simple, effective and safe. CLEANSING BREATHING PRACTICES: KAPALABHATI & BHASTRIKA Before stabilising the system, we clear it. Kapalabhati and bhastrika are rapid-breathing practices that help remove carbon dioxide and other toxins from the body. Forceful exhalation and passive inhalations result in re-oxygenation of the blood. The spontaneous kumbhaka (breath retention) at the end of each cycle resets the entire system, revitalising and stilling the mind (those with high blood pressure or cardiac issues may proceed with caution or do it under guidance). BREATHING EXERCISES These body movements synchronised with inhalation and exhalation stretch the body in multiple directions and remove energy blocks. Do the following as a complete set: Five rounds of talasana breathing (vertical stretch): Consciously observe the movement of the breath in the arms, lower legs and spine. Five rounds of tiger breathing (cat-cow pose): Observe the movement of the breath in the middle body and the back. Five rounds of pavanamuktasana breathing (wind-relieving pose): Observe the movement of the breath in the abdomen, knee and elbow joints, thighs, and lower back. For another five rounds, produce an aaa sound with your mouth open as the abdomen gets pressed. breathing (wind-relieving pose): Observe the movement of the breath in the abdomen, knee and elbow joints, thighs, and lower back. For another five rounds, produce an aaa sound with your mouth open as the abdomen gets pressed. Five rounds of shashankasana breathing (hare pose): Observe the movement of the breath along the spine. PRANAYAMA The effect of this limb of yoga is that it helps slow down the breathing rate and activate certain channels of energy, which contribute to good health of body parts, a stable mind, and longevity. The key principle in pranayama is to make the exhalation longer than inhalation. This helps master the breath, which, in turn, calms the mind. For back pain, practice pranayama on a chair with back support, or lying down with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Do this sequence of pranayamas, even if you cant do all: Nine rounds of anulom vilom (alternate nostril breathing) Five rounds each of cooling pranayamas, shitali , shitkari , sadanta , , Nine rounds of bhramari (bee breath) (bee breath) Five rounds of full yogic breathing to smoothly expand the three regions diaphragm, ribcage and collar bone End the session with conscious relaxation in savasana. This final step aids complete relaxation and release of tension in the spine and the nervous system gets a reset. With regular practice, you will experience pain reduction immediately and relief in the short to medium term. More than that, chances are your tendency to back pain may disappear altogether, or at least reduce significantly. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all NOTE: Some of these practices have contraindications. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any yoga practice. Always learn yoga under the expert guidance of a yoga teacher or at an established yoga school. (The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com) First Published: December 06, 2025, 10:20 IST News lifestyle YogMantra | Allow These Breathing Practices And Pranayama To Ease Your Back Pain After Sonu Sood, Vir Das Defends IndiGo Ground Staff: 'Senior Management Should Be Made' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 12:39 IST After IndiGo flight disruptions, Vir Das defended ground staff, saying senior management should handle airport duties instead of leaving juniors to face angry passengers. Vir Das defends Indigo ground staff. IndiGo flight disruptions have caused countrywide chaos, with many left struggling to reach their destinations. Now, several videos of angered passengers shouting at the ground staff have emerged on social media. With passengers demanding answers and IndiGo ground staff receiving all the heat, Vir Das has taken to his social media to defend them. Vir Das took to his social media and stated that now is the time for the entire senior management of IndiGo to take airport duties instead of leaving their junior employees with no power to deal with all the yelling and screaming. Taking to his X account, Vir wrote, The decent thing to do? The entire senior management of IndiGo should be made to take shifts at the airport and stand there. From CEOs to VPs and such. The decision-makers. Instead of the terrified junior employees with no power, cabin crew, and ground staff, who have been left to deal with the yelling and screaming." Recommended Stories Sonu Sood Defends IndiGo Ground Staff On Saturday, Sonu Sood took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a video message urging people to stay respectful towards the ground staff. A delayed flight is frustrating, but remember the faces trying to fix it. Please be nice and humble to the IndiGo staff; they are carrying the weight of cancellations too. Lets support them," he wrote in the caption. In his video, Sonu Sood said, Friends, this is a small message regarding the inconvenience youve faced on IndiGo flights over the past 2-3 days. My own family was traveling, and they had to wait for about 4.5-5 hours. Eventually, the flight took off and they reached their destination. But many flights didnt take off. A lot were cancelled, people couldnt attend weddings, meetings got cancelled, and events were called off." What saddened me the most was seeing what the ground staff at the airports had to go through while people were shouting at them. I know theres frustration, theres pain, and people express their anger. But try to put yourself in their shoes. They are helpless. They dont know the schedules ahead, whether flights will take off or not. They just pass on the messages they get from above," said Sonu Sood. Meanwhile, yesterday, television actor Aly Goni also shared a video message asking people not to blame the ground staff, as its not their fault. First Published: December 06, 2025, 12:39 IST News movies bollywood After Sonu Sood, Vir Das Defends IndiGo Ground Staff: 'Senior Management Should Be Made' Back From Vietnam Wedding, Sara Ali Khan Waves At Paparazzi, Ibrahim Chooses Quiet Exit Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 13:14 IST Sara Ali Khan sweetly acknowledged the paparazzi with her signature wave, whereas Ibrahim chose to keep things low-key, avoiding interactions. Sara and Ibrahim kept it comfy for their 'jet set' look.(Photo Credit: Instagram) Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan lit up the Mumbai airport with their effortless sibling charm a few hours back. The siblings, who had earlier been spotted jetting out of Mumbai for the grand celebrations, made yet another headline-worthy appearance as they touched down in the city late last night. Fresh from their Vietnam outing, the siblings were seen heading to their car, where Sara sweetly acknowledged the paparazzi with her signature wave. Ibrahim, on the other hand, chose to keep things low-key, avoiding interactions and walking towards the car quietly. The two skipped the usual posing session, letting their off-duty looks do the talking. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) Sara kept her airport style comfortable yet chic in a blue co-ord set featuring a sweatshirt and matching pants. Meanwhile, Ibrahim stayed true to his understated fashion game in a black sweatshirt and jeans, proving minimalism never goes out of style. When Sara, Ibrahim Ali Khan Jetted Off Together Interestingly, this appearance comes days after the siblings were clicked at Mumbais private Kalina airport, seemingly jetting off to Vietnam to perform at the wedding. They arrived in Ibrahims BMW X5, instantly drawing the attention of the onlookers who couldnt resist capturing the star kids together. During that spotting, Sara opted for an all-black airport look, wearing a T-shirt, hoodie and bootcut jeans. Ibrahim complemented her monochrome vibe effortlessly, sporting a black T-shirt and jeans layered with a white jacket, along with sleek sunglasses for the laid-back Gen-Z aesthetic. The two made a coordinated entry, waving at the shutterbugs and flashing warm smiles before heading toward the terminal. On Their Career Front Sara Ali Khan last won hearts with her role in Anurag Basus Metroin Dino. A spiritual sequel to Basus 2007 hit Life In AMetro, the film stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher in the lead role, of course apart from Sara. The film is available for streaming on Netflix. Up next, Sara has Pati Patni Aur Woh Doh in her kitty. The film is a much-awaited sequel to the 2019 film Pati Patni Aur Woh where she will share the screen with Ayushmann Khurrana, Wamiqa Gabbi and Rakul Preet Singh. It is schedule for release next year. As for Ibrahim Ali Khan, the actor last featured in the action drama film Sarzameen. In the film, he was seen alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kajol. Directed by Kayoze Irani, the film was released on JioHotstar and earned favourable reviews from both fans and reviewers. First Published: December 06, 2025, 12:59 IST News movies bollywood Back From Vietnam Wedding, Sara Ali Khan Waves At Paparazzi, Ibrahim Chooses Quiet Exit Kangana Ranaut Shares Proof After Being Accused Of Littering In Varanasi: I Put The Plate In The Dustbin Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 22:00 IST Kangana Ranaut denies littering in Varanasi after a viral video sparks criticism. She shares photo proof showing she used a dustbin and urges people to verify facts. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Kangana Ranaut has responded to allegations that she littered the streets of Varanasi during a recent visit. Actorpolitician Kangana Ranaut has pushed back strongly against allegations that she littered the streets of Varanasi during a recent visit. A video circulating online showed Kangana enjoying the citys popular street snack, tikiya chole, and then placing her disposable plate beside her after which many social media users accused her of tossing it onto the road. Kangana has now issued a clarification, calling the claims misleading and sharing photographic evidence to counter the narrative. Recommended Stories Kangana Shares Photo, Denies Littering Kangana took to Instagram Stories to post a new picture from the stall, captured from a wider angle. In the image, she marked an arrow pointing towards a dustbin positioned right next to the vendor the same place where customers were discarding used paper plates. She asserted that she, too, had placed her plate in that dustbin, writing, Verify facts before publishing lies." The actor argued that the widely circulated video misrepresented the moment by cropping out the bin that was inches away. Kanganas Political Journey Kangana Ranaut entered electoral politics in 2024, contesting on a BJP ticket and winning the Mandi Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 74,755 votes over Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh. The victory was followed by controversy when a CISF officer at Chandigarh Airport slapped her the next day an incident she addressed in a video message assuring supporters that she was safe. From Himachal To Bollywood Stardom Born in Bhamla, Himachal Pradesh, Kangana left home as a teenager and moved to Mumbai to pursue acting. She made her debut at 19 with Gangster, followed by breakout roles in Raaz 2 and Fashion. Throughout the 2010s, she delivered three consecutive top-grossing female-led films, cementing her status as one of the most successful actresses of her generation. She has also won four National Film Awards, a rare feat in the industry. First Published: December 06, 2025, 22:00 IST News movies bollywood Kangana Ranaut Shares Proof After Being Accused Of Littering In Varanasi: I Put The Plate In The Dustbin When a restaurant closes, it generally has no financial impact on customers unless they had a prepaid catering order, or had paid an advance deposit on a party or other event. When a retail chain closes, however, that can have deeper financial impact. Customers may have ordered and paid for items that have not been delivered, and some may have financed larger items directly through the company. In the case of financed items, or purchases made on a company-specific credit card well, you still have to pay. "You will still be responsible for paying off your balance, even if a retailer files for bankruptcy. Generally, retail credit cards are issued through a finance company separate from the store itself, meaning any debt you owe is held by the bank, not the store. This is true even for 'closed-loop' cards that are only valid with specific retailers," Bankrate reported. When it comes to items you have paid for but not received, that gets trickier. Here's what happens when a company closes without delivering a paid-for order When a company shuts down without delivering your paid-for order, consumers should take certain steps, according to the Better Business Bureau: Collect receipts, proofs of purchase, and other documents such as warranties and manuals. These materials will help you prepare for your request for a resolution. Check with the bank or credit card you used to make the purchase(s) at the now-closed company. You may be able to dispute the transaction(s) due to failure to receive goods or services. Try to contact the company to complete the transaction or resolve the issue. Some closed companies will offer an email, website, or phone number to contact for more information. If the company has not filed for bankruptcy, the business is still obligated to fulfill your order for goods, services, or a refund. Closing a business doesn't relieve the owner of that responsibility. While it can be time-consuming and expensive, a consumer may take the company to court. For returns: If you have a warranty for an item you bought at the store, look into whether the manufacturer or the store issued the warranty. If the manufacturer issues the warranty, it will most likely honor it. When a company goes out of business, its warranties and services often die unless other agreements have been made. In the case of a bankruptcy, consumers generally become unsecured creditors, which leaves them at the back of the line when it comes to getting paid. Customers of Howard's Appliance should follow the above advice, as the chain has abruptly closed all of its doors, but has not, as of Dec. 6, filed for bankruptcy protection. Howard's closed with no notice to customers.Shutterstock Howard's closes all of its stores A week after Black Friday sales, the nearly 80-year-old Howards Appliance chain is shuttering all of its Southern California stores, offering only a days notice to employees and nothing to customers, with orders in limbo, the Orange County Register reported. The chain's website could not be reached as of Dec. 6. "The notice, signed by Isaiah Padilla, the logistics general manager for Howards, said the company was closing its business operations, effective Dec. 6, due to 'circumstances beyond our control,'" the paper reported. Padilla could not be reached for comment on Dec. 5. More Retail: News of the shutdown spread on social media. "My parent just ordered a new range from Howard's and then saw this morning that they are all closing? They haven't received the range yet, and apparently, all the stores are closing as of tomorrow. My mom called four different stores, and no one is picking up," wrote one user on Reddit. Another poster verified the closures. Related: 123-year-old retail chain shuts down popular mall location "After reading this, I hurried to their store in Tustin because we have had numerous issues with them since our order four months ago. Still, were awaiting a few pieces. Lights off, only a closed sign, and the hours of operation were scrubbed off the window," wrote helloninterwebs3. There is no public record of a bankruptcy filing as of December 6. Howard's Appliances shutdown timeline The company was acquired earlier in 2025 by privateequity firm S5 Equity, according to a press release. Howards has closed all its Southern California stores as of December 2025, The Orange County Register reported. Employees were reportedly notified of their termination on December 4, 2025, with no prior public warning, according to News Minimalist. The shutdown affects the companys network of roughly 17 locations across Southern California, the Orange County Register added. Among past closures, the company had previously shut down its Upland, CA, store (effective Sept. 16, 2020), citing weak sales, poor local retail conditions, and a shift toward investing in newer locations, according to a press release. In 2024, a location previously acquired under the name Midway Home Solutions, which was rebranded to Howards in Victorville, also closed, Victor Valley News reported. Related: 99-year-old Lowe's and Home Depot rival closing its doors forever This story was originally published by TheStreet on Dec 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Hugh Grant Says He May Be 'Half Indian'; Reveals His Father Was Born In Undivided India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 18:42 IST Hugh Grant reveals his father was born in undivided India and says he may be half Indian. The actor also recalls filming in Kolkata and discovering his heritage. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Hugh Grant surprised audiences at the HT Leadership Summit by revealing that his father was born in undivided India possibly in a region that now lies in Pakistan. Hugh Grant, the beloved British star whose career spans iconic films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually, offered an unexpected revelation during his appearance at the 23rd Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. At 65, the actor shared that his lineage may be far more intertwined with the Indian subcontinent than previously known including the possibility that he is, in his own words, half Indian." My Father Was Born In India Or Pakistan" Recommended Stories Grant explained that his father, who served in the Army, was born somewhere in the northern region of undivided India. Tracking down the birth certificate, he said, was nearly impossible because the birthplace is now part of an obscure town" whose borders may fall in present-day Pakistan. My father was a soldier, and he was actually born in India," Grant said. When I finally located his birth certificate, it turned out to be from a tiny town somewhere in the north could be India, could be Pakistan now. So I suppose that technically makes me half Indian." Grants First India Experience: Culture Shock to Deep Affection The actor also revisited his first trip to the country in 1988, when he filmed the French drama La Nuit Bengali in Kolkata. It was a very arty film that hardly got released anywhere," he joked, but I had an absolutely wonderful time in Kolkata." People had warned him that the city would overwhelm him. They said, Hugh, the culture shock will be intense. And it was. But eventually, I adored the place." A 13-Year-Old Chauffeur & the School Bus Twist Grant narrated one of his favourite anecdotes from that trip involving a driver who seemed barely old enough to hold a licence. When I arrived, my driver introduced himself as Bishu. I swear he looked about 12," he said. I asked if he could actually drive, and he said yes. Within three weeks, he crashed the car and got fired." Months later, Grant ran into the boy again on a Kolkata street. I asked, Bishu, what are you doing now? And he grinned and said, All good, sir. Im driving a school bus. He was wonderful." From French Art Film to Kolkatas Elite Social Circles Grant said he somehow drifted into Kolkatas high society a world far removed from the immersive, local approach taken by his French crew. The director and crew went fully local lived local, dressed local. I, on the other hand, ended up at polo matches and cocktail evenings," he laughed. I didnt even know that life existed anymore. But it did at places like the Tollygunge Club. I met incredible people like Moon Moon Sen. Those days were magical." About La Nuit Bengali Based on Mircea Eliades semi-autobiographical novel, the film was set in 1930s Calcutta and told the story of a young European engineer who falls in love with the daughter of his Bengali host family. Grant starred opposite Supriya Pathak, with Shabana Azmi and Soumitra Chatterjee appearing in key roles. On Indian Cinema & Working With Merchant Ivory Grant admitted he hasnt watched much Bollywood but holds great admiration for Satyajit Ray. We were shooting in his studio he was an absolute genius," he said. He also recalled working with James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant on Maurice in 1987. They were such an extraordinary pair," Grant said. They made stunning films, absolutely fearless in their themes. They also operated on almost no money. Budget would disappear mid-production, Ismail would borrow my mothers car for weeks, and sometimes he cooked curry for the entire cast. Anyone who worked with them adored them even if they occasionally felt a bit swindled," he laughed. First Published: December 06, 2025, 18:42 IST News movies hollywood Hugh Grant Says He May Be 'Half Indian'; Reveals His Father Was Born In Undivided India Ajith Kumar Clicks Selfies With Hundreds Of Fans During Malaysia Race Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 14:34 IST Ajith Kumar thrilled fans at Sepang International Circuit during the Michelin 12H Malaysia Endurance Race, patiently posing for selfies and showing humility despite fatigue. Ajith Kumar took a selfie with fans. Ajith Kumar may be in Malaysia for racing, but he ended up giving fans a moment they will remember for life. The Tamil star, currently at the Sepang International Circuit for the Michelin 12H Malaysia Endurance Race, delighted supporters by patiently posing for selfies, a gesture that has since gone viral on social media. Fans gathered at the circuit to cheer for Ajith ahead of the endurance race. Amid the excitement, the actor surprised them by taking a group selfie and later clicking individual pictures with fans who stood in line to meet him. Despite the long queue and visible fatigue, Ajith remained calm and attentive throughout. Recommended Stories One fan who met Ajith towards the end of the line shared how the actor treated everyone with equal warmth. She said, I was the last person in line, & even though he was clearly tired, AK sir still gave his respect, his time, and his smile." The sentiment was echoed by several others who praised his patience and humility. Another admirer wrote, Patiently clicked pics with 500+ fans as they queued up for hours. Pure class and massive fan love!" A fan also described their selfie with Ajith as a lifetime settlement". At the venue, fans were heard chanting we love AK", to which the actor responded warmly, I love you too." Ajiths Malaysia visit follows a recent trip to the Murugan temple at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, where photos and videos of him circulated online. In one clip, he is seen politely requesting fans not to shout within the temple premises. Earlier, during his visit to Tirumala, Ajith had made a similar appeal, asking fans to remain calm when they spotted him. On the work front, Ajith was last seen in Magizh Thirumenis Vidaamuyarchi and Adhik Ravichandrans Good Bad Ugly, both released in 2024. The actor has been largely focused on his passion for motorsport and founded Ajith Kumar Racing, through which he has been participating in endurance races across the world. Ajith has consistently stated that he will prioritise films only when his racing schedule allows. Following Good Bad Ugly, fans have been eagerly waiting for news about Ajiths next film, which is expected to be with director Adhik Ravichandran. The project is likely to be officially announced next year, when the actor is expected to begin shooting. First Published: December 06, 2025, 14:34 IST News movies regional-cinema Ajith Kumar Clicks Selfies With Hundreds Of Fans During Malaysia Race Vaa Vaathiyaar Trailer Out: Karthi Shines In A Colourful, High-Energy Avatar Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 14:22 IST Karthi stars in Vaa Vaathiyaar, directed by Nalan Kumaraswamy and produced by Studio Green. The trailer is out now. A still from the trailer. The trailer of Vaa Vaathiyaar, headlined by Karthi, has been released, giving fans their first look at the actor in a vibrant and flamboyant role. Directed by Nalan Kumaraswamy, the film blends action, romance and comedy, and the trailer has quickly drawn attention across social media. The official trailer was shared by production house Studio Green, which announced the release with the post, Rathathin raththamana udanpirappukkalevery excited to present the trailer of #VaaVaathiyaar. In Cinemas December 12!" The message confirmed the films revised theatrical release date. Recommended Stories Karthis brother and actor Suriya also extended his support by sharing the trailer online. Posting his reaction, Suriya wrote, Heres the trailer of #VaaVaathiyaar Hearty wishes team!" His message added to the buzz surrounding the films launch. The trailer release follows the unveiling of the films third single, Mu Dha La Li, along with its lyric video. Together, these releases have strengthened the films promotional push after the makers shifted the release date from December 5 to December 12. Vaa Vaathiyaar features an ensemble cast including Krithi Shetty, Sathyaraj, Anand Raj, Rajkiran, Karunakaran and others in prominent roles. Music for the film has been composed by Santhosh Narayanan, whose songs have already sparked interest among audiences. The project marks his third collaboration with director Nalan Kumaraswamy after Soodhu Kavvum and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum. The technical team includes cinematographer George C Williams and editor Vetri Krishnan. The film is produced by Studio Green, which previously backed Suriyas Kanguva. However, the film has encountered a legal hurdle that could impact its release once again. The Madras High Court has restrained the release of Vaa Vaathiyaar following a case filed by the Official Assignee of the High Court. The petition alleges that the films producer, KE Gnanavel Raja of Studio Green, failed to clear pending dues. The dispute traces back to 2011, when Gnanavel Raja and businessman Sunderdas entered into an agreement to co-produce a film, with each committing an investment of Rs 40 crore. Sunderdas reportedly invested Rs 12.85 crore before withdrawing from the project. In 2014, he was declared insolvent by the High Court, after which the Official Assignee was appointed to evaluate his assets and liabilities for creditor repayment. With the legal proceedings now in focus, uncertainty surrounds whether Vaa Vaathiyaar will meet its scheduled December 12 release. First Published: December 06, 2025, 14:22 IST News movies regional-cinema Vaa Vaathiyaar Trailer Out: Karthi Shines In A Colourful, High-Energy Avatar Opinion | Baramulla: Where Horror Meets The Haunting Truth Of Kashmiri Pandits Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 09, 2025, 13:38 IST The filmmakers of Baramulla picked the best genre to depict the horrors of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus The most important aspect of Baramulla is how it uses the horror genre to depict the gruesome violence inflicted on Kashmiri Pandits. File image/X The search of the female protagonist to uncover mysteries of her new home led her to a hidden door. As she opened the door, there was a rooma room full of memories and frames. She entered the room. Looking at the remnants which the room beheld, she was stunned. This scene with Shiv Shankar Stotram (Kashmiri Bhajan) playing in the background is one of the most gut-wrenching scenes in Hindi cinema history. Baramulla is a cinematic experience. The film encapsulates in itself the horrors of Bharatiya history. It is an edge-of-the-seat horror thriller. Very seldom does one watch the horror-thriller genre and complete the cinema with a sense of contentment. But Baramulla is definitely one to savour. It traverses the intricacies of history and renders a horror thriller that not only captures the emotions but also makes one ponder on the historical past that has been left untold. The makers of the cinema have done a tremendous job. Lets understand this in more detail. Recommended Stories Baramulla, on the surface, is a cinema that traces the search of a police officer for missing children in Baramulla. The protagonist DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (played by Manav Kaul) is posted in Baramulla after the son of an ex-MLA is kidnapped. Soon, multiple children start disappearing, including DSP Ridwaan Sayyeds own daughter. Another plot shows a group of terrorists planning to recruit and brainwash children for terrorism in Kashmir. It so happens that the missing children, before being picked up by terrorists, start disappearing. This is the central theme of the cinema, where there is a direct connection between the missing children and the terrorists plan of recruitment. Also, another plot runs in parallel where the house allotted to DSP Ridwaan Sayyed on moving to Baramulla holds a secret. DSP Ridwaans family members, including his wife, son, and daughter, start experiencing paranormal activities. All these plotsone of the missing children, the second of the terrorist recruitment, and the third of the paranormal activitiesconverge to give one of the most enthralling climaxes in Hindi cinema history. Words wont do justice to the climax. It demands a necessary viewing. The cinema is above par excellence. The direction by Aditya Suhas Jambhale is just mind-boggling. The audience is kept on the edge of their seats and is blown away in the climax. The writers, Monal Thakkar and again Aditya Suhas Jambhale, have done a tremendous job. Writing is the soul of any cinema, and here the soul is divine. Special congratulations to Aditya Dhar for once again proving to be a brave and pathbreaking producer. The music by Shor Police and Clinton Cerejo is also very good. The placement of Shiv Shankar Stotram sends shivers down the spine. The cinematography, especially in the climax of the cinema, is one for the ages. The actors have done a phenomenal job as well. Manav Kaul, as the lead protagonist, holds the movie together. He brings the calm in the chaos to the cinema. Also, Bhasha Sumbli as the lead female protagonist is stupendous. Her eyes depict the sentiments of the audience. She has carried the performance so naturally that we cant imagine anyone else in that role. Other performances by supporting actors have been good as well. Overall, the cinema is a masterclass for all young filmmakers. The most important aspect of Baramulla is how it uses the horror genre to depict the gruesome violence inflicted on Kashmiri Pandits. The plot twists around the same leave one breathless. The pain and agony of the Kashmiri Pandits is felt by the audience. That is the biggest compliment to the filmmakers. One clenches his/her fist when the climax unfolds. The cinema makes one feel the tears of sorrow and helplessness of the Kashmiri Pandits as they were brutally killed and dragged away from their own motherland. The horrors of the killing of women and innocent children just for being Hindus is clearly put forth in the cinema. The scene where the mother hides her son in a secret room to protect him from being killed, and the child eventually gets killed as he moves out of the secret room, unable to hear the pain and cries of his mother, makes one grind his/her teeth. Similarly, how the Kashmiri Pandits were betrayed by some local Kashmiri Muslims is also showcased. The scene where the child who used to play with the children of the Kashmiri Pandit family shows the way to the killers to kill the Kashmiri Pandit family is gut-wrenching. The pure desperation of a family unable to protect themselves leaves one teary-eyed. The cinema also wonderfully captures how even when the Kashmiri Pandits have left, their memories and heritage still remain in many abandoned houses in secret closets and Puja ghars. This theme is even depicted through the supernatural/paranormal elements of the cinema, where Kashmiri Pandits, even when not alive and present, still act as protectors of the valley, guarding young kids from being swayed by terrorists. The depiction of white tulips is quite fascinating as well. The white tulips appear in the cinema near the innocent children targeted by terrorists. Though not explicitly explained, the white tulip depiction appears to be symbolic of the supernatural presence protecting the children. As the energy protects the children, a white petal remains near the disappearing kids as a symbol of the silent guardian. Just wonderful imagination, weaving the essence of Kashmir in storytelling. The filmmakers of Baramulla picked the best genre to depict the horrors of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus. This is subtle storytelling at its best. The depiction of contemporary pains of the nationalist Kashmiri Muslim families and utilising those characters to depict the pains of the Kashmiri Pandits is brilliant execution. The filmmakers lay bare the pains of present-day Kashmir and connect it with top-notch execution to the pains and horrors of the past. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The cinema is one for the ages. It opened an entirely new dimension of filmmaking and how tales of history can be told through horror and thrillers. The cinema is a must-watch. It compels a family viewing, and the filmmakers deserve all the appreciation and accolades. The author is an Advisor, Khajurao Lit Fest, Surat Lit Fest, VESIM Literati Festival, Mumbai. He posts on X @MODIfied_SKP. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: December 06, 2025, 17:55 IST News opinion Opinion | Baramulla: Where Horror Meets The Haunting Truth Of Kashmiri Pandits Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | Where Can Putin Go? PM Modi Is Key For Russian President's Global Comeback Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 12:33 IST For Russian President Vladimir Putin, PM Narendra Modi's personal reception achieves what BRICS summits and other forums cannot Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and PM Narendra Modi (R) sit in a car as they depart Palam Air Force Base following the former's arrival in New Delhi on December 4, 2025, the first day of his two-day state visit to India. (Image: Grigory SYSOYEV/POOL/AFP) The International Criminal Courts arrest warrant extends across 125 nations. Russian President Vladimir Putins travel is now limited to a few non-aligned states where the threat of detention is manageable. As the leader of a nuclear superpower, Putin is confined to a shrinking map. The war in Ukraine has cost Russia not just territory and treasure, but has also isolated him internationally. Recommended Stories Until yesterday, there was only one path to rehabilitation. One figure had the stature, independence from western pressure, and credibility to validate Putins re-emergence: Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The question was whether Modi would do it. On December 4, he proved he would. THE MOMENT AT THE TARMAC Modi did something few world leaders do anymore: he went to the airport tarmac. When Putins aircraft landed at Palam Technical Airport in New Delhi, he was there breaking protocol in a gesture that surprised even the Russian delegation. What followed was a masterclass in diplomatic signalling. The Prime Minister greeted the Russian President with a handshake and then an embrace, a genuine hug between two leaders who have known each other for decades. The decision that dominated headlines was that the two left the airport together in a single vehicle. Not Putins usual Aurus Senat limousine or Modis Range Rover, but a white Toyota Fortuner, registration number MH01 EN 5795. Why does this matter? Because every detail was calculated. Both leaders broke security protocol by sharing the same car. As they drove from the airport to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, they sat together in a Toyota Fortuner that symbolically embodied something profound: neither was going to hide. The choice of vehicle was deliberate. Modis Range Rover and Putins Aurus Senat followed behind, signalling that the principals had transcended formal state visit protocols. They were having a conversation that began the moment the car doors closed. Modi showed the world that Russia has not been vanquished from the global stage. THE TRAP OF ISOLATION The effectiveness of the sanctions is debatable. Whats not debatable is that the United States has imposed over 500 restrictions to constrain Russias financial system, technological access, and military procurement. The European Union is committed to diminishing Russias economy. Russia faces this squeeze from 125 nations bound by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Isolation, however, has not forced capitulation. It has reoriented Putins diplomacy eastward. The BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024 attracted 32 foreign delegations, proving that Russia remains engaged with the worlds rising powers. Yet, without Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who cancelled, the summit lacked a crucial legitimiser from the Global South. Putin needed more than a gathering of fellow sanctioned states. He needed a leader with western credibility to demonstrate that Russia had not been cast into permanent exile. He needed Modi. WHAT MODIS WELCOME COMMUNICATES Modis gesture carries multiple layers of meaning. First, it reaffirms Indias fidelity to a historically anchored relationship. For decades, through the Cold War and sanctions, Russia remained Indias steadfast partner. Modis personal warmth signals that India has not forgotten this history. Second, it showcases Modis doctrine of strategic autonomy to a global audience. India maintains partnerships across all blocs. To demonstrate this convincingly, Modi must occasionally perform it visibly. His reception of Putin does precisely this. Third, it signals to the non-aligned world that India will not abandon partners merely because external powers demand it. This is crucial as India navigates competing pressures from Washington and Moscow, the western alliance, and historically significant partners. PUTINS INTERNATIONAL REHABILITATION For Putin, Modis personal reception achieves what BRICS summits and other forums cannot. What Chinas Xi Jinping, confined to planned visits and orchestrated engagements, cannot achieve. The warm greeting, the private dinner, and the visible respect provide photographs and headlines that counter narratives of isolation. When Trump administration officials seek to engage Putin in peace talks over Ukraine, he can reference Modis reception as evidence that major global powers continue to engage him seriously. This matters not because Modis gesture resolves Putins fundamental predicament. The ICC warrant remains. The sanctions persist. The international isolation is real. But the gesture signals that isolation is not absolute. Even as western capitals increasingly shun Putin, figures of Modis stature remain willing to engage him with respect and warmth. BROADER STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS Modi faces competing imperatives. He must maintain Indias partnership with the West, particularly with the US, where trade tensions and geopolitical competition create friction. Yet he cannot abandon Russia without inviting domestic criticism and undermining Indias claim to strategic autonomy. His reception of Putin navigates these pressures. It demonstrates to Washington that India cannot be taken for granted and that Indian strategic choices remain Indias to make. It proves to Moscow that historical partnerships persist despite western pressure. And it shows the Global South that Indias commitment to remaining non-aligned is in practice, if not in principle. Putin gains what he most urgently requires: validation from a leader whose global standing remains uncompromised. Modi sits in the highest forums of international engagement, steers G20 consensus, and maintains relationships across all blocs simultaneously. When Modi receives Putin with warmth, hosts him at his private residence, and engages in substantive bilateral discussions, he is essentially telling the world that Russia, though isolated in the West, remains a power worthy of serious engagement by rising global leaders. THE MOMENTS SIGNIFICANCE This summit would have been significant regardless. The state visit of a Russian president to India carries historical weight, given the depth of their strategic partnership. But Modis personal warmth, his decision to break protocol, and his choice to invest personal capital in validating Putin elevate this moment beyond routine diplomacy. It signals that as the international order transitions and western dominance faces challenges from rising powers, India will not simply align with western preferences. India will maintain its own compass, honouring historical relationships while building new partnerships. For Putin, isolated by the ICC warrant and western sanctions, Modis reception suggests that the post-Ukraine international order need not be one in which Russia is permanently marginalised. Even as western capitals maintain distance, leaders of global standing may engage Russia seriously at the negotiating table. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This does not resolve Putins isolation. The constraints remain real and substantial. But Modis actions suggest that isolation, though painful, need not be total. For a leader with sufficient diplomatic skill, pathways to re-engagement remain possible. Modi has made this clear not through speeches but through actions through the embrace, the dinner, and the message that India will not be coerced into abandoning strategically significant partners. This message, received clearly in Moscow and carefully observed in western capitals, may be the most important outcome of Putins Delhi visit not what was negotiated, but what was communicated: Russias global re-engagement, though constrained, remains possible through figures willing to maintain strategic autonomy in an age of increasing pressure to choose sides. First Published: December 06, 2025, 12:33 IST News opinion Opinion | Where Can Putin Go? PM Modi Is Key For Russian President's Global Comeback Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 14:05 IST 1 / 7 The fertile Krishna-Godavari delta is the heart of Andhra Pradeshs reputation as the Rice Bowl of India. Fed by the Krishna and Godavari rivers, this region boasts rich alluvial soil and abundant water supply, creating ideal conditions for rice cultivation. (File Photo) + Follow us On Google 2 / 7 In fact, nearly 77% of the crops grown here are rice, making the delta one of the most productive agricultural zones in the country. With its favorable climate and extensive irrigation, Andhra Pradesh has become synonymous with paddy fields stretching as far as the eye can see. (File Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 7 Beyond its local importance, Andhra Pradesh plays a crucial role in national food security. The state consistently ranks among the top rice producers in India, contributing significantly to the countrys grain reserves. Much of this rice is consumed domestically, but a portion is also exported, strengthening Indias agricultural economy and global trade presence. (Image: Pexels) 4 / 7 Farmers in Andhra Pradesh often grow two or even three rice crops annually, thanks to the reliable irrigation provided by the deltas rivers. Modern techniques such as mechanization, hybrid seeds, and high-yield varieties have further boosted productivity. Yet traditional water management practices remain vital, blending age-old wisdom with contemporary methods to sustain rice cultivation. This balance of innovation and tradition ensures that rice farming continues to thrive across the state. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 7 Although Andhra Pradesh is most famously recognized as the Rice Bowl of India, other regions also carry similar titles. (Image: Pexels) 6 / 7 Chhattisgarh, with its vast paddy fields, is often called the Rice Bowl of Central India. West Bengal, another leading rice producer, is sometimes referred to as the Rice Bowl of Eastern India. Tamil Nadus Cauvery delta has its own local nickname as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu. These regional variations highlight the widespread importance of rice cultivation across the country, each area contributing uniquely to Indias agricultural landscape. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 21:29 IST 1 / 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Putin with a curated set of Indian gifts, from handcrafted silverwork and marble chess to Assam tea, saffron, and the Bhagavad Gita in Russian. + Follow us On Google 2 / 8 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) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 8 Assam Black Tea, grown in the fertile Brahmaputra plains, is prized for its robust malty flavour, bright liquor, and traditional processing using the assamica variety. 4 / 8 The ornate Murshidabad silver tea set, crafted with intricate engravings, reflects the rich artistry of West Bengal and the deep cultural importance of tea in both India and Russia. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 8 The handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, adorned with intricate detailing, showcases the finesse of Indias metal craft traditions. Symbolising dignity and valour celebrated in both Indian and Russian cultures, it reflects shared heritage and mutual respect. 6 / 8 This handcrafted marble chess set from Agra blends fine craftsmanship with functional elegance, highlighting the regions stone inlay heritage under the ODOP initiative. Featuring individually inlaid motifs, contrasting stone chessmen, and a chequered marble board framed by floral designs, it exemplifies North Indian artistry. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 8 Kashmiri Saffron, locally known as Kong or Zaffran, cultivated in the highlands of Kashmir, is prized for its rich color, aroma, and flavor, and holds deep cultural and culinary significance. Protected by GI and ODOP recognition, it represents heritage, traditional hand-harvesting, and economic value for local farmers. Renowned for its health benefits, this red gold embodies a blend of nature, tradition, and craftsmanship. Preamble Politics Returns: BJP MP's Bill Reignites Fight Over Secular And Socialist Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 07, 2025, 01:00 IST Bhim Singh argues that these terms are not required and were inserted in an undemocratic fashion during the politically fraught period of the Emergency The Supreme Court, in landmark judgments, has affirmed that the word 'secular' only makes explicit what was already implicit in the Constitutions commitment to equality and freedom of religion. File image A new constitutional debate has been ignited in the Rajya Sabha by BJP MP Bhim Singh, who has introduced a Private Members Bill seeking to remove the words secular" and socialist" from the Preamble of the Constitution of India. The MP argues that these terms are not required and were inserted in an undemocratic" fashion during the politically fraught period of the Emergency. Bhim Singh contends that the insertion of these two words via the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 constituted an overreach by the executive. During the Emergency (1975-1977), key democratic processes, including parliamentary scrutiny, were severely curtailed, lending credence to the argument that the amendment lacked the necessary democratic mandate. The MP asserts that the essence of Indias constitutional structureenshrined by its framers, including Dr BR Ambedkarwas already secular and democratic, making the explicit addition of these terms unnecessary and politically motivated. Recommended Stories This argument echoes a long-standing position held by certain sections of the political spectrum who view the 42nd Amendment, often dubbed the Mini-Constitution" due to its sweeping changes, as illegitimate. They argue that the fundamental rights and directive principles already ensure social justice and religious freedom, rendering the specific words in the Preamble redundant. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Conversely, legal and constitutional experts widely regard the 42nd Amendment, despite its controversial timing, as fully integrated into the Basic Structure of the Constitution. Furthermore, the Supreme Court, in landmark judgments, has affirmed that the word secular" only makes explicit what was already implicit in the Constitutions commitment to equality and freedom of religion (Articles 14, 15, and 25). Any attempt to remove these words would require not only a constitutional amendment but would also almost certainly face rigorous judicial scrutiny under the Basic Structure doctrine established by the Kesavananda Bharati case. The introduction of the Private Members Bill, while unlikely to be passed given the legislative process, succeeds in forcing a national conversation on the core ideological identity of the Republic of India, bringing the contentious legacy of the Emergency back into the political spotlight. First Published: December 07, 2025, 01:00 IST News politics Preamble Politics Returns: BJP MP's Bill Reignites Fight Over Secular And Socialist Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Torture': DK Shivakumar Condemns ED Summons To Him, Brother Over National Herald Donations Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 19:45 IST Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar said the latest ED action is unwarranted as its only objective was to "torture" supporters of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar said the Delhi police have instructed him and his brother, DK Suresh, to provide information by December 19. (Image: PTI/File) Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday condemned the summons issued by the ED pertaining to his donations to National Herald and Young India, calling it an act of deliberate harassment". Shivakumar said the latest actions are unwarranted. We have been fully cooperating with the investigation from the beginning. There is nothing hidden here. Despite all this, I dont know why the ED has filed a chargesheet. There was no need for the police to register a case in this matter. We will legally fight this battle in court," he told reporters. Recommended Stories He said the Delhi police have instructed him and his brother, DK Suresh, to provide information by December 19. He said the only objective was to torture" supporters of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. We had already provided answers to all these queries previously. Yet, the issuance of the summons is shocking. Delhi Police have instructed us to provide information related to this matter by December 19," Shivakumar said. We are paying our taxes. We give our money to whomever we wish. They initially filed a PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) case to harass us; what happened after that?" Shivakumar alleged that there is a political motive behind this move. The main intention is to harass supporters of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and to create confusion," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Speaking about the National Herald and Young India institutions, he justified the donations. National Herald, Young India, these are institutions of our Congress party. Because we are Congress members, we provided donations from our trusts when these institutions were going through a difficult time. Many people, just like us, have helped," he added. The deputy chief minister said he and DK Suresh received the summons on Friday (December 5). Suresh had given a sum as a donation when he was an MP, he said, adding that they will study the notice in detail and take necessary legal action. First Published: December 06, 2025, 19:45 IST News politics 'Torture': DK Shivakumar Condemns ED Summons To Him, Brother Over National Herald Donations Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bengaluru Cab Driver Cancels Ride After Sending 'This Is Not Airplane' Message, Internet Reacts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 16:45 IST The short exchange, posted on Reddit, has struck a chord with thousands of city residents whove dealt with similar last-minute surprises and tense chats with app-based drivers Users pointed out that such exchanges have become increasingly common as drivers and riders navigate heavy traffic, delays, and rising frustration on both sides. (Image: Reddit) A simple cab booking in Bengaluru has turned into another viral moment after a commuters usual are you coming?" message prompted an unexpectedly blunt reply from the driver, This is not airplane." The driver cancelled the ride soon after. The short exchange, posted on Reddit, has struck a chord with thousands of city residents whove dealt with similar last-minute surprises and tense chats with app-based drivers. Recommended Stories The commuter later explained that the text was nothing unusual. They always sent a quick confirmation before the driver reached the pick-up point. The idea was simple- to avoid last-minute scrambles, avoid guessing and thereby to avoid wasting time. But the reply they received this time felt oddly personal despite being only a handful of words. The tone was sharp, and the cancellation immediate. The mismatch between a polite question and a defensive response left the passenger puzzled. How a Simple Text Turned Awkward? According to the passenger, the message was meant only as a quick check-in. The sharp response and immediate cancellation left them confused but amused enough to post it online. Users pointed out that such exchanges have become increasingly common as drivers and riders navigate heavy traffic, delays, and rising frustration on both sides. The thread soon filled with similar stories. On Reddit, the post struck a nerve, not because it was extreme, but because the exchange felt like something that could happen to almost anyone who relies on the citys cabs with another reddit user commenting that, Once I was in the same situation. I called the uber driver as in the app, it looked like the car didnt move. I call him up and he says in harsh tone Im coming, this is not a helicopter". I replied Oh thank God I thought I booked a helicopter." Meanwhile in contrast to such tense exchanges, another recent incident involving an uber driver where the act of kindness reminded people that not every ride turns sour. A woman from Mumbai, travelling in Bengaluru, found herself hungry, exhausted and emotionally drained late at night, she had just finished a gruelling shoot and had a flight to catch. Over the phone, she was telling a friend how hungry she was which the driver seem to have overheard and moments later, the cab came to a halt. The woman assumed it was a quick break but to her surprise the driver returned with sandwiches, explaining gently hed stepped out to buy food because he felt bad" hearing she was hungry. He even sought vegetarian options thinking of her preferences. The woman, visibly moved, shared a video on Instagram saying, Mujhe aap humesha yaad rahoge", implying she would never forget the gesture. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all First Published: December 06, 2025, 16:45 IST News viral Bengaluru Cab Driver Cancels Ride After Sending 'This Is Not Airplane' Message, Internet Reacts Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... While 2025 has brought with it countless airline bankruptcies as smaller carriers struggle to compete for passengers and the rising cost of operations, the closure of an entire airport is a more drastic step that usually comes amid a major change in demand or redevelopment in a given area. Over in Belgium, calls to permanently shut down Antwerp International (DNR) known locally as Duerne have increased in recent months as it goes largely unused by all but charter airlines given the proximity of the larger Brussels Airport (BRU) just an hour's train ride away. After posting a net loss of 2.3 million over the last two years, Duerne has been generating headlines for being "bankrupt in all but name." Once a critical World War II base, Coventry Airport to shut down in June 2026 Across the English Channel in Great Britain, Coventry Airport (CVT) in West Midlands actually is getting shut down in June 2026 as local city council prepares for the construction of a technology and energy "gigafactory." First opened in 1936 as Baginton Aerodome and used as a base for the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force base during World War II, the airport was shut down to commercial passenger flights in 2008 due to its small size and proximity of the larger Birmingham Airport (BMX). Related: Competitors offer rescue fares to travelers stranded by regional airline shutdown Over the ensuing 16 years, it was used primarily by charter airlines as well as for various cargo, flight training and medical transportation services. "Coventry Aerodrome has given formal notice to us of its plan to close the airport permanently with effect from 11 June 2026," a CAA spokesperson confirmed in a statement. Rigby Group, the development company which owned Coventry Airport since 2009 and also secured the contract for construction of the electric factory in 2021, also said that the shutdown "enables the next phase of infrastructure work for the site to proceed." According to reporting from the BBC, companies renting hangar space have received letters informing them of the need to vacate the airport in June. The only local site that will remain untouched is the Midlands Air Museum on the history of aviation in the region. Coventry Airport is located in Warwickshire County in West Midlands.Shutterstock A short history of Coventry Airport and its importance to British aviation Despite not being used for passenger flights for almost two decades, Coventry Airport holds an important space in the history of aviation in the area. Pope John Paul II arrived at the airport in 1982 for a WWII commemoration while it has also been used for Kings Cup Air Races and by the British Royal Family on their visits to Coventry. Can I Take IndiGo To Consumer Court?: Chandigarh Man, All Set To Propose In Singapore, Ends Up Paying Rs 80K More Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 14:14 IST A person detailed the process and asked the user to write to IndiGos nodal officer first, before escalating the matter. The person rebooked flights but had to shell out extra. (Photo Credit: X) The chaos caused by the IndiGo flight cancellations over the past few days led to a lot of frustration among passengers. The situation continues to remain dire on Friday, December 5, with over 500 flights cancelled till now. According to reports, IndiGo expects the disruption to continue till at least December 8. As the airports witness scenes of chaos, people have been asking if they can sue the airline in consumer court. A Reddit post has grabbed attention for its rant against IndiGo. The post was shared on the subreddit r/LegalAdviceIndia two days ago. The account explained that they had to travel with their family to Singapore. They booked an IndiGo flight on November 26 from Chandigarh to Delhi and then a connecting flight to Singapore with a gap of hours in between. Recommended Stories IndiGo delayed the 30-minute flight from Chandigarh several times. The aircraft, which was originally set to leave at 12:35 pm, ultimately departed at 8:30 pm. As a result, the individual missed their connecting flight to Singapore. Internet Is Agitated By IndiGo The person was able to rebook flights for their family but had to shell out Rs 80,000 extra for another flight. To make matters worse, the individual had planned to propose to their fiance in Singapore and had spent around Rs 7 lakh for the trip. They explained that the stress of missing the flight messed" with them mentally. The delay had happened because they believe it or not, lacked a pilot to fly the aircraft, what options do I have? Can I take them to consumer court and recoup my expenses which I had to incur because of their incompetence plus also some for mental distress all of this caused me," the account posted, blaming IndiGo. Redditors Respond To Possibility Of Taking IndiGo To Court Many people were supportive of the user taking the airline to consumer court. One account detailed the process and asked the user to write to IndiGos nodal officer first, before escalating the matter. Another person recalled facing a massive delay while travelling from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. The passengers were waiting at the gate till 8 am today and there was massive chaos. The Pune to Bangalore flight for today morning was also cancelled due to no pilot," the individual added. One account, which claimed to be a lawyer, explained that the user was eligible to file a case against IndiGo for negligence. The 8-hour buffer shows that you acted responsibly. It was Indigos repeated delays due to lack of a pilot which is an entirely avoidable issue that caused you to miss the onward journey," the comment read. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all IndiGo Flight Cancellations Over the past few days, IndiGo has seen widespread delays and cancellations due to operational issues. The airline has asked for exemption from the new pilot rest and duty norms till February 10, 2026, adding that it can hire more pilots and crew and stabilise its operations in the timeframe. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 05, 2025, 14:13 IST News viral Can I Take IndiGo To Consumer Court?: Chandigarh Man, All Set To Propose In Singapore, Ends Up Paying Rs 80K More Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... IndiGo Meltdown: Foreigner Climbs Counter, Blasts Ground Staff Over Never-Ending Delays But What Is Their Fault? Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 09:26 IST After the clip went viral, a person said, Yelling at ground staff is no solution. Stakeholders must be responsible. Government should answer. The woman refused to get down from the IndiGo counter. (Photo Credits: X) Indias biggest airline, IndiGo, is grappling with one of its massive operational crises in years, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the country. Mass flight cancellations and hours-long delays have disrupted schedules at major airports, prompting intervention from aviation regulatory bodies. The situation turned airports chaotic, with travellers left distressed and searching for information. From families travelling with elderly or differently abled members to international tourists, the crisis has sparked nationwide outrage. Social media has been flooded with videos showing frustrated passengers lashing out at the ground staff. One clip captured a foreigner loudly yelling at two IndiGo staff at an airport counter. While the two female staff members made efforts to calm her down, it was of no use. Recommended Stories The Woman Banged The Glass Panel And Continued Yelling At IndiGos Ground Staff The woman got so angry that she climbed on the counter and continued yelling at them. Upon seeing her doing so, they, out of concern, asked her to climb down as she might fall and hurt herself. But the woman was in no mood to listen. She held the glass panel with one hand and continued arguing with the staff, who even folded their hands and asked her to calm down. She was speaking in some foreign language, seemingly French, which people around her did not understand. Another woman, who was not visible in the frame, asked someone to translate what she was saying. At the end of the clip, she even banged the glass panel with her hand and refused to climb down from the counter. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all SHOCKER Internet Comes Out In Support Of IndiGos Ground Staff After the video surfaced online, people on the Internet sided with the ground staff, pointing out that this crisis is not their fault but of the airlines. One user said, Yelling at ground staff is no solution. Stakeholders must be responsible. Government should answer." Another added, This is literally bad, they should have some sense. I know they are devastated, but whats the fault of the employees there working?" What on earth is the management even doing? Why are they hiding in the background instead of owning up to the mess? Why is it always the ground staff left to absorb the chaos while the people in charge vanish into thin air? Its beyond frustrating, and its downright embarrassing," said a different person. Someone else highlighted, What can the front office staff do in such situations? Sure, people need to take their frustration out somewhere, but the number of times frontline staff get hammered for things well out of their control is crazy." Sonu Sood Requests People To Be Respectful To IndiGos Ground Staff Meanwhile, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood also shared a video, extending his support to IndiGos ground staff. In a video shared on his social media account, he shared that his family was also impacted by the crisis and said, The saddest part was to see how people were shouting at the ground staff at the airports. I know there is frustration, sadness, and that you vent your anger. But imagine yourself in their shoes. Those who are helpless themselves dont know what their future schedules are. How the flights will fly or not." "A delayed flight is frustrating, but remember the faces trying to fix it. Please be nice and humble to the IndiGo staff; they are carrying the weight of cancellations too. Lets support them." @IndiGo6E pic.twitter.com/rd3ciyekcS sonu sood (@SonuSood) December 6, 2025 He called the situation unfortunate" and reminded everyone that they are the same people who take care of the passengers. He added, I think as responsible citizens, its very, very important for us to make sure that we dont react to them. Because they are helpless and have no answers. Please try to keep cool. Control your anger and respect them. They have also stepped out of their homes to fulfill their duties, and it is our duty to meet them with the same smile as they have met us." Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 06, 2025, 09:26 IST News viral IndiGo Meltdown: Foreigner Climbs Counter, Blasts Ground Staff Over Never-Ending Delays But What Is Their Fault? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mumbai CEO Slams IndiGo For Deducting Rs 8K From Refund After Flight Delays, Shares Screenshot: Care To Explain? Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 08:59 IST IndiGo promised a full waiver on all cancellations/reschedule requests between December 5 and 15, 2025. IndiGo cancelled several flights due to new DGCA rules. (Photo Credits: X) IndiGo, considered Indias largest airline, is grappling with one of its most severe operational meltdowns in recent years. The chaos left thousands of passengers stranded across the country. From mass cancellations to hours-long delays, the disruption spiralled across major airports. Amid it all, the airline, owned by InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, faced another wave of criticism. Many passengers who cancelled their tickets took to social media to say the airline promised a full refund, but still deducted money from the amount they were returned. They posted screenshots of a refund receipt as a reply to IndiGos apology letter, in which the airline mentioned it would offer a full waiver" for cancellation or rescheduling of flights between December 5 and 15, 2025. Recommended Stories GreyLabs AI CEO Claims He Did Not Get The Full Refund Taking to X (formerly Twitter), GreyLabs AI CEO Aman Goel posted that IndiGo deducted Rs 8,718 from his refund while still claiming to offer a 100 per cent refund. He posted a screenshot of the receipt and asked in the caption, Total Deductions Rs. 8,718, and they call it 100% refund.@IndiGo6E, care to explain the deduction?" Total Deductions Rs. 8,718" and they call it 100% refund.@IndiGo6E care to explain the deduction? https://t.co/lB3srwz5hG pic.twitter.com/Sx7gavFPWn Aman Goel (@amangoeliitb) December 5, 2025 Similar Case: Passenger Claims He Was Refunded Rs 0 For His Ticket Of Rs 7,543 Another person shared his plight on the same thread. He posted a screenshot of the receipt showing he had paid Rs 7,543 for a ticket. When he tried to cancel it, the airline charged a cancellation fee of Rs 8,035, and an additional cancellation charge by the booking website. Moreover, the convenience fee was also deducted. The total then stood at Rs 8,895, which was Rs 1,352 more than his original ticket price. So, his refund amount stood at Rs 0. Sharing the picture, he wrote, You are still better." You are still better pic.twitter.com/4rRNcw71zE Ravinder Bansal (@Ravinder1303) December 5, 2025 Internet Expresses Frustration Over Deduction Despite Claims of 100% Refund In the comments, one user shared, My flight was 230, my refund was 180, no explanation or deduction listed. Beware anyone who had cancellations, double-check what you really paid!" Another added, Shameless to the core. Their appeal of Dont go, cancel, will give a full refund is a lie, I just cancelled PNR IYDLWA for 9/12 and got only a minimum amount taking all of us for a ride to hell." Hi. 5000 has been deducted for the cancellation done a couple of hours ago," a different individual shared. Deduction for what?" asked a person. Their fees for inconvenience caused to you," said another. Commenting on it, one of them said, They are collecting money to pay fine to DGCA." Another frustrated passenger asked, You claim to provide full refund for tickets cancelled between 5th and 15th December, yet when my husband is trying to cancel a refundable ticket for a flight meant to depart on 7th December, he is being told that INR 4201 will be deducted!!! How is this possible @IndiGo6E?" One individual wrote, My flight is dated 13th Dec, and it is not giving me a full refund on your website as you claim in your post. Instead, it is deducting Rs 35,988/-. Please update your systems before posting on X that you are giving full refunds. Or is this just a propaganda to fool everyone?" IndiGos Apology Statement Following the massive chaos, the airline released an apology on December 5. In their statement, they assured passengers that they would do everything in their power to assist them. A part of their statement read: We will ensure that all refunds for your cancellations will be processed automatically to your original mode of payment. We will offer a full waiver on all cancellations/reschedule requests of your bookings for travel between December 5 to 15, 2025." Sonu Sood Shows Support Amid IndiGo Crisis As chaos and unruly scenes were reported amid multiple IndiGo flight cancellations, Sonu Sood came out in support of the airline. The actor, who is known for his humanitarian work especially during COVID-19-induced lockdown, posted a video message on X for all his followers. He urged them to be nice with the staff members during these hard times. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all "A delayed flight is frustrating, but remember the faces trying to fix it. Please be nice and humble to the IndiGo staff; they are carrying the weight of cancellations too. Lets support them." @IndiGo6E pic.twitter.com/rd3ciyekcS sonu sood (@SonuSood) December 6, 2025 He wrote, A delayed flight is frustrating, but remember the faces trying to fix it. Please be nice and humble to the IndiGo staff; they are carrying the weight of cancellations too. Lets support them." Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 06, 2025, 08:30 IST News viral Mumbai CEO Slams IndiGo For Deducting Rs 8K From Refund After Flight Delays, Shares Screenshot: Care To Explain? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Mentally Ill': Pakistan Army Responds To Imran Khan's Criticism Of Field Marshal Asim Munir Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 08:51 IST Vowing to crush former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's "narrative", the army accused him of using family visits and social media posts to attack the armed forces and sow division Pakistani Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry (R) described former PM Imran Khan (L) as a "narcissist", whose political ambitions had grown extreme. (Image: AFP File/Sourced) The Pakistani Army labelled former prime minister Imran Khan as mentally ill" after he called Field Marshal Asim Munir mentally unstable". Vowing to crush Imran Khans narrative", which the army called a national security threat", it accused him of using family visits and social media posts to launch such attacks and sow division. Recommended Stories Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described Khan as a narcissist" whose political ambitions had grown so extreme that he believed if I am not in power, nothing else should exist". Imran Khan is mentally retarded and ill person. His ego and desires have grown to such an extent that he says if not me, then nothing," Lt Gen Chaudhry told a televised news conference. You meet a convict and he creates a narrative against the army and its leadership. His remarks came after one of his sisters met with him at a prison, and said her brother was angry at Field Marshal Asim Munir. In a message to Khan, he said the armed forces respect Pakistans political leadership but the army must be kept away from your politics". The Pakistan armed forces will not allow you to incite the people against the army," he said. Lt Gen Chaudhry also put the blame on Indian and Afghan media for promoting Imran Khans negative narrative". He said people meeting him in prison were being used to spread poison against the army". Attack and agenda against the army will be responded to. Uzma Khan (Imran Khans sister) is sitting before Indian media and telling the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) to attack," he said. Talking about dialogue with Afghan militants and the Taliban, he said: By the logic of this mentally disturbed individual, if India had attacked, he would have walked around with a begging bowl saying, Come, lets talk," adding that, Pakistan will fight against all odds and all fronts." The army spokespersons rare remarks followed a post by Khan on X a day earlier in which he labelled Munir a mentally unstable person" and accused him of moral decline that had caused the complete collapse of the Constitution and rule of law in Pakistan". He said he and his wife were jailed on fabricated charges at his command" and claimed he was being held in solitary confinement and subjected to psychological pressure. Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since 2023 following a corruption conviction and faces a series of other charges. He was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, and his party now sits in opposition and continues to allege that the 2024 parliamentary elections were rigged to favour current PM Shehbaz Sharif, a claim that has been denied. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This news conference also came a day after President Asif Ali Zardari and Sharif approved the promotion of Field Marshal Munir as the chief of defence forces, a position that was established last month to improve coordination among the army, navy and air force. (With agency inputs) Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: December 06, 2025, 08:48 IST News world 'Mentally Ill': Pakistan Army Responds To Imran Khan's Criticism Of Field Marshal Asim Munir Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Not Putin, But Trump Deserves Credit For Uniting India-Russia': Former Pentagon Official Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 17:16 IST Ex-Pentagon official Michael Rubin said US President Donald Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for bringing India and Russia closer. He took a jibe at Trump after Putin's visit to India. US President Donald Trump. (File photo) A former Pentagon official said that US President Donald Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for bringing India and Russia together." Speaking on Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India, Michael Rubin said, it is seen as Trumps gross incompetence" by the majority of US people. The ex-Pentagon officials jibe at Trump came as Putin concluded his two-day visit to India. Speaking to ANI, Rubin said, From Russias perspective, the visit is extremely positive, and India has bestowed honours on Vladimir Putin that he can hardly get anywhere else in the world. I would actually argue that Donald Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for bringing India and Russia together the way he did How many of these agreements (MoUs) are actually going to come to fruition? How many of the decisions being made now are motivated by a true melding of interests? How many are being motivated by animosity towards the way in which President Donald Trump has treated Prime Minister Modi and India more broadly?" Recommended Stories #WATCH | Washington, DC, USA | Donald Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for bringing India and Russia together the way he did", says Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin on Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India.He further says, From Russias perspective, the visit pic.twitter.com/vYXcVTwP7M ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025 Michael Rubin further said that the US is being hypocritical" by lecturing" India on its purchase of discounted oil from Russia, as Washington itself is involved in trade with Moscow, and justified New Delhis position to prioritise its needs. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Former Pentagon official noted that India is soon to become the worlds third-largest economy and has its own energy needs, criticising the USs imposition of an additional 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports in August due to its purchase of Russian oil, which Washington claims fuels Moscows war efforts in Ukraine. Speaking with ANI, Michael Rubin said, What Americans dont understand is that Indians elected Prime Minister Modi to represent Indian interests. India is the most populous country. Its soon going to become the Worlds third-largest economy, and for that, it needs energy. The US is being hypocritical because we purchase from Russia. We purchase goods and materials for which we dont have alternative markets. We are being hypocritical when we lecture India." Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: December 06, 2025, 17:16 IST News world 'Not Putin, But Trump Deserves Credit For Uniting India-Russia': Former Pentagon Official Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pak-Afghan Border Erupts in Heavy Clashes After Ceasefire Breach; Civilians Evacuated | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pranay Maniar Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 09:08 IST Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy gunfire near Spin Boldak and Chaman after failed Saudi Arabia talks, with both sides blaming each other amid ongoing border tensions. File photo of Pakistani Army soldiers (Image: Reuters) Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy gunfire at multiple points along their shared border late Friday, officials from both sides confirmed, marking one of the most serious flare-ups since the Taliban took power in 2021. The violence came just days after another round of peace talks ended without progress, despite both nations agreeing to uphold a fragile ceasefire. No official casualty count has been released, though local sources reported multiple injuries and fatalities as authorities continued assessing the situation. Recommended Stories Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire by launching fresh attacks in Kandahars Spin Boldak district. Unfortunately, this evening the Pakistani side once again launched attacks towards Afghanistan in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, prompting the Islamic Emirate forces to respond," Mujahid posted on X. He later alleged that Pakistan was targeting civilians" in Spin Boldak and surrounding areas. . Zabihullah (.. ) (@Zabehulah_M33) December 5, 2025 Pakistan, however, accused Afghan forces of initiating unprovoked firing" near the ChamanWesh border crossing. Government spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi said Pakistan remained fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens." Two Major Flashpoints Erupt According to top security sources speaking to CNN-News18: At the Badini border, heavy firing broke out before subsiding; casualties have been reported. At the Friendship Gate crossing linking Balochistan to Kandahar, both sides exchanged heavy weaponry, including reports of Pakistan deploying swarm drones and small rockets. Residents near the border began evacuating as artillery movements were spotted on both sides of the Durand Line. Though firing reportedly halted later in the night, officials warned that the situation remained tense and unpredictable." Backdrop of Failed Peace Talks The fresh clashes erupted just two days after Saudi Arabia hosted talks aimed at cooling tensions following deadly border fighting in October that killed dozens. Previous mediation efforts in Qatar and Turkey also failed to produce lasting solutions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At the core of the dispute, Islamabad alleges that Afghan-based militants have carried out recent attacks inside Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul denies responsibility, saying Pakistans internal security failures cannot be blamed on Afghanistan. As both nations trade accusations and mobilise forces along the border, fears of further escalation loom large, threatening to unravel months of diplomatic efforts to stabilise relations. Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: December 06, 2025, 07:43 IST News world Pak-Afghan Border Erupts in Heavy Clashes After Ceasefire Breach; Civilians Evacuated | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Putins India Visit Successful, Strategically Timed Amid Western Pressure: Expert Michael Kugelman Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 14:13 IST According to Kugelman, the meeting between the two leaders sent a clear message that despite mounting Western pressure, the India-Russia relationship continues to endure. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google South Asia analyst, Michael Kugelman. (ANI) South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman described Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India as successful" and strategically significant, underlining both its timing and geopolitical implications. Speaking on the visit, Kugelman noted that this was Putins first trip to India in four years since Russias invasion of Ukraine, making it particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of ongoing global tensions. Recommended Stories He said the visit came at a precarious moment," with India facing sustained pressure from Western countries, especially the United States, to scale back its energy imports from Russia. According to Kugelman, the meeting between the two leaders sent a clear message that despite mounting Western pressure, the India-Russia relationship continues to endure. It was important for these leaders to show that even in the face of a lot of pressure from the West, this is a relationship that will endure," he told ANI, highlighting the resilience of bilateral ties amid shifting global dynamics. Commenting on the joint statement issued after the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual Summit, Kugelman said the document was notably expansive and reflected the broad scope of bilateral cooperation. He noted that the statement covered a wide range of areas, including military ties, energy, commercial collaboration and infrastructure. He pointed out that while energy remains one of the most significant and challenging aspects of the relationship, it is equally important for both countries to explore and strengthen other areas of commercial engagement. It was indeed quite expansive, which is not a surprise. It highlighted all types of areas of cooperation, from military cooperation, energy and many other aspects of commercial collaborations, as well as infrastructure. Energy is where one of the biggest challenges lies in the relationship. It is important that the two countries look for other aspects of commercial ties to focus on," he said. Speaking on the Russian Presidents message on oil, Kugelman said the remarks were carefully calibrated for both Indian and Western audiences. He noted that India needs to be particularly cautious in how it engages with Russia on energy in the near term, given the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the Ukraine conflict. It was meant for both Indian and western audience. India has to be very careful about how it engages with Russia on energy level, especially for the immediate term. This will be a challenge for India only so long as the war (Ukraine-Russia) continues," he said. On the future of IndiaRussia ties, Kugelman said the relationship is at a challenging moment amid sustained pressure from the West and Indias recent reduction in imports from Russia. With all the pressure coming from the West, it is but of a challenging moment with all the pressure coming from the West and the fact that India has for now, reduced imports from Russia One could look at the security aspects of the relationship where weve seen some delays in getting Russian military equipment to India," he said. He pointed to security as another sensitive area, noting delays in the delivery of Russian military equipment to India. Energy and arms have been the key aspect of the relationship between the two. India has been trying to increase its access to Central Asia and Russia can be of help in this. China has its own influence in Central Asia. Pakistan has been trying to increase its own access to Central Asia. So with India working with Russia, its good friend, Russia could perhaps help advance Indias goals in that region," Kugelman added. Kugelman further said that despite Indias close engagement with Russia, there remains a strong desire in Washington to continue working with New Delhi. Referring to the Indo-Russia Summit, he said the meeting served as a reminder to the West that Russia cannot be fully isolated, as major global players like India and China continue to maintain close ties with Moscow. In Washington, there is a desire to continue to work with India. This Summit was the latest reminder to the West that Russia cannot be isolated. India and China two of the most critical global players are closed to Russia. This is not going to change the close partnership of India with the countries in the West," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One of the big priorities for Indias foreign policy is to get a trade deal with the EU. Even in the US, I think that in Washington there is a desire to continue to work with India, despite everything thats going on, and this visit by Putin," Kugelman added. (With inputs from ANI) First Published: December 06, 2025, 14:13 IST News world Putins India Visit Successful, Strategically Timed Amid Western Pressure: Expert Michael Kugelman Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trump Strategy Warns Europe Of Civilisational Erasure, Calls For Major Military Reorientation Curated By : Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 14:22 IST The Trump administration's National Security Strategy warns Europe faces "civilisational erasure," urges US military shifts to the Western Hemisphere, and prioritises Taiwan. US President Donald Trump (Image: AFP) The Trump administration has issued a stark warning about Europes future, claiming the continent faces the threat of civilisational erasure" and may soon struggle to remain a reliable US ally. The assertions are part of a sweeping 33-page National Security Strategy (NSS) released on Friday, outlining President Donald Trumps global vision and priorities for American military and economic power. Calling the document a roadmap" to ensure the US remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history," Trump placed unusual emphasis on Europe, reflecting tensions over migration, climate policies and waning Western influence. Recommended Stories Europe Under Threat, Says NSS The strategy claims Europe could become unrecognisable in 20 years or less" if current trends continue. It cites mass migration, declining birthrates, loss of national identity, foreign influence, and political censorship as key drivers of the alleged decline. It is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies," the document states. It accuses the European Union and other international organizations of undermining sovereignty and suppressing political freedoms, while praising the rise of patriotic European parties." The Trump administration has previously cultivated ties with Germanys far-right AfD, which German intelligence classifies as extremist. Berlin Pushes Back German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul rejected the critique, saying Germany does not need outside advice" and emphasizing that NATO should remain focused strictly on security issues. Our free societies dont require such commentary," he added. Russia, Ukraine and European Security The document argues that Europe lacks self-confidence" in dealing with Russia, asserting that the US must remain heavily involved. Ending the war in Ukraine is described as a core American interest. The Trump administrations own proposal to end the conflict initially calling for Ukraine to cede territory to Russian control has been revised after pushback. Moscow has insisted Ukraine must withdraw from the Donbas region or face forcible removal. A Hemispheric Shift in US Military Strategy The NSS signals a major shift in US defence posture, calling for the redeployment of American military assets toward the Western Hemisphere to counter threats in the Caribbean and Latin America. The US has already increased its military presence there, including deploying the USS Gerald Ford, the worlds largest warship, and conducting repeated strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela. China, the Pacific, and Taiwan Beyond the Americas, the strategy identifies the South China Sea as a crucial shipping route central to US economic interests. It pledges to strengthen and harden the US military presence in the Western Pacific and urges Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Taiwan to boost defence spending. Deterring conflict over Taiwan, ideally by preserving military overmatch," is described as a priority. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force. A Push for Industrial Resilience top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The strategy also stresses reducing US dependence on foreign technologies, aligning with Trumps extensive global tariffs and efforts to rebuild Americas industrial base. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: December 06, 2025, 14:22 IST News world Trump Strategy Warns Europe Of Civilisational Erasure, Calls For Major Military Reorientation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trumps 2025 NSS Redraws The Map: Russia Gets A Handshake, Europe A Lecture, India A Line Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 16:31 IST The document contains several strikingly unconventional elements, particularly its soft-pedalling on Russia and a noticeable downgrade in the rhetorical priority given to India The document generated controversy by repeating President Trumps assertion that he "negotiated peace between... Pakistan and India" following the May 2025 military confrontation. File pic/Reuters The release of President Donald Trumps National Security Strategy (NSS) for 2025 has provided a blunt blueprint for the administrations foreign policy, confirming an expected sharp divergence from previous US approaches, particularly regarding Europe and the Indo-Pacific. As noted by geostrategist Brahma Chellaney on X, the document contains several strikingly unconventional elements, particularly its soft-pedalling on Russia and a noticeable downgrade in the rhetorical priority given to India. Recommended Stories Russia and Ukraine: Seeking an Expeditious Cessation The strategy makes the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war a declared core interest" of the United States. However, the documents language regarding Moscow is notably tempered compared to its stance on traditional allies. The NSS pledges to negotiate an expeditious cessation of hostilities in Ukraine" and to reestablish strategic stability with Russia." This framing prioritises immediate conflict resolution and stability over the complete restoration of Ukraines borders or a comprehensive condemnation of Russian actions. The strategys primary focus in this theatre appears to be limiting the conflicts cost and enabling a pivot toward great power competition with China. Europe: An Unusually Blunt Indictment In sharp contrast to its treatment of Russia, the NSS offers an unusually caustic critique of European leadership, as highlighted by Chellaney. The document asserts that European leaders hold unrealistic expectations for the [Ukraine] war" while being perched in unstable minority governments, many of which trample on basic principles of democracy to suppress opposition." This language is interpreted as a clear push for European allies to assume greater responsibility for their own defence, echoing the America First" principle by suggesting that American resources will be reallocated away from what the administration views as an overly dependent European security structure. India: Downgraded Salience and A Claim of Peace The strategy shows a clear shift in Washingtons articulation of its partnership with India. The 2017 NSS, as Chellaney noted, had accorded India pride of place" in the Indo-Pacific strategy, explicitly welcoming Indias emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defense partner." The latest document noticeably tempers this language, confining itself to stating that the US must continue to improve commercial (and other) relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security, including through the Quad." The mention of the Quad, a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific security cooperation, is strikingly brief, suggesting a reduced strategic emphasis compared to the sweeping declarations of the past. Furthermore, the document generated controversy by repeating President Trumps assertion that he negotiated peace between Pakistan and India" following the May 2025 military confrontation, a claim New Delhi has consistently and firmly rejected, maintaining that it resolved the conflict independently. Pakistan: The Striking Omission Perhaps the most dramatic shift in the new strategy involves Pakistan. The 2017 NSS was explicit and forceful, stating, We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts The United States will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets." The 2025 document, however, completely omits any critical reference to Pakistan, removing the explicit demands for counterterrorism action and responsible nuclear stewardship. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This silence signals a significant recalibration of US policy towards Islamabad, moving away from public criticism and conditioning of the relationship, a change likely welcomed in Pakistan but viewed with concern by India. Overall, the 2025 NSS clearly signals a strategic shift focused on narrowly defined American interests, reduced entanglement in long-standing European conflicts, and a more transactional, commercially focused relationship with key Asian partners like India. First Published: December 06, 2025, 16:31 IST News world Trumps 2025 NSS Redraws The Map: Russia Gets A Handshake, Europe A Lecture, India A Line Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is included among the 15 Blue Chip Dividend Stocks to Build a Passive Income Porfolio. Accenture Teams Up with OpenAI and Snowflake to Accelerate AI Adoption Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash On December 3, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) and Snowflake, the AI data cloud company, announced an expanded partnership aimed at accelerating generative AI adoption and improving business outcomes for clients like Caterpillar. With the creation of the Accenture Snowflake Business Group, the two companies plan to help more enterprises transform their business models by using cloud, AI, and data capabilities supported by Accenture AI Refinery and Snowflakes recent developments, including Snowflake Intelligence and Snowflake Cortex AI. Separately, on December 1, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) said it will provide tens of thousands of its IT staff with access to ChatGPT Enterprise through a new partnership with OpenAI as it works to meet growing demand for AI-focused services. The two companies also announced plans to introduce a new AI initiative designed to help clients across industries, such as financial services, healthcare, and retail, adopt AI-driven workflows. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is a global professional services provider that offers strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations services to organizations in both the public and private sectors. While we acknowledge the potential of ACN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 15 High Quality Dividend Stocks for Long-Term Investors and 15 Dividend Stocks That Outperform the S&P 500 Disclosure: None. By Jeffrey Dastin and Andrea Shalal NEW YORK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Panelists at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York sidestepped concerns about an artificial intelligence bubble, focusing instead on the transformative effects of AI and how it may upend work and job growth. Artificial intelligence represents the biggest technological upheaval to the world economy since the rise of the internet a quarter-century ago. It has brought trillions of dollars of investment and dizzying stock-market gains, but also a shortage of memory chips, regulatory scrutiny, and rising anxiety about job displacement. The numbers are eye-popping. In the first half of 2025, AI-related capital expenditures contributed more to GDP growth than the consumer, according to JP Morgan Asset Management. Investment advisory Bespoke Investment Group recently estimated about one-third of the rise in global market cap since the introduction of AI assistant ChatGPT comes from 28 AI-related companies. Corporate executives at Reuters NEXT on Wednesday and Thursday largely focused on how AI would transform work, though some talked about the threat to jobs. "All (of our customers) are focused on slowing headcount growth," said May Habib, CEO and co-founder of AI startup Writer. "This has happened just in the last few weeks. 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?'" SAP CEO Christian Klein said that at a recent company town hall, the top question from employees was how their jobs would be impacted by AI. "We are rolling out AI across the company, even my general counsel, my legal department, is not secure, something that you can do more efficiently with AI," he said. FEARS OF JOB UPHEAVAL The fears about job displacement brought on by the AI boom are backed by a U.S. Federal Reserve report noting data and surveys that say artificial intelligence is already replacing entry-level positions and causing companies to trim hiring plans. An August Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 71% were concerned AI will be "putting too many people out of work permanently." Striking a more optimistic tone that became one theme of the Reuters NEXT conference, economist Joseph Lavorgna, counselor to the U.S. Treasury secretary, said the focus should be on how the technology could enhance labor rather than replace it. AI is an incredible tool that I think is complementary to the existing workforce, he said. We need policies that are going to encourage businesses to invest, and AI is a complement to it. Chief Bere has issued a sharp challenge to law enforcement, demanding that police arrest drug peddlers regardless of their wealth or influence, citing concerns that wealthy individuals were masterminding the drug trade in the province while evading justice. The traditional leader, born Phinias Tafireyi, made the call during a high-impact Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse campaign held in Mashava on November 28, 2025. The police must arrest drug peddlers regardless of their profile or financial status, It is disturbing that many moneyed individuals are cited as the main perpetrators selling drugs to our youth. No one should be above the law, and financial muscle should not purchase immunity while our children suffer, said Chief Bere. The event, themed Protect, care and act together against drug and substance abuse, also featured strong statements from government and academic leaders. Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, implored communities to join the fight, describing drug abuse as an existential threat. In a speech read on his behalf by the Masvingo District Development Coordinator Joyce Chikugu, Chadzamira called for a united front against the scourge. We need a united front, communities must stop harboring drug peddlers and work closely with law enforcement to root out this rot that is destroying the moral fabric of our society. Drugs are destroying the future, the health and economic development of our nation, said Chadzamira. The academic sector weighed in through Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) leadership, with Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Marian Tukuta delivering a stern warning to students. Professor Tukuta, who was representing Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo, encouraged learners to remain steadfast in their academic pursuits. You must focus mainly on your studies rather than drugs, substance abuse steals not only your health but your future. The temporary escape it offers is not worth the permanent damage it causes to your potential, said Professor Tukuta. Youth representative Tanyaradzwa Makalima of the Masvingo District Junior Council provided insight into the socio-economic drivers of the crisis, highlighting unemployment as a key factor. Unemployment is fueling the uptake of drugs by youths. When young people stay unoccupied and see no immediate economic opportunities, they become vulnerable. Idleness is driving them toward substance abuse as a coping mechanism, said Makalima. The Mashava campaign was part of a broader provincial initiative to operationalize the national drug master plan, with numerous schools from Masvingo district attending and pupils showcasing the dangers of drug abuse through various presentations. TellZimNews A black mold discovered inside the ruins of the Chernobyl nuclear plant may be able to feed on radiation, and scientists are now exploring whether it could one day protect astronauts from cosmic rays in deep space. The mold, first spotted by microbiologist Nelli Zhdanova in 1997, appears to not only survive but thrive in one of the most radioactive environments on Earth, growing toward sources of radiation inside the damaged reactor, per the BBC . ScienceAlert notes that more than three dozen species of mold have been found at the Chernobyl site. Zhdanova's research found that the fungi, packed with the pigment melanin, weren't just tolerating radiationthey seemed to be using it, potentially harnessing the energy for growth, a phenomenon some scientists now call "radiosynthesis." The idea is that melanin, known for protecting human skin from ultraviolet rays, might also shield these fungi from even more dangerous ionizing radiation and help them convert that into energy. Follow-up experiments by other researchers, including nuclear scientist Ekaterina Dadachova, found that melanized fungi exposed to radiation grew faster than those that weren't, supporting the theory that the mold was somehow feeding on the radiation's energy. Not all melanized fungi show this effect, and the exact mechanism remains unproven, but the findings have drawn interest from organizations like NASA, which is investigating whether similar fungi could be used to shield astronauts. The same species of fungus that was discovered at Chernobyl, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, was sent in 2018 to the International Space Station, where it also appeared to grow faster when exposed to space radiation. Researchers found that even a thin layer of the mold could block some radiation, raising the possibility that fungal-based materials could be used as lightweight, self-regenerating radiation shields for future moon or Mars bases. Transporting traditional shielding materials like metal, plastics, glass, or water is costly and/or cumbersome, so scientists are exploring whether fungal "myco-architecture" could offer a more practical solution. Vice's observation: "Even in places we broke in spectacular fashion, life keeps trying new tricks we still hardly understand." Japan's famously high-tech toilets are getting a new upgrade: sound-masking devices designed to cover up the less melodic realities of public restrooms. These gadgets, often called Otohime, or "Sound Princess," are now a staple in Japanese bathrooms, emitting everything from rushing water to birdsong with the push of a button. The goal? To spare users embarrassment and save water by reducing the number of flushes used to drown out other noises, reports the New York Times . Although these devices have been present in women's restrooms in Japan for some time, it's not just the ladies using them anymore, either. "As younger men are more sensitive about toilet noise, it's being installed in men's rooms as well," says Tsukasa Matsuyama of Toto, the company behind the Sound Princess. And with public bathrooms in Japan increasingly designed without gender distinctions, the devices are finding fans across the spectrumincluding among transgender people, who've been consulted by Toto on bathroom issues. The devices are even becoming a target for hackers and hobbyists, with one viral parody playing the theme from a samurai TV drama. The concept of masking toilet sounds isn't new in Japan, where ancient temples used urns to splash water and mask noises centuries ago. The modern version emerged during a 1979 drought, when electronic sound devices were introduced as a water-saving measure. Today, Toto's technicians scour the country for the perfect nature sounds to record, while competitors are adding their own twistslike a Formula One engine roar at a racetrack rest stop. Voice artist Donna Burke, who grew up double-flushing out of embarrassment in Australia, is now selling her own version, Royal Flushh, which plays forest sounds and will soon offer everything from classical music to artillery fire. As Burke puts it, "People just don't know they need it until someone shows them." A North Carolina transplant documents what other surprising differences she's found in Japan since her family moved there, including heated seats and bidets in public restrooms. Meanwhile, more here on Burke, who's brought "Japanese toilet etiquette" back home Down Under with her. A few years ago, Kurt Neesley of Redondo Beach, California, was brainstorming where to put his family's 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. "Three glasses of wine usually gets the creativity flowing," said Neesley, who had planned to repaint that kitchen wall anyway. "Elf on the Shelf can be very stressful." This isn't just the holiday season, notes the AP: It's Elf on the Shelf time, and parents like Neesley need ideas for Santa's little spy, who turns 20 this year. A former top financial official at the Drug Enforcement Administration is facing charges for allegedly working with a notorious Mexican drug cartel via the laundering of millions of dollars, say prosecutors in Manhattan. According to a newly unsealed indictment, Paul Campo spent about 25 years at the DEA, ultimately becoming its deputy chief of financial operations before retiring in 2016, per the New York Times . Prosecutors allege that Campo converted roughly $750,000 in cartel cash into cryptocurrency and agreed to launder a total of up to $12 million. Campo is also accused of facilitating a payment tied to 220 kilograms of cocaine that had reportedly arrived in the US. Campo has been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, as well as a slew of other conspiracy charges tied to distributing narcotics, providing material support to a terror group, and committing money laundering. An alleged associate, Robert Sensi, has also been charged. The cartel involved, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, has been deemed a foreign terror organization by the State Department and is known for maintaining its drug trade through violence and bribes. Media reports stretching back years on the topic of drug dealers and money laundering cite Campo as a DEA source, with him telling Bloomberg in 2010 that, for the two decades prior to that, Latin American drug traffickers had traditionally laundered their money via US banks. A 2023 Tablet article also described the post-retirement company that Campo founded, Global Financial Consultants, as focusing on "anti-money-laundering securities." Efforts to reach Campo for comment weren't successful. Frank Gehry, a giant of American architecture who designed buildings in never-before-seen shapes in imaginative attempts to invoke joybringing him critical and popular acclaimhas died. He was 96. Gehry's chief of staff said he died Friday at his home in Santa Monica after a brief illness, the New York Times reports. Gehry's signature buildings include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Architect Philip Johnson decreed Bilbao, as it's generally known, "the greatest building of our time." Johnson said that the first time he saw it, he burst into tears. The designs were especially arresting to people used to the boxy, glass-and-steel buildings of postwar modernism that Gehry said he found cold and lifeless, per NPR. Gehry and his team adapted aerospace software to help builders produce his exuberant swirls and swoops. The Bilbao museum opened in 1997 and Disneywith silver stainless steel 1/16th of an inch thickin 2003. The timing of Bilbao's opening contributed to the splash it made. "This building's design and construction have coincided with the waning of a period when American architecture spectacularly lost its way," critic Herbert Muschamp wrote. Gehry said, "I thought it was possible to find a way to express feeling and humanistic qualities in a building." Of Disney, he said, "You know, a building for music and performance should be joyful." The concert hall's acoustics were equally celebrated. He produced more modest designs, as well. Gehry first drew international attention by remaking the small, pink, 1920 bungalow he bought in Santa Monica with his wife, Berta Aguilera, in 1977. He tore off large pieces of the facade, putting up glass, corrugated metal, and exposed wood instead. Neighbors didn't appreciate the result, but architecture critics did. His inspiration was "the workaday landscape of Southern California itself," per the Los Angeles Times. And it made a statement that the rough aesthetic could work as well as the finer finishes. "I was trying to use the dumb, normal materials of the neighborhood," Gehry said. Gehry's honors included a National Medal of Arts from Bill Clinton and a Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama. A Brazilian professor teaching at Harvard Law School agreed to leave the US after he was charged with shooting a pellet gun outside a synagogue and accused of antisemitisman allegation disputed by local law enforcement. Carlos Portugal Gouvea was arrested Wednesday in Brookline, Massachusetts, the Department of Homeland Security announced, and chose to not remain in the US to battle deportation proceedings, USA Today reports. Federal officials have not been swayed by the findings of police or the synagogue. Gouvea was arrested after private security guards at Temple Beth Zion, a few miles from the Harvard campus, heard a loud noise outside the synagogue on Oct. 1, during a service on the eve of Yom Kippur. One of the guards spotted Gouvea behind a tree, holding a pellet gun. A police report said Gouvea fled and was arrested later at his home. He told police he'd been hunting rats in the area. Gouvea was charged with firing the gun and other minor charges, but no crimes related to antisemitism. Synagogue leaders agreed with police, telling the New York Times that "It is potentially dangerous to use a BB gun in such a populated spot, but it does not appear to have been fueled by antisemitism." In a speech in October, a Harvard Chabad rabbi said, "This man is married to a Jewish woman and has Jewish children, and it's absolutely nothing to do with targeting the Jewish community," per the Harvard Crimson. Gouvea has returned to Brazil, where he teaches at Sao Paulo Law School, a spokesperson said. "It is a privilege to work and study in the United States, not a right," Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for Homeland Security, said in a statement. "We are under zero obligation to admit foreigners who commit these inexplicably reprehensible acts or to let them stay here." We came across a bullish thesis on Amkor Technology, Inc. on SixSigmaCapital: Navigating the Financial Marketss Substack by SixSigmaCapital and Michel. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on AMKR. Amkor Technology, Inc.'s share was trading at $37.74 as of December 1st. AMKRs trailing and forward P/E were 30.44 and 22.83 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Broadcom's (AVGO) CEO Is One Of The "Toughest," Says Jim Cramer electronics-6055226_1280 Amkor Technology (AMKR) is one of the worlds largest providers of outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) services, delivering advanced chip packaging and testing solutions critical to high-performance computing, AI, and next-generation mobile devices. The company partners with major players such as Apple, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, AMD, TSMC, and GlobalFoundries, positioning itself as a key enabler across the global semiconductor supply chain. Its customer concentration reflects both strength and risk, with Apple accounting for roughly 3040% of revenue. Amkor serves four primary end marketscommunications, computing, automotive & industrial, and consumerwith smartphones and tablets currently comprising over half of total sales. Structural growth drivers like AI, IoT, and EV adoption are accelerating demand, particularly for silicon carbide (SiC) packaging, where Amkors technical expertise provides a meaningful competitive edge. The centerpiece of Amkors growth strategy is its new $2 billion advanced packaging and test facility in Arizonathe first of its kind in the U.S.supported by Apple, NVIDIA, TSMC, and the CHIPS for America initiative. This on-shoring move strengthens Amkors role as a strategic national asset, benefiting from public and private backing. While free cash flow will remain constrained by high capex through 2027, long-term margins and returns should expand once the facility ramps. Valuation at ~6.5x NTM EV/EBITDA and a net cash balance sheet offers downside protection. Execution risks around Arizonas buildout and customer concentration remain, but with structural tailwinds, government support, and entrenched partnerships, Amkor presents a show me story with significant multiyear upside potential. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) by The Antifragile Investor in May 2025, which highlighted its critical role in semiconductor fabrication through etch, deposition, and cleaning tools driving high-margin service revenues. The stock has appreciated by 86.96% since our coverage as the thesis played out. SixSigmaCapital shares a similar outlook but emphasizes Amkor Technologys strength in advanced chip packaging and testing. Many of the voices were frantic and desperate. A few were steady and calm. The calls came from families huddled on rooftops to escape rising waters, mothers panicked for the well-being of their children, and onlookers who heard people yell for help through the dark as they clung to treetops. Their pleas were among more than 400 calls for help across Kerr County last summer when devastating floods hit during the overnight hours on the July Fourth holiday. The recordings of the 911 calls were released Friday, the AP reports. The volume of calls would overwhelm two county emergency dispatchers on duty in the Texas Hill Country as catastrophic flooding inundated cabins and youth camps along the Guadalupe River. The flooding killed at least 136 people statewide during the holiday weekend, including at least 117 in Kerr County alone. Most were from Texas, but others came from Alabama, California, and Florida, according to a list released by county officials. The recordings show: Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine overnight, after US and Ukrainian officials said they'll meet on Saturday for a third day of talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year-old war. Russia used 653 drones and 51 missiles in the wide-reaching attack, which triggered air raid alerts nationwide and came as Ukraine marked Armed Forces Day, the country's air force said Saturday. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralized 585 drones and 30 missiles, the air force said, noting 29 locations were struck, per the AP . At least eight people were wounded in the attacks, Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko said. Among these, at least three people were wounded in the Kyiv region, per local officials. Drone sightings were reported as far west as Ukraine's Lviv region. Russia carried out a "massive missile-drone attack" on power stations and other energy infrastructure in several regions, Ukraine's national energy operator, Ukrenergo, wrote on Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said energy facilities were the main targets, also noting that a drone strike had "burned down" the train station in the city of Fastiv, in the Kyiv region. Russia's Ministry of Defense said its air defenses had shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Saturday. Russian Telegram news channel Astra said Ukraine struck Russia's Ryazan oil refinery, sharing footage appearing to show a fire breaking out and plumes of smoke rising above the refinery. The AP couldn't independently verify the video, and Ukraine didn't immediately comment on the alleged attack. Ryazan regional Gov. Pavel Malkov said a residential building had been damaged in a drone attack, and that drone debris had fallen on the grounds of an "industrial facility," but he didn't mention the refinery. Meanwhile, Kyiv and its Western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, electricity, and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call "weaponizing" the cold. The latest round of attacks came as US President Trump's advisers and Ukrainian officials said they'll meet for a third day of talks on Saturday, after making progress on finding agreement on a security framework for postwar Ukraine. Following Friday's talks, the two sides also offered the sober assessment that any "real progress toward any agreement" ultimately will depend "on Russia's readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace." Brazilian Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, said on Friday that his father decided he should represent their political group and run for president in 2026. The elder 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. "It is with great responsibility that I confirm the decision of Brazil's greatest political and moral leader, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, to entrust me with the mission of continuing our nation's project," Flavio Bolsonaro wrote on X . The office of Sen. Bolsonaro confirmed to the AP that he'll challenge President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who's running for a fourth nonconsecutive term, as the candidate of Bolsonaro's 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 center of allegations of embezzlement of public funds involving the family's political offices. Prosecutors charged him, but the case was dismissed by the courts. The senator has denied any wrongdoing. Many politicians in Brazil viewed Sao Paulo Gov. Tarcisio de Freitas, a former member of Jair Bolsonaro's Cabinet, as the natural successor. However, he faced resistance from Bolsonaro's inner circle, which has also considered his son, Flavio Bolsonaro, as a presidential option. Opinion polls have shown that the senior Bolsonaro remains central to Brazil's polarized landscape. Even behind bars, he could determine who carries his coalition's 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 the far-right leader. A federal law enforcement operation at an Arizona taco shop resulted in a Friday fracas, with agents deploying pepper spray as a group of protesters tried to stop authorities. Two agents were injured, and US Rep. Adelita Grijalva was in the vicinity as protesters were sprayed. The Democratic congresswoman from Arizona took to social media, claiming she was sprayed in the face and accusing immigration enforcement officers of operating without transparency or accountability, per the AP . "While I am fine, if that is the way they treat me, how are they treating other community members who do not have the same privileges and protections that I do?" she said. It was less than a month ago that Grijalva was sworn in to Congress, more than seven weeks after she won a special election to fill the House seat last held by her late father, Raul Grijalva. In videos posted online, Adelita Grijalva said she, two members of her staff, and members of the media were harassed and sprayed by agents during what residents thought was a federal immigration raid, so interrupted "because they were afraid that they were taking people without due process, without any kind of notice." The footage shows a staffer stepping in front of Grijalva, raising his arm, and turning the congresswoman away as a federal agent sprays nearby protesters. In another clip, as Grijalva continues walking in the street, a projectile is seen landing near her foot. She said she didn't know what substance she was sprayed with but that it was "still affecting" her with a cough. Federal officials, however, said Grijalva wasn't pepper-sprayed and that agents with Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of ICE, were targeting multiple Tucson restaurants as part of a yearslong investigation into immigration and tax violations. Several search warrants were served across southern Arizona on Friday as part of the operation. In a statement, Department of Homeland Security rep Tricia McLaughlin described the group gathered in Tucson as a mob, taking issue with Grijalva's account of what happened. "If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel. But they're not true. She wasn't pepper-sprayed," McLaughlin wrote. "She was in the vicinity of someone who *was* pepper-sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement. Presenting one's self as a 'Member of Congress' doesn't give you the right to obstruct law enforcement." A mass shooting carried out Saturday by multiple suspects in an unlicensed bar near the South African capital left at least 12 people dead, police said. The victims included three children. Another 13 people were wounded and taken to the hospital, according to a statement from the South African Police Service. Police didn't give details on the ages of those who were injured or their conditions, per the AP . The shooting happened at a bar inside a hostel in Saulsville township, west of the administrative capital of Pretoria, early Saturday. Ten of the victims died at the scene, while the 11th died at the hospital, police said. The children killed were a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl. Police said they were searching for three male suspects. "We are told that at least three unknown gunmen entered this hostel where a group of people were drinking and they started randomly shooting," police spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe told national broadcaster SABC. She said the motive for the killings wasn't clear. The shootings happened at around 4:15am local time, she said, but police were only alerted at 6am. South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides. The country of 62 million has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, authorities say. There've been several mass shootings at barsalso called shebeens or taverns in South Africain recent years, including one that killed 16 people in the Johannesburg township of Soweto in 2022. On the same day, four people were killed in a mass shooting at a bar in another province. Mathe said that mass shootings at unlicensed bars were becoming a serious problem and that police had shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales. Recent mass killings in South Africa haven't been confined to bars, however. Police said 18 people were killed, 15 of them women, in mass shootings minutes apart at two houses on the same road in a rural part of the Eastern Cape province in September last year. Seven were arrested for those shootings and face multiple charges of murder. This file has been updated with the death toll rising to 12. Spencer Deery's son was getting ready for school when someone tried to provoke police into swarming his home by reporting a fake emergency. Linda Rogers said there were threats at her home and the golf course that her family has run for generations. Jean Leising faced a pipe bomb scare that was emailed to local law enforcement. The three are among roughly a dozen Republicans in the Indiana Senate who have seen their lives turned upside down while President Trump pushes to redraw the state's congressional map to expand the party's power in the 2026 midterm elections, the AP reports. It's a bewildering and frightening experience for lawmakers who consider themselves loyal party members and never imagined they would be doing their jobs under the shadow of political violence. Redistricting is normally done once a decade after a new national census. Trump wants to accelerate the process in hopes of protecting the Republicans' thin majority in the US House in elections next year. His allies in Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina have already gone along with his plans for new political lines. But resistance surfaced in Indiana, where the GOP controls the Senate. Although Gov. Mike Braun and the House of Representatives are on board, the proposal may fall short with senators who value their civic traditions and independence over what they fear would be short-term partisan gain. "When you have the president of the United States and your governor sending signals, you want to listen to them," said Rogers, who has not declared her position on the redistricting push. "But it doesn't mean you'll compromise your values." On Friday, Trump posted a list of senators who "need encouragement to make the right decision," and he took to social media Saturday to say that if legislators "stupidly say no, vote them out of Office," adding that he will help. Senators are scheduled to convene Monday to consider the proposal after months of turmoil. Last month, Republican Senate leaders had said they would not hold a vote on the matter because there was not enough support for it. Trump lashed out at them on social media, calling the senators weak and pathetic. Republican leaders in the Indiana Senate said in mid-November that they would not hold a vote on the matter because there was not enough support. The threats against senators began shortly after that. Not even the plan's supporters are immune to them. Republican Sen. Andy Zay said his vehicle-leasing business was targeted with a pipe bomb scare on the same day he learned that he would face a primary challenger who accuses Zay of being insufficiently conservative. Zay, who has spent a decade in the Senate, believes the threat was related to his criticism of Trump's effort to pressure lawmakers. "When you push us around and into a corner, we're not going to change because you hound us and threaten us," Zay said. Torrance, California, USA, December 5th, 2025, CyberNewsWire 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. 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. What Real Cloud Exposure Looks Like: 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. 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 todays 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 platforms 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] Investing.com -- Coinbase is pursuing a strategy to transform from a cryptocurrency trading platform into what Bernstein analysts describe as an everything exchange, integrating multiple asset classes and financial functions into a single venue. The approach is detailed in a Dec. 1 Digital Assets Memo, which notes that the company is executing a shift in its business model while digital asset markets remain weak. Bitcoins recent price movement, bouncing from $82,000 to about $92,000 before falling back to $86,000, has contributed to subdued sentiment across crypto equities, including a 21% decline in Coinbase shares over the past 30 days. Yet analysts argue that the downturn differs from past corrections because exchange and infrastructure businesses remain operationally strong, enabling Coinbase to continue expanding its product stack. According to Bernstein, Coinbases revenues have historically been tied heavily to trading, at times accounting for more than 50% of total revenue, which limited investor confidence in the companys stability. Analysts say the platform has not yet been viewed as a mainstream financial super app, even though its stablecoin business contributes roughly 20% of revenue. The brokerage argues that regulatory shifts in the United States, including the GENIUS Act and the expected CLARITY Act, have enabled Coinbase to expand into broader financial services, narrowing advantages once enjoyed by overseas competitors. The analysts point to Coinbases acquisition of a token launchpad, which recently facilitated a $269 million capital raise for blockchain startup Monad, attracting more than 85,000 investors from over 70 countries. The token later became the third-most traded asset on the platform, driving incremental trading revenue. Bernstein expects Coinbase to announce two major additions on Dec. 17: tokenized equity trading and prediction markets. Analysts say this would allow users to trade crypto, equities and prediction market contracts in one place, settling transactions in USDC. Combined with the companys expanding derivatives business, more than 5% of trading revenue in the third quarter, Coinbase aims to compete directly with broker-dealers such as Robinhood. The brokerage flags Coinbases push into consumer finance through its Base app, described as a vertically integrated wallet connecting payments, social features and trading across multiple blockchains, positioning the product as a Crypto Venmo. Bernstein calls the convergence of broker-dealers and crypto exchanges the foundation of the everything exchange model, built around tokenization and a unified financial interface. Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe In a bold move aimed at accelerating its next-generation vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) ambitions, Archer Aviation (ACHR) has recently inked a new strategic collaboration with Karem Aircraft (KRMN), an aerospace firm renowned for military-grade technology. The partnership aims to integrate Karems advanced rotor and tiltrotor innovation into Archers next-generation autonomous, hybrid-propulsion VTOL aircraft. The deal strengthens Archers push to develop a dual-use vertical-lift platform aimed at both commercial and military markets, offering modern autonomy, long-range hybrid capability, and cutting-edge aeromechanics. More News from Barchart Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said that leveraging Karems Army-validated rotor systems will accelerate development and outperform legacy aircraft. The announcement follows Archers recent agreement to supply its electric powertrain to Anduril and EDGE Group for their Omen Autonomous Air Vehicle. ACHR shares rose on the news. Given this backdrop, along with Archers growing global partnerships, a large order book, and expanding infrastructural investments, is now the time to take a position in ACHR stock? About Archer Aviation Stock Headquartered in San Jose, California, aerospace company Archer Aviation was founded in 2018, to design and develop electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, targeting both urban air mobility (UAM) and defense-sector markets. The firms market cap is roughly $5.4 billion. Its stock price performance so far in 2025 has painted a volatile picture, one that underscores both the promise and uncertainty surrounding the eVTOL-aircraft developer. The stock had reached a 52-week high of $14.62 on Oct. 15, which has since corrected to around $9.06, reflecting a sharp 61.4% pullback from its peak. Year-to-date (YTD), it has declined 7.54%, erasing much of 2024s strong gains. For context, Archer had seen a dramatic uplift in 2024, as enthusiasm around its potential in launching a commercial eVTOL aircraft and potential regulatory approvals drove investor optimism. Nevertheless, the stock is still up by 29.53% over the past 52 weeks. So, whats behind the sell-off and weak performance this year? Despite approving plans and ambitious timelines, the company remains pre-revenue and continues burning cash, which spurred investor concern about how soon it will ever generate actual sales. Also, heavy dilution fears spooked the market, leading many early-2025 investors to take profits. By Kane Wu, Vibhuti Sharma and Yantoultra Ngui HONG KONG/MUMBAI, Dec 5 (Reuters) - A strong pipeline of high-profile IPOs by companies in China and India looking to tap into a move by investors to diversify bets will bolster Asian equity capital deals next year, although worries over soaring tech valuations could drag on momentum. Asian equity capital market (ECM) deals, including initial public offerings (IPOs), follow-ons and convertible bonds, have totalled $267 billion so far this year, up 15% from 2024 in the first annual rise since 2021, LSEG data showed. Hong Kong, the preferred listing destination for Chinese companies, dominated regional ECM deals with $75 billion so far in 2025, more than triple what was raised there last year and the highest since 2021, the data showed. India, meanwhile, has raised $19.3 billion via IPOs so far this year, LSEG data showed, down 6% from 2024's record $20.5 billion haul. The 2025 data does not include e-commerce platform Meesho's $604 million IPO that is underway this week. "China's recovery and India's continued expansion have been the twin engines driving equity issuance across Asia this year," said James Wang, head of Asia ex-Japan ECM at Goldman Sachs. "We expect both markets to remain central to regional deal flow in 2026," he said. "We are still in the early stages of a broader upswing ... supported by Asia's economic growth and improving corporate earnings." India is set to generate as much as $20 billion from IPOs in 2026, according to a forecast by investment banking firm Equirus Capital. Over 300 companies have filed for Hong Kong listings, public disclosures showed. Landmark offerings such as the IPO of India's Reliance Jio Platforms and the Hong Kong second listing of China's Zhongji Innolight Co are expected to lift volumes significantly in 2026, advisers said. PIVOTING AWAY FROM US ASSETS Asia has benefited from a global move by investors to diversify their portfolios, pivoting away from U.S. assets in recent months amid uncertainties about U.S. President Donald Trump's trade and geopolitical policies. "In periods of U.S. turbulence, we often see capital rotate toward Asia in search of diversification and structural upside," said Li He, partner and Asia ex-Japan co-head at law firm Davis Polk. "The recovery of 2025 was not a flash in the pan. It reflected deep liquidity pools across the region and an unmistakable shift toward frontier technologies that are reshaping how we manufacture, consume and interact." Baker Hughes Company (BKR), with headquarters in Houston, Texas, is a leading energy technology provider worldwide. Operating in several countries, the company serves upstream, midstream, downstream, onshore, and offshore firms. The firm runs via two central units: Oilfield Services and Equipment (OFSE) offers drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and subsea technologies for oil, gas, and geothermal operations; while Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) supplies gas systems, process tools, and emission controls for industrial and energy shift needs. The company has a market capitalization of $49.82 billion, which classifies it as a large-cap stock. More News from Barchart Baker Hughes shares reached a 52-week high of $51.12 on Dec. 4, and are down only 1% from that level. Based on strong quarterly results and sound analyst sentiments, the stock has gained 9.3% over the past three months. However, the stock underperformed its peers, as the SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF (XES) is up by 23.3% over the same period. www.barchart.com On the other hand, over the longer term, this substantial underperformance fades. Over the past six months, the stock has gained 35.7%, while the fund has gained 39.3%. Conversely, over the past 52 weeks, Baker Hughes shares have risen 18.9%, while the ETF has increased 3.5%. The stock has been trading above its 200-day moving average since late July and above its 50-day moving average since late November. www.barchart.com On Oct. 23, Baker Hughes reported its third-quarter results for 2025, which topped analyst estimates. However, the stock dropped 3.3% intraday on Oct. 24. The companys revenues increased by a modest 1% year-over-year (YOY) to $7.01 billion, which was higher than the $6.83 billion that Wall Street analysts had expected. Its adjusted EPS increased 3% annually to $0.68, surpassing the $0.61 that analysts had expected. The companys order numbers are increasing rapidly. For Q3, Baker Hughes reported $8.21 billion in orders, up 23% YOY, based on rapid growth in its IET segment. One of the orders that Baker Hughes booked was an award from Aramco to expand its integrated underbalanced coiled tubing drilling (UBCTD) fleet from four to 10 units in Saudi Arabias natural gas fields. 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. The Jersey Diner & Restaurant, formerly known as the Malaga Diner, is located at the intersection of Routes 40 and 47 in Franklin Township, Gloucester County. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com The Jersey Diner & Restaurant in the Malaga section of Franklin Township has started construction on a new septic system, bringing the long-closed eatery closer to reopening its doors. The restaurant, formerly known as the Malaga Diner, is located at the intersection of Routes 40 and 47 in Gloucester County. The restaurant is anticipating an opening in early 2026. The owner outlined a timeline for the work and eventual reopening in a recent social media post. Hello everyone, we are starting to update a septic system at the Jersey Diner, the owner wrote. The estimated time is four to five weeks. After that, we will need a couple weeks to clean up and get ready to open. Thank you for your patience. The restaurant property has been closed since 2023, when the then-Malaga Diner announced it was shutting down. The new owner, Yilmaz Kangal, also owns the Millville Queen Diner in Millville and the Queen 2 Restaurant in Vineland. The site at 212-230 Culver Avenue spans 56,897 square feet and will be developed into an eight-story building, according to a statement released Monday. Tay Investments TAY Investments is planning to build a large housing complex at a recently acquired site in Jersey City that will feature 365 apartments, commercial space, a pool, hot tub, gym and a yoga center along with a pickleball court and a rooftop bar. The 56,897-square-foot site is located at 212-230 Culver Ave. Plans call for an eight-story building with 365 residential units, about 1,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, and 184 indoor garage parking spaces, according to a statement issued by the company on Monday. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026. A rendering shows the entrance to the project. The planned structure will include 365 residential units, approximately 1,500 square feet of ground floor commercial space, and 184 indoor garage parking spaces. Tay Investments A grand opening targeted for summer 2028. The development will include The Sanctuary a wellness area with indoor and outdoor facilities featuring a pool, hot tub, gym, and yoga and meditation center. It also will include saunas, a cold plunge, a rooftop bar and a pickleball court. The building will feature studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments totaling 312,915 square feet. A Monmouth County man was charged with attempted murder after firing into a group of people last September in Asbury Park, Monmouth County prosecutors said. Zion J. Langhorne, 24, of Tinton Falls was indicted by a grand jury for first-degree attempted murder and second-degree counts of eluding and weapons offenses. Asbury Park police responded to reports of gunfire in the 1200 block of Washington Avenue on Sept. 13, shortly after 5 p.m., officials said. Responding officers determined that three shots were fired from a car toward a group of people, officials said. No one was injured in the shooting, according to authorities. Investigators identified Langhorne as a suspect and attempted to pull him over later the same day, officials said. Langhorne fled during the traffic stop and was arrested five days later by U.S. Marshals and Asbury Park police, officials said. An attorney for Langhorne did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Gov. Phil Murphys administration announced Friday that New Jersey will continue to recommend the hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns at birth even though a panel appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and aligned with his views voted to change the policy. Acting state Department of Health Commissioner Jeffrey A. Brown issued an executive directive continuing to recommend all newborns in New Jersey receive one dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. This comes in direct response to recommendations issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on Thursday that could drastically change how many children are protected from the highly contagious virus in the United States. The federal committee recommended individual-based decision-making for parents deciding whether to give the hepatitis B vaccine, including the birth dose, to infants born to women who test negative for the virus. It also suggested that the initial dose be administered no earlier than two months of age. This recommendation, which has not been made official policy yet, differs greatly from what the CDC recommended for decades. In 1991, the CDC advised giving the hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth to infants whose mothers were infected or whose infection status was unclear. The committee did not alter this recommendation. In 2018, CDCs guidance broadened to recommend that all newborns receive the vaccine within 24 hours, following research showing a sharp drop in hepatitis B cases. New Jersey is recommending health care providers continue this practice. The state cited concerns about the new guidance increasing risk to newborns. Updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices would weaken our ability to protect public health and stop the transmission of preventable disease, Murphy said in announcing New Jerseys directive. We know unequivocally that vaccines save lives. Hepatitis B attacks the liver and can lead to lifelong disease, including liver failure, cancer and death, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Many people who have it are unaware that they are infected which means the virus can spread easily. For babies, hepatitis B usually passes from parent to child during birth because of blood contact. Young children can also pick it up through accidental contact at home or in the community. Delaying the birth dose would leave newborns unprotected during a critical window in their lives, Dr. Jose R. Romero, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases and former Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices chair, said after the decision. Children will die preventable deaths without timely access to the hepatitis B vaccine, Romero said. He also accused the committee of cherry-picking data. Rather than advance sound vaccine policy, this ACIP sowed doubt in vaccines themselves. They spoke without evidence, and in most cases, they were just downright wrong, Romero said. Rather than follow the advice of a committee handpicked by Kennedy the top health official in President Donald Trumps administration the state chose to follow guidelines in place for decades that continue to be endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, including stipulations for when to give the vaccine to low birth weight newborns. When the federal government changes vaccine recommendations, there are concerns that health insurance will stop paying for what they perceive to be optional vaccines. According to the CDC, the Vaccines for Children Program, Childrens Health Insurance Program, Medicaid, and Medicare, as well as insurance plans through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace will maintain consistency of coverage for all payment mechanisms. The committees 8-3 decision to delay hepatitis B vaccines for infants from at birth to two months and make it optional is in keeping with Kennedys long-held plan to greatly alter the childhood vaccination schedule in the U.S. I see somebody on a hiking trail carrying a little baby and I say to him, Better not get him vaccinated, Kennedy said during an interview on the Health Freedom for Humanity podcast in 2021. New Jerseys health leaders, the American Academy of Pediatrics and past CDC experts strongly disagree with this position. Vaccines remain our most effective defense against preventable illnesses. Early vaccination protects children from decades of health complications and gives families peace of mind, said Acting Commissioner Brown. A statewide drought warning was issued on Friday as water supply conditions deteriorate across New Jersey. Residents and businesses are urged to limit water usage while the warning is in effect, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said in a statement on Friday afternoon. DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette has signed an administrative order designating the drought warning. The state was previously under the less severe designation, a drought watch, since October 1. Under the warning, the state urges residents and businesses to voluntarily use water sparingly. The Department of Environmental Protection is closely monitoring drought indicators and water supplies to ensure we have enough water across the state, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. While there are currently no mandatory restrictions in place, it is up to each of us to take precautions now and do our part by conserving water use in and around our homes and businesses. The state has released a list of ways residents can lessen their water use, which includes running dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full, avoiding washing cars at home, shutting off irrigation systems and upgrading faucets and shower heads. If conditions worsen, the state will enter the emergency stage, in which the governor sets mandatory restrictions on water usage. The risk of a drought is due to low reservoir levels across New Jersey, as well as extremely dry precipitation totals, stream flows and shallow groundwater levels, the DEP said. LaTourette said the deteriorating water conditions are due to climate change. The precipitation and water supply uncertainty weve experienced over the past year is a symptom of the impacts of climate change here in New Jersey, LaTourette said in a statement. We ask residents, businesses, and partners in local government to join us in spreading the urgency of the need to conserve water. In the Northeast part of the state, reservoir levels are lower than they were during the last drought warning, which lasted from November 2024 to June 2025. New Jersey's gas tax will increase by 4.2 cents per gallon on Jan. 1, 2026. SL Be prepared as you pull up to the pump next month: New Jerseys gas tax is set to rise for the third straight year. The gas tax rate, already one of the 10 highest in the nation, will increase by 4.2 cents per gallon starting Jan. 1 as part of a required annual adjustment to help pay for transportation projects, the state Treasury Department announced this week. The new rate will be 49.1 cents on each gallon on gasoline and 56.1 cents on each gallon of diesel. Thats up from 44.9 cents and 51.9 cents, respectively. The tax is earmarked under state law to help make sure there is enough money in the states Transportation Trust Fund, which helps finance highway and rail projects throughout New Jersey. Under a nearly decade-old law, state officials must decide each year whether to change the tax to meet fuel-consumption trends and the need for transportation funds. Gov. Phil Murphy and state lawmakers agreed in 2024 to renew the fund over five years, pumping $10 billion more into transportation. That law gradually raises the states Highway Fuel Cap from fiscal years 2025 to 2029. The 2026 cap is $2.115 billion or 4.1% higher than the last one. It will rise every fiscal year until reaching $2.366 in 2029, state officials said. Due to the new statutory target, and because actual consumption has trended below last fiscal years levels, our analysis of the new formula dictates a 4.2 cent increase this coming January, state Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio said in a statement. We emphasize that this dedicated funding stream continues to provide billions of dollars across the State to support our critical transportation infrastructure needs. New Jersey long had some of the lowest gas taxes in the nation, with officials leery of raising it considering the state is so reliant on cars. But that ended in 2017, when then-Gov. Chris Christie and lawmakers agreed to increase the tax and reassess it each year. The gas tax has fluctuated each year since then, increasing five times, dropping two times, and remaining flat twice. It went up 9 cents two years ago and 2.6 cents last year. New Jerseys gas tax of 44.9 cents was the eighth-highest in the U.S. in 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. The highest was California at 70 cents, the lowest Alaska at 8 cents. Among neighboring states, Pennsylvania was 7th at 58.7 cents, New York 37th at 24.8 cents, and Delaware 42nd at 23 cents. The average state gas tax is about 33 cents. There is also a federal gas tax of 18.4 cents. Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, center left arrives in the gymnasium of Cedar Drive Middle School in Colts Neck, New Jersey accompanied by the president of the Colts Neck Board of Education, Angelique Volpe for the History Rocks tour on Dec. 5, 2025. Ian Peters | NJ Advance Media By Maribel Joven Imagine a middle school assembly meant to teach civic pride, yet carefully omitting the stories of oppression, systemic racism, and the struggles that shaped our nation. This was the reality for New Jersey educators and students when U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Cedar Drive Middle School in Colts Neck, an event critics described as more of a political spectacle than a genuine civic lesson, complete with a WWE-like atmosphere outside as protestors voiced their outrage. Federal initiatives like the America 250 Civics Education Coalition promise to restore patriotism in classrooms, offering resources and support from right-leaning organizations such as Hillsdale College, PragerU, and Charlie Kirks Turning Point USA. At first glance, inspiring civic engagement seems commendable. This approach is deeply troubling. Civic education is not about celebration; it is about understanding the full story of our nation: the triumphs, the failures, and everything in between. This is comparable to presenting German history without addressing the rise of the Nazi regime. In New Jerseys richly diverse classrooms, the stakes are even higher. Students from African American, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, and immigrant communities deserve to see their histories represented honestly. Sanitized patriotism risks alienating them and undermines the very civic literacy we claim to champion. Teachers are forced into an impossible choice: present a nuanced, critical account of history, or rely on federally endorsed materials offering a one-sided, celebratory narrative. Civic education should empower students to ask questions, think critically, and engage responsibly in democracy. Anything less is a disservice to our children and to the future of our nation. New Jersey has a proud tradition of civic engagement, from the founding of Princeton University to local civil rights movements. Our schools should reflect that legacy, teaching students that patriotism is not blind loyalty, but the courage to recognize injustice and strive for a more perfect union. Our students deserve nothing less than the truth not a sanitized story; courage, not blind celebration. Calling your elected representative in the U.S. House Of Representatives or U.S. Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your representative and senator to voice your position, go to the House website and the Senate website. Maribel Joven, of Newark, is an educator, writer, and advocate for equity in public education. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership. Then-U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez arrives at the federal courthouse in Manhattan for his arraignment on corruption charges in 2023. John J. LaRosa | For NJ Advance Former U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, a once-powerful New Jersey lawmaker currently in prison after being convicted on sweeping corruption charges, is now barred from holding public office again in the state. Thats according to a new ruling from a state judge. Menendez, 71, was found guilty last year of accepting bribes including gold bars and cash and acting as an agent of Egypt. He resigned from the Senate, was sentenced to 11 years in prison, and began serving in June. On top of that, the state filed a lawsuit seeking to ban Menendez, a Democrat, from ever holding public office or any government job in New Jersey. A judge in Mercer County agreed Friday. If Menendez applies for public office or employment or takes any steps to campaign, run for, or be appointed or elected to public office, he will face a fourth-degree contempt-of-court charge, Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy, wrote in his order. State Attorney General Matthew Platkin praised the ruling. Critical to preserving the publics faith and trust in government institutions is ensuring that elected officials who commit crimes involving their offices dont find new opportunities to regain positions of power, Platkin said in a statement. Too many people in New Jersey have a cynical viewpoint that corruption is a routine, widespread feature of our politics. We hope the courts decision sends a message that it is not acceptable and it will carry consequences. FBI agents found $480,000 in cash in Menendezs home including some stuffed inside jacket pockets in boots as well as about $150,000 in gold bars and a luxury convertible. Prosecutors said Menendez received this in exchange for doing favors for New Jersey business owners, including protecting them from criminal investigations, helping in business deals with foreign powers, and meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials before helping Egypt access $300 million in U.S. military aid. Menendez, a senator since 2006 and once the chairman of the Senates foreign relations committee, maintained his innocence throughout the trial. Two business owners also were convicted in the case. His wife, Nadine Menendez, was convicted of teaming up with her husband to accept bribes from the business owners. She was sentenced in September to 4 years in prison. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Photos by Keith Conrey, Courtesy of Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty The home sits on six acres. Photos by Keith Conrey, Courtesy of Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty If there were such a thing as a starter farm, this might be it. The 94-year-old farm house is in move-in condition. It sits on a manageable six acres. And its close to civilization shopping and dining are five minutes away. The four-bedroom colonial with two full and one half bathroom in Stockton is listed for sale for $815,000, which is a bargain, according to Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sothebys International Realty, the listing agent. The median sale price of a home is Stockton was $600,000 in October, according to the most recent data available from New Jersey Realtors. It appraised at $890,000, she said. Its a good number so theres a large buyer pool. Ive had everything from young families to young couples who havent started families yet and people who are retired. Dont let the number of days its been on the market scare you (it was first listed in May 2025). The home has already received four offers over asking, Evans said. The delay wasnt due to lack of interest; the original 10-acre property was being subdivided, a process that took longer than expected. Early buyers moved on during that time. The subdivision is now complete, she said, and demand for showings is high. People fall in love with the idyllic I want a farmhouse in the country. So many people are looking for that. The original owner of the home discovered the property while flying over the site. He was a commercial pilot and when he would fly into Newark he would look for the darkest places, because they had to be farmland if there were not a lot of lights, Evans said. He brought his new bride out to Hunterdon County, raised a family and lived there for 50 years. The home is well-preserved for its age, partly because it has only been owned by two people. Its really pure, she said. It hasnt been monkeyed with. A lot of times with older houses you can see what they did in the 70s and in the early 90s. Or they put in a $150,000 kitchen that you cant stand. This home has a simple kitchen, she said. If somebody wants to put in an expensive kitchen, youre not tearing out expensive stone countertops that are not the right color. The hardwood floors were just redone. The doors, doorknobs and windows are original. It has really nice light and good flow, Evans said. The home features a side porch overlooking a pond and an outbuilding, once used to house seasonal farmworkers, that could be converted into a studio or office. Nearby, youll find the last remaining covered bridge in New Jersey, farms, preserved land and one traffic light, which blinks. Lambertville and New Hope, Pennsylvania are only 15 minutes away. Philadelphia is about an hour away and New York City is an hour and a half drive. Its less than five minutes from Stocktons downtown, which offers a restaurant led by a former executive chef at a Michelin-starred New York City spot, a farm-to-market shop, and a grain and feed store where, Evans said, all the best local gossip is dished. The property is farmland assessed so the buyer would have to maintain that for eight years, she said, possibly by having sheep which would also trim the grass. Its a peaceful country retreat with beautiful views and its a place to really appreciate nature and farm life, Evans said. And its something that would not be overwhelming. Its just easy. The colonial is listed for $815,000. Photos by Keith Conrey, Courtesy of Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty It was built in 1931. Photos by Keith Conrey, Courtesy of Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty The two-story home is nearly 2,300 square feet. Photos by Keith Conrey, Courtesy of Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty The kitchen is simple. Photos by Keith Conrey, Courtesy of Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty There are four bedrooms. Photos by Keith Conrey, Courtesy of Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty There are two full and one half bathroom. Photos by Keith Conrey, Courtesy of Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty The side porch has a view of a pond. Photos by Keith Conrey, Courtesy of Jacqueline Haut Evans of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty MILAN BasicNet Group is on a shopping spree. After inking a deal to acquire Woolrich from L-Gam last month, the publicly traded, Turin-based company said on Thursday it is to add beachwear specialist Sundek to its portfolio. This already comprises brands like Kappa, Robe di Kappa, K-Way, Superga, Sebago and Briko. More from WWD The group has reached an agreement to acquire the beachwear brand by taking full control of parent company Kickoff SpA. from Winnie Srl. This marks a strategic addition for BasicNet, which is moving into a new segment with the deal. We welcome another historic American brand, with 70 years of heritage, deeply rooted in the culture and landscape of the Italian market and beyond. It is a brand we have always appreciated, one we have personally used, and one like others in our group easy to spot from afar, said co-chief executive officers of BasicNet Lorenzo Boglione and Alessandro Boglione in a statement. Lorenzo and Alessandro Boglione, co-CEOs of BasicNet. Kickoff Group generated 27.6 million euros in revenues in the 2024 financial year and an EBITDA of 6.8 million euros. It operates 27 stores in Italy eight of which are outlets as well as seven monobrand units across Spain, France and the U.S. The enterprise value of the firm which also includes the companies Kickoff USA Inc., Kickoff SL and Kickoff France Sas has been set at 33.5 million euros. Net of the financial position which includes bank debt, tax payables, and debt owed to shareholders the initial consideration for the transaction amounts to about 10 million euros, subject to the standard adjustments based on the final calculation of the net financial position at the closing of the deal, which is expected by the end of the month. The initial consideration will be paid through the transfer of about 1.4 million BasicNet shares at a value of 7.22 euros each. The transfer of shares will be subject to a 36-month lock-up period starting from the closing date. In addition, the seller may receive one or two earnouts based on the achievement of certain revenue thresholds from after 2025 to the end of 2030. An archival ad from Sundek. Founded in San Francisco in 1958 by Stuart Levin, Sundek is known for being among the first brands to create surfwear, becoming one of the key players in the rise of Californian surf culture and embodying the values of freedom and community resonating with that lifestyle. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Periods of snow. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.. Tonight Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 13F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches. Larry Finks remarks highlight concerns about Bitcoins integration into the mainstream. Key Takeaways Larry Fink sees Bitcoin as an asset of fear. Fink and analyst Tom Lee both highlighted the same problem. Bitcoin is nearing a critical technical moment, say analysts. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has notably shifted his stance on Bitcoin, even as he maintains that many investors buy it as a response to fear and uncertainty. While Fink has grown increasingly positive on Bitcoins long-term potential, he also highlighted one big problem that he views as the assets major structural challenge. How BlackRocks Larry Fink Sees Bitcoin Speaking at a New York Times DealBook Summit, Fink said that investors often turn to Bitcoin during periods of concern about personal safety, financial security, geopolitical tension, or long-term fiscal risks such as rising deficits or the debasement of traditional currencies. Bitcoin is an asset of fear, Fink said. He noted that even recent discussions about a possible settlement in Ukraine triggered a slight decline in Bitcoins price. Fink added that the cryptocurrencys latest 20%25% decline marks the third similar drop since the launch of BlackRocks IBIT spot Bitcoin ETF. While he believes Bitcoin can serve as a hedge for long-term portfolio protection, he warned that short-term traders face substantial turbulence: If you bought it for a trade, its a very volatile asset. Youre going to have to be really good at market timing, which most people arent. Bitcoins Big Problem Fink also pointed to what he called a major issue affecting Bitcoins market behavior: The other big problem of Bitcoin is it is still heavily influenced by leveraged players, he said. This view was echoed by BitMines Tom Lee, who suggested that Bitcoins recent downturn stems largely from de-leveraging rather than cyclical factors tied to the halving. Crypto was up 36% until October 10th and then its gone straight down, Lee said, comparing the current environment to the period following the collapse of FTX. Lee argued that the markets recent weakness is more about structure and leverage than long-term fundamentals. BlackRocks IBIT ETF remains one of the most successful U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs since approval, accumulating tens of billions in inflows. Still, Finks remarks highlight ongoing concerns about Bitcoins integration into broader financial markets. Breakout or Consolidation? According to analyst Valdrin Tahiri, Bitcoins price action may be approaching a pivotal moment. Millions of passengers in the South West are set to benefit from faster, cheaper, and more reliable buses after the government announced a 245.9 million funding package for local authorities. The investment is part of a wider 3 billion national programme over the next three years. The multi-year settlement gives councils long-term certainty, allowing them to plan and invest in services to meet local needs, including introducing new routes, zero-emission vehicles, safer bus stops, and further reducing fares. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the funding would help deliver lower fares, more frequent services, and the reliable transport that communities depend on, while easing the cost of living. Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood added that local leaders, rather than Whitehall, were best placed to decide how services should be run. The South West allocation will allow councils to continue successful initiatives, such as the West of England Combined Authoritys Kids Go Free scheme. The funding follows the Bus Services Act becoming law in October, giving councils more control over local routes and protecting socially necessary services. The government has also extended the 3 bus fare cap, frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years, and is reforming the railways through Great British Railways to deliver better value for passengers. The investment aims to reverse years of decline in bus services, improve reliability, and make public transport a practical, affordable option for work, healthcare, and social travel across the South West. Exeters longest-running festive theatre show is preparing to celebrate a major milestone this December, as Humbug! marks its 150th performance inside the historic St Nicholas Priory. The immersive reimagining of Dickens A Christmas Carol, created by Devon-based company Wandering Tiger Productions, has quietly become a staple of the citys Christmas calendar. First staged in 2017, the production transforms Exeters oldest building into a multi-room performance space where audiences follow Ebenezer Scrooge through scenes unfolding across the medieval priory. The show has sold out every year for the past seven years, drawing a mix of Exeter families, first-time visitors and audience members who return annually to experience the atmospheric setting. Director Luke Jeffery says no one involved in the first production expected it to become such an enduring part of the citys festive season. READ NEXT: Big weekend of Christmas events set to bring crowds into Exeter When we first staged the show, we never imagined wed still be performing it all these years later, he said. I think its popularity speaks to the power of Dickens story, which feels just as relevant now as when it was written. St Nicholas Priory, founded by William the Conqueror in 1087 and once home to Benedictine monks, is one of Exeters most significant heritage sites. Only two ranges of the original monastery remain, now cared for by Exeter Historic Buildings Trust, who work with local groups to host community-focused arts and cultural events. This years 150th performance will take place on Wednesday 17 December, with all proceeds donated to Exeter Foodbank. Organisers say they hope the milestone evening will support local families during a particularly difficult winter for many. Humbug! runs from 1024 December, with tickets already in short supply. More information is available at wanderingtiger.com. The show adds a modern chapter to Exeters long association with Dickens: the author himself visited the city in 1858 to give a reading of A Christmas Carol, later describing the Exeter audience as the finest he had ever performed to. Right, confession time. I work for North Devon Hospice, so you might think Im biased about charity shopping. But honestly? Even if I didnt work here, Id still be doing all my Christmas shopping in our charity shops this year. Let me explain why. My job means I see first-hand where the money from our shops actually goes. Every vintage jumper sold, every pre-loved book, every donated ornament, it all funds the specialist care we provide for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Were talking about nurses, counsellors, complementary therapists, and support workers who are there for local people during the hardest moments of their lives. That's not just some abstract good cause, its people in North Devon getting the care and dignity they deserve. Above: From board games to furniture and clothes, there is always something worth hunting through at a North Devon Hospice charity shop. Credit: North Devon Hospice READ NEXT: Magical North Devon nannie will be remembered this Christmas Last weekend, I went to one of our Barnstaple shops and came out with a gorgeous scarf, a retro Gameboy and a few different board games and puzzles for after Christmas dinner. Total damage? Less than 40. The high street could never do that. But heres what really gets me excited the sustainability angle. I spend my days promoting North Devon Hospices work and part of that is seeing how much stuff gets donated. Good quality stuff. Designer labels, barely-worn clothes, furniture thats better made than anything youd find in IKEA. All of this would potentially end up in landfill if people didnt donate it, and all the new stuff people would buy instead would just add to the planets growing waste problem. The fashion industry is one of the worst polluters globally and dont even get me started on the amount of plastic waste from Christmas gift packaging. When you shop in charity shops, youre actively choosing to break that cycle. Youre saying, actually, I dont need everything to be brand new and wrapped in five layers of cellophane. And honestly? That feels pretty good. Working here has also shown me the community aspect of our shops. Our volunteers are incredible. Theyre the backbone of everything we do. When you shop with us, youre supporting their efforts, youre keeping our shops thriving, and youre helping to create those little high street hubs where people actually know each other's names. READ NEXT: Hospice opens Devons largest sustainable fashion outlet for pre-loved clothes In a world of self-checkouts and algorithm-based recommendations, there's something genuinely lovely about that human connection. Weve got shops in Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe, Braunton, Torrington South Molton, Holsworthy and Lynton, plus a huge specialist furniture store in Barnstaple. If you cant make it in person, weve even got an eBay store full of crazy and exciting treasures. There's literally no excuse. I think the thing that surprised me was realising how much pride people take in finding the perfect charity shop gift. Its not about being cheap, its about being intentional. Its about putting thought into finding something unique rather than just buying whatevers on offer in the Christmas aisle. My sister, a huge bookworm, still talks about the vintage set of Charles Dickens books I found her two years ago. Shes never once mentioned any of the normal presents Ive bought her. This Christmas, Im going all-in on charity shop presents. Not because I work for North Devon Hospice, but because it makes sense on literally every level. My bank account stays healthy, my environmental guilt stays manageable and I get to support the work I see making a real difference every single day. Plus, the thrill of finding something absolutely perfect among the rails and shelves? Thats the kind of Christmas magic you cant get from clicking add to basket at 11pm on your phone. So yeah, Im biased. But Im also right. See you in the shops? Find your nearest North Devon Hospice charity shop at https://www.northdevonhospice.org.uk/shops or visit our eBay store online. We came across a bullish thesis on Calumet, Inc. on Stocks Substacks by Stock Forester. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on CLMT. Calumet, Inc.'s share was trading at $19.52 as of December 2nd. CLMTs trailing and forward P/E were 23.06 and 11.35 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Richest Countries in the World by Natural Resources curraheeshutter/Shutterstock.com Calumet (CLMT) operates in specialty hydrocarbons and renewable fuels, with three core segments: Specialties, Performance Brands, and Montana Renewables (MRL). Its Specialties platform produces high-purity white oils, waxes, esters, and lubricants sold into niche regulated markets, while Performance Brands houses consumer products like Royal Purple and TruFuel. MRL, the key growth engine, produces renewable diesel (RD) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with a strategic pivot toward SAF. Following its 2024 conversion to a C-Corp, the company has simplified its structure and broadened ownership. Recent developments have strengthened the balance sheetMRL secured a $1.44 billion DOE-guaranteed loan in early 2025, retiring high-cost debt and funding expansion, saving roughly $80 million annually. The $110 million Royal Purple Industrial sale and $120 million Shreveport refinancing freed up cash to redeem part of the 2026 notes, now reduced to about $125 million. Regulatory relief from EPA Small Refinery Exemptions slashed RINs liabilities from 396 million to 89 million, improving liquidity and margins. Management reaffirmed plans to ramp MaxSAF to 120150 million gallons annually by mid-2026 with modest capex, supported by Shell offtake agreements and PTC monetisation. Near term, deleveraging and execution on SAF scaling remain key catalysts, with the company targeting $800 million in restricted group debt. Risks include weaker RD margins, slower SAF adoption, and refinancing challenges, but the strategic progress, regulatory tailwinds, and debt reduction position Calumet for significant upside. A base valuation of $47 per share implies over 130% upside, with a bullish case approaching $80 if execution and market conditions align. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Calumet, Inc. (CLMT) by Zerosumgame33 in April 2025, which highlighted margin recovery in biodiesel and Montana Renewables cost advantage. The companys stock has appreciated approximately 96.97% since our coverage as DOE funding and regulatory relief improved liquidity. The thesis still stands as SAF growth accelerates. Stock Forester shares a similar view but emphasizes deleveraging and regulatory catalysts. THE compensation package being offered to up to 200 Offaly farmers on the route of the proposed water pipe from the Shannon river to Dublin was defended at an IFA meeting on Friday. Paul O'Brien, South Leinster IFA regional chair, who was a negotiator with Uisce Eireann (Irish Water) said the average figure of 100,000 was a reasonable figure for farmers. It took over 40 meetings to get to the position where we believe that the package offered to farmers was a sound, just and a good package, said Mr O'Brien (pictured by Ger Rogers below). Under the deal, farmers can enter into voluntary land agreements with Uisce Eireann. A slice of land about 50 metres wide will be required during the construction of the water pipe, which will take an estimated two years. After that, the landowners will grant Uisce Eireann a wayleave 20 metres wide. The pipe will run from the Parteen basin south of Lough Derg through north Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare before terminating at Peamount in Dublin. It will be 172km long and the meeting on Friday in Tullamore was told by Mr O'Brien that the nearest equivalent project he was aware of was one 100km in length in England. The longest single stretch of the pipeline in any one county is in Offaly, hence the large number of farmers impacted. A lot of agricultural land will be taken out of production for two years, said Mr O'Brien. He believes over 70% of farmers on the route have signed up to the package offered and much of the remainder may be involved in legal issues relating to land transfers, such as probate, which happen to be occurring at this time. READ NEXT: Offaly IFA chair says signing Mercosur trade deal would be 'thundering disgrace' He said there are always going to be people who don't want to know, adding: All we can do is offer them a very viable alternative. He praised Offaly IFA chair Pat Walsh for the part he played in the talks with Uisce Eireann, as well as Offaly man Kevin Kinsella, the consultant in the IFA who was the brains of the outfit. Mr O'Brien said a deal had also been concluded this summer in Edenderry with Gas Networks Ireland in relation to a supply line of 22km. A smaller project... but most certainly it's very important to Offaly, he said. The gas pipeline will be needed for a generating station to back up the electricity coming from wind turbines. It's lower than the [package for] Uisce Eireann pipeline but the working widths are also considerably smaller. Once it starts, Mr O'Brien expects the work on the gas line to be completed quicker than the Shannon pipe. The latter project could go to construction in 2027. Visa has agreed to lease 300,000 sq ft on a 15-year deal at One Canada Square - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Visa has struck a deal to move its European headquarters to Londons Canary Wharf, handing a fresh boost to the citys financial district. The US payments company has agreed to lease 300,000 sq ft on a 15-year deal at One Canada Square, relocating from its current base in Paddington in the summer of 2028. The agreement is a boost for the Canary Wharf Group, which has been battling to regain its status after an exodus of companies in recent years. A revival of the business district has been gathering momentum in recent weeks, with JP Morgan recently announcing plans to build a 3bn new headquarters there. The US banking giant said it would build a three million sq ft office that will hold 12,000 people and serve as its main European base. Shobi Khan, chief executive of Canary Wharf Group, said Visas move will mean the firm joins a fintech community of more than 65 companies. It marks a reversal of fortunes for Canary Wharf after the likes of ratings agency Moodys and magic circle law firm Clifford Chance ditched the district in favour of moves to the City of London. However, the new string of deals shows the trend might be easing. In August, Spanish lender BBVA signed a lease to take 250,000 sq ft in Canary Wharf, while Hersheys, the American chocolate manufacturer, and Zopa, the digital bank, moved to the financial district this year. Canary Wharf Group, which is co-owned by the Qatar Investment Authority and Canadian private equity firm Brookfield, said more than 750,000 sq ft of office transactions had been announced so far this year, making 2025 its most successful year in more than a decade. In an attempt to make the district more attractive to potential tenants, Canary Wharf Group has expanded the areas retail, leisure and hospitality offering. It has also increased the number of residential units and hotels in the area. Mr Khan said Canary Wharf had been evolving to become a thriving mixed-use district that supports customers at every stage of their journey. 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. In the final leg of the campaign for local bodies in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has attempted to position the LDF in a light that would make it seem the last word in secularism. As usual, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) is the sacrificial lamb Vijayan slits the neck of in search of political fulfilment. However, Pinarayi's attack on JIH has never been as aggressive as on Friday. To begin with, he equated what he called JIH's "political Islam" with the Sangh Parivar's Hindutva. This is standard Pinarayi messaging. The Chief Minister had carefully employed this balance ever since he aspired to become the national leader of the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) agitation in 2019. Lest this be seen as Muslim appeasement, and risk unsettling traditionally secular and Left-leaning Hindu voters who are now fence-sitters ready to be tempted by the BJP's chest-thumping anti-Muslim rhetoric, Pinarayi began to attack JIH, a fringe entity, like it was as big a political scourge for his party as the RSS-BJP combine. At that stage, the JIH had sprung a surprise on the CPM. The organisation that had mostly supported the Left till the BJP came to power in 2014 offered open support to the Indian National Congress in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. After the BJP acquired supremacy, the JIH had pledged support to political formations that were best placed to unseat the BJP from power; and such a formation in most cases, including Kerala, was led by the Congress. ADVERTISEMENT During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the CPM did try to woo the Muslim community in a big way, particularly by amplifying its pivotal role in the anti-CAA agitation, but failed. Now, for the local body and Assembly elections, the CPM hopes to make up with Hindu and Christian votes. Therefore, at a press meet in Kochi on December 5, the CM accused JIH of far worse than sharing the dream of theocracy with the BJP . Pinarayi said the group indulged in genocide, it was anti-India and anti-secular, called it primitive, and also accused it of having a sub-surface understanding with the BJP. ADVERTISEMENT "Maududi (the founder of JIH) has said that those Muslims who had accepted the Indian Constitution and secularism should be excommunicated from Islam. He even exhorted adherents, through his book 'Khutabat', to consider democracy and modern civil rights as un-Islamic and reject them," the Chief Minister said. Extermination was the worst charge Pinarayi pinned on the group. "Maududi incited hatred against Ahmadiya Muslims. In 1953, Ahmadiya Muslims were hunted down under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami. Ahmadiya Muslims were also declared un-Islamic and were sought to be exterminated through a genocide. Maududi was even sentenced to death for his crimes against Ahmadiya Muslims," Pinarayi said. ADVERTISEMENT It is true that Maududi wanted Ahmadiyas excommunicated from Pakistan. Fact is, not just Jamaat-e-Islami, Sunni Muslims in general were against Ahmadiya Muslims. Ahmadiyas believe that their leader Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is the 'Last Prophet', the messiah that Mohammad had prophesied. For Sunnis this is sacrilege. For them, Mohammad is the 'messiah' and the 'Last Prophet'. It is also true that, like Pinarayi Vijayan said, Jamaat-e-Islami had vehemently opposed the liberation of Bangladesh as it meant secession from Pakistan, and had collaborated with the Pakistan army to quell the uprising of the Bangladeshi Muslims. The problem with Pinarayi's argument is not what he said Maududi and Jamaat-e-Islami did but his generalisation. He used the offensive deeds of Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan and Bangladesh to disparage Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. Pinarayi himself said that Maududi migrated to Pakistan after the 1947 partition. Jamaat-e-Islami then split into four: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir. JIH, though it had initially translated and distributed Maududi's teachings, gradually disengaged itself from Maududi and began to participate in the elections. It swears by the Indian Constitution and secularism, and has even formed a political party: Welfare Party of India. This is also why Pinarayi's charge that the JIH joined hands with the BJP to sabotage CPM's Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami's chances in the Jammu and Kashmir elections is off the mark. "Jamaat-e-Islami had aligned with the BJP to defeat Tarigami but their candidate lost," Pinarayi said, suggesting a heroic CPM resistance against the combined might of the BJP and Jamaat-e-Islami. What he conveniently ignored was that the Jamaat-e-Islami that opposed Tarigami in Kulgam Assembly constituency in J&K has no links to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind; both are as connected as Indian Union Muslim League and Pakistan Muslim League. It also looks like Pinarayi's demonisation of JIH will not be enough to project for the CPM a halo of exalted secularism. The CM still has to explain why he flaunts his friendship with SNDP general secretary Vellapally Natesan, Kerala's most prominent Ezhava leader whose Muslim hatred could put to shame even the extreme elements in the Sangh Parivar. Nonetheless, establishing an Islamic way of life is the JIH's stated objective. "'Iqaamat-e-Deen' is our objective," says the JIH website. "The term literally means establishing and upholding the Islamic way of life, which is the duty of every Muslim. We convey the message of God (Deen) to all human beings and urge them to make it the guiding principle in all the arenas of their lives including individual and collective ones," says the website. Here is how the JIH hopes to accomplish its dream. "For the achievement of its objective the JIH shall adopt constructive and peaceful methods; that is, it shall reform the mental outlook, character and conduct through propagation (of Islam), instruction and dissemination of Islamic ideas, and thus shall train public opinion in order to bring about the desired righteous revolution in the social life of the country." It is an officially admitted fact that no cases of violence have been charged against JIH members in Kerala. It is also true that JIH has not officially distanced itself from Maududi. [Sorry for the length of this message with many links. But I plead with you to read titles and open links ONLY if you deem it useful to you. There is just so much going on all around us and most 'mainstream' media do not tell us the truth!] Over the past few years, the Mobile Education Exhibition at the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability has brought environmental knowledge and awareness directly to children, youth, and marginalized communities across the West Bank. Between February and December 2025, the exhibition conducted 80 field visits to 40 local communities across six governorates: Hebron, Tubas, Jericho, Salfit, Qalqilya, and Nablus. More than 9,800 children and over 1,170 parents and community members participated. These visits provided a hands-on learning experience, raising environmental awareness in marginalized communities and connecting children and families with their natural surroundings in a meaningful and practical way. See pictures, donate here. Event 16 December: Land and Resistance: Cooperativism From Palestine to Turtle Island. Organized by Institute for Social Ecology. 2025 marks deadliest and most destructive year for Palestinians, Israeli rights groups say. 12 rights groups involved and I collected their websites which are worth looking at individually for all their other reports. Also notable NGO B'tselem which issue the report 'Our Genocide' Embracing Jesus Radical Call to Peacemaking: Light a (red) candle campaign. The new Kairos Palestine document. On the international day with disabilities we note that 6000 Palestinians in the Gaza strip have missing limbs thanks to the genocidal Israeli actions. One fourth of those (ie. >1500) are children. This is the highest induced disability rate anywhere in the world. Spain, Ireland, Netherlands, and Slovenia withdraw from Eurovision contest after genocidal "Israel" was shamefully allowed to participate. 98% of Gazas Tree Cropland Destroyed by Israel: Maps based on remote sensing analysis could inform remediation efforts by identifying whether agricultural lands were damaged by bombs, debris, or forced displacement of its caretakers. The racism of the current us administration is beyond the pale. Here is the Trumpistan regime's statements about Somalis and Ilhan Omar. Not long ago, the same statements were made about Italian immigrants by the anglo-saxon colonizers. What do you think the reaction of native Americans to this? The "Tomorrow's Palestine: One Democratic State for All Its Citizens" conference was held on November 7-8, 2025, in Madrid as a call for unity and action against the settler colonial project. You can watch the entire conference and also a separate video for each speaker on our YouTube channel. What is left of International law after UNSC Resolution 2803 on Gaza? To US citizens: Please ensure your representative signs 1) Congressional restoration of UNRWA funding. 2) Congressional resolution HR876 recognizing genocide. [This is why western politicians and university presidents support genocide] The Mossad agent Jeffrey Epstein files are beginning to be released. The Zionist controlled media will try to bury his connections to Israel and the mossad and his/mossad's use of videos to blackmail politicians around the world (from presidents, to sultans, to business leaders). And how many like Epstein and Maxwell are there? Why is Trump freeing drug traffickers and meddling in Honduras' election? Stay Humane, act, and keep hope and Palestine alive, Mazin Qumsiyeh A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine facebook pages Personal Institute French The Gus J. Solomon U.S. Courthouse at 620 S.W. Main St. in downtown Portland on Friday, sold this week for $1.8 million. Elliot Njus/The Oregonian Portland real estate firm SKB acquired the Gus J. Solomon U.S. Courthouse this week for $1.8 million, according to a deed filed with Multnomah County. Designed in the late 1920s, the courthouse at 620 S.W. Main St. has over its history housed post office operations, military branches, the U.S. District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals. Gus Solomon served as a federal judge for 37 years, according to a history of the building posted by the General Services Administration. The federal agency announced the public sale of the building in May, saying it would avoid over $76 million in potential capital expenditures to modernize the 90-year-old structure for continued office use. At the time, it said all federal tenants had been relocated and that the sale would include a preservation covenant, as the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. SKB President Todd Gooding told The Oregonian/OregonLive his firm didnt have firm plans for the approximately 200,000-square-foot property, but will move the SKB headquarters to the former courthouse. We wanted to keep ownership local, Gooding said. Given the low cost of acquisition, Gooding said, SKB hopes to work with city officials to come up with a project that will lead the renaissance of downtown Portland. Real estate firm CBRE brokered the sale. The move comes as Portland real estate continues to lie in low esteem among national investors, a sentiment supported by a string of recent sales of downtown office buildings at big discounts from their previous values. A recent report by the Urban Land Institute showed Portland at the bottom of the stack for real estate investors in terms of investment prospects among U.S. cities. A third of offices downtown are empty, according to the latest CBRE data, and brokers say it will take years to fill the vacancies. This story has been updated with comment from SKB. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story inaccurately stated the size of the former Gus J. Solomon U.S. Courthouse. It is approximately 200,000 square feet. A thick cloud of tear gas and smoke blanketed the area near the intersection of South Bancroft Street and South Moody Street, where Mindon Ocon's apartment overlooks, after federal officers deployed chemical munitions to disperse crowds on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Kristine de Leon The manager of the Grays Landing apartment complex across the street from Portlands U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building is asking a judge to bar federal officers from firing tear gas, smoke grenades or other chemical munitions at protesters except when necessary to protect against an imminent threat. The nonprofit Reach Community Development, which oversees the affordable housing complex, filed the lawsuit Friday in federal court in Portland along with several residents of the 200-plus-unit development against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Protective Service, Customs and Border Protection and the Secret Service. The suit alleges federal officers have indiscriminately used chemical munitions to put on a show for conservative influencers as propaganda, and not to address any real dangers outside the Portland ICE building, which became the focal point of nearly nightly protests since June of President Donald Trumps aggressive immigration enforcement. During a trial on the Trump administrations attempt to deploy National Guard troops to the ICE facility, Portland police supervisors testified that they witnessed federal officers using disparate and unnecessary force by firing tear gas, pepper balls and other less-lethal munitions at largely non-violent protesters after federal officers already had pushed protesters away from obstructing the buildings driveway. The lawsuit asks a judge to end the federal officers shocking and unconstitutional poisoning, of its residents and their homes. There can be no justification for the federal governments sustained poisoning of Grays Landing residents, but Defendants conduct is truly shocking given the cavalier manner in which they continue to deploy these munitions when officers face no violence or other imminent threat, the suit said. Federal Homeland Security officials did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The gases have seeped through windows and vents, accumulated in hallways and bedrooms and bonded to walls, carpets, clothing, furniture and childrens toys, the lawsuit says. Such long-term, residential exposure to these toxins appears to be unprecedented, attorney Darin M. Sands wrote in the suit. Some tenants have suffered physical and psychological harm that has included breathing problems, coughing and severe burning in their throats and eyes, according to the suit. Theyve had to wear gas masks in their own homes, stuff wet towels under their doors and seal windows shut in an often-futile effort to try to keep the gas and smoke out. The two young daughters of resident Whitfield Taylor, who lives on the southwest corner of Grays Landing closest to the ICE building, have slept in his bedroom closet in a makeshift fort to feel protected when tear gas and flashbang grenades have been used outside their windows, according to the suit. Children living at Grays Landing have become accustomed to weapons of war exploding outside of their homes. Kids sleep in closets to reduce exposure to gas penetrating gaps in their windows and teenagers have had to learn how to properly seal gas masks, the suit said. Resident Mindy King took this photo from her Gray's Landing apartment balcony, according to the lawsuit. Courtesy of Mindy King Many residents of the 200-plus-unit apartment complex are veterans or survivors of domestic violence who already live with post-traumatic stress disorder, the suit said. Each blast of tear gas or flashbang explosion, the suit says, has served as a new triggering event, the suit said. Resident Susan Dooley, a 72-year-old Air Force veteran who has diabetes, fibromyalgia and high blood pressure, had chemicals deployed by federal officers often enter her apartment on the west side of Grays Landing overlooking South Moody Avenue near the South Bancroft Street intersection where protesters have gathered. In October, the tear gas and chemical munitions made it hard for her to breathe and worsened her asthma, the suit said. The next month, she ended up in an emergency room, diagnosed with shortness of breath and low blood oxygen saturation, according to the suit. Dooley is one of seven resident plaintiffs named in the suit. Another resident, Mindy King, alleges that federal officers appear to have targeted her apartment with tear gas while she was videotaping and live streaming their actions from her balcony. On Oct. 4, a tear gas canister landed on or next to her deck while she was home, the suit said. Unlike the students at Cottonwood School of Civics and Science, which was next door to the ICE building and relocated due to concerns over tear gas and safety, many of Grays Landing residents, cant move, the suit said. The suit alleges the federal officers violated the tenants Fifth Amendment due process rights and Fourth Amendment rights to be secure in their homes. Dorothy Valentine, a teacher in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, enrolled in Portland State University's Read Oregon program to earn a reading specialist credential, but was frustrated to find that coursework considered what she thought were discredited methodologies on reading instruction. She switched to Eastern Oregon University, and the Read Oregon program is now on pause. Educator preparation programs around the state are evaluating their course offerings in the wake of recommendations from a panel convened by Gov. Tina Kotek that seeks to have university-level instruction aligned with the principles of the science of reading. Allison Barr/The Oregonian As Gov. Tina Kotek seeks her second term in office, she has staked a hefty part of her educational legacy on ensuring that Oregon schools help many more of the states youngest students learn to read with ease and fluency. Oregons bottom-of-the-barrel literacy rankings prompted the governor in 2023 to form a panel tasked with reforming how the states colleges and universities prepare future teachers, special educators, reading specialists and administrators. The idea is to better prepare the next generation of educators to teach kids to read. The panel recommended more research-backed teaching methods in college curriculums by next fall, to better reflect decades of findings about how human brains best process written language. Oregons teacher licensing agency adopted the report, which outlined nine pages of precise goals that panelists acknowledged would represent a big shift in practice. But a review by The Oregonian/OregonLive of the efforts so far suggests that any actual changes at most of the states 16 educator preparation programs could be far more minimal. In July status updates, most schools tentatively claimed little need for overhauls of their course offerings or academic focus to comply with the states early literacy standards. After licensing staff spent the fall doing individual follow-ups at each campus, that position hasnt shifted. Many programs continue to feel confident in their existing practices, consistent with what we observed in the progress summaries, Shara Mondragon, a policy analyst for the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, said this week via email. Other programs have indicated areas where additional support is needed. In the July status updates, just a handful of schools, including George Fox, the University of Portland, Western Oregon University and Eastern Oregon University outlined specific and broad changes they planned to make. A second round of updates is due at the end of this month. Some literacy advocates are incredulous that colleges would say no changes are needed. They note that only 42% of Oregon third graders can read proficiently, one of the lowest rates in the nation, after the 16 schools in question have trained generations of the states elementary teachers. Many metro-area school districts have already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to retrain existing teachers on back-to-the-basics reading principles. Now its time, advocates say, for universities to shift curriculum for Oregons pipeline for future teachers. Change is hard, but unless the state takes the adoption of these standards more seriously, more children will be left to struggle with reading, said J. Schuberth, who works with the volunteer group Oregon Kids Read. Kindergarteners in the class of teacher Kandi Hess learn letter-sound connections at Eastwood Elementary School in Hillsboro, Oregon on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Hess was one of many metro-area teachers that attended training paid for by her district to learn about science of reading principles. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian Pendulum shifts in literacy instruction Many longtime elementary general education teachers in Oregon and nationwide were schooled in an approach known as balanced literacy. That method allows young children to choose books on topics that interest them, whether or not they could read the words on the page. Basic phonics and phonemic awareness understanding the sounds letters make alone and within combinations is an element of that philosophy. But it also encourages children to guess at words using context clues, like illustrations or by recognizing just the first letter of a word. But decades of research has shown that the vast majority of children actually need explicit, sequenced instruction in phonics and phonemic awareness to master reading, an approach often shorthanded as the science of reading. That methodology is what Kotek says she wants to ensure future teachers understand before they get to their first classroom. For decades, Oregons system has given broad leeway to universities on how to teach its future teachers, said Andy Saultz, the dean of the graduate school of education at Lewis & Clark in Portland. Universities have relied on faculty experience to make the decisions and it has been a scattered approach, said Saultz, who oversaw Pacific Universitys push to set up its internationally accredited 15-credit dyslexia certificate program before he moved to Lewis & Clark. It is fair to say that the current push for early literacy runs counter to what some universities have been doing. State regulators have acknowledged that the new mandate represents a big change for some programs. But, Mondragon said, representatives from all the campuses have been meeting together, refining their plans and receiving regular state feedback over the past year. As a result, their understanding of the updated standards has deepened, and their confidence in making thoughtful adjustments to practice has grown, she said. Books about the science of reading at Dorothy Valentine's home office. She tutors struggling readers in the summer. Allison Barr/The Oregonian Little change needed, most colleges say The state licensing board cautioned that the July 1 status updates, obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive under a public records request, were intended to be a snapshot and do not capture an exhaustive picture. Only six of the colleges of education submitted detailed syllabi allowing state regulators to easily see if the materials used to train future teachers truly matched course descriptions and aims. The other 10 described their course content generally in their July updates, but did not link to specific textbooks, itemize what resources they might need to shift their practices or indicate any changes that needed to be made to faculty or staffing. Without detailed syllabi about the courses in which prospective teachers learn to teach reading, its difficult to evaluate whether a course meets standards, experts have said, including Ronda Fritz, an associate professor of education at Eastern Oregon University who has emerged as one of the states strongest proponents of the science of reading. For example, in its update, the University of Oregon reported that the states new standards were nearly all fully addressed by its current course requirements. The only proposed tweak is to incorporate Reading Rockets, a public media database on reading research, into the year that students spend working in classrooms under the guidance of an experienced teacher, the university wrote. Programs that had not shared their syllabi with the state as of July 1 include George Fox University, the University of Portland, Pacific University, Portland State University, Lewis & Clark, the University of Oregon, Warner Pacific University, Bushnell University and Corban University. Southern Oregon University provided syllabi for some, but not all, of its courses. Katelyn Snodgrass, who graduated from the University of Oregon in June and is now teaching special education in Springfield, said her special education professors prepared her well for the classroom with a focus on science of reading principles. Her general education courses included discussions about a range of teaching philosophies, including balanced literacy, she said. Her coursework included examinations of a lot of different reading programs, figuring out the pros and cons, taking different strategies from all of them, and then implementing them in our teaching practice, Snodgrass said. Portland State reported that its elementary education program fully addressed the state literacy standard, except a requirement to accommodate gifted and talented students. The university said it could address this by having students watch an instructional video. Dorothy Valentine, a second grade teacher in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, was so frustrated by her experiences with Portland States Read Oregon program, a series of online-only reading specialist certification courses, that she wound up transferring to Eastern Oregon Universitys online program. I started in 2022. I took a class that was kind of a flop, she remembered. And I thought, OK, Ill take another class. And then it was a flop. And by the end of my program, I had taken four or five other courses and only one of them was aligned with the science of reading. The final straw, Valentine said, was when she refused during field work to administer an assessment to a student that she thought was inappropriate, feeling that it would force the emerging readers she worked with in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District to look at pictures and guess at words. Instead, she submitted a long report detailing the alternative assessments shed chosen and why, only to have that work rejected outright by her professor, she said. By that time, I was seeing changes in my (school) district, and I really didnt want to go back to this old way of doing things, she said. I didnt want to use instructional practices that werent aligned. My professor at Eastern Oregon was looking specifically in my lesson plans and my recorded content to hold me to the states standards. Not long after that, Portland State paused admissions to its Read Oregon program. Maneka Brooks, the dean of PSUs College of Education, said the college has closed the Read Oregon program to new admissions through 2027. The goal, Brooks said, is to make sure its offerings are as strong as possible and in line with what potential employers are seeking from its graduates. We want to take some time to look at the curriculum and say, How can we make it so that were meeting the needs of what districts want, what kids need and what our students want? Brooks said. As new requirements come forth, of course the curriculum is going to adjust to that so we are in compliance. Making shifts in university-level courses is complex, Brooks said, particularly for tenured faculty members who are steeped in research in their discipline, dedicated to the principles of academic freedom and have seen different approaches to teaching and learning go in and out of political favor for decades. I think sometimes people can interpret discussion of alternative perspectives as advocacy for those perspectives, rather than saying, This is the spectrum of reading research, and these are the various pros and cons, Brooks said. But faculty also understand that they are required to follow the states policies and practices to serve students, in keeping with licensure and accreditation requirements, she added. At some campuses, updates are underway A handful of universities did tell the state they plan significant shifts in their approach to preparing elementary teachers. George Fox University reported it was planning syllabus and assignment updates across virtually all of its core education offerings as well as developing an entirely new course on the foundations of literacy. At Western Oregon University, respondents said they need to inspect all existing assessments and rubrics and cross-reference them with the states early literacy expectations; changes to syllabi and assignments are likely by fall of 2026, they said. The University of Portland said it added an additional year-long literacy course and a dyslexia lab to meet the new standards. Haniel Morquecho Beltran de la Cruz, who graduated from the University of Portland last May with a degree in elementary education and planned to work as a substitute teacher for Portland Public Schools while finishing work on his special education certification, said hed encountered a big culture of the science of reading at the Catholic universitys North Portland campus. Students in Western Oregons elementary teacher prep program told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the science of reading was already at the core of their literacy instruction. Professors emphasized the new state standards and embraced models shown to be effective in helping a wide range of students learn to read, said Brittany Austin, who will graduate in the winter. In the kindergarten classroom where Austin did her student teaching, she saw firsthand that learning to understand, pronounce and blend different chunks of a word was effective for her students, she said. You think of a simple word and to someones brain that has never read before, it can be very complex, Austin said. So phonics and phonemic awareness that stuff was just so cool to learn about and see developmentally. Gov. Tina Kotek speaks to members of the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators and Oregon School Boards Association in Salem in March 2025. The governor, who is running for re-election, has made improving the state's early literacy rates a centerpiece of her tenure. Office of Gov. Tina Kotek Oregons oversight role In a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive, Kotek said she felt that making sure educators-in-training learn science-based approaches to teaching reading is paramount to long-term success. To accomplish that, she continued, the state licensing agency will need to ensure that the new expectations set by the state for educator preparation programs are being not just adopted, but concretely utilized. But historically, Oregon has neither funded nor mandated that level of oversight, unlike some other states. Oregon has long been called out by the National Council on Teacher Quality for its lack of oversight over educator preparation programs. It is one of 14 states that earned a weak rating in those categories from the Washington, D.C.,-based nonprofit advocacy group noted for its research on teacher preparation and pay. For example, the test that elementary school educators, special educators and administrators must take to get an Oregon teaching license combines reading knowledge with other subjects. That approach doesnt cut it, said Heather Peske, president of the National Council of Teacher Quality. The test Oregon uses does adequately address the five core components of reading, she said. But since it combines reading with other subjects, you dont actually know whether a teacher passes it because they know a lot about other subjects but not as much about the science of reading. By contrast, 19 states offer literacy specific exams, among them many left-leaning states, including California, Colorado and Massachusetts. So, too, do the conservative states that have been the most successful at helping their students rebound from pandemic setbacks, among them Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee. Oregon, by contrast, is still weighing any changes or expansion of its testing requirements, and is considering multiple ways that a licensing candidate can demonstrate proficiency in early literacy, said Bill Rhoades, the director of education preparation and pathways at the state licensing agency. Some states have gone further. In Colorado in 2024, Peske said, 11 education preparation programs were given only conditional state approval to continue offering their programs unless they met the states early literacy requirements that dovetail with core science of reading principles. Indiana lawmakers in 2024 passed a law that allowed the state education department to close programs that were not aligned with the science of reading and hired a firm to observe programs on the ground, auditing classes and interviewing students. The work paid off: The states teacher preparation programs have since received some of the highest marks for their early literacy programs of any state in the country, said Ron Noble, chief of teacher preparation at the national quality council. And in Mississippi, the state paid for science of reading training for all faculty at education preparation programs and hired independent assessors to verify that universities were teaching research-backed literacy methods that met the states standards, said Schuberth, from Oregon Kids Read. Mississippis early investments paid off: The state has since shot past Oregon and every other state in reading proficiency levels among its students, especially among students of color and those from poor families. Oregons licensing agency is not staffed or funded for that level of oversight. The agencys goal is not to be an enforcer and instead sees its role as helping education preparation programs collaborate to meet state literacy requirements, Rhoades said. Oregon is now part of a network of states at a similar pivot point with their educator preparation programs, he added, and is reviewing potential oversight models being field tested elsewhere. During meetings with university leaders this fall, Rhoades and his colleagues have asked what kind of training faculty members and adjunct instructors are getting on the states new standards. And theyve sought information about district-level supports in the science of reading for the elementary school teachers who supervise student teachers embedded in their classrooms. Some contend that lack of teeth has real-life consequences for new teachers and the students in their classrooms. Other states have far surpassed Oregon in part because they demand their programs do better. Its not optional, said Angela Uherbelau, who founded Oregon Kids Read.. Optional serves adult comfort, but its failing students in every corner of this state who struggle day after day, needlessly. As state officials focus on collaboration, students who were kindergarteners when Kotek first ran for governor promising to make literacy a focus are now in third grade, where they are expected to be reading fluently. Some newer teachers say the science-backed methods they learned at their educator preparation programs were crucial to producing confident readers in those early elementary years. Gillian Coplin, a recent graduate of Western Oregon University who is now a second grade teacher in the Sweet Home school district, said she felt her education had prepared her to go into the classroom during the crucial second grade year, when children are ideally making the final transition from learning to read to reading to learn. When we were in class, deep diving into the science of reading, I felt like, Oh, I wish I would have learned this way when I was in school, she said of her own experience learning to read. It all made so much more sense. Oregon loves their local food. There are just so many great options, we cant help but brag about them. When we asked our readers to name their favorite food and drink products in Oregon, the responses poured in. The Oregonian/OregonLive Readers Choice Awards team was overwhelmed by the sheer number of suggestionsand honestly, why wouldnt we be? Oregons pantry is a cornucopia of yumminess. Narrowing the list down hurt... So many scrumptious items were carted away to make room for the 10 choices with the most nominations. The heartbreak multiplied after hundreds of votes distilled that list down to our top five. Rest assured, the five remaining champions are truly worthy. The winners are all over the map, but each has absolutely earned its place in the ranking. Here are the five food and drink products you chose as the best in Oregon. No. 5: Durant Olive Mill olive oil Nestled at Red Ridge Farms in Dayton alongside Durant Vineyards, Durant Olive Mill reigns as Oregons sole commercial olive oil artisan. Their offerings include unfiltered olio nuovo, Arbequina extra virgin olive oil, infused oils, vinegars, and luxurious gift sets. According to industry trade publication the Olive Oil Times, Durant Olive Mill ranks among the top 10 olive oil makers in the world. Thats super impressive considering the competition has compiled data on over 10,000 brands from 38 different countries. durantoregon.com/shop/olive-oil No. 4: Popos Hot Oil Perfected from a family recipe at San Franciscos Chinatown Hang Ah Tea Room, this hot oil recipe uses unique ingredients that include shiitake mushrooms, fermented black soy beans and preserved radish. One voter noted that it is an absolute staple in my fridge. I have to pace myself or it would be gone in two meals! THE best chili oil Ive ever had, the flavor is so full of depth, umami, slight sweetness and perfect spice level-just so good I want to eat it by the spoonful. Your last chance to get your hands on some of it this year will be at the Dec. 14 Montavilla Farmers Market in Southeast Portland. @poposhotoil on Instagram No. 3: Oregon beer and wine Oregons breweries and wineries are highly regarded nationwide, and sipping a local beer or wine is always a hit. Specifically mentioned by voters were Pfriem Pilsner (the Readers Choice Awards winner for best Oregon beer) and Buoy beers. Other options we think worth consideration are Folly of Man and Villa Catalana wines. No. 2: Fishpatricks canned tuna Based out of Winchester Bay, Fishpatricks is a family operation that has been selling canned tuna it hand-catches off the Oregon coast since 2012. Their products include Albacore tuna, smoked tuna, garlic jalapeno tuna, king salmon and smoked salmon. Fishpatricks Specialty Tuna is absolutely the bomb!!! one of our readers gushed. You will never find a better quality. Solid chunk of Albacore, no added water or oils, and so moist. Caught and canned right here on the Oregon Coast. Yummy!!! fishpatrick.com No. 1: Tillamook Cheese Anyone worthy of an Oregon foodie membership card must visit the Tillamook Cremery to earn one. Their Makers Reserve 2014 Extra Sharp White Cheddar is a bargain at $22 for an 8 oz hunk. It won the award for the Best Cheddar in the World at the 2024 World Cheese Awards in Portugal. Need further proof the creamery knows what its doing? Their latest release, Butternaise, sold out in two minutes! tillamook.com The 13th Amendment signed by President Abraham Lincoln, is displayed at the Sothebys in New York, on May 18, 2016. The 13th Amendment signed on 1 February 1865 abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the US is estimated $2,000,000/3,000,000. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Today in history: On Dec. 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, abolishing slavery, was ratified as Georgia became the 27th state to endorse it. Also on this date: In 1907, at least 361 men and boys died in a coal mine explosion in Monongah, West Virginia; it was the worst mining disaster in U.S. history. In 1917, more than 1,700 people were killed when an explosives-laden French cargo ship, the Mont Blanc, collided with the Norwegian merchant vessel SS Imo in the harbor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, setting off a blast that devastated the Canadian city. In 1923, a presidential address was broadcast nationally on radio for the first time as Calvin Coolidge spoke to a joint session of Congress. In 1957, Americas first attempted satellite launch failed as Vanguard TV3 rose about four feet off a Cape Canaveral launch pad before crashing down and exploding. In 1969, a free concert by The Rolling Stones at the Altamont Speedway in Alameda County, California, was marred by the deaths of four people, including one who was stabbed by a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club that was hired to provide concert security. In 1973, Republican House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as vice president after he was selected by President Richard Nixon to replace Spiro T. Agnew, who resigned amid an extortion and tax evasion scandal. In 1998, in Venezuela, former Lt. Col. Hugo Chavez, who had staged a bloody coup attempt against the government six years earlier, was elected president. In 2017, President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital, announcing plans to move the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv. In 2021, ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to four years (later reduced to two) for inciting public unrest and breaching COVID-19 protocols; she is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence after a series of cases brought by the military that had seized power from her elected government. The Santa Clones have returned this year, to a secret location in Portland. Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian The hunt for Portlands Santa Clones began this week. Nearly every December since 2010, local artist Chris Willis has displayed hundreds of 13-inch blow-mold Santas in a different location every year. Its become a city-wide Christmas treasure hunt, with clues to the Santas whereabouts posted on the @thesantaclones Instagram account. This years army of vintage light-up Santa Clauses officially reported for duty on Dec. 4. Theyll be lit up from 4-11 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1. Back in 2010, Willis commissioned local artist Terence Healy to paint two portraits of the same Santa, one showing the blow-mold in daylight, and one glowing at night. This years display includes four enlarged images of those paintings, not too far from the clones themselves. In fact, hunters might find the giant Santas first. Keep looking: the army is close by! The Santa Clones have returned this year, to a secret location in Portland. Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian This years first clue was presented as a haiku: Where cola once flowed, the plant all but forgotten, yet left us a splash. Carbonated waves, a frothy sea of soda, on a sandy shore. Liquid silver face, two seven near the zipper, solve and hit paydirt. Willis collection started with a single four-foot, light-up Santa that sat on his grandmothers front porch during his childhood Christmases. About 30 years ago, Willis inherited that Santa, and he loved its nostalgic, incandescent glow. He eventually began collecting other blow-mold Christmas decorations made by the same now-defunct company, Empire Plastic Corp. Then, in January 2010, he gave himself a project: how many blow-molds could he round up in a year? Willis had his eye on a specific piece: a 13-inch blow-mold Santa manufactured by Empire Plastic starting in 1968. The Santa Clones have returned this year, to a secret location in Portland. Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian Willis conducted most of his purchases through eBay, setting a personal rule that first year that he wouldnt spend more than $10 per Santa. All year long, Santas arrived at his doorstep from 86 different cities across the country. He wrote the city of origin on the bottom of each Santa to remember where they had come from. Joy seems too trite, but it just cracks me up inside, Willis said when interviewed in 2016. When I would get one in the mail, Id get it out and plug it in and it would crack me up every time, even though I had seen hundreds of them. By Christmas 2010, hed collected 150 of them. And he put them on display in an empty storefront on East Burnside. Its kind of like those terra-cotta warriors in China, Willis said. That was kind of the inspiration, multiples of the same figure. Over the years, the Santa Clones have traveled to various parts of the city, on display inside and outdoors. And the ranks of his Santa army have continued to swell, with now more than 425 clones. I went a bit back to basics this time, Willis wrote as part of an artists statement at this years display. As fun as splitting them up was (filling a gallery and a pharmacy soda fountain) the last couple of years, Ive always found them at their best when grouped all together. Their similarities and differences are easier to compare when bunched like this. Theyre impressive and intimidating all at once. And you can practically see their glow from blocks away. Local designer Chris Williss vintage plastic lighted Santas adorn the store window at Sunlan Lighting on Mississippi Avenue in Northeast Portland. December 13, 2022 Beth Nakamura/Staff The Oregonian Portlanders can also find some of Willis other Empire Plastic blow-mold creations on display in the windows of Sunlan Lighting at 3901 N Mississippi Ave. And for those looking for more blow-mold-inspired fun, Gigantic Brewing has its Santa Clones Winter Warmer, a rich winter ale, on tap at its three locations. In this Aug. 26, 2020, photo a sign marking the boundary of the Crow Indian Reservation stands near Hardin, Mont. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File) AP A proposal by the Crow tribal chair could dramatically change who counts as a Crow tribal member under the blood quantum standard, a concept created by White settlers and rooted in assimilation tactics. Blood quantum refers to the fractional amount of tribal affiliation in an individuals ancestry. It is central to individual identity and highly controversial. Right now, according to the tribes enrollment policy, an individual must possess one-quarter Crow Indian blood to enroll as a member of the Crow Tribe. The proposed legislation from Chairman Frank Whiteclay would alter things so that all existing members would be considered as having 100% Crow blood. That would change the lives not just of the 14,289 enrolled Crow tribal members but also potentially thousands of descendants who would be more likely to qualify as tribal members and receive services. Most tribes nationwide use blood quantum to determine eligibility for citizenship. And being an enrolled citizen of a tribe can make someone eligible for certain health care services and determine whether they can vote in tribal elections, access educational scholarships or inherit certain land. Tribal colleges must serve a certain number of enrolled tribal members to maintain their status. Tribal citizenship also influences a persons sense of belonging. The legislation, Whiteclay said, will affect all of the reservation in a huge way. Experts say tribes nationwide will have to contend with blood quantum in the near future. Its limitations, one California Law Review article contends, threaten to jeopardize the existence of Native nations, as you cannot have a nation without citizens. Jill Doerfler, who heads the department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth, said any tribe that uses blood quantum has an expiration date. Thats what blood quantum is designed to do, she said. So, in effect, making everyone four-fourths resets the clock. It doesnt stop the clock, but it hits reset. Tribal Secretary Levi Black Eagle said the notice of the proposed legislation was sent to the tribes 18-member Legislature and will be added to the bodys January meeting agenda. A committee will discuss the legislation and propose amendments. And if the act passes the Legislature by a simple majority, it will return to the chair, who can sign it into law. Black Eagle acknowledged that the act isnt a perfect solution to the generations-long blood quantum conundrum. The United States government requires us to have some sort of metric in place to say, OK, these people qualify as a legal member of the tribe, he said. So were taking the leeway we have within that system and flexing our sovereignty. Crow and blood quantum Whiteclay, whose term as chairman ends in 2028 and who cannot run again because of term limits, said he proposed the legislation to break a cycle of lost enrollment and to improve the lives of members and descendants. He referred to the issue of blood quantum as death by numbers. With each new generation, and as tribal members marry non-Natives or people from other tribes, it becomes harder for the Crow Tribe, and for any tribe using blood quantum, to maintain its membership. Whiteclay said when he took office as chairman in 2020, the tribe had about 14,600 members. Five years later, that number has declined by at least 311 people. The proposed legislation, Whiteclay said, will also address several other issues for community members. Theres a lot of kids and people on the reservation; everything about them is Crow, Whiteclay said. They live here, theyre part of the culture. Everything about them (is Crow) except their blood quantum by a very small percent, a small fraction. For Black Eagle, a supporter of the legislation, the issue is personal. He said that because his mother-in-law is a member of another tribe, his wife grew up being told shed have to marry someone from a certain tribe if she wanted her children to be enrolled members. Its sad, Black Eagle said. It just really narrows the limits on how you want to live your life. And I dont think us tribal members should have that in the back of our mind. I think that we should just be free to live our lives and love whoever we want and make a family with whoever we want. Blood quantum, Black Eagle said, is not used to define other groups of people. People say, What pedigree does your horse have? he said. Or, How much does your dog cost? Does it have papers? Thats the kind of vein were in. But were not animals. While early reactions to Whiteclays Facebook post indicated widespread support, expanding blood quantum requirements is controversial. A popular counterargument is that broader enrollment requirements could result in more people vying for fewer resources in a federal system where resources are already scarce. But for Whiteclay, the issue is bigger than ourselves. We have to have that mentality that the tribe as a whole should benefit, he said. Not just a certain few. Blood quantum controversy, Doerfler said, often reveals different attitudes towards citizenship. Some people might think about every citizen as draining the nation, as taking something, she said. Other people might see more citizens as having more power, more leverage, more votes, more lobbying. Maybe they see more citizens as contributing something. History of blood quantum One of the first deployments of the concept of blood quantum was in Virginia in the 18th century. At the time, it restricted the rights of anyone deemed more than 50% Native American. From 1887 to 1934, the federal government divided reservation land into allotments for distribution to individual tribal members with the goal that private ownership would assimilate Native Americans into White society. The government used the concept of blood quantum to determine who was eligible for allotments. And in 1934, with the passage of the Indian Reorganization Act, tribes began using blood quantum as a requirement for their own citizenship. Blood quantum was determined in different ways for different tribes. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, for example, used census rolls to assign blood quantum to some Native Americans, though their calculations were often incorrect. Doerfler said blood quantum for the White Earth Nation in Minnesota was established by anthropologists. They came and measured peoples heads and did a scratch test on the chest to see the reaction of the skin, took hair samples, did analysis of the hair samples and cobbled together blood quantum out of that, she said. That process, which serves as the basis for blood quantum for tribal members today, Doerfler said, is inherently flawed. She said she has seen blood quantum rolls of biological siblings with vastly different quantum amounts. What we can see in those inconsistencies is that there is no way to measure blood quantum, she said. What test are you going to do to measure blood? Historically, tribes did not determine membership based on biological ancestry. Doerfler said some tribes adopted people into the community, or based membership on factors such as where a person lived or their relationships within a community. Identity, she said, cannot be measured in the way blood quantum suggests. Sometimes, I try to get people to think about American citizenship, she said. How much American blood do you have? How much Montana blood do you have? Or how much Minnesotan blood do you have? Its not a thing. You can say, I was born and raised here. My parents were born and raised here. But there isnt a blood associated with that. ___ This story was originally published by the Montana Free Press and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. Key Points Chevron expects its capital spending to be towards the low end of its long-term outlook in 2026. It's on pace to produce significantly more free cash flow in the coming year. The oil giant will likely return more cash to investors via a higher dividend and meaningful share repurchases. 10 stocks we like better than Chevron This year has been a transformational one for Chevron (NYSE: CVX). The oil giant has completed several major growth capital projects and closed its acquisition of Hess. That sets the stage for a big 2026. Here's a look at the oil company's big plans for the coming year. Image source: Getty Images. Drilling down into Chevron's capital spending plans for 2026 Chevron recently unveiled its 2026 capital spending outlook. The oil giant anticipates an organic capital expenditure range of $18 billion to $19 billion. Additionally, it expects affiliate capex to be between $1.3 billion and $1.7 billion next year. That compares to the $15 billion organic capex budget Chevron initially set for 2025 (and $2 billion affiliated capex budget). The increase in capital spending is entirely due to its acquisition of Hess. Chevron's 2026 capital budget range is actually toward the low end of its updated long-term outlook following the deal ($18 billion to $21 billion). Chevron's "2026 capital program focuses on the highest-return opportunities while maintaining discipline and improving efficiency," commented CEO Mike Wirth in the press release unveiling its budget. The company plans to spend the bulk of its capital ($17 billion) on its upstream operations (oil and gas production). It plans to invest nearly $6 billion into developing its U.S. shale assets in the Permian, DJ, and Bakken regions, supporting its ability to produce over 2 million barrels of oil equivalent per day from these assets. Additionally, the company plans to spend $7 billion on global offshore projects to support its growth in Guyana, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Gulf of Mexico (also known as the Gulf of America in the U.S.). Also of note, the global energy giant plans to invest $1 billion in reducing the carbon intensity of its operations and expanding its lower-carbon energy businesses. The coming surge in free cash flow Chevron's investments to expand its operations, combined with its capital discipline, position it to produce significantly more free cash flow. Over the past year, Chevron and its partners have completed major growth capital projects in Kazakhstan, the Gulf, and Guyana. It also closed its needle-moving acquisition of Hess, expanded its U.S. shale output, and undertook a major cost-saving initiative. These moves will pay big dividends in the coming year. The ICE facility in South Portland serves as a processing center for people arrested by federal agents in the Portland area, before they are sent to the detention center in Tacoma. Two thirds of those arrested in Oregon don't have criminal convictions. Mark Graves A large share of people arrested by immigration agents in Oregon this year have no criminal record and most of those with convictions faced prosecution for nonviolent crimes, new federal data shows. The data, released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and published this week by the Deportation Data Project, shows 294 of 644 people arrested in Oregon during the Trump administration crackdown had no criminal convictions or pending criminal charges and that their arrests have accelerated in recent months. The data shows only about a third of the people arrested in Oregon from Jan. 20 through mid-October had been convicted of a crime. And less than 10 percent had been convicted of a violent crime, including two homicides, two kidnappings and three robberies. That contradicts the oft-repeated claims of President Donald Trump and federal enforcement authorities who say their dragnet is targeting the worst of the worst immigrants with violent criminal histories. The most common criminal convictions among Oregon arrestees were for driving under the influence, illegal entry and reentry, assault and sexual assault, according to an analysis of the data by The Oregonian/OregonLive. About another 22% of the people arrested in Oregon had pending criminal charges but hadnt been convicted of any crime. The data didnt indicate the severity of the charges. Nationwide, the trends are similar. Just under half of those arrested had no criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, according to the ICE count released by the deportation project. Of those with criminal convictions, only 5% had been convicted of a violent crime. The deportation project, based at the University of California at Berkeley, is a team of academics and lawyers who use the Freedom of Information Act and litigation to gather immigration data directly from federal agencies. It offers the most up-to-date state-level data available on immigration-related arrests though the current data is a month and half old and has many blanks. Its also unclear whether it includes arrests made by Border Patrol agents, who also are operating in Oregon. Still, the data shows that arrests in Oregon jumped recently, with 192 of the 644 arrests coming since September. Masked armed agents have made most of the arrests in recent months in public spaces inside businesses, on roadways and near schools, mostly without judicial warrants. They have mistakenly arrested U.S. citizens, including children, and have used random license plate checks to detain people, in some cases unlawfully. Lawyers in federal court in Portland this week said they planned to file a class-action lawsuit to counter what they described as an ongoing scheme to violate statutory and constitutional rights of Oregonians to reach high deportation quotas. The data projects numbers also show that 84% of the people arrested in Oregon are men and 87% hail from Mexico, Central or South America and the Caribbean. Though the figures offer the most comprehensive public accounting of immigration arrests in Oregon and nationwide so far, their lag by sometimes months means other organizations have stepped up to fill the void. The Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, the most well known group that monitors ICE activity in Oregon, is tracking arrests in real time through its hotline and by dispatching first responders to verify the arrests. It has reported 329 immigration-related arrests in October throughout Oregon and another 373 immigration arrests in November, a 550% increase compared to previous months. A U.S. Border Patrol official also released a single number in a post on X that said federal agents made more than 560 immigration-related arrests during October in the Portland area alone. Its not known when the next Deportation Data Project numbers release will come. The episode has fueled mounting criticism by some members of the Portland City Council who allege Mayor Keith Wilson Wilson and other city officials have repeatedly and intentionally withheld or hidden information from the legislative body since January. A blame game between current and former top Portland officials has intensified over their failure to notify the City Council for months of millions of dollars in unspent funds that could have been paying for emergency rent assistance, eviction defense or other housing aid. Helmi Hisserich, the recently ousted head of the Portland Housing Bureau, said in a memo Thursday to the 12-member council that a senior bureaucrat told her in September to withhold information about the unspent funds from the bodys finance committee chair. Deputy City Administrator Donnie Oliveira, who oversees the bureau, had pointed to unfavorable optics and the potential for a big PR problem, Hisserich alleged in the memo sent Thursday, first reported by The Portland Mercury. Oliveira only informed the full council about the unspent $21 million on Nov. 20 the same day Hisserich tendered her resignation as director, The Oregonian/OregonLive first reported last month. City Hall sources previously said that Mayor Keith Wilson and Hisserich diverged sharply in their approach to housing policy. I firmly believe Mayor Wilson has the right and responsibility to put in place the city leadership team that he feels will serve the best interests of the city or Portland and align with his vision for the city, wrote Hesserich, who said shes been unfairly blamed for the untouched dollars. Instead of supporting my efforts to daylight the problem, she wrote, the city administrator delayed the release of this information to coincide with their plan to displace me. Magan Reed, a spokesperson for Oliveira, disputed the allegations, saying that a full accounting of the unspent dollars was unknown to Oliveira until weeks after Hisserich was placed on leave in late October. A Wilson spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. The timing of the disclosure, and to whom, is important because while the mayor and administrative staff were made aware of the funds earlier, the council sets the budget under the citys new form of government. In other words, council members, not the mayor, hold the power to direct and spend the funds. It has also fueled mounting criticism by some members of council who allege Wilson and other city officials have repeatedly and intentionally withheld or hidden information from the legislative body since January. Adding further strain between the citys executive and legislative branches was the decision by the mayor and his team to push out Hisserich, a champion of new approaches to publicly funded housing in Portland embraced by progressive council members and their supporters. Former Housing Bureau Director Hisserichs memo raises serious flags about the transparency of administration leadership and the nature of her dismissal, said Candace Avalos, chair of the councils Homelessness and Housing Committee, on Thursday night. Im committed to working with my colleagues to follow through on the many questions raised by this memo and fully exercise Councils oversight powers where necessary. Avalos was among a trio of councilors in September who traveled to Europe to study Viennas social housing policy, lauded by progressive policy makers including Hisserich as a way to bring middle class residents into affordable apartments. Councilors have also charged the city administrator with delivering a report by May that looks at financing and ownership models that could be used for social housing in Portland, a long range and potentially costly solution to the citys deepening housing woes. The unspent Housing Bureau funds were generated by a fee that landlords pay to register new rentals and had accumulated over several years, according to city officials. Oliveira and Hisserich both appeared to show a lack of candor with the legislative body, Hisserichs memo and other records reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive show. Neither high-ranking staffer told councilors for months about millions of dollars that could have aided Portlanders at a time when some 800 to 1,200 renters have gone through eviction proceedings in Multnomah County every month over the past year, accounting for roughly half of the states monthly total, according to Portland State Universitys Evicted in Oregon tracker. The surprise revelation prompted a rally of dozens of people in front of City Hall on Wednesday and a scramble by councilors to find a way to spend the money on housing aid. Avalos introduced a non-binding resolution that would direct nearly half of the $21 million toward rent assistance and rapid rehousing over the next three years. She proposed sending another $9 million to Portland housing authority Home Forward in budget year 2026-27 for emergency housing vouchers for households affected by federal enforcement actions or loss of federal benefits. The rest of the money would go to other efforts to keep people housed, such as legal aid for those facing eviction and landlord-tenant education programs. In her memo Thursday, Hisserich said the imbroglio started in June when Council Finance Chair Eric Zimmerman asked how money from the rental registration fund is used. Hisserich, who had led the bureau since February 2024, said she didnt know and sought more information, ordering subordinates in July to provide a full accounting of the fund since it started in 2018. On July 25, according to her memo, Hisserich met with Oliveira to brief him of an unexpended fund balance of between $10-$20 million. I informed him that the team was figuring out available funds, and developing a one-time expenditure recommendation consistent with the rental registration fee legislation, Hisserich wrote. Oliveira has previously said he first learned of $11.75 million in unspent funds from the residential rental registration fee in late August, and had been working with the bureau to identify ways to spend it down to advance the citys housing priorities. Wilson, Chief Financial Officer Jonas Biery and City Administrator Michael Jordan were made aware of the initial tranche of unspent funds in early September, according to city officials. On Nov. 17, after Interim Housing Director Michael Buonocore took over for Hisserich, the Housing Bureau informed Oliveira of another estimated $9 million it found as part of an internal review, records show. Avalos resolution, co-sponsored by Councilors Jamie Dunphy and Loretta Smith, will go before the Housing and Homelessness Committee next week. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 2, 2025. (Photo by Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images) The Washington Post via Getty Im An Oregon senator called for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths resignation or removal Thursday after a Pentagon report concluded Hegseth put U.S. troops at risk by sharing plans about an impending military strike via a messaging app on his personal phone. This report sends a really clear signal: Hegseth who never should have been nominated needs to resign or be removed, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., posted to X on Thursday afternoon. A Pentagon inspector generals report found that Hegseth had the authority to declassify the material he shared through the Signal app in March about plans to attack Houthi rebels in Yemen. But the report said the release still violated Pentagon rules about the handling of sensitive information. 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. Hegseth refused to be interviewed as part of the investigation but said in a statement to the inspector general that there was nothing classified in this text. There were no locations or targets identified, Hegseth wrote. There were no details that would endanger our troops or the mission. Hegseth also posted on social media about the report. No classified information, he wrote. Total exoneration. Case closed. Houthis bombed into submission. Meanwhile, Hegseth is facing additional scrutiny this week over continued U.S. strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. The U.S. military carried out its 22nd such strike on Thursday, this time in the eastern Pacific. Four people were killed in that strike, bringing the total death toll to at least 87 since the strikes began in September. Also Thursday, Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley appeared for a series of closed-door classified briefings at the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers began an investigation into the first boat strike, conducted on Sept. 2. The sessions came after a report that Bradley ordered a follow-up attack that killed two survivors to comply with Hegseths demands. Bradley told lawmakers there was no kill them all order from Hegseth, but a stark video of the entire series of attacks left some lawmakers with serious questions. Legal experts have said killing survivors of a strike at sea could be a violation of the laws of military warfare. -- The Associated Press contributed to this report. The state of Oregon announced Friday that it has once again recharged the debit-like cards of approximately 757,000 residents who rely on federal food assistance to eat. The early December recharge comes amid ongoing threats from the Trump administration to ax benefits and a frenzied early November, when the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history let the accounts run dry. The program sometimes referred to as food stamps is formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. One in six Oregonians and one in eight Americans are enrolled. After last months uncertainty and disruptions, we are grateful to be able to return to issuing SNAP food benefits when and how people expect us to, said Oregon Department of Human Services Director Liesl Wendt, in a news release Friday. A new worry, however, bubbled up this week, with the Trump administration threatening to shut off SNAP dollars to Oregonians indefinitely if Oregon and other Democratic-led states dont turn over names, addresses, Social Security numbers and immigration statuses of SNAP recipients. Oregon and other states have refused, worrying the information could bolster the federal governments crackdown on immigration. Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement Thursday that Oregon will not hand over the personal information of vulnerable families so it can be used against them in ways we cant even predict. Friday, the state Department of Human Services also warned SNAP recipients about crooks continuing to try to steal their benefits by covertly installing card skimmers on top of the debit- and credit-card payment stations at grocery stores in the Coos Bay and North Bend areas. The department said it deactivated more than 1,300 SNAP cards and replaced them after officials learned the cards had been skimmed. The department said SNAP cardholders should receive replacements in the mail within five days. Card skimming has been a booming problem in Oregon in recent months. The new hire will join the county at a tumultuous time, as the Trump administration continues to crack down on DEI efforts. Dave Killen / The Oregonian Multnomah County has selected its next Chief Diversity and Equity Officer, officials announced Friday. Laura Shepherd, an Oregon outsider with years of experience in equity and inclusion work, beat 115 other candidates to land the post, according to an email from Chief Operating Officer Christopher Neal to county staff. Shepherd will take over for former chief officer Joy Fowler, who stepped down in May to lead diversity and inclusion efforts in Vancouver, Washington. Taken together, Lauras experiences and skill set are a fantastic fit for what we need and expect in our next Chief Diversity and Equity Officer, Neal wrote. Shepherd worked as the global director of diversity, equity and inclusion for New York-based law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton from 2022 to Sept. 2025, according to her LinkedIn profile. Before that, she worked at William & Mary Law School in Virginia as the associate dean for student and academic services as well as the chief equity officer. She champions the use of data to make decisions, and creating and upholding authentic accountability, Neal wrote. And as she made it crystal clear during her interviews, she is animated by the belief that equity is both a moral imperative and a driver of organizational excellence. The countys top diversity officer is in charge of implementing the countys Workplace Equity Strategic Plan an initiative designed to improve internal equity and inclusion efforts. Shepherd will also oversee the countys work to ensure employees receive fair and equal treatment under federal civil rights laws and preventing discrimination, according to the email. Shell take the job at a difficult time. Diversity and equity efforts are under intense scrutiny by the Trump administration. The county announced in August that it was reevaluating the language, policies and practices in its operations, citing a need to protect federal funding. Neal told county staff at the time that they were reviewing materials to assure compliance with basic 1964 anti-discrimination laws. President Trump has threatened to pull federal dollars from local governments, schools and universities over diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The county joined dozens of local governments in suing the Trump administration over those and other funding threats. The county is also facing challenges internally. A county audit released in July found that Black, Asian and LGBTQ+ employees faced unique disparities compared to other county staff. Employees have raised concerns about retaliation in the workplace and the process for filing personnel complaints. Its unclear when Shepherd would start or what her salary would be; county officials could not immediately provide those details Friday. Fowler made $197,252 a year. Hiring listings for ICE positions could indicate the federal government plans to launch a detention center in Portland. Mark Graves/The Oregonian A federal contractor is seeking to staff a potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Portland, according to online job listings. Virginia-based Acuity International posted the listings Tuesday, as first reported by KGW, hinting that the federal government may plan to open a facility in the city. There is an ICE processing facility in South Portland that includes temporary holding cells, but there are currently no detention centers in Oregon. The eight notional jobs include a warden, quality assurance manager, operations manager and unarmed guard supervisor, among others. Duties include managing and operating a detention facility, and complying with federal standards, contractual obligations, and ethical practices in the care, custody, and control of detainees, the listings show. The positions are contingent on Acuity winning a federal contract. While Acuity does not list a precise location, postings for the same jobs on Indeed include an address near the Portland International Airport. Port of Portland spokesperson Maggie McEvoy said the airport has not received any communication or request to use airport land for ICE operations. Indeed lists the site as 7000 N.E. Airport Way, which spans over 16 acres, according to Portland Maps. Acuity International, ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A similar scene has played out in Newport along the Oregon coast. City officials announced last month that the homeland security department was looking at Newport Municipal Airport as a potential site for an ICE enforcement facility. Public job postings for detention officers based in Newport, a request for septic tank services and a bid to lease four vacant acres near the airport all suggested ICE was poised to build there. Its part of a larger push from the Trump administration to expand immigration enforcement efforts, as ICE continues to make arrests in Oregon and across the country. The ICE building in Portland, the center of months of protests following President Trumps threats to send National Guard troops to the city, cannot hold anyone longer than 12 hours or overnight, per its land use agreement with the city of Portland. Those arrested by federal immigration officers are often sent to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. A spokesperson for Portland Mayor Keith Wilsons office said the city continues to receive limited and incomplete information from the federal government regarding ongoing ICE matters. but I think that a lot of the porn I watched in the pastand probably the porn a lot of people consumeis pretty crappy and unethicalAn outstanding exposition of the fact th is less about equation than about seeing how far apart the two things can be while still having a tether.the skies were filled with large clouds like strange airplanes drifti No more sacrificing! I gathered Little Lisa in my arms and struggled to get up; the shapes kept pushing me back down.the bodies of those who read and the relationships of This is an absolutely pathological situation and a writer needs a special sort Chants in support of the graduate instructor who was placed on leave after psychology junior Samantha Fulnecky claimed discrimination over a failing grade rang through campus Friday afternoon. After gathering in the union courtyard, a group of around 150 protesters marched down the South Oval, chanting OU, shame on you and protect our professors, before marching to Evans Hall, which houses the presidents and the Board of Regents offices. Outside Evans Hall, the crowd grew to around 250 protesters. The protesters held homemade signs reading Diversity makes us stronger, Grading isnt discrimination, its accountability, and Reinstate her now, among others. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name A few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... Andrew Weiss, a junior civil engineering major, told the crowd he had no doubt the university would quietly fire the graduate student if it were the most profitable option for the university. We are here today because we know that this university administration is governed by cowardice and greed, Weiss said. We are here to show that when our administrators fail to protect their students and staff, we show up to protect their students and staff. Weiss, who is a Christian, told the crowd he has been conflicted about his religion being used to justify divisive opinions surrounding Fulneckys claims. The very same religion that raised me is the religion that I see being used to justify divisiveness and discrimination, Weiss said. The religion that taught me to treat others with kindness and respect is being used to defend some of the most dehumanizing and disgusting language Ive ever heard. Kelly Taylor, an OU professor of classics and letters and OU alumna, said she attended the protest because she wants to see the university uphold its academic standards and not give in to organizations like Turning Point USA. I got a great education here and, back in the 2000s, we had less of this right-wing agitation infecting the university with culture war nonsense. It was a place for study, it was a place for students to learn, Taylor said. I think the majority of students, as you can see, are interested in university as a place to learn. Redji Curry, a student at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, was painting a scene of the protest chanting outside Evans Hall. Curry said its important to document protests with mediums like live paintings to convey the emotions felt during the event. There are going to be the kind of protests that we talk about in history books later on, Curry said. Doing something like this means noting and properly finding weight to grievances like this. Doing this is more than taking time to stand here, but also document and show the emotion. Rose Allen, a sophomore elementary education major, said she has seen national online discourse attacking OU. Its simply not true. I have a great love for OU, and this situation is disrespecting that, and its just not correct (and) not right, Allen said. OU is number one in so many aspects. Think of our meteorology program, our Gaylord (Journalism and Mass Communications) program, theyre phenomenal. Jay Arkie, a sophomore history and women and gender studies double major, said he is infuriated by how Fulneckys reaction to the grade reflects on OU. This is the best school in Oklahoma and theyre making us look like a bunch of idiots and like a bunch of fools because we dont have the strength to stand up (to) a bunch of transphobic assholes, Arkie said. Arkie said he has no respect for the universitys administration. As a trans student, I have never been madder at the (administration)," Arkie said. I dont trust them to keep me safe and I dont think that theyre leading the university in a good direction. OU Turning Point USA president, Kalib Magana, attempted to speak to the crowd, but his voice was drowned out by chanting. Why are mentally ill professors, why do they feel the need They shouldn't even be in the classroom lecturing students about their beliefs and telling them that they're wrong, Magana said to the crowd. Background Fulnecky contested a failed grade on an essay assignment in an OU psychology course called Lifespan Development, stating she believed she received the grade because of her religious beliefs. The course name has been confirmed via OUs course catalog by the Daily. Fulnecky reportedly received zero out of 25 points on her assignment from the graduate student instructor for the class. The instructions of the assignment were to write a 650-word essay in response to an assigned article on gender roles and identity. The essay would be graded based on thoughtfulness, relevance and clarity, according to the rubric released by The Oklahoman. The instructor wrote in a Canvas comment that the paper failed to meet the assignment's criteria and that the paper was contradictory to itself. According to the instructor's Canvas comment, the deducted points were for posting a reaction paper that 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. In the essay, which was published by The Oklahoman, Fulnecky references the Bible to argue that traditional gender roles should not be considered stereotypes. She wrote that eliminating gender would put people farther from Gods original plan for humans. In response to Fulneckys allegation of discrimination, the university wrote in a statement that university leaders contacted Fulnecky the day she submitted her complaint and a formal grade appeals process was conducted. Steps were taken to ensure there was no academic harm to the student, the statement reads. OU also placed a graduate student instructor on administrative leave and placed a different full-time professor to teach the class for the remainder of the semester after the student reported filing a claim of illegal discrimination based on religious beliefs. Fulneckys appeal has drawn state and national attention, with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt posting on the social platform X that the situation is deeply concerning and calling on the OU Board of Regents to review the results of the investigation. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis referred to the situation as an example of intellectual rot in higher education in a post on X. During a meeting hosted by the Original Constitutional Principles Affecting Culture Foundation Wednesday, former State Superintendent Ryan Walters demanded university action for Fulnecky, stating that OU should lose taxpayer funding if action is not taken and that faculty involved in failing the essay should be fired. This story was edited by Natalie Armour and Thomas Pablo. Gretchen Schultz and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story. Correction This story was updated at 11:05 a.m. Dec. 6 to reflect the correct spelling of Roxanne Mountford's name. OU confirmed another graduate instructor has been removed after she reportedly told students she would excuse any absence for attending Fridays protest supporting the graduate instructor who was placed on leave after a student claimed discrimination, but would not excuse absences for counter-protesters. In an email to OU Daily Friday evening, OU Marketing and Communications confirmed the instructor was removed for allegedly expressing viewpoint discrimination in her absence policies regarding Friday afternoons protest where hundreds gathered in support of the graduate instructor who was placed on leave after psychology junior Samantha Fulnecky claimed religious discrimination over a failing essay grade. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name A few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... OU confirmed the instructor who would not excuse counter-protest absences was placed on administrative leave for the remainder of the semester. Statement from the University of Oklahoma: pic.twitter.com/pUPf8FsQlB University of Oklahoma (@UofOklahoma) December 6, 2025 Immediately upon learning of the situation, the Director of First-Year Composition told students in class (Friday) and by email that the lecturers actions were inappropriate and wrong, the email reads. The Director further stated that any student, regardless of viewpoint, would be excused if absent from class today to attend the protest without penalty, and that the lecturer had been replaced, effective immediately, for the remainder of the semester. The Daily obtained a screenshot of the message Director of First-Year Composition Roxanne Mountford sent to students in which she characterized the instructor's actions as inappropriate. Yesterday, the professor for your class announced differing attendance credit based on who you were supporting at todays rally, Mountford wrote. That attendance policy was wrong and inappropriate. As stated many times, the University teaches students how to think, not what to think. OU wrote it supports Mountfords decision to remove the instructor, stating her actions aligned with university policy. The University of Oklahoma unequivocally supports the decision and swift action taken by the Director of First-Year Composition regarding this matter, the email reads. Her actions are fully consistent with university policy governing prohibited classroom conduct, and the lecturer has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. OU Turning Point USA President Kalib Magana told the Daily Friday afternoon he was the student in the instructors class who was denied an excused absence to counter-protest. The class was English Composition II taught by Kelli Alvarez, an assistant teaching professor, according to Magana. According to OUs course catalog, Alvarez is teaching two English Composition II courses this fall. OU Daily visited Alvarezs office in Cate Center Two on Friday but she was not there. OU Daily reached out to Mountford and Alvarez via phone. Neither responded before the publication of this story. Thomas Pablo contributed to the reporting of this story. This story was edited by Natalie Armour and Thomas Pablo. Sophie Hemker copy edited this story. Railway officials convened the inaugural meeting of the Eurasian Transport Route Association in Baku in late November, the Trend news agency reported . Representatives from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated. The Eurasian Transport Route is a southern branch of the Middle Corridor, connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Shipments began in November from the Chinese city of Kashgar to Azerbaijan via the southern branch. Meanwhile, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey agreed to coordinate measures to streamline rail transit along the southern branch of the Middle Corridor by applying unified and competitive tariffs, shortening travel times for container trains, cutting auxiliary and customs-related costs, and upgrading rail infrastructure across the corridor, the Tehran Times reported . This agreement, if fully implemented, could redirect a large portion of transit volume through Iran. Turkmenistan is a regional outlier in terms of overall trade turnover: its trade with China shrank from $8.9 billion to $8.3 billion during the first 10 months of 2025, compared with the previous year. But the good news for Turkmenistan is that it remains the only Central Asian state with a positive balance of trade with the PRC: in 2025, China imported over $8.1 billion worth of goods from Turkmenistan, while exports were limited to $784 million. The PRCs trade with other Central Asian countries is lopsided in Chinas favor. Meanwhile, the numbers for Kazakhstan grew from $36.5 billion to $39.8 billion; Uzbekistan from $11.1 billion to $12.9 billion; and Tajikistan from $3.3 billion to $3.5 billion, according to Chinese official data. Trade turnover with Kyrgyzstan saw the largest spike, rising from $17.4 billion to $23.6 billion. What also makes Kyrgyzstan noteworthy is that, according to Kyrgyz government statistics, the nations GDP in the first 10 months of 2025 amounted to about $16.3 billion , meaning that trade with China alone was larger than all the goods and services produced in Kyrgyzstan so far this year. The wide discrepancy in data can be explained by large-scale smuggling and sanctions-busting operations, where billions of dollars worth of goods cross the border from China to Kyrgyzstan, without being registered in Kyrgyz official statistics. Chinas trade with Central Asian states grew significantly during the first 10 months of 2025 , compared with the same period in 2024 , according to Chinese government statistics. Story Continues Kazakhstan A new, $300 million seaport will be constructed in Aktau, a city on the Caspian Sea, with Chinas Zhongyun International confirmed as the strategic partner, Mangistau Region Governor Nurdaulet Kilybay announced. Aktau is a major hub of the Middle Corridor. A delegation from the North Kazakhstan Region traveled to China to strengthen economic, scientific, and technical ties with Chinese corporations. The visit yielded seven strategic memoranda of cooperation, including for scientific, educational and business cooperation in the field of agriculture, as well as for a wind energy project and a cardboard production factory. Kazakhstan is working with China to amend the intergovernmental agreement on the Khorgos dry port, which straddles the two nations shared border. According to Kazakh Deputy Minister of Industry Iran Sharkhan, the planned changes will provide for the expansion of the territory, the opening of an additional checkpoint, and the transition to round-the-clock operations. Khorgos has experienced logistical problems since its establishment in 2012, but during the first half of 2025, it facilitated 22.3 million tons of cargo, the Kazinform news agency reported. The Chinese Embassy in Astana hosted a seminar in late November in conjunction with UN Women in Kazakhstan aimed at enhancing cooperation on the promotion of gender equality. Kyrgyzstan Anti-Chinese sentiment has experienced a spike in recent weeks following a brawl between Chinese and Kyrgyz construction workers in mid-November. A court has ordered 16 individuals involved in the incident, including Chinese citizens, to remain in custody until January 15, pending further investigation. Helping to fuel tension is a widespread public perception that Chinese-run infrastructure projects create few jobs for Kyrgyz citizens, as most workers involved are brought in from China. Kyrgyz officials have sought to tamp down public anger. Kamchybek Tashiev, the head of Kyrgyzstans powerful State Committee for National Security, disputed the notion of a Chinese invasion in comments in late November, insisting that the Chinese guest workers were subject to strict state regulation. He added that the Chinese infrastructure projects, including a railway connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, would generate significant revenue for the country, going on to admit that Chinese workers possessed skills that Kyrgyz workers lacked. We must admit that our citizens are not yet ready to build very high-quality buildings in a short period of time, he said, going on to assure that Chinese citizens will work, build and leave. In a separate development, a Chinese citizen, the director of a company involved in mining operations at Kyrgyzstans Dolpran gold field, was arrested for alleged environmental violations, the 24.kg news service reported. Tajikistan As reported earlier by Eurasianet, the Tajik government is denying a report it is seeking Russias help to contain raids by Islamic militants operating out of Afghanistan. Two recent attacks have left five Chinese nationals working in Tajik border areas dead. The Reuters news agency reported December 2 that Tajik officials were negotiating with their Russian counterparts on mounting joint patrols along the almost 850-mile-long frontier with Afghanistan, under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The following day the Tajik Foreign Ministry assailed the Reuters report, asserting it does not correspond to reality. Uzbekistan An Uzbek delegation led by Minister of Internal Affairs Aziz Tashpulatov visited China with the aim of studying advanced Chinese experience concerning public order and security. Uzbek officials have expressed interest in adopting technologies developed by Beijing to build what many observers call a digital police state. Uzbekistans space agency Uzcosmos has contracted Chinese space technology company Star.Vision to launch a satellite in 2026 that will be used by Uzbekistan to monitor crops and climate conditions. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Uzbekistan skyrocketed to nearly 218,000 during the first 10 months of 2025, up from about 58,000 in the same period of 2024, according to Uzbek official statistics. Uzbekistan and China introduced mutual visa-free travel for up to 30 days starting in June. The first cargo flight between Chinas Wenzhou and Uzbekistans capital Tashkent took place on November 24. The flight left Wenzhou Longwan International Airport carrying 50 tons of goods linked to cross-border e-commerce. Turkmenistan Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhamedov in late November ratified the Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation signed by China and the five Central Asian states during last summers second China-Central Asia summit in Astana. The treaty provides a framework for deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation among signatory states. By Eurasianet More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else. You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here. A 30-year-old Ohio man was arrested in Dauphin County this week after police said he threw a child down by their neck and strangled his girlfriend, according to charging documents. Just before 10 p.m. Thursday, Susquehanna Township Police were dispatched to the 500 block of Lawrence Drive for a 911 hang up. Before the called ended, emergency dispatchers heard someone saying hello and a child crying in the background. Officers arrived and met with Ramesh Gurung, of Columbus, Ohio, two females and a young child, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Gurungs girlfriend told police she went to check on Gurung after she heard him crying in a bedroom. Gurung then became enraged and an argument ensued, police said. During the argument, Gurung picked up a child by the neck and threw him onto the bed from shoulder height. The affidavit did not include the childs age. After throwing the child, Gurung grabbed his girlfriend by the neck and squeezed her throat while pushing her against the door. The victim, who had markings on her neck from the attack, broke free after two or three seconds and was able to escape. The victim also told investigators she had trouble swallowing after the incident. Gurung was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, strangulation and simple assault. As of Friday, he was incarcerated in the Dauphin County Prison after being unable to post his $500,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 18. In early December 2025, CGI announced several developments, including the State of Nevadas go-live on its CGI Advantage ERP platform, expanded use of its ProperPay solution by Highmark, and its elevation to Amazon Web Services Premier Tier Services Partner with AWS SAP Competency status. Together with strong Q4 2025 results and a higher dividend, these wins highlight CGIs growing role in government modernization, healthcare payment integrity, and AI-enabled cloud services. Well now examine how CGIs AWS Premier Tier recognition and related cloud-AI momentum influence the companys existing investment narrative. The end of cancer? These 29 emerging AI stocks are developing tech that will allow early identification of life changing diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. CGI Investment Narrative Recap To own CGI, you need to believe it can convert demand for digital modernization, AI, and cloud services into steady, high quality earnings despite macro and competitive pressures. The latest Nevada go live, Highmark renewal, and AWS Premier Tier recognition reinforce the near term catalyst of AI enabled managed services and IP driven contracts, while the biggest risk remains the lumpiness and political sensitivity of large government and enterprise deals. Overall, the news looks incrementally positive rather than transformational. Among the updates, CGIs elevation to AWS Premier Tier Services Partner with SAP Competency status looks most relevant to the current catalyst. It underpins the idea that more client workloads, including complex SAP environments, could shift to CGI managed, AI integrated cloud solutions, supporting higher quality recurring revenue over time. For investors, this strengthens the existing narrative around cloud and AI momentum rather than changing it. Yet while cloud and AI wins are encouraging, investors should be aware that reliance on large government and enterprise contracts can still... Read the full narrative on CGI (it's free!) CGI's narrative projects CA$17.9 billion revenue and CA$2.3 billion earnings by 2028. This requires 4.8% yearly revenue growth and an earnings increase of about CA$0.6 billion from CA$1.7 billion today. Uncover how CGI's forecasts yield a CA$155.08 fair value, a 21% upside to its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives TSX:GIB.A Community Fair Values as at Dec 2025 Seven Simply Wall St Community fair value estimates for CGI span from CA$136.69 to CA$1,382.16, showing how widely individual views can diverge. When you set these against the catalyst of AI enabled cloud and managed services, it underlines why reviewing multiple perspectives on CGIs long term earnings power may matter for your own expectations. Among the portraits of agency leaders that line the hallways at the federal Department of Health and Human Services is one of Admiral Rachel Levine, who served as Pennsylvania secretary of health and physician general before being named Presidents Bidens assistant secretary of health. Levine was the first transgender person to win Senate confirmation when she assumed the position in 2021 that she would hold for four years. National Public Radio reported Friday that the portrait now identifies Levine by her previous name, known as her dead name. During the federal shutdown, the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health changed Admiral Levines photo to remove her current legal name and use a prior name, says Adrian Shanker, Levines spokesperson, describing it as an act of bigotry against her. Speaking to NPR, Levine said it was an honor to serve the American people as the assistant secretary for health and that she would not comment on this type of petty action. Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon told NPR: Our priority is ensuring that the information presented internally and externally by HHS reflects gold standard science. We remain committed to reversing harmful policies enacted by Levine and ensuring that biological reality guides our approach to public health. In 2024, Trump campaigned on an anti-transgender platform, even featuring Levines image in negative campaign ads. Since being elected, Trump has imposed anti-trans policies across agencies, including changing passport rules and forcing out transgender members of the military without benefits. His orders extended to the states where hospitals were coerced to end gender-affirming care for young people. The Department of Justice is trying to force hospitals to provide medical information on individuals getting gender-affirming care and threatening providers with criminal prosecution. In Pennsylvania, Levine distinguished herself as a leader in the fight against opioid abuse, HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. She would go on in federal service to work to end the COVID pandemic and promote childhood vaccines. A man was loaded into an ambulance after a SWAT team closed a Harrisburg neighborhood for over two hours Saturday. The incident started around 10:30 a.m. at an address on the 1800 block of Market Street. Police in the area closed parts of 18th, 19th, and Zarker streets. A police source told PennLive a person was barricaded in a home on the block. Several armed officers in uniform and camouflage, along with at least one police dog and drone, were seen in the area. Around 12:15 p.m., an officer was seen grabbing a riot shield from a cruiser. Minutes later, a SWAT truck parked in the middle of Market Street, and armed officers approached the front door of a home. Around 12:40 p.m., the SWAT truck made room for an ambulance to park in front of the home. Several police officers were focused on a Harrisburg property around 18th and Market streets Saturday morning, Dec. 6, 2025. (Madison Montag, PennLive.com) Madison Montag, PennLive.com An EMS crew then approached the front door and helped escort a man out of the home. The man, who had a bandage on his left hand, was loaded onto a gurney before leaving in an ambulance. Police started to reopen Market Street around 1 p.m. As of 2:30 p.m. Saturday, the reason for the police response remains unknown. Officers from Harrisburg, Steelton, Swatara, Susquehanna, and the Pennsylvania Capitol Police assisted with the incident. UPDATE: Man taken in ambulance after SWAT response closes Harrisburg neighborhood This story was updated at 12:50 p.m. Saturday with new details. Several police officers are focused on a Harrisburg property around 18th and Market streets Saturday morning. No details about the incident have been released, but armed officers in uniform and camouflage, along with at least one police dog, can be seen in the area. A police source said a person is barricaded in a home in the 1800 block of Market Street. Closed roads around the incident include 18th, 19th, Zarker and Market streets. Residents are watching from porches and windows. The incident began around 10:30 a.m. and is still going on an hour later. Around 12:15 p.m., an officer was seen grabbing a riot shield from a cruiser. The incident began around 10:30 a.m. Saturday on the 1800 block of Market Street in Harrisburg and lasted nearly two and a half hours. Madison Montag A few minutes later, a SWAT team pulled up and approached the door of a home on the block, and then entered. A drone could be seen flying over the block. Around 12:40, an ambulance pulled up to the house, and an EMS crew was seen outside the front door. A few minutes later, a man walked out and was put on a stretcher and put in the ambulance, which then drove off. His left hand was bandaged. Harrisburg, Swatata Township, Capitol and Steelton police are among those at the scene. This is a breaking news post and is being updated as more information is available. By Mark S. Singel An act of Congress created The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) as a think tank seeking peaceful approaches to conflicts around the world. It was built as a symbol of the aspiration of the American people to be peace builders in the world, said George Moose, former USIP Executive Director. The law that created USIP allows the president of the United States to appoint and remove board members, but he must do so with the consent of the appropriate subcommittees of the Senate. Ignoring this requirement, Trump fired 11 of 15 USIP board members and cut its funding earlier this year. The Trump administrations budget for next year eliminates federal funds for USIP. Students from the Nativity School in Harrisburg were guests of the United States Institute of Peace in 2019, learning about strategies to reduce violent conflict around the world. In a remarkable feat of political misdirection, Trump is now claiming credit for the accomplishments of USIP and has plastered his name on the building. These recent developments come just in time for Trump to put his name on a peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda at the very building that he tried to close. Online reaction to this latest demonstration of presidential hubris was fierce. One commenter wrote: What a fraud and charlatan. Trump renames the Department of Defense to the Department of War. He illegally and without proof of crimes authorizes attacks on boats in the Caribbean. He threatens Venezuela with military action. He wants Ukraine to surrender to Putin. Then he has the audacity to name the Institute of Peace after himself. Add to that Trumps ongoing war against his own cities. The most recent invasion of Minneapolis started with racist comments by the president about Somali immigrants. He called them garbage among other things. FILE - Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) AP It turns out that 87% of those immigrants are fully documented American citizens. The vast majority of them are gainfully employed members of the community. But Trumps personal animosity to a congresswoman of Somalian descent was enough for him to send in his masked marauders. The congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) had a fitting response to Trumps antics: His obsession with me is creepy, she wrote on social media. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs. The president is obsessed with presenting himself as a peacemaker. He claims that he has already ended several wars. He has openly campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize. But the realities of his misadventures disqualify him from that award now and at any time in the future. You cant order the killing of 87 people in boats off the coast of Venezuela without some kind of proof that they represent a threat to the United States. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) made the point that fentanyl is not even produced in that part of the world. Moreover, the speedboats that were targeted in the Caribbean had no chance of making it to Miami. As Paul pointed out, They would have needed to stop to refuel 20 times to reach us. Heres the truth about the president who slaps his name on a building dedicated to peace: he is provoking violence at home and abroad. Trump speaks brazenly about taking his bombings on shore in Venezuela, with or without appropriate oversight by Congress. He has vowed to ratchet up ICE enforcement in cities even though local officials and community leaders oppose those operations. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., speaks at the Center for American Progress, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) AP And heres another outrage from the self-proclaimed President of Peace. He has put the lives of legislators in danger by suggesting that some of their words were seditious and punishable by death. U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), herself a decorated U.S. veteran, was bold enough to remind military officers that they were not obligated to follow illegal or unconstitutional orders. That principle is enshrined in federal law and in military codes of conduct. On a recent broadcast, Slotkin confirmed that she and her family have received death threats and suspicious packages on their doorsteps. She now requires 24/7 protection because the presidents minions are acting on his incendiary words. The Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace is testimony to the bewildering level of hypocrisy that the president and his followers continue to foist upon all of us. The only thing that can save us from this downpour of double-speak is an enlightened electorate that sees through the rain. Recent special elections may have given us some hope. Democrats and more than a few thoughtful Republicans are registering their discontent with the chaos and misdirection in Washington. The question is whether that discontent can be sustained through the critical mid-term elections next November. Mark Singel is a former lieutenant governor and acting governor of Pennsylvania. By Julia Terruso, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) Eric Stern drove out to Erie, Pennsylvania, last January and got a slice of pizza with Christina Vogel at Donatos, the downtown shop she has owned for nine years. The small-business owner and political novice was interested in running for county executive against a vulnerable Republican incumbent. Stern, a longtime Democratic political operative, was part of a newly founded company looking for candidates to help flip Republican-held seats. It all started with trying to find candidates who were, frankly, better messengers for the values we had and the things we cared about, Stern said. She was someone who understood the urgency of this moment as a small-business owner and mom but just as critically was not part of this broken system that had Democrats losing in the past. A year later, Vogel is the newly elected Democratic county executive after flipping one of the most famously swingy counties in the nation, widely seen as a presidential bellwether. And Sterns business, FIGHT, a national Democratic media consulting agency based in Pennsylvania, could play a critical role in elevating other Democratic challengers in 2026, when control of Congress is up for grabs. FIGHT is working with Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti in Northeast Pennsylvania and firefighter Bob Brooks in the Lehigh Valley. U.S. Rep Rob Bresnahan and U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, the freshman Republicans who represent those areas, each won by about a percentage point in 2024, making them two of the most vulnerable incumbents in next years elections. This past year, FIGHTs six-person team helped Zohran Mamdani win the New York mayoral race, the buzziest contest of the cycle. The Philadelphia-based agency had a hand in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court slates retention, county executive wins in Lehigh and Erie, and two successful Democratic judicial campaigns in the state. The company was cofounded by Rebecca Katz, a Central High graduate who lives in New York; Philadelphia ad-maker Tommy McDonald; and Julian Mulvey, an architect of Sen. Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign. New York isnt Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania isnt New York, Katz said of lessons learned from Mamdanis win, also noting primaries and generals are extremely different. But theres a universal desire for authentic candidates laser-focused on the affordability crisis. The strategists started the company in January 2025 after Democrats suffered across-the-board losses in 2024, a year she helped Sen. Ruben Gallego defy that trend and win an open seat in Arizona. Stern, a Pittsburgh native and resident, and McDonald both quit their jobs to sign on with the agency. Their most basic strategy is creating authentic campaigns that reflect the communities the candidates are running in, clear economic messaging, and trying different things across media platforms to win back working-class voters, Katz said. We try to think about what makes an ad pop, what makes people look up from their phone, or, if theyre on their phone, what makes them stay there, Katz said. It cant look like everything else on TV. In the November election, standing out meant ads about the state Supreme Court race that featured Pennsylvanians talking directly to the camera about how they felt their rights had been protected by the three justices on the ballot, who were all first elected as Democrats. Sixteen Pennsylvania counties that Vice President Kamala Harris lost wound up voting to retain the judges in the most expensive judicial contest in state history. The victory provided a blueprint for Gov. Josh Shapiro and other Democrats running in Pennsylvania in 2026, said McDonald, who made the ads for the retention race. These are the typical working-class voters that Democrats are bleeding, McDonald said. Its Beaver County. Its where the New York Times visits diners. It showed us theres a new road map for how to get persuadable voters in Pennsylvania. We know where they are now. FILE - Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman takes the stage at an election night party in Pittsburgh on Nov. 9, 2022, when he won a U.S. Senate seat. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) AP They wound up winning awards for the campaign, which featured bright yellow and black branding and creative trolling of Republican nominee Mehmet Ozs New Jersey ties. McDonald had the idea to fly a banner plane along the Jersey shoreline: HEY DR. OZ, WELCOME HOME TO NJ! Love JOHN, it read. They called that July, which also included Jersey Shore cast member Nicole Snooki Polizzi making a surprise cameo, New Jersey Summer. We all learned politics here, McDonald said of his home state. The idea is to try to do things differently, redefine Democratic campaigns. This year, political headwinds certainly helped Democrats, but hyperlocal messaging did, too, the strategists argue. Stern worked with Vogels campaign in Erie to create ads that looked like a pizzerias commercials, to stand out from the cookie-cutter format. In Erie County, we know good things start with the right ingredients, the ad says as a hand scatters toppings atop a pie. Another ad showed Republicans and self-proclaimed three-time Donald Trump voters on-camera saying they were supporting Vogel over the incumbent, Republican Brenton Davis. A Democrat cannot win in the county without some independent and Republican support. They were all people I met on the campaign trail, Vogel said of the ad. We really focused on what matters most with affordability, how stretched thin people are across the U.S., and just focused relentlessly on the same message and reminding people why voting matters. And in Lehigh County, a slightly bluer but still purple region, Stern worked with State Rep. Josh Siegels campaign for county executive. That was more of an offensive against Republican Roger MacLean, a former Allentown police chief, whom ads described as a grifter and a disgrace, highlighting his multiple beach houses amid an affordability crisis. We came up with an ad strategy that basically determined the most important thing was to beat the crap out of this guy, Stern said. I think Democrats have pulled their punches for way too long, he added. Theres a difference between fighting dirty and fighting back, and we have to be in a position where were willing to say, Were here to fight. Siegel, 32, soon to become the youngest county executive in Pennsylvania history, credited the agency with urging him to be specific in his pitch to voters. For me, the problem with the way we communicate as Democrats is part of the professional consultant class has created this art form of saying a lot and saying nothing, he said. I think people have a particularly adept bulls detector and they are tired of what is just the most inoffensive, poll-tested, style-over-substance speak weve perfected. As they look to next year, Stern thinks anti-corruption will be the key issue in the race against Bresnahan in the Northeast. Bresnahan has faced criticism for stock trading while in Congress. Cognetti, his opponent, has been the mayor since 2020, when she won on an anti-corruption platform. While affordability runs across races, Stern said campaigns cannot make the mistake of being too general in their messaging. Theres no one right message that cuts across all these districts, he said. Too many folks are running the same ads or calling the same plays they would have a decade ago. We are in a different world. Things have totally changed in a million different ways. President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) TNS By Courtney McBride, Bloomberg News (TNS) WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps new national security strategy codifies the disruptive foreign policies hes pursued since taking office including railing against allies as often as traditional foes but also veers inward with an emphasis on domestic and culture war issues. Unlike previous national security documents, the one released overnight into Friday highlights the administrations views about the perils of immigration and the need to re-industrialize the U.S.economy. It lambastes American elites, seeks the restoration and reinvigoration of American spiritual and cultural health, uses terms like the Anglosphere, and calls for growing numbers of strong, traditional families that raise healthy children. The document emphasizes defense of the U.S.homeland but focuses not on state-level adversaries such as China or Russia, but on unchecked migration and transnational criminal organizations. It also warns of international organizations driven by outright anti-Americanism and transnationalism. All those elements highlight how the strategy sets down in writing the most detailed articulation of the norm-shattering foreign policies of Trumps second term. The document veers away from traditional U.S.priorities such as supporting democracy, instead castigating Europe for its supposed cultural decline. It features one section What Are Americas Available Means to Get What We Want? that pushes for exerting leverage over countries that want access to the vast U.S. consumer market. Michael OHanlon, defense and strategy chair at the Brookings Institution, called the document a useful tool for understanding which constituencies have the greatest influence within the administration. Its partly an effort for the administration to put pressure on people abroad, to speak to constituencies at home, to prepare for future campaigns of friendly politicians they want to see elected, he said, calling the document unsurprising. Nobody expected a touchy-feely, pro-ally report from this administration. Nobody expected Trump to not be Trump. While the first Trump administration took a more favorable approach to Europe in its 2017 National Security Strategy that was more than twice as long, the terse 2025 edition challenges the continent for its waning economic influence and burdensome regulation. References to cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence, as well as warnings that Europe itself faces the risk of civilizational erasure, will likely cheer far-right forces challenging Europes traditional political parties. EU and NATO observers will likely see this highly ideological strategy document as confirmation of established concerns about the direction and style of American policy, said Ian Lesser, a distinguished fellow and head of the German Marshall Funds Brussels office. It also points to European cultural and demographic decline in ways likely to reinforce the views of hard right elements in Europe. Reflecting Trumps repeated praise for Vladimir Putin over the years, Russia is treated not as a major potential threat to the U.S., but as a global power with which the West must restore stability. China, which has traditionally been characterized as a malicious and capable near-peer geopolitical rival, is framed less as an existential threat than as a consequence of long-standing U.S.policy failures. The strategy also calls for a reallocation of U.S.military assets to the Western Hemisphere, which appears first among geographic regions in the report before Europe or the Middle East, and away from theaters whose relative importance to American national security has declined in recent decades or years. The strategy is a faithful expression of Trumps worldview that ties domestic priorities to a transactional foreign policy explicitly aimed at advancing them, said Adam Farrar, a senior geoeconomics analyst at Bloomberg Economics. It appears to demote Beijing and the broader Indo-Pacific below the Western Hemisphere in priority and elevates political intervention along ideological lines in Europe a clear pivot in tone and intent, he said. Others were less diplomatic about the document, saying it was a direct challenge to years of consensus between parties. Kori Schake, a former U.S. official in Republican and Democratic administrations, noted the contradiction of its focus on non-interference in states coupled with such aggressive intrusiveness in European states policies. Its an act of vandalism against the very things that make America strong, safe and prosperous, said Schake, who is now director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. ( Tony Capaccio and Andrea Palasciano contributed.) 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Leveraged spot crypto trading is returning to the U.S. Credit: Maxime LEVREL via Pexels. Key Takeaways Bitnomial has secured permission from the CFTC to offer margin lending products. Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham has ended the regulators de facto ban on spot crypto leverage. Coinbase, Crypto.com, and Kraken have the right licenses in place to follow Bitnomial. Bitnomial has secured the first approval to list leveraged crypto products from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). At the dawn of a new era of American crypto regulation, attention now turns to larger exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken, which have spent years calling for the CFTC to enable regulated crypto leverage. A Watershed Moment for U.S. Crypto Announcing the CFTCs historic milestone on Thursday, Acting Chair Caroline Pham criticized past policies that outlawed cryptocurrency margin trading in the U.S. Previously, the CFTC chose regulation by enforcement rather than making clear rules of the road, she said. That approach, Pham argued, resulted in huge fines that targeted the crypto industry but did not protect the retail public by giving them a safe place to trade. With the arrival of a more crypto-friendly administration at the start of 2025, exchanges started to roll out new leveraged trading products in the U.S. But until now, they have relied on futures contracts rather than spot margin. Other Exchanges Poised To Follow Bitnomial Fearing penalties, U.S. exchanges scaled back margin features after the CFTC issued restrictive guidance on crypto in March 2020. Under Chair Rostin Behnam, penalties issued against Kraken and Bitfinex cemented the fate of leveraged spot trading. During this period, exchange operators frequently called on the CFTC to develop a clear framework for crypto leverage. After it suspended margin trading in the U.S., Kraken called for common-sense regulations that protect market participants and do not restrict their freedom to purchase, sell, hold, and use cryptocurrency. Expressing a similar view, Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal argued that clear, common-sense regulations for margin lending products are needed to protect and provide peace of mind to U.S. customers. Other Exchanges Poised To Follow Bitnomial In 2025, crypto exchanges will have openly floated the prospect of relaunching spot leverage features. For instance, when Kraken closed a deal to acquire Small Exchange in October, CEO Arjun Sethi looked forward to combining spot, futures, and margin products inside a single regulated liquidity system. With Bitnomial firing the starting gun in the race for CFTC approval, exchanges that are already registered as designated contract markets (DCM) are at an advantage. Matthias Eibinger Wins First Bracelet, Triton Poker Title of 2025 WSOP Paradise Series Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link Matthias Eibinger won a Triton Poker trophy and a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in the same day and same event on Friday evening. The Austrian high roller conquered WSOP Paradise Event #2: $75,000 Triton PLO 6-Handed for $1,570,640 and his first WSOP bracelet. He defeated 93 entries for the largest chunk of the $6,975,000 prize pool at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas, the first completed event of the series. Not only did Eibinger win a bracelet, but he also earned his fifth Triton Poker title, and first since 2022. He put on a strong performance at the final table, and also benefited from the river card during three-handed play in a hand he had nothing to do with. Dylan Weisman, who suffered a bad beat in the aforementioned hand against Mike Watson, went out in third place in what was an entertaining final table. But had the river bricked, he would have instead found himself heads-up with a massive chip lead. First WSOP Paradise Bracelet on the Line Mike Watson Day 2 kicked off with 12 players returning to action, all of whom were in the money. Stephen Chidwick, a slam dunk future Poker Hall of Famer, entered the session with the chip lead, and he was playing for a little something more than everyone else. That's because the British poker legend is closing in on Bryn Kenney for the top live poker tournament money leader in history. According to The Hendon Mob, Kenney entered the series with just over $78.7 million in lifetime cashes, while Chidwick, at $74.4 million, had an opportunity to cut that deficit nearly in half. All he had to do was hold onto that chip lead one more day and walk away with his third gold bracelet. Chidwick would fall back to the pack a bit early in the session before scooping a sizable pot against Ben Lamb, who later fell in seventh place for $324,000. That left six players to battle it out at the official final table, as this was a six-handed event. Triton Poker $75k PLO Final Table Results Place Player Country Payout 1 Matthias Eibinger Austria $1,570,640 2 Michael Watson Canada $1,459,360 3 Dylan Weisman United States $809,000 4 Richard Gryko United Kingdom $655,500 5 Stephen Chidwick United Kingdom $526,500 6 Biao Ding Hong Kong $412,000 Biao Ding, who earned a double against Lamb, went all in with kings among his four hole cards, but lost to Eibinger's straight and was out in sixth place, good for $412,000. The start-of-day chip leader was the next to go when Chidwick, who had become the short stack, went all in with J992 and lost to Eibinger's AK87 when the big stack hit two pair. Chidwick was eliminated in fifth place, a $526,500 payday, which leaves him about $3.7 million short of Kenney. He'll have plenty more opportunities at the 2025 WSOP Paradise series to take over the lead for the first time in his career. Eibinger then added another victim to his dominant final table performance when his aces held up against Richard Gryko's drawing hand. Gryko, who cracked the $6 million lifetime mark, was sent to the rails in fourth place for $809,000. Three-handed play was intense, thanks in large part to one epic hand. Weisman, the chip leader with AQQ5, went all in against Watson and his AKJ3. The flop and turn came 2985, and all Weisman needed was for his opponent to brick the river and then he'd reach heads-up play with a big chip lead. But the K on the river gave Watson the crucial massive pot. Weisman would then bow out in third place for $809,000, leaving Watson and Eibinger to negotiate a chop arrangment. Both players were close in chips, so the payouts were nearly identical. Eibinger, who had a slight lead when heads-up play began, would hold on to finish off the quick heads-up match when he hit a straight on the river. Watson, a Canadian bracelet winner, took home $1,459,360 and his sixth runner-up finish in a WSOP bracelet event. Champion Speaks Matthias Eibinger Eibinger told interviewers following his victory that he had packed a suit just in case he made it to a final table. But even the most optimistic of poker players wouldn't have expected to be breaking it out so soon, and Eibinger said he hadn't expected it, not just because it's one of the first events on the WSOP Paradise schedule, but also because it happened to be his first Triton Pot-Limit Omaha event. "I think it would be a bit greedy to expect to final table it right away," he told PokerNews. "But the way it went yesterday, it started really badly. Three bullets within one hour. But from there, suddenly everything worked out. I ended the day as chip leader, and now it ended like this. I can't believe it." "That keeps me motivated to hunt those titles." "It's definitely a very special victory," he said. "It just makes me hungry for more [bracelets]. But I also know it's going to be a bit tough because I'm not hunting them and playing a full schedule in Las Vegas during the summer, so I only get some shots in the few high rollers that I play each year. I'm super happy that it worked out." "It's fantastic because I win one tournament and now I have the WSOP title and another Triton title, which is really important to me. That keeps me motivated to hunt those titles." Eibinger extends his lead as his country's all-time money list leader with over $26 million in live earnings and says he's now looking forward to the rest of the WSOP Paradise festival. "I'm just going to play everything that I wanted to play. But now I see it more relaxed. I already have the big score, the big lock-up to start with. So it doesn't matter whether the flips are going my way or not, I'll just be relaxed and enjoy it." *Pictures courtesy of Triton Poker Series. Share this article Day 2 of the 1,650 PokerStars Open Main Event at the 2025 PokerStars European Poker Tour Prague saw 454 players return to the Hilton Hotel Prague, all of whom had secured an in-the-money finish from the 3,024 entries made throughout the starting flights. Some of the massive 4,354,560 prize pool has already been distributed among them as at the end of the seven levels of play, only 96 found a bag to remain in contention for the eye-watering first-place prize of 583,000. The biggest bag of them all belonged to Petar Kalev, with the Bulgarian native ending the evening on a stack of 2,550,000 after being among the top counts for nearly the entire day, worth over 100 big blinds when the tournament resumes December 7. Norwegian mixed game aficionado Thor Morstoel proved his two-card prowess as he gathered 2,360,000 on Day 2, while hometown player Vitezslav Cech rounds out the podium with 2,205,000 in chips. Vitezslav Cech PS Open Main Event Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Day 3 Big Blinds 1 Petar Kalev Bulgaria 2,550,000 102 2 Thor Morstoel Norway 2,360,000 94 3 Vitezslav Cech Czechia 2,205,000 88 4 Radoslav Stoyanov Bulgaria 2,200,000 88 5 Antoine Berruel France 2,165,000 87 6 Borja Urrea Spain 2,115,000 85 7 Iraklis Manikaros Greece 2,090,000 84 8 Marcin Lesniewski Poland 2,015,000 81 9 Simon Lofberg Sweden 1,835,000 73 10 Jerome Besselievre France 1,830,000 73 Kalev already has two six-figure scores at PokerStars events, with his eighth-place finish at the 2023 PSPC earning him his largest-ever cash with $621,300. The winner of that event, Aliaksandr Shylko, also made it through today with 645,000 in chips. Other PokerStars Live champions who are hunting for another title include recent PS Open Malta winner Scott Margereson (1,660,000). Tomasz Brzezinski, who won the prestigious EPT Main Event at the same stop, had a productive day as well, as he amassed a stack of 1,525,000, and he will be joined on Day 3 by fellow EPT champions Aliaksei Boika (1,035,000) and Grzegorz Glowny (720,000). Scott Margereson Meanwhile, many notables were among the casualties of Day 2. A small selection includes Sylvain Loosli (400th - 2,820), Aleksandr Shevliakov (343rd - 3,260), Barny Boatman (225th - 3,760), and Gerard Rubiralta (138th - 5,740), the last of whom gained some valuable points to extend his lead on the PokerStars Live medium leaderboard. Those who have made it to Day 3 will return at noon local time tomorrow, Sunday, December 7, for the penultimate day of the tournament. They have all secured a payout of 6,620 for making it this far, with five-figure payouts awaiting the top 55. An exact plan for Day 3 has not yet been announced, but a long day seems to be in the cards as the PS Open will reach the business end of things. Remaining Payouts Place Prize Place Prize 1 583,000 14-15 28,780 2 364,000 16-17 24,020 3 260,000 18-20 20,260 4 200,000 21-23 17,620 5 154,000 24-27 15,320 6 118,380 28-31 13,340 7 91,000 32-39 11,620 8 69,980 40-55 10,120 9 53,820 56-71 8,780 10-11 41,420 72-95 7,640 12-13 34,520 96 6,620 PokerNews will be back on the floor to live report Day 3 of the PS Open from start to finish, so tune back in tomorrow for more action from EPT Prague. We came across a bullish thesis on Comcast Corporation on Waterboy Stockss Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on CMCSA. Comcast Corporation's share was trading at $26.58 as of December 1st. CMCSAs trailing and forward P/E were 4.42 and 6.50 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. iQIYI (IQ) Rebounds 8% from 15-Day Drop. Here's Why Photo by Ashley Byrd on Unsplash Comcast Corporation (CMCSA), the Philadelphia-based cable and media giant, operates two core segments: Connectivity & Platforms, contributing 62% of revenue and 82% of adjusted EBITDA, and Content & Experiences, which makes up the rest. Connectivity remains Comcasts mainstay, serving 32 million Americans through its vast hybrid fiber and coaxial network, making it the nations largest broadband provider. However, the segments once-dominant moat has eroded due to intensifying competition from peers such as Charters Spectrum and wireless 5G providers like AT&T and Verizon. Subscriber growth has stalled since 2020, flattening connectivity revenue around $81 billion and halving the stock, reflecting weakened pricing power and consumer dissatisfaction. Long-term customers cite poor service and limited loyalty rewards, exemplified by a widely circulated complaint that underscores the need for strategic change. In response, Comcast is spinning off most of NBCUniversals legacy cable networks into a new entity, Versant (VSNT), while leaning on streaming and digital initiatives. Peacock, its streaming platform, now counts 36 million subscribers and grew revenue 44.1% to $4.9 billion in 2024, helping lift total media revenue 10.6% to $28.1 billion, even as studio and theme park revenues dipped modestly. Despite tepid top-line growth of 1.8% to $123.7 billion, Comcast remains a free cash flow powerhouse, generating $16.3 billion last year, returning nearly all via $11.3 billion in buybacks and $4.8 billion in dividends. With net debt to EBITDA at 2.64x, a 14.8% free cash flow yield, and a 4.4% dividend yield, Comcasts steady capital return profile offers solid value despite limited growth momentum. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) by Boyar Research in February 2025, which highlighted undervaluation and upside potential from its network spin-off. The stock has since depreciated about 26.77% as subscriber losses and competition persisted. The thesis still stands given strong cash generation. Waterboy Stocks shares a similar view but stresses capital returns and balance sheet strength. Comcast Corporation is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 82 hedge fund portfolios held CMCSA at the end of the second quarter which was 81 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of CMCSA 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. PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-06 17:00:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 494 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 6, 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: 2025-12-06 17:00:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 337 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 6, 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-06 17:00:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 420 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 6, 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: 2025-12-06 17:00:48 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 408 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 6, 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 Corn futures posted gains on Thursday, with contracts up 3 to 4 cents in most front months, as December was up 6 . The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up 4 cents on the day at $4.02 3/4. USDA reported a private export sale of 100,800 MT of corn to Colombia, with 392,500 MT to Mexico this morning via their daily reporting system. More News from Barchart Export Sales data for the week of October 30 was out this morning, with a total of 1.99 MMT of corn sold. That was on the higher side of trade ideas looking for 0.8-2.5 MMT in corn sales during that week. That was back above the week prior and the third largest total for the marketing year. Actual Brazilian trade ministry data for November tallied exports at 5.03 MMT, a 6.48% increase from last year but a 22.58% drop from last month. Corn shipments are estimated at 4.99 MMT for December according to ANEC, which would be above the 3.62 MMT from the same period last year. Statistics Canada estimates the 2025 corn production for the country at 14.867 MMT, down 3.1% from the same week last year. Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.37 3/4, up 6 1/4 cents, Nearby Cash was $4.02 3/4, up 4 cents, Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.47 1/4, up 3 3/4 cents, May 26 Corn closed at $4.54 1/2, up 3 3/4 cents, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-06 17:00:41 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 550 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 6, 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: 2025-12-07 00:00:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 491 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 6, 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: 2025-12-07 00:00:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 357 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 6, 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 The Board of Trustees of the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation (HLF) has unveiled a book celebrating the career of former Petroleum Minister, civil servant, and economist Philip Asiodu, highlighting his years in public service and advocating for integrity and good governance. The book, authored by Patricia Otuedon-Arawore, features a foreword by Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State of Nigeria. The Hallmarks of Labour series chronicles the achievements of Nigerias contemporary nation-builders, highlighting individuals who have dedicated their adult lives to the service of their fatherland. The latest edition celebrates the life and career of Philip Asiodu, the former Permanent Secretary under Gowons regime, which reflects on his decades of service and contributions to Nigerias civil service and nation-building efforts. The book was officially launched in Lagos on Wednesday, with national icons and top government officials in attendance to honour Mr Asiodus enduring legacy and remarkable public service career. Phillip Chukwuedo Asiodu Mr Asiodu, celebrated as one of the first-generation post-independence bureaucrats who shaped Nigerias administrative foundation, received glowing tributes from top government officials and statesmen. He is one of Nigerias post-independence civil servants and a member of General Gowons legendary Super Permanent Secretaries. The former petroleum minister is widely regarded as a walking encyclopedia of Nigerias history and governance. He helped lay the administrative foundation of modern Nigeria. In his brief remarks at the book launch, Mr Asiodu expressed gratitude to the audience, especially elderly attendees who honoured the event. He also expressed his hope for an era of good governance in the country. I am very grateful to all for attending this event, especially those of you who are 90 years and above. Its not usual to have such a great statement from one person. We all pray that Nigeria will return to good governance, he said. Yakubu Gowon Speaking at the book launch, the Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, who chaired the ceremony, paid a heartfelt tribute to the civil servant, whom the former Head of State regarded as a longtime colleague and a patriotic pillar of Nigerias public service. Mr Gowon stated that Mr Asiodus commitment went beyond national values, explaining that the economist also contributed to humanity through the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation, which Asiodu established. It is great to honour a very good friend, colleague, and patriotic Nigerian for his outstanding contributions to the foundation and Nigeria as a whole. Through his services and foundations, he has continued to work assiduously to achieve his vision of creating a society where the younger generation is imbued with values of integrity, empathy, and selflessness, Mr Gowon said. Recalling their early interactions while in service, Mr Gowon hailed Mr Asiodus efficiency and impartiality in the course of his service to the country while in office. The former head of state also cited the book economists courage in difficult times, emphasising Mr Asiodus commitment to Nigeria through his service to the country. I once asked his colleague, Who is this contagious young man? but I didnt mean that in a negative way, but to reflect my quiet admiration of his efficiency and impartiality at giving his best to get the best results. He, with his fellow permanent secretaries, put their lives at risk by insisting on seeing me at a dangerous time shortly after the coup of July 1966 to primarily plead with me to put an end to the uncertainty in leadership of Nigeria; he remained deeply committed to Nigeria, Mr Gowon said. Custodian of policy wisdom Speaking as the special guest of honour, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori praised Mr Asiodus legacy in public administration, describing him as a model of integrity and national service. He noted that Mr Asiodus profound influence helped define key economic and administrative structures that guided Nigeria through critical nation-building phases. The Delta state governor added that Mr Asiodus policy mind remains essential for present and future leaders. His policy foresight remains a touchstone for scholars and practitioners seeking clarity in governance and development. At a time when public service is often measured by materiality or influence, his Honourable Asiodu stands as a reminder that all of us, disciplined, have the courtesy of timeless lectures, Mr Oborevwori said. The governor said Mr Asiodu challenges current leaders to improve their service and strive to go beyond personal interests for the betterment of the country. He challenges all of us in public office to rise above personal interests and to dedicate ourselves wholly to the progress of our people. At 91, his Honourable Asiodu remains a touring figure whose wisdom, integrity, and devotion to Nigeria continue to shine brightly, the Delta state governor said. READ ALSO: Researcher launches books on compliance with Nigerias data protection laws Economic policy In a similar vein, Nigerias Head of Service, Esther Walson-Jack, praised Asiodus intellectual impact on Nigerias governance frameworks, noting the former petroleum ministers role in shaping Nigerias economic direction. He is known for his courage, clarity of thought, and unshakeable commitment to the unity and progress of our nation. His work has helped shape the foundation of Nigerias economic policy framework, and his contributions continue to inform national discourse to this day. It aligns with our ongoing efforts to reposition the civil service in line with the values of integrity, professionalism, accountability, patriotism, and excellence, Ms Walson-Jack added. The Hallmarks of Labours reviewer, Goke Adegoroye, also a former permanent secretary, explained that the book is far more than a biography; instead, it is a deep intellectual archive of Mr Asiodus thoughts. Hundreds of students, industry professionals, and government officials converged on Yaba College of Technology over the weekend as the Lagos State Government partnered with the Black History and Lifestyle Awards (BHLA) to launch Youth in Creativity 1.0. The latter is an empowerment and mentorship programme designed to equip young Lagosians with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in Nigerias fast-growing creative economy. The initiative featured hands-on workshops, panel sessions, mentorship clinics, and empowerment giveaways designed to help participants build sustainable careers across fashion, digital content, beauty, technology, and entrepreneurship. The program aims to equip participants with the skills, mentorship, and inspiration necessary to thrive in Nigerias rapidly evolving creative economy. Youth in Creativity 1.0 The programme, organised by entrepreneur Folashade Balogun under the Black History and Lifestyle Awards (BHLA) platform, offered a mix of workshops, mentorship sessions, panel discussions, and empowerment giveaways. With creativity now one of the most valuable global skills, spanning digital content, media, fashion, design, tech, and storytelling, the initiative aimed to provide students with a platform to explore, develop, and express their creative abilities in meaningful ways. Creativity, modern economy In her keynote, Ms Balogun emphasised that creativity is no longer a side hustle, but a driving force of the modern economy. She encouraged participants to dream boldly, learn fearlessly, and create relentlessly. When young people are given access, guidance, and support, they can build careers, start businesses, tell their stories, and shape the future of their communities, one idea, one skill, and one young mind at a time, she said. Moreover, the organisers emphasised that Youth in Creativity 1.0 is not only about inspiration but also about providing young people with the tools, mentorship, and networks to thrive in the creative economy. Creativity is a tool for transformation. Through this programme, we aim to make it possible for young Lagosians to pursue their passions, grow their skills, and contribute to shaping a brighter, more innovative future, Ms Balogun said. At the event, Lagos State Chief of Staff Tayo Ayinde urged students to embrace due process in their careers, start small, and remember that their future lies in their own hands. Also, representing the governor, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, encouraged students to uphold integrity, embrace their youthful energy, and fully apply the lessons of the day. The commissioner also applauded the organisers for involving the youth and reaffirmed Lagos State Governments commitment to supporting initiatives that promote youth development, social advancement, and gender equality. Creative entrepreneurs The Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Ibraheem Abdul, also addressed attendees, praising the colleges role in nurturing innovators and creative entrepreneurs. At the creativity event, the participants engaged in practical sessions on fashion, digital content creation, beauty, tech, and entrepreneurship, and received empowerment packages including phones, beauty kits, hair styling tools, and sewing machines, resources aimed at equipping students to turn their ideas into sustainable ventures. The initiative strengthens the connection between education, government, and the creative sector, showcasing a shared commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, and skills development. Youth in Creativity 1.0 is expected to become an annual programme, expanding opportunities for young creatives and fostering pathways for them to succeed locally and internationally. The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Health, Salma Anas, has warned that Nigeria risks losing decades of progress in its fight against major diseases unless it urgently strengthens domestic funding for healthcare. This warning came on Friday in Abuja at the 9th Annual Health Conference of the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists (ANHEJ), where she cautioned that Nigeria can no longer depend on foreign donors to sustain critical programmes. For years, partners such as PEPFAR, the Global Fund, Gavi, and the World Bank have financed a large share of key interventions, including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and routine immunisation. Mrs Anas said this longstanding dependence has left the country vulnerable as donor priorities shift, with Nigeria now facing an expected decline of between 50 and 20 per cent in foreign grants. Any reduction, she warned, would disrupt services, trigger drug shortages and roll back gains in communities most at risk. Our health and prosperity must no longer rest on external benevolence. Domestic ownership is now a national survival strategy, she said. Nigerias fragile health financing model Mrs Anas explained that despite improvements in per capita health spending, Nigerias financing structure remains weak. She said the country still falls short of the Abuja Declaration benchmark, budget releases are often delayed and many primary health centres operate without predictable funding. She noted that out of pocket payments remain the dominant means through which Nigerians access care, pushing many into poverty and making it difficult for the country to achieve Universal Health Coverage. External grants still shoulder a significant share of our health expenditure. This is a structural vulnerability that threatens our long-term stability, she said. Reforms Mrs Anas said the federal government is responding through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which focuses on strengthening primary healthcare, improving governance, expanding local production and enhancing health security. Central to this effort is the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), introduced to give PHCs stable financing. She said the proposed increase of the fund from one to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund is currently receiving legislative attention and would immediately expand the resources available to frontline facilities. This single legislative commitment, when fully enacted and funded, will instantly double the fiscal space for health for our poorest citizens, she said. She added that digital tracking tools under the upgraded BHCPF 2.0 are being deployed to improve accountability and reward facilities based on performance. Mrs Anas also highlighted ongoing efforts to scale up health insurance coverage under the National Health Insurance Authority and reiterated the governments push to strengthen the Sugar Sweetened Beverages Tax to create additional health revenue. Reducing financial leakages She said the government is simultaneously working to retain funds within the Nigerian health economy by increasing local production of medicines and consumables and modernising tertiary hospitals to reduce medical tourism. Mrs Anas stressed that federal reforms alone cannot deliver the required transformation and urged state governments to raise their health allocations and commit to more transparent budgeting. She noted that journalists have a crucial role in tracking reforms and ensuring accountability. You are not just reporters. You are custodians of accountability, she said. Broader concerns over shrinking foreign aid In his keynote address, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, represented by Babatunde Akinyemi, reinforced the need for stronger domestic resource mobilisation. While acknowledging Nigerias long history of receiving substantial external support for health, he cautioned that donor funding has become increasingly uncertain due to global economic and geopolitical shifts. Mr Salako said the government is working to ensure continuity of essential services as donor transitions evolve and emphasised the importance of building a financing system that can withstand fluctuations in external support. He added that states experimenting with innovative financing models and private sector efforts are contributing to a more diversified funding base. Strengthening accountability In his remarks, ANHEJs president, Joseph Kadiri, said the decline in foreign aid has exposed gaps in Nigerias health financing system and heightened the need for sustainable domestic funding. Mr Kadiri stressed that journalists play a critical role in ensuring transparency, improving public understanding of health policies, and monitoring government commitments. He said as health journalists, they stand at the centre of this transformation and must ensure that policy commitments translate into real improvements for citizens. He urged reporters to deepen engagement with health institutions, scrutinise implementation gaps and counter misinformation. 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. Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has faulted the list of ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate for confirmation. Mr Ndume, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the president, said the composition of the nominees violates the federal character principle, which requires equitable distribution of government appointments, resources and opportunities across Nigerias diverse ethnic, regional and religious groups. In a statement issued on Saturday, the senator drew the presidents attention to Section 14(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates fair representation in public institutions to promote national unity and prevent dominance by a few states or ethnic groups. The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few state or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies, he said. President Tinubu recently transmitted 65 additional nominees for ambassadorial positions to the Senate for screening and confirmation. The list was read during Thursdays plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The president nominated 34 individuals as career ambassadors and high commissioners, while 31 others were listed as non-career ambassadors and high commissioners. The nominees include former governors, former lawmakers, a serving senator and other prominent personalities. However, the distribution shows disparities: some states have as many as three or four nominees, while Gombe State in the North-east has no representation, and Yobe State has only one nominee. By regional breakdown, the South-west has 15 nominees, the North-west 13, the South-east 9, the North-central 10, and the South-south 12 in the combined list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominees. Ndume asks Tinubu to withdraw list Mr Ndume urged President Tinubu to withdraw the list and submit a new one that reflects equity across the six geopolitical zones. He warned that decisions perceived as biased could inflame ethnic tension and undermine national cohesion. My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical time in the life of his administration, he should avoid missteps that could endanger national unity and promote ethnic distrust. I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholders in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on Federal Character Principle that governments structure and operations must represent the diverse states and peoples of Nigeria, he added. Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has rejected allegations linking him to terrorism financing, following a SaharaReporters publication that named him among Nigerians allegedly connected to terror financiers. The SaharaReporters article, published on Friday, reported that two suspects arrested under a counter-terrorism investigation were linked to Mr Malami and other prominent Nigerians. In a statement on his Facebook page on Friday evening, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said he has never been accused, investigated, or charged by any Nigerian or international agency in connection with terrorism financing. He added that the retired military officer cited as the principal source did not accuse him of any wrongdoing and that the report misrepresented his role. Although, Mr Malami was never personally accused of any terrorism-related allegations, the Muhammadu Buharis administration of which he was a key official, often came under fire for intentionally concealing the identities of suspected high-profile terrorism financiers In May 2021, Mr Malami, as the AGF, publicly announced that investigations had revealed many highly placed Nigerians and businessmen involved in financing terrorism. He said the strongly suspected financiers were already being profiled for prosecution. Mr Malami also warned that no one involved in the crime would be spared. We shall certainly and aggressively pursue those people that are involved in terrorist financing as far as the Nigerian State is concerned, he said. But throughout the life of the Buhari administration, Mr Malami resisted public pressure to reveal the identities of the arrested terrorism financiers. The then-minister said public disclosure of the suspects identities would not be done until their prosecution and conviction. But the promised prosecution of the suspects was not publicly known to have taken place and their identities remained a secret till the administrations tenure came to an end in May 2023. The allegations levelled against Mr Malami in Sahara Reporters story came amid ripples of his recent questioning by the EFCC over allegations of mismanagement of recovered national funds, including parts of the Abacha loot. He was invited on 28 November and later released on administrative bail. Mr Malami denied the allegations and has not been charged with any crime regarding the EFCC investigation yet. I,m champion of legal reform not terrorism financing Spotlighting his record in office, Malami cited his role in strengthening Nigerias anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) framework. We similarly worked on the passage and implementation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which strengthened Nigerias legal regime against terrorism, updated offences and penalties, and reinforced provisions dealing specifically with the financing of terrorism in line with international standards and United Nations obligations. These reformsformed part of the body of work later assessed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and contributed to Nigerias eventual removal from the FATF grey list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, he stated. He stressed that engagement with a wide range of individuals and entities is a normal part of public office and does not imply criminal involvement. Mr Malami also urged responsible reporting on national security issues, reaffirming his commitment to the rule of law, strengthening justice and security institutions, and protecting his legal rights against misrepresentation. Independent international evaluation of that nature is entirely inconsistent with any suggestion that those leading such reforms were, at the same time, colluding with or protecting terror financiers, he said, referring to an international assessment confirming Nigerias compliance with global AML/CFT standards. Mr Malami also stressed that engagement with a wide range of individuals and entities is a normal part of public office and does not imply criminal involvement. He urged responsible reporting on national security issues to avoid damaging reputations and undermining public confidence in state institutions. He added by reaffirming his commitment to the rule of law, strengthening Nigerias justice and security institutions, and protecting his legal rights against publications that misrepresent his role in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. The police in Kwara State have arrested a suspected arms courier conveying 100 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition along the GbugbuPatigi road, marking the second major interception of criminal logistics within 24 hours. The Kwara State Government, which disclosed the development, said the arrest was made in the early hours of Friday by a patrol team under the Lafiaji Area Command in Edu Local Government Area. According to details shared by the government, officers on routine stop and search duty intercepted a Toyota Corolla with registration number EP 434 ABC at about 7:30 a.m. The ammunition was reportedly concealed among personal belongings in the vehicle, which also contained various charms. The driver, identified as Owolaramfe Rafiu, was arrested alongside three other occupants. They are Musa Mohammed, Adam Lawal, and Musa Shaibu. Police authorities say the suspects are in custody while efforts continue to identify and apprehend the intended recipient of the ammunition. The arrest came less than a day after operatives of the State Security Services intercepted a medical doctor in Jebba who was allegedly transporting medical supplies from Sokoto State to kidnapping gangs operating in parts of Kwara. Security officials familiar with that operation said the criminal groups have recently intensified efforts to obtain treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during encounters with security forces. The twin incidents have added to broader concerns over escalating insecurity in the state. In recent weeks, several communities in Patigi, Kaiama, Ekiti and Ifelodun local government areas have been targeted by kidnapping gangs who operate from forested corridors. Recent cases have included the abduction of farmers, attacks on worship centres, and the kidnapping of two Chinese construction workers along the Bode SaaduKaiama axis. The latest arrests point to a widening supply network for criminal groups operating across Kwaras forest belts. Local residents and community leaders have repeatedly called for stronger coordination among security agencies to stem the flow of weapons and logistics sustaining the armed groups. Authorities say investigations are ongoing. Dave Ramsey once again took aim at doctors and lawyers, saying their incomes dont protect them from making poor financial decisions. Medical doctors are about as notorious as people in the music business or the acting world for being stupid with money, the personal finance expert said in an episode of The Ramsey Show. Only they add a level of arrogance to it because theyre so freaking smart. High Income Doesn't Equal Financial Wisdom Ramsey explained that intelligence can sometimes backfire when it comes to managing money. The hardest people to convince to use common sense are the smart people and lawyers and doctors, he said. The level of arrogance that comes with that often, its the hardest group of people I have to talk into it. Don't Miss: The ChatGPT of Marketing' Just Opened a $0.85/Share Round 10,000+ Investors Are Already In Americans With a Financial Plan Can 4X Their Wealth Get Your Personalized Plan from a CFP Pro This isn't the first time Ramsey has pointed out how wealth isn't tied to income. In a separate episode, he broke down data from a Ramsey Solutions study of over 10,000 millionaires. The top five career fields of the millionaires in the largest study No. 1 was engineer, No. 2 is accountant, No. 3 was teacher, No. 4 was business professional and No. 5 was lawyer, he said. Medical doctor didnt even make the top five. Ramsey went on to emphasize that financial success comes from discipline, not a big paycheck. One-third of the millionaires that we studied, 33% of them, never made over a hundred thousand dollars, he said. So its not your income. In other words, you cant earn your way out of stupidity. According to the same survey, 8 out of 10 millionaires came from families at or below the middle-income level. Only 2% said they grew up in an upper-income household. Trending: Have $100k+ to invest? Charlie Munger says that's the toughest milestone don't stall now. Get matched with a fiduciary advisor and keep building He added that the real key is structure. They are systems people, Ramsey said, referring to engineers, teachers, accountants and others who made the list. Money works exactly the same way. You live on less than you make, youre generous, you invest, you have a written plan. Ramsey, who has spoken openly about losing everything due to his own financial mistakes, wrapped it up with a reminder that no salary is high enough to cover bad habits. You cant make enough money to be stupid; it wont work, youll lose it, he said. The police on Friday arrested the lawyer prosecuting former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his children in the multibillion-naira dry port ownership scandal. The lawyer, Muhuyi Magaji, is the immediate past chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission. He was appointed by the state government to prosecute Mr Ganduje regarding the dry port ownership scandal. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Kano State Government filed criminal charges at the state high court against Mr Ganduje and his children, over the change of ownership of the dry port. In September, a PREMIUM TIMES investigation also exposed how Mr Ganduje secretly transferred the state governments 20 per cent stake in the facility to private hands, making his children co-owners of the company before awarding a contract worth more than N4 billion to provide infrastructure for the project. The transfer ended Kano States shareholding in the project, while Mr Gandujes children and aide, Abubakar Bawuro, became directors and shareholders. The state government accused the defendants of conspiring to fraudulently transfer 80 per cent of the shares of Dala Inland Dry Port, including the states 20 per cent equity, to private ownership under the fictitious name City Green Enterprise. A colleague of Mr Magaji, Auwalu Ibrahim, told PREMIUM TIMES that his principal was arrested at his law firm office on Zaria Road in the Kano metropolis on Friday. Mr Ibrahim said the police officers came in a truck, fully armed, and arrested Mr Magaji in a Gestapo manner. Mr Ibrahim further stated that the police headquarters in Kano confirmed that the team that carried out the arrest was from the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The police spokesperson in Kano, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said he had yet to be briefed about the incident. Ganduje to appear in court Meanwhile, Mr Ganduje, who was the governor between 2015 and 2023, is scheduled to appear before the state high court on 18 December, alongside his three children and Mr Bawuro to face a ten-count charge of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest. Others charged by the state government include former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello, and Mr Gandujes family lawyer, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda. The prosecution also alleged that the defendants diverted over 4.49 billion of Kano State funds to execute infrastructure projects such as a double carriageway, electricity, and perimeter fencing at the dry port for their personal and family benefit. The defendants also faced charges of abuse of office and conflict of interest, as it was alleged that they leveraged their official roles to redirect public resources for personal benefit, thereby violating financial and constitutional regulations. The prosecution has assembled several key witnesses, including government officials who were allegedly manipulated to sign documents that perfected fraudulent transactions from the state government to the Dala Inland Dry Port Limited. What Premium Times investigation exposed When Dala Inland Dry Port Limited was incorporated on 8 December 2003, its only directors were the founder, Ahmad Rabiu, and his son, Rabiu Ahmad Rabiu. Two years later, at an extraordinary general meeting on 19 January 2005, the board was expanded with the appointment of four new directors: Abdulaziz Haladu, Anwar Isyaku-Rabiu, Diepreye George, and Abdullahi Kwaru. Records obtained by this newspaper show that on 5 March 2020, Mr Gandujes three children and his longtime associate, Abubakar Bawuro, replaced Mr Rabius son and all other directors elected in 2005 as board members of the company. Minutes of the companys Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on 5 March 2020, at its Zaria Road office in Kano, confirmed the appointment of Abdulaziz Abdullahi Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umarall children of Mr Ganduje alongside Mr Bawuro as new directors of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited. It was also at the meeting that the state government was removed as a co-owner of the dry port and the Ganduje children were appointed, not just as directors, but also as shareholders with five million shares each. According to its ordinary resolution, the meeting was attended by all the shareholders, and it was unanimously resolved that Abdulaziz Abdullah Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar the three children of Mr Ganduje be allotted five million shares each, each being 20 per cent of the total 25 million shares of the company. Mr Rabiu and Mr Bawuro were also each allotted 20 per cent, creating a new ownership structure of five equal shareholders, each with 20 per cent of the companys shares. This structure edged out the Kano State Government from the ownership of the company. The state government said due process was not followed in the divestment process, accusing Mr Ganduje of using his office to undermine the state. The Nigeria Army have rescued 14 kidnapped persons during an operation in Orokam Forest, which lies between Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the operation was carried out by troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka, after residents shared intelligence on suspicious movements linked to a suspected kidnap cell in the area. According to NAN, the operation began at about 1.30 p.m. on Friday. Troops deployed in Udenu moved towards the location and were joined by local vigilante personnel before advancing into the forest. Security sources said the armed men opened fire as the team approached. The joint team responded immediately, and the criminals scattered into the bush and abandoned their captives, a source involved in the operation told NAN. The 14 rescued persons, men and women who had been returning from a burial ceremony before their abduction, were found unharmed. Preliminary information showed that they were seized on two routes: Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA of Enugu State and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA of Benue State. Military source said about 70 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition were used during the exchange of fire. No troop casualty was recorded. The team withdrew from the forest at about 7.21 p.m. All rescued victims have been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in Udenu for documentation and reunification with their families. Community leaders have repeatedly flagged the stretch of forest between Enugu and Benue as a growing route for kidnap-for-ransom groups. Both states have recorded several abductions linked to the same corridors in the past year. A military officer who did not want his name mentioned for security reasons said fresh surveillance has been deployed to block the movement of fleeing suspects. Troops are maintaining aggressive patrols and aerial monitoring to deny these groups any space, the officer said. Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo, on 26 November, sat in his office as the President of Guinea-Bissau. As a retired General, the 53-year-old knew when he was beaten. Three days earlier, he had succumbed to unbearable pressures that he allowed general elections to be held despite his fears. His tenure had expired on February 27, 2025. Rather than hold elections in accordance with the constitution, he had it postponed. The Constitutional Court had come to his aid by setting September 4, 2025 as the new date for his departure or mandate renewal. The seven-month extension had seemed a long way off. But like the debtor who sets the month end for him to pay his debts, the payment day soon came, finding him like a cornered rat. He finally agreed to hold the election in November. He had in his five years as President tried to prepare for a possible re-election. Amongst a number of repressive measures, he had twice proscribed the parliament, the National Peoples Assembly, NPA, because it was controlled by the opposition African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, PAIGC. That was the party that led the country through the liberation struggles and won its independence. Embalo had joined the PAIGC in 2016 and was later that year appointed the Prime Minister under President Jose Mario Vaz. But two years later, amidst disagreements, he left the PAIGC to establish the Madem G15 party. He was declared winner of the disputed November 2019 elections and sworn in as President in February 2020. However, despite his best efforts, the PAIGC maintained control of parliament and, as it turned out, the support of the people. So he dissolved the parliament. But when new elections were conducted, the opposition PAIGC maintained control of the parliament. So, five months into the life of the new parliament, he again dissolved it unconstitutionally, and this time, refused to allow new elections. He also moved against the judiciary, putting it under armed siege, and forced the Chief Justice out. But these seem to make the PAIGC stronger. So, when the presidential election became inevitable, he banned the PAIGC and its candidate. But rather than fight the bans, the PAIGC decided to adopt the Independent candidate, Fernando Diaz da Costa. Embalo might have thought he would have a walkover, but now, the election results starring him in the face, showed he had lost. However, he was not the only person who had the results, the opposition also had them. Worse still, the international observers, like those of the African Union Election Observation Mission led by former Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, also had them. Also, the observers of the West African Elders Forum, WAEF, led by Dr Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, equally had the results. I interviewed a leader of the opposition and asked him how they came to the conclusion they had won the election even when the electoral commission had not made a formal announcement. He explained: On each of the voting table, there are representatives of the candidates, Electoral Commission, Public Ministry, judicial police and election observers. Votes were counted manually and in public view. These were entered into the tally sheet and the representatives signed. People present, like the representatives, took photographs of the signed tally sheet. There are a total of 4,000 voting tables. Then you have diaspora voting. These results were then taken to the regional electoral centres and tallied with the few diaspora voting which took place in a handful of countries, including a total of six countries in West Africa. So, the representatives and observers have photocopies or photographs of the result sheets and these are what showed that we won the election. A fundamental pre-election agreement between the opposition candidate Fernando Diaz and the PAIGC is that if he wins, parliament will be reconvened and all unconstitutional decisions will be reversed. Embalo knew that with his loss of the election, he might be moving from the presidential office to prison. If he fled, Diaz will be sworn in and, if he resigns, constitutionally, the person who will replace him is the President of the National Assembly who is the leader of the PAIGC. Given the fact that he has limited options, he decided to execute a childish prank. He phoned the media to announce that he was being overthrown. He continued to give interviews, including that he was being moved to the headquarters of the Armed Forces General Staff. Then, the head of his presidential guard, General Denis NCanha, announced a coup which he claimed was being carried out to stop politicians allied to an unnamed drug baron from taking over the country. But, why would anybody execute a coup against an opposition candidate who had allegedly lost the elections? His Excellency Jonathan who was on ground, gave a graphic presentation of the events in Guinea-Bissau: I wouldnt call it a coup. It was not a coup. I would just say, for want of a better word, maybe it was a ceremonial coup. Because for two things: It is the president, President Embalo, who announced the coup. Later, the military men came up to address the world that they were in charge of everywhere. Then Embalo had already announced the coup, which is strange. Not only announcing the coup, but Embalo, while the coup took place, was using his phone and addressing media organisations across the world that he had been arrested. The military doesnt take over governments, and the sitting president that they overthrew would be allowed to be addressing press conferences and announcing that he has been arrested. Why does this happen? Who is fooling whom? The next day, the alleged coup plotters who turned out to be loyal to Embalo, sent their boss to Senegal while announcing that they would be in power for one year. Senegal found out that it had been fooled by Embalo. Its Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said the so-called coup was a sham. Given the fact that his cover had been blown, Embalo fled Senegal and was last heard about in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nigeria has done very well by giving President-elect Dias asylum in its embassy in Bissau, and invited the regional Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, military, stationed in the country, to provide extra security for him. The next step should be that the coup plotters in Bissau, be ordered to step down and allow resumption of constitutional rule. This was what Nigeria and ECOWAS did in Gambia in the case of Yahaya Jammeh in 2017. As for Embalo, he needs to be returned to Guinea-Bissau and tried for crimes against the country, including for treason. Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled a $100 million Equity Investment Scheme among a raft of fresh initiatives to bolster indigenous capacity and participation in the oil and gas industry. The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe announced this in a keynote address he delivered at the opening day of the 14th Practical Nigerian Content Forum, which ended on Thursday. The capacity audience included three ministers of state, members of the Local Content Committees of the National Assembly, a representative of the Bayelsa State Governor, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, two former Executive Secretaries of the NCDMB, Managing Director, Bank of Industry, and captains of the oil and gas industry. According to Mr Ogbe an engineer, the $100 million Equity Investment Scheme would provide equity financing to high-growth indigenous energy service companies, while diversifying the income base of the Nigerian Content Development Fund(NCDF). In furtherance of the $100 million Equity Investment Scheme, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed at the event between Mr Ogbe and the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi, toward management of the scheme, which is a new product of the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund). The NCDMB boss also announced that 61 per cent Nigerian Content level already attained in the oil and gas sector by the third quarter of 2025 from the projects being monitored by the Board. Another major announcement was the Boards readiness to onboard a new set of Project 100 Companies after the successful implementation of approved interventions relating to the first set of Project 100 Companies, launched in 2019, for which an exit plan is slated for April 2026. Project 100 Companies is an initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NCDMB under which 100 indigenous companies in the oil and gas industry are nurtured and empowered to higher levels of competitiveness through capacity building and access to market opportunities. He also said the Board has concluded plans to launch its NCDMB Technology Challenge in the first quarter of 2026 and to hold a Research and Development Fair in the second quarter of 2026. In addition, a review of the Boards seven current guidelines is to be undertaken between the first and second quarter of 2015. Mr Ogbe further disclosed that the Board has completed the framework for issuance of NCDF Compliance Certificate, an instrument to confirm that a company in the oil and gas industry has complied with the one per cent remittance obligations. The Certificate will become effective on Ist January 2026 and would be required to obtain key permits and approvals from the Board. Among recent accomplishments of the Board announced by the NCDMB boss was the expansion of access to community contractors under the Community Contractors Scheme, with over 94 disbursements made in 2025 alone. In addition, the Nigerian Content Academy has commenced operation as a full-fledged division of the Board, with seven of its Lecture Series on key industry issues already organised. On human capacity development (HCD), the NCDMB has rolled out its Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme for top 10 skills in high demand, on the back of the surge in final investment decisions (FIDs) on big-ticket projects in the oil and gas industry and over 20 Field Development Plans recently approved by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The Programme is to ensure availability of indigenous technical capacity at the take-off of the projects. The construction of the multibillion-naira Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC) at Otuabagi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has also taken off, with the execution of a contract between the construction firm, Julius Berger Plc, and OMRC Limited in December 2024, while mobilisation to site was achieved in July 2025. Jointly sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), NCDMB, Shell Petroleum Development Company (now Renaissance Africa Energy Limited), and Bayelsa State Government, the project is expected to be delivered within 30 months. In a presentation, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Joel Thomas, expressed concern that some indigenous companies have consistently flouted provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, as relates to one per cent remittance to the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF). His counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hon. Boma Goodhead, commended the NCDMB for sustaining the PNC Forum and Exhibition over the years and for ably guiding industry drive toward attainment of objectives of the NOGICD Act. In his ministerial address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the theme of the PNC Forum, Securing Investments, Strengthening Local Content, and Scaling Energy Production, captures Nigerias national priorities that guide interventions by the Board and his Ministry. He emphasised that Investment remains the lifeblood of the energy sector, and that the Board and the Ministry are committed to providing stable policies, transparent processes, and market-driven incentives, to attract long-term capital. He assured that they would continue strengthening local capacity across fabrication, engineering, technology services, manufacturing of components, and research and development. For his part, the Minster of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, noted with satisfaction that a decade-long stagnation in the oil and gas industry was overcome with the enactment of the long-delayed Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, and Presidential Directives issued by the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2024. According to him, Nigeria has regained investor-confidence as signalled by the recent surge in FIDs and the increase of oil rigs from 14 to over 60, with 40 currently in active service. Our investment climate now is globally competitiveour fiscal terms are globally competitive, he added, while pointing out that Our policies must be seen to be consistent at all times. He assured that the Federal Government is prepared to support Nigerian Content and the oil and gas industry, but that things have to be done responsibly. The Minister disclosed that Nigeria has met all its obligations to the African Energy Bank, and that its Abuja corporate headquarters is fully set with furnishing and all required operational equipment. Also speaking, the Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh said Nigeria stands at the edge of a profound energy transition not just a transition from fossil to cleaner fuels, but a transition from import dependence to production strength, from resource extraction to value creation, and from talking about local content to building true local a capacity across value chains. In a goodwill message, the Managing Director, BOI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, said that the collaboration between the NCDMB and BOI marked a significant expansion of a longstanding relationship, while assuring that through the $100 million NCIF Equity Investment Fund, the Bank of Industry will deploy equity and quasi-equity capital to support high-potential Nigerian companies, to complement traditional debt financing and strengthening access to the long-term risk capital required for scale, competitiveness, and value creation. According to the BOI boss, With a single obligor limit of $5 million, the Fund is designed to catalyze multiple high-impact investments while maintaining strong governance and prudent risk management. In a goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs Olu A Verheijen, commended the NCDMB for sustaining the PNC Forum, which she said, accelerates change, drives competitiveness, and pushes the industry toward global standards. She pointed out that as stakeholders chart the path toward building a resilient, competitive industrial base in Nigeria, they must be intentional not incidental about in-country value addition, and that the historic transfer of onshore assets from international oil companies (IOCs) to indigenous operators reflects decades of accumulated local capability, technical maturity, and domestic capital formation. According to her, We have living proof of what happens when policy, ambition, and capability align: from SHI-MCIs fabrication yards to Waltersmiths modular refining success; from the NLNG Train 7 Project to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme, and the expansive growth of Nigerian-owned marine vessels. Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved the establishment of five new secondary schools for Batsari and Wagini districts to expand educational opportunities and address the rising population of school-age children. The governor announced the approval on Friday during his statewide engagement tour to Batsari, where he paid homage to the District Head of Wagini and interacted with community stakeholders, party executives, and youth groups. Governor Radda explained that the approval followed a request from the Gado da Masun Katsina and District Head of Wagini, Alhaji Dikko Muazu, who appealed for additional learning centres. The request made by the District Head is genuine and timely. We cannot allow the educational gap between urban and rural communities to continue widening, the governor stated. He assured traditional rulers that mobilisation funds would be released soon to contractors to enable immediate commencement of construction. The governor performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a 2.3-kilometre road stretching from Unguwar Yamma through the LEA area to Yare Mai Lera and Tudun Alhaji. The project, awarded by Batsari Local Government Council is expected to ease movement, stimulate local commerce, and link communities that have suffered from inadequate road access. Mr Radda also laid the foundation stone for the Dr. Dikko Radda Cassava Gari Processing Centre in Batsarian initiative of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency. He recalled observing during campaign tours that Batsari is one of the states largest cassava-producing communities. Batsari people are predominantly cassava farmers. This discovery prompted me to direct KASEDA to establish a modern processing facility to help farmers dry, process, and package both white and yellow gari, the governor stressed. He explained that the facility will boost income, reduce post-harvest losses, contribute to food security, create jobs, and attract investment into the agricultural value chain. The Sarkin Ruman Katsina and District Head of Wagini, Dikko Muazu, appealed for greater government support for families returning home after years of displacement caused by insecurity. He stressed the need to rebuild schools, health centres, and public infrastructure to accelerate recovery and restore normalcy in affected communities. The District Head renewed his request for a secondary school in Wagini, lamenting that the absence of such a facility forces children to travel long and unsafe distances for education. Addressing residents at Batsari Local Government Secretariat, Governor Radda reiterated his resolve to deliver on development commitments. Education remains one of the greatest tools for transforming communities. Work on the five newly approved schools will begin without delay, he said. The Chairman of Batsari Local Government, Mannir Muazu, highlighted empowerment programmes initiated by the council, announcing that 300 dry-season farmers have been selected to benefit from fertilizer produced at the local blending plant. Dignitaries accompanying the governor included Speaker of Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon Nasir Yahaya Daura; Senator representing Katsina Central, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yaradua; Member representing SafanaBatsariDanmusa Federal Constituency, Hon Aliyu Iliyasu; and Member representing MashiDutsi Federal Constituency, Hon Salisu Majigiri. Others include APC State Chairman, Alhaji Sani Aliyu Daura; Chief of Staff, Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; Principal Private Secretary, Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; and members of the State Executive Council. The President, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Wole Ogunsanya on Wednesday declared that the cost of providing services in Nigerias oil and gas industry is relatively the cheapest on the African continent. He spoke at a Townhall Session at the 14th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Conference and Exhibition at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Yenagoa and provided a detailed analysis of project costs across Africa and elsewhere. Mr Ogunsanya, an engineer insisted that a distinction must be made between the capital expenditures (CAPEX) of the oil industry and operating expenditures (OPEX), stressing that Nigerias CAPEX rates were arguably the lowest in Africa. He attributed what some industry observers refer as Nigerias uncompetitive costs of production to challenges of evacuation, security costs and the activities of portfolio companies that habitually manipulate their clientele. According to him, PETAN, the umbrella body of reputable indigenous technical oilfield service companies, has been analysing production costs in different countries over time, using capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating costs/expenditure (OPEX), and, in the case of Nigeria, carefully identifying cost elements at successive stages of oil and gas production. In his words, The number one cost driver in Nigerias oil and gas industry operations is evacuation of crude oil and gas. Our pipelines are vandalised, and some companies use vessels, barges to move crude oil, at a cost of US$12 per barrel. Costs include payments to security agents as guards or escorts. The PETAN boss, who is also Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Geoplex Drillteq Limited, said whereas contracting a land rig in India costs as much as US$60,000 per day, the same services in Nigeria cost as low as US$30,000 for the same duration. Part of the explanation for the relatively lower costs in Nigeria, he noted, is that Local content policy and practice in the industry here subsidises oil and gas production in ways that might not be very apparent to some analysts, he said. He lamented that some portfolio companies in Nigeria, companies without the requisite operational assets often constitute another grievous dimension in the escalation of costs. PETAN, he revealed, is aware of portfolio companies that had previously obtained the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate(NCEC), became registered on NIPEX (Nigerian Petroleum Exchange) and had services, projects awarded to them. The Presidential Directive on Local Content Compliance Requirements introduced in March 24, 2024, had mandated thatsuch portfolio companies be barred from participating in the Nigerian oil and industry, while companies bidding on projects must demonstrate genuine, tangible capacity to perform the work independently. Mr Ogunsanya called on the NCDMB to allow specialists in PETAN to provide guidance on equipment required for different industry operations. He also wants the Federal Government and the NNPCL to facilitate efforts of PETAN to establish the cost of projects in other markets, to enable the Association advise the authorities on trends globally, so when any of the IOCs or even indigenous companies say we are doing a US$5 billion project to produce 100,000 barrels, we have a basis for comparison. Other issues deliberated upon at the Townhall Session, moderated by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division (CCD) of the NCDMB, Obinna Ezeobi, include key requirements for NCEC, whether the US$400 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCDF) of the NCDMB could be accessed by startup companies or for Research and Development. On NCEC requirements, the Director of Capacity Building, of NCDMB, Abayomi Bamidele disclosed that NCDMB has developed Guidance Notes, showing documents that are mandatory and others that are specific to assist companies or individuals seeking the certificate. He advised companies applying for the NCEC to choose one or two of the eight categories of NCEC in which they possess the requisite equipment and assets and not attempt to register for all.A promise was made by Engr. Bamidele and Dr Ezeobi that a platform would be opened by the NCDMB for complaints relating to NCEC. On the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund), the Director of Finance and Personnel in the NCDMB, Mr. Uchendu Ossaowa, said Research and Development (R&D) operations arenot eligible to borrow from the NCI Fund scheme because the fund is specifically for contributors and firms that have running contracts with oil and gas operating firms. However, companies engaged in R&D could access the US$50 million Nigerian Content Research and Development Fund, instituted by the Board, the Director, Corporate Services of the NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, clarified. He also pointed out that there are hackathons innovation contests sponsored by the NCDMB, where R&D focused firms can benefit from the Boards support. The 14th PNC Conference and Exhibition ended on Thursday with site visit by delegates to an oil and gas facility, with specialty in electrical services and related solutions. Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administrations commitment to uplifting the status and welfare of traditional rulers across the state. The governor spoke on Friday during a visit to the palace of the Mallamawan Katsina, District Head of Batagarawa, as part of his ongoing local government engagement tour across Katsina Senatorial Zone. Addressing members of the traditional council, Mr Radda described traditional rulers as central to peacebuilding and community governance. Our traditional rulers remain pillars of stability and unity in our communities. We will continue to support them with the tools and infrastructure necessary for their work, he stated. He assured that all requests would be considered within available resources, stressing that Batagarawa would always remain a place of pride for him. The governor revealed that the state government would continue to support their role in community governance. He disclosed that provisions for rehabilitation of traditional palaces have been captured by various local government councils in the 2026 budget, assuring that implementation will begin in earnest. He also assured that the state government would consider additional road construction requests presented by the District Head of Ajiwa, Bello Kabir Usman Nogogo, noting that roads remain central to economic growth and community integration. Speaking on behalf of the district heads of Ajiwa and Batagarawa, the Barden Katsina and District Head of Ajiwa, Bello Kabir Usman, appealed for reconstruction of several critical roads, including AbukurBabban GariKawoTashar IcceBakiyawa road, Magamar AjiwaMakurda road, and Babbar RugaJino roadall within Batagarawa Local Government. As part of the visit, the Chairman of Batagarawa Local Government, Babangida Lawal Kawo, organised a large-scale empowerment programme aimed at uplifting vulnerable households and strengthening economic resilience at the grassroots. The exercise saw distribution of 12 cars and 30 motorcycles to support transport needs as well as 100 sewing machines, 100 grain-processing machines, and 100 grinding machines to boost small businesses. Beneficiaries also received 50 spaghetti-making machines, 50 bags of flour, 300 crates of eggs, 500 cartons of Indomie noodles, 100 bags of sugar, 100 boxes of milk, 100 goats for livestock support, and 100 special assistance packages for vulnerable families. Mr Kawo explained that the empowerment scheme was designed to boost local production, support small-scale enterprises, and open new income opportunities across the local government. He said that the intervention complements completed township roads in Magamar Ajiwa and ongoing efforts to revive the abandoned earth dam project in the area. Governor Radda commissioned several people-oriented projects executed by Mr Kawos local council describing them as practical, measurable milestones reflecting his administrations dedication to grassroots development. Addressing a large gathering, the governor stated that his ongoing statewide tour aims to capture community needs firsthand, assuring residents that their requests and observations would shape government decisions in the coming months. This is the second part of the series. Read the first part of this series here. Katsinas peace accord was meant to end banditry. Instead, there are strong indications that it is emptying villages. Well, possibly, the whole arrangement was a farce, was the blunt assessment of Mahadi Guga, a community leader from Guga in Bakori Local Government Area. He was invited to the peace talks but refused to join. I think its a plana gimmick to get money, he said. Both by the politicians and the bandits. His assessment is not hyperbole. It is a precise diagnosis of the systemic rot that, just weeks earlier, led to the abduction of 23-year-old Joshua James and the financial ruin of his family. The story of Mr James family, detailed in Part 1 of this series, is not a tale of a peace deal gone wrong. It is the story of how the failed deal functions a perfect case study in a system of extortion enabled by a fractured, naive, and ultimately absent state. While the family was selling its ancestral land to pay ransom, the peace accord in neighbouring Bakori, signed in October, was already collapsing in blood. Failed deals with bandits force thousands to flee southern Katsina In late October, local leaders gathered under a tamarind tree in Kakumi for what was billed as a renewed peace accord between communities and bandits operating across southern Katsina. There were smiles for the camera, handshakes, and promises. Just two days after the peace accord, we started experiencing attacks, Mr Guga told our reporter. On 25 October, bandits simultaneously attacked three communitiesGanjar, Gidan Nagari, and Alhazawakilling one man instantly and abducting 43 people. The peace was not just broken; it was used as a cover. The bandits, Mr Guga explained, even launched a targeted assassination. On 28 October, they hunted down a local vigilante member, Abdussalam Danjuma. He was invited to a farm to provide protection for the workers, Mr Guga said. The bandits came there and surrounded them. They singled him out, killed him, and took their leave. This was no random killing. It was like a revenge mission, Mr Guga concluded. The deceased was quite hardworking I think they felt he had caused extensive damage to their operations. By the next morning, hundreds of families had begun to flee. People are trooping out, Mr Guga said after visiting the attacked villages. This is the enemy the state is attempting to sign peace deals with a strategic, organised, and ruthless force that conducts targeted killings and mass abductions, even while negotiating for peace. The result, Mr Guga said, is not peace. Its a kind of exodus. Residents of these areas are leaving their communities Theyre migrating into Bakori, Funtua, and Kafurrunning from the very peace that was meant to protect them. The nightmare that Mr James family endured in Unguwar Maga is a micro-level snapshot of this same system. It is a systemic failure that explains the 4 million ransom paid by the family. Their story is not an outlier; it is the blueprint of a failed state policy. The attack that broke the Bakori peace accord was swift and brutal. They came at about 10 to 10:30 p.m., Mr Guga recalled. They killed one person at Alhazawa and abducted 14 others. From Ganjar, they took 29 more and rustled many animals. We left our village at night, said Amina, a mother of three from Ganjar. We just ran. The bandits said theyd return. We couldnt wait. This is the context for the bandits new 1 million demand on Mr James community: they are extorting a starving population for the right to harvest their last remaining food. The myth of non-kinetic peace Official silence, bureaucratic buck-passing In the wake of this development, our reporter made repeated attempts over two days to contact Katsina State officials responsible for security and the Bakori peace accord, seeking comment on the failure of the deal. Multiple calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were sent to the Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasiru Muazu; the Commissioner for Information, Bala Zango; and the Bakori Local Government Chairman, Abubakar Barde. The information commissioner and the Bakori LG chairman did not respond to repeated requests for comment. The Internal Security commissioner eventually replied with a single text message, deflecting responsibility from the state government. He urged this reporter to talk to the local govt chairman pls. The chairman, however, remained silent. This official vacuumwhere state authorities pass responsibility to a mute local governmentis the environment in which community leaders like Mr Guga say bandits thrive. Mr Gugas comment was not just an opinion; it was a description of a reality where no one in power will answer for failure. To understand why these peace deals keep collapsing, our reporter spoke with Abdullahi AbdulRahman, chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Katsina. The issue of peace deals is quite complex, he said. Each local government handles it in its own way. Even among the bandits, they belong to different enclaves and operate under different leaders, which means they have varying interests. Youll find situations where one local government negotiates with bandits, only to wake up the next day to hear that another groupwhich was not part of the negotiationhas attacked the same community. This was precisely what happened to Mr James family. They were victims of a fractured marketplacepaying one group while another held their son. The anatomy of a failed system Every element of Mr James family tragedy illustrates a specific failure of the peace process. Failure 1: The peace deal is a protection racket. Mr James uncle, Mr Danlami, explained that the community was already paying for peace before his nephew was taken. Weve held several peace talks and even given them money for protection, he said. Sometimes, we contribute 10,000 each sometimes 3,000 or 4,000. It depends on what they demand. Failure 2: Victims are forced to finance their own oppression. The most cynical part of the deal was its capital investment. At one point, they demanded we buy them a motorcycle, Mr Danlami said. We bought them one Boxer bikewhat they call Boko Haram motorcyclesfor 1,170,000. That was part of the condition for peace. Failure 3: The Deals are fractured and naive The most devastating part of the familys ordeal was the confusion. Three different groups of bandits extorted money from us, Mr James mother wept, all claiming he was in their custody. This chaos, which cost the family an unrecoverable 350,000 paid to the wrong negotiators, exposes the central flaw of the entire strategy. Failure 4: The Waterbed Effect. Mr AbdulRahman noted that localised deals do not stop crime; they merely displace it. When an LGA signs a peace deal with bandits, the attacks dont necessarily stopthe bandits just move to the next LGA. This explains the vulnerability of Unguwar Maga. Malumfashi, he added, is not a frontline LGA. The bandits attacking Malumfashi usually come through Kankara, parts of Bakori, and Faskari. A peace deal in one LGA becomes a green light to attack another. Failure 5: A Pattern of Predation The Shehu familys ordeal was not an isolated case, but the fifth in a series of targeted abductions in Ungwar Maga. This reporter has confirmed that the other victims mentioned by Mr Joshuas mother in Part 1including the communitys pastor and an elderly woman named Zinaiwere also released only after their families paid substantial ransoms. A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, confirmed that the families of these other victims have also fled the area. This demonstrates that the peace deal has not protected the community but instead provided cover for the systematic, one-by-one financial ruin of its residents. The 1-kilometre gap The state has left its citizens to fend for themselves in an impossible fight. If the bandits are carrying AK-47 rifles and you send vigilantes with pump-action guns, Mr AbdulRahman said, you can see that the power balance is highly unequal. The only entity that can change this balance is the federal government. The best defence is attack, he charged. And the only government that can do that effectively is the federal government. Unfortunately, it is not willing to take that step. This unwillingness is not just a policyit is a matter of geography. It will surprise you, he said, that bandits can operate in areas not more than 10 kilometres from where a Nigerian Army super camp is located. In Faskari, for instance, theres a super camp on the right. From that camp to the bandits enclave is no more than one or two kilometres. He has seen it himself. I was in Faskari some time ago we could see bandits on a hillnot more than one kilometre awayand at the same time, the observation tower of the Nigerian Army right beside us. He let the image sink in. Go to Marabar Dan Alitheres another super camp there. Despite that, several attacks have occurred in the Yantumaki community. His conclusion was damning: And theyve coexisted like that for over five years. It is a space where a family can be forced to pay 4 million ransom, where they are now being taxed 1 million to harvest their crops, and where the Commissioner for Security tells a reporter to talk to the local govt chairman pls. When reached by phone for a response to the one-kilometre gap allegation, army spokesperson Appolonia Anele advised this reporter to go to the military formation there in Faskari for answers, stating that it was a different sector head operation. This deflection from Abuja pushed the accountability to the state and local command. However, at the state level, Abubakar Lawal, a lieutenant and the spokesperson for the 17th Brigade in Katsina, which oversees operations in the state, did not respond to multiple calls or text messages sent to his phone lines. As of the time of filing this report, no official clarification has been provided by the military on the specific allegation of coexistence between its outposts and bandit enclaves. This is the one-kilometre gap where the James family, and countless others, now live. A space where the state is visiblean observation tower on the horizonbut its power is absent. Crisis of leadership The tragedy of the James family is not a private sorrow; it is a public concern. It is a public failure of leadership. Mr Guga, the leader from Bakori, sees this as a profound moral crisis. Leadership is a responsibility, and they should live up to it, he said. Leaders are there because the people are here. It is their duty to protect the people in accordance with the Constitution. Secondly, the religious man warned, I want to remind them that responsibility will be accounted forif not here, then hereafter. Gunmen shot dead a police inspector on Friday in Edo State, South-south of Nigeria. Moses Yamu, a police spokesperson in Edo, who confirmed the incident in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria, said the gunmen opened fire at the officer at a checkpoint during a routine stop-and-search operation in Benin, the Edo capital. The slain officer was attached to the Ekiadolor Area Command in Edo. Mr Yamu, a chief superintendent of police, said the incident occurred at about 12:00 p.m. when an unregistered, black, tinted Lexus SUV approached a checkpoint in the city and refused to stop, despite being flagged down. He said the suspicious behaviour of the vehicles occupants prompted the officers to attempt further security checks. Tragically, in the course of this lawful engagement, one of the occupants of the vehicle suddenly opened fire on the inspector at close range and zoomed off, Mr Yamu said. The inspector died on the spot, he said. Mr Yamu said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, had ordered an investigation and a manhunt for the perpetrators. He stated that all intelligence and operational assets had been deployed to track down the assailants and ensure they face justice. He quoted Mr Agbonika as appealing to the residents to help with credible information, especially regarding any sighting of a vehicle matching the description. Mr Yamu reassured the public of the polices commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that security had been heightened across the state as the Yuletide approaches. READ ALSO: Two military aircraft crash in Niger State Nigeria is struggling to deal with severe security challenges as terrorists and bandits attack communities and abduct citizens, including students. The history of violent attacks in Edo includes the 5 September 2025 killing of eight civil defence operatives by suspected kidnappers. A Chinese national working at BUA Cement was abducted during the attack. On 16 July, gunmen shot dead a police officer who was escorting an expatriate in Benin City. According to sources, the slain officer was escorting a vehicle belonging to the expatriate after a cash withdrawal from a bank when they were ambushed by four armed men. The security challenges in the oil-rich state have been compounded by high rates of cult violence and cult-related killings and the activities of deadly herders. The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed a doctor and a nurse following the maternal and newborn deaths at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, an incident that sparked widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny of public health facilities in the oil-rich state. The Commissioner for Health in the state, Ekem John, disclosed this on Friday while receiving an award from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council. Mr John said the affected health workers were absent from duty when a pregnant woman in active labour was rushed to the hospital months ago, leading to the death of both the mother and her baby. Weve had a doctor dismissed. Im sure some of you know that what happened at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene led to the dismissal of the doctor and the nurse who were supposed to be there but were not there, he said. He added that, beyond outright dismissal, other health workers had also faced disciplinary action, including demotion, after appearing before the Civil Service Commissions disciplinary committee. Background: deaths that triggered national anger PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the Ikot Ekpene incident involved a pregnant woman who reportedly arrived at the General Hospital in labour but was left unattended due to the absence of medical personnel. Both the woman and her newborn later died, igniting public anger, protests on social media and calls for accountability from civil society groups and professional bodies. The tragedy became a flashpoint in debates over absenteeism, poor supervision and weak emergency response in Nigerias public hospitals. Mr John said the government was not claiming perfection in staffing coverage but insisted that clear rules must be obeyed. Were not saying that wed be everywhere. We are saying that the rules will apply, he said. According to him, the current reforms in the Akwa Ibom health sector are aimed at restoring discipline, professionalism, and public trust that were shaken by the Ikot Ekpene deaths. Health workers pay rise In response to the deteriorating infrastructure in the health sector, Governor Umo Eno had declared a state of emergency in the sector. Recently, the health commissioner announced that the state government had approved a pay raise for health workers in the state, effective 1 November. Addressing concerns that poor welfare often fuels absenteeism, the commissioner argued that Akwa Ibom doctors are better paid than many of their peers nationwide. Today, doctors who work in Akwa Ibom State public service earn at least 40 per cent net take-home more than their counterparts working for the federal government, he said. He described the pay gap as significant, stressing that improved welfare removes excuses for negligence and strengthens the governments moral authority to enforce sanctions. It means were not only holding people to account, but were responding to their welfare, he added. READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom govt rejects blacklisting of Eno by IPI Nigeria Media, governance and reforms Mr John used the occasion to call on journalists to deepen development reporting, saying the engagement with the NUJ provided an opportunity to chart a new direction in governance and accountability. Earlier, the Chairperson of the NUJ in Akwa Ibom, Nsibiet John, said the award was in recognition of reforms and renewed professionalism in the health sector. Our health sector today is wearing a new face, new identity and the people working there are demonstrating professionalism, he said. Fridays award and dinner night marked the conclusion of the NUJs Press Week activities in the state, themed Journalism Practice in Akwa Ibom: The Turning Point, which featured a thanksgiving service, a symposium, and a road walk. We came across a bullish thesis on Deere & Company on Expanse Stockss Substack by Nikotes. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on DE. Deere & Company's share was trading at $468.11 as of December 1st. DEs trailing and forward P/E were 25.30 and 27.78 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Pixabay/Public Domain Deere & Company (DE), with a legacy spanning over 180 years, has evolved from a traditional equipment manufacturer into a data-driven ecosystem with recurring revenue streams. The companys competitive moat lies in its powerful combination of brand loyalty, an extensive dealer network, and a growing suite of embedded software and precision agriculture technologies. Through its Operations Center platform, Deere collects and analyzes vast amounts of agronomic data uploaded by its tractors and combines, creating a digital layer of intelligence and connectivity across farms. Subscription-based features such as yield mapping and automated guidance enhance productivity while generating recurring, high-margin software revenue. These digital integrations also deepen customer lock-in, as farmers benefit from seamless service, localized dealer support, and integrated financing, making switching costs prohibitively high. Meanwhile, Deeres recurring parts and service segment, now contributing nearly 40% of total profits, provides a steady cash flow base that smooths earnings across agricultural cycles. This shift toward recurring and software-linked revenues marks Deeres transformation from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to a durable industrial platform company with software-like retention economics. Beyond fundamentals, technical indicators suggest an attractive setup, supported by a strong decade-long compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Altogether, Deeres blend of advanced technology, entrenched customer relationships, and recurring revenue model positions it as a structurally stronger, more resilient enterprise than in any prior cycleoffering investors a unique mix of defensiveness and secular growth. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Deere & Company (DE) by Best Anchor Stocks in May 2025, which highlighted the companys margin strength, buybacks, and early signs of an ag cycle recovery. The stock has depreciated approximately 7.85% since our coverage due to tariff pressures. The thesis still stands as profitability remains resilient. Nikotes shares a similar view but emphasizes Deeres digital ecosystem and recurring revenue moat. NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 until January 26, 2026 to 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 Do If 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 ([email protected]), 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 by January 26, 2026 . About the Lawsuit Alexandria 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, LLC KSF, 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 Services To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. Contact: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner [email protected] 1-877-515-1850 1100 Poydras St., Suite 960 New Orleans, LA 70163 CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedIn SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Los Gatos, Saratoga Franchisee Adds New Territory of Campbell and Monte Sereno After Strong First-Year Success DUBLIN, Calif., Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- COMPUCHILD, a leading provider of Entrepreneurial STEAM after-school education programs for children, is pleased to announce the expansion of its franchise footprint within Santa Clara County. Following her successful launch of the Los Gatos and Saratoga territories in late 2024, franchisee Ms. Archana Mahalingam has now expanded her ownership to include the neighboring cities of Campbell and Monte Sereno. This growth reflects both the strong demand for COMPUCHILD's programs in Silicon Valley communities and the exceptional experience Ms. Mahalingam has had as a franchise partner. COMPUCHILD, a STEM-Certified After-School Education Franchise Ms. Mahalingam brings a strong combination of business and engineering expertise, supported by extensive experience in corporate strategy and public relations. Her professional background enables her to connect emerging technologies with real-world education in a way that is both accessible and exciting for young learners. She is deeply passionate about education and the transformative impact that early enrichment can have on children. "Introducing children to new ideas at an early age can completely change the way they see the world," said Ms. Mahalingam. "When I joined COMPUCHILD, I wanted to bring meaningful and relevant after-school learning to children in the Los Gatos and Saratoga communities. I have been thrilled by how positively parents and children have responded to these unique, hands-on programs. COMPUCHILD's curricula are thoughtfully designed, the franchise management platform makes operations very smooth, and the franchisor team has been consistently responsive and highly encouraging. All of this gave me the confidence to grow further and serve more families." Since launching her first territory, Ms. Mahalingam has introduced a variety of interesting and differentiated programs to children in the Los Gatos and Saratoga communities, including Financial Awareness, Leveraging the Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Speech and Debate, Picture Frame Animation, and Science Bowl. Her success in building strong school partnerships and delivering impactful classes led to growing interest from families across neighboring communities, which was a key factor in her decision to expand. With her expansion into Campbell and Monte Sereno, Ms. Mahalingam will now offer after-school classes, weekend enrichment programs, holiday camps, and summer camps in four Silicon Valley communities Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, and Campbell. Parents can expect engaging, future-focused learning experiences that balance creativity with foundational STEM and entrepreneurial skills. She has already received approvals and is ready to launch her classes on Financial Awareness, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Digital Storytelling, and Picture Frame Animation in her recently expanded territory of Campbell. At the core of COMPUCHILD's enrichment model is the innovative concept of Entrepreneurial STEAM, which prepares children not only to understand technology but also to apply it responsibly and creatively. The four foundational pillars technology, financial awareness, communication, and ethics help equip students with a mindset that blends innovation with real-world application. Designed to help children navigate through a fast-changing, AI-driven future, COMPUCHILD's programs combine hands-on learning with thoughtful instruction rooted in logic, critical thinking, and ethical awareness. Welcoming the expansion, COMPUCHILD President Ms. Shubhra Kant said, "COMPUCHILD has received the Franchisee Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review for 13 years, the highest in the industry. Franchisee satisfaction is at the heart of our culture. When a franchisee joins us and chooses to expand their territory, it is the strongest indicator of our dedication to quality, partnership, and support. We are extremely excited to continue working with Archana and to support her growth in every possible way." Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Mahalingam added, "I looked into various educational franchises before deciding to partner with COMPUCHILD. Throughout the due diligence process, COMPUCHILD management was completely transparent. Since my onboarding, management has gone above and beyond to support me every step of the way. The decision to expand was an easy one for me. I feel supported, valued, and empowered as a franchisee. COMPUCHILD's programs truly resonate with families, and the guidance from the franchisor has made it possible for me to grow with confidence." With more than three decades of experience in after-school education, COMPUCHILD continues to evolve with the changing landscape of career and technological needs of society by focusing on problem-solving, creativity, logical thinking, ethical considerations, and adaptability. Its Entrepreneurial STEAM curriculum is offered across the United States and Canada. It helps children develop an entrepreneurial mindset, which is especially important today as careers and job roles are changing quickly. For those seeking to own an independent career rooted in community, innovation, and impact, COMPUCHILD offers an extremely satisfying franchise business model built on mentorship through quality education for children. About COMPUCHILD The COMPUCHILD franchise offers Entrepreneurial STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math)-focused enrichment programs for children primarily at the pre-kindergarten, elementary, and middle school levels in the United States and Canada. With its unique focus on entrepreneurial education, strong emphasis on low cost, regular training, and constant support to its franchisees, COMPUCHILD strives to be the best children's after-school education franchise. COMPUCHILD's after-school enrichment programs help kindle the spirit of constant learning, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration for the social good at a young age. COMPUCHILD's mission is to nurture ethical and entrepreneurial children through after-school education. Contact Phone: (341) 777-8000 Email: [email protected] Own a Franchise: https://COMPUCHILD.com/own-a-franchise SOURCE CompuChild If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Amid the intense focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models, a burgeoning problem is emerging: how will AI developers have enough computing power to train and run AI programs when thousands of companies are seeking to build or use AI products? Morgan Stanley analysts are projecting that there will be a cumulative shortfall of 47 gigawatts of computing power through 2028and the next phase of AI investing will not be whos building the best GPUs, but who can best provide data center infrastructure and the power to use them. More News from Barchart A solution may be the business model provided by Iren Limited (IREN), an Australian miner of Bitcoin (BTCUSD) that has expanded its offerings to deliver next-generation data centers and large-scale GPU clusters for AI training and inference. Iren recently signed Microsoft (MSFT) to a five-year lease for computing powera short-term arrangement that Morgan Stanley says may be a powerful model for investors to consider in the future. Is Iren really a key part of what Morgan Stanley analysts identify as the next generation of AI investing? About Iren Stock Based in Sydney, Australia, Iren makes most of its money by mining Bitcoin, but its data centers are also available for rent for developers and companies that want to train and run AI models. Thats the model that Iren used last month to sign a $9.7 billion deal with Microsoft for cloud computing services, using Nvidia (NVDA) GPUs. As part of the deal, Iren announced that it entered into an agreement with Dell Technologies (DELL) to purchase $5.8 billion of GPUs and ancillary equipment. The company has three data centers in Canada and one in Texas, which will supply the computing power for the Microsoft deal. Its also in the process of building a second data center in Texas. The growing interest in data center capacity has been a major tailwind for IREN stock, which, despite its recent weakness (down 40% in the past month), is up nearly 355% so far this year, helping to push its market capitalization over $13 billion. www.barchart.com But despite the stock price growth, IREN stock is still surprisingly affordable, with a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of only 25.2 and a forward P/E of 37.6. Iren has a lower P/E than Nvidia, which is the biggest company in the world by market capitalization. And competitors Nebius Group (NBIS) and CoreWeave (CRWV), which also offer data center services, arent profitable yet. Veronika Grimm speaks at the presentation of the 2025/26 annual report by the German Council of Economic Experts. Britta Pedersen/dpa Several economists have warned that the German government's newly approved pension package could lead to tax increases and slow the country's economy. Economist Veronika Grimm told newspaper Bild that "higher non-wage labour costs, tax increases and expanded borrowing are to be expected." She said such measures would further weaken Germany's economy and were highly concerning. Achim Wambach, president of the Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), also expects taxes to rise. "There is a high risk that the pension package will have to be financed through higher taxes in the medium term," he told the paper. Wambach said it would therefore be up to the pensions commission to present proposals for fundamental reforms. Stefan Kooths, head of economic research at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, also warned that the planned increase in pension benefits would ultimately require either tax hikes or spending cuts. "It is likely to be tax increases, which will further weigh on economic momentum," he said. German lawmakers approved a controversial pension reform package proposed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's governing coalition on Friday, following months of political wrangling. If the Bundesrat, or upper house of parliament, approves the bill on December 19, the law can enter into force on January 1. The reforms aim to stabilize pension levels, as well as expand pensions for women who were out of work for years while raising a family. 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 More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else. You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model . How far off is technotrans SE ( ETR:TTR1 ) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! Analyst price target for TTR1 is 34.67, which is 11% above our fair value estimate Story Continues The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.4%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035 (1 + g) (r g) = 12m (1 + 1.6%) (6.4% 1.6%) = 245m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 245m ( 1 + 6.4%)10= 131m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 216m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 34.2, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. XTRA:TTR1 Discounted Cash Flow December 6th 2025 The Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at technotrans 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 6.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.159. 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 technotrans SWOT Analysis for technotrans Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Machinery market. Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Opportunity Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the German market. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the German market. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For technotrans, we've compiled three further factors you should consider: Risks: For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for technotrans that you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does TTR1'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. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the XTRA every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks 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. We came across a bullish thesis on Ferguson Enterprises Inc. on Quality Value Investings Substack by David J. Waldron. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on FERG. Ferguson Enterprises Inc.'s share was trading at $251.54 as of December 1st. FERGs trailing and forward P/E were 26.99 and 22.62 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Plumbing equipment Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: FERG) remains a strong holding in QVI Real-Time Stock Picks industrials sector portfolio, meeting Quality Value Investings standards for business quality and valuation. The company, the largest plumbing and HVAC distributor in North America, has demonstrated durable market leadership across plumbing, water infrastructure, and HVAC products, earning a narrow moat rating from Morningstar. Following its 2024 reorganization and relocation of its headquarters to the U.S., Ferguson has continued to strengthen its operating profile while returning significant capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, including a $4.0 billion repurchase program with over 30 million shares retired as of September 2025. The companys five-year annualized revenue growth has been in the high single digits, trailing the S&P 500 but reflecting resilience across cyclical markets. Despite low gross margins due to its distribution-heavy model, Ferguson has maintained healthy mid-single-digit net margins and robust returns on equitytwice QVIs targetand returns on invested capital above its cost of capital, underscoring disciplined capital allocation. Owners earnings growth, combining EPS and dividend growth, achieved double-digit annualized rates, highlighting consistent shareholder value creation. Although its recent revenue growth of 3.8% lagged the broader market, Fergusons financial strength, cash generation, and leadership position continue to support a bullish outlook. The companys fundamentals remain solid, with effective management execution and sustainable profitability. With its steady cash returns, sound balance sheet, and entrenched competitive positioning, Ferguson Enterprises represents a quality compounder that aligns well with QVIs long-term investment framework. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Pool Corporation (POOL) by Douglas Ott in May 2025, which highlighted the companys resilience in non-discretionary maintenance products despite weakness in new pool construction. The companys stock price has depreciated approximately by 16.46% since our coverage. This is because the thesis hasn't played out well. David J. Waldron shares a similar but emphasizes on Fergusons scale-driven stability in essential infrastructure distribution. "The NAIC maintains the national Regulatory Information Retrieval System, a database that tracks regulatory actions taken by state insurance departments," according to the organization's statement. "Each state contributes to this system by reporting the regulatory actions they take under their respective authorities. The NAIC system ensures that information is accessible across jurisdictions and that coordination between states is supported. In addition, FINRA provides the NAIC and state insurance regulators with its monthly disciplinary reports, further enhancing regulators' ability to review. State insurance regulators also retain broad authority to take regulatory action against licensed producers when necessary." Representatives for the Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA declined to comment. In response to an email inquiry, a representative for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners provided a statement and referred Financial Planning to the NAIC Producer Licensing Model Act, which the organization said "helps create and maintain standards for licensing insurance producers" in the states that have adopted the legislation. "Assuming that the rules were effective at pushing bad actors out of FINRA's regime, it is unclear whether the effect of the rules would be to force bad actors out of financial services entirely or to force bad actors into less regulated areas of financial services," it said. FINRA adopted rules in 2021 that required firms seeking to hire brokers with substantial disclosures on their records to get its approval. The rules also designated firms that have many of these individuals as "restricted" brokerages. Subsequently, thousands of brokers left FINRA. But 98% remain registered with state insurance regulators as insurance producers, the study said. The study , published in this month's issue of The Journal of Financial Economics, shed light on what its title refers to as the "Regulatory leakage among financial advisors: Evidence from FINRA regulation of 'bad' brokers." Researchers Colleen Honigsberg of Stanford Law School, Edwin Hu of the University of Virginia School of Law and Robert Jackson of the New York University School of Law probed deeper into the issue they first described in 2022 as "wandering advisors." But the "leakage" of brokers with disciplinary histories into less regulated spaces which contributes to cases of fraud and other misconduct by financial professionals who are repeat offenders has been playing out for a long time. FINRA rules for greater scrutiny of brokers with misconduct records may have simply nudged those individuals into insurance registrations with more lax supervision, a new study found. Story Continues Regulators have known about the problem of recidivist brokers for years, regardless of whether they acknowledge this or prior research documenting it. The question remains whether they have ever had the resources necessary to crack down on bad actors who drop one form of registration only to commit misconduct under another. That's especially relevant in an era in which enforcement actions are falling drastically and President Donald Trump just commuted the prison sentence of convicted fraudster David Gentile of the infamous alternative investment manager GPB Capital . For consumers, much is at stake FINRA's BrokerCheck database is "a useful and valuable tool" for checking the background of current or former registered representatives, but most clients "find out about BrokerCheck once they've had a problem" already, said Michael Bixby, the president of the Public Investors Advocate Bar Association, a consumer legal advocacy group, and founder of Bixby Law. Any solutions will come from "rigorous enforcement and review" of so-called financial advisors who present sales of complicated insurance products, such as indexed universal life insurance, as investment advice. Most people don't know the distinctions between registrations or comprehensive planning versus insurance sales no matter if the financial professional has been banned by FINRA, the SEC or any other agencies. The names of the bad actors' businesses and their marketing generally don't help to clarify matters. "I can go sell insurance, basically as investments," Bixby said. "If you looked on the website, you'd be hard-pressed to find the difference, especially for your average retail consumer." Some technology firms such as AdvisorCheck are trying to use databases like BrokerCheck and the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website to track brokers who move into other jurisdictions. But disclosure gaps, information buried deep in regulatory websites and misunderstanding of fundamental aspects of the industry like the nature of firm registrations, licenses and examinations add to the difficulty, according to Michael Fox, AdvisorCheck's chief operating officer, and Alex Rowell, its community and digital marketing lead. "Our big focus right now is education," Rowell said, citing the licensing exams. "The average consumer doesn't know what that means, so even if they see the data it has to be contextualized in a meaningful way." Broker expungements and private arbitrations that have spotty public reporting add to the factors that make it "very, very hard as a general consumer" to locate relevant details, Fox said. "You have a lot on the line with this stuff," he said. "It's really hard to find this information." READ MORE: Here's a financial advisor's estimated value to clients The key findings The researchers set out to find that information by compiling what they characterized as "the most comprehensive overview of the financial advisor industry" through scrapes of BrokerCheck, the IAPD database and, where available, that of state insurance regulators. In all, out of the more than 456,000 brokers who withdrew their FINRA licenses in the 10 years that ended in 2022 and never regained their registration, over 26% still have current licenses in another financial jurisdiction. They found examples like one Florida insurance agent who was still operating in 2022, despite bans by FINRA in 2008 and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in 2010 amid allegations of false account statements and other violations of the law. "On the one hand, allowing 'wandering' in financial services may be efficient if individuals preserve their human capital and skill in selling financial products but transition to lower-risk work," the authors wrote. "On the other hand, 'wandering' could reflect a form of arbitrage that allows bad actors to continue working in a similar function while evading market discipline. The overlapping and fragmented legal regimes for financial advisors also raise questions about regulators' ability to discipline bad actors." Notably, the vast majority (92%) of former FINRA brokers who remained in insurance kept their license to sell annuities, with 76% authorized to sell variable annuities in particular. Fewer than 15% had licenses to sell home insurance products such as casualty policies. "In sum, these former FINRA brokers appear to be operating on the asset management side of insurance rather than the traditional risk-reduction side," the authors wrote. "Second, we show that individuals with a history of insurance misconduct continue to commit misconduct in insurance. Further, individuals are more likely to withdraw their FINRA registration and work in insurance when the state insurance regulator is more lenient (as measured by the regulator's budget and total fines relative to the number of producers in that state), and in states with a smaller salary gap between brokers and insurance producers (brokers typically earn more than insurance producers). Jointly, these tests suggest that former brokers with a history of misconduct who transition to insurance continue to engage in similar behavior." Investing.com -- China is entering what Jefferies describes as an era of the private sector, with the country shifting from its common prosperity agenda toward AI & high-tech mfg dominance under the 15th Five-Year Plan. In a strategy note, Jefferies quantitative analyst Mahesh Kedia says the market remains attractive on PE/G, with earnings momentum set to accelerate despite expected consolidation. Jefferies outlined five investment themes for 2026. First, the bank highlights high-growth tech and manufacturing stocks with upgrades, noting that Chinas policy direction has moved decisively toward semiconductors, automation, robotics, biotech, and other advanced industries. Jefferies says this story is still in its early stages, adding that its high-growth basket is up 89% this year and supported by a remarkable 51% EPS CAGR with continued upgrades. Second, Jefferies urges investors to differentiate between secular upgrades and downgrades. While valuations in parts of the market have rerated sharply, Kedia points to a broad improvement in earnings revisions, with 46% of companies now seeing upgrades compared with 22% in late 2023. Sectors such as financials, materials, communication services, energy, and IT are said to screen positively, while property, staples, healthcare, and utilities lag. The third theme is sustainable yield. As growth moderates, Jefferies says Chinas focus has shifted to high-quality growth, with dividends and buybacks becoming more important. It notes that MSCI China private-sector payout ratios remain low at 20%, offering room to rise. Fourth, Jefferies highlights a revival in Hong Kong listings, with 2025 proceeds of US$33bn already exceeding the previous three years combined and strong demand for industrial and high-tech IPOs. Lastly, Jefferies advises investors to buy ROIC stars as private-sector profitability improves, arguing that rising incremental ROIC makes 2026 an opportune moment to reassess high-ROIC companies. Related articles Five key investment themes in China for 2026 These Under-$10 Stocks Are Up 100%+ This Quarter - And Some Still Have Room to Run The 5 Best Gold Mining Stocks to Buy Now We came across a bullish thesis on FMC Corporation on DeepValue Capitals Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on FMC. FMC Corporation's share was trading at $13.84 as of December 1st. FMCs trailing and forward P/E were 30.22 and 5.92 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. protect, clothes, work hedgehog94/Shutterstock.com FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) is a global agricultural chemical company specializing in herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, known for its strong research pipeline and deep intellectual property moat. Following a 75% stock decline from 2022 highs amid a destocking cycle and weaker pricing, the company now trades at historically low valuation levels, presenting a potential turnaround story. FMCs destocking headwinds appear to be easing as product use on farms has surpassed distributor sales in recent quarters, signaling inventory normalization. Its innovation-led modelanchored by patented molecules such as Rynaxypyr and Cyazypyrand new products like Fluindapyr, Isoflex, and Dodhylex support a path toward renewed growth, especially as markets like Brazil and Latin America expand. The company is also divesting its low-margin India commercial business to reallocate capital toward higher-return opportunities while establishing a direct-to-grower sales model in Brazil. With biologicals growing over 20% annually and favorable industry tailwinds tied to global food demand, FMC is well-positioned for a cyclical rebound. Financially, FMC maintains a strong balance sheet with manageable maturities beginning only in 2029 and ample liquidity. Management aims to reduce leverage while sustaining a 7%+ dividend yield. Historical returns on capital have been robust, with a median ROIC near 17%. Risks remain tied to commodity cycles, competitive pressures, and execution of new initiatives, but the destocking recovery, new product launches, and balance sheet strength underpin the upside case. Based on managements 2027 targets and normalized free cash flow assumptions, fair value estimates suggest potential appreciation toward $75$80 per shareimplying nearly 2.5x upside from current levels. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Corteva, Inc. (CTVA) by Business Model Mastery in May 2025, which highlighted the companys strong patent portfolio, digital ecosystem, and margin-rich biologicals. The companys stock price has appreciated approximately by 7.66% since our coverage. This is because the thesis played out amid resilient IP-driven growth. The thesis still stands as agricultural innovation remains durable. DeepValue Capital shares a similar view but emphasizes FMCs turnaround from destocking and innovation-led recovery. Bernardino Ochino was one of the most celebrated Italian Catholic preachers of the sixteenth centuryuntil the Roman Inquisition forced him into exile. But rather than silencing him, displacement granted Ochino an unprecedented platform: unimpeded access to the printing press and the ability to spread his ideas across Europe. In this groundbreaking study, Andrea Beth Wenz reexamines Ochinos vast body of vernacular writings, challenging conventional portrayals of him as a wandering heretic. Instead, she reveals how his mobility allowed him to become a central figure in the international Protestant Reformation. By moving Ochino from the margins of Reformation history to its core, Wenz complicates traditional distinctions between magisterial and radical reformers. She explores how his worksprinted in nine languagesreached a diverse audience and how his pastoral vision resonated across linguistic and geographical boundaries. Situating Ochinos life within broader discussions of religious exile, migration, and the power of print, this book offers fresh insight into the dynamics of sixteenth-century religious change. Bringing to the fore Ochinos significance and that of Italian reform more widely, Bernardino Ochinos Exile and the Composition of an International Reformation will appeal to scholars of the Reformation, exile studies, and the history of the book. Top 10 AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter Josh Tyrangiel. Simon & Schuster, May 12 ($29, ISBN 978-1-6680-8250-8) Journalist Tyrangiel demonstrates how doctors, teachers, bureaucrats, and others are using AI to enhance human judgment, not replace it. The AI Illusion: Why Machines Arent Creative Luc Julia. Wiley, Apr. 7 ($31.95, ISBN 978-1-394-41217-4) Debunking myths about artificial intelligence, Siri co-creator Julia explains how generative AI produces derivative outputs that lack creativity. The Beasts of the East: The Fall and Rise of Americas Eastern Wilderness Andrew Moore. Mariner, June 2 ($32, ISBN 978-0-06-300122-0) Once on the brink of disappearing from the eastern U.S., elk, bison, wolves, and other large mammals are making an unlikely comeback, explains environmental writer Moore. The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie Chanda Prescod-Weinstein. Pantheon, Apr. 7 ($32, ISBN 978-0-593-70168-3) Particle physicist Prescod-Weinstein guides readers through the wonders of the universe, explaining black holes, dark matter, quantum gravity, and more, and urging an anticolonial approach to space exploration. Forest of the Sea: The Remarkable Life and Imperiled Future of Kelp David Helvarg. Island, May 5 ($30, ISBN 978-1-64283-382-9) Helvarg, a journalist and scuba diver, documents the impact of warming oceans on kelp forests and whats at stake if they disappear. How the Internet Disrupted Science Kent Anderson and Joy Moore. Prometheus, July 21 ($32.95, ISBN 978-1-4930-9440-0) This treatise analyzes the ways digital information, politics, and profit motives have corrupted scientific endeavors, which have historically relied on accountability and transparency. Meat: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanitys Favorite Foodand Our Future Bruce Friedrich. BenBella, Feb. 3 ($29.95, ISBN 978-1-63774-793-3) The president of the Good Food Institute makes the case for plant-based and lab-grown meat, arguing they are healthier, more affordable, and better for the planet than conventional meat. Morbid: Debunking Modern Longevity Science Saul Justin Newman. MIT, June 9 ($29.95, ISBN 978-0-262-05271-9) Oxford research fellow Newman exposes how anti-aging science is awash in misleading claims, false assumptions, and scandal. The Return of the Oystercatcher: Saving Birds to Save the Planet Scott Weidensaul. Norton, Apr. 21 ($32.99, ISBN 978-1-324-03678-4) Spotlighting bird conservation efforts around the world, ornithologist Weidensaul reveals the ripple effects of their success on large-scale ecosystems. When the Forest Breathes: Renewal and Resilience in the Natural World Suzanne Simard. Knopf, Mar. 31 ($30, ISBN 978-0-593-31868-3) Honoring forests natural cycles of regeneration is key to protecting their longevity, according to ecologist Simard. longlist Avery The Hidden Nations of Animals: A Grand Tour of Earths Wild Civilizations by Ryan Huling, illus. by Oliver Uberti (June 2, $32, ISBN 978-0-593-71684-7), explores bustling animal communities around the world, such as in Canadas beaver belt and the no-mans land that separates North and South Korea. Ballantine Why Do We Exist? The Nine Realms of the Universe That Make You Possible by Hakeem Oluseyi, with Nils Johnson-Shelton (Apr. 21, $32, ISBN 978-1-9848-1912-3). An astrophysicist tells the story of existence through nine realms, from the Middle Realm, where humans live, to the Realm of Imagination, where curiosity exists. Basic The Echoing Universe: How Radio Astronomy Helps Us See the Invisible Cosmos by Emma Chapman (May 19, $32, ISBN 978-1-5416-0185-7) reveals how radio waves have allowed scientists to observe otherwise unreachable parts of the universe. Belknap A World of Resistance: India and the Global Antibiotic Crisis by Assa Doron and Alex Broom (Mar. 10, $32.95, ISBN 978-0-674-29561-2) analyzes the causes of and solutions to the antibiotic resistance exploding in India. Bloomsbury Wildlife Beauty of the Beasts: Rethinking Natures Least Loved Animals by Jo Wimpenny (Apr. 28, $28, ISBN 978-1-3994-1761-7) explains how creatures typically seen as pests, like wasps and snakes, benefit humans and are more sentient than previously thought. Chelsea Green Africulture: How the Principles, Practices, Plants, and People of African Descent Have Shaped American Agriculture by Michael Carter Jr. (May 12, $29.95, ISBN 978-1-64502-301-2). The author, a Black farmer, sheds light on the African expertise and innovations that have contributed to the development of U.S. agriculture. Cool Springs Concrete Botany: The Ecology of Plants in the Age of Human Disturbance by Joey Santore (Apr. 7, $28, ISBN 978-0-7603-9188-4) looks at how plants have remained resilient in the face of human-caused ecological destruction. Greystone A Birds IQ: Innovation, Intelligence, and Problem Solving in the Avian World by Louis Lefebvre, trans. by Pablo Strauss (May 12, $29.95, ISBN 978-1-77840-264-7). Animal behavior scientist Lefebvre describes the ingenuity and creativity of bird species. Harvard Univ. What Are the Odds? A Statistical Guide to Certainty in an Uncertain World by Mark Prell (Apr. 14, $32.95, ISBN 978-0-674-29636-7) demonstrates how statistical thinking can help people navigate uncertainty. Holt The Laws of Thought: The Quest for a Mathematical Theory of the Mind by Tom Griffiths (Feb. 10, $31.99, ISBN 978-1-250-35835-6). The head of Princetons AI Lab shares how mathematics has been used to study the human mind. Island Bitter Honey: Big Ags Threat to Bees and the Fight to Save Them (May 5, $30, ISBN 978-1-64283-400-0) sheds light on how industrial farming threatens bees and highlights the work of farmers and activists working to protect them. Johns Hopkins Univ. After Covid: The Health Impacts That Will Last Generations by Jason Gale (Mar. 3, $34.95, ISBN 978-1-4214-5424-5) recounts the ripple effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the increase in chronic illness, the erosion of health care systems, and a decline in trust in science. Inescapable: Facing Up to Forever Chemicals by F. Marina Schauffler (Mar. 17, $32.95, ISBN 978-1-4214-5399-6) spotlights people fighting for regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), synthetic chemicals used in consumer products and building supplies that can seep into peoples bodies and the environment. Its (Just) Rocket Science: Exploring Physics Through Spaceflight Missions by Trisha Muro (May 12, $32.95, ISBN 978-1-4214-5426-9) unravels the science behind space exploration, explaining how rockets, satellites, and space telescopes reach their destinations. Knopf Open Space: From Earth to Eternitythe Global Race to Explore and Conquer the Cosmos by David Ariosto (Mar. 24, $35, ISBN 978-0-593-53503-5). Journalist Ariosto delves into the key players and technologies behind the modern space race. Liveright In Search of Now: The Science of the Present Moment by Jo Marchant (Mar. 17, $32.99, ISBN 978-1-324-09748-8) mixes science and philosophy to explain the essence of time and how people experience it. Mariner Chain Reaction: How Chemistry Shapes Us and Our World by Ijeoma Uchegbu (May 12, $30, ISBN 978-0-06-339462-9) explains the world through a chemists eyes, describing how bonds between molecules hold together everything from lengthy DNA strands to egg yolks. The Story of Birds: A New History from Their Dinosaur Origins to the Present by Steve Brusatte (May 5, $35, ISBN 978-0-06-334971-1) traces the evolution of birds to the 14,000 species that now exist. MIT Augmented: Life and Death as a Cyborg by Candi K. Cann (Mar. 10, $29.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-262-05111-8) examines how technology is altering peoples understanding of what it means to be human, particularly as medical devices lengthen lifespans. Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds by Scott Solomon (Feb. 17, $29.95, ISBN 978-0-262-05151-4) investigates how migrating to space would impact the evolution of humans. Raising AI: An Essential Guide to Parenting Our Future by De Kai (June 3, $32.95, ISBN 978-0-262-05432-4) probes the history and possibilities of artificial intelligence, framing the technology as children and its users as parents who should approach it with care. Morrow A Brief History of the Universe (and Our Place in It) by Sarah Alam Malik (May 5, $28, ISBN 978-0-06-347652-3). The author, a particle physicist, outlines humanitys efforts to understand the cosmos and how the resulting discoveries have shaped human identity. Norton Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History by Caroline Tracey (Mar. 17, $31.99, ISBN 978-1-324-12985-1) blends environmental reporting and memoir to document imperiled salt lakes and the authors path to finding queer love and a sense of home. Snake Men: Rebels, Reptiles, and the Race to Name Earths Creatures by Zach St. George (July 7, $29.99, ISBN 978-1-324-02168-1) profiles Raymond Hoser, the Australian who became famous in the 2010s for naming thousands of new snake species, but whom some have accused of taxonomic vandalism. Portfolio A Giant Leap: How AI Is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our Future by Robert Wachter (Feb. 3, $32, ISBN 979-8-217-04424-5) details the healthcare industrys efforts to utilize artificial intelligence. Princeton Univ. Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works by Helen Pearson (Apr. 28, $29.95, ISBN 978-0-691-20707-0) demonstrates how the global movement promoting evidence-based thinking can help humanity, particularly in an age of rampant misinformation. Earth and Life: A Four Billion Year Conversation by Andrew H. Knoll (Mar. 31, $29.95, ISBN 978-0-691-18223-0) explains the geological and biological forces that shaped Earth and how understanding this history can help people navigate the challenges of the present. Thinking AI: How Artificial Intelligence Emulates Human Understanding by John MacCormick (Apr. 21, $29.95, ISBN 978-0-691-19173-7) describes how AI systems work and how they compare to human brain processes. Prometheus Grub: Why We Eat, Why It Matters, and the Seven Forces That Shape Our Food by Lee Cadesky (June 16, $29.95, ISBN 978-1-4930-9335-9) traces the cultural and scientific influences that have defined humanitys relationship with food. Quanta The Proof in the Code: How a Truth Machine Is Transforming Math and AI by Kevin Hartnett (June 9, $30, ISBN 978-0-374-62005-9) chronicles the history and influence of Lean, the computer program that helps mathematicians verify the accuracy of theorems, and explores whether computers can reveal universal truths. Random House Original Sin: On the Genetics of Vice, the Problem of Blame, and the Future of Forgiveness by Kathryn Paige Harden (Mar. 3, $30, ISBN 978-0-593-44762-8) reveals how genetics unsettles our ideas about wrongdoing and choice. Riverhead Beyond Inheritance: Our Ever-Mutating Cells and a New Understanding of Health by Roxanne Khamsi (Apr. 21, $30, ISBN 978-0-593-54191-3) explains how cells change over the course of a persons life, knowledge thats helping scientists develop vaccines and address cancer. Skipstone The Bird with Flaming Red Feet: Seasons with an Uncommonly Common Seabird by Maria Ruth (Apr. 1, $24.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-68051-725-5) relates the history of the pigeon guillemot, a seabird found along the coast from southeast Alaska to Southern California that plays a significant role in the health of marine ecosystems. Skyhorse Hidden Wonders: New Species and Rediscoveries in an Age of Extinction by David Alderton (May 26, $32.99, ISBN 978-1-5107-8241-9) shows how scientists continue to discover new species, even in a time of great environmental loss. St. Martins I Told You So! Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right by Matt Kaplan (Feb. 24, $30, ISBN 978-1-250-37227-7) shares examples throughout history of the scientific community forcefully rejecting new ideas, from Galileos heliocentric view of the universe to the work of a present-day biochemist on the brink of a vital Covid-19 vaccine discovery. Tarcher Romp! A Journey Through the Natural History of Otters and Why They Matter by Heide Island (Apr. 28, $29, ISBN 978-0-593-85503-4). Tracking a family of river otters in Puget Sound, animal behaviorist Island discusses how these creatures face an uncertain future amid climate change and habitat destruction. Univ. of Chicago Quantum 2.0: The Weird Physics Driving a New Revolution in Technology by Paul Davies (Feb. 6, $26, ISBN 978-0-226-84932-4) explores the burgeoning field of quantum information science, which merges quantum physics with information theory and computer science to create new technologies. Univ. of Florida The Kite and the Snail: An Endangered Bird, Its Unlikely Prey, and a Story of Hope in a Changing World by Hilary Flower (Mar. 17, $28 trade paper, ISBN 978-0-8130-8149-6) recounts how the endangered Everglades snail kite made a rare comeback by adapting to a new food source. Wiley Intelligent Health: The Movement to Unify Data, Harness AI, and Empower People to Thrive by Nasim Afsar (Mar. 3, $40, ISBN 978-1-394-40826-9) lays out how individualized health data can make health care more personalized, participatory, and prevention-focused. President Trump made a personal commitment on November 19 to work on ending the war in Sudan and has since reiterated his aim to end the worlds worst humanitarian crisis in several public appearances and in his recently released National Security Strategy. The level of suffering in Sudan is staggering, with over 12 million people displaced and 21 million facing extreme hunger. The suffering will only grow without urgent effort, as another major armed showdown is looming in central Sudan, while a genocide is simultaneously unfolding in western Sudanwith the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces killing at least 60,000 people in the largest war crime of the war. As Trump looks to end the war, there are two fundamental ways he can move toward securing an initial ceasefire. First, he can degrade both sides ability to wage war. Cutting external support would restrict the RSFs and SAFs ability to conduct drone strikes across Sudan and degrade their ability to undertake decisive offensives. Second, he can increase both sides buy-in to the peace process. Decreasing the factions ability to wage war would help toward this end by removing recourses to violence, but Trump can introduce more incentivesor carrotsto secure their cooperation. The most straightforward way Trump can degrade both sides ability to wage war is by cutting the external support both sides receive. The UAE has been the most decisive external actor, providing equipment and weapons to the RSF, including Chinese-made drones that the RSF has used to strike civilian infrastructure. The support enabled the RSF to repel an SAF offensive in early 2025 and enforce a de facto partition with the capture of all population centers in Darfur by October. On the other side, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar have all sent weapons and drones to the SAF, with the SAF also seeking anti-air systems from Russia to counter RSF drone capabilities. The Trump administration has wisely involved some of these outside parties as it tries to achieve a first step toward peace, but these same countries have shown little willingness to compromise. Trumps Senior Adviser for Africa Massad Boulos has intensified talks among the QuadEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United Statessince September to end the war. While this has led to various statements about the need for an urgent ceasefire and humanitarian action, no action has materialized. Whats more, these same countries and other external actors have increased their support to the warring parties, throwing into question whether they are even negotiating in good faith. President Trump and his administration can change this trajectory by engaging more regularly and at a higher level with these regional partners. While Boulos has gotten the peace process to where it is today, he has a broad mandate in both scope and area, including business deals and peacemaking across the entire continent, which limits his ability to take Quad talks to the next level. Boulos needs more support, including greater involvement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump himself. The administration can follow up increased high-level engagement by dedicating additional institutional resources to the Sudan peace effort, including by filling the currently empty Special Envoy to Sudan position. The Trump administration should also consider levying additional sanctions against the RSF and linked arms networks to achieve their stated goal of stopping arms shipments to the genocidal militia. There is little room to both-sides Sudans warring parties. Both sides have committed numerous war crimes, but the RSF is responsible for most violence against civilians and the overwhelming majority of intentional targeting of civilians, including acts of ethnic cleansing and genocide. An easy first step would be designating the RSF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This would further increase the cost for RSF backers, ultimately discouraging foreign entities and individuals from supporting the RSF. The policy has bipartisan congressional support, and US officials can also coordinate with their European counterparts as they consider their own sanctions on the RSF. The United States should then target the entities and individuals arming the RSF. Biden-era sanctions on RSF leaders and several Emirati companies have not been enough to stop the influx of arms fueling these atrocities. Trump must take stronger action. This would involve more comprehensively targeting Emirati-linked networks, which ship weapons through multiple African countries before being smuggled across the Sudanese border, particularly via Chad and Libya. To increase buy-in to the peace process, President Trump must seek to ease tensions between the SAF and UAE, something he is uniquely positioned to do. The UAE is incredibly wary of the SAFs Islamist ties, something the U.S. has taken strong actions to address. The SAF, for its part, has taken note and sought to address these concerns. However, the SAF also views the UAE as a belligerent in the process, undermining its willingness to engage in the Quad framework at all. Trump may be the only one capable of bringing the two closer together, which he can do by brokering a deal that addresses the SAFs concerns over UAE-RSF ties and the UAEs agricultural and port interests in SAF-held territory. Such a deal would secure the UAEs $6 billion deal to develop the Abu Amama port, which the SAF-led government cancelled in 2024, and offer other UAE investment opportunities in Sudans reconstruction. In exchange, the UAE would promise to end its support for the RSF. Trump can only increase overall buy-in on the peace process if he maintains the U.S.s status as a neutral arbiter. The SAF has recently resorted to accusing Boulos of bias, a standard Sudanese strategy to recuse itself from peace talks, but rhetoric that the administration must still guard against. The administration has taken firm action against the SAF for its Islamist ties and chemical weapons use, rightfully so. It now should take the opportunity to apply equal pressure on the RSF with an FTO designation and levying additional sanctions on related to the unfolding genocide in el Fasher. Hopefully, President Trumps personal intervention into the Sudan conflict will become a turning point. While there would still be much to address about Sudans future, an initial ceasefire would limit the scale of the violence and enable more stable peace talks, an influx in humanitarian aid, and the beginning of reconstruction in non-frontline areas. Trump and his administration are uniquely positioned to use the momentum from the recent DRC-Rwanda peace deal, dealmaking expertise, and the U.S.s status as a uniting neutral power to make this happen. Liam Karr is the Africa team lead for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute. Michael DeAngelo is an Africa Analyst for the Critical Threats Project at AEI. Disney/Christopher Willard By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 12/06/2025 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Juliana Pasquarosa has admitted she never really knew Grant Ellis and should've asked more questions before they got engaged on Season 29."Knowing what I know now, [I'd have] asked more questions. I think in the heat of the moment, you feel like a lot of this is getting somebody to get to know you. I don't think there's too much focus on making sure they know who you are," Juliana explained to Serena Pitt and Joe Amabile during the Tuesday, December 2 episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast.Juliana said she wishes she had asked questions about Grant's "goals, life dreams, and where he sees himself after" , which filmed in late 2024 and aired earlier this year."And to be quite frank, I don't think that even had I asked those questions that I would have gotten -- not to say truthful answers, because I don't mean to say he lied or any of that," Juliana explained."I just mean I don't think he knew the answer to those questions, so I don't know what answers he would've given me."Juliana continued, "But I definitely would've tried to poke the bear a little bit more and tried to make sure he knew my hopes and dreams."Juliana admitted there were "things after filming" and after the March finale that raised red flags for her."The way I try to look at it is, 'What could I have done better for myself?' And there's a lot of things! You know, hindsight is the best sight," Juliana said."I think I let myself down in a lot of ways throughout the whole process, and that, to me, is I think what hurt the most, honestly."Juliana admitted she and Grant started having problems one night after they taped After the Final Rose."The next morning after we had sat through all of this [finale] press, I woke up and there were some words exchanged between the two of us that made me just feel completely alone and isolated," she revealed."I don't even know why I had tried to stick around for as long as I did. It was heartbreaking for me... I was depleted as a human."Less than three months after their engagement aired on 's Season 29 finale on ABC, Juliana and Grant announced their split in June.During a June Instagram Live Q&A session, Grant told a fan that he didn't regret doing and if he could go back, he'd still agree to do the show.Grant acknowledged, "I learned a lot about myself. It was like therapy for me, honestly."Grant and Juliana announced their breakup via separate Instagram Story postings on June 13.Prior to announcing their breakup, Grant and Juliana had repeatedly denied there was trouble in paradise , and Grant had said in multiple interviews how he was still planning to move to Boston , where Juliana's close-knit family lives.The former couple had said on a podcast that they were planning to go apartment hunting in June and then enjoy a romantic Italian vacation, where they hoped to look at wedding venues, in early July.When Juliana and Grant publicly confirmed their romance was over, Grant wrote in a statement: "This is one of the harder things I've had to write, but I want to share it honestly. Juliana and I have decided to end our relationship."According to the posting, Grant and Juliana simply determined they weren't "the right fit" for each other."We both gave this our best and poured a lot of love into each other, but after a lot of deep conversations, we've come to the understanding that we're simply not the right fit long term," Grant continued."What we had was meaningful. The connection we built on the show was real, and so was the effort we made to continue once the cameras stopped rolling."Grant also claimed his split from Juliana was amicable and there was "no negativity" or resentment between them."[We're] just two people who care about each other and want the best for one another moving forward. I'll always be grateful for what we shared and for the growth that came with it," Grant said at the time.He concluded, "This chapter is closing, but we're both walking away with love and respect in our hearts."Juliana, for her part, wrote via Instagram Stories how "it's a gift to find someone who sees the world in a way that resonates with you, while encouraging you to grow."Juliana continued, "I've been grateful to share that experience with Grant. We shared something meaningful, navigating a unique journey side by side, learning, growing and showing up for each other the best we knew how.""While this isn't the ending we once imagined, it's one filled with mutual respect, care and hope for what's ahead," she wrote."We're still cheering each other on, just from different places now. I'm beyond thankful for all the love and support you all have given us. Please be kind."Grant later insisted that Juliana had brought up the breakup conversation, although their decision was ultimately mutual.Grant previously cited "outside noise" as a cause of their split, but Juliana didn't speak on what went wrong in their relationship until her latest podcast interview.Juliana and Grant got engaged in the Dominican Republic at the Final Rose Ceremony of 's 29th season, which had shown Grant torn and undecided between Juliana and Litia Garr seemingly minutes before the Final Rose Ceremony.Grant had said he was in love with both women, and he repeatedly told Litia that he was in love with her.Litia therefore felt blindsided and devastated when Grant eliminated her in second place.Shortly after 's Season 29 finale aired, Grant faced backlash for allegedly leading Litia on Litia claimed on : After the Final Rose in March that Grant had confirmed they were getting engaged the night before the Final Rose Ceremony.Litia subsequently threw shade at Grant on social media and suggested he only picked Juliana as his winner because she had allegedly slept with him in the Fantasy Suite.Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group The 6th Generation of Glock has finally been officially revealed, and the changes are substantial. 9 major changes over the Gen 5, with some really surprising features added. For those of us who say Glock doesnt innovate, it doesnt really look like that has changed with Gen 6. But Glock at least listens to the market and has incorporated improvements that many shooters have been asking to see for several generations. GLOCK GEN 6 CHANGES: PALM SWELL: The palm swell contours the pistol to the natural curvature of the hand. RTF6 GRIP TEXTURE: The Gen6 grip texture (RTF6) combines two textures into one to create the perfect blend of performance and comfort. ENLARGED BEAVERTAIL: The enlarged beavertail encourages a higher grip while ensuring the slide can cycle freely. SLIDE STOP LEVER ENLARGED BORDER: The border surrounding the slide stop lever has been enlarged to prevent unintentional activation THUMB REST: The thumb rest is textured and extended for increased control during recoil. GLOCK SERRATIONS: The slide serrations are angled deeper into the slide to make the surface engagement more tactile for slide manipulations. TRIGGER GUARD: Undercut trigger guard allows for higher grip support and comfort. FLAT FACED TRIGGER: Each Gen6 pistol comes standard with a flat faced trigger for consistent finger placement and trigger pull. The trigger maintains the Safe Action System for uncompromising safety and reliability. OPTIC READY: Gen6 pistols come optic ready with a system engineered for adaptability and durability. Every generation of Glock G17 Many of these changes might seem small on their own, but combined, they will make for a very different feeling and shooting pistol, still backed by Glocks legendary durability and reliability. Not listed on the official changes is the fact that Gen 6 uses Gen V changes to slide. OPTICS READY The most substantial single change for the Gen 6 is a total redesign of the optics mounting system and Glocks abandonment of the horrible MOS system. This new system uses polymer plates, but in an interesting way that actually seems promising. All Gen 6 Glocks come with the new optics system and will accommodate at least both RMR and DPP footprints. The slide has been redesigned to isolate the optic screws from the rest of the slide, giving more room for larger mounting screws and making it impossible for the screws or Loctite to interfere with the working parts of the pistol. The polymer plates act more like sealing plates than actual mounting surfaces. While the polymer plates do have recoil lugs for the optic, the main force will be mounted through the screws that drive directly into the slide. GLOCK GEN 6 LAUNCH AND PRICE Launch for the new line is January 20th, 2026. 3 models will be released, including the G17, G19, and G45. MSRP is the same as Glock Gen 5 at about $650. Well have a full review as soon as units are available! The New York Times sues U.S. Defense Department over restrictive rules on media Xinhua) 16:50, December 05, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Former leaders of the shuttered crypto-friendly Signature Bank have returned with a new venture built around always-on settlement. Key Takeaways: N3XT is a Wyoming-chartered, fully reserved blockchain bank built for institutional clients. The bank uses a private blockchain with programmable smart-contract payments and will not offer lending. N3XT has secured backing from major crypto investors including Winklevoss Capital, Paradigm and HACK VC. Their new institution, N3XT, is a state-chartered, blockchain-based bank designed to move money at any hour, with near-instant finality. N3XT Unveils 24/7 Payments Platform Built on Private Blockchain Announced on Thursday, N3XT says it will operate on a private blockchain that allows transactions to clear around the clock. The platform supports programmable payments through smart contracts and is built to work alongside stablecoins, utility tokens and other digital assets. The institution will run under Wyomings Special Purpose Depository Institution framework, a charter that allows fully reserved, non-lending banks designed to custody digital assets. The effort is led by Signature Bank founder Scott Shay, whose former institution was one of three crypto-linked banks that collapsed during the 2023 banking turmoil. Signature, alongside Silicon Valley Bank and Silvergate, fell after deposit outflows accelerated and market confidence evaporated. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation seized Signature in March 2023, citing liquidity pressure, concentration risks and a rapid run by large uninsured depositors. N3XTs leadership includes another Signature veteran, Jeffrey Wallis, previously the banks director of digital asset and Web3 strategy. Wallis will serve as CEO and president. He said the new institution is built around the idea that financial transfers should be as frictionless as sending digital information. Were applying crypto innovations to banking to deliver instant, programmable payments for institutional clients, Wallis said. To avoid the vulnerabilities that contributed to Signatures downfall, N3XT will not offer lending. The bank says all deposits will be backed one-to-one by cash or short-term U.S. Treasurys, with daily disclosures of reserve holdings. That structure mirrors elements of stablecoin issuers, while keeping the institution within the contours of a regulated bank charter. The firm is currently onboarding businesses from several industries, including crypto, foreign exchange, shipping, logistics and other sectors that depend on continuous settlement. N3XT has drawn notable support from the venture community. The company completed three funding rounds with backing from Winklevoss Capital, Paradigm, and HACK VC. The Red & Black serves the Athens and University of Georgia communities with reliable, independent news, while training the future of the free press. Your donation keeps our newsroom strong and supports the work behind every story. Support Our Newsroom The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday allowed multiple entities in a bank group to undertake the same business as long as they cater to different client segments, while mandating board approval to ensure that any overlap in business has proper rationale and justification. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff To allow flexibility in the manner in which a bank wishes to conduct its business, the suggestion has been accepted. "However, to ensure that the overlap in businesses undertaken by the bank group has proper rationale/justification, board approval is being mandated, the central bank said on Friday. Previously, in a draft circular in 2024, the RBI had proposed that only a single entity within a bank group (the bank and its group entities) can undertake a particular form of permissible business. The banking sector had requested the central bank to allow multiple entities in a bank group to undertake the same business but catering to different segments based on geography, customer profile, ticket size, etc. In the October policy, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra had said that the proposed regulatory restriction on overlaps between a bank and its group entities businesses had been dropped from the final guidelines on Forms of Business and Prudential Regulation for Investments, which were issued in a draft form in October last year. The strategic allocation of business streams among group entities will be left to the wisdom of bank boards, Malhotra said in October, adding that the RBI does not want to micromanage. We believe that the banks will take a conscious, considered, balanced view depending on their needs as to how they wish to conduct their own business. That is why we have just left it to them. On Friday, the RBI also partially accepted another suggestion from the industry regarding exempting non-banking financial company (NBFC) group entities of banks from upper layer regulations, especially on listing. The central bank said NBFC group entities which have not been independently identified as NBFC-Upper Layer by the central bank are now exempted from listing requirements. However, it said, restrictions for specific loan segments applicable to banks, have been made applicable to NBFC group entities to obviate any circumvention of regulations. The largest NBFCs are identified as upper layer, and are regulated like banks. Currently, 15 NBFCs are classified as upper layer NBFCs, including Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance, Tata Capital, HDB Financial Services, etc. According to the RBIs scale-based regulation for NBFCs, an NBFC, upon being classified as an upper layer NBFC, will have to publicly list on the bourses within three years of identification. Separately on Friday, the RBI rejected the industrys suggestion for banks to be allowed to have shareholding in asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) without any restriction. The central bank proposed that banks cannot be sponsors of more than one ARC at any point in time. Further, the aggregate shareholding of a bank group in any ARC shall be less than 20 per cent of the equity capital of the ARC, it added. Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Friday said the central bank does not target any band for the rupee in the forex market, and allows the domestic currency to find its own correct level. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff The governor's statement came at a time when the rupee breached the 90-mark against the US dollar, and is hovering near that level. "We don't target any price levels or any bands. We allow the markets to determine the prices. We believe that markets, especially in the long run, are very efficient. "It's a very deep market," he said while replying to a question on rupee depreciation at a post-monetary policy press meet. Malhotra said fluctuations in the market keep taking place, and the effort of the RBI is always to reduce any abnormal or excessive volatility. "And that is what we will continue to endeavour," he added. In its bi-monthly monetary policy, the RBI announced three-year USD/INR Buy Sell swaps of $5 billion this month. When asked if the USD-INR swap is aimed at checking rupee depreciation, Malhotra said, "It is a liquidity measure. It is not to support the rupee". Stressing that RBI does not target any level of rupee against the US dollar, he said the central bank allows "the rupee find its correct position, correct level". The governor further said the country has sufficient foreign exchange reserves and the current account is manageable, and given the strong fundamentals of the economy, the country should witness good capital flows going forward. Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) to India recorded a net outflow of $0.7 billion in 2025-26, so far (April-December 03), due to unabated withdrawal from the equity segment. Flows under external commercial borrowings and non-resident deposit accounts moderated compared to the last year. As of November 28, 2025, India's foreign exchange reserves stood at $686.2 billion, providing a robust import cover of more than 11 months. Malhotra further said that having reduced the policy rate (repo) by 25 basis points, the focus will now be on transmission of the rate cut to the real economy. In a country where wearing lipstick could still invite disapproval, Simone Tata understood that Lakme's future depended on shifting attitudes. IMAGE: Simone Tata. Photograph: Kind courtesy X Back in the early 1960s, when India, barely in its teens as an independent nation, was beginning to embrace the idea of fashion shows, mostly organised by textile mills, Simone Tata would be among those quietly watching from the audience. She would come not for the fabrics the mills hoped would excite a new consumer. She would come for Lakme, the young cosmetics brand whose board she had joined in 1962. She wanted to see whether these shows, still a novelty then, could give Lakme visibility. Even at that early stage, she understood that a brand needed not only products but also presence, and she would go on to give Lakme both. In doing so, she would give India its first indigenous cosmetics brand. Simone Tata, the business leader who helped anchor Lakme in Indian households and later guided the Tata Group into modern fashion retail through Westside, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 95 after a brief illness. Born in 1930 in Geneva, Switzerland, she first came to India as a tourist in 1953. A meeting with Naval H Tata during that visit would change the direction of her life. They married two years later, and she made Mumbai her permanent home. Naval Tata already had two sons -- Ratan Tata and Jimmy Tata -- from his first marriage, and she would become a mother to them. In 1957, Noel Tata, now chairman of Tata Trusts, would be born to the couple. IMAGE: The brand's first ambassador, 1980s' supermodel Shyamoli Verma. Photograph: Kind courtesy Ensemble Photo Archives/wikipedia.org/Creative Commons Simone Tata's life as a businesswoman unfolded almost in tandem with the evolution of India's first homegrown cosmetics brand. Lakme had been founded in 1952 by Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy -- JRD -- Tata at the prompting of then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who saw the need for an indigenous alternative to imported beauty products, which was an expensive habit for a young nation striving to conserve foreign exchange. The brand -- its name derived from Lakshmi through its French inflection, Lakme -- was launched in collaboration with French firms Robert Piguet and Renoir. Soon after joining the Lakme board, Simone Tata became central to shaping its identity. IMAGE: Lisa Ray sashayed down the runway in a belted vintage Ritu Kumar sari at Lakme Fashion Week 2025. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI In a country where wearing lipstick could still invite disapproval, she understood that the brand's future depended on shifting attitudes. She pushed for aggressive marketing at a time when Indian advertising was still tentative, positioning Lakme as aspirational yet accessible, and building a range tailored to Indian skin tones. Her strategy blended modernity with cultural familiarity. The brand's first ambassador, 1980s' supermodel Shyamoli Verma, became the 'Lakme Girl', appearing in an early advertisement that showed her playing traditional Indian instruments while styled in Lakme products. The message was deliberate: Beauty need not be at odds with Indian identity. Over the years, actors such as Rekha and later Aishwarya Rai embodied this evolving image. Lisa Ray also walked the ramp for Lakme, adding to its fashion cachet. IMAGE: A Westside store in Vadodara in Gujarat. Photograph: Kind courtesy Nichalp/wikipedia.org/Creative Commons By 1982, Simone Tata had become chairperson of Lakme. Under her stewardship, the brand grew into one of the most recognised names in Indian beauty. But the mid-1990s brought new pressures as global giants such as L'Oreal and Revlon entered a liberalising Indian market. To strengthen Lakme's technological and distribution abilities, she initiated a 50:50 joint venture with Hindustan Unilever in 1996. The alliance sought to offset high import duties on raw materials, harness global expertise, and tap into HUL's vast marketing network. Two years later, in 1998, the Tata Group exited the joint venture, selling its 50 per cent stake for Rs 200 crore. Instead of viewing the sale as a retreat, Simone Tata used it as a pivot. She channelled the proceeds into acquiring the sole Bengaluru store of Littlewoods International and merged it with Lakme's export business to create Tata Retail Enterprise. Renamed Trent, the company would go on to launch Westside, a fashion retail chain that would become one of India's most prominent. IMAGE: A Zudio store in Hyderabad. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rajasekhar1961/wikipedia.org/Creative Commons She remained Trent's non-executive chairperson until 2006, overseeing its early expansion at a time when organised retail in India was still taking shape. Trent today operates multiple brands, including Zudio, Burnt Toast, Samoh and Utsa, and also runs the Star grocery chain through a joint venture with Tesco Plc. The company is now chaired by Noel Tata, her son. IMAGE: A Lakme salon in Nashik. Photograph: Kind courtesy Prabirghose/wikipedia.org/Creative Commons In a statement mourning her passing, the Tata Group said, 'She will always be remembered for her contribution to the growth of Lakme as India's leading cosmetic brand and laying the foundation for fashion retail with the Westside chain... With her positivity and deep resolve, she overcame many challenges in her life while touching many of us deeply.' From helping build India's first indigenous cosmetics brand to laying the foundation for one of its most successful retail ventures, Simone Tata leaves behind a legacy woven into the country's evolving ideas of beauty, aspiration, and modernity. Lakme itself, sold to HUL, has continued to grow, expanding to more than 1,000 cosmetic products and 400 salons, and becoming the title sponsor of the biannual Lakme Fashion Week. Its enduring cultural presence remains a testament to Simone Tata's early vision. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/ Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com 'Where rostering systems are automated and duty time software interfaces directly with DGCA, the assertion that they suddenly discovered crew shortages is simply implausible.' 'If adequate crew planning hasn't materialised within 12 to 24 months from inception, how will 45 days -- from December 5 to February 12 -- suddenly resolve matters?' Kindly note the images in this interview have only been posted for representational reasons. Photographs: ANI Photo Captain Kishore Chinta, a retired squadron leader in the Indian Air Force and currently chief pilot at Sirius India Airlines, offers a damning assessment of IndiGo's recent operational chaos. In this comprehensive interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff, Captain Chinta argues that the cancellation of approximately 1,500 IndiGo flights over four days was not a planning oversight, but an orchestrated strategy to pressure the regulators into relaxing pilot duty time limitations. IndiGo has attributed the massive cancellations -- 1,500 flights over four days -- to planning gaps. In simple terms, could you explain how alterations to pilot rosters precipitated such extensive flight cancellations? In essence, the civil aviation requirements concerning flight duty time limitations (FDTLs) underwent revision following extensive deliberations involving the DGCA, airlines, and court interventions. This amendment was issued on March 26, 2024, with phase one implementation scheduled for July 1, 2025 and phase two for November 1 (2025). The critical modification reduced the night duty period from midnight-to-5-am to midnight-to-6-am. Consequently, whenever a pilot operated beyond 5 am, their subsequent rest period had to be extended correspondingly. This effectively rendered pilots unavailable for five to six additional hours compared to previous scheduling parameters. (All) airlines received adequate notice to augment their staffing accordingly. If the implementation timeline was well-established, what precipitated this crisis? Phase one proceeded smoothly. During phase two, IndiGo submitted their winter schedule -- operational from November 15 -- three months in advance, as mandated (by the DGCA). When airlines request additional flights, they must demonstrate compliance regarding crew availability, aircraft capacity, parking facilities, ground staff, cabin crew, and maintenance personnel. If IndiGo proposed 300 additional flights, they would have submitted comprehensive compliance documentation to DGCA for approval. In the contemporary environment, where rostering systems are automated and duty time software interfaces directly with DGCA, the assertion that they suddenly discovered crew shortages is simply implausible. This represents a well-orchestrated manoeuvre to pressure the government and DGCA -- tactics reminiscent of Air India's historical practices. Are you suggesting IndiGo orchestrated this crisis deliberately? Absolutely. There exists not an iota of doubt. Several months prior, they unilaterally reduced privilege leave entitlements from 42 to 30 days annually, citing new FDTL implementation. This effectively compelled pilots to work 12 additional days yearly for identical remuneration, increasing pilot availability for extended hours. The exemption currently extends until February 12. If adequate crew planning hasn't materialised within 12 to 24 months from inception, how will 45 days -- from December 5 to February 12 -- suddenly resolve matters? Pilot training requires approximately six months. This exemption will undoubtedly be extended repeatedly, with complete disregard for court orders or contempt proceedings. Could you quantify the financial implications? Consider this: 550 cancelled flights incurred zero fuel expenditure for IndiGo. Initially, they offered no complimentary cancellations, compelling desperate passengers to rebook at elevated costs. Average passenger expenditure on hotel accommodation, transportation, and meals approximated nine to ten thousand rupees. For 550 flights, this represents approximately 100 crore rupees in losses borne by ordinary citizens. IndiGo's losses? Absolutely zero. Indeed, they benefited -- the same pilot complement now operates with curtailed leave and flying allowances. Over the subsequent 75 days, they will generate an additional Rs 40 crores to Rs 300 crores simply by maintaining current operations. Which routes experienced the highest cancellation rates? Examination of cancelled flights reveals a pattern -- predominantly low-occupancy sectors averaging 50 to 60 per cent capacity across three specific cities. Notably, no international flights were cancelled nor routes like Delhi-Goa. The selective cancellation strategy becomes evident upon detailed analysis. Why has DGCA apparently give in to IndiGo's demands? That question demands regulatory explanation. The DG has made public appeals to pilot organisations for support. Are human lives now expendable? Is DGCA suddenly comfortable with fatigued pilots operating aircraft? Why authorise excessive flights beyond operational capacity? One should undertake only what one can reasonably accomplish to ensure smooth operations. If IndiGo submitted comprehensive winter schedule plans, including crew availability for 300 additional flights, why did DGCA approve withdrawal of FDTLs without adequate verification? That represents a question the regulator must address -- whether they approved the winter schedule without conducting proper due diligence regarding the airline's capability to operate these flights within regulatory frameworks. Regulators establish enforcement frameworks and conduct periodic audits to verify compliance. They lack the resources or personnel strength for daily monitoring of pilot training schedules and bench strength adequacy. It operates as a perpetual oversight mechanism. Absent this incident (DGCA first asking for implementation of FDTL guidelines and then withdrawing them), the subsequent audit would have identified discrepancies between trained pilot numbers, approved schedule requirements, cancellation rates, and punctuality performance. I characterise this as orchestrated drama because IndiGo, as a well-established operation, maintained full awareness that they lacked requisite staff for winter schedule execution. Does this crisis expose fundamental problems regarding lack of competition, given IndiGo's 61 per cent market dominance creates a duopoly where the entire nation's air travel suffers when one carrier stumbles? Market leaders exist across all sectors. While 61 per cent represents substantial dominance, no industry participant remains invincible. Jet Airways once commanded significant market share before its collapse. When pursuing expansion strategies, commensurate groundwork becomes essential. United Airlines and American Airlines confronted severe pilot shortages three years prior when they failed to anticipate that 25 per cent of their workforce would retire within five years. Such lapses lack credibility for established carriers. Airlines calculate cost indices comprehensively. As fare-paying passengers, individuals might be surprised to learn their revenue contribution. Cargo carried below the passenger deck generates greater revenue than passenger fares themselves. Consider e-commerce operations -- Amazon, Flipkart -- where do overnight deliveries originate? BlueDart alone cannot manage such volumes, nor can railways. This explains the progressive reduction in checked baggage allowances from 30 kilos to 25, then 20, then 15, now 12 kilos. We shall eventually reach the Southwest Airlines model -- no complimentary checked baggage whatsoever. As fare-paying passengers, your revenue contribution remains minuscule. Flights operate with merely 10 or 12 passengers from 180-seat configurations while maintaining profitability. How? The payload below deck remains consistently full -- fewer passengers simply means increased cargo capacity. IndiGo has presented projections to the civil aviation ministry suggesting operations will stabilise by February 19, 2026, following rule relaxations. Do you find this credible? Their strategy appears straightforward -- reduce flight frequencies, compel increased crew availability, curtail leave entitlements. With a thousand-pilot pool, if 10 per cent have leave curtailed, you effectively create 100 additional available pilots. Doesn't this directly compromise aviation safety? This is precisely what nobody addresses. Would you board a bus knowing the driver hasn't slept for two or three consecutive nights, having rested merely two or three hours? People mistakenly believe duty cessation immediately translates to restorative sleep. Human physiology doesn't function thus. Consider attending a wedding until 2 am, then attempting normal Monday morning productivity at 7.30 am -- grogginess and diminished performance are inevitable. When operating aircraft (under such conditions where pilot fatigue exist), lives hang in the balance. This fundamental reality escapes public understanding. Pilot duty time violations, extensively documented and researched, demonstrate that operating under previous limitations significantly increases risk factors. The general public remains uninformed that these modifications (earlier FDTL guidelines that gave more time to pilots to rest and overcome fatigue between flights, which, unfortunately, have now been withdrawn by the DGCA) enhance safety rather than creating operational inconvenience. Are the new pilot rules the sole reason for cancellations, or do deeper issues exist -- crew shortages, internal mismanagement? As I stated, one should undertake only what one can reasonably accomplish. IndiGo possesses sufficient financial resources to establish adequate pilot bench strength. What's lacking is willingness -- their strategic priorities favour aircraft acquisition and alternative expansion avenues. Pilot recruitment ranks low on their priority hierarchy. Only when confronted with unavoidable circumstances do they act. Can one anticipate robust regulatory action against IndiGo by DGCA, given discussions regarding arm-twisting? That's precisely where the duopoly argument gains traction. Without alternatives, they (duopolies in any business including airlines operators) operate with impunity. Historically, Air India exploited their market dominance similarly -- union statements dictated outcomes. IndiGo now replicates precisely what Air India once did. So IndiGo represents the new Air India? Yes, that constitutes the ground reality. With elevated fares and unreliable service, is the low-cost model failing Indian passengers? What immediate changes would restore trust? The low-cost model has succeeded globally -- Ryan Air, Tiger Airways Singapore, FlyDubai, Southwest Airlines in America. The substantial majority of fare-paying customers simply require transportation from Point A to Point B via the most expedient route. Comfort remains their lowest priority. They willingly accept reduced seat comfort and restricted legroom, recognising savings of 10,000 or 20,000 rupees on international sectors versus full-service carriers. This model has functioned effectively for two decades, particularly serving tier-two and tier-three cities where deep financial resources for full-service carriers don't exist universally. Even IndiGo recognises they are forfeiting certain clientele, hence their introduction of the stretch model -- IndiGo Excel -- offering enhanced legroom in the initial four rows to accommodate passengers desiring additional comfort. This model will endure. However, low-cost carrier status cannot equate to compromised safety. Safety remains paramount irrespective of carrier classification. Low-cost operations cannot justify low safety standards -- these principles cannot coexist. Two international flights at Hyderabad airport received a bomb threat via email sent to the airport's customer support ID, said Hyderabad Airport GMR on Saturday. IMAGE: A view of the Hyderabad airport. Photograph: ANI Photo According to Hyderabad Airport GMR, British Airways flight 277 and Kuwait Airways flight 373 received the bomb threat. The BA 277 flight travelling from Heathrow to Hyderabad landed safely at 5:25 AM. Following the landing, standard safety protocols were initiated. However, KU 373, travelling from Kuwait to Hyderabad, returned to its departure airport, Hyderabad Airport, GMR said. "On 6th December 2025, a Bomb threat email was received on Hyd airport customer support id for flight BA 277 (Heathrow to Hyderabad). The Flight landed safely in HYD at 5:25AM. Standard safety protocols were initiated," said Hyderabad Airport GMR. "On 6th December 2025, a Bomb threat email was received on Hyd airport customer support id for flight KU 373/ (Kuwait to Hyderabad) KWI-Hyd. The Flight returned back to departure airport," added Hyderabad Airport GMR. Earlier, Air India flight 2879, travelling from Delhi to Hyderabad, received a bomb threat email on the Hyderabad airport customer support ID. However, the flight landed safely in the city at 8:45 PM, and following its landing, standard safety protocols were initiated. "On 5th December 2025, a bomb threat email was received on Hyderabad airport customer support id for flight AI 2879 (Delhi to Hyd). The flight landed safely in Hyd at 8:45PM. Standard safety protocols were initiated," said Hyderabad Airport GMR. Earlier, Hyderabad Airport received a bomb threat to Emirates flight EK526, travelling from Dubai (DXB) to Hyderabad (HYD). According to GMR PRO, the threat message reached the Hyderabad Airport customer support at around 7:30 AM on December 5. The flight carrying passengers from Dubai continued its journey under heightened monitoring and landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at around 8:30 AM. Following the landing, security teams immediately swung into action. The aircraft was moved to an isolated bay, and all passengers were safely deboarded as per standard operating procedures. The latest scare comes amid a worrying pattern of bomb-related alerts involving flights headed to Hyderabad. On Thursday, an IndiGo flight 6E 058 travelling from Medina to Hyderabad was diverted for an emergency landing at Ahmedabad after a similar threat. The flight carried 180 passengers and six crew members. Earlier this week, a Kuwait-Hyderabad IndiGo flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Mumbai following a bomb threat. Long queues, passengers in tears, and repeated flight cancellations created a morning of severe disruption at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Saturday, as IndiGo continued to face nationwide operational delays. IMAGE: A passenger weeps after cancellation of IndiGo flights at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, December 6, 2025. Photograph: ANI on X The disruptions came even as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation placed its Flight Duty Time Limitations orders in abeyance with immediate effect. The regulatory pause follows days of nationwide delays and cancellations affecting IndiGo's flight operations, causing widespread inconvenience to passengers across sectors. At Ahmedabad airport alone, between 12 am and 6 am on Saturday, seven arrivals and twelve departures were cancelled, airport officials said. The halt in services triggered long waiting lines, crowding at counters, and growing frustration among passengers unable to find alternate travel options. Among those impacted was Mahrishi Jani, who broke down while explaining how the disruption cost him and his team an opportunity they had worked towards for months. "I was scheduled to go to Guwahati on a 6.15 am flight; this was a connecting flight from Kolkata. We were selected for Smart India Hackathon 2025; about 74,000 ideas were submitted there, and nearly 1400 ideas were selected. Our centre was North-Eastern Hill University, and we were scheduled to perform there," he told ANI. WATCH: IndiGo cancellations leave passengers in tears Jani added that despite months of preparation, the cancellation left his six-member team and two accompanying mentors with no viable alternative. "We had booked IndiGo flights. But the flight is delayed and so, we will not be able to go there. There is no other possible way of transportation. If we take a train, it will take us 3 days to reach there. Our hard work of 6-7 months is now wasted. We are returning home. Such opportunities are rare...We were selected in the first attempt, but due to flight cancellation, we are unable to go ahead. We were a team of 6 people, and we were accompanied by 2 mentors." Another passenger, Ikhlaq Hussain, described being stranded despite travelling internationally. "I have reached Ahmedabad from Jeddah, and I am scheduled to head to Lucknow...I am stuck here for the past 2 days but the flight keeps getting delayed," Hussain said. On Friday, a large number of passengers faced inconvenience across the country as IndiGo flights experienced delays and cancellations. Amid the ongoing issue, a passenger who was scheduled to reach Bengaluru from the Jodhpur Airport shared that the airline has been unresponsive since morning. "No one from IndiGo is providing any answers. We have been standing here since morning... I have been standing here since morning. I have to reach Bengaluru urgently by evening... I am worried," he said. Another passenger at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Odisha, shared her ordeal, stating that even after spending three hours at the airport, she was not given any clarifications on her flight status. "My flight from Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru was scheduled for December 5... I had a flight to Vietnam from Bengaluru. This crisis began on December 3. I reached here yesterday to ask about my flight schedule...I spent three hours here asking them about my flight status, but they said they don't know... Yesterday, they had flights to Bengaluru...I requested them to accommodate me in one of their flights scheduled for Bengaluru so that I could catch my international flight to Vietnam from here... but they did not accommodate even one seat for me... We did not have the option to travel by road because the distance between Bhubaneswar and Bengaluru takes 25-26 hours to cover... No one is listening to anything. There is just one staff member, and they have no answers or solutions... There is no clarity..." she stated. 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. The venue for suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir's foundation-stone ceremony for a Babri Masjid-style' mosque at Beldanga in West Bengal's Murshidabad on December 6 turned into a massive worksite on Friday, with Saudi clerics expected, food for thousands being prepared, and authorities enforcing a tight security grid. IMAGE: A supporter of suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir walks to Murshidabad carrying bricks on his head to contribute to the proposed Babri Masjid-style mosque, in Uttar Barasat, West Bengal, December 6, 2025. Photograph: ANI on X The Congress-BJP-turned-TMC rebel, suspended on Thursday for what the ruling party described as repeatedly embarrassing the organisation, appeared unfazed by either the political fallout or the administrative glare. Kabir told reporters that "nearly 3 lakh people will gather across 25 bighas near Moradighi on Saturday", adding that religious leaders from several states had confirmed their presence. "Two qazis from Saudi Arabia will arrive in a special convoy from Kolkata airport in the morning," he said. Across the sprawling venue off NH-12, the state's only north-south arterial highway, preparations rolled on at an intensity typically reserved for high-voltage political shows. Seven Murshidabad-based catering agencies have been contracted to cook shahi biryani for the crowd. A close aide of the MLA said about 40,000 packets were being made for guests and another 20,000 for local residents, pushing food expenses alone past Rs 30 lakh. "The venue budget will reach around Rs 60-70 lakh," he said. The dais, rising over paddy fields, has become the most visible symbol of the scale. At 150 feet long and 80 feet wide, with seating for around 400 guests, it is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh. Nearly 3,000 volunteers, 2,000 of whom began work early Friday, have been deployed to manage crowd movement, regulate access roads and prevent bottlenecks on NH-12, organisers said. Kabir said the ceremony would begin with Quran recitation at 10 am, followed by the foundation event at noon. "Formalities will start two hours earlier. By 4 pm, the ground will be cleared as per police directives," he added. The organisers circulated a schedule outlining the day: arrival of special guests, including the visiting Saudi clerics, at 8 am; Quran recitation at 10 am; the main ceremony at noon; community meal at 2 pm; and dispersal by 4 pm. The logistical sweep has, however, heightened administrative concerns. Following a Calcutta high court directive on Friday, district police held a round of discussions with Kabir's team to ensure public order and uninterrupted movement along NH-12. A senior district police officer said nearly 3,000 personnel would be deployed across Beldanga and Raninagar police station jurisdictions. "Our primary concern is keeping the national highway running. Extra forces have arrived from the headquarters. Multiple diversion plans are in place," he said. Officials admitted that the possibility of a large crowd choking NH-12 remained the biggest challenge, and that traffic diversions could be activated depending on how the turnout builds through the morning. For Kabir, whose mosque initiative has triggered unease within the TMC, Saturday's gathering is both a test of mobilisation and a show of defiance. "People will come because this is a historic moment for the area," he said, brushing aside the political ripples and the heavy security ring around the venue. As the administration braces for an unprecedented congregation fed by giant cauldrons of biryani and anchored by a towering stage, the event is set to stretch both the district's policing bandwidth and Kabir's political calculus in a region where symbolism, mobilisation and religious signalling often run together. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who on Friday attended a banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, on Saturday described the atmosphere there as "warm" and "engaging", and said he enjoyed his conversations with many of the attendees. IMAGE: Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremonial reception held in his honour in New Delhi. Photograph: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via Reuters Tharoo's remarks came a day after President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet for the visiting Russian president at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Attended the @rashtrapatibhvn banquet for President Putin last night. A warm and engaging atmosphere reigned. Enjoyed my conversations with many of the attendees, especially my dining companions from the Russian delegation!" Tharoor said in a social media post. Murmu, while welcoming President Putin and his delegation at the banquet, had said that his visit marked an important milestone -- the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia strategic partnership, which was established in October 2000 during his first visit to the country as president. Murmu also appreciated Putin's support and personal commitment to the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership. The Congress on Friday said that the leaders of the opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, were not invited to the banquet, and took a swipe at Tharoor for accepting the invite. The party's 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," Khera said on Friday. Asked about Tharoor accepting the invite for the banquet, 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 are also questionable." "We would have listened to our voice of conscience," he added. Earlier, Tharoor had said that there was a time when the chairman of the external affairs committee was routinely invited, but that practice seems to have stopped some years ago. On Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government tells visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the leader of opposition due to its "insecurity". His remarks came hours ahead of Putin's two-day visit to India. French hedge fund Capital Fund Management, which fosters an open and academic-inspired culture, is run by a five-member board. Stefania Iemmi; courtesy of Capital Fund Management Capital Fund Management has been on a hot streak in recent years, growing amid strong returns. The firm fosters an open, malleable culture that's catnip to PhDs but diverges from many peers. It's not hypersecretive. It doesn't hire armies of PMs. And it isn't fixated on winning at all costs. In recent years, multistrategy hedge funds have been on a tear, hoovering up hundreds of billions in assets from investors and watching their staff rosters balloon. One dilemma such firms face: How do you maintain a consistent company culture in the face of a growth spurt? The answer, says Philippe Jordan, president of French hedge fund giant : You don't. Culture is often mythologized, but, in Jordan's view, it is the simple byproduct of past shared experiences at its core, and he warns against the impulse to lionize "the good old days." "Nostalgia turns a culture into an artifact, and our culture is dynamic," Jordan told Business Insider in an interview. CFM, a Paris-based quantitative multistrategy fund, has been on a growth tear of its own. Assets climbed roughly 25% from the start of this year to $21 billion as of September. Five years ago, the firm managed just $6.5 billion. Head count has surged as well, from 260 employees at the end of 2020 to nearly 450 today. CFM's New York office has doubled in size in recent years to 40 people, including 15 researchers. The 35-year-old firm doesn't fit neatly into the hedge-fund typology, rejecting many of the norms that have come to define the industry. CFM has no larger-than-life founder that reigns supreme; instead, it's governed by a five-member board. It doesn't hire armies of independent portfolio managers. Unlike most of its quant brethren, it isn't obsessed with secrecy. And it doesn't espouse a ruthless, zero-sum mentality. Compared with multimanagers that dominate today's hedge-fund landscape, which employ scores of siloed pods, CFM is "at the extreme other end of the spectrum," Jordan said. "Lots of collaboration, open environments in which people feel free to communicate, talk, and be curious about other people's businesses." CFM was an early practitioner of the collegial, academic ethos model that's now common at many quant trading firms. Cofounder Jean-Pierre Aguillar, an engineer and computer scientist, launched CFM in 1991 and helped define the firm's culture before his death in a gliding accident in 2009. While collaboration and intellectual rigor is prized, the firm isn't "throwing spaghetti at the walls." Performance matters as evidenced by CFM's strong run in recent years. The India-Russia partnership has been among the "steadiest big relationships" in the last 70-80 years and President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi was about "reimagining" the ties with a focus on economic engagement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday. IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaks at an event in New Delhi. Photograph: @DrSJaishankar/X In an interactive session, he also disagreed with views that Putin's visit could complicate India's negotiations with the US on a bilateral trade agreement. "No, I disagree with you. I think everybody knows that India has relations with all the major countries in the world," Jaishankar said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. "I think for any country to expect to have a veto or a say in how we develop our relations with others is not a reasonable proposition." Jaishankar was asked if Putin's two-day visit to New Delhi that focused largely on significantly enhancing the economic dimension of India-Russia ties will have a bearing on the negotiations with the US for the proposed trade deal. "Because remember, the others can expect the same. I think we've always made it very clear that we have multiple relationships. We have a freedom of choice," he said. "We talk about what is called strategic autonomy and that continues and I cannot imagine why anybody would have reason to expect the contrary," he added. The external affairs minister acknowledged that the focus of the Trump administration has been on trade and noted that India's approach in navigating it is totally driven by national interests. "I think clearly right now trade is the most important issue there. We have, it's clearly very central to the thinking in Washington, much more than it was to earlier administrations, which is something which we have recognized and we are prepared to meet," he said. "But we are prepared to meet it on reasonable terms. I mean, for those of you who think that diplomacy is about pleasing somebody else I'm sorry, that's not my view of diplomacy. I mean, to me, it is about defending our national interests," he said. The 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 Delhi's procurement of Russian crude oil. The two sides are currently holding negotiations for the proposed a trade deal "We believe that there can be a landing point for our respective trade interests. Obviously, that is something which will be negotiated hard because it has an implication for livelihoods in this country," he said. "At the end of the day, for us the interests of the workers and the farmers and the small business and the middle class matters. When we look at a trade agreement with a country like the US, you have to be extremely judicious about your position, about what you put on the table," he said. On President Putin's two-day trip to India, Jaishankar said for a "big" and "rising" country like India, it is important to maintain good cooperation with as many important players as possible in the world in line with freedom of choice. "I think if you look at India-Russia, the world has seen a lot of ups and downs in the last 70-80 years. I've said this before and I'll say it again, India, Russia have actually been among the steadiest big relationships, big power or big country relationships in the world," he said. "Even Russia's own relationship with China or US or Europe has had its ups and downs. Our relationships with many of these countries have had it too," he added. In any relationship, Jaishankar noted, it is natural that some aspects of it develop and some kind of don't keep up. "In the case of Russia, what had happened for a variety of reasons, I think they visualized the West and China as their primary economic partners. We visualised perhaps the same." "So the economic side of the relationship had somehow not kept pace. You can see that in the numbers." Putin's visit in many ways was about reimagining the relationship, he said. "It was about building dimensions and facets which it lacked or didn't have in enough measure. if I were to pick two or three big takeaways, for me, the mobility agreement where Indians would now much more seamlessly find work opportunities in Russia was one big outcome." The understanding on a joint venture on fertilisers was another major take away, according to Jaishankar. "We are the world's second biggest fertiliser importer after Brazil. It's a recurring issue that we have. And also because the fertilizer sources have been very unstable. They've turned on and turned off the tap. So we had an agreement to create an important substantial joint venture on fertilizers," he said. On India's ties with China, Jaishankar said the key point that New Delhi made was that peace and tranquillity in the border areas is a prerequisite for good relations and it is being maintained and is being built upon. "But it's not like that was the only issue in the relationship. There were many other issues, some of which predated Galwan. So there are issues about trade, there are issues about investment, there are issues about competition, about subsidies, about fairness, about transparency," he said. "These are real issues as well. We are trying to work our way through some of it. Some of it is easier, some of it is harder," he added. To a question on Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Jaishankar said much of India's problem emanates from the military of that country and even referred to its support for terror groups. Like there are good terrorists and bad terrorists, there are good military leaders and apparently not-so-good ones, he said, seen as a reference to Munir. "I think for us, the reality of the Pakistani army has always been and much of our problems actually emanate from them. When you look at the terrorism, when you look at the training camps, when you look at the sort of a policy of almost ideological hostility towards India, where does that come from? It comes from the army," he said. Jaishankar said India and Pakistan should not be hyphenated at all. "Look at the state of Pakistan. See the differentials and the capabilities and frankly the reputation on either side. We should not get over obsessed and hyphenate ourselves with them. There is a challenge, there are issues that we'll deal with," he added. On Bangladesh, the external affairs minister said India is a well wisher of that country. "We think as a democratic country, any democratic country likes to see the will of the people ascertained through a democratic process." "I'm quite confident that whatever comes out of the democratic process would have a balanced and mature view about the relationship and, hopefully things would improve," he said. Asked if former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina will continue to stay in India, he said: "She came here in a certain circumstance and I think that circumstance clearly sort of is a factor in what happens to her. But again, that is something which she has to make up her mind. BRUSSELS -- French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up a trip to China where he sought Beijing's help in pressuring Russia to agree to a cease-fire with Ukraine amid a recent burst of diplomacy over a US proposal to end the war. But analysts and European officials who spoke to RFE/RL doubt that Beijing will heed to Macron's calls for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to push Russian President Vladimir Putin to drop his maximalist demands to settle the nearly four-year war. While rich in symbolism and focused on trade opportunities, Macron's visit was low on tangible outcomes. Experts say China's sustained support for Russia throughout the war is unlikely to waver and Xi has few reasons to expend his influence with Putin on a peace plan that the Russian president has essentially dismissed. The original US 28-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine appeared to heavily favor Russia, although the proposal has since been revised to take Kyiv's concerns more into account. "I don't think there is any incentive for Beijing to step in and try to end the war," Claus Soong, an analyst at the Berlin-based MERICS think tank, told RFE/RL. "Europe is not worth as much to China as Russia." Following a red-carpet welcome and military honor guard in Beijing on December 4, Macron warned about the pressure on the international political system brought by the war in Ukraine and the need to reach a lasting peace during his meeting with Xi. "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. The French president also urged Xi to join European efforts to "to achieve, as soon as possible, at the very least a cease-fire in the form of a moratorium on strikes targeting critical infrastructure." Xi did not directly respond to Macron's call but said "China supports all efforts that work toward peace" and called for a deal that all parties will accept. Beijing has never referred to Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion as a war, instead calling it a "conflict." And while multiple European officials have called for China to rein in Moscow, Beijing's position has remained static. "China can inflict very serious economic damage on the EU," Yurii Poita of the Kyiv-based Center for Army, Conversion, and Disarmament Studies told RFE/RL. "That's why Macron's calls for China to influence Russia are mostly symbolic. Nobody in Europe believes Beijing will comply." Why Macron Went To China Those economic ties were also a key reason for Macron's visit, which concluded on December 5 with a sightseeing tour of the southwestern city of Chengdu with Xi. Ahead of the trip, French officials shared new data with reporters in Brussels on the "significant" trade imbalance between France and China, pointing to a 47-billion-euro ($54 billion) deficit, double what it was a decade ago. Those officials said their "goal is to rebalance these [trade] flows" during the visit, with Macron accompanied by 35 heads of major French companies -- from cognac producers to luxury retail brands. A meeting in the Chinese capital on December 4 only resulted in 12 cooperation agreements covering areas such as population aging, nuclear energy, and panda conservation, and no monetary total was disclosed. The 27-member EU, overall, runs a massive trade deficit with China: over 300 billion euros ($348 billion) last year. Analysts say Beijing may use friendly ties with France to expand its influence within the EU but is currently constrained by its inability to offer Paris major concessions. A long-anticipated 500-jet Airbus order is not expected to move forward, as it could affect Beijing's leverage in ongoing trade talks with the United States, which is pressing China for new orders of US-made Boeing planes. Xi also made no commitments to ease conditions for French cognac makers or pork producers, as doing so would weaken Beijing's negotiating position with Brussels over tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Despite those headwinds, Soong of the MERICS think tank says Macron still has "an obvious incentive" to appeal to Beijing as officials in US President Donald Trump's administration increasingly call to shift attention toward the Western hemisphere. "Macron needs to leverage his ties with China and see what he can get from this relationship," Soong said. China And Russia's 'Friendship of Calculation' China remains a top market for European exports -- from aviation to industrial chemicals -- and has become even more crucial after US tariffs were imposed on European imports. China is also Europe's main supplier of raw materials and rare-earth elements, making it indispensable to the continent's strategic supply chains. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who visited Beijing in early November, told RFE/RL that dialogue with China still serves a purpose, even if Beijing is "the main enabler" of Russia's ability to wage war, a comment he relayed to his Chinese counterparts during his trip. China has maintained it is neutral in the war but also continued to deepen its political and economic ties with Russia. Kyiv and its Western allies have long complained that Beijing has supplied dual-use items to Moscow that can be used on the battlefield against Ukraine. China is also the top customer for oil from Russia. Despite that, China remains deeply invested in Europe, which is one of its largest markets for goods. "That's a leverage we need to push with as well for China not to support Russia anymore," said Tsahkna. How Europe can apply that leverage remains an open question. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Moscow this week and met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, even popping by to greet US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, on December 2 as they met with Russian officials for talks over ending the war in Ukraine. China's top diplomat was at the Kremlin for what was billed as routine strategic talks, but its timing coincides with the new US diplomatic push to end the war. "This is a friendship of calculation," Nataliia Butyrska of the Kyiv-based New Europe Center think tank told RFE/RL. "China has no interest in Russia returning to the Western camp. It needs Russia's resources -- and its role in jointly opposing the West." Nicolas Tenzer, a former French official and senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, says "China is using Russia as a tool to fragment the West." "[Xi] certainly wants to completely rewrite the international order," Tenzer said. "Xi also fears a kind of democratic contagion, like all the dictators. And for this reason, I think that Xi is backing Putin." Tenzer added that China is eager to maintain its strong economic links to Europe, as that would help shield Beijing from possible sanctions if it attacked Taiwan, the self-governed island Beijing claims as its own and has vowed to unify, including by force if necessary. Beijing looked to France for support over Taiwan during Macron's trip amid a deepening diplomatic spat with Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last month that a conflict over Taiwan could pose an existential threat to Japan. Macron did not address Taiwan publicly during his trip, but European officials are closely watching tensions in the region, mindful that a prolonged war in Ukraine could weaken Russia and the West simultaneously and divert attention away from China and the Indo-Pacific. "China is developing its military capabilities far beyond what it needs for self-protection or self-defense. So, the question always is why," Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze told RFE/RL on the sidelines of the NATO foreign minister meeting in Brussels on December 3. "We also clearly see that China is enabling Russia's war in Ukraine. It's important to present these challenges to China in an open dialogue. Russia is not China, China is not Russia." Ukrainian Service correspondent Zoriana Stepanenko reported from Brussels. China global affairs correspondent Reid Standish reported from Prague. The whereabouts of former RFE/RL journalist Nika Novak appear to have been re-established after her lawyer warned last week that she disappeared from a Siberian correctional colony where she was held. According to a social media post tied to Novaks friends and family, the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service sent a letter to her lawyer Yulia Kuznetsova saying that she is still at Penal Colony No. 11 in Russias Irkutsk region where she was transferred to on March 1. Kuznetsova has not confirmed this on her public social media accounts and she was not immediately available to answer RFE/RLs request for comment. Alarm over where the 33-year-old journalist was being held came on November 30 when Kuznetsova said she called the colony for information on Novak's location but was rejected and told to submit a request, which she subsequently did. Kuznetsova then said in a social media post that it appeared Novak was being transferred from Penal Colony No. 11, though her destination was unknown. But according to the claim from the account linked to Novaks close acquaintances, the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service has confirmed that she remains in the same penal colony, although RFE/RL has not been able to independently verify this information. Novak was handed a four-year sentence after a closed-door trial for "confidential cooperation with a foreign state, international or foreign organization" -- a sentence she and rights organizations consider unjust. She was transferred to the Siberian correctional colony in March, where she complained about torture-like conditions before going on a hunger strike. Novak said she was placed in solitary confinement there for refusing to give media interviews about how "everything is fine in the colony and the prisoners are happy" and for refusing to work as a seamstress. Before her arrest, Novak had worked for ChitaMedia and was editor in chief of the Zab.ru website. She contributed to programs by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities in 2022. Her case marked the first time that a journalist was sentenced under Article 275.1 of Russias criminal code, a crime that was only introduced in 2022 in the months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Rights experts have criticized the conception and wording of the law, while Human Rights Watch called the legislation "reminiscent of the Soviet-era ban on contacts with foreigners" in its 2023 World Report. On July 22, 2024, leading Russian human rights group Memorial recognized Novak as a political prisoner. Her detention has also been condemned by the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Coalition for Women in Journalism, and the International Press Institute, which said Nika's sentencing was "made possible by Russia's continued instrumentalization of its own legislation with the aim of repressing independent journalists and other critical voices." US and Ukrainian officials met for a third straight day of talks, with no early announcements about any potential breakthroughs, even as Russia and Ukraine conducted air strikes on the opposing sides territory as the all-out war edged near the four-year mark. As of late afternoon local time on December 6, no official statements had been released out of the Miami meeting, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he joined his negotiating team for a "constructive" call with US representatives involved in the talks. Ive just had a long and substantive phone call with [US representatives] Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside [Ukrainian negotiators] Andriy Hnatov and Rustem Umerov, Zelenskyy wrote on X. I am grateful for a very focused, constructive discussion. We covered many aspects and went through key points that could ensure an end to the bloodshed and eliminate the threat of a new Russian full-scale invasion, as well as the risk of Russia failing to honor its promises, as has happened repeatedly in the past, he added, without indicating the precise timing of the call. Zelenskyy said Kyiv is committed to continuing to work honestly with the American side to bring about real peace and that we agreed on the next steps and formats for talks with the United States. He cautioned, though, that "not everything can be discussed by phone" and that he was awaiting a personal briefing from his team, potentially ahead of his planned trip to London on December 8 to meet with Ukraine's main European backers. Earlier, a US summary of the first two days of talks reported that 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. Ukrainians Briefed On Moscow Talks Hnatov, chief of staff of Kyivs armed forces, and Umerov, secretary of Ukraines national security council and lead negotiator, met with the US envoys for the third day of talks after Ukraines delegation was briefed on earlier discussions in Moscow between President Vladimir Putin and Witkoff and Kushner. Witkoff reportedly spoke with Putin for nearly five hours on December 2 at the Kremlin, but Russian officials said that no compromise had been reached in the talks. The recent flurry of diplomacy around ending the war was sparked when a US 28-point peace plan was leaked to the media in November. That original proposal appeared to heavily favor Russia, although it has since undergone several changes to take Kyivs concerns more into account. The most recent version of the proposal has not been shared publicly. Following the talks in Russia, Putin said he was ready to continue meeting the Americans as many times as needed." In other statements this week, the Russian president took a more defiant tone, telling India Today on December 5 during a trip to New Delhi that Ukrainian troops should fully leave the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine this week or Russia would "liberate these territories by force." Zelenskyy Due In London For Talks Also on the diplomatic front, the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany are scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy in London on December 8 to discuss the peace process. "Ukraine can count on our unwavering support. That is the whole point of the efforts we have undertaken as part of the Coalition of the Willing," French President Emmanuel Macron said on X ahead of the meeting, to be hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. "We will continue these efforts alongside the Americans to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, without which there can be no robust and lasting peace.," Macron wrote. "Russia is locked into an escalatory approach and is not seeking peace," Macron wrote, adding, "We must continue to put pressure on Russia to force it to make peace." Major points of contention remain between the two sides, including about providing security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal and territorial concessions. Russia currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine's territory, including large portions of the Donbas that is made up of Donetsk and Luhansk provinces. Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine's energy sector and infrastructure in recent weeks, targeting power stations and railway hubs as winter temperatures fall. The Ukrainian military said on December 6 that Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles on Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian forces downing 585 drones and 30 missiles. Power and heat generation facilities in Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhya, Lviv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions were main targets, Ukraine's Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories said, adding that 9,500 customers were without heat and 34,000 without water supply in the southern Odesa region on the morning of December 6. Meanwhile, unverified footage circulated on Russian Telegram channels that appeared to show a Ukrainian strike on Russia's Ryazan oil refinery. Ukraine's military said it hit the refinery to reduce "the capabilities of the Russian armed forces," calling the facility "one of the largest oil refineries in Russia." Ukraine's military also said it hit the Alchevsk metallurgical plant in the Russia-occupied Luhansk region. It said the facility is being used to manufacture components used in shells being launched against Ukrainian cities. German brewer Eichbaum is looking for investment "to secure the future" of the business. Eichbaum has commissioned management consultancy Roland Berger to gauge external interest in the business. The company filed for self-administration in October, with managing directors Andreas Hiby-Durst and Markus Lopsien resigning from their positions. A restructuring management team remained, including Eichbaum sales director Uwe Aichele and Frank Reifel from management consulting firm FALK. "Our goal is to secure the future of our traditional brewery in Mannheim, strengthen its competitiveness, and preserve as many jobs as possible," the now Eichbaum managing directors Aichele and Reifel said in a joint statement announcing the appointment of Roland Berger. Eichbaum said it has launched a "restructuring programme" to move from being a brewer to a more diversified beverage manufacturer to capitalise on growing demand for non-alcoholic products. Privately owned Eichbaum employs around 300 people. It exports to more than 65 countries. Eichbaum said it filed for self-administration proceedings after it experienced a liquidity shortage amid declining export sales and a fall in the demand for German beer. In October, the group sold its non-alcoholic malt-drinks brand Karamalz to Veltins for an undisclosed sum. "German brewer Eichbaum seeks investment" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. Gold Royalty Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:GROY) is one of the Best Up and Coming Canadian Stocks to Buy. On November 25, Gold Royalty Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:GROY) announced an enhanced revolving credit facility of up to $100 million and the elimination of debt. Management announced that it reached an agreement with the Bank of Montreal and National Bank Capital Markets to increase its borrowing ability through a revolving credit facility. As a result, the facility has been increased to $75 million, and the company can potentially increase this by another $25 million if certain conditions are met. Moreover, the duration of this facility has also increased and now lasts until November 2028. Notably, Gold Royalty Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:GROY) had to pay off at least 75% of these debentures to unlock the new facility, meaning the company has paid most of its existing debt that was due in 2028. Moreover, the share price of Gold Royalty Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:GROY) has surged more than 25.5% since the fiscal Q3 2025 results, announced on November 5. Wall Street has had a positive outlook on the stock since the release. Earlier on November 10, Tate Sullivan from Maxim Group reiterated a Buy rating on the stock, but lowered the price target from $6 to $5. On November 7, Heiko Ihle from H.C. Wainwright also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a $6.25 price target. Gold Royalty Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:GROY) is a Canadian company that provides financing solutions to the metals and mining industry by acquiring royalties and streaming interests on gold and other precious metals properties. While we acknowledge the potential of GROY as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Eoin Reynolds The Special Criminal Court has warned a man that he could be imprisoned if he refuses to give evidence or answer questions regarding his allegation that he was beaten, waterboarded, threatened with rape and had the word 'Rat' branded on his face and body in a shed at the back of a Dublin home. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding at the three-judge, non-jury court, warned Barry Moore (34) on Saturday of the potential consequences for failing to cooperate in a criminal trial. Mr Moore, appearing via videolink, said he understands that he could go to prison, but he will not give evidence or answer questions. The court also heard on Saturday that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) believes that all the evidence in the case "points exclusively in favour of supporting the account [of the assault] given by Mr Moore" and will leave the court with "no reasonable doubt" as to the guilt of the four accused. Mr Moore was arrested on Thursday of this week on foot of a bench warrant after he previously failed to turn up for the trial of four men accused of assaulting and falsely imprisoning him. The DPP is asking the court to rule that statements Mr Moore made to gardai after the alleged assault should be admitted as evidence into the trial, without the alleged injured party taking the stand. Lawyers for the accused are expected to argue that Mr Moore's statements should be ruled inadmissible because he is not making himself available for cross-examination. Earlier on Saturday, Carol Doherty BL, representing Mr Moore, told the court that her client has been held in isolation in custody for two evenings since his arrest. While Ms Doherty said there is no excuse offered for his failure to attend, the "horrors visited on this man" were now understood and there is a concern that his incarceration is causing a secondary traumatisation. Mr Moore, she said, has had "serious mental health concerns" in the past two weeks. She asked the court to consider holding Mr Moore in protective custody, rather than being incarcerated. Ms Justice O'Connor asked Garnet Orange SC, for the DPP, to explore the possibility of holding Mr Moore in protective custody. Mr Orange told the court that protective custody requires planning and it is "simply not possible to do at this stage". He said the current situation with Mr Moore was not anticipated by gardai or the prosecution. Judge Sarah Berkeley said she was surprised the State had not anticipated the matter, while Ms Justice O'Connor pointed out that there had already been issues with Mr Moore's failure to attend court. "There was some indication there might be some difficulty. It's not something that has just arisen," she said. Ms Justice O'Connor asked that the State "continue to review this matter" as she adjourned the trial until Monday morning. Mr Orange previously told the court that in applying to have Mr Moore's statements admitted as evidence, he intends to call supporting evidence that he says will leave the court in doubt as to the guilt of the accused. He said the court will see photographs of Mr Moore's injuries and will hear medical evidence in respect of those. The State will also rely on CCTV footage to show the movements of various people and vehicles at the critical time. There will also be evidence of blood stains at the location of the alleged assault and other materials consistent with Mr Moore's account, including a "cattle brand'. The court will also be asked to draw inferences from the accused's alleged failure to answer certain questions. In his opening speech on Friday, Mr Orange said the State alleges that brothers Jason Hennessy Jr (28) and Brandon Hennessy (22), as well as Kenneth Fitzsimons (45) and his son Dean Fitzsimons (25) assaulted Mr Moore in a shed at the back of Jason Hennessy Jr's home on Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown. During the alleged assault, counsel said the group accused Mr Moore of giving information to people with whom the accused were "not friendly". He said they used a 'branding' object with the letters RAT on it, which they heated on a gas stove before using it to brand Mr Moore's face and body. Det Gda Stuart Gleeson told the trial that he interviewed Mr Moore the day after the alleged assault. He noted various injuries on Mr Moore's body, including the word 'RAT' burned into both sides of his face, forehead, stomach and back. Det Gda Gleeson read out Mr Moore's statement in which he alleged that each of the accused had assaulted him for more than one hour in a shed at the back of Jason Hennessy Jnr's home. Jason Hennessy Jr and Brandon Hennessy, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, along with Kenneth Fitzsimons and Dean Fitzsimons, of Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 are charged with false imprisonment, intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm, and with participating in or contributing to the activity of a criminal organisation by assaulting Mr Moore, causing him serious harm. The offences are alleged to have happened on February 12th, 2025, at a house on Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown in Dublin 15. They have each pleaded not guilty to all charges. Devon Hennessy, of Edgewood Lawns, Corduff, Dublin 15 has previously pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning and assaulting Mr Moore for the purpose of enhancing the activities of a criminal gang. He is not part of the current trial. The trial is being heard by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, Her Honour Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Fiona Lydon. The parents of three boys who failed to send their sons to school over a prolonged period were each fined 500 when they appeared before Judge James Faughnan at Roscommon District Court. The parents were before the court for, as a parent and without lawful excuse on January 29th, 2025, and on subsequent days, contravening a lawful requirement by failing to cause their sons to attend school. The case was taken by the Child and Family Agency against the couple who said they did so on a constitutional basis with solicitor James Ward appearing on behalf of the agency. The children were not named in open court but were referred to as S who is 16, K who is 11 and F who is 8 -years-old. Catherine NcManus, education officer, told the court that referrals had been received from the schools concerned. The two older boys had not attended since June 2022 while the younger boy has not been registered. She said they tried to engage with the parents via phone, letters and visits. They did not engage with the service. She added: The children are completely out of the system. In January school attendance notices were issued in relation to all three. There is 100 percent absenteeism. None of them have attended or registered as required. The father who represented both himself and his partner put it to the witness that their youngest son had never been enrolled in any school and they as parents have a right to educate at home. He said they did not sign a form as it was unconstitutional, and they had notified Tulsa of their intentions. In direct evidence he said he was taking the matter to the High Court. He told Judge Faughnan that he (the judge) had already dealt with the case, but Judge Faughnan said he had never heard the case before. Prior to the hearing the father had also asked the judge to recuse himself on this basis. The defendant said he and his partner were standing on constitutional grounds, and had notified Tulsa but they refused to deal with them for 18 months. He said they would not sign a form as they would be signing up to a regime for the next ten years, adding that form does not align with the constitution. He said: It is my constitutional right to educate my children at home. Judge Faughnan told the defendant: There are laws of the land, you are entitled to educate your children at home, but the High Court has set out parameters for that. He replied that he could not sign the form in question. Judge Faughnan said he was satisfied that the Child and Family Agency was entitled to bring the case. He heard that Judge Deirdre Gearty had heard a similar matter and that the couple had previously been fined 150 but this was appealed. However, the fine was reaffirmed by Judge Desmond Connolly in the Circuit Court. Judge Faughnan was also told that the father is not working but his partner works full time. He fined her 500 for failing to send child K to national school and also fined the father 500 for failing to send child S to secondary school. Following queries, he told the couple they are entitled to appeal his ruling. *Published under the court reporting scheme. Two County Roscommon teachers have been honoured for 15 years of service as Gaisce Presidents Award Leaders (PALs). Margaret Larkin, Gaisce PAL with Castlerea Community School, and Teresa Hession, Gaisce PAL with Mercy College, Roscommon were both honoured at a special ceremony. Gaisce The Presidents Award hosted PALCON at Dublin Castle, a special conference dedicated to Presidents Award Leaders. The event celebrated the work of Presidents Award Leaders (PALs) from all over Ireland who work on a voluntary basis supporting, encouraging and guiding young people who undertake their Gaisce Award each year. Aine Kerr, Gaisce chairperson; Fiona Coghlan, Irish Rugby International; Teresa Hession, Gaisce PAL with Mercy College Roscommon and Avril Ryan, Gaisce CEO. Teresa received an award for 15 years of active service as a Gaisce Presidents Award Leader (PAL). To mark Gaisces 40th anniversary, a new tiered system of Civic Merit Awards for PALs was unveiled at the event. PALs who have supported young people taking part in the Gaisce programme were presented with the Laoch Award for 5 years' service, the Seaimpin Award for 10 years' service, and the Realta Award for 15 years' service. A total of 111 committed PALs were honoured at the event. Those honoured represent a variety of organisations that work with Gaisce, including post-primary schools, youth organisations, youth diversion services, disability services, youth justice and prison services. CEO of Gaisce Avril Ryan said that the extraordinary Presidents Award Leaders make the Gaisce journey possible for young people, amounting to over half a million in the past 40 years. "Now more than ever, we want young people to continue developing their potential through the Award, to see it as a pathway that grows with them and helps them to embrace opportunities. The Presidents Award Leaders are the bridge to those opportunities for young people, opening the door to whats possible. We thank them for their dedicated service to young people undertaking the Gaisce Award," said the CEO Under the programme, participants will get access to a curated list of the top 100 high-demand careers, structured assessment tools, and a comprehensive guidance framework which is designed to align with emerging national and global career trends. File Photo. Punjab's Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the training will be provided free of cost through online mode. Punjab and IIT Madras Launch Massive Teacher Training Programme for Student Career Guidance Advertisement On December 5, 2025, the Punjab Government joined hands with IIT Madras through its Pravartak unit to launch a state-level career mentorship programme. According to officials, the aim of this programme is to train more than 5,000 schoolteachers as career mentors. Punjabs Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the training will be provided free of cost through online mode. Teachers will receive instructions on topics such as foundational career counselling, classroom-based mentoring skills, and one-on-one guidance to help students make informed choices about their future careers. Under the programme, participants will get access to a curated list of the top 100 high-demand careers, structured assessment tools, and a comprehensive guidance framework which is designed to align with emerging national and global career trends. These are to ensure that students choices are grounded in evidence rather than hearsay. Advertisement According to government sources, this is a one-of-a-kind initiative for any Indian state to have rolled out a state-level system to formally equip schoolteachers as career counsellors. It makes Punjab the pioneer in this domain. Amarpal Singh, Chairperson of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), said the drive is especially aimed at benefiting students in rural and underserved areas, where access to professional counselling services is limited. According to him, once the training is delivered, thousands of teachers will acquire new skills, new confidence and a new ability to shape the futures of lakhs of children. Officials explained that the initiative marks a promise towards enhanced access to quality career guidance in public schools by turning teachers themselves into career mentors who can help children identify their aptitudes, explore modern and in-demand professions, and choose pathways based on evidence and suitability rather than guesswork. Advertisement According to experts, whether the programme will be able to bring a real shift will depend on its implementation, how many teachers complete training, how effectively they counsel students, and how this guidance influences actual student outcomes. Nevertheless, as of now, the announcement is a significant move by a state government to systematise career counselling in schools. Source: Times of India Congress Questions IndiGo's Monopoly; DGCA Failure to Enforce Rules; 600 Flights Cancelled Today: Details The government has put the FDTL regulations in abeyance after the widespread indigo flight disruptions. As flight disruptions continue for the sixth straight day and the country battles the worst aviation meltdown in its history, the Congress party on December 6 posed several critical questions to the BJP-led ruling government, including concerns over the alleged monopoly of IndiGo Airlines. Modi ji promised EASE of air travel through UDAN, but he gave us CEASE of air travel. Over the last few days, India has witnessed the worst aviation meltdown in its history. Thousands of flights have been cancelled with more than 600 cancellations even today leaving countless passengers stranded across the country. This crisis is unprecedented. People are missing crucial moments in their lives, including exams, Congresss MP and former IAS officer, Sasikanth Senthil said. Advertisement Talking about Indigos failure to comply with the government rule and DGCAs failure to enforce the rule, the MP said, This situation has been building for the past year and a half. The Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations issued by the DGCA were first notified in January 2024 (or March 2024). Airlines had more than enough time to adapt to these guidelines, and we believe they are important. But what was the DGCA doing all this time, given that it was responsible for enforcing the rules and ensuring that airlines complied over the last two years? These are its own guidelines, and it knew that a major airlinepractically a monopoly/duopoly in the countrywas not prepared. What was the Ministry doing, fully aware that this crisis was inevitable? It is not as if they were unaware. Yet the entire country was pushed into chaos, and all of this happened at a time when the President of Russia was visiting India. On one hand, they showcase Viksit Bharat; on the other, this is the reality unfolding before the world, Sasikanth Senthil further said. Questioning monopolies, the Congress MP questioned, How did this airline become a monopoly, controlling nearly 6065% of the market? We have repeatedly warned that the current government's policy of encouraging or supporting monopolies is a disaster waiting to happen. Its not just in airlines even in airports, a monopoly is being created in favour of Adani. Our party wants to highlight this steady push by the government to distort the market, undermine market freedom and equity, and promote select players simply because of their proximity to those in power. Take the case of IndiGo, for example. When the electoral bonds data was disclosed, it became clear that the InterGlobe group had purchased around Rs 36 crore worth of electoral bonds. Of this, IndiGos promoter, Rahul Bhatia, reportedly bought Rs 20 crore worth of electoral bonds. It is also clear who encashed those bonds. Advertisement aAAWhy has the BJP government in the last 11 years allowed aviation to shrink into a monopoly and duopoly instead of building a competitive, diverse sector? aAAWhy did the DGCA fail to ensure IndiGo complied with the FDTL rules released in January 2024 and partially implemented pic.twitter.com/vV9MsDG7FU Congress (@INCIndia) December 6, 2025 Advertisement He alleged the government of doing nothing in the worst situation. I dont see any initiative from the government. Nothing substantial is being done, not even in a situation like this. When people are going through a crisis, there is absolutely no response from the government. This is a complete government failure, he alleged. The government has put the FDTL regulations in abeyance after the widespread indigo flight disruptions. Advertisement In short, the following are some of the critical questions put forth by the Congress MP: "Why has the BJP government in the last 11 years allowed aviation to shrink into a monopoly and duopoly instead of building a competitive, diverse sector? Why did the DGCA fail to ensure IndiGo complied with the FDTL rules released in January 2024 and partially implemented from July 2025 and fully on 1 November 2025? Did the government ever issue warnings or compliance notices to IndiGo, or was the airline protected from enforcement altogether? Given the electoral bond disclosures showing massive purchases by InterGlobe group entities and its promoter, is the BJPs financial proximity to IndiGo the real reason behind this extraordinary leniency at the cost of passengers safety? Will the Union Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu take responsibility for this unprecedented crisis or continue hiding behind generic, meaningless statements while passengers remain stranded?" (For more news apart from Congress Questions IndiGos Monopoly; DGCA Failure to Enforce Rules; 600 Flights Cancelled Today: Details," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) The ministry did not disclose the exact limits airlines must adhere to despite issuing the fare-cap order. File Photo. The caps are in force until the full stability of the situation. IndiGo Flight Chaos: Government Imposes Fare Caps Amid Skyrocketing Air Ticket Prices On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) invoked its regulatory powers to impose fair and reasonable fare caps on airlines. It is after a sharp surge in domestic air-ticket prices caused by widespread disruptions due to IndiGo flight cancellations. Advertisement According to the ministry, the caps are for all impacted routes. The objective is to prevent opportunistic pricing and to protect distressed passengers, including senior citizens, students and patients. The caps are in force until the full stability of the situation. IndiGo cancelled at least 1,600 flights nationwide over the past week. This massive disruption is caused by mismanagement in planning the crew roster after stricter duty-time norms came into effect, a spokesperson said. As a consequence of the sudden drop in the availability of seats, airfares across carriers reportedly jumped to unprecedented levels. In many sectors, round-trip economy fares jumped five to tenfold above normal fare prices. On some of the busiest routes, return fares crossed INR 80,000INR 90,000: for example, a DelhiMumbai round-trip went up to INR 93,000, while return tickets for Bengaluru, Kolkata and Chennai were priced at INR 92,000, INR 94,000 and INR 80,000, respectively. Under normal circumstances, return fares on these routes rarely exceed INR 20,000INR 25,000, and even last-minute bookings seldom go beyond INR 30,000. Advertisement The ministry did not disclose the exact limits airlines must adhere to despite issuing the fare-cap order. According to the ministry, it would continue to monitor fare levels using real-time data and coordinate with airlines and online travel platforms; any deviation from the prescribed norms will attract immediate corrective action in the larger public interest. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that this intervention is focused on restoring pricing discipline in the market, mitigating exploitation during the crisis, and ensuring that citizens with urgent travel needs are not subjected to exorbitant costs in this phase of massive disruption. Source: Hindustan Times By Jeffrey Dastin and Krystal Hu Dec 4 (Reuters) - A Google search executive on Thursday pushed back against fears that its AI-powered search will harm web publishers and its advertising business, calling the technology an expansionary moment for the internet. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, Robby Stein, vice president of product for Google Search, addressed concerns that the companys efforts to provide more AI-powered features which deliver direct answers to queries would reduce traffic to external websites. Google sends billions and billions and billions of clicks out every single day, and the outbound clicks are largely stable. So thats actually not changing, Stein said, adding that new ways people are searching, such as using their phone cameras or asking long, complex questions, are creating new opportunities. We think over time thats expansionary. The pie is growing very, very fast. AI TRANSITION LIKENED TO MOBILE MIGRATION Stein also sought to allay investor concerns that a shift to conversational AI could disrupt Googles lucrative advertising model. He compared the current transition to the migration from desktop to mobile, saying advertising will evolve to fit the new format. Ads in an AI chat experience can be incredibly helpful, he said, citing an example of a user with a raccoon problem being offered relevant products. Steins comments came as reports emerged that rival OpenAI had declared a code red to improve ChatGPT amid growing competition from Google. The tech giant Alphabet has appeared to wave off early threats to its core business with more diverse experiences, frontier model launches and viral products such as its photo-generation tool Nano Banana. Shares of Google have risen nearly 67% this year, fueled by growth in its cloud unit. Stein's remarks counter a growing narrative from media organizations that AI will decimate their traffic and revenue, while also reassuring Wall Street that Googles core cash-generating machine is not at risk as it revamps its flagship product. Google cares about the web more than anyone, Stein said, describing AI as a powerful discovery engine that will help users go deeper by linking out to sources. When asked whether Google felt unshackled to innovate following a U.S. antitrust ruling that allows Google to keep its Chrome browser, Stein downplayed the cases impact. The models capability is the thing thats driving the innovation and the excitement, he said. Googles push into generative AI for its search engine, which followed a clumsy start in 2023, has met with alarm from the publishing industry. Several media leaders have warned of a sharp decline in referral traffic, a fear backed by a Pew Research study this year that found AI summaries made people less likely to click on source links. The NCW's involvement started with a visit to the victim's family and a review meeting on December 4 with senior Jalandhar police officials. File Photo. The commission also emphasised the urgency of judicial action. After Jalandhar Minors Killing, NCW Questions Police Response, Issues Notice to DGP On December 6, 2025, the National Commission for Women (NCW) announced that it will issue a suo motu notice to the Punjab Police headed by Gaurav Yadav (Punjab DGP) and will demand an action report within three days for a 13-year-old girl killing case in Jalandhar on November 22. Advertisement The NCW said its intervention was prompted by serious concerns over alleged negligence by police investigation. According to the victims mother and the commissions fact-finding team, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Mangat Ram, reportedly failed to locate the girl despite searching the accuseds residence. The girls body was later discovered in the bathroom of the same house by neighbours; these things raised questions about the adequacy of the initial search. As per police statements, the police have dismissed ASI Mangat Ram for gross negligence. The NCWs statement highlights that no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against him as of now. The commission also emphasised the urgency of judicial action: it has urged a fast-track court handling the matter to conduct daily hearings so that the trial proceeds swiftly and fairly. The NCWs involvement started with a visit to the victims family and a review meeting on December 4 with senior Jalandhar police officials. The commission has also criticised state administrative officials for cancelling a scheduled meeting on womens safety under the pretext of the enforcement of the model code of conduct ahead of Zila Parishad elections, a cancellation that it said undermined efforts to strengthen womens safety protocols in the region. Advertisement The young age of the victim and the nature of the crime, the alleged assault and killing of a minor, have triggered public outrage. The NCWs notice to the DGP signals that beyond this single case, there is concern over systemic lapses in police response to crimes against children and women. The demand for transparent investigation, strict punishment for the accused and accountability within the police force underscores both institutional accountability and the urgent need to restore public faith in the justice system. The gravity of the crime and the institutional accountability issues it raises, and its broader implications for policing and child safety in India, the NCWs notice, and the case itself require serious and sustained coverage. Source: Times of India Local authorities and civil-society agencies are likely to monitor the situation closely in the upcoming days. File Photo. The cold wave has serious implications for daily life. Cold Wave Alert: Punjab and Haryana Experience Sub-Normal Temperatures, Faridkot Coldest According to the India Meteorological Department, with minimum temperatures plunging well below normal levels across many districts in Punjab and Haryana, both states are currently facing a severe cold wave. Faridkot was the coldest spot in Punjab, recording a chilling low of 2.5 degrees (Celsius). Advertisement The weather officials said that in Punjab, several cities shivered through sub-normal nights. Gurdaspur hit 5.0 degrees, Amritsar dropped to 5.6 degrees, Ludhiana saw 7.0 degrees, Patiala 9.0 degrees, Pathankot 5.2 degrees and Bathinda 4.6 degrees. The joint capital Chandigarh too felt the chilling cold, with a temperature of 7.9 degrees, about 2.7 degrees below normal. The chill was equally intense in neighbouring Haryana. Narnaul was the coldest there at 3.8 degrees, roughly four degrees below seasonal normals. Other districts recorded lows of 4.7 degrees in Hisar, 7.5 degrees in Karnal, 6.0 degrees in Bhiwani, 6.4 degrees in Sirsa and 9.8 degrees in Ambala. Advertisement Meteorologists cited that many of these readings one to four degrees below normal mark a sharp, early-season cold wave, especially in plains areas which are unaccustomed to such low overnight temperatures. The cold wave has serious implications for daily life: vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses are likely to suffer; agricultural operations and animal husbandry may be disrupted; and there could be increased demand for heating and shelter support specifically in rural areas. Local authorities and civil-society agencies are likely to monitor the situation closely in the upcoming days. Given the sharp drop in temperature across key Punjab and Haryana districts and the early onset of these sub-zero-adjacent lows, the cold snap merits close follow-up, including possible alerts, advisories and region-wide reporting to alert residents and help plan mitigation. Advertisement Source: The Tribune He stressed the state's connectivity to NCR and major ports, reliable power supply, and well-developed industrial clusters as major advantages. File Photo. Mann further said that the level of interest shown by Japanese firms reflects growing global confidence in Punjab's investment climate. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Pitches Big Investment Opportunities at Osaka Roadshow During his Japan visit, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led a high-profile business roadshow in Osaka. During the show he presented his state as an attractive destination for Japanese and global investors. He led Japanese companies to attend the event and expressed interest in exploring industrial, trade and SME opportunities in Punjab. Advertisement He addressed the gathering and emphasised the strength of Indo-Japan economic ties and highlighted that Punjab is a mixture of strong industrial potential, strategic location, modern infrastructure, and a skilled workforce. He stressed the states connectivity to NCR and major ports, reliable power supply, and well-developed industrial clusters as major advantages. Mann also talked about recent regulatory reforms undertaken by the government, particularly the unified FastTrack Punjab single-window system, which offers over 170 G2B (government-to-business) services, along with auto-deemed approvals and PAN-based business identifiers. Amendments to the states Right to Business Act allow time-bound in-principle approvals which are intended towards streamlining the process for new investors. Mann applauded the progress and said that more than INR 1.4 lakh crore worth of on-the-ground investments have already been facilitated under his governments outreach initiative. He explained that the states 2022 New Industrial Policy, which was developed with input from industry stakeholders, works as a guide for new investment promotion efforts. As part of this, 24 sector-specific committees have been constituted, each led by industry captains, to fine-tune policies for different segments. Advertisement Mann also held meetings with representatives of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OCCI) and companies such as Tokushima Auction Market and Global Venture Co Ltd to explore possibilities for collaborative work in domains such as agriculture modernisation, trade, supply-chain partnerships and SME development. Mann further said that the level of interest shown by Japanese firms reflects growing global confidence in Punjabs investment climate. He reiterated his governments vision to make Punjab a globally preferred destination for industry and promised stable policies, swift decision-making and public-private partnerships. Japanese steelmaker Aichi Steel, which is globally known as the steel arm of Toyota, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ludhiana-based Vardhman Special Steels to expand its operations in Punjab and committed to a potential INR 500 crore investment. The agreement was signed in the presence of CM Mann. Advertisement Mann commented on the MoU and described it as a red-letter day for Punjab. He further added the collaboration could increase industrial growth, especially in auto-grade and speciality steel manufacturing. He extended a formal invitation to Aichi Steels leadership to attend the upcoming Progressive Punjab Investors' Summit, which is scheduled from March 13 to 15, 2026, at the Indian School of Business (Mohali). Manns roadshow appears to have significantly boosted Punjabs investment narrative on the global stage with fresh momentum from Japan and plans to build on recent successes, potentially paving the way for further foreign collaborations and industrial growth. Source: Times of India Advertisement November 30 December 6, 2025 The headline-grabbing events of the past week. The week in review Newsroom, 06.12.2025, 14:00 NATIONAL DAY. December 1, the National Day of Romania, was marked throughout the country with military and religious parades and ceremonies. An impressive celebration took place in Bucharest, where almost 3,000 soldiers and specialists from the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunications Service and the National Penitentiary Administration paraded through the Triumphal Arch Square, with modern technical means. Foreign soldiers from France, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the US, as well as from allied countries contributing to NATO structures on Romanian territory, also marched in the parade. In his message, delivered at the National Day reception, President Nicusor Dan advocated calm and balanced discussions on the problems that society has, in order to reach common points of view on which to build. Leaders from all over the world have sent congratulatory messages to the Romanian people. Romanias National Day has been celebrated every year since 1990 on December 1 the date on which, in 1918, the resolution of the Union of Transylvania, Banat, Crisana and Maramures with Romania was adopted by the Great National Assembly in Alba Iulia. MAGISTRATES PENSIONS. The Romanian government took responsibility in Parliament for the project regarding the special pensions of magistrates. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said that it corrects a social injustice, creates the premises for a sustainable pension system and responds to a commitment made by Romania through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The deadline has passed, and 231 million euros depend on it. The government hopes that, if the normative act enters into force, the European Comission will nevertheless unblock the funds. The project was negatively approved by the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM). The previous draft reform of magistrates pensions was rejected by the Constitutional Court because it did not have the CSMs opinion, which is consultative but mandatory. The document stipulates that magistrates pensions cannot exceed 70% of the last net salary, and the retirement age will gradually increase to 65 years, with a 15-year transition period, calculated from January 1, 2026. Opposition MPs submitted dozens of amendments to this draft, but the executive did not accept any of them. DIPLOMACY. Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan paid an official visit to Austria, at the invitation of Chancellor Christian Stocker. On his way to Vienna, he had a meeting in Budapest on Wednesday with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban. After the meeting, the Romanian official said that it was a pragmatic discussion about consolidating electrical interconnections. On Thursday, Ilie Bolojan was received in Vienna by Chancellor Christian Stocker. The strengthening of bilateral relations, both in political and diplomatic terms and especially in economic terms, were on the agenda of the discussions. The Chancellor said that Austria supports Romanias accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Regarding the war in Ukraine, he said that Romania and Austria want a peace based on the rights of peoples and that the EU and Ukraine should be at the negotiating table. A long-term peace cannot be thought of without Ukraine and the EU countries agreeing to the solutions that are proposed, said, in turn, Ilie Bolojan. Regarding migration, Christian Stocker thanked the Prime Minister for Romanias contribution to border protection and combating illegal migration. Austria is one of Romanias most important economic partners. The value of Romanian-Austrian trade in goods exceeded 5.3 billion euros last year. UKRAINE. More than two-thirds of NATO member states have pledged to provide weapons to Ukraine through the so-called priority list of requirements, which has so far received commitments worth 4 billion euros, the Alliances Secretary General, Mark Rutte, announced at the Brussels meeting of allied foreign ministers. The conclusion with which the North Atlantic Council ended, was that NATO will continue to support Ukraine militarily in the context in which there is no certainty about peace. Present at the meeting, Oana Toiu, the Romanian Foreign Minister, also had separate meetings with her counterparts from the Black Sea, Turkey and Bulgaria. She said that financing for Ukraine must be continued, so that the country is not forced into a premature agreement. As for financial support for Ukraine, the European Commission presented the details of the loan for it, based on the seized liquidities of Russia. The plan will be put on the table of European leaders in two weeks, but Belgium, which is opposed, must be convinced. Most of the money is in Belgium about 194 billion euros in June and outside the EU, in Japan about 50 billion dollars but also in the US, the UK and Canada, where smaller amounts are found. GAUDEAMUS. The 32nd edition of the Gaudeamus Book Fair, organized by Radio Romania, is taking place in Bucharest these days. Until Sunday, over 180 participants are exhibiting, offering readers more than 600 editorial events. Book launches and presentations, editorial projects, debates, meetings with writers and autograph sessions are taking place. Among those present are all the prestigious publishing houses in the country, Romanian and foreign book distribution agencies, university publishing houses and higher education institutions or music distributors. The honorary president of this years edition is the journalist, writer and foreign policy analyst Sabina Fati. (EE) CORRALES A run-down park in the village is getting help from a grant, but its forcing Corrales to work fast. Salce Park has been on the back burner for some time, but a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund is propelling the rejuvenation project forward. However, Deputy Fire Chief Tanya Lattin says the grant requires the village to specify exactly what it wants out of the park. The Salce Park Supporters Team, a group made up of supporters and descendants of the family that developed the Sagebrush Subdevision and by extent Salce Park, presented the results of a survey Dec. 4 that narrows down the top wants and needs from the parks facelift. We need a really firm idea of what people want in this park with this grant, and were on a big timeline now. Actually, I need to get this done in two weeks, Lattin said. She explained that 50% of the projects construction needs to be complete while it is in design. She said the plan is to put up a non-industrial fence that will fit with the look of the neighborhood. Then we can go out and get a full design by a landscape architect to do the drainage plan, the planting plan, (etc.), she said. The project is fully funded through federal law via the National Parks, so there is no chance the grant will lose funding, according to Lattin. That would take an act of Congress, she said. If the village is able to complete the grant, it benefits them on the next grant, she added. They want to see the park, and the state has said theyre going to keep funding it, she said. But before any of that can happen, Lattin said, the village needs to be specific about what they want in the park. She said they need public input for the project, which will serve all of Corrales. Ad Thats where the survey came into play. The survey, which ran from Oct. 24 to Nov. 14, received 170 responses, according to the presentation, and the results were telling. The community desires Salce Park to be a peaceful, low-maintenance and nature-oriented neighborhood space that provides shade, walking paths, gathering spots, and opportunities for quiet enjoyment and connection, the survey synopsis states. Residents overwhelmingly wish for a park that balances the needs of families with children, older adults and dog owners without fundamentally changing the character of the quiet surrounding neighborhood. Some of the top concerns and requests asked to keep the park as a quiet oasis friendly to the makeup of Corrales. There were also requests to keep the park animal friendly. A few community members and councilors attending the meeting had questions and suggestions after the presentation. However, one speaker was interrupted by a hacker on Zoom displaying explicit content. The meeting resumed as soon as Lattin could get the video off of Zoom. Both the dog park and the childrens play structure were a request. Lattin said some of it depends on the new village administration taking over Jan. 1. She said the village is also looking to clean out the pond in Salce Park and model it after similar parks like Mariposa Basin Park, which helps mitigate flooding there. The pond, according to several participants, has never been filled. One Zoom attendee asked about the parks gate being locked if water is in the pond. Lattin said she would look into it. State Rep. Kathleen Cates, who attended by Zoom, asked if there were any plans to include astronomy in the park, such as adding telescopes. She also sent a link to another possible grant should the project become shovel ready. Lattin liked the idea of adding fixed telescopes to the park and inviting residents to bring their own. Another resident suggested involving the local children in the project in some way. Lattin said they could do ceramic tiles like they did in the council chambers. Councilor Bill Woldman, who attended in person, also reminded the group that the project has potential to include work from local volunteers and various committees as well. This was a community-driven project to begin with with the petition that went out and the team that came together to put this together. All the work that went into getting the surveys done, its all been a community effort, Lattin said at the end. We want to make sure that everyone can enjoy this park, that it is the quiet park that we want, that we follow the Dark Skies (lighting ordinance) because I think itd be great to go out there and sit at a picnic table as sunset ends. The Salce Park Supporters Team sent out one last vote for the community. It ends Dec. 7, and all results they have collected from surveys, votes and meetings will be presented to the council Dec. 16. The presentation was put together by Pamina Deutsch, Bill Perkins, Liz Staley, Joe Tighe and Tara Trafton. Download PDF file Work on the project is slated to begin in fall 2026, Lattin said. Editors note: This is the second part in a series on the separation of dispatch resources between the city of Rio Rancho and Sandoval County. Its been a war of words between local governments over an important community issue: dispatch. Sandoval County administration announced in October that the new Public Safety Emergency Communications Center of Sandoval County was taking all 911 calls. Prior to that, the city of Rio Rancho was taking those calls despite the county stating it was ready July 1. The delay prompted an argument between the two government agencies and also begged an investigation into the separation of dispatch operations. Interviews with city and county officials highlighted each entitys point of view when it came to the delay in services. 911 Rerouted County Manager Wayne Johnson and Deputy County Manager Eric Masterson shared their thoughts on the delay in two interviews Sept. 16 and 24. Deputy City Manager Peter Wells along with dispatch manager Jolene Madrid and Deputy Chief Gabriel Salgado talked about the city perspective Sept. 24. I think its a reflection of everything thats gone on for the last four or five years to be honest with you. Frankly, were here where we are today because of the actions or inactions of Rio Rancho, Johnson said of the ongoing argument. If they had been willing to follow their agreements (in the previous joint powers agreement), if they would have been willing to mediate and if they hadnt withdrawn from the (Sandoval County Regional Emergency Communications Center), then we wouldnt be sitting here talking about dispatch. Sandoval County supports all law enforcement and will not let an administrative dispute result in officer safety concerns for any jurisdiction, Masterson said. For Wells, it was inexcusable that the county did not have an operational 911 center on July 1, 2025, as promised and as publicly released. He said the county had an obligation to uphold and wasnt transparent with the true issues dispatch was encountering. The county cited vendor issues as the cause of the delay in full 911 services at the new dispatch center. Ad Johnson explained that the finish date for Lumen Technologies to complete their end of the agreement kept moving. He didnt share any dates at the time because of the projects unspecific nature. Were operating, were dispatching all of the various units and were working through the discomfort thats going on. Im really sorry that its an inconvenience for Rio Rancho to transfer these calls over to us, but were talking about two to three an hour that are being transferred. We dont believe that, despite their reluctance, that its an undue burden on their center, particularly because of the fact that theyre the reason were here, Johnson said. Despite the project being fraught with trouble, as he put it, he said the county has kept the best interest of the community at heart. Is it optimum? No. Is it what we wanted? No. Is it what we were promised by our vendors? No. We were supposed to be live on July 1. Obviously it didnt happen. But were doing our absolute best to make sure that when people call 911, they get the service that they need in their time of need, and that has always been the case, he said. Wells argument was that the county had 19 months, since the city exited the previous joint powers agreement, to get the center online. Jolenes staff have had to pick up this burden, and it is a burden to our center, Wells said. Wells stated that from July 1 to the interview date, the city had transferred approximately 4,000 calls that would have been the countys responsibility. After some light math, that totals to about three to four calls per hour. Madrid went into more detail about the burden on her and her staff. She added that they were taking anywhere from 40-90 calls a day for the county but in addition to that, they were having to stay on the phone with some of the callers. My staff are having to stay on the phone with that caller for almost up to an hour just because of the rural areas (while they wait for response), she said. She added that high-priority calls require them to stay on the line as well, explaining that it is not ideal to transfer someone in more serious situations. If Rio Rancho cant take the calls, Madrid said, the calls are routed to Santa Fe, which is the citys back up operator. She said the burden is then shifted to them. The countys current backup is Bernalillo County. Staff and NCIC Madrid explained the added strain on her staff hasnt just come from additional calls. Ive talked directly to my staff. Theyve been pretty frustrated. Initially, we had a staff between six to eight a day. We dropped that staffing with the anticipation of the cut over with Sandoval County being live on July 1, so since then, weve had to increase the overtime to accommodate for the calls that were taking, she said. One issue Madrid brought up was their National Crime Information Center capabilities, which allows the FBI to monitor warrants and protection orders in a database. She said Rio Rancho dispatch was handling all of the countys NCIC entries. When their staff went live on July 1, none of the staff had been trained or certified in NCIC, she said. Where the burden came into play with NCIC, according to Madrid, was when the dispatchers were having to take down information when officers wanted to check information during a traffic stop or otherwise. If there was an arrest made, we had to process the entire arrest. When it comes to missing persons, same thing because the county wasnt capable of handling without the NCIC traffic, she said. Wells said NCIC was another obligation the county failed to uphold. On top of that, Wells alleged the county was not entering warrants and restraining orders in a timely manner. He did say there was some compensation by the county during that time but insisted it was minimal and that the county hadnt held up their end of the agreement. The county said they are fully trained and staffed to handle everything that comes with the NCIC database. Masterson addressed the accusation that the county wasnt following the recommended timeline for NCIC data entry. When the state authorized the (Public Safety Emergency Communications Center) of Sandoval County to begin entering data into NCIC, our operators followed the approved PSECC policy, which is in line and compliant with the FBI NCIC manual, and they were entering data within the required 72 hours, he said. Rio Rancho may have a different policy and timeframe to enter data, but that would be an internal policy and not a requirement. The PSECC of Sandoval County understands the importance of entering NCIC information as it is critical to officer safety. Our operators work hard to ensure this information is entered in a timely manner so that the appropriate information can be relayed to law enforcement when it is requested. According to Masterson, the city had been using the countys NCIC Originating Agency Number as well. When this was discovered, Rio Rancho had to work with the state to obtain its own number. However, in the interim, the county continued to allow the city to use the county number at no cost to the city. The PSECC of Sandoval County and the Sandoval County administration recognized the importance of NCIC information regarding officer safety and agreed to allow the city to utilize the ORI to enter pertinent information, he said. Lastly, Masterson stated the city was compensated to staff an extra 24/7 dispatch position. $1,000 per day was the number proposed by the city. They staffed one extra dispatcher 24/7 and determined that the overtime cost for one person, over 24 hours, was $1,000, he said. The county stated they paid that amount for 34 days, totaling $34,000. The Freedom Champion Award, given to New Mexico Sen. Jay Block, R-Rio Rancho, during the New Mexico Family Action Movement Legacy Dinner Dec. 3. Courtesy of Jay Block New Mexico Sen. Jay Block, R-Rio Rancho, speaks at the New Mexico Family Action Movement Legacy Dinner Dec. 3, where he won the Freedom Champion Award. Courtesy of Jay Block Jay Block ALBUQUERQUE A New Mexico senator who represents Rio Rancho won an award last week from a statewide nonprofit for his legislative work on parental rights. In a Facebook post Thursday, Sen. Jay Block, a Republican, said he was the recipient of the Freedom Champion Award from New Mexico Family Action Movement during the organizations Legacy Dinner Dec. 3. Thank you NMFAM for this incredible honor. I am very grateful and I will never stop fighting against parental rights, Block wrote. New Mexico Reps. Rebecca Dow, Jenifer Jones, and Rod Montoya, and Sen. David Gallegos also received the award, according to a news release. The award is NM FAMs highest recognition for public officials ... who have gone above and beyond to defend faith, protect families, and stand for freedom not simply through their votes, but through the way they lead, the release stated. Its consistent revenue and earnings growth reflect a durable competitive position across networking, wireless technologies, and specialized chip design. Today, Broadcom stands among the worlds most valuable and influential technology companies, recognized for its pivotal role in enabling modern connectivity and driving innovation across the digital infrastructure landscape. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Broadcom has evolved into a global technology leader with a market capitalization of approximately $1.8 trillion. The companys portfolio spans advanced semiconductors and enterprise software, forming a critical foundation for cloud computing, high-performance data centers, mobile devices, and industrial automation. Plus, Gemini 3 was trained entirely on Broadcom-linked TPUs, and the jump in Broadcoms shares lately makes perfect sense. As Gemini 3 asserts its dominance, Broadcoms role expands. With AVGO stock already soaring and analysts growing increasingly bullish, Broadcom is riding Googles momentum and gearing up for an even bigger breakout ahead. Lets take a closer look. But behind Googles soaring AI story, the semiconductor and software powerhouse Broadcom (AVGO) is the quiet winner stepping into the spotlight. Investors have been connecting the dots fast, realizing that the semiconductor giant has been Googles behind-the-scenes partner for years, building the tensor processing units (TPUs) that power Googles biggest AI leaps. With Googles latest deal with Anthropic and rising TPU demand, analysts are already naming Broadcom a top pick, even over Nvidia (NVDA). Google, the crown jewel of Alphabet (GOOGL), is riding the artificial intelligence (AI) wave higher with a kind of momentum that feels almost effortless. On Nov. 18, it unveiled Gemini 3, its most advanced family of LLMs yet, earning an early verdict of clear and overwhelming dominance. Gemini 3 Pro shot straight to the top of LMArenas leaderboard by Nov. 25 and sits firmly at No. 1 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index with a score of 73, earning praise from evaluators as the best LLM. Story Continues AVGO shares have been advancing with remarkable force, firmly establishing the stock as one of Wall Streets standout performers. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has rocketed 126%, leaving the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 13% climb and the Semiconductor iShares ETFs (SOXX) 41% uptick far behind. The backdrop is a roaring demand environment, and Broadcom is sprinting ahead of the pack. In just the past three months, the stock has ripped 15%, touching a fresh high of $403 recently. Momentum really kicked in after third-quarter earnings in September revealed a massive $10 billion custom-chip order, instantly lighting up trader enthusiasm. The sparks kept flying on Nov. 24, when shares jumped 11% after reports confirmed Alphabets heavy reliance on Broadcom-designed TPUs to power its Gemini 3 model a narrative investors loved. Layer on upbeat analyst calls and swelling expectations for AI-driven growth, and the sentiment around Broadcom has only grown stronger. Technically, the 14-day RSI hovers around 59.7, retreating from overbought levels, signaling the stock has room to run before hitting resistance. The MACD line is turning upward, crossing above its blue signal line, suggesting bullish momentum is building. Together, these indicators point to a potential continuation of the recent uptrend, with momentum steadily picking up after short-term consolidation. www.barchart.com After a powerhouse rally, AVGOs valuation sits firmly in the premium lane. The stock trades at 49 times forward adjusted earnings and nearly 31 times forward sales levels far above sector averages. Yet investors are not blinking. That's a sign of strong belief in Broadcoms ability to keep growing and defending margins. Such elevated multiples often signal a business built for durability, not just short-term momentum. And even with all that growth, Broadcom still takes care of its shareholders. The company offers a forward dividend of $2.36 per share, yielding 0.62%, backed by years of hikes. The latest $0.59 per-share dividend was paid on Sept. 30. While Broadcom is pushing hard on expansion, it is also keeping its promise of steady returns and long-term stability. Broadcom Tops Q3 Earnings Estimates Broadcoms stellar Q3 2025 earnings, released on Sept. 4, got Wall Street talking. The market reaction was immediate, as AVGO stock jumped 9.4% the next day and added another 3.2% after that. Revenue climbed 22% year-over-year (YOY) to $16 billion, topping expectations as the companys two big engines AI chips and VMware software kept pushing growth higher. The quarter also showed just how central Broadcom has become in the AI hardware race. Demand for its XPUs the advanced custom chips built for heavy AI workloads kept accelerating. AI revenue surged 63% annually to $5.2 billion, now making up a full third of the companys sales. Management doesnt see this slowing anytime soon. XPUs alone accounted for 65% of Broadcoms AI revenue, and the companys total backlog swelled to $110 billion. On top of that, Broadcom has already locked in more than $10 billion in AI rack orders tied to XPU demand. Networking standouts like Tomahawk 5/6 and Jericho4 added even more lift. Big names like Alphabet, Meta Platforms (META), Nvidia, Dell (DELL), and others continued leaning on Broadcoms tech, giving the company steady momentum. Profitability kept the same strong rhythm. Adjusted EBITDA jumped 30% YOY to $10.7 billion, hitting 67% of revenue. Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.69, and free cash flow surged 47% annually to $7 billion. With $9.47 billion in liquidity, Broadcom is in a comfortable spot. And it did not forget its shareholders the company paid $2.8 billion in dividends during the quarter, showing it can grow fast while still returning plenty of cash to investors. Broadcom is gearing up to report its fiscal Q4 results on Dec. 11, after the market closes, and expectations are running high. Management is calling for $17.4 billion in revenue, with adjusted EBITDA holding strong at 67% of sales. AI chip demand keeps rolling, too, and Broadcom expects AI semiconductor sales to hit $6.2 billion in Q4, marking the companys 11th-straight quarter of AI growth. Analysts are feeling upbeat as well. They are looking for Q4 EPS of about $1.49, up 19.2% YOY, and revenue of around $17.5 billion. For fiscal 2025, Wall Street sees EPS jumping 46% to $5.42, with another 42% surge to $7.68 in 2026. With AI chips flying off the shelves and VMwares software engine adding steady fuel, Broadcom keeps stacking wins. The Hidden Boost Broadcom Gets From Gemini 3 Googles Gemini 3 is not just a headline-maker, but a direct revenue pipeline for Broadcom. Beyond the TPU partnership, every AI upgrade, every new model Google rolls out, pushes demand for more of Broadcoms specialized chips. It's like a recurring engine as AI workloads scale, TPUs also need to scale, and Broadcom is in the drivers seat. The Anthropic deal adds another layer, signaling that Googles AI ecosystem is expanding, which could translate into multi-year TPU contracts and higher margins for Broadcom. Analysts are eyeing this closely, noting that Broadcoms chips, while competitive, are becoming indispensable in a space that was until now dominated by Nvidia. Combining that with Broadcoms strong balance sheet and existing enterprise reach, the company is more than just a component supplier. It is positioning itself as a cornerstone of AI infrastructure. Every Gemini 3 update reinforces this, giving Broadcom a long runway of growth thats hard to ignore. What Do Analysts Expect for Broadcom Stock? Analysts believe Broadcom has been the quiet builder behind the AI boom, making custom AI accelerators XPUs for giants like Google and OpenAI, which now drive most of its AI sales. With AVGO stock up 65% year-to-date (YTD) and nearing a $2 trillion value, the pressure is rising, too. Goldman Sachs analyst James Schneider recently hiked his price target from $380 to $435, praising Broadcom as the ultimate arms dealer of the AI boom. Still, he stresses that expectations for Q4 are sky-high investors want a beat, a raise, and a 2026 guide that surpasses $11 billion in AI revenue. In his view, when a stock runs this hot, even strong numbers can underwhelm. Yet Schneider remains bullish, pointing to three investor flashpoints Broadcoms 2026 AI revenue outlook, the contributions from Google and OpenAI, and whether its soaring margins can hold as XPUs scale. With Googles Gemini 3, trained entirely on Broadcom-linked TPUs, setting new performance bars, expectations have only intensified. And while the stock now trades at a premium, the analyst still frames Broadcom not as hype but as the hardware backbone on which the entire AI ecosystem depends. AVGO stock carries a solid "Strong Buy consensus rating, and analysts keep backing it. Of the 40 analysts tracking the stock, 34 have a Strong Buy, three advise a Moderate Buy, and three sit on the sidelines with a Hold rating. AVGOs massive run has already carried it close to the Streets average target of $410.78. That has some investors questioning how much near-term upside is left. Still, the most bullish target on Wall Street of $535 points to a possible 40% climb. That basically shows how much confidence there is in Broadcoms growing role in the AI chip world and the steady demand for its custom silicon. www.barchart.com On the date of publication, Sristi Suman Jayaswal 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 HSBC is set to occupy more than 40,000 sq ft of space in Capitol Centre in Causeway Bay, as Hong Kong's largest bank joins a growing list of finance and banking firms snapping up commercial space in the city. The London-headquartered lender signed a five-year lease, which starts May 18, 2026, for five levels - ground plus four floors of the building, according to Land Registry records. The deal was registered in late November. The records did not show the size or rent for the leased space, but agents said the five floors would have a total area of 42,000 sq ft. 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. HSBC has the option to renew the lease for another five years, under the terms of the deal. Capitol Centre is located on one of the busiest streets in the Causeway Bay shopping district. Photo: Google Maps alt=Capitol Centre is located on one of the busiest streets in the Causeway Bay shopping district. Photo: Google Maps> HSBC declined to comment on the planned use of the space. Current tenant Chanel's three-year lease expires on May 15 next year, according to the Land Registry. The French fashion house had leased a portion of the ground and first floors, including a part of the building's facade. The company had the option to extend the three-year lease twice once the original contract expired. HSBC will be the first non-fashion, long-term tenant of the prime retail space in one of the busiest lanes in the shopping district since 2008, when Giordano leased the basement and five levels for HK$5.06 million (US$650,000) a month. In 2010, US-based apparel retailer Forever 21 took up the same space, which was then reported to measure 51,000 sq ft, for its flagship Hong Kong store. In 2018, Victoria's Secret replaced Forever 21. The US lingerie retailer paid an estimated HK$7 million a month for ground plus four floors, according to the Post. Two years later, Victoria's Secret closed the outlet following the twin blows of unprecedented social unrest and the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, Dairy Farm leased the basement at Capitol Centre. Dairy Farm, now known as DFI Retail Group, is the operator of Wellcome and Marketplace supermarket chains. Banking and finance firms have been expanding in Hong Kong in recent months, led by the likes of Jane Street. The US quant trading firm has agreed to pay HK$30.6 million a month for 223,437 sq ft of office space in Henderson Land's Central Yards. The nine-storey building is part of the developer's prized mixed-use New Central Harbourfront, with the first phase due to open in 2027. We came across a bullish thesis on IonQ, Inc. on X.com by ShawnKwon11. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on IONQ. IonQ, Inc.'s share was trading at $47.12 as of December 1st. IonQ (IONQ) Slashes 9% as Govt Denies Talks with Quantum Firms Photo by Anton Maksimov juvnsky on Unsplash The quantum computing sector has gained significant policy momentum as former President Trump prepares an executive order to accelerate post-quantum cryptography (PQC) adoption, shortening the timeline from ten to five years. While the FY2026 U.S. R&D budget cuts deeply into civilian science programssuch as a 40% reduction to NIH, cancellation of NASA missions, and cuts to DOE renewable initiativesdefense R&D spending is rising sharply. Within this shift, quantum funding has been protected and even expanded, with DARPA allocating $250 million for quantum benchmarking and the NSF directing $230 million toward quantum information science. Looking ahead, FY2027 R&D priorities rank AI first and quantum second, followed by semiconductors, next-generation computing, and nuclear technologies, with the Golden Dome missile defense initiative explicitly funded. PQC and quantum cybersecurity are central to these plans. IonQs position aligns closely with these national priorities. Already a trusted U.S. government partner, its capabilities in quantum networking, sensing, and space-based systems directly support the Golden Dome defense framework. Recent acquisitions of Vector Atomic and Capella Space further reinforce IonQs strategic role. Internationally, meetings between IonQ executives and Italian officials regarding quantum sovereignty underscore its growing stature as a Palantir of quantum for allied nations. For investors, the takeaway is clear: quantum technology has moved beyond speculative hype to become a pillar of U.S. and allied strategic infrastructure. IonQ stands to benefit from both sustained government R&D funding and potential direct system sales, offering substantial long-term upside. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on IonQ, Inc. (IONQ) by Maestroszq in October 2024, which highlighted its rapid revenue growth, patent strength, and commercialization of quantum hardware. The companys stock price has appreciated approximately by 334.68% since our coverage. This is because the based on quantum commercialization thesis played out successfully. ShawnKwon11 shares a similar view but emphasizes U.S. policy-driven quantum adoption. IonQ, Inc. is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 30 hedge fund portfolios held IONQ at the end of the second quarter which was 28 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of IONQ 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. Equity view Consumer goods giant Unilever announced on Friday that the demerger of its ice cream business, now named The Magnum Ice Cream Company, will complete on 6 December. Unilever said Magnum Ice Cream Company shares were expected to commence trading on Euronext Amsterdam, the London Stock Exchange, and the New York Stock Exchange on 8 December. Safety equipment and technology group Halma has announced the 230m acquisition of E2S Group, a London-based manufacturer of industrial hazard detection devices. E2S, which has operations in the UK, US and France, makes notification, initiation and detection devices mainly used in highly hazardous environments in heavy industries and complex manufacturing. It is estimated to generate revenues of 44m in 2025. Tech group 1Spatial has won a 4.2m contract by Ordnance Survey to support a government initiative to build a digital map of underground pipes and cables. The contract, which incorporates licence revenues of 1.5m, is for two years initially with the option to extend for a further three. Self-service vending machines group ME Group has officially terminated its offer period, after having not received an adequate approach from a third party. The company entered an offer period in June after saying it was evaluating strategic options to enhance shareholder value. Telecommunications giant Vodafone said on Thursday that its African subsidiary, Vodacom, has agreed to acquire an effective 20% stake in Safaricom, Kenya's leading telecoms operator. Vodacom will acquire 15% from the Government of Kenya for 1.36bn in cash, and 5% from Vodafone for 450m in cash. AJ Bell announced a share buyback of up to 50m on Thursday as it hailed a record full-year performance, with "excellent" growth in customer numbers. In the year to the end of September, revenue rose 18% to 317.8m, with pre-tax profit 22% higher at 137.8m. Watches of Switzerland reiterated its full-year guidance on Thursday after a "strong" first half, with revenue and profit higher thanks to "robust" growth in the US. In the 26 weeks to 26 October, group revenue rose 10% at constant currency from the same period a year earlier to 845m, with adjusted earnings before interest and tax 6% higher at 69m and statutory pre-tax profit up 50% to 61m. Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty said on Thursday that it was on track to meet full-year expectations as it pointed to strong cash and order book growth. In an update for the period to 4 December, the company said the order book is expected to grow 20% in 2025 from the previous years 18.4bn, driven largely by UK Construction, where the ongoing momentum in the energy market has contributed to over 3.5bn of new power generation orders in the year. Private hospitals operator Spire Healthcare pointed to a slowdown in NHS commissioning on Wednesday as it warned full-year earnings would come in at the bottom end of guidance. Spire said revenues grew 3.6% year-on-year in the four months ended 31 October, as self-pay demand continued to improve. However, Spire cautioned that reduced NHS activity, linked to Integrated Care Board budget restrictions, would weigh on performance. UK engineer Senior said it had won a multi-year contract by Airbus to design and make parts to transport fluids on dual and single aisle commercial aircraft. The company on Wednesday added that the deal provided significant further potential in the spares and repairs markets. Delivery will start in the first quarter of 2026. HSBC Holdings said on Wednesday that it has named former KPMG partner Brendan Nelson as group chair following a protracted search. Nelson, 76, has served as interim chair since 1 October. He first joined the board in September 2023. Price comparison website operator Moneysupermarket highlighted strong secondhalf momentum on Wednesday, with growth in its money and energy divisions offsetting insurance headwinds. Moneysupermarket said revenues and adjusted underlying earnings continued to rise in the five months ended 30 November, underpinned by improved borrowing trends and robust credit card availability. Budget airline Wizz Air carried 5.25 million passengers in November, an 8.6% increase year-on-year, with seat capacity rising 9.5% to 5.79 million. Load factor the number of available seats sold - remained robust at 90.7%, indicating sustained demand and efficient capacity utilisation amid network expansion. Property investment and development firm Segro has inked a pre-let development agreement with "a major international retailer" for an 86,000 square metre distribution centre in Germany's Rhine-Ruhr region. The FTSE 100-listed firm stated the warehouse will be built to "the highest of sustainability standards", offering the occupier "the most modern, energy efficient space" for their operations. Construction firm Kier Group revealed on Tuesday that chief financial officer Simon Kesterton will be stepping down from the board on 31 December, after six years in the role. The FTSE 250-listed firm said Tom Hinton, who currently serves as Wincanton's interim chief executive, will be appointed to succeed Kesterton as CFO on 1 January. Polymers group Victrex has launched a profit improvement plan targeting 10m of savings, after underlying earnings dropped 21% over the 12 months to 30 September. Underlying pre-tax profit totalled 46.4m, down from 59.1m the year before, due to currency movements, the cost of setting up a new plant in China and an adverse sales mix. Precision engineering group Hunting's Hunting Energy Services Production Technology subsidiary has won its first sampling and testing contract in Brazil. Hunting said the deal marks a strategic breakthrough into South America for its Oil Optimisation and Recovery technology, and was the first new territory entered since buying the business in March 2025. The chief financial officer of Melrose Industries is to step down, the blue chip aerospace firm announced on Monday. Matthew Gregory, 56, has informed the board that he plans to retire in 2026, two years after taking up the role. JPMorgan European Discovery Trust outperformed the wider market over the six months to 30 September, as the investment trust expressed confidence about the prospects for small and mid-caps across the continent. The company, which says it is focused on "young, dynamic businesses at the heart of global innovation", reported a total return on net asset value per share of 20.7% during the period, compared with the MSCI Europe (ex UK) Small Cap Index which rose 15.4%, marking an outperformance of 5.3 percentage points. Specialist investor Target Healthcare REIT said on Monday it had acquired three operational care homes in Central Scotland and contracted on a forward commitment to purchase a fourth, in deals worth 45m. Target Healthcare said the investment reflected a blended net initial yield of more than 6%, reinvested over half of the proceeds from its recent disposals, and would be immediately earnings accretive. Economic news UK house price growth stalled in November in the run-up to the Budget, according to figures released by Halifax on Friday. House prices were flat on the month, having risen 0.5% in October. On the year, meanwhile, growth slowed to 0.7% last month from 1.9% in October. This was the weakest rate of growth since March 2024. UK retail footfall fell again in November, dented by bad weather and uncertainty ahead of the Budget, according to figures released on Friday by the British Retail Consortium. The BRC-Sensormatic footfall monitor showed that total footfall fell 0.8% following a 0.7% decline in October. High street footfall was down 1.2% in November, having risen 0.6% the month before. The UK automotive market weakened in November as new car and van registrations declined, with the industry warning that upcoming tax changes risked undermining already fragile demand for electric vehicles. New car registrations fell 1.6% to 151,154 units, marking the sectors sixth monthly drop this year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The UK construction sector suffered its worst downturn in November for five and a half years in the run-up to the Budget, according to a survey released on Thursday. The S&P Global construction purchasing managers index slid to 39.4 from 44.1 in October. This marked the lowest level since May 2020 and was again below the 50.0 level that separates contraction from expansion. The Financial Conduct Authority will lift its freeze on handling motor finance complaints on 31 May next year, ending a pause that began nearly two years ago while regulators assessed industry commission disclosure practices. The move brings forward the original proposed end date of 31 July 2026 and followed legal clarity from both the Supreme Court and the High Court on how lenders should process large volumes of cases. Growth in the UK services sector slowed in November amid weakening conditions and fragile client confidence, according to a survey released on Wednesday. The S&P Global services PMI business activity index fell to 51.3 from 52.3 in October. Still, this was above the 50.0 mark that separates contraction from expansion and higher than the flash estimate of 50.5. Economic growth is set to slow in the UK next year, an influential think tank forecast on Tuesday, weighed down by the impact of tax rises on consumption. According to the latest global economic outlook from the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the UK economy will grow by 1.2% in 2026, down from its forecast 1.4% this year. British consumer confidence softened in November, a survey showed on Tuesday, as concerns about job security and Budget jitters weighed heavily. The latest consumer confidence index from YouGov and the Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr) came in 108.0, a 1.2 point decline on the previous month. The Bank of England flagged increased risks to the UKs financial system on Tuesday, including sky-high valuations of tech companies, while also trimming the amount of capital banks need to hold in reserve. Publishing its half-yearly Financial Stability Report, the central banks Financial Policy Committee confirmed: "Risks to financial stability have increased during 2025. The head of Britain's independent economic forecaster has quit after an emergency inquiry into the early release of last week's Budget statement, which also revealed that a similar security breach had occurred earlier this year. Richard Hughes, chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), resigned on Monday afternoon. He had commissioned former National Cyber Security Centre boss Ciaran Martin to help with a swift investigation into the embarrassing incident. International events The European Commission said on Friday that it has fined Elon Musks X 120m for breaching EU digital laws. The Commission opened formal proceedings in December 2023 to assess whether X - formerly Twitter - may have breached the Digital Services Act (DSA). Cloudflare suffered a significant outage on Friday that disrupted access to a wide range of major websites and services, marking its second major incident in less than a month. Platforms including LinkedIn, Zoom, Canva, Shopify, Coinbase, and gaming services such as Fortnite were briefly rendered inaccessible. The eurozone economy expanded slightly more than originally estimated in the third quarter of 2025, according to revised figures from Eurostat on Friday, as growth picked up from its lowest rate in one and a half years. Gross domestic product across the single-currency region rose by 0.3% in the July to September period, ahead of earlier projections of 0.2%. The monthly increase in factory orders across Germany slowed in October, according to the Federal Statistical Office on Friday, but still came in higher than analysts had expected. Factory orders rose 1.5% in October, following a revised 2.0% increase in September, Destatis reported, marking the second month of growth after four straight declines. Meta Platforms Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly set to meaningfully cut resources for building the so-called metaverse, an effort that he once framed as the future of the company and the reason for changing its name from Facebook. According to Bloomberg, which cited people familiar with the talks, executives are considering potential budget cuts as high as 30% for the metaverse group next year. This includes the virtual worlds product Meta Horizon Worlds and its Quest virtual reality unit. Amazon is considering a major overhaul of its US delivery operations that could end its longstanding partnership with the US Postal Service and shift billions of parcels into its own expanding logistics network. The move was revealed in a report from the Washington Post, which is owned by Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos. It followed the collapse of negotiations over a new service agreement, raising the prospect of Amazon withdrawing from Americas federal postal system when its current contract expires in October 2026. Shares in Dollar General were set to rise strongly when US markets opened on Thursday after the American discount retailer raised its full-year outlook on the back of a strong third-quarter sales performance. The company, which operates from nearly 21,000 locations nationwide, said it now expects net sales for the fiscal year ending 30 January 2026 to rise by 4.7% to 4.9%, ahead of previous guidance of 4.3-4.8% growth, while the same-store sales growth forecast has been lifted to 2.5-2.7% from 2.1-2.6%. Americans lined up for unemployment benefits at a decelerated clip in the week ended 29 November, according to the Department of Labor, marking a fourth consecutive weekly drop. Initial jobless claims dropped by by 27,000 to 191,000, well below market expectations of 220,000 and the lowest print in three years. Shares in Dutch healthtech giant Philips dropped sharply in Amsterdam on Thursday as comments from its chief executive about the 2026 outlook underwhelmed investors. At the company's Global Healthcare Conference, which coincided with the release of its third-quarter results, Roy Jakobs said that organic sales growth likely won't double from the 2% rate estimated for 2025, missing the current 4.5% outcome expected by analysts for 2026. The European Commission launched an antitrust investigation into Meta over concerns that new business terms governing artificial intelligence providers access to WhatsApp could stifle competition, according to a report in the Financial Times. The probe reportedly centres on whether the US companys updated conditions prevented rival AI developers from offering their services on the messaging platform. The news network CNBC has signed a multi-year exclusive partnership with prediction market platform Kalshi to integrate event-based probabilities across its TV, digital, and subscription products from 2026. The deal marks another step in Kalshis push into mainstream US business media following a similar agreement with CNN announced on Dec. 3. CNBC to Feature Kalshis Real-Time Prediction Data Across All Platforms Under the agreement, CNBC will feature Kalshis real-time prediction data across its business news programming and digital properties, including a dedicated Kalshi-branded ticker during selected shows. Kalshi will also host a CNBC-branded page on its platform, highlighting markets chosen by CNBC editors that track major macroeconomic, political, and financial events, according to their announcement. Prediction markets are rapidly shaping how investors and business leaders think about important events, Kalshis data will serve as a powerful complement to CNBCs reporting and help people stay better informed about the world around them, said KC Sullivan, President of CNBC. CNBC Ranks Among Top 20 Global Business News Websites CNBC ranks among the top 20 most visited business news websites in the world, with more than 117 million monthly visits according to Press Gazettes global traffic rankings. The network is one of the leading business-focused outlets globally, alongside brands such as the BBC, CNN, The New York Times, and Yahoo Finance, according to the same rankings. The CNBC announcement comes just one day after Kalshi became CNNs official prediction market partner in a separate exclusive data integration deal. Under that arrangement, CNN is rolling out Kalshi-powered tickers and granting its newsroom access to Kalshis event probabilities. Kalshi has reported weekly trading volumes above $1 billion and raised $1 billion in fresh funding in November at an $11 billion valuation, citing more than 1,000% growth in activity since 2024. All this funding and expansion is followed by its rival, Polymarket, which has a partnership with Google Finance and an exclusive partnership with Yahoo! Finance. Each company has a lot of funding, which they are investing in a rush to get partnerships with famous business news networks. Read original story Kalshi Extends US Media Push with CNBC Deal After CNN Tie-Up by Jose Rafael Pena Gholam at Coinspeaker.com India and Russia exchanged 16 key agreements across defence, trade, economy, healthcare, culture and media during the 23rd Annual Summit in New Delhi. PM Modi and President Putin reaffirmed strong strategic ties, focusing on counterterrorism, fast-tracking the IndiaEurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement, and boosting defence cooperation. India announced new 30-day e-tourist and group visas for Russians, while both nations condemned recent terror attacks and committed to jointly combating global terrorism. India and Russia today exchanged sixteen agreements in areas related to defence, trade, economy, healthcare, academics, culture and media. Addressing a joint press meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that India-Russia friendship will give the strength to face global challenges, and this very trust will enrich the shared future of both nations. He said India and Russia have been standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. He once again outlined Indias unwavering belief that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity and said global unity is the greatest strength against terrorism. Both sides are working towards the early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, said the Prime Minister. Mr Modi announced that India will soon be launching a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day Group Tourist Visa for Russian citizens. Mr Modi said the Russian side has decided to adopt the Framework Agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance. Mr Modi said that President Putin's visit has come at a time when the bilateral relations are reaching many historic milestones. He said over the last ten years, the world has seen many ups and downs, and amidst all this, India-Russia ties have stood the test of time. In a joint statement after the 23rd India Russia Annual Summit, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in combating challenges and threats such as terrorism, extremism, transnational organized crime, money laundering, terrorist financing, and illicit drug trafficking. Both 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. Both leaders condemned the terrorist attack in strongest form in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and in Russia at the Crocus City Hall. Also Read: Digital India Turns 10 as a People's Movement Empowering Innovation Both countries also called for concerted actions against all UN-listed terrorist groups and entities, including Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, and their affiliates. Briefing media later in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin centered around the proposed Free Trade Agreement under discussion between India and the Eurasian Economic Union. He said it was agreed between both sides that negotiation should be fast tracked for early conclusion with stipulated timelines. The Foreign Secretary also said that India-Russia defence and military technical cooperation remains robust. It was underlined that Russia also continues to support India's Make In India initiative in this domain. He said on the Ukraine conflict, President Putin briefed Prime Minister Modi at considerable length. He said Prime Minister reiterated Indias long standing position on this conflict. Prime Minister Modi and President Putin co-chaired India-Russia Business Forum. Speaking at the Forum, Prime Minister expressed confidence that India is on course to become the worlds third-largest economy by steadfastly pursuing a policy of reform, perform, and transform. In this 2023 photo, police raid a catering business in Stapleton tied to an undercover drug operation involving the business' owner. Staff-Shot STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Another domino has fallen for a once-thriving narcotics distribution network on Staten Island, which authorities say was masterminded by a prominent caterer. On Thursday, a man charged as a supplier for the drug network pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge, in exchange for a nine-year prison sentence. The defendant, Kadeem Lewis, 35, of New Jersey, was indicted in June 2024 on a top count of first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance in connection with the NYPDs lengthy undercover drug operation. He pleaded guilty Thursday to a lesser count of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, before Justice Mario F. Mattei. The case was adjourned to Jan. 22 for sentencing. If Lewis had been convicted at trial on the top count, he was facing a sentence of up to life in prison. Following the hearing Thursday, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon sent out a press release stating in part: Flooding our borough with dangerous and illegal narcotics, Kadeem Lewis was the main supplier of a criminal enterprise which sought to profit off of the pain and suffering of Staten Islanders in the throes of addiction illness, said McMahon. The overdose epidemic is the crisis of our lifetimes and under no circumstances will my office allow dangerous drug dealers to sell death-dealing substances without consequence. Ettore Mazzeii is led out of the 120th police precinct stationhouse in St. George by the lead detective in the case, in this May 22, 2024 photo. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com) Prosecutors said Lewis was seen meeting with co-defendant Ettore Mazzei, 63, of Staten Island, at the latters catering hall on Bay Street in Stapleton. Lewis was charged with distributing large amounts of cocaine. Lewis, a former Clifton resident who has since moved to the New Jersey suburbs, was one of several people picked up last year amid a series of arrests and early morning raids by NYPD narcotics detectives and tactical units. Several of Lewis family members, spanning multiple generations, have shown up regularly to court appearances, showering him with support from the gallery. The defendant has been reserved and respectful at court appearances. The drug case is not Lewis first run-in with police, Advance/SILive.com archives show. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to a gun charge stemming from what police described as a fight between two groups of males in the Park Hill section of Clifton. A lengthy wiretap investigation According to court proceedings, Mazzei was the target of a lengthy, wiretap investigation centered around his alleged underground dealings, while carrying on business and community relations on Staten Island. Mazzei, who remains held on Rikers Island, is facing a slew of charges that include criminal sale of a controlled substance, grand larceny and identity theft. The undercover operation led by members of the NYPDs Narcotics Division on Staten Island also included stakeouts from an unmarked van parked near the 700 block of Bay Street. Police said Mazzei, who owned commercial and residential properties in Stapleton, used some of his workers as street-level dealers. In a 2024 press release, McMahon compared him to an antagonist from a Charles Dickens novel, who preyed on vulnerable people. In this Oct. 4, 2025 photo, Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon speaks at the fourth annual A Mile in Their Shoes walk and family festival in Bulls Head. Owen Reiter In the years leading up to his arrest, Mazzei was well-known among fellow business owners in the area, community leaders and public officials. He at one point authored a self-help blog, ran a rock club on Bay Street and was involved in a documentary about seemingly legitimate businessmen who also earn a wage on the black market. Based on what officials described as Mazzeis own criminal dealings on Staten Island, it was a multi-faceted operation. Prosecutors alleged that in addition to overseeing a criminal network that facilitated multiple overdose deaths on Staten Island, Mazzei carried out financial scams targeting nonprofit businesses and unsuspecting individuals. Based on recent court proceedings, his case appears headed toward trial in the coming months. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and has since gone on the offensive. In October, he requested the court appoint a special prosecutor to the case in lieu of McMahon. He accused McMahon of launching a flawed and unwarranted attack on his character and business dealings. After hearing arguments from both sides, Mattei is scheduled to rule on the matter Dec. 11 in state Supreme Court, St. George. Veronica Saez Acevedo, a Travis resident, is pictured with her husband, Jared Acevedo and their son, James York Acevado. (Courtesy Veronica Acevado) (Courtesy Veronica Acevado) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Two Staten Island mothers navigating their childrens sensory needs are joining forces this holiday season to host a comforting and inclusive Christmas event aimed at bringing joy and accessibility to local families. Veronica Saez Acevedo, of Travis, and Kristen Liberatore, of Tottenville, are co-organizing a sensory-friendly Sensory Santa meet-and-greet on Dec. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave., West Brighton. Liberatores daughter, Jade, has autism, and both women say their experiences as mothers inspired them to create a more welcoming holiday experience for children with sensory sensitivities. Acevedo said her advocacy is rooted in her own journey with her son, James York, now 2, who was born abruptly at 29 weeks. As a mother who has faced many hurdles with my sons prematurity, it dawned on me that we are not alone, she said. My sons first Christmas was spent in the NICU. We werent able to celebrate like other parents, yet we still helped decorate the unit, and I sang Christmas carols to all the babies. Kristen Liberatore, who hails from Tottenville, left, is co-organizing a sensory-friendly Christmas event Sensory Santa with Veronica Saez Acevedo, a Travis resident.(Courtesy Veronica Acevado) (Courtesy Veronica Acevado) James spent 104 days in the NICU 76 of them at Richmond University Medical Center before being transferred to NYU for more acute care. It has been a long road, Acevedo said. After 104 days, he came home. He taught us what hard work and hope is all about. Acevedo works as a funeral director in Staten Island and Brooklyn and serves as a cantor at several parishes, including Sacred Heart Church. Her husband, Jared Acevedo, is an FDNY EMT stationed at Station 22, and the family remains active in the community as James continues to grow and navigate sensory dysregulation. Acevedo and Liberatore said they began brainstorming ways to create an environment where children of all abilities could enjoy the holiday season without feeling overstimulated. Their planning led to Sensory Santa part of a growing nationwide movement that focuses on quiet, supportive settings where children can meet Santa on their own terms. Kristen Liberatore, who hails from Tottenville, is pictured with her daughter, Jade, who has autism. (Courtesy Veronica Acevado) (Courtesy Veronica Acevado) The event will include reduced noise, gentle lighting, slower pacing and minimal distractions to help children feel relaxed and safe. Sensory Santa is focused on creating a soothing, welcoming space while still spreading joy, Acevedo said. His cheerful laughter and love of music are open to all. Families and siblings are welcome, and the event is open to the public. Community members are encouraged to volunteer or attend. We are reaching out to the community for one objective the children, Acevedo said. Please join us in spreading hope during this sacred holiday season. For more information, call 718-442-5056. Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Lee's Tavern on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 and Diego Palemine posed for a photo with him. (Courtesy of Diego Palemine) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Lees Tavern welcomed a special guest Friday morning Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Florida governor posed for photos with co-owner Diego Palemine and ordered a clam pie, along with the Lees Special: sausage, sauteed onions, fresh tomato and mozzarella. This is not a cardboard cutout of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The special guest at Lee's Tavern was indeed at the historic restaurant to savor its famed pizza. (Courtesy of Diego Palemine) They came in at 10 a.m., Diego said, noting the party of eight had originally planned to arrive an hour later. He was really nice, easy to talk to, very down to earth. He was also very generous with a tip. DeSantis left a generous tip as well as a challenge coin as a gift for the Palemine family. (Courtesy of Diego Palemine) DeSantis staff told Diego the governor was in town for press appearances and meetings. Diego laughed about the photo op: Everyone said it wasnt real. It wasnt a cardboard cutout. I put my arm around him for the picture. Its not every day you meet a governor. The visit shines a spotlight on Lees Tavern, one of Staten Islands oldest pizzerias. Located at 60 Hancock St. in Dongan Hills, the no-frills spot has been serving locals since 1940. Known for its clam pie and crisp fried calamari, Lees keeps a low profile. It has no sign on the facade and no social media presence, yet it continues to attract generations of loyal customers. Lees Taverns clam pie is a masterpiece, by some standards, with its garlicky goodness and clams baked into the cheese. Benanti Founded by Leroy Mr. Lee Moresco, the tavern was taken over by the Palemine family in 1969. It has earned national attention from bloggers, a solid Barstool Pizza Review rating, and even appeared in Martin Scorseses The Irishman, where it was briefly transformed into Nemos Bar & Grill for the shoot. On Dec. 5, South Korean multinational financial institution Woori Bank announced that it had begun to display the prices of Bitcoin in its main trading room in Seoul. It included won-dollar exchange rates and stock market data alongside. Woori Bank Demonstrates Crypto Interest The trading room is a meeting place for market makers, where frontline trading of foreign exchange, bonds, and derivatives takes place. An official of the bank noted that the initiative is in response to the growing prominence of crypto. As digital assets continue to grow in prominence and influence in global financial markets, we determined that they should be monitored as a key indicator to better read overall market trends, the Woori Bank official stated. Interestingly, the financial ecosystem has been seeing a subtle push towards the integration of the Traditional Finance (TradFi) system and digital asset markets. There have been quite a number of alliances set to spark such integrations. Recently, American crypto exchange Kraken signed a strategic partnership deal with Deutsche Borse to bridge TradFi and crypto. Together, they intend to engage in trading, custody, settlement, collateral management, and tokenized assets. Similarly, Hana Financial Group and Dunamu signed an agreement recently to introduce blockchain technology to services such as overseas remittances. Woori Bank is yet to hint at an alliance with a crypto company, but its announcement signals deep interest in the digital asset world. Spot Crypto ETFs Bridges TradFi and Crypto One of the ways that the TradFi sector has been integrating with crypto is through Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Top asset management firms with billions in Assets under management (AUM), like Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, BlackRock, and Fidelity, have issued one or more crypto ETFs and are still looking to list more. A few days ago, Franklin Templetons Solana ETF officially began live trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Arca platform. It was listed under the ticker SOEZ, while its XRP ETF, which went live earlier, was listed as EZRP. Read original story Korea's Woori Bank Begins Displaying Bitcoin Price in Its Trading Room by Godfrey Benjamin at Coinspeaker.com The statue honoring the Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno stands covered at the intersection of Father Capodanno Boulevard and Seaview Avenue in Ocean Breeze on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Father Capodanno Boulevard, which runs from South Beach to Midland Beach, is frequently traveled by many Staten Island residents looking to get to and from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Situated upon masonry at the boulevards intersection with Seaview Avenue in Ocean Breeze now stands a shrouded figure. Lying underneath this covering is the long-anticipated statue depicting the namesake of the busy roadway: The Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno, a U.S. Navy chaplain who died in Vietnam. The sculpture, scheduled to be unveiled on Dec. 14, is a labor of love intended to commemorate the sacrifice and legacy of the grunt padre. After 11 years of fundraising, the statue has finally come to fruition and found its home. The statue honoring Father Vincent R. Capodanno stands covered at the intersection of Father Capodanno Boulevard and Seaview Avenue in Ocean Breeze on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) An Elm Park native, the priest participated in seven combat operations before he lost his life at the age of 38 on Sept. 4, 1967, while administering last rites to mortally wounded Marines. Well, we want to teach the children too, thats the whole idea of this. You know, what Father Capodanno did in the war, in Vietnam, and what he did for the people here while he was a priest, said James Haynes III, CEO of the United States Veterans Organization, Inc., a conduit of 16 veterans organizations on Staten Island that sponsor the annual Memorial Day Parade. For Haynes, the statue conveys that Father Capodanno was a compassionate man who cared for the people. The sculpture was inspired by Father Capodannos late brother, Jim Capodanno, and designed by the late artist and philanthropist Gregory Perillo. In recent years, USIVO has hosted a number of dinner-dance fundraisers, the profits of which were donated to the cause. In addition to efforts by USIVO, the project was partly funded through donations from Rolling Thunder, a not-for-profit motorcycle group that advocates for prisoners of war and missing in action service members of all U.S. wars, and the Nam Knights, also a veteran advocacy motorcycle group. It (the creation of the statue) shows camaraderie, added Haynes. You know, how we all got together to make this thing along with the bikers. A driving force in bringing this vision to life is Anthony Tony Leto, a Vietnam veteran himself. Tony Leto's keychains and jewelry raised funds for the Father Vincent Capodanno statue. (Advance/SILive.com | Carol Ann Benanti) Leto handcrafted keychains and assorted jewelry, donating the proceeds to the cause. He will offer opening remarks during the unveiling ceremony at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14. There, he will acknowledge individuals, groups and businesses who have contributed to the project. The outdoor event will be held rain or shine. Parking is available at Lot 6 on Father Capodanno Boulevard. Who was Father Capodanno? Born on Feb. 13, 1929 as the youngest of nine children, Father Capodanno was ordained a priest on June 14, 1958. A U.S. Navy chaplain, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Operation Swift during the Vietnam War. Father Capodanno was alongside the men of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines when he ultimately lost his life during a search-and-destroy mission. Despite being unarmed, he was shot 27 times on the battlefield in Que Son Valley while running to the aid of a wounded corpsman and the Marine he was assisting. Even though Father Capodanno had sustained his own serious injuries, the chaplain spent the last moments of his life administering medical and spiritual care. Because of his courage, fearlessness and heroism, an active effort is underway to have him proclaimed a saint. Hes already been declared a Servant of God, the first step on the path that leads to sainthood. The former Seaside Boulevard was renamed to Father Capodanno Boulevard in memory of the Staten Island priest on July 4, 1974. Here, Ron DeSantis greets supporters during a presidential campaign event on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Hampton, New Hampshire. The Florida governor paid Staten Island an unexpected visit on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis paid an unannounced visit to Staten Island Friday afternoon. The Republican governor and former presidential candidate was welcomed at Joyces Tavern in Eltingville. According to a post on the taverns Facebook page, DeSantis met with Borough President Vito Fossella and patrons. A video posted to social media shows DeSantis speaking at the tavern. People in Florida say Staten Island is kind of like a borough of Florida because the politics are so similar, DeSantis told the crowd. And people will say sometimes to me, oh, can you come to New York and save New York? he said. And I always remind them I couldnt get elected in New York with the voters you have. But if it was just NYPD and Fire, I could get elected if it was that, DeSantis said to applause. The purpose of the governors visit was not disclosed This is not the first time DeSantis has visited the borough. In 2023, the governor spoke at an Annadale law enforcement event hosted by the New York State Fraternal Order of Police, about the need for safer communities. That event came ahead of DeSantis announcing his candidacy for president. Is this Florida north or is Florida Staten Island south? the governor jokingly asked the crowd at the time. You dont have to look far in Florida to find someone thats got Staten Island roots. Protesters gather at a rally for immigrants and workers outside Signature Aviation near the MinneapolisSaint Paul International Airport, Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Baker) AP Federal agents have arrested a dozen people in Minneapolis since launching an enforcement operation this week primarily focused on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S., but fewer than half of those detained are Somali. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday that agents had arrested 12 people. Of those, six are Mexican nationals, five are from Somalia and one is from El Salvador. Minneapolis-St. Paul, which has the nations largest Somali community, is the latest area targeted by the Trump administration for mass deportations, following operations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, North Carolina. This week, immigration authorities have also arrived in New Orleans, where officials said they intend to arrest up to 5,000 people. In a statement, ICE called the 12 people arrested some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Eight of them had been charged or convicted of crimes, including assault, fraud, domestic violence and driving under the influence, according to ICE. President Donald Trump recently targeted Somali immigrants in public remarks, calling them garbage and saying they contribute nothing. He also blamed Democratic Gov. Tim Walz for allowing alleged fraud in government programs to happen on his watch, which a conservative publication claimed was funneling money to a Somali militant group. The crackdown has drawn intense criticism from local and state officials who have denounced Trumps rhetoric and pledged to protect the Somali community. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said city police would not participate in federal immigration enforcement. In the ICE statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Frey and Walz of not enforcing immigration laws and endangering citizens. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In the wake of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions announcement of a norovirus spike, top Staten Island physicians warn that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of nausea, dehydration and general abdominal misery. The gastrointestinal virus known as the Winter Vomiting Disease' can cause fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. In some cases it can lead to dangerous dehydration requiring hospitalization and treatment with intravenous fluids. The virus is surging earlier than usual this year, the CDC says. Cases began rising in October and are now in the high category nationwide, especially in the Midwest and Northeast. Norovirus causes 19 to 21 million illnesses, 109,000 hospitalizations, and about 900 deaths annually in the U.S., mostly among older adults and young children, Newsweek reported. Good hygiene is probably the most important way to prevent catching the virus, said Dr. Carly Rosen, a medical administrator in the Emergency Department at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze. Hand washing is probably most important, she said, noting that people should avoid touching their eyes, noses and mouths during the winter months, when viruses are spreading rapidly. If you know someone whos sick, avoid them,' Rosen advised. Sometimes you live in a house with someone who (has symptoms of the virus). Quarantine them. Use bleach-based disinfectants in high-contact areas. The virus spreads easily and thrives on cool, dry surfaces. Medical professionals tend to see spikes in the virus during winter months when people gather socially indoors in close quarters as opposed to gathering outside, said Dr. Vahe Shahnazarian, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton. He said to always use soap and water when hand washing to avoid the virus. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers wont kill the norovirus,' he said. If your child has it, they should not go to school or daycare until their bowel movement frequency goes back down to normal." Healthcare workers and those who handle food for a living should not return to work until two to three days of symptom onset, he said. It typically takes one to two days from the point of exposure for the patient to develop symptoms and they usually last two to three days, Shahnazarian said. But the patient can still be contagious for up to a month after feeling better, he warned. Blood in the vomit or stool is not typical of norovirus, he said. Headaches, muscle aches and generally not feeling well are common. In order to diagnose the virus, a stool sample must be taken and analyzed in a lab, so doctors often treat symptoms and cases of the virus arent systematically recorded, Rosen said. Management of symptoms is what doctors advise, she said. If a patient is at risk of dehydration, medications can be prescribed to stop vomiting, Rosen said. Visiting an urgent care center is most often enough, she said, though a visit to the ER is suggested if a patient is having multiple incidents of vomiting per hour and cant hold any fluids down. The risks posed by the virus are greatest for the very young and the very old, Rosen said. Thats when it can become most serious, she said. Mostly, its dehydration. Youre not absorbing any of your fluids and because youre so nauseous youre not taking any in. You really cant go more than a day without hydration. The most concerning symptoms of dehydration include low blood pressure, persistent fever and severe abdominal pain, Shahnazarian said. Both physicians said the immunocompromised or anyone experiencing symptoms lasting three or more days should be evaluated by a doctor. Shown is the office of Community Board 3 on Woodrow Road. The board represents Staten Island's South Shore and will hold a public meeting this week. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Islands three Community Boards give residents a voice in government decisions affecting their neighborhoods. Comprised of unpaid members that reside within the boundaries of their boards, they review and make recommendations on land use and zoning applications, as well as street design, traffic safety measures, and licenses for liquor sales and cannabis dispensaries. Staten Island has three Community Boards, which hold public meetings throughout each month from January through June. The following is a list of this weeks meetings, provided by representatives from Staten Islands three Community Boards. Community Board 1 The full board will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in St. Marys Episcopal Church, 347 Davis Ave., West Brighton. There are no presentations planned. Community Board 2 Community Board 2 has no meetings scheduled this week. Community Board 3 On Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., Community Board 3 will hold a general meeting and public hearing in the CYO-MIV Community Center, 6541 Hylan Blvd., Pleasant Plains. During the meeting, routine board business will be conducted, including project updates and neighborhood concerns. Open to the public All Community Board meetings and meetings of their committees are open to the public. They provide an excellent opportunity for residents to learn about happenings in their neighborhood and surrounding areas. Below is more information about the Islands three Community Boards: Community Board 1 Arlington Castleton Corners Clifton Concord Elm Park Fort Wadsworth Graniteville Grymes Hill Livingston Mariners Harbor New Brighton Port Richmond Randall Manor Rosebank St. George Shore Acres Silver Lake Stapleton Sunnyside Tompkinsville West Brighton Westerleigh The board chairman is Nicholas Siclari. The district manager is Joan Cusack. The telephone number is 718-981-6900. Community Board 2 Arrochar Bloomfield Bulls Head Chelsea Dongan Hills Egbertville Emerson Hill Grant City Grasmere High Rock Lighthouse Hill Midland Beach New Dorp New Springville Oakwood Ocean Breeze Old Town Richmond South Beach Todt Hill Travis The phone number is 718-568-3581. The fax number is 718-568-3595. The chairman is Fred Guinta. The district manager is Debra A. Derrico. Community Board 3 Annadale Arden Heights Bay Terrace Charleston Eltingville Great Kills Greenridge Huguenot New Dorp Oakwood Pleasant Plains Princes Bay Richmond Valley Richmond Rossville Tottenville Woodrow The phone number is 718-356-7900. The board chairman is Diane Peruggia. The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meets in Atlanta on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 to consider changes in hepatitis B vaccine recommendations for infants. (AP Photo/Ben Gray) AP NEW YORK (AP) A federal vaccine advisory committee voted on Friday to end the longstanding recommendation that all U.S. babies get the hepatitis B vaccine on the day theyre born. A loud chorus of medical and public health leaders decried the actions of the panel, whose current members were all appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a leading anti-vaccine activist before this year becoming the nations top health official. This is the group that cant shoot straight, said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University vaccine expert who for decades has been involved with ACIP and its workgroups. Several medical societies and state health departments said they would continue to recommend them. While people may have to check their policies, the trade group AHIP, formerly known as Americas Health Insurance Plans, said its members still will cover the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. For decades, the government has advised that all babies be vaccinated against the liver infection right after birth. The shots are widely considered to be a public health success for preventing thousands of illnesses. But Kennedys Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices decided to recommend the birth dose only for babies whose mothers test positive, and in cases where the mom wasnt tested. For other babies, it will be up to the parents and their doctors to decide if a birth dose is appropriate. The committee voted 8-3 to suggest that when a family elects to wait, then the vaccination series should begin when the child is 2 months old. The acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jim ONeill, is expected to decide later whether to accept the committees recommendation. The decision marks a return to a health strategy abandoned more than three decades ago Asked why the newly-appointed committee moved quickly to reexamine the recommendation, committee member Vicky Pebsworth on Thursday cited pressure from stakeholder groups, without naming them. Committee members said the risk of infection for most babies is very low and that earlier research that found the shots were safe for infants was inadequate. They also worried that in many cases, doctors and nurses dont have full conversations with parents about the pros and cons of the birth-dose vaccination. The committee members voiced interest in hearing the input from public health and medical professionals, but chose to ignore the experts repeated pleas to leave the recommendations alone. The committee gives advice to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how approved vaccines should be used. CDC directors almost always adopted the committees recommendations, which were widely heeded by doctors and guide vaccination programs. But the agency currently has no director, leaving acting director ONeill to decide. In June, Kennedy fired the entire 17-member panel earlier this year and replaced it with a group that includes several anti-vaccine voices. Hepatitis B and delaying birth doses Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that, for most people, lasts less than six months. But for some, especially infants and children, it can become a long-lasting problem that can lead to liver failure, liver cancer and scarring called cirrhosis. In adults, the virus is spread through sex or through sharing needles during injection drug use. But it can also be passed from an infected mother to a baby. In 1991, the committee recommended an initial dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Experts say quick immunization is crucial to prevent infection from taking root. And, indeed, cases in children have plummeted. Still, several members of Kennedys committee voiced discomfort with vaccinating all newborns. They argued that past safety studies of the vaccine in newborns were limited and its possible that larger, long-term studies could uncover a problem with the birth dose. But two members said they saw no documented evidence of harm from the birth doses and suggested concern was based on speculation. Three panel members asked about the scientific basis for saying that the first dose could be delayed for two months for many babies. This is unconscionable, said committee member Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, who repeatedly voiced opposition to the proposal during the sometimes-heated two-day meeting. The committees chair, Dr. Kirk Milhoan, said two months was chosen as a point where infants had matured beyond the neonatal stage. Hibbeln countered that there was no data presented that two months is an appropriate cut-off. Dr. Cody Meissner also questioned a second proposal which passed 6-4 that said parents consider talking to pediatricians about blood tests meant to measure whether hep B shots have created protective antibodies. Such testing is not standard pediatric practice after vaccination. Proponents said it could be a new way to see if fewer shots are adequate. A CDC hepatitis expert, Adam Langer, said results could vary from child to child and would be an erratic way to assess if fewer doses work. He also noted theres no good evidence that three shots pose harm to kids. Meissner attacked the proposal, saying the language is kind of making things up. Health experts say this could make America sicker Health experts have noted Kennedys hand-picked committee is focused on the pros and cons of shots for the individual getting vaccinated, and has turned away from seeing vaccinations as a way to stop the spread of preventable diseases among the public. The second proposal is right at the center of this paradox, said committee member Dr. Robert Malone. Some observers criticized the meeting, noting recent changes in how they are conducted. CDC scientists no longer present vaccine safety and effectiveness data to the committee. Instead, people who have been prominent voices in anti-vaccine circles were given those slots. The committee is no longer a legitimate scientific body, said Elizabeth Jacobs, a member of Defend Public Health, an advocacy group of researchers and others that has opposed Trump administration health policies. She described the meeting this week as an epidemiological crime scene. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a liver doctor who chairs the Senate health committee, called the committees vote on the hepatitis B vaccine a mistake. This makes America sicker, he said, in a post on social media. The committee heard a 90-minute presentation from Aaron Siri, a lawyer who has worked with Kennedy on vaccine litigation. He ended by saying that he believes there should no ACIP vaccine recommendations at all. In a lengthy response, Meissner said, What you have said is a terrible, terrible distortion of all the facts. He ended by saying Siri should not have been invited. The meetings organizers said they invited Siri as well a few vaccine researchers who have been vocal defenders of immunizations to discuss the vaccine schedule. They named two: Dr. Peter Hotez, who said he declined, and Dr. Paul Offit, who said he didnt remember being asked but would have declined anyway. Hotez, of the Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, declined to present before the group because ACIP appears to have shifted its mission away from science and evidence-based medicine, he said in an email to The Associated Press. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins met with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and local veterans at the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, Dec. 5. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro STATEN ISLAND, NY -- U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins visited the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, where he met with Congressmember Nicole Malliotakis and a group of Staten Island veterans. Collins and Malliotakis, who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, have previously collaborated on a tele-town hall earlier this year to address VA services and benefits. The visit began with a private meeting between the two, where they discussed a range of topics, including bringing more specialists to the Staten Island clinic, and the departments lengthy hiring process for nurses and social workers. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins met with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and local veterans at the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, Dec. 5. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro We really put an emphasis on that process. Right now, it could take over 30 days, the congressmember shared after the meeting. We are working on streamlining it. According to Malliotakis, Collins also discussed that the backlog of veterans waiting for benefits is down by 57% and more than 1.4 million appointments outside of normal operating hours have been offered. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins met with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and local veterans at the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, Dec. 5. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro The new secretary also stated that in the past few months, the administration has eliminated the backlog of veteran families waiting for healthcare and has helped open 20 new VA clinics across the country. After the meeting, Collins met with distinguished members of the clinic staff, thanking them for their services to veterans and the community. This included social workers, physicians, pharmacists and nurse practitioners. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins met with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and local veterans at the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, Dec. 5. After their meeting, Collins met with distinguished members of the clinic staff. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro Before leaving the clinic, Collins and Malliotakis sat down with local veterans who participate in the congressmembers roundtable, which brings together service members in her district. There, Collins discussed a variety of topics, such as streamlining veteran care, reducing wait times and revamping the disability claims system. Weve been able to root out a lot of stuff that helps our doctors internally at direct care, but also community care, for the times you need to go to a community doctor. Weve made that a lot easier, Collins said. The best medical interest is a standard that you can get as a veteran. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins met with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and local veterans at the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, Dec. 5. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins met with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and local veterans at the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, Dec. 5. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro According to the secretary, female veterans will also now benefit from streamlined access to womens health services. A new policy allows women to schedule appointments directly with OB-GYN care providers without requiring a primary care referral first. He also mentioned that he has pushed forward a continuous dialogue with Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense. Collins goal is to work closely with the Department of Defense to improve care coordination and recruitment. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins met with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and local veterans at the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, Dec. 5. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins met with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and local veterans at the Staten Island VA Clinic in Bloomfield on Friday, Dec. 5. After their meeting, Collins met with distinguished members of the clinic staff. Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro Pete and I have actually combined together to do something never been known before, Collins stated. Did you realize [the] Department of Defense, now the Department of War and Veterans Affairs, had never really communicated, except in just various levels, on committees? Pete and I both see that its a recruitment issue to a retirement issue. At the end of his discussion, the secretary put forward a call to action for the gathered veterans. This is where I need you. We have a big problem with death by suicide in this country and [among our] veterans [this is] way too high. ...There was always a saying, no man left behind. That didnt stop, he shared. Ive got plenty for everybody. Tell them all to come; 60% of our deaths by suicide are with people who have not had any contact with the VA. Vice President JD Vance has broken his silence on rumors that his marriage to wife, Usha, is on the rocks, the Daily Mail reported. The rumors started after Usha Vance was spotted not wearing her wedding ring on some occasions. Vance in an interview with NBC News dismissed the rumors, saying that the Second Couple find the speculation over the missing wedding ring humorous. I think we kind of get a kick out of it, Vance said. Speaking of the couples high profile in the political world, the veep went on, With anything in life, you take the good with the bad. You accept that there are some sacrifices and there are some very good things that come along with it, too. But our marriage is as strong as its ever been, and I think Ushas really taken to it, and its been kind of cool to see how shes developed and evolved in this new role. Vance did say that the media attention that comes their way has at times been hard on the couple. There are certainly ways in which its difficult on the family Im not going to pretend that it isnt. But its the sacrifice that we signed up for, he said. A spokesperson for Usha Vance had previously said that the Second Lady is sometimes without her wedding ring because she does a lot of dishes, gives a lot of baths and forgets her ring sometimes. Vance in the interview said that his wife had one time forgotten to put her rings back on after taking a shower. The couple was already in a car ready to travel to the White House when the discovery was made. Said Vance, She was like, Oh, if I dont go back and get them, theres going to be some ridiculous psycho who talks about it on social media. The veep continued, And I was like, Let them. Its not even worth the trip to run back upstairs. So we actually have a little bit of fun with it. And we thought that whole viral social media cycle was kind of funny. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. December marks the start of meteorological winter and introduces such seasonal conditions to New York City. Recently, residents have contended with bursts of arctic air. But come next week, the state could face the threat of clipper storms. A clipper storm, as defined by the National Weather Service, is a fast-moving storm that drops into the U.S. over the Great Lakes from Alberta, Canada. These storms typically produce fluffy snow; however, as of Friday it does not appear the city will experience any accumulation. According to Matt Benz, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, arctic air will push into the city on Monday, which sets the pattern for the week ahead. This latest blast of cold air is a result of a disruption to the polar vortex. Waves of arctic air are forecast to make their way down into the city through next week; the pattern could even continue into mid-December, Benz said. Although he does not foresee any snow Sunday night into Monday, Benz noted that temperatures will be noticeably colder; highs will likely only reach the lower 30s Monday afternoon. The first clipper is forecast to arrive in New York in the wake of frigid air on Tuesday. That one (clipper storm) looks like its going to be well to our north, so I dont think thats going to have any major impact, at least on the tri-state or into the city there, Benz explained. While the city may escape the snow, some accumulation could be recorded in areas north of Syracuse and Rochester. It is believed that a second clipper system will sweep in on Wednesday, Benz told the Advance/SILive.com. If the city does experience any precipitation, it is more likely to fall as rain rather than snow. Benz did note that areas further inland could have a better chance of seeing snow Wednesday. When it comes to rainfall, Benz explained that he does not expect significant precipitation. Ultimately, the exact track of the storm and the amount of moisture within the system will determine final amounts, he said. Laura has always been the planner in her friend group. Shes spent years keeping her eyes on the future, saving every penny she could. Growing up without much money made financial stability her top priority. But now that shes 35, she feels like she missed out on what were supposed to be her carefree, spend-a-little-more, enjoy-life years. When she looks at her friends, many of them are in the same financial boat except they didnt hesitate to travel, go to concerts, or take time off in their 20s. Must Read Now Lauras starting to wonder if all that scrimping and saving was really worth it. Saving money, but missing out Working hard and saving wasnt just something Laura did it was part of her plan long before she even started college. She knew student loans were unavoidable, so she got a part-time job in high school and saved every dollar she could to keep her future loan balance and interest as low as possible. She kept that momentum going in college. While her friends were off on spring break, she was picking up extra shifts at the restaurant where she worked. After graduation, she jumped straight into her career. Determined to pay off her loans fast, she cut expenses anywhere she could: packing her lunch every day, living with multiple roommates, and driving a hand-me-down car. Now, all that planning has paid off. She lives in a major midwestern city, and is making just over $90,000 a year as a human resources specialist for a tech company. Her student loans are long gone, and shes been contributing the maximum amount to her 401(k) that her employer will match, so now she has $150,000 in retirement savings. This means she is on track for her age range when it comes to retirement savings. (1) By saving and investing since she was in her 20s, Laura has reaped the benefits of compound interest. When she is ready to retire, her savings could be as much as double what they would have been if she began saving for retirement in her mid-30s. Laura also has an emergency fund that could cover six months of expenses, which she keeps in a high-yield savings account. She also owns a condo. She made the decision to purchase a two-bedroom unit, so that she could have a roommate, whose rent helps pay down the mortgage. 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 All you need to know about Melbournes new Metro Tunnel. See all 46 stories . On Wednesday morning I set off to view the public art installed in Melbournes new Metro Tunnel with a great sense of anticipation and even old-fashioned civic pride. Having recently returned to Melbourne after six years of living in Hobart, where public transport is virtually non-existent and the debt-ridden Tasmanian government is about to splurge more than $1 billion on a stadium for the AFL, the thought of the Victorian government investing in trains, and embedding public art in the new rail project to boot, cheered me immensely. A bronze carrier pigeon by artist Fiona Hall at Anzac station. Credit: Paul Jeffers The six selected artists are an impressive and accomplished bunch, well worthy of the exercise. Three of them Maree Clarke, Raafat Ishak and Patricia Piccinini live and work in Melbourne, and what a terrific way to celebrate their practice. Public art, by virtue of its public-ness, is subject to fierce debate everyone gets to see it, and everyone has an opinion. Sometimes the opinions are vicious; Melbournes textbook case is Ron Robertson Swanns Vault (1980), which was lumbered with a regrettable nickname and banished from the City Square following a public outcry. Belatedly embraced by the city, the sculpture now sits on the forecourt of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. Loading Its a brave artist who takes on a public art commission, and I imagine a particularly daunting task making public art for a train station. Theres so much visual and virtual noise to compete with: cavernous spaces, concourses, ticket barriers, timetables, escalators, elevators, toilets, platforms, advertising, fast-food joints. And while the audience is captive, its also distracted and harried. The Metro Tunnel adds another competitive layer much of the architecture is stunning, with a contemporary take on soaring vaulted ceilings, allusions to a golden era of train travel, giant sculptural lights evoking the industrial age, and a vibrant colour scheme of orange and yellow. Advertisement In judging the success of the related art, there are two questions to consider: is it any good, and how does it work in the architectural setting? The answer to the first is a resounding yes; the answer to the second needs qualification. Come Together by Abdul Abdullah at Arden station. Credit: Paul Jeffers Of all the works, Perth-born artist Abdul Abdullahs Come Together, on the facade of Arden station in North Melbourne, is the most resolved a seamless marriage of art and architecture. The stations minimal rectangular facade is punctured by a tunnel-like archway entrance that is repeated internally with a thrilling cascade of soaring brick arches like a whales ribcage. Loading Abdullahs work extends across the entire face of the building with a pixelated backdrop of a colonial painting, J.S. Calders View from Royal Park across West Melbourne Swamp (1860). Superimposed on this ethereal vision of early Melbourne is the outline of two giant hands reaching out to each other an image that immediately evokes Michelangelos famous fresco in the Sistine Chapel, The Creation of Adam. Abdullahs hands are far more prosaic, cartoonishly rendered in a thick white outline. Their power lies in their simplicity; in the act of one ordinary human hand reaching out to touch not a god, but another human hand. Its a tender, stirring image, with layers of meaning, and a counterpoint to an era of orchestrated rage, polarisation and extremism. Abdullahs simple gesture beckons compassion, reconciliation, peace. Parkville station is privy to one of Australias most successful artists, the delightfully weird Patricia Piccinini, best known for her soulful hybrid creatures, her cute Truck Babies and of course her Skywhales. Patricia Piccinninis colourful mosaic at Parkville station. Credit: Jason South Advertisement Here, Piccinini has riffed on her panel works of the early 2000s, vast grids of moulded plastic squares in shiny colours inspired by the metallic surfaces of cars. The Parkville station services the precincts hospitals and the University of Melbourne, and its the hospital visitors and patients that Piccinini particularly bore in mind when designing the work. She has chosen the uplifting palette of spring for her panels, creating a long expanse of greens, yellows and reds, which nicely pick up the yellows and orange of the surrounding architectural beams and lights. Unfortunately, one cant help notice that the work also collides with the gaudy colours and neon signs of the fast-food joints that run below it. Raafat Ishaks Future Wall Painting, a series of colour-backed glass murals at Anzac station, is more sympathetically located although smack in the middle of one of Ishaks murals is a huge, luridly bright advertising screen, a placement that feels most impolite. Part of Raafat Ishaks Future Wall Painting, located throughout Anzac station. Credit: Paul Jeffers Ishak is known for his graphic, hard-edged paintings that merge the abstract and figurative. He is a wonderful colourist, and his glass murals are a harmonious blend of seemingly sparring colours such as mustard, pink, blue, mint green and taupe. Here Ishaks dynamic, linear designs reflect the movement and connectivity of the rail network, as well as the surrounding environment across time, with references to Indigenous history, local flora and fauna and the contemporary buildings of St Kilda Road. A small space near an elevator is reserved for the work of Sydney-born and Hobart-based artist Fiona Hall, who pays tribute to the Anzac legacy with her intricate botanical drawings etched on glass panels. Against a dark backdrop that oozes hints of blood red, Halls etchings highlight species that grow where Australians fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, such as the Flanders Poppy, Lone Pine and Gallipoli Rose, as well as symbolically Australian plants, such as the golden wattle and lemon-scented gum. Flanking the elevator shaft are bronze statues of two Victorian-bred carrier pigeons who bravely delivered critical messages through storms and heavy fire during World War II. Intricate botanical drawings by Fiona Hall at Anzac station. Credit: Paul Jeffers Advertisement I did wonder about the location of Halls work, down a gloomy end of the station, a little like an afterthought and easy to miss. Ishak was the first artist selected for Anzac station, and then a decision was made to also include Halls work because of its quality and reference to the Anzac legacy. Perhaps more could have been made of it. State Library station features artwork by Danie Mellor, based on historic photos of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung women. Credit: Wayne Taylor Queensland-born artist Danie Mellors Forever, towering photographic images of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung women and children on the facade of State Library station, reinstate Indigenous history in the most beautiful and evocative of ways. Created from photographs sourced from the library archive and Mellors own photographs of Wurundjeri Country, these powerful images are best viewed from inside the station, where they glow like stained glass. The work of Victorian First Nations artist Maree Clarke extends across the five new stations in the form of native animal prints made from coloured granite and embedded in the platforms floors. There are 35 large footprints in all, a wondrous array of patterns and shapes, of animals from the Kulin Nation, extinct and not, that the urban dweller may struggle to identify (I did). But that too is the point drawing attention to the deep history of these traditional lands on which we walk. Maree Clarkes large-scale footprints link all five stations. This one is in Parkville. Credit: Jason South Clarkes work is the only art in the Town Hall station. Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmers commission was abandoned after a series of challenges, including the pandemic. Advertisement Feedback to the states deer strategy showed Victorians wanted more emphasis on managing these impacts and less on deer as a hunting resource. Despite this, Premier Jacinta Allan and Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos recently announced in an upbeat Instagram post deer hunting would be allowed in national parks in Victoria, unlocking 130,000 hectares, and driving more jobs and visitors into our regional communities, Allan said. David and Marie Trigg (pictured in their kitchen) are frustrated by the governments handling of the feral deer problem. Credit: Jason South A Victorian government spokesman said the state had allocated $27 million on deer management over the past four years, but did not respond when asked how much of this was for culls. Were taking action to safely control Victorias feral deer population and reduce the significant negative impacts they have on our wildlife and biodiversity, he said. Deer hunters have an important role to play in curbing the devastating impact of wild deer on our environment. Private landholders can shoot deer without a permit on their own land, he said. But as Marie and David Trigg can attest, it is a different story for anyone wanting to trap deer. Back in Gippsland, the Triggs have spent years locking horns with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (DEECA) and the Office of the Conservation Regulator (OCR), fighting to have permanent traps installed on their land to catch deer. Their farm is home to about 100 breeding Angus cattle, and Marie fears the sounds of rifles being fired could spook her cattle and their calves. She also doesnt want strangers on her property while she has prize-winning Angus breeding and calving. Loading Theyre tiny calves, the Angus I cannot have shooters on the property. I dont want shooters, she said. But letting deer roam is similarly unthinkable. Deer as cloven-toed animals could bring in foot and mouth disease, to which cattle are susceptible. They have also tracked hemlock seeds onto the couples farm another invasive pest, which is deadly to cattle. I see myself as a very proactive farmer, Marie said. I can see deer and keep being told they double every year. And from my 10 or 15 that I could see, I can think, my god, Im going to have 20 or 30. The couple and their friend, Skyline Management Systems executive director Emanuel Vlamis, have spent three years in a bureaucratic tussle with the Environment Department over the right to install large deer traps on the Triggs farm. Vlamis and his colleague Peter Martin designed a large trap on the farm that included smart cameras and a satellite connection, and an automated trapping door system. Within the trap were hay, feed and water stations. Deer were protected from the elements inside the device. But securing a permit to operate the trap became a three-year battle. First they applied for a permit to trap the deer and release them elsewhere, which was denied. Then they applied for a permit to trap the deer and humanely destroy them. We had to jump through a heap of hoops, Vlamis says. We had to give them the design of the trap, all the configurations, all the surveillance that was used. From start to finish, getting the permit, took 18 months. Loading The permit, however, allowed the couple to trap only 12 deer over a fixed time period. After the permit expired in August, 15 deer wandered into the trap, which is now open. They were forced to let them go. The Triggs and Vlamis believe although the government would not confirm for privacy reasons that theirs is the only trap to win approval to operate in Victoria. The frustrating thing is that I cant believe that they cant look ahead, Marie said. If theyre multiplying so rapidly, why cant we do more about it? While Vlamis and Martin have a commercial interest in the control of deer, their broader concern is for the rampant damage feral deer cause to agricultural land and the natural environment Footage obtained by the Herald shows the homes in flaming ruins just minutes later. Katie Greene moved to the area five years ago and said at least five neighbours had lost their homes, though hers was saved. A cool change brought brief rain around sunset at Koolewong. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong I dont actually know how many homes have gone but I can see at least five neighbours have lost their homes, she said. Its such a lovely local community, its just heartbreak. Greene fled with her children before the fire reached their street. The blaze moved so fast, fanned by high winds. All Greene heard was a firetruck and, half an hour later, the flames were swallowing houses. The bush has been super dry, and it was so hot and so windy today and the firefighters amazing, amazing, she said. The temperature had climbed, at that same moment, to 40.3 degrees at Mangrove Mountain, the nearest weather station. It was even hotter in Sydneys west, with temperatures reaching almost 42 degrees at Badgerys Creek, Penrith Lakes and Richmond in what was tipped to be the citys hottest day in two years. The states largest firefighting helicopter, the RFS Chinook, was deployed to slow the Koolewong fires front. Homes are destroyed in the Koolewong fire. Credit: NBN NEWS The Koolewong fire had been downgraded to watch and act by 6pm on Saturday. Credit: AAP/Dan Himbrechts Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front, the RFS warned Central Coast residents. Those fears were soon realised when, just after 4pm, the fire jumped the water and headed south, to Phegans Bay. Residents there were urged to seek shelter as the RFS issued its most dire warnings Your life is at risk. It is too late to leave at 4.30pm. There are many elderly people living around Woy Woy, Greene added, who will be deeply affected by the toll of rebuilding. This is the most beautiful community I have ever lived in, it will be devastating for them, she said. We will band together for them. Central Coast councillor Jared Wright said 12 homes had reportedly been burnt down, a doubling of estimates of six earlier in the afternoon. In times of crisis, the Central Coast community always bands together to support each other and I know that will occur in the hours, days and weeks ahead, he told the Herald. Tony Stellino was among those who lost his home. I went out there and had a look ... and ... it was on top of us, he told Nine News. We made it, were still here. We start again. Everythings gone now, memories, everything, all our clothes, all our possessions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who bought a property in Copacabana a nearby suburb on the Central Coast in 2024, said he was thinking of all those across NSW affected by the fires. The Koolewong fire halted trains on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line. Credit: Angus Dalton Another home destroyed in the Koolewong fire. Credit: TNV Please look out for each other and follow advice from authorities, he said in a statement. Thank you to all our emergency services and volunteers on the ground and in the air. On Saturday evening, an RFS spokesman said the service was yet to verify how many homes had been lost. Central Coast residents were bracing for the number of properties lost to climb, and an evacuation centre was established at Gosford RSL. A second bushfire, on the Mid North Coast, is also believed to have destroyed at least one home near the town of Bulahdelah. That fire has burnt through more than 2800 hectares and is not yet under control. After the emergency alert for Koolewong, a second emergency warning was issued for a 10,000 hectare fire in the Upper Hunter, near Milsons Gully. Crews attend the Koolewong fire. Credit: TNV The fire was bearing south, towards Bylong Valley Way, and affecting homes and properties in the areas of Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee, the RFS said in its warning. The fire will continue pushing in a south-south-west direction, but an approaching storm will bring erratic winds and could see the fire burn in multiple directions, the organisation said, before it was downgraded to watch and act level about 8pm. In Sydney, the temperature at Observatory Hill passed 33 degrees at 12.30pm, and approached 42 degrees in several suburbs across the citys west by the afternoon. The heat was forecast to rise to 39 degrees in the Sydney CBD, which would have been the citys hottest day since January 2024. Members of the Singh, Boparai and Hoju families at Penrith Beach. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong Smoke from the fires drifted across Sydney and the Central Coast, blanketing the city in a light haze. Sydneysiders spend the hot Saturday afternoon at Cremorne Points Maccallum Seawater Pool. Credit: Oscar Colman People on the jetty at Clifton Gardens, in Sydneys north. Credit: Oscar Colman Pigs welcome a hose down from Calmsley Hill City Farm operations manager Ryan Pockran in Abbotsbury, near Fairfield, on Saturday. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong Raphael enjoys an ice-cream at Penrith Beach. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong Rozema sisters Ava, 9, and Eli, 7, from Penrith, take advantage of the early opening at Penrith Beach yesterday. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong Loading Sydneysiders flocked to the water again on Saturday, including Penrith Beach, which opened a day ahead of schedule. The swimming spot, which is nicknamed Pondi, has had its hours extended, with new onsite amenities including more shade and outdoor showers, in preparation for its third summer operating. A sharp cool change is expected to push the mercury down to 26 degrees on Sunday. I visited Sydney recently, for the first time in nine years, and was stunned at how different it is from Melbourne. The weather was a lot better that goes without saying and the locals werent dressed head-to-toe in black. The streets are a bit cleaner, too, and the spotless coffee shops all look like they opened a week ago. Another thing is that the trees in Sydney are native to Australia, which is a nice change from the English imports across Melbourne that mess up the ecosystem and make me sneeze constantly. But perhaps the biggest difference between the two cities was also the least obvious: the way they sound. For one, the shriek of $400k Italian supercars was a dominant fixture of the Sydney soundscape. The crosswalk klaxons are also a near-constant sound in Sydney, thanks to the seemingly directionless streets squished into the city centre that mean youre crossing the road every two minutes. The sound itself is also insistent and aggressive, it feels like youre being pushed into the road. Its easy to see why Billie Eilish used those klaxons on her hit track Bad Guy, as youll always be on your feet when you hear them. The pedestrian crossing button design sampled by Billie Eilish. The buttons are used in both Melbourne and Sydney but have different sounds. Credit: Lucy Stone Though Melbourne has the same crossing buttons, ours have a more mechanical, retro sound of clacks and clicks that is more soothing and less hurried. Another thing is how the word on the street literally varies wildly between the two rival cities. Sydneysiders tend to talk really loudly, often about where to get food or where particular items of clothing were bought, or real estate, of course. In much the same way that everyone in Sydney walks very fast for no immediately obvious reason, they also speak at a higher volume than necessary to the person sitting just 10 centimetres away. Eastern suburbs institution Cranbrook will ban its primary students from owning a smartphone from next year, with parents instructed to instead purchase a basic Nokia for students to use, as schools prepare students to lose access to social media apps next week. While public schools do not break up until the week before Christmas, for private schools the governments social media ban, which will disconnect children aged under 16 from platforms such as Instagram and TikTok on Wednesday, comes at the start of summer break. Cranbrook joins Eton in the UK and a handful of private schools banning students from having smart devices, not just from using them, at school. Cranbrook School in Bellevue Hill has banned smartphones for primary school students. Credit: Wolter Peeters We commonly have to deal with issues that have arisen from inappropriate smartphone usage when travelling to and from school, particularly on public transport, Cranbrooks head of junior school, Michele Marquet, told parents on Monday. A 33,000-square-kilometre expanse of land in south-west Queensland will be protected from major mining activity after federal Environment Minister Murray Watt placed the site of Indigenous significance on the National Heritage List. Mithaka cultural landscape, which spans the Barcoo and Diamantina shires, has gained interest as the site of the East Lake Eyre Trade Route, believed to be the most extensive Indigenous trade and exchange network. The area has multiple well-preserved sites, including quarries, standing gunyahs (homes), and stone arrangements. One of these quarries is the largest in the world created by a pre-agriculture society, and two of the housing structures date back to 1770 and 1787. An aerial view of Mithaka quarries, one of which is the largest in the world created by a pre-agriculture society. The sites inclusion on the National Heritage List means anyone planning to carry out activities in the area will need a self-assessment of whether it could significantly impact the listed value of the area. This generally does not include day-to-day pastoral activities. 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 Foodies are flooding social media with reviews of Jane Scrolls, calling them the best in Brisbane. The pair behind the brand, however, are too humble to lean into that title. Youd have to see, its up to your interpretation, but we can give you a pretty good experience, co-owner Hamish Pearce says. If you search Brisbane scrolls on TikTok, youll see numerous clips of people lifting the lid on one of Jane Scrolls decadent treats theres classic cinnamon, lemon blueberry, pecan sticky date, vegemite and cheese, and the billionaire. Hamish Pearce and Rebecca Ferguson have continued to work full-time while building their business named after Pearces late mother. Credit: Brittney Deguara We found them on TikTok, and we came because they honestly look incredible, customer Bronte says one Sunday morning at Milton Markets. Were roughing this heat to crack onto these, friend Giorgia adds while standing in the sweltering Brisbane sun. Advertisement A three-hour sellout Despite only operating for three months and selling just two days a week, Jane Scrolls has grown significantly via social media and word-of-mouth. Its common for trays to be licked clean just two to three hours into a market morning. Loading Co-owner Rebecca Ferguson recalls the first time they sold out. She arrived at 10am to help after completing a university assessment, but the stall was bare. [Hamish] had baked 100 scrolls that day. We just looked at each other and thought, this is really big, she tells Brisbane Times. Weekend market preparations now entail 500 scrolls half to sell at the Rocklea Fresh Market on Saturday and the rest to sell at Milton Markets on Sunday. To date, about 8000 scrolls have been made. This is quite a feat, considering the pair still work full-time she is about to become a lawyer, practising family law, and he works as a business development manager. Advertisement It doesnt feel real yet, but it feels excellent, Ferguson says. New shop, more staff, thousands of scrolls The workload and the number of scrolls will soon balloon as the couple prepare to open their first storefront, at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, on December 8. Upsizing from a weekend operation to a seven-day gig means a lot more dough and a lot more manpower. [Well be] close to that 2000-to-3000-scroll-a-week mark, Pearce says. In their first month, the pair were doing it all. They would finish work on Friday then head to the commercial kitchen they leased in Rocklea and prepare everything. That routine quickly became difficult to maintain, so they scaled the team up to 14 casual staff. Advertisement Weve got a team that comes in from about 5pm to 9pm on a Friday and does all the prep, and Bec and I are up at midnight each day doing the proofing, baking and decorating, and then coming into the markets from 6am to 12pm, Pearce explains. Brisbanes obsession with these scrolls isnt all that surprising for Pearce, who admits to having self-belief in their product. I absolutely love cooking, and we only use the highest ingredients. It wasnt a cost thing for us, we never went into it for profit or anything like that, everything is top-notch Australian produce, he says. The only ingredient they import is the cinnamon, which comes from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, because its just a better cinnamon. The dough is special too as it is not as sweet as usual scrolls, to balance out the sweetness of the fillings. Its not a product that makes you need to go have a nap after it; you can actually enjoy the whole thing and not feel ill after, Ferguson explains. Pearce inherited his love of cooking from his late mum, Jane, for whom the shop is named, and says theyre building on the momentum started by scroll giants across the country, including Sebbys Scrolls in Melbourne, Sundays Bondi in Sydney, and Public Supply on the Gold Coast. Advertisement Sharing community connection But a new storefront doesnt mean an end to the market stalls; that is one of the best parts of the business for both Pearce and Ferguson. Markets are my favourite part of it, Ferguson says. I also do actually like cleaning the trays. Weve got so many locals that come in week in, week out, Pearce adds. Ultimately, the goal is to franchise Jane Scrolls. Id love to be able to have different franchise owners have their own little connection, different market stops, and they have a bit of ownership. And they can create those connections with their local community. That would be the goal, Pearce says. What is Brisbanes social scene? Advertisement Famed investor Michael Burry has recently reiterated that Molina Healthcare (MOH) is one of his current bullish bets. In fact, he picked Molina as a counter to his now infamous bearish stance on artificial intelligence (AI) juggernaut Palantir (PLTR). Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Burry said, Long MOH stock and Long PLTR puts, like peanut butter and bananas. But why? What makes Molina so special that Burry is willing to opt for it over a multi-bagger like Palantir? And should investors follow suit? Lets find out. More News from Barchart About Molina Healthcare Founded in 1980, Molina provides managed health care services, primarily for low-income individuals and families, seniors, and others eligible under government-funded programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Serving about 5.6 million members, Molina aims to deliver accessible, affordable healthcare to underserved populations, reflecting its founding mission of care regardless of ability to pay. However, Molina stock has suffered a significant pullback of almost 50% in 2025. Its market cap currently stands at $7.9 billion. www.barchart.com Steep Earnings Decline, But Company Remains Stable Molinas Q3 results may have come as a shock to some investors, who saw the company's earnings decline 69.4% year-over-year to $1.84, missing the consensus estimate of $3.90 by a wide margin. The company blamed the Medicare and Marketplace segments. Otherwise, the financials seemed quite steady. In Q3, the health insurance company reported revenues of $11.48 billion, an 11% increase from the prior year, as core premium revenues increased by 11.8% to $10.84 billion. Overall, over the past 10 years, Molina has grown its revenue and earnings at compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 12.90% and 19.69%, respectively, with analysts expecting the company to report forward revenue growth of 11.37%, higher than the sector median of 7.61%. However, the medical care ratio (MCR) jumped to 92.6% from 89.2% in the quarter. This ratio represents the percentage of premium revenue an insurer spends on actual medical claims and health care services for members. Generally, the lower it is, the better. Yet, the companys cash position remains solid. Molina closed the quarter with a cash balance of $4.2 billion and no short-term debt. However, a net cash outflow of $237 million from operating activities for the first nine months of 2025, compared to an inflow of $868 million in the same period a year ago, is something the company should address. Under them, the almost 140-year-old union which she became the first woman to lead in 2022 is the key civil construction player as it can represent most workers on those sites on its own. Think horizontal, as she told the inquiry: roads and rail (above and below ground), power and water infrastructure. Some of the states biggest, often government-funded, projects. Stacey Schinnerl breaks down describing an incident at Labour Day in 2023. Credit: Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU Large buildings and commercial towers, the vertical side of construction, are historically more CFMEU territory under that unions narrower occupation-based membership coverage. That former state CFMEU leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham pushed this boundary, and how, is the key thrust of Schinnerls concern. Theres much power, and members fees, at stake. She believes the pair saw her election to the top role as an opportunity to apply enough pressure personally and to her staff and members that she would give in. Weve now heard much, through the two inquiry hearing blocks so far, Julys report into violence in the CFMEU, and beyond, about just how that pressure was applied. Queensland Council of Unions leader Jacqueline King at Tuesdays hearing. Credit: News Corp Australia It took the form of violence, threats, intimidation and humiliation, amid a backdrop of accusations the AWU didnt have the fight needed to back workers in such a dangerous industry. Three major contractors tasked with completing the multibillion-dollar Cross River Rail project, Gold Coast Light Rail and Centenary Bridge upgrade have also been pulled into the story. Either for giving in to the CFMEU or apparently declaring the ability for workers and their AWU representatives to access the sites through building union blockades wasnt their problem. That these and other disputes about lawful site entry were caught up in an arrangement which saw police, when called, deferring to the workplace regulator exacerbated the situation. Former state CFMEU assistant secretary Jade Ingham, president Royce Kupsch, and secretary Michael Ravbar in 2020. Credit: Facebook/CFMEU As did the fact the key contact, first revealed by this masthead, was a public servant under a corruption watchdog cloud and described as having a close personal a relationship with the former CFMEU president. Not to mention the police agreement seemed to give a do-around, in Schinnerls words, for CFMEU officials without the necessary permits to get onto sites. Let alone police were unable to take much action on anything if Schinnerl and others, rightly or wrongly, did not feel they could stand behind publicly formal complaints. Loading The second union leader called to the stand this week, Queensland Council of Unions general secretary Jacqueline King, spoke of CFMEU-led dysfunction in the regulator. One of its short-lived former bosses was also seen as a potential weak point for the CFMEU, which almost turned her into a captured pawn before turning against her, too. But the CFMEUs former leadership also stands accused of using the development of government guidelines for best practice agreements with unions on major projects to push its agenda. Schinnerl told the inquiry last week of her warnings about this to the office of then Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, her cabinet ministers and senior public servants. Loading The former government is said to have cited legal advice backing their position, but also suggested they did not want to pick a side in union turf wars. That the AWU is aligned with the minority Right faction of the Labor Party, while the CFMEU (at least historically) was aligned to the larger Left faction, is perhaps useful context here. Another of Kings revelations was an approach by Ingham last year for her help to delay the passage of laws by the former Labor government seeking to close the entry permit loophole. This came with a sweetener: it would help Ingham run against Ravbar for the top job and allow him to deliver the CFMEU back to the peak union council and Labor Left. The alternative was a nuclear Ravbar. King knocked him back. Then came the federal government ordered administration of the union sparked by reporting from this masthead and 60 Minutes. Since then, amid the pairs only recently released grip, plans were also said to have emerged to use dual AWU members, and a $1 million fund, to take over their rival at a future election. The inquiry last week flagged at least one matter which now might be referred to police. It had already heard of actions Ravbar and Ingham may be referred to authorities for, too. The former leaders were heavily critical of the July report and denied its allegations. Both are expected to give evidence of their own to the inquiry. Supermarkets are worsening Australias waste problem by placing meat, produce and ready-made meals on black trays that cannot be recycled and go straight to landfill, waste experts say. Ron Wainberg, of waste management consulting business MRA Consulting, is calling on governments to ban plastic packaging that contains carbon black, the common colourant or pigment included in plastic to make it black or to block light. Supermarket meat on a non-recyclable black tray. Credit: Shutterstock People diligently will put these things in their recycling bin, and theyre just going to go to landfill, said Wainberg. What is needed is for the government to show leadership and regulate that these things cant be used, but they wont do it. The federal government did not answer questions as to whether it would ban the trays. A spokesperson said it was working with states and territories to phase out single-use plastics and transform Australias packaging regulations. A large mosque in Melbournes outer west that was vandalised with Islamophobic graffiti will hold a community meeting to discuss the disturbing incident. Virgin Mary Mosque in Hoppers Crossing was sprayed with the words Get some pork on ya fork on Friday morning, sparking condemnation from state MPs. Eating pork is forbidden under Islamic law. Offensive graffiti at Virgin Mary Mosque in Hoppers Crossing. Credit: Islamic Council of Victoria The Virgin Mary Mosque has about 7000 worshippers. Almost 9 per cent of Hoppers Crossing residents are Muslim, compared with 4.2 per cent of Victorians, according to the latest census. Dr Seyed Sheriffdeen, secretary of the Australian Islamic Mission, which owns Virgin Mary Mosque as well as the Bendigo Mosque, said the mosque expected hundreds of people to gather on Saturday night following the racist graffiti. The community is disturbed and upset about it, he said. This can include children registered for homeschooling, according to the body. The authority wrote to more than 8000 families registered for homeschooling in Victoria, warning them of the issues around unregistered schools. Loading While the authority can issue fines to providers, it did not confirm whether it had issued any fines. The Home Education Association of Australia said illegal schools were a national issue that had spiked since COVID-19 in 2020. During COVID, we had contact from teachers who didnt want to get vaccinated and wanted to replace their teacher salaries by tutoring homeschooled kids, basically by setting up pop-up schools, association vice president Janelle Barnes told The Age. Barnes said people often discovered the illicit programs through social media, making them difficult for authorities to detect. Some of the people who are setting up these programs are actually a risk to children, and thats a big concern, she said. The vice president of the national network said she had heard of a case where someone uncovered a teacher acting as a tutor. The teacher was struck off the teachers register for inappropriate behaviour. Its a for-profit situation, where the person whos charging for their time and at the end of the day, were not the ones who can decide whether they are an unregistered school or a tutoring service, Barnes said. She said it was a challenge for families who wanted to educate their children at home to understand what was a part of the system and what wasnt. Loading Especially when theyre being provided information from these sorts of people who are in it for the money, Barnes explained. Homeschool families in Victoria must be registered with the VRQA, but they can use a homeschool co-operative system, which teaches some classes. But the unregistered schools often try to be both a school and a co-op, researcher and teacher Dr Rebecca English said. She said illegal or unregistered schools were also a growing issue in NSW and Queensland, and that families might not be aware they were sending their kids to an illicit school or program. Im concerned parents will be pinged for doing what they thought was right when they just didnt know and arent across the whole legislation, which is difficult for most parents to read or understand, she said. As well as child safety concerns, the unlawful programs may not be meeting the required standards. [Parents] might think, if the child is in the equivalent of senior-secondary, that they might be working toward an ATAR, when theyre not, she said. Another issue was that children in these programs could be doing subjects that didnt count towards a high school certification, the academic said. Loading There was a growing interest among parents looking for alternative education for their children because they felt their kids were struggling socially, academically or for other reasons. Mainstream school has not worked for their young person, she said. The VRQA received 189 complaints about schools in the 2024-25 financial year, and 129 in the previous financial year. In 2024-25, the VRQA received 70 in-jurisdiction complaints about registered schools and 27 about unregistered schools. Changes to education laws that came into effect this year increased the VRQAs power to investigate whether providers need to be registered. The purpose of the amendments is to protect students from harm and ensure they receive a quality education in a safe environment. The amendments significantly increased the penalty for operating an unregistered school, the VRQA said. Complaints about registered schools were most commonly allegations about compliance with the care, safety and welfare minimum standards. Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll said anyone with concerns should contact the VRQA or use the state register to check if a school is registered. Child safety and a high-quality education are at the core of Victorias regulatory framework, which is why we take allegations of unregistered schools extremely seriously. Melburnians in outer-suburban areas generate 14 times more carbon emissions than those in the inner city well served by public transport. Providing better links between public transport, housing and jobs would cut emissions by 80 per cent, according to new Monash University research. Julia Blunden has given up her car and now catches public transport. Credit: Wayne Taylor The average Melburnian contributes 21 per weekday to the cost of climate change, but the amount varies widely, from less than 4 for people in parts of Carlton and Docklands with the best public transport and walking connections, up to 58 in car-dependent Bacchus March. Emissions generated during weekday trips around greater Melbourne add up to $333 million a year in climate change costs, which include things such as flood damage and treating respiratory illnesses. Fitz: And I gather they have been mined for years, but only this century or so have they really become desperately critical? Loading MW: Yes. Driven in large part by renewable energy, but also our demand for modern technologies such as mobile phones and robotics. Just prior to that realisation, though, lots of critical mineral mines around the world closed in the 1990s because the margins were so small. Fitz: And thats where the trouble started. MW: Thats where Chinas sheer dominance started. From the late 1990s and early 2000s China realised how important they were going to be to everything in the modern age, and so started buying mines and increasing processing capacity helped by very low labour costs, government support and little regulation and started finding, processing and stockpiling huge quantities of them. Fitz: And so racing forward, when Trump became president the second time, his first move was to whack tariffs on everything that moved and most things that didnt, to which Chinas response was, No more soup for you today, and no more critical minerals? MW: Yes, China went all-in on critical minerals. In Australia, we do iron ore, and they buy our iron ore. China controls more than 90 per cent of processing, and almost all the processing for the heavy rare earths the West relies on for defence and high-end magnets. The Chinese know how to do it: theyve got the skills, the intellectual property, the machinery, theyve come up with faster and faster ways to do it, not always the most environmentally sensitive, while the rest of the world was left behind. Fitz: So the Chinese have Trump over a barrel of processed lithium, which he cant have. And suddenly, because Australia has a lot of critical minerals, we are Americas new Best Friend Forever, again. Cue the bugles and balloons, this big deal is signed to much fanfare. What was the essence of the deal? MW: America will commit billions of dollars to Australia, to secure rare earths and critical minerals, that can then go to America from a source that they can trust and rely upon independently of China. Fitz: OK, so from that moment, even Albaneses most bitter critics say, Actually, this is a good deal for Australia. Thunderbirds Are Go! But then the PwC report comes out, saying Thunderbirds are actually flying like sick ducks into a headwind. Why are investors so slow to back these projects? MW: Largely because of our regulations which are important and necessary and which protect us and the environment. Loading Fitz: Which is where that new law that was passed a fortnight ago comes in, championed by Environment Minister Murray Watt, with the support of the Greens. Remind me? The guts of it? MW: Its called the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC). Some are now calling it the nature positive bill. And its not there to weaken the environment regulations, but to give clearer rules and timeframes, so projects get a faster yes or a faster no, providing clarity to companies that want to invest, and better certainty as to how long things are going to take, from inception to production. Fitz: Is it the feds taking over from the states or not? MW: State governments still make the decisions, but it does also allow the federal and state ministers to prioritise projects deemed of particular importance and make regulators give much quicker approvals or refusals. Otherwise, companies end up spending millions of dollars just trying to get approval. For a lot of modern mines, it can now take nearly 20 years from discovery to production once you add exploration, studies, approvals and financing. Its not really feasible for small companies to sustain that, but I think these new laws look good. Fitz: OK, so in your case, I cant help but notice that in the past three years, youve been constantly disappearing to Victoria to do something, something, mineral sands, something, something, heavy metals, something, dysprosium, terbium, something, something. If we can fit in a tight gratuitous plug at least by way of using your own experience as an example of the issues what is that all about? MW: Our project is called the Fingerboards project in East Gippsland, and it seeks to mine zircon, titanium and light and heavy rare earths. Fitz: OK. But as a serious question, how do your locals in beautiful East Gippsland know that youre not going to ravage the earth and leave a huge and unsightly gash on Mother Natures shapely left breast? MW: We are heavily regulated. The approval process is exacting and is reviewed by the public, by government, by community, by independent experts. But they wont approve the project if we dont put in place assurances about how we manage local impacts, how we work with First Nations peoples and ensuring we approach the project with transparency and strong levels of local engagement. I suspect thats why a humble non-engineer like me got a job like this because community is as much a part of it as the technical aspects. Fitz: And what sort of money are you claiming your mine will bring? MW: We think we can contribute about $100 million a year to the local economy over 22 years, and thats just from that one mine. Victoria is filled with projects like ours. Fitz: This is the other thing. I did a book on the Eureka Stockade, and I remember a line from a miner from the 1850s, who said, In the Sierra Nevada, we measured gold in ounces. At Ballarat, we measured in pounds. And as we go on, it is becoming apparent that Victoria the most debt-ridden state in Australia is actually sitting on something much more valuable than a gold mine, which might be dozens, if not hundreds, of critical mineral mines? MW: Exactly. Theyre sitting on critical minerals all through the Murray Basin and in Gippsland. And I was in the room when the government just approved a new mine for the critical mineral, antimony, at Sunday Creek, an hour north of Melbourne. It will bring in billions of dollars to the Australian economy. Fitz: And your own chances of such approval? Commonwealth plans to slash gas prices for households and business by shoring up domestic supply face a last-minute attempt by one of the biggest gas exporters to sidestep the scheme. Before a federal cabinet meeting on Monday to consider a national gas reserve, manufacturers are demanding the Albanese government ignore pressure from an east coast exporter for Labor to ditch its preferred policy. Authorities warn that millions of gas-connected homes in Victoria and NSW face shortfalls unless more local gas is made available, while businesses warn they could be forced to close because of soaring energy costs making their business unprofitable. Most of the gas produced on the east coast is converted into LNG and exported. The federal government is developing a scheme to force producers to reserve some for the domestic market. Credit: Getty Images In response, Canberra has been reviewing gas exports, and will consider details of how to reserve gas for Australian consumers. The government is expected to announce its gas reservation policy before breaking for the holiday season. Powell and Raspail were condemned in their time, but the angst has remained. Eventually, voters who felt unheard by the mainstream political parties have embraced populists who have nothing to lose. New movements promise to stem the tide of immigration; Powells re-emigration idea is back. Nigel Farages Reform UK party is surging, as are the Alternative for Deutschland in Germany and Marine Le Pens National Rally in France. Donald Trump, who vowed to curb illegal immigration, is increasingly under pressure from the hard MAGA core of his party. Theyre making it clear that its not just illegal entry they want stopped, but legal migration at scale as well. For years, Australia was able to avoid the disquiet building in other nations by focusing on skilled migration and using our island borders to prevent illegal arrivals. But as Australians watch the developments in the Anglosphere and feel the economic squeeze at home, they have become more uncomfortable with the number of migrants coming here by legal means. Of late, the concerns are characterised as just a matter of infrastructure and housing. Thats a hopeful view because it suggests we could build our way out of an uncomfortable conversation. But the truth revealed by the March for Australia protests and opportunistic neo-Nazi grandstanding is that many people arent merely concerned about overcrowding. They are worried about being culturally crowded out. Into this moment walks the Liberal Party, thrashed and demoralised after a historic election loss. Recent polling has found that the immigration-sceptical One Nation has surged to 18 per cent of the primary vote, mostly at the expense of the centre right. From opposition, the Liberal Party has the task of solving one of our thorniest problems. In a very gentle gesture of acknowledgment that voters are worried about more than commuter congestion, the Liberals have floated the idea of a tougher values test for aspiring migrants. Progressive commentators reflexively responded to the test by mocking the idea that there is such a thing, or that our values are something to treasure. They are the reason Raspails self-hating characters are back in print. Arduen Arda Shnaishel reveals every piece of jewellery in his Auburn shop like it was something he found at the bottom of the ocean, with a grin and a wink. The dense collection of chains, bracelets, coins and bars on display at Ounce Jewellery, his familys business, twinkle under the light. For us, business is booming, he says. Its not just about the gold price, but that has helped. Its about the demand. People always have and will always want to buy gold. And not just any gold: people will always want the kind of gold we sell. Arduen Shnaishel from Ounce Jewellery in Auburn among some of the gold pieces on display. Credit: Kate Geraghty Ounce is one of several jewellers run by Iraqi-Australians in western Sydney, a growing micro-economy built around providing a very specific product: Arab gold. Former NRL star Wendell Sailor has been charged and spent a night in police custody over an incident in which he allegedly obstructed traffic on a busy road. The 51-year-old former Australian league and union international was arrested after police received reports of a man yelling and standing in the middle of the road in Wollongong about 11pm on Friday. Former Broncos star Wendell Sailor. Credit: 2001 He was allegedly stopping traffic near a busy intersection not far from the city centre while apparently under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Sailor also allegedly fought officers attempts to move him before he was charged at Wollongong police station. He was accused of breaching bail conditions, obstructing traffic and resisting arrest, and held in custody ahead of his appearance in court on Saturday. Moore Threads Technology surged by more than fivefold in Shanghai, as enthusiastic investors vied to get shares of the Beijing-based semiconductor supplier used in artificial intelligence, helping to mark the second-biggest trading debut in China's stock market this year. Moore's shares began trading at 650 yuan amid a declining market, a 468 per cent jump from their initial public offering (IPO) price of 114.28 yuan. China's benchmark CSI300 Index slipped 0.1 per cent. The surge in Moore reflects China's prioritisation of technology self-sufficiency in a critical five-year plan that outlined the nation's economic and social development goals through 2030. China is now engaged in a tit-for-tat competition with the US in the tech area from AI large-language models to sophisticated chips and robotics. 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. Moore raised 8 billion yuan (US$1.13 billion) in the second-largest IPO on the mainland this year. Proceeds from the IPO will finance its next-generation projects in AI and graphics chips and supplement working capital. The offering is only smaller than Huadian New Energy Group's US$2.7 billion IPO in July. Moore Threads' MTT S400 GPUs. Photo: Handout alt=Moore Threads' MTT S400 GPUs. Photo: Handout> Dubbed "China's Nvidia", Moore had a quick path to the capital market, getting the green light from the China Securities Regulatory Commission in October, a mere four months after its application, compared with the average processing time of about 470 days for last year's applicants on the Shanghai Stock Exchange Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market). The company had significant backers. Liang Wenfeng, the founder of the large language model firm DeepSeek and the quantitative hedge fund HighFlyer, was listed as the top institutional investor, having invested 7 million yuan in Moore before its IPO, according to mainland media. James Zhang Jianzhong, founder of Moore Threads Intelligent Technology, during the launch ceremony of China's first GPU-based computing platform for artificial intelligence (AI) training in Beijing on December 19, 2023. Photo: Handout alt=James Zhang Jianzhong, founder of Moore Threads Intelligent Technology, during the launch ceremony of China's first GPU-based computing platform for artificial intelligence (AI) training in Beijing on December 19, 2023. Photo: Handout> When we gelded him, he had only a short time off and ran at Hawkesbury, then we took him to Queensland and he didnt handle the track there, then he had a good spell. There looks to be really good speed in that race tomorrow, so you can always go back as long as you can run on. Trainer Gerald Ryan. Credit: Getty Images Tim Clark rides Just Party, which was battling for favouritism at $7.50 (TAB) in a wide open affair. Ryan and training partner Sterling Alexiou also have Grebeni ($23) and Green Shadows ($16) in the race, the highest-rated on a program was pushed back because of heatwave conditions on Saturday. Grebeni, also drawn wide, was two lengths away last start in the Little Dance on November 4. He ran well then missed out on going to Kembla because of the wet weather, so we freshened him up for this run, Ryan said. Hes a Magic Millions horse, theres an 1800m race for him there, so hell have this run and another at Randwick and he will probably go there. Green Shadows was seventh in the Little Dance then fourth at Canberra. We were thinking Magic Millions with him, but the races arent quite suitable, so we decided to give him this race and then hell have a breather. Ryan hopes a weight drop and patient approach with Sanctified can reap rewards in the fifth, a benchmark 72 for three-year-olds (1200m). Sanctified was second last time out to Casserousse and was $13 for Sunday. His form overall is pretty good, Ryan said. He got beat at the Kensington track first up by Sixties, and theyve got a bit of an opinion of that horse, then he just got beat at Wyong and then won at Canterbury. We just freshened him up because he had three hard runs. We brought him back at 1000m, which was always going to be too short for him. Then other day I thought he ran really well. Its a good race, a genuine Saturday class race, but hes got race experience, its his home track and he will get firm footing, which I think he likes better than wet ground. Hes had a month between runs only because theres been no races for him. I wanted to get him to a race where he drops a bit in the weights. Sargent hunts easy kill for filly Randwick trainer John Sargent says Nullarbor Jane has come back bigger and stronger for a sharp drop in grade at Hawkesbury on Sunday. The Too Darn Hot filly has just one placing in five career starts but the group 2 Riesling and Silver Shadow Stakes are among them. She was an odds-on favourite for the opener at Hawkesbury, a 1000m maiden plate, where she is first-up off a 13-week break and a winning trial. Id like to get her out of maidens if I can, Sargent said. Shes come back a lot bigger and stronger. I put her aside when she failed in her last run [when last in the Silver Shadow]. She probably just went to a race that didnt suit and well just work her through the grades this time. She showed in that recent trial shes a natural and a really nice filly, and I think she will go on with it this time. If she happened to win well tomorrow, you could consider the Gosford Guineas with her. Shes a naturally fast horse so well use that tomorrow. Bell sees promising road ahead Jockey Mitch Bell was most impressed with the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Shady Road out his winning treble at Newcastle on Saturday. Bell finished the day with three wins from three rides. His other on the program, Zoysia, was scratched at the gates. Loading Bells first win came on Shady Road, which dominated at her second start, coming from last to take out the fillies and mares maiden plate (1150m) by a length and a half as a $10 shot. I thought Annabels was quite classy and put them away quite easily, Bell said. Even though I was back last, it always felt like I had enough underneath me to put them away. I think it has a bit of upside to it, in the sense that its still learning. Virginia Giuffres family members have raised questions over a significant amount of missing money in the ongoing row over what is believed to be her multimillion-dollar estate. Giuffre, who was 41 when she died in Western Australia in April, is thought to have amassed an estimated $US22 million ($33.1 million) fortune through victim compensation funds and civil lawsuit settlements relating to the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein. Virginia Giuffres brother, Sky Roberts, has long challenged his brother-in-laws right to inherit her money. Credit: Leigh Vogel for Sydney Morning Herald This includes an estimated $US12 million payment she received from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, to settle a sexual abuse claim brought against him in 2022. Andrew has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing. However, court documents filed in the legal battle over her estate in Australia on Friday value it at just $472,000 a legal threshold that dictates how assets in Australia are divided when there is no will. It may increase when more assets are discovered. Washington: The Trump administrations new manifesto on global security renews calls for Indo-Pacific allies to spend more on defence and to share the burden of containing China, but places less emphasis on Australias role than on Japans and South Koreas. The eagerly awaited National Security Strategy released by the White House also represents a paradigm shift in Americas relationship with Europe, with one analyst describing the document as a real, painful, shocking wake-up call for that continent. American soldiers training in Romania in 2022. Credit: Bloomberg The 33-page strategy is significant because it represents the first holistic, high-level articulation of the Trump administrations foreign policy agenda and priorities, including a decisive shift towards protecting the United States from threats closer to home. In the Indo-Pacific, it prioritises rebalancing the USs economic relationship with China while maintaining a robust and ongoing focus on deterrence to prevent war. I was rebelling against everything, Gehry said in an interview with The New York Times in 2012, explaining his antipathy towards the dominant architectural movements of the time, as exemplified by the Farnsworth House on the Illinois prairie, a stark, flat, steel-and-glass modernist pavilion by Mies van der Rohe. I couldnt live in a house like that, he said. Id have to come home, clean up my clothes, hang them properly. I thought it was snotty and effete. It just didnt feel like it fit into life. The Gehry-designed Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at UTS Business School in Sydney. Credit: Fairfax Media For some, his work was more sculpture than architecture. Others saw it as emblematic of a global culture that reduced architecture to a form of branding. Gehry, whose name was recognised around the world, was sometimes derided as a star-chitect. But his works emotional ferocity could feel empowering, as if architecture had rediscovered a part of itself that had been lost after decades of dreary functionalism and postmodernist cliches. And the widespread focus on his buildings dazzling exteriors could distract from Gehrys deeper goals: to create an architecture that was not just affecting but democratic in spirit and evocative of the messiness of human life. He was born Frank Owen Goldberg on February 28, 1929, in Toronto, to Irving and Sadie (Caplan) Goldberg. His father held a series of jobs, including managing a grocery store and selling pinball and slot machines. Frank and his sister, Doreen, lived with their parents in a two-family house clad in brick and tar-paper shingles (a material he would use in some of his designs). As a boy, he worked part-time in his maternal grandfathers hardware store, stocking the shelves with tools, screws and bolts an experience, he said, that spawned his love of everyday materials. The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, another Gehry masterpiece, opened in 2003. Credit: Getty Images Once a week, his maternal grandmother would come home from the market with a live carp, another formative experience, which would inspire the fish imagery that later appeared in his work. Wed put it in the bathtub, Gehry recalled, and Id play with this fish for a day until she killed it and made gefilte fish (a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish). Franks world abruptly fell apart in the mid-1940s, when his father, a heavy drinker, had a heart attack as the two were arguing on the front lawn, a memory that Gehry said haunted him for decades. His father never fully recovered. After a doctor warned that he would not survive another Toronto winter, the family moved to Los Angeles, renting a cramped $US50-a-month apartment in a run-down neighbourhood just west of downtown. As an architect, Gehry was a late bloomer. After a brief stint in the army, he married Anita Snyder, who helped pay his way through the University of Southern California, where he initially studied ceramics. He shifted to architecture after a teacher introduced him to Raphael Soriano, a pillar of postwar modernism in Southern California. (It was around this time, too, that he adopted Gehry as his surname, a somewhat random choice inspired, he said, by the desire to avoid antisemitism.) Gehry spent several years toiling as a mid-level designer and project manager at Gruen Associates, a firm known for its shopping malls. After he opened his own office in 1962, much of his early work was for mainstream developers. He designed a sprawling headquarters for the Rouse Company in Columbia, Maryland, and two unremarkable department stores for Joseph Magnin in California. You go into architecture to make the world a better place. A better place to live, to work, whatever. You dont go into it as an ego trip. Frank Gehry, speaking in 2012 But he was an outsider by nature, and he began looking beyond the work of other architects for inspiration. Like many Angelenos, he was drawn to the laid-back, anything-goes atmosphere of the city, whose mix of garish mansions, flimsy bungalows, vacant lots, Googies coffee shops and colourful billboards was the antithesis of East Coast architectural academicism. And he became close to a generation of Los Angeles artists Robert Irwin, Billy Al Bengston, Ed Moses, Larry Bell whose surfboard-inspired aesthetic and raw work spaces suggested an alternative to the chilly austerity of late modernism and the reactionary tendencies of postmodernism. The artists were living in industrial buildings and warehouses, Gehry said in the 2012 interview with the Times. They were constantly moving things around changing the rooms, building lofts or storage spaces. It was so free and unselfconscious. I wanted to do that. In the late 1960s, Gehry and his wife divorced, and in 1975, he married Berta Aguilera. She survives him, along with their two sons, Sam, an architectural designer, and Alejandro, an artist; a daughter, Brina Gehry, from his previous marriage; and his sister, Doreen Gehry Nelson. Another daughter from his first marriage, Leslie Gehry Brenner, died in 2008. Gehrys approach to his own Santa Monica home divided critics and his neighbours. Credit: wikipedia.org The Gehrys bought their Santa Monica house, a two-storey pink-stucco affair, in 1977. At Aguileras prodding, he began to tear it apart. The houses rough, unfinished appearance attracted the attention of architecture critics, even as it infuriated neighbours. But its tormented forms suggesting a world that had been ripped up and gently pieced back together had their own kind of beauty. And the use of crude, everyday materials was Gehrys assertion that the working-class aesthetic he had grown up with could be as appealing as anything found in the more refined corners of the city. Decades later, he and Aguilera moved out of the little house that had first brought him fame and into a more luxurious spread overlooking Santa Monica Canyon. Designed with his son Sam, the new house was a sprawling, sometimes awkward composition of angled, heavy-timber posts and beams. Nonetheless, it retained some of the rough-and-tumble qualities of Gehrys earlier architecture, and its jostling forms reflected a lifelong quest for emotional and creative freedom. Gehry kept on working. An interior view of Gehrys Luma Foundation building in Arles, France. Credit: Getty Images In 2017, he completed the Pierre Boulez Hall in Berlin, designed in collaboration with conductor Daniel Barenboim: a compact, box-like space with a sunken floor and a floating elliptical balcony, contained inside an austere neoclassical building from the 1950s. And in 2021, the LUMA Foundation building in Arles, southern France, was finished; a twisting tower of stainless-steel bricks, it was inspired in part by the rocky terrain of the nearby Alpilles mountain range. Before his death, Gehry was completing several projects for luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault, including an 7618-square-metre flagship store for Louis Vuitton in Beverly Hills, and in Paris, the conversion of an abandoned 1960s building into an exhibition space and events hall down a block from Arnaults Fondation Louis Vuitton building, which he also designed. He was also putting the final touches on a 1000-seat concert hall for the Colburn School of Music, near his Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina will be travelling to the Netherlands from December 613, 2025, as part of a previously scheduled working visit that remains a priority for Sint Maarten. The importance of this mission has increased following a meeting held this afternoon with the Prime Ministers of Curacao, Mr. Gilmar Pisas, and the Prime Minister of Aruba, Mr. Mike Eman. During that consultation, Prime Minister Mercelina was mandated by his colleagues to represent all three Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, ensuring that he would be on the ground to receive first-hand information on ongoing developments between the United States and Venezuela. Given the evolving landscape in our region, Sint Maarten must remain actively engaged at the highest diplomatic levels. My presence in the Netherlands is essential to ensure that our countrys security, safety, perspectives, and priorities are clearly represented, stated Prime Minister Mercelina; hence my scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Dick Schoof, coming Monday, December 8, 2025. The working visit also follows earlier bilateral discussions in New York with Kingdom partners, where cooperation, preparedness, and international developments were among the main topics. Reflecting on the broader regional dynamic, the Prime Minister added, Considering Aruba and Curacaos geographical proximity to areas of heightened concern, it is understandable that my colleagues may face constraints in attending certain sessions in person. Their continued participation through official representatives allows our shared work to continue effectively and cohesively. During the visit, Prime Minister Mercelina will take part in a full program of strategic engagements, including consultations with the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague discussions with the VNG, and other high-level multilateral meetings. He also intends to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Mr. van Weel, to address international matters and developments relevant to the Kingdom, as well as the ongoing tension in the Caribbean. In addition to these governmental engagements, the Prime Minister will participate in the Inter-Expo conference in The Hague, which will focus on the future prospects of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 15 years after 10/10/10. During this three-day conference, he will contribute to panel discussions alongside regional leaders and experts, including former Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende en Mr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin. He will also deliver a keynote address focusing on the constitutional autonomy. The Government of Sint Maarten will continue to provide updates as the Prime Ministers working visit progresses. Press Release from Business Wire: Tengchong Scientists Forum Center (AFP) Dec 06, 2025 TENGCHONG, Dec 6, 2025 (BSW) - The 2025 Tengchong Scientists Forum opened on Saturday in southwest China's Yunnan Province, convening leading scientists and academic figures to examine innovation across frontier fields including artificial intelligence, biodiversity and quantum technology. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251205499197/en/ Opening ceremony of Tengchong Scientists Forum on 6th December, 2025 Notable participants include Nobel Physics laureate Konstantin Novoselov, Fields Medalist Efim Zelmanov and Turing Award winner Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, who join 127 academicians, 77 university presidents from China and abroad, over 400 scholars and more than 600 entrepreneurs and financiers. The gathering aims to deepen collaboration between cutting-edge research and industrial development. Under the theme "Science * AI changing the World," the forum features ten sub-forums, academic sessions and thematic events supporting major cooperation projects. Organizers say the program reinforces the forum's role as a platform linking scientific innovation with industry. Several key publications and rankings were released for the first time, including the Technology Foresight and Future Vision Report, the Top 10 Technology Transfer Cases, Top 10 Academic Achievements, and Top 10 Science and Technology Cooperation Initiatives of 2025, highlighting the forum's expanding academic influence. A major highlight is the debut of the Tengchong Young Scientist Award, covering ten disciplines such as mathematics, physics, life sciences, materials science, ecology, aerospace and interdisciplinary arts and sciences. The award honors outstanding researchers under 40 who have made significant contributions to fundamental research or technological innovation. The forum also draws on the legacy of the National Southwest Associated University, known for its spirit of resilience and excellence. Jointly organized by Peking University, Tsinghua University and Nankai University, the event includes a University Presidents Forum led by Peking University, where 77 university leaders explored strategies for integrated development in education, science and talent. To strengthen global engagement, the forum invited more than 180 experts, scholars and business leaders from 26 countries. New outcomes related to Lancang-Mekong cooperation were also announced, linking to initiatives such as the "Wisdom Yunnan" program and the Lancang-Mekong National Science and Innovation Competition, which broaden opportunities for young scientists across South and Southeast Asia. Organizers note that earlier editions of the forum established strong ties with global academic and industry communities and led to initiatives including the Declaration of the Tengchong Scientists Forum and the Tengchong Science Award, while facilitating numerous talent recruitment and investment projects. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251205499197/en/ Contact EncycloVision (Shenzhen) Brand Communication Co., Ltd.Eason Zhou[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. After fine against X, Musk says EU 'should be abolished' Washington, United States, Dec 6 (AFP) Dec 06, 2025 Elon Musk clapped back Saturday at the European Union after it hit the tech tycoon's X social media platform with a major fine, telling his 230 million online followers that the EU should be "abolished." Following a high-profile probe seen as a test of EU resolve to police Big Tech, the social media platform owned by the world's richest person was slapped with a fine of 120 million euros ($140 million) on Friday for breaking the bloc's digital rules. The penalty was swiftly criticized by the US administration of Donald Trump, who as president aligned with Musk on a contentious effort to slash the federal workforce and cut spending, before the two had a falling out. Musk himself weighed in after the fine was announced, posting on his X account: "The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people." When a user reposted Musk's comment, he responded, "I mean it. Not kidding." "I love Europe, but not the bureaucratic monster that is the EU," he added in another post. The fine against X was the first imposed by the European Commission under its Digital Services Act (DSA) on content. The Commission said X was guilty of breaching the DSA's transparency obligation. The violations include the deceptive design of the platform's "blue checkmark" for supposedly verified accounts, and its failure to provide access to public data for researchers, it said. X had also failed to be sufficiently transparent about its advertising, the Commission added. Milei welcomes Argentina's first F-16 fighter jets Rio Cuarto, Argentina, Dec 6 (AFP) Dec 06, 2025 President Javier Milei on Saturday hailed the arrival of Argentina's first six F-16 jets purchased from Denmark, describing them as "guardian angels" that will strengthen the South American country's armed forces. The US-built aircraft are among the 24 used supersonic fighters bought last year from Copenhagen for roughly $300 million, an exchange Milei's government described at the time as Argentina's most important military acquisition in 50 years. "After a long wait, I finally have behind me the first six F-16 fighter jets," Milei said on the tarmac of a military base in Rio Cuarto, some 600 kilometers (373 miles) west of Buenos Aires. "Thanks to this significant investment, we will considerably strengthen our air force." Following a ceremony, Milei boarded one of the F-16 Fighting Falcons -- which had flown low over Argentina's capital before landing in Rio Cuarto -- and was seen smiling in the cockpit next to his sister Karina Milei, who serves as general secretary of the presidency, and Defense Minister Luis Petri. "Hundreds of thousands of Argentines were able to look up and see their guardian angels in the sky for the first time," the president said. When the sale was announced in April 2024, Argentina's defense ministry said the modernized Danish F-16s would form "the backbone of Argentina's air defense system." They replace Argentina's French Mirage jets, the last of which were retired in 2017 after four decades of service. The US administration of President Donald Trump, a Milei ally, approved the transfer of F-16s. The US Embassy in Buenos Aires said in a statement Saturday that Argentina's jet acquisition marks "a major step in the country's efforts to modernize its air capabilities and deepen defense cooperation with the United States." It said the delivery was the first of four batches, with six additional aircraft to be delivered to Argentina each December through 2028. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue Key Points Most of the major AI hyperscalers use chips manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC). TSMC should be a winner, regardless of which company ultimately wins the computing competition. 10 stocks we like better than Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Recently, the AI debate seems to be centered on whether the computing units from Nvidia or Alphabet are the best option, with maybe Advanced Micro Devices or custom AI accelerators from Broadcom sneaking in as well. While the discourse around these companies' different approaches is good, I think it misses a key point. The primary fact that investors should be taking from this recent debate is that AI spending isn't going anywhere. The AI hyperscalers have told investors to prepare for record-setting spending again in 2026, after breaking previous records in 2025. Regardless of what computing chips are being used to fill these artificial intelligence data centers, the odds are high that those chips were made in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's (NYSE: TSM) facilities. And so, I think this is the most important AI stock to watch now. Image source: Getty Images. A key provider of chips in multiple industries Taiwan Semiconductor is the largest chip foundry by revenue, and it makes chips for all sorts of industries. In the third quarter, 57% of revenue came from orders in the high-powered computing industry (which is mostly comprised of AI chips). That leaves a fairly sizable chunk of its business coming from other areas like smartphones (30%) and all the other industries it supports. Because TSMC is so concentrated in high-powered computing, watching to make sure its revenue growth continues will give investors a sign if the AI hyperscalers are planning on continuing their spending plans. The chips from TSMC don't instantly go into devices from Nvidia or AMD, and there is build time for the computing devices, so it's possible that chips being made today won't find their way into functioning data centers until late 2026 or 2027. Keeping an eye on Taiwan Semiconductor's growth will clue investors in on whether there is still a significant AI spending spree going on. With Taiwan Semiconductor's revenue rising 41% year over year in the third quarter, I'd say the spending habits of the largest tech companies are alive and well. Should TSMC's revenue growth grind to a halt or move in the negative direction, it should send alarm bells through investors' heads that something big could be coming. As a result, Taiwan Semiconductor is a key company to keep tabs on, alongside all the other computing providers. At a press conference on Thursday he 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. Taken together, the more cautious camp emphasizes that a lot of the good news around strong recent results, cost savings and capital returns may already be priced in, leaving Shell's valuation more vulnerable to setbacks in growth delivery, reserve replacement or commodity prices. Despite modest target increases, Citi's Neutral at 2,700 GBp and Wells Fargo's Equal Weight at $76 signal that several firms now see Shell closer to fair value, with upside more constrained by execution risks around long term liquids replacement and macro uncertainty for crude and margins. Wolfe Research has also stepped back, cutting Shell to Peer Perform from Outperform as it questions the sustainability and value impact of funding share buybacks with higher cash burn and potentially more debt, a stance that directly challenges the bull case built around capital returns. UBS has downgraded Shell to Neutral from Buy and trimmed its U.K. target to 3,000 GBp from 3,200 GBp, arguing that after a 12% year to date rally the shares are no longer cheap, with valuation harder to justify given resource replenishment challenges and more limited sales growth. Wells Fargo's Equal Weight initiation with a $76 target frames Shell as a balanced risk reward return of capital story, noting that in a broadly bearish sentiment backdrop for energy, disciplined capital returns and cost control remain central to relative performance and to how much upside is left in the shares. Scotiabank's move to a $91 target, even while describing its updated sector forecasts as somewhat disappointing versus earlier margin indicators, underscores that Shell still screens relatively well on cash generation and earnings power versus peers, helping justify a valuation premium within the integrated group. TD Cowen sees recent results as buoyed by strong operations and trading and notes Shell is actively working to address a sizeable liquids production gap in the 2030s while pushing cost reductions in chemicals and reallocating capital away from lower return renewables, which supports the longer term growth and returns narrative. Piper Sandler highlights that Shell's Q3 update appears strong enough to erase lingering concerns from Q2, pointing to better than expected operational and trading performance as evidence of solid execution and improving earnings quality. Piper Sandler, TD Cowen and Scotiabank have all raised their targets on Shell, with U.S. based price objectives now clustered in the low to low $90s, reflecting confidence that strong Q3 trading, resilient free cash flow and structural cost savings can support a higher valuation. Shell's latest valuation update nudges fair value down slightly to about $31.43 per share, even as revenue growth expectations tick higher to around 1.53% and the discount rate holds steady at 7.07%. This subtle recalibration reflects a market caught between confidence in Shell's cash generation and caution over how much of that strength is already priced in. Stay tuned to see how you can monitor these incremental shifts and keep ahead of the evolving narrative around Shell's stock. Story Continues Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative! LSE:SHEL Community Fair Values as at Dec 2025 What's in the News Shell has been ordered to pay Venture Global's legal fees in an LNG arbitration dispute, with the undisclosed sum earmarked by Venture Global for coastal restoration projects in Louisiana, and Shell is appealing the ruling. In a separate LNG arbitration matter, Shell is challenging its defeat against Venture Global in New York Supreme Court, even as a related case saw BP secure a high value win, keeping legal uncertainty around long term LNG contracts in focus. The U.S. has reauthorized Trinidad and Tobago to collaborate with Venezuela on the Dragon offshore gas project operated by Shell, reviving a long delayed regional gas supply opportunity that could support future production and cash flow. Shell has restarted the sale process for Indian renewable power producer Sprng Energy, appointing Barclays to run a full exit from the roughly $1.5 billion stake. Wells Fargo has also begun coverage with an Equal Weight rating and a $76 price target, centering its view on Shell's return of capital strategy. How This Changes the Fair Value For Shell Fair Value: edged down slightly from $31.78 to about $31.43 per share, implying a modest reduction in estimated upside. Discount Rate: unchanged at 7.07%, indicating no shift in the assumed risk profile or cost of capital. Revenue Growth: increased marginally from around 1.52% to 1.53%, reflecting a slightly stronger medium term top line outlook. Net Profit Margin: risen very slightly from about 7.54% to 7.54%, suggesting only a minimal improvement in long run profitability assumptions. Future P/E: moved up modestly from roughly 12.41x to 12.52x, pointing to a small increase in the multiple applied to forward earnings. Never Miss an Update: Follow The Narrative Narratives on Simply Wall St are simple stories that connect your view of a company like Shell to the numbers, linking its business outlook to forecasts for revenue, earnings and margins, and then to a fair value. Hosted on the Community page used by millions of investors, Narratives make it easy to compare fair value vs price, decide when to buy or sell, and automatically refresh as new news, earnings and data come in. Head over to the Simply Wall St Community and follow the Narrative on Shell to stay on top of the evolving story: How LNG growth, portfolio high grading and cost cuts could be associated with resilient free cash flow and long term returns. What rising shareholder payouts, buybacks and capital allocation choices may indicate for future flexibility and risk. How fair value, revenue and margin expectations shift as new legal, macro and energy transition developments emerge. Read the full Shell Narrative and follow future updates Curious how numbers become stories that shape markets? Explore Community Narratives This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SHEL.L. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Dug Begley is an investigative reporter for the Houston Chronicle, focused on what is happening in and around Texas and why it matters to Houstonians. Dug's reporting focuses on major issues in the news, diving into breaking news events and pursuing answers to some of the leading questions that emerge, including who bears responsibility and how we can prevent problems like it from happening again. He has written extensively about the governments upending of refugee admissions, which has left Houstons growing Afghan community reeling and stranded relatives outside the U.S., and the states slow-moving efforts to improve Texas parks through a $1 billion acquisition and improvement program. For more than a dozen years, Dug was the Chronicles transportation writer, reporting on federal, state and local highway, transit, rail and public works policy as well as the culture of commuting in Houston. His reporting contributed to the replacement of paper tags on Texas vehicles, explored the differences between supporters and critics of Houstons $10 billion-plus rebuild of Interstate 45 and spurred commitments from state and local officials to address Texas public health crisis of roadway deaths. He also saved a grove of centuries-old trees. Prior to coming to Houston in 2012, Dug was the transportation reporter for The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, Calif, where he covered rapid freeway expansion, safety issues in desert racing and the states road funding crisis. Dug has also worked full-time in Arkansas, Kentucky and Indiana and freelanced in various other places in more than 25 years of reporting or editing on everything from death penalty policy, mass shootings, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires, to mundane city council hearings. He has also covered the death of the 1939 King of the Hoboes, a pony killed in a DUI crash and a hunter shot by his own dog and detained by police. River Reimers, 5, plays with cards while hanging out with his grandmother, Julie Freeman, at the familys home in Round Rock, Nov. 12, 2025. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Julie Freeman often has to stop to catch her breath. A breast cancer survivor, the 60-year-old uses an oxygen tank for her emphysema and is raising her five grandchildren. She is the primary caretaker because her daughter is working and going to school and the children's father is not around. What the family needs the most is a bigger place to live and financial assistance with the rent, Freeman said. They live in an 1,100-square-foot former Airbnb in Round Rock with a tiny living room, a small kitchen and three bedrooms. Freeman, who drives her grandchildren to school daily, said she also needs help with her car payments. She doesn't have a job because being on oxygen limits what she can do. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Freeman is also home schooling her 9-year old granddaughter, Scarlett, because Scarlett was bullied at the school she attended, Freeman said. She said she would like to send Scarlett to a Christian school and provide her with cheerleading lessons but cannot afford to do either. Gathered around Julie Freeman are, from left, Violet, 17, Hazel, 18, Scarlett, 8, Sonny, 14, and River, 5. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman She is also raising her eldest granddaughter, 18-year-old Hazel Reimers, a senior at the Premier High School - Austin Wells Branch charter school, and granddaughter Violet Reimers, 17, and grandson Sonny Reimers, 14, who both attend Round Rock High. Grandson River Reimers, 6, goes to Old Town Elementary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source There are some bright spots for the family during this holiday season, Freeman said. The children have received some Christmas gifts from their Season for Caring wish list, she said. The family is one of 12 featured in this year's Statesman Season for Caring program. Money raised helps the featured families first and then helps hundreds of other families through local nonprofits. The Freemans were nominated by Breast Cancer Resource Center. Hazel, who wants to be a gynecologist, has applied to the University of Texas and Violet, whose goal is become a veterinarian, has applied to Texas A&M University. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hazel needs a car to attend college and so does Violet, said Freeman. The children also need gift cards for clothes. Currently the family receives some financial support from family members. Freeman has been taking care of her grandchildren since 2022. Without her grandmother's support, Hazel said she would have dropped out of school. "I definitely wouldn't actually be in school if it wasn't for her," the 18-year-old said. Hazel said she had stopped going to classes after middle school because of turmoil in the family. She was planning to get a GED but Freeman kept pushing to help her in any way she could and got her back into school, Hazel said. "My school is 30 minutes away and she takes me every day," said Hazel. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Watching Freeman getting treated for breast cancer made her want to go into health care, Hazel said. Freeman said raising her grandchildren gives her energy and helps her cope with her illnesses, including brittle bone disease that causes her bones to break easily. "If it wasnt for them to help me with all thats going on, I dont know," she said. "It would be hard." To give an item on the family's wish list, contact Breast Cancer Resource Center, 512-240-2560, bcrc.org. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Season for Caring logo American-Statesman About Season for Caring The Statesman is sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families through Jan. 31. Donations will be matched up to $500,000 by Brian Sheth. Find more stories at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 2B and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to Statesman Season for Caring. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We came across a bullish thesis on Nebius Group N.V. on MVC Investings Substack by M. V. Cunha. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on NBIS. Nebius Group N.V.'s share was trading at $94.87 as of November 28th. NBISs trailing P/E was 163.47 according to Yahoo Finance. Fermi (FRMI) Drops to All-Time Low Nebius Group NV, a technology company, engages in building full-stack infrastructure to service the global AI industry in the Netherlands, Europe, North America, and Israel. NBIS is the largest position in the authors portfolio at a $25.67/share average cost, remains the company whose execution inspires the most conviction. Following a strong Q2 that exceeded expectations despite cautious sentiment due to the Toloka deconsolidation, NBIS appears positioned for another broad-based beat, though the real focus now shifts to strategic progress rather than quarterly upside. Investors will be closely watching year-end ARR guidance, where a raise is possible even without the New Jersey data center coming online, especially as the Israel facility is ready ahead of schedule and the UK site is already operating with 4,000 B300 GPUs. Clarity on the Phase 1 timeline in New Jersey could meaningfully influence the outlook, since early availability of the first 50 MW would support a substantial guidance uplift driven by straightforward utilization under the Microsoft deal. Capacity expansion is another key theme, particularly updates on the two new U.S. greenfield locations and the recently purchased 79-acre Alabama site, which may set the stage for an additional hyperscaler partnership. More details on the Microsoft contractincluding the prepayment referenced by Goldman Sachscould lead to an update of mid-term guidance, which previously assumed no major deals. Margin progression will also be monitored, with expectations for continued gross margin expansion and a reaffirmation of the 2030% mid-term EBIT margin target. New enterprise wins, updates on Token Factory and AI Studio, and any commentary on the $375M joint investment with Uber in Avride would further strengthen the narrative. With demand remaining exceptionally strong and U.S. expansion accelerating, NBIS continues to execute with uncommon discipline and ambition, reinforcing confidence in a long runway ahead. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Nebius Group N.V. (NBIS) by Oliver | MMMT Wealth in April 2025, which highlighted the companys long-term scalability, GPU deployment plans, and compelling valuation. The company's stock price has appreciated approximately by 350.68% since our coverage. This is because the thesis largely played out. The thesis still stands as NBIS continues executing its roadmap. M. V. Cunha shares a similar view but emphasizes strategic progress and hyperscaler opportunities. USS Nimitz conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lewis in the Indian Ocean, Oct. 14, 2025. (Charles J. Scudellla III/U.S. Navy) The Navys oldest aircraft carrier and its crew will be home for Christmas, scheduled to pull in at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash., on Dec. 16, the Navy said Friday. The Nimitz, flagship of Carrier Strike Group 11, is returning from a nine-month deployment what the Navy has said is likely the last of its 50 years in service. The ship left NB Kitsap in Bremerton in March to patrol the Indo-Pacific region and the Arabian Sea. The Navy says the Nimitz is scheduled to arrive at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia by May 2026 to begin the process of decommissioning and deactivating the ship. The Navy has announced plans for the second Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy, to homeport at NB Kitsap in Bremerton after its 2027 commissioning. The base is also the homeport of the Nimitz-class carrier USS Ronald Reagan, currently undergoing an 18-month Docking Planned Incremental Availability maintenance at the adjacent Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The overhaul is scheduled to finish in late 2026. (Mark Oliva/Stars and Stripes) Baghdad, Iraq, April 9, 2003: Marines of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines cut the Iraqi flag from a pole in front of a Special Republican Guard headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. The crossing into Baghdad was a milestone for the Marines. Not only was Baghdad the ultimate prize for military planners, but the threshold to complete victory for the troops on the line. Company G, which had been relegated to rear-guard actions, such as holding road intersections and limited small raids, led the assault into the city for their battalion. For the Marines carrying the rifles, the event was exhilarating. Read the full article on the 23rd Marines entry into Baghdad here. () Among this years latest new books by military spouse authors, I found a recurring theme of strong women taking stands and making hard choices. Each story whether true or fictional describes people and experiences clearly distinct from one another, yet woven together by a common thread. A reflection of military life, where we find strength in our distinctions and connection in sharing our stories. For any reader, these books are gifts to keep and enjoy or to give away this holiday season. () Llano County Mermaid Club The fifth book by novelist and Air Force wife Kathleen M. Rodgers, is a compelling story of women tested to extremes and anchored by friendship in a landscape both geographically and emotionally unforgiving. Shifting easily between past and present, this tale spans forty years in the life of a girl named Marigold. The narrative is filled with whispered secrets about her sisters, her mother, and Marigolds best friend, Melody. Every element of this story holds enchantment: imaginative girls who grow into determined women, clues found in old letters or written on crumbling walls, and hidden sins that dont stay that way. Hints of darkness, especially related to Marigolds father, hover over the story, and the reader wont be able to stop turning pages until every riddle is unraveled, including the enigma of mermaids living in the landlocked plains of New Mexico. () No Ordinary Bird Artis Hendersons second book about life and loss. Her first, Unremarried Widow, centers on her Army husband, Miles, a helicopter pilot who died in 2006 in Iraq. No Ordinary Bird reaches back to the defining loss of Artiss life in 1985, the death of her father, Lamar Chester. Like Miles, he was a pilot who died in an air crash. Unlike Miles, Lamar was rumored to be a drug smuggler, spy, or both. Artis was severely injured in the crash that killed her father when she was five, but she had little memory of him and wanted to know more. She delved into court records and media reports and mined the memories of family and friends to discover and write the story her mother tried to forget. Some passages of this new memoir read like true crime, showing the authors journalistic chops as a writer and researcher, as she digs into the cause of her fathers death. Yet every page is deeply personal, as her investigation uncovers details of her fathers life and teaches her more about her own. () Camouflage: How I Emerged from the Shadows of Military Marriage Heather Sweeneys book is an unusual military spouse memoir, because its about the authors life after divorce from her Navy husband. Its no secret that many military marriages do not survive for many reasons, not all of them unique to the military. It is less known that military-connectedness tends to outlive a marriage, for good or ill. Heather, the mom of two military kids, writes I may have been divorcing this man, but as long as he stayed in the Navy, I would never be able to divorce the military. With frankness and humor, she writes about her journey as a single parent and a single woman rediscovering the individuality she lost track of during thirteen years of military marriage. Her book is an encouragement to any military spouse who recognizes the need to maintain identity and agency, for the sake of personal wellbeing as well as healthy family relationships. () Holding on and Letting Go: A Life in Motion This book by Lindsay Swoboda also emphasizes the importance of individual pursuits within the ebb and flow of marriage and military life. After marrying her Marine husband, Lindsays dreams of becoming a dancer collided with the demands of back-to-back overseas assignments and a growing family, including having a baby while isolated during the pandemic. Lindsay writes about finding beauty in the push and pull of navigating the steps of each season. She found opportunities to dance, but always she would journal her way through loneliness, self-doubt, and anxiety. Telling her own story with candor, Lindsay encourages readers to celebrate victories big and small, to grieve when necessary, savor goodness when it appears, and when theres music dance, of course. Terri Barnes is a book lover, book editor and author of Spouse Calls: Messages from a Military Life, based on her long-running column in Stars and Stripes. Find her online at terribarnesauthor.com. By Harshita Mary Varghese and Aditya Soni Dec 5 (Reuters) - Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros Discovery's TV, film studios and streaming division for $72 billion, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer. The agreement, announced on Friday, follows a weeks-long bidding war in which Netflix offered nearly $28-a-share, eclipsing Paramount Skydance's close to $24 bid for the whole of Warner Bros Discovery, including the cable TV assets slated for a spinoff. Buying the owner of marquee franchises including "Game of Thrones", "DC Comics" and "Harry Potter" will further tilt the balance of power in Hollywood in favor of Netflix. It would help the streaming giant, which has so far built its dominance without major deals or a large content library, to ward off competition from Walt Disney and the Ellison family-backed Paramount. The two companies together will "help define the next century of storytelling", said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who had once said "the goal is to become HBO faster than HBO can become us". STRONG ANTITRUST SCRUTINY LIKELY The deal, however, is likely to face strong antitrust scrutiny in Europe and the U.S. as it would give the world's biggest streaming service ownership of a rival that is home to HBO Max and boasts nearly 130 million streaming subscribers. David Ellison-led Paramount, which kicked off the bidding war with a series of unsolicited offers and has close ties with the Trump administration, had questioned the sale process earlier this week and alleged favorable treatment to Netflix. Even before the bids were in, some members of Congress said a NetflixWarner Bros Discovery deal could harm consumers and Hollywood. Cinema United, a global exhibition trade association, said on Friday the deal poses an "unprecedented threat" to movie theaters worldwide. "In light of the current regulatory environment this will raise eyebrows and concerns. The combined dominant streaming player will be heavily scrutinized," said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore. "We should expect this to wrangle on given Paramount Skydance pursuit for Warner Bros Discovery." Looking to allay some concerns, Netflix said the deal would give subscribers more shows and films, boost its U.S. production and long-term spending on original content and create more jobs and opportunities for creative talent. The company argued in deal talks that a combination of its streaming service with HBO Max would benefit consumers by lowering the cost of a bundled offering. A person walks past a makeshift memorial for U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe outside of Farragut West Station, near the site where the two National Guard members were shot, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Washington. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) (Tribune News Service) West Virginia National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe is beginning to look more like himself after he was shot the day before Thanksgiving in an ambush-style attack in Washington, D.C., which also claimed the life of fellow National Guard officer Sarah Beckstrom. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey relayed the update before attending a Friday night prayer vigil for Wolfe at Musselman High School in Berkeley County, from where the 24-year-old graduated. Morrisey added that Wolfes head wound is slowly healing, and his family expects hell remain in acute care for another two to three weeks. They remain optimistic moving forward, the governor said, citing Wolfes parents. We continue to ask all West Virginians and Americans for their prayers! They are making a difference! Wolfe, a staff sergeant, had been deployed to the nations capital when both he and Beckstrom were shot in the head at close range on Nov. 26, just blocks away from the White House. They were in D.C. as part of the Trump administrations efforts to crack down on what it has called rampant crime in major cities across the U.S. A nearby National Guard member said Wolfe went down first, according to a police report filed in court on Tuesday. The alleged assailant, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, then fired off another shot while screaming out, Allahu Akbar, an Arabic phrase meaning God is great, the documents said. At that point, he tried to reload his weapon, giving officers the opportunity to detain him. Police said Lakanwal was also shot before he was arrested and hospitalized. Beckstrom died the day after the shooting, on Thanksgiving. The Army specialist was 20 years old. Wolfe was meanwhile left in critical condition in wake of the deadly gunfire. Trump at the time said he was in very bad shape, while Morrisey last weekend said Wolfe was still fighting for his life. Lakanwal has since been charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. On Tuesday, he made a virtual court appearance from his hospital bed, during which he pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. He was ordered to be held without bond and is due back in court on Jan. 14. A motive for the shooting remains under investigation. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said Lakanwal could have been radicalized in the United States, but has so far released no evidence that he has ties to a terrorist organization. According to authorities, Lakanwal entered the U.S. in September 2021 through the Biden administrations Operation Allies Welcome initiative, a program that evacuated and resettled Afghan allies who worked with the U.S. during the 20-year war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Lakanwal worked alongside the CIA in so-called Zero Units, groups of Afghan commandos who carried out missions planned by the agency and played a key role in the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from the country. In the last four years, hed been living in Bellingham, Wash, with his wife and five kids. He applied for asylum during the Biden administration, but it was granted this year under Trump. In the days since the shooting, the Trump administration has put a halt on all asylum and citizenship decisions for applicants from 19 countries deemed high risk, and launched a reexamination of every Green Card granted to people from those same countries, seizing on the tragedy to aggressively escalate its crackdown on immigration. 2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Volunteers help assemble holiday care packages for troops overseas for the Connecticut nonprofit Boxes to Boots, in this undated photo shared by the nonprofit on social media in October. (Boxes to Boots via Facebook) (Tribune News Service) A Connecticut nonprofit sending holiday care packages to overseas military had many of those packages end up in an unexpected and unwanted place on Wednesday: back at its offices. Every year, Boxes to Boots, a Berlin, Conn.-based nonprofit, packs up and ships hundreds of boxes containing candy, snacks and toiletries to troops around the globe. This year, volunteers gathered at New Britain High School on Nov. 15 to pack more than 1,800 care packages and ship 1,139 to 30 units spanning more than a dozen countries. But after mailing them out, the nonprofit got back three-quarters of their care packages (884 to be exact) with the boxes marked return to sender, and the label toiletries circled in red ink. The last quarter of the care packages cleared customs and arrived at their destinations. There was no explanation, just the word toiletries circled with a red pencil, Gauvin said. No one can tell us whats wrong with our boxes. As of Friday, Gauvin says Boxes to Boots has not received any more information from the United States Postal Service on what was wrong with its labeling; the group has never had shipping issues before. More than 100 boxes that have been returned are still unaccounted for in the mail, and the nonprofit has paid more than $7,600 in shipping costs on the incomplete order. More frustrating for Gauvin is the lack of communication from USPS over what went wrong and why some of the boxes were turned away while others passed customs. Gauvin says all the boxes were labeled identically. If we had known there was a problem, we would have immediately hopped in our cars and driven to New York with our machine and relabeled those boxes so that they could get over to our service members in time for Christmas, she said. Now, the window has passed for the boxes to arrive in time for the holiday. Gauvin, who has more than quadrupled the nonprofits work since taking over in 2017, says she has reached out to Sen. Richard Blumenthals office for help, and that she is hoping he is able to broker a resolution with USPS. According to a spokesperson for USPS, U.S. Customs likely rejected the boxes because the labels were incomplete and did not provide sufficiently detailed descriptions of what was contained in the packaging. USPS also requires a detailed description of each item in a package on the customs-declaration form: what the item is, what its made of, and its purpose for example, mens cotton shirt rather than the general term clothes, USPS spokesperson Amy Gibbs wrote to CT Insider. According to Gibbs, stricter requirements around the labeling of exports have been phased in by Customs and USPS over the past few years, including updates to the policy in April 2023 and September 2025 that now require every item, including small personal shipments, to provide a clear, specific description on the customs form. She provided an example chart of acceptable and unacceptable labeling, contrasting unacceptable labeling gifts, medicine, with more detailed descriptions one scented candle, remote-controlled toy car, cashmere scarf (for gifts) and painkillers (ibuprofen), antiviral spray medication (for medicine). Gauvin says the group would be happy to resend the boxes with more detailed labeling if someone would tell them where their labeling fell short, so as not to have a repeat customs snafu. Until she gets an answer, shes primarily concerned with how this impacts troops spending Christmas away from their families, including a young Marine on his first tour who reached out in the fall requesting a care package, writing to Gauvin that he was lonely on his deployment. Gauvin says she proudly packed a box for the Marine, and shipped it to him, but now its sitting in her office in Berlin. Its so disheartening because I will pay that extra money to get that sent, whatever we need to do, but no ones cooperating with us, Gauvin said. I would think everyone would want to be bending over backwards to support our military right now, and thats just not the feeling Im getting. 2025 The Middletown Press, Conn. Visit www.middletownpress.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Cicero, N.Y. A family-owned Central New York company that has been making industrial and commercial laundry equipment for nearly 80 years has been sold to a European company. Jensen North America, a subsidiary of the Jensen-Group, acquired G.A. Braun Inc., which has been making industrial and commercial laundry equipment since its founding in Syracuse in 1946. The transaction was announced on Friday. Braun moved to Hancock Air Park in Cicero in 2009 and expanded its factory in 2015. The Cicero factory, now owned by Jensen Braun LLC, employs 255 people. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Tony Biela, president of Jensen North America, said the acquisition was driven by the companys desire to increase its production capacity in the U.S. Jensen manufactures industrial and commercial laundry equipment in Denmark and Germany, as well as in Panama City, Florida. Biela said the company has been looking for three years to acquire more manufacturing capacity in the U.S. Some laundry processing equipment now manufactured in Denmark and Germany will be made in Cicero for the North American market, he said. The move is not related to President Trumps tariffs on imported goods, he said. However, the acquisition will help Jensen avoid those tariffs and will give it an advantage in the U.S. over competitors who make their products outside the U.S., he said. Its an added bonus, said Biela. It definitely puts us in a stronger position. He said he expects the companys workforce in Cicero to grow as Jensen moves some of its manufacturing equipment into the plant and begins making Jensen products alongside Braun products. Biela said Jensen considered a number of laundry equipment manufacturers, including ones in Texas and Louisiana, before acquiring Braun. Brauns modern production facility and family culture were major factors in the choice, he said. Fourth-generation Braun CEO J.B. Werner has agreed to remain as a consultant to Jensen. David Welsh, who served as president of Braun since 2021, has been named president of Jensen Braun. Braun traces its roots back to the Prosperity Co., which was founded in Syracuse in 1915 by German immigrant Samuel J. Braun to manufacture laundry-pressing machinery. G.A. Braun spun off from Prosperity in 1946, manufacturing high-capacity laundry machines and dryers for commercial and industrial laundries, hotels, hospitals, cruise ships, and government and correctional facilities. Brauns equipment can process from 100 pounds to 7,000 pounds of laundry. By comparison, a typical home washing machine can handle about 13 pounds of laundry. Jensen-Group traces its origins back to a servicing and manufacturing company founded in 1937 on Bornholm, a Danish Island in the Baltic Sea. We came across a bullish thesis on Nomad Foods Limited on CompanyChartss Substacks Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on NOMD. Nomad Foods Limited's share was trading at $12.26 as of December 1st. NOMDs trailing and forward P/E were 8.17 and 11.14 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Nomad Foods (NOMD) is Europes leading branded frozen-foods company, owning well-known names like Birds Eye, Findus, Iglo, Aunt Bessies, Goodfellas, and the Adriatic ice-cream brands Ledo and Frikom. Operating across 22 European markets with about 3 billion in annual revenues and a #1 market share in Western Europes savory frozen aisle, NOMD has built its scale through disciplined acquisitions completed between 2015 and 2021. Since then, it has delivered steady organic growth in revenue, operating income, and free cash flowsignaling that its integration capabilities have generated real economic returns rather than just goodwill expansion. The balance sheet is solid, with equity accounting for 40% of total assets and limited dilution risk offset by ongoing share repurchases through 2026. Despite no recent acquisitions, NOMD continues to compound value through buybacks and dividends, maintaining a 5.5% yield and strong free cash flow conversion. Yet the markets perception has soured after two consecutive weak quarters in 2025, driven by warmer-than-usual weather and aggressive retailer destocking that pressured volumes, margins, and guidance. The ensuing selloff, compounded by CEO transition uncertainty, pushed the stock near multi-year valuation lowstrading below historical price-to-earnings, sales, and cash-flow multiples. Still, underlying growth metrics remain impressive, with multi-year per-share growth in revenue, profit, and cash flow all around high single to mid-teens CAGRs. At roughly $11.75, the stock now offers a combination of depressed valuation, stable category leadership, and self-help catalysts including cost efficiency initiatives and shareholder returns, presenting a compelling risk/reward skew as normalization resumes. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Nomad Foods Limited (NOMD) by Weak-Command-6576 in April 2025, which highlighted the companys undervaluation and defensive positioning amid stable fundamentals. The stock has depreciated approximately by 37.51% since our coverage as near-term headwinds pressured margins. The long-term thesis still stands as Nomads balance sheet strength and disciplined capital strategies remain intact. CompanyCharts shares a similar view but emphasizes valuation reset and recovery catalysts. Clay, N.Y. An Onondaga County man has been accused of repeatedly sexually abusing two children over several years, according to an indictment filed in Onondaga County Court. Rik Flagg, 45, of Chancery Lane, Clay, is accused of sexually abusing two girls under the age of 13, according to Thomas Newton, a spokesperson for the Onondaga County Sheriffs office. According to the indictment, Flagg was charged with: Predatory sexual assault against a child First-degree rape (3 counts) Second-degree rape First-degree sexual abuse (2 counts) Second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child Endangering the welfare of a child (2 counts) The abuse occurred between 2016 and 2018, the indictment said. Flagg was arrested July 10 after an investigation by the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office Special Victims Unit, Newton said. He was in jail for a little over a month. During his initial arraignment in Onondaga County CAP Court, bail was set at $75,000 cash, $150,000 bond or $300,000 partially secured bond. He bonded out of jail and was released on Aug. 21. His trial date has been set for April 27, 2026. Investigators are looking to see if there are other victims. They ask anyone with information about other victims to contact the sheriffs Special Victims Unit at 315-435-3092. Update at 7 p.m.: Justin A. Rogers, 27, of Canandaigua, was identified as the suspect, according to a press release from Ontario County Sheriffs Department spokesperson Emily Davoli. He is being held without bail at the Ontario County Jail pending further action. John D. Kirby, 53, of Canandaigua, was identified as the victim. He remains in critical condition at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, according to the release. Original story: Canandaigua, N.Y. - A man was found severely injured in a Finger Lakes motel Friday morning, deputies said. At around 7:33 a.m., an employee of the D&D Motel at 4455 Lakeshore Dr. in Canandaigua called 911 to report an adult male was possibly hurt and may need help, Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione said at a 3 p.m. news conference Friday. A man in his 50s was found unresponsive in Room 1 at the motel when deputies arrived. He was treated on scene by paramedics before being airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he is in critical condition and in surgery, the sheriff said. Deputies believe the attack happened hours before they were called, he said. A man in his 20s was arrested and charged with first-degree assault. The suspects name will be released after he is arraigned in CAP Court at 5:30 p.m., Cirencione said. The suspect had been living at the motel for the past several weeks and was on scene when deputies arrived. The victim and the suspect did know each other, but no familial relationship is known at this time, he said. Both men are from Canandaigua. Authorities are still working on notifying next of kin before releasing the name of the victim. Earlier this year, the suspect had been charged with two counts of second-degree assault for causing serious injuries to a civilian and a deputy before he was let go on pre-trial release, Cirencione said. Ontario County deputies ask anyone with information, including people who heard commotion or saw someone with a weapon near the motel, to call either 911 or their non-emergency line at 800-394-4560. The motel is just a mile from Pattys Lodge at 4212 Route 5, where Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man, was tortured repeatedly for over a month before he was killed in February. An American High movie shot in Syracuse has been nominated for a Critics Choice Award for the first time. Summer of 69, starring Saturday Night Live cast member Chloe Fineman, was announced Friday as one of six 2026 CCA nominees for Best Movie Made for Television. The Hulu original film is competing in the category with Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Peacock), Deep Cover (Prime Video), The Gorge (Apple TV), Mountainhead (HBO Max) and Nonnas (Netflix). The winner will be announced Jan. 4 at the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California. Chelsea Handler will host the awards show, airing live on E! and the USA Network. OH MY GOSH!!!!!! I cannot believe this news!!!! wrote Summer of 69 director Jillian Bell on Instagram. Thank you @criticschoice for this recognition!!!! I am SO PROUD of our film!! Woooo! added Fineman. Its the first time an American High movie has been nominated for a Critics Choice Award, which is part of Hollywoods awards season leading up to the Golden Globes and Oscars. Its also one of the biggest awards an American High production has been nominated for. Big Time Adolescence (starring Pete Davidson) was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival; I Love My Dad won two narrative feature prizes at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival; Plan B" and Crush were nominated for GLAAD Media Awards; and American High Shorts won a Webby Award this year for best comedy series. Moana actress Aulii Cravalho previously won a Rising Star Award at the 2022 Critics Choice Celebration of Asian Pacific Cinema and TV, which was also presented by the Critics Choice Association, for her role in Crush. Summer of 69, co-written and directed by Bell, follows an awkward high school senior (That 90s Show star Sam Morelos) who hires a stripper (Fineman) to help teach her how to seduce a crush who has a certain preferred sexual position. The cast also includes Bell, Charlie Day (Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Matt Cornett (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), Paula Pell (Girls5eva), Nicole Byer (Nailed It!), Liza Koshy (A Family Affair) and Alex Moffat (SNL). Writer-director-producer-actor Jillian Bell, left, is pictured with "Summer of 69" star Sam Morelos on the set of the new American High movie filmed at Syracuse Studios in Liverpool, N.Y. (Disney/Brett Roedel) Disney The movie was shot around the Syracuse area last year, including scenes at local strip club Diamond Dolls, video game store Voltage Video Games, and American Highs Syracuse Studios (the former A.V. Zogg Middle School and Liverpool high school). Summer of 69 became the No. 1 movie on Hulu when it was released in May on the streaming service as part of American Highs first-look deal with the Disney-owned streaming service. American High is a production company that has shot more than 20 movies in the Syracuse area. Founder Jeremy Garelick launched the studio in 2017 when he bought the former A.V. Zogg Middle School in Liverpool, using the location for teen-focused stories and a film school. Guys and Dolls is one of the gems of the American musical theater. Some might even say its the pinnacle of the genre. Frank Loessers songs are a perfect blend of wit and romance, and the razor sharp book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows sets a standard for musical comedy. The show is so tightly constructed that theres not a lot of wiggle room in how to present it. First produced in 1950 and set in a grimy Times Square, the Musical Fable of Broadway, with its cast of tinhorn gamblers in loud suits, over the hill wisecracking chorines, and weary storefront missionaries is happily suspended in amber. The current Redhouse production of Guys and Dolls is brightly sung and retains much of the shows wit. All the moments are here. However, the turn the Redhouse puts on one of the crown jewels of the American theater only works in part. Based on characters first seen in short stories by journalist Damon Runyon, Guys and Dolls presents a world where Broadway lowlifes talk in a patter without contractions and fruitlessly chase after the next big score. Foremost among them is Nathan Detroit, the hapless proprietor of the oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York, who is desperately searching for a venue for the next game. Hes also trying to avoid wedding Miss Adelaide, his chorus girl fiancee of 14 years. To get the dough to back the next game, he bets big deal gambler Sky Masterson that the suave sharpie cant take mission girl Sarah Brown to Cuba. The Redhouse twist has women playing some of the gamblers and men as some of the dancers, really strippers, in the seedy Hot Box Club, where Adelaide works. Of course, cross gender casting has its place. Sometimes its employed to make a point. Sometimes, like here, its just playfulness. And sometimes it works here, but it can be distracting. The production falters when Big Jule, the threatening gangster from East Cicero, Illinois appears as a little girl in braids, wearing a Catholic school uniform and chomping on a cigar. The high stakes suddenly dissolve and were watching a parody of Guys and Dolls. Skys confrontation with the big bad mobster during the climactic craps game comes off as deeply uncomfortable. I cringed. Director Temar Underwood presents this Guys and Dolls in the round with audience on all four sides. Buoyed by Jakob Peppers scenic design, this works fairly well, with a couple of awkward exceptions. Underwood also gives the production an immersive edge as ensemble members crack wise with the audience. Happily, musical director Colin Keating conducts a full orchestra that lets Loessers score sparkle. The ensemble of Redhouse's production of "Guys and Dolls." Shawn Tysco The talented cast, a mix of familiar community actors and professionals, is very engaging. The principal actors serve the show well. Nathan Detroit, is given a kinetic workout by Kilian Crowley. Sporting a pencil mustache and wearing a fedora set on a jaunty angle, his Detroit tries to come off as a real player, but is really a frazzled and befuddled little guy. Ry Albinus brings an interesting spin to the role of Miss Adelaide. Although the chorus girl with chronic sinusitis is a little less vulnerable here, Albinus knows how to land a joke and belts with the best of them. Blessed with a soaring voice and affable manner, Lincoln Skoien as Sky Masterson is a little gentler and more youthful than most portrayals of the high rolling gambler who appears to have the world on a string. Still, when he sings Luck Be a Lady he commands the stage. Sabina Collazo is a lovely Sarah Brown, making the most of the most boring role in the show. Her If I Were a Bell is a highlight of the production. One of the most memorable songs in Guys and Dolls is the rousing Sit Down, Youre Rockin the Boat led by Nicely-Nicely Johnson late in the show. Set in the storefront mission, the numbers iconic staging is essentially set in stone from production to production. Here, in the round, with David Lowenstein as a pitch perfect Nicely-Nicely, choreographer Felipe Panama found a way to retain part of the traditional version with an innovative turn. Show details What: Guys and Dolls score by Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Where: Redhouse Arts Center, 400 S. Salina St., Syracuse. When seen: Dec. 5 Length of performance: 2 hours 30 minutes with intermission. Family guide: High school. Some of the production choices might confuse younger kids. Runs through: December 21. Information: (315) 362-2785, www.theredhouse.org. Abbott Diabetes Care has recalled certain glucose monitoring sensors after reports of seven deaths and more than 700 injuries possibly linked to malfunctioning devices that could provide inaccurate readings. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Dec. 2 that Abbott issued a warning for some sensors in its FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus devices. Internal testing by the company found the sensors could malfunction and provide incorrect low glucose readings. The recall affects approximately 3 million sensors in the U.S. from a single production line, though Abbott estimates about half have already been used or expired. No other Libre products are impacted. Abbott reported receiving 736 severe adverse events possibly linked to the monitors, including 57 in the U.S. The seven deaths were all reported outside the U.S. The FDA has classified the issue as potentially high-risk. Abbott initiated a medical device correction for certain FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors in the U.S. after internal testing determined that some of these sensors may provide incorrect low glucose readings, the company said in a statement. Abbott and the FDA are advising anyone using an affected device to stop immediately. Patients should use a blood glucose meter or the built-in meter on a FreeStyle Libre 3 Reader for treatment decisions if sensor readings do not match their symptoms. If undetected, incorrect low glucose readings over an extended period may lead to incorrect treatment decisions for people living with diabetes, such as excessive carbohydrate intake or skipping or delaying insulin doses, the company said. These decisions may pose serious health risks, including potential injury or death, or other less serious complications. Users can check if their sensor is affected by visiting www.FreeStyleCheck.com and entering their model number and unique device identifier. The affected FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors have model numbers 72081-01 and 72080-01, with unique device identifiers 00357599818005 and 00357599819002. The affected FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors have model numbers 78768-01 and 78769-01, with identifiers 00357599844011 and 00357599843014. Abbott will replace all affected sensors at no cost. The company said it has identified and fixed the cause of the sensor issues and does not anticipate significant supply disruptions for new or replacement orders. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday vetoed a bill that would have allowed Onondaga County residents to travel toll-free on the New York State Thruway at six interchanges in the county. State lawmakers passed the commuter pass bill earlier this year, touting it as a solution to help ease traffic congestion in Onondaga County during the Interstate 81 construction project. But Hochul in a veto message issued Friday night said the bill would have violated terms the Thruway Authority agreed to when bonds were issued to finance its construction. Legislation that requires free or reduced tolls violates existing bond covenants, and an exemption for one group of motorists will lead to toll increases for others that use the system, Hochul wrote. Therefore, I am constrained to veto this bill. If Hochul had signed the bill into law, Onondaga County residents could have signed up for toll-free Thruway passes for any exit between 34A at Interstate 481 in Syracuses eastern suburbs and Exit 39 near the Warners rest stop in the town of Van Buren. The toll-free interchanges would have included the busy exits at Carrier Circle in DeWitt (Exit 35) and Interstate 81 (Exit 36) in Salina. Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli, D-Syracuse, and state Sen. Chris Ryan, D-Geddes, had pushed the bill through the Legislature. They said commuters need alternate routes through the county during the massive project to tear down the elevated portion of I-81 in Syracuse. The Thruway Authority would have been authorized to provide toll-free access until the I-81 construction project wraps up by the end of 2030. Under terms of the bill, the Thruway Authority also could have restricted use of the toll-free passes to peak commuting times, or charged a discounted toll if financial losses were too high. The bill was among five key pieces of legislation from Central New York lawmakers that awaited Hochuls decision in the final weeks of the year. Hochul signed into law Friday a bill from Assemblyman Al Stirpe, D-Cicero, that amends the states liquor laws for bars and restaurants. The existing law banned bar and restaurant owners from making small, emergency purchases from wine and liquor stores when they run out of alcohol. Those found in violation are subject to fines of up to $2,500. Now Stirpes retail-to-retail reform bill will allow bars and restaurants to buy up to six bottles of distilled spirits and hard cider each week from retail stores. Hochul vetoed dozens of other bills Friday, many of which would have required studies focusing on a broad range of issues or required the establishment of a task force. Financially, Nvidia is strong with $60.6 billion in cash and $22 billion in free cash flow at the end of the quarter. It also has a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. NVDA stock still trades at 24.6x forward fiscal 2027 earnings, below its historical average. Analysts expect 56% earnings growth in fiscal 2026 and 59% growth in fiscal 2027, indicating that Nvidia is a powerhouse with a multi-year runway powered by accelerated computing, generative AI, and agentic AI. Perhaps most importantly, Nvidia shows no signs of slowing. Its next platform, Vera Rubin, launches in 2026 with seven new chips that will again push performance to new heights. Nvidia also unveiled major AI factory initiatives involving five million GPUs, showcasing its long-term dominance in global AI infrastructure. In its most recent third quarter of fiscal 2026, Nvidia reported $57 billion in revenue, up 62% year-over-year (YoY), with a record $10 billion sequential jump. Earnings surged 67%, and gross margins climbed to an exceptional 73.6%, indicating overwhelming demand and pricing power. Its Data Center segment, the engine of modern AI, generated $51 billion, up 66%. Cloud providers remained sold out of Nvidia hardware, and even older-generation GPUs like Hopper and Ampere remained fully utilized. Blackwell's GB300 currently accounts for two-thirds of its revenue, and networking is rapidly expanding thanks to NVLink and Spectrum-X. Valued at $4.4 trillion, Nvidia designs and builds the powerful chips, hardware systems, and software that run modern AI. Nvidia continues to deliver staggering results each quarter, cementing its position as the undisputed leader in AI infrastructure. NVDA stock has returned over 21,695% over the last decade and is up 32% year-to-date (YTD). Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating trillion-dollar opportunities, but not all AI stocks are built the same. In the race for long-term dominance, two names are consistently standing out. While Nvidia (NVDA) remains the undisputed powerhouse behind todays AI infrastructure, Palantir (PLTR) is the emerging software force driving real-world AI adoption. Both are growing at extraordinary rates, both sit at the heart of massive technological transformations, and both claim moats that competitors struggle to match. The question now is, when looking a decade ahead, which could be the better long-term AI buy? Story Continues What Does Wall Street Say About NVDA Stock? Wall Street sees a potential upside of 38% from current levels based on its average target price of $252.67. Plus, the high price estimate of $352 implies an upside potential of 92% over the next 12 months. Overall, NVDA stock remains a Strong Buy. Out of the 48 analysts covering the stock, 44 have a Strong Buy recommendation, two rate it a Moderate Buy, one rates it a Hold, and one says it is a Strong Sell. www.barchart.com The Case for Palantir Technologies While Nvidia drives the hardware side of AI, Palantir is becoming the software intelligence layer that sits on top of it. Valued at $407.4 billion, Palantir builds deeply integrated platforms, Foundry, Gotham, and AIP, that governments and enterprises use to transform data into real-time decision-making. Palantir went public in 2020 and has not been on the market as long as Nvidia. However, the stock has returned over 554.1% during the last five years. Also, PLTR has outpaced Nvidia this year, growing 136.6% YTD. www.barchart.com In the most recent third quarter, Palantir reported 63% revenue growth to $1.18 billion, with its government segment continuing to anchor the business. U.S. government revenue rose 52%, fueled by defense and intelligence programs and new AI contracts. International government revenue climbed 66%, driven strongly by its expanding work with the UK. Palantir's contract momentum hit record levels, with $2.8 billion in total contract value, up 151% YoY, including 204 deals worth more than $1 million. An astounding 134% net dollar retention rate shows that once consumers use Palantir's services, they significantly boost their usage. Analysts have remained skeptical of Palantirs dependence on government contracts, but the company has successfully mitigated the risk. Its U.S. commercial division is now its fastest-growing segment, surging 121% YoY, as enterprises accelerate AI adoption through AIP. Despite still being in the growth stage, whats impressive is that Palantir is scaling profitably with a net income of $476 million, or 40% of revenue, with an adjusted earnings per share of $0.21 in the quarter. Adjusted gross margin stood at 84%. The company also generated $2 billion in trailing 12-month free cash flow. CEO Alex Karp credits these results to two decades of deep technological investment and not just hype. With analysts forecasting 76% earnings growth in 2025 and 36.7% growth in 2026, Palantirs long-term trajectory remains steep, though its 179x forward P/E signals that investors are already pricing in much of its future potential. What Does Wall Street Say About PLTR Stock? While Wall Street remains strongly bullish about NVDA, analysts remain skeptical about PLTR stock and rate it an overall Hold. Out of the 21 analysts covering the stock, four have a Strong Buy recommendation, 14 rate it a Hold, one says it is a Moderate Sell, and two say it is a Strong Sell. Nonetheless, analysts see potential upside of 38% from current levels based on PLTRs average target price of $192.67. Plus, the high price estimate of $255 implies an upside potential of 92% over the next 12 months. www.barchart.com Which Is the Better Long-Term AI Buy? Both companies are extraordinary in their own way, and each deserves a spot in a diversified portfolio. Nvidia is the ideal option for investors looking to gain exposure to the rapid development of AI computation as well as the hardware backbone that supports every model, data center, and AI breakthrough. Its current valuation still looks reasonable relative to its growth trajectory and competitive moat. Meanwhile, Palantir is the best pick for those who believe that the future of AI is not merely computing but also the application of intelligence to real-world decisions. Its premium valuation reflects expectations that it will become the defining AI software provider over the next decade. However, risk-averse investors might want to wait for a better entry point. On the date of publication, Sushree Mohanty 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 The Southeast Asian country of Laos has announced that it plans to cut off its electricity supply to cryptocurrency miners in early 2026. As Reuters reported, Laos is a major energy exporter for the region, producing a huge quantity of hydroelectric power that it cannot use domestically. It is a major part of the surrounding nations' planned transition to cleaner energy, although deals are still being negotiated with some of its neighbors. However, thanks to policy changes in 2021, the country also became an attractive target for cryptocurrency miners. A source of cheap and plentiful energy makes crypto mining more profitable, so when the country began to overproduce power and made it available to these companies, they leapt at the chance. Using renewable hydroelectric energy solves one of the major problems with crypto mining: its energy-intensive operations generate significant air pollution when powered by dirty fuels. Also, in this case, with such a surplus of energy, it is unlikely that the crypto company's presence will significantly drive up prices for other utility customers. However, that still leaves other problems like the overuse of water to cool down overheating computers, or the incredible noise that can overwhelm neighbors. That being the case, it is unsurprising that Laos would prefer to put its energy to better uses. "Crypto doesn't create value compared to supplying it to industrial or commercial consumers," deputy energy minister Chanthaboun Soukaloun told Reuters. "We proposed to the government in 2021 to supply to crypto mining due to the oversupply of electricity domestically." Now there are better applications for the extra power, including metals refining, electric vehicles, and AI. Laos has already begun to scale back its supply to crypto companies. According to Soukaloun, "I think by the end of the first quarter of 2026, we might stop [supply to crypto] entirely." 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. Ghostwriters, polo shirts, and the fall of a landmark pesticide study Washington, United States, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025 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. 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." "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." 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. - 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. 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. Starvation fears as more heavy rain threaten flood-ruined Indonesia Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Dec 6 (AFP) Dec 06, 2025 Further heavy rain threatened Indonesia's flood-ravaged island of Sumatra on Saturday as the governor of one hard-hit province warned that the death toll could climb beyond 883 because of starvation. A chain of tropical storms and monsoonal rains has pummelled Southeast and South Asia, triggering landslides and flash floods from the Sumatran rainforest to the highland plantations of Sri Lanka. Some 1,770 people have been killed in natural disasters unfolding across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam since last week. Indonesia's national weather agency said rain could return on Saturday to the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, where floods have swept away roads, smothered houses in silt and cut off supplies. Aceh governor Muzakir Manaf said response teams were still searching for bodies in "waist-deep" mud. However, starvation was one of the gravest threats now hanging over remote and inaccessible villages. "Many people need basic necessities. Many areas remain untouched in the remote areas of Aceh," he told reporters. "People are not dying from the flood, but from starvation. That's how it is." Entire villages had been washed away in the rainforest-cloaked Aceh Tamiang region, Muzakir said. "The Aceh Tamiang region is completely destroyed, from the top to the bottom, down to the roads and down to the sea. "Many villages and sub-districts are now just names," he said. Aceh resident Munawar Liza Zainal said he felt "betrayed" by the Indonesian government, which has so far shrugged off pressure to declare a national disaster. "This is an extraordinary disaster that must be faced with extraordinary measures," he told AFP, echoing frustrations voiced by other flood victims. "If national disaster status is only declared later, what's the point?" Declaring a national disaster would free up resources and help government agencies coordinate their response. Analysts have suggested Indonesia could be reluctant to declare a disaster -- and seek additional foreign aid -- because it would show it was not up to the task. Indonesia's government this week insisted it could handle the fallout. - Climate calamity - The scale of devastation has only just become clear in other parts of Sumatra as engorged rivers shrink and floodwaters recede. AFP photos showed muddy villagers salvaging silt-encrusted furniture from flooded houses in Aek Ngadol, North Sumatra. Humanitarian groups fear that the scale of calamity could be without precedent, even for a nation prone to natural disasters. Indonesia's death toll rose to 883 on Saturday morning, according to the disaster management agency, with 520 people missing. Sri Lanka's death toll jumped by more than 100 on Friday to 607, as the government warned that fresh rains raised the risk of new landslides. Thailand has reported 276 deaths and Malaysia two, while at least two people were killed in Vietnam after heavy rains triggered a series of landslides. Seasonal monsoon rains are a feature of life in Southeast Asia, flooding rice fields and nourishing the growth of other key crops. However, climate change is making the phenomenon more erratic, unpredictable and deadly throughout the region. Environmentalists and Indonesia's government have also suggested logging and deforestation exacerbated landslides and flooding in Sumatra. Starvation fears as flood toll passes 900 in Indonesia Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Dec 6 (AFP) Dec 06, 2025 Ruinous floods and landslides have killed more than 900 people on Indonesia's island of Sumatra, the country's disaster management agency said Saturday, with fears that starvation could send the toll even higher. A chain of tropical storms and monsoonal rains has pummelled Southeast and South Asia, triggering landslides and flash floods from the Sumatran rainforest to the highland plantations of Sri Lanka. More than 1,790 people have been killed in natural disasters unfolding across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam over the past week. In Indonesia's provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, floods have swept away roads, smothered houses in silt, and cut off supplies. Aceh governor Muzakir Manaf said response teams were still searching for bodies in "waist-deep" mud. However, starvation was one of the gravest threats now hanging over remote and inaccessible villages. "Many people need basic necessities. Many areas remain untouched in the remote areas of Aceh," he told reporters. "People are not dying from the flood, but from starvation. That's how it is." Entire villages had been washed away in the rainforest-cloaked Aceh Tamiang region, Muzakir said. "The Aceh Tamiang region is completely destroyed, from the top to the bottom, down to the roads and down to the sea. "Many villages and sub-districts are now just names," he said. Aceh Tamiang flood victim Fachrul Rozi said he had spent the past week crammed into an old shop building with others who had fled the rising waters. "We ate whatever was available, helping each other with the little supplies each resident had brought," he told AFP. "We slept crammed together." Aceh resident Munawar Liza Zainal said he felt "betrayed" by the Indonesian government, which has so far shrugged off pressure to declare a national disaster. "This is an extraordinary disaster that must be faced with extraordinary measures," he told AFP, echoing frustrations voiced by other flood victims. "If national disaster status is only declared later, what's the point?" Declaring a national disaster would free up resources and help government agencies coordinate their response. Analysts have suggested Indonesia could be reluctant to declare a disaster -- and seek additional foreign aid -- because it would show it was not up to the task. Indonesia's government this week insisted it could handle the fallout. - Climate calamity - The scale of devastation has only just become clear in other parts of Sumatra as engorged rivers shrink and floodwaters recede. AFP photos showed muddy villagers salvaging silt-encrusted furniture from flooded houses in Aek Ngadol, North Sumatra. Humanitarian groups worry that the scale of the calamity could be unprecedented, even for a nation prone to natural disasters. Indonesia's death toll rose to 908 on Saturday, according to the disaster management agency, with 410 people missing. Sri Lanka's death toll jumped on Friday to 607, as the government warned that fresh rains raised the risk of new landslides. Thailand has reported 276 deaths and Malaysia two, while at least two people were killed in Vietnam after heavy rains triggered a series of landslides. Seasonal monsoon rains are a feature of life in Southeast Asia, flooding rice fields and nourishing the growth of other key crops. However, climate change is making the phenomenon more erratic, unpredictable and deadly throughout the region. Environmentalists and Indonesia's government have also suggested that logging and deforestation exacerbated landslides and flooding in Sumatra. Sri Lanka unveils cyclone aid plan as rains persist Colombo, Dec 6 (AFP) Dec 06, 2025 Disaster-hit Sri Lanka has unveiled a major compensation package to rebuild homes damaged by a deadly cyclone, even as the island prepared on Saturday for further landslides and flooding. The government has confirmed 611 deaths, with another 213 unaccounted for and feared dead, in what President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called the country's most challenging natural disaster. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) issued fresh landslide warnings in several areas of the worst-affected Central Province, with the northeast monsoon gathering over the island and bringing more rain. More than two million people -- nearly 10 percent of the population -- have been affected by last week's floods and landslides, the worst this century. Survivors will be offered up to 10 million rupees ($33,000) to buy land in a safer location and build a new house, the finance ministry said in a statement late on Friday. They will also receive livelihood support, including cash to pay for children's school books, kitchen appliances, bedding and rent if they are not given accommodation by the state. The government did not say how much the bold package would cost, a concern given the country's recent economic turbulence. A senior official earlier said recovery and reconstruction might cost up to $7 billion. The central bank has ordered commercial banks, both state-owned and private, to reschedule loans of affected people and not to impose penalties on defaulting borrowers. The government is also offering one million rupees in compensation for each person killed or left permanently disabled. The DMC said nearly 75,000 homes were damaged, including close to 5,000 that were completely destroyed by last week's disasters. Around 150,000 people remain in state-run shelters, down from a peak of 225,000. The air force said it was still using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft on Saturday to supply communities cut off by landslides in the centre of the country. - IMF request - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday it was considering Sri Lanka's request for an additional $200 million, on top of the $347 million tranche the country was already due to receive this month. "The IMF remains closely engaged with the Sri Lankan authorities... and is committed to supporting the country," the Washington-based lender said. Cyclone Ditwah devastated swathes of Sri Lanka as it was emerging from its severe 2022 economic crisis, following a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout loan agreed with the IMF in early 2023. Dissanayake told parliament on Friday that Sri Lanka's economy had made a significant recovery, but was not strong enough to withstand the latest shock alone. Despite assistance from the military and volunteers in flooded communities, fresh rains have hampered clean-up operations. Residents evacuated from the landslide-prone central hills have been told not to return immediately, even if their homes were unaffected by the slips. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Billy Crudup is in an echoey east London rehearsal room, practically vibrating as he unpicks one of the best scenes in one of the years best films. The star of Almost Famous and The Morning Show, dressed in a grey quarter-zip fleece, looks faintly horrified by his own enthusiasm. Its the nerdiest job Ive ever had, he says, eyes lighting up. In Jay Kelly, Noah Baumbachs Fellini-like meditation on ageing and Hollywood vanity, Crudup plays Timothy, a former drama-school classmate of George Clooneys fading movie star of the title. Though clearly the more talented of the pair, Timothy didnt make it as an actor, and became a child therapist instead. The pivotal scene happens in a bar. Jay, in town for his mentors funeral, urges his old buddy to show off his Method genius there and then by reading the menu in character. Timothy takes a breath and steadies himself; soon, tears are cascading down his face to the words truffle parmesan fries. Its hilarious yet theres a lot more going on. From across the table, Jay watches, mesmerised, as years of unspoken rivalry bubble to the surface. The twist is that Crudup really did have to use Method acting techniques to get those tears out. The double twist is that this 57-year-old has never been a fan of Method acting. For Crudup, whose approach is based on spontaneity and collaboration, the real issue isnt so much the technique as its effect on others. Hes less damning than Brian Cox, who called it f***ing annoying. But, he explains, if a director needs to give a note mid-scene move left, say and the actor insists on remaining in character, theres a problem. You cant just say, Sorry, Daniel [Day-Lewis], can you step outside of that for one second? To the other actors and crew, it feels selfish. Not that directors are immune to antisocial techniques he mentions William Friedkin unexpectedly firing a gun on the set of The Exorcist to provoke an expression of shock in an actor. Let me tell you, its a great f***ing moment, says Crudup. But would I say that gunfire on a set is the best way to provoke a response? Generally speaking, no, thats a bad idea... I used to get in disagreements with directors and other actors because I didnt want to be tricked into anything, he adds. Yet the script for Jay Kelly required crying, so he did what hed never done before: applied the nuts and bolts of the Method, excavating a painful memory, working through the five senses, picking at the scab until something gave. It turns out re-traumatising yourself works, he says. Before filming, hed told Baumbach and Clooney he didnt know if it would. Feelings, for me, emotions, for me, theyre capricious, Crudup explains. Yet it worked so well, in fact, that despite only being in the film for 10 minutes, he is now expected to feature heavily in the Oscars conversation. open image in gallery Method in his madness: Crudup as Timothy in Noah Baumbachs Jay Kelly ( Netflix ) Crudup speaks slowly, carefully; his face buffers eyes closing, eyebrows dancing independently as if hes rifling through his brains archives. The very idea of him playing an actor tickled him. Im already as actory as they get, he says, laughing. Its like nerd-on-nerd crime. Ever since his film debut opposite Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman in 1996s Sleepers, Crudup has made a career of men you cant quite figure out. Hes been a duplicitous CIA agent in The Good Shepherd, a stone-faced space captain in Alien: Covenant, a calculating attorney in Spotlight, and a serpentine network executive in The Morning Show. Theres even a degree of detachment to his soft-spoken handyman in 20th Century Women. Call Crudup a connoisseur of the inscrutable. Hes drawn, he says, to unusual characters he doesnt fully understand. Part of that is because Ive been afforded the opportunity to learn about people and learn about humanity in this stupid job I have, he explains. I want to know how a human being who acts like that, and maybe thinks like that, manages the world. open image in gallery Golden god: Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond in Almost Famous ( Columbia Tristar ) For someone who has quietly, doggedly assembled such an impressive body of work, Crudup is surprisingly self-critical, dismissing a lot of his early film performances as not authentic. Even Almost Famous, Cameron Crowes beloved coming-of-age classic, doesnt escape his scrutiny: I can pick out moments where I go, Thats totally false. The closest hes ever come to self-satisfaction, he says, is playing all 19 characters in the one-man play Harry Clarke, in 2017, at New Yorks Vineyard Theatre, where he was in control of the text and wasnt self-conscious. The stage, one senses, is where Crudup is happiest. We meet a few weeks before his new play, High Noon, gets its world premiere at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End. Adapted from the 1952 film by Eric Roth, who wrote Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) and won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for Forrest Gump (1994), it casts Crudup as yet another man who is hard to read. You cant have government officials systematically disobeying laws with no accountability Hes Will Kane, a retiring marshal counting down the minutes before he confronts a pardoned killer who is returning to take revenge. The role of this towering, taciturn lawman was made famous by Gary Cooper and isnt an obvious fit for Crudup, he admits. But Roths adaptation, which unfolds in real time and uses a ticking clock to ratchet up the tension, offers something more complex than the original films stoic masculinity. Here, the love story between Kane and his Quaker wife Amy (Denise Gough, whom Crudup praises as an acting animal) is deepened, forcing Kane to articulate what the film kept buttoned up. The film was not really even about courage, Crudup says. What its about is cowardice. Kane has protected the town for 17 years, but when the murderous outlaw returns, everyone scarpers. In the play, Crudup notes, the interpersonal pressure matches the civic kind. Kane and Amy have never had a love like the love they have for one another, but his decision to fight breaks their marriage vows, after he promised to give up his guns. This conundrum the choice between duty and devotion lends the play urgency for 2025. Theres that percolating in masculinity right now, Crudup says. How do I exist as a man in the way that I kind of inherited... and then we had a cultural revelation, that we cant have systems in place that oppress certain groups of people. open image in gallery Citizen Kane: Crudup in rehearsals for High Noon ( Justine Matthew ) The resonance with Americas political situation is unmistakeable. Were wrestling right now with how to create civility in what is becoming an increasingly lawless community, he says. You cant have government officials systematically disobeying laws with no accountability from Congress, and no application of force by the Supreme Court, and it not be somewhat lawless. Kane himself is morally dubious Hes a bully, says Crudup, but hes a bully for the law. Crudup, the middle sibling of three brothers, had a peripatetic childhood, moving from New York State to Texas and then to Florida. After his parents divorced each other for the first time when he was young, he lived with his mother, who worked in advertising for local political parties in Dallas. His father was a different sort: bookie, loan shark, salesman, a real wheeler-dealer who would often buy products from warehouses and try flogging them again, convinced his charisma could shift anything. The result of having such an eccentric dad was that Crudup wanted some semblance of stability for himself. So naturally, he chose acting. Luckily, he has his fathers resourcefulness and charm. Crudup is today upbeat and voluble; a single answer can run to six minutes. Hes modest, too. Some of his best roles, he says, have been when he wasnt the directors first choice. Take Russell Hammond, the enigmatic guitarist in Almost Famous. The part was originally going to Brad Pitt before Pitt dropped out. When I bring up that film, Crudup tells me a story he still cant quite believe happened. Walking through LAX, he spotted a tall figure with a leonine mane of hair. Oh my God, thats Robert Plant, he thought. As Hammond, Crudup delivers one of cinemas most iconic rockstar moments, declaring Im a golden god! from a rooftop. Crowe had told him it was originally Plants line. My dedication to Zeppelin began during Almost Famous, and it hasnt stopped, Crudup tells me. But paralysis struck. Plant vanished before he could approach. Then Crudup discovered the musician sitting just behind him in first class. Five agonising hours passed. Nothing. Then, as they disembarked, Plant turned to critique Crudups battered luggage. Seizing his moment, Crudup blurted out his connection to the film, and that famous line. He puts on an English accent for my benefit. Oh, it is you, Plant replied. You stole my line. My line now, Crudup recalls saying. The flight attendant sealed the moment: The two golden gods. Best day ever, Crudup says now, arms astretch. open image in gallery Blue colossus: Crudup as Dr Manhattan in Watchmen ( Warner Bros ) Another role for which Crudup wasnt first choice was Dr Manhattan in Watchmen, Zack Snyders unhinged 2009 adaptation of Alan Moores unremittingly dark superhero comic book. In a film that has grown in reputation in the years since, Crudup is the glowing blue colossus with godlike powers a role Keanu Reeves was initially down to play. When I read it, I couldnt believe it, Crudup recalls. This was around the emergence of Iron Man, so there was a new kind of attachment to the commercialisation of superhero figures. The script questioned that iconography. What Alan Moore was saying was, You want me to show you who dresses up in costumes? Psychopaths, sycophants, freaks. Theres no good superhero coming in whos wearing a mask. And if someone had genuine superpowers, Crudup notes, they wouldnt care for humanity. Theyd go off to Mars and contemplate the universe. I thought, F*** yes, thats so subversive. He called his graphic-novel-obsessed younger brother to discuss the role. F*** you, his brother replied, furiously jealous when he heard it was Dr Manhattan. I was like, OK, got to go. Im doing it. open image in gallery Making headlines: Crudup and Reese Witherspoon in The Morning Show ( Apple + ) Crudup had a similar reaction when he saw the script for The Morning Show, the drama series set in the world of breakfast TV news and co-starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. To me, it read like [the 1987 film] Broadcast News and [Paddy Chayefskys 1976 satire] Network, he says. While the glossier aspect of the show wasnt exactly what I was picturing, The Morning Show has been good to him. As Cory Ellison, the president of a TV news network, he has won two Emmys. Besides, he adds, I go where I have to go, where the work is. I cant generate any material. He elaborates: I tried to write something a while ago, and it was just f***ing repugnant. Before The Morning Show, Crudup was rarely stopped in the street. It was only when he was out with his wife, the Oscar-nominated actor Naomi Watts, whom he married in 2023, that people would come up to him. And I would take the picture of them and Naomi, he laughs. All of a sudden, though, people are now asking him for selfies, such has been the popularity of The Morning Show (which begins filming its fifth season after he finishes High Noon). I ask Crudup how he feels about fame. Jimmy Carter, the former president of the United States, gave this speech in the Seventies that people hated, he says. And it was kind of a Come to Jesus sort of thing with America and its conscience, saying, If you guys keep going after obtaining things, youre going to forget what the purpose of living is. He smiles. Thats how I feel about fame. Jay Kelly is on Netflix now. High Noon is at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 17 December until 7 March. Tickets can be bought here Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sydney Sweeney has finally spoken out about the controversy surrounding her American Eagle jeans advert, admitting that her silence on the matter has widened the divide. The 28-year-old actor became the face of the brands Great Jeans campaign earlier this year, which drew intense scrutiny over its use of "jeans" as a play on the word genes. Critics interpreted the wordplay as a reference to eugenics, the discredited theory of improving humanity through selective breeding. However, American Eagle has maintained that the advert solely refers to its denim products. However, the MAGA camp quickly came to Sweeneys defence. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the actor when he found out she was a registered Republican, writing on social media that she had the HOTTEST ad out there. Speaking to People magazine in a new interview, Sweeney expressed her surprise at the reaction. I was honestly surprised by the reaction, she stated. I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand. I dont support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. open image in gallery Sydney Sweeney in the divisive American Eagle advert ( American Eagle ) Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just arent true. Anyone who knows me knows that Im always trying to bring people together. Im against hate and divisiveness. She continued: In the past, my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press, but recently I have come to realise that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it. So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us. The advert, released in July, featured Sweeney saying: Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue. In November, Sweeney had addressed the criticism in an interview with GQ magazine, stating: I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear. open image in gallery Trump defended Sweeney in wake of the backlash ( AP/Youtube ) She added: I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. Im literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life. Sweeney also said she found it surreal that President Donald Trump reacted to the advert. American Eagle defended the campaign in an August Instagram post, clarifying: Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. Well continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans looks good on everyone. Sweeney, known for her role in the HBO hit teen drama Euphoria, is currently promoting her upcoming film The Housemaid, an adaptation of Freida McFaddens 2022 bestselling novel, which also stars Amanda Seyfried. Additional reporting from the Press Association Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In Nicks world, there are always characters, people, songs, him dealing with the unknown. For decades, Nick Cave has been more than a mirror of the things were afraid to confront. Hes a conduit, a doorway into a different dimension that bristles with outlaws, ghosts, murderers, thieves, scorned lovers and tortured souls. Skys new documentary, Nick Caves Veiled World, goes some way to lifting that veil and delivering a fascinating, insightful portrait of the Australian artists creative process. Another music documentary? you might well sigh, and rightfully so. Were stuffed to the brim, Christmas turkey-style, with endless and often hastily thrown-together projects promising the most in-depth of looks at our favourite artists, or indeed our most controversial. The problem with many of them is their endeavour to present the whole picture, too often with broad brush strokes and leaving viewers with the feeling that, actually, they havent learnt anything new. Not so the case with Veiled World, which homes in on Caves songwriting process how he conjures up these dark, mysterious worlds, and what drives him to do so in the first place. It helps that Emmy-nominated director Mike Christie has assembled some of the musicians closest friends, collaborators and admirers Warren Ellis, Florence Welch, Colin Greenwood to offer their own thoughts on his work and why were so drawn to it. The documentary is divided into chapters, opening with The Outlaw, which examines the characters Cave has introduced us to. As Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea points out, his songs are full of the most divine, beautiful characters. And then, you know, theres the most pathetic of victims, the most ruthless of evil-doers, and just the worst of humanity. Men like the narrator in The Mercy Seat, from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds 1988 album Tender Prey, are not necessarily ones youd want to find next to you at the bar. But, as Scottish author Irvine Welsh puts it: The great thing about anti-heroes is they give us permission to transgress without actually transgressing. Cave, as the documentary deftly lays out, has a unique way of positioning himself in some truly troubling perspectives: the man on Death Row in The Mercy Seat, for instance, or the killer in Stagger Lee. In the case of the latter, filmmaker and Cave collaborator Andrew Dominik recalls attending one of Caves early performances of the song, which follows with graphic detail the exploits of its foul-mouthed murderer. You could feel the absolute shock theres 50,000 people that just felt like theyd been slapped, he says. By the second chapter (The Shadow), were already presented with evidence of how Caves songwriting and ideas just keep evolving. It touches on his past issues with heroin addiction, respectfully, to note how he had feared that without drugs he would not be able to plumb those same depths. Obviously, his concerns were misguided; just listen to 2004s Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus, or 2016s Skeleton Tree, released not long after the death of Caves teenage son, Arthur. open image in gallery That idea that art trounces everything, it just doesnt apply to me any more ( Sky ) One of the most moving scenes comes from longtime Bad Seed member Thomas Wydler, who recalls hearing that Arthur had died in a fall near the family home in Brighton. The worst thing, he answers, wiping tears from his eyes. It was the worst thing Ive ever heard. And Ive never forgotten it. How did it affect Cave, not just as a man, but as an artist? That kind of grief is a form of madness, says Sean O'Hagan, the Irish journalist and critic with whom Cave co-wrote the 2022 book Faith, Hope and Carnage. It brings you pretty close to going under. Caves stance on art had already shifted by this point: For most of my life, I was sort of just in awe of my own genius, he says in a voiceover excerpt from an ABC interview, with a self-deprecating snort. I had an office, and I would sit there and write every day whatever else happened in my life was peripheral, even annoyances, because I was involved in this great work. And this just collapsed completely, and I saw the folly of that, the disgraceful self-indulgence of the whole thing. My priorities changed that idea that art trounces everything, it just doesnt apply to me any more. Im a father, and Im a husband, and a person of the world. These things are much more important to me than the concept of being an artist. Perhaps with this shift, though, Cave has managed to unlock something even greater, a connection to unknown forces that enabled him to make as remarkable and devastating a record as 2019s Ghosteen, which to Ellis felt like the only time Ive been in the studio, where it felt like something else was in there another force was present in there. Veiled World is by no means the full picture of Cave. But it is a captivating, lovingly created film about the genius of one of our greatest living storytellers. Nick Caves Veiled World airs tonight (6 December) at 9pm on Sky Documentaries Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was sentenced to a further three months in prison on Friday for violating the terms of his supervised release. The 29-year-old Brooklyn artist admitted to assaulting a man and possessing drugs, breaches that occurred during his post-release period from a New York gang case. During a federal court hearing in Manhattan, Judge Paul Engelmayer expressed considerable frustration at Hernandez's repeated infractions. "From time to time your actions suggest that you believe that ordinary rules dont apply to you," the judge stated, emphasising that another prison term was necessary to convey a clear message. This follows a 45-day sentence late last year for similar supervised release violations. Hernandez delivered a lengthy statement in court, detailing instances of harassment and threats faced by him and his family due to his cooperation with authorities in the original gang investigation. He recounted: "Unknown individuals left a coffin in front of my house with an animal in it to send me a message," adding, "Three masked gunmen held my mom at gunpoint." Rapper Daniel Hernandez, known as Tekashi 6ix9ine, pictured in January 2024 as he is escorted by police as he arrives for a court hearing at the Palace of Justice, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Last month, the embattled rappers 60-year-old mother was at her sons Florida home when a group of men broke in on Sunday night looking for his cash and car keys, police said. When police later arrived to the scene, they learned that four masked men came into the house with handguns. The mom was held at gunpoint outside while the suspects looked through the property for money. Cops searched through the home with a K-9 unit, but the suspects were nowhere to be found. Police told The Independent that the burglars might have got away in a car before officers arrived. The rapper had pleaded guilty in 2018 to his involvement with the violent Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods. His cooperation in the racketeering case against gang members led to a lenient two-year prison sentence in 2019, followed by five years of supervised release. He was even granted early release from federal prison in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest violations stemmed from small quantities of cocaine and ecstasy discovered at his Miami home during a police raid in March, and an incident in August where he punched a man who taunted him at a Florida mall over his past cooperation. His legal team had sought six months of home confinement for these breaches. 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. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For right-wing firebrand Candace Owens, conspiracy theories are a form of mind yoga, a way of bending the mind like a pretzel. Theyre also extremely compelling, for her millions of social media followers and podcast listeners at least, and extremely lucrative, helping the 36-year-old American build a staggering media empire in under a decade. Coronavirus and the vaccines. The moon landings. Climate change. The #MeToo case against Harvey Weinstein. Blake Lively and Justin Baldonis legal battle. All these disparate subjects have received Owens signature treatment. On her eponymous podcast, she is the queen of the just asking questions approach: positioning herself as an investigating crusader who is bold enough to probe the topics that she believes the mainstream media dont want you to know about. She is part one-woman outrage machine, part millennial version of a medieval mystic; she has certainly worked out how to cleverly monetise the human impulse to uncover so-called truths and to feel like we are somehow in possession of a secret knowledge that explains how the world works. But her latest forays into so-called mind yoga are tying her in ever more complex knots that set her apart from even the most fact-averse of her fellow microphone-toting far-right truthers. In the summer, French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte filed a defamation lawsuit against Owens, who has regularly and fervently spouted bizarre claims that the first lady was born male; the couple have accused her of mounting a campaign of global humiliation and relentless bullying on a worldwide scale. Last month, Owens made the even stranger allegations that the Macrons had attempted to orchestrate her assassination (the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, the organisation that Owens claimed was involved in the plot, told French media that these allegations were fake news). And in recent weeks, Owens has dragged herself and her followers even further down the rabbit hole by stirring up conspiracies around the death of her one-time boss, Charlie Kirk, the right-wing activist and founder of conservative student group Turning Point, who was shot dead in September. Among her inflammatory claims? The suggestion that his death was somehow an inside job involving Turning Point employees. On Wednesday (3 December), Kirks longtime producer Blake Neff finally called Owens out for spending months attacking Charlies closest friends, who, he said, have had to endure harassment from people who have gotten whipped up by what Candace is saying. Owens is now playing an even higher stakes game, running the risk of finally alienating one-time allies on her end of the political spectrum, while also surely aware that her most devoted core of fans will expect wilder theories to come. open image in gallery Owens has built a staggering media empire over the course of just a few years ( Getty Images ) So how did Owens become one of the most influential and arguably, one of the most dangerous woman on the internet? Her early days didnt exactly lay obvious foundations for a hard-right pivot. The third of four children, she spent her childhood in Stamford, Connecticut and, following her parents divorce, was brought up by her grandparents. At school, she experienced racist bullying; when she was in her senior year, she received death threats from some white classmates, including the son of Stamfords then-mayor. Her family sued the Stamford Board of Education, eventually gaining a $37,500 settlement. Around this time, she developed an abiding interest in current affairs, as a Tatler profile would later put it, with her political sympathies initially skewing towards the Democrats. After dropping out of a journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island, Owens interned in the fashion cupboard at America Vogue (There was not some kind of formal hierarchy, but it was very clear that she was running the show, a fellow intern recalled in Vanity Fair). She then worked her way up the ranks in administration in a New York private equity firm, before co-founding a marketing agency. Dig back into the agencys blog archives and you will find Owens mouthing off about the bat-s**t-crazy antics of the Republican Tea Party. But her politics would soon change drastically. In 2016, she launched a Kickstarter campaign for a platform called Social Autopsy, a searchable database of internet trolls (there is, of course, a certain irony to Owens initially touting herself as some kind of anti-cyber bullying champion). She is part one-woman outrage machine, part millennial version of a medieval mystic Inevitably, it stoked criticism: wouldnt this just amount to doxxing, the typically malicious act of posting another persons private details on the internet? Owens ended up on the receiving end of online hate herself, and blamed left-wing activists. I became a conservative overnight, she later reflected. I realised that liberals were actually the racists. Liberals were actually the trolls. Not long after, she started posting on YouTube: her first video was a sketch in which she came out to her parents as a conservative. Owens positioned herself as a supporter of Trump, who was then in the early stages of his first presidency, and decried ideas around identity politics, structural racism and the Black Lives Matter movement. She particularly vehemently opposed any suggestion that African-Americans should perceive themselves as victims and still does. Owens crossed paths with Kirk at a conservative conference in Florida late in 2017. Within 30 seconds of seeing her on stage, I said to myself, Oh my goodness, I have not seen a talent like this in my six years of politics, Kirk later told The Washington Post. He immediately hired her to work in communications for Turning Point, and they spent the next few years touring colleges, spreading the conservative gospel. open image in gallery Owens has encouraged Black voters to switch allegiances to the Republican Party ( AFP via Getty Images ) Around this time, Owens launched the BLEXIT Foundation, an organisation encouraging a Black exit from the Democrats, urging Black voters to throw their support behind the Republican party instead. Kanye West publicly supported her, writing I love the way Candace Owens thinks on Twitter. And she and Kirk also took their Turning Point mission overseas. At an event in London in December 2018, Owens ended up appearing to suggest that if Hitler had simply stuck to Germany, his policies would have been fine. Whenever we say nationalism, the first thing people think about, at least in America, is Hitler, she said. He was a national socialist, but if Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, OK, fine. The problem, she added, was that he had dreams outside of Germany. He wanted to globalise. Owens would later claim that her words had been taken out of context by leftist journalists, and stated that there is no excuse or defence ever for everything that [Hitler] did. Owens left Turning Point in 2019, but her profile continued to grow and grow. 2021 saw the launch of Candace, an online show for the conservative platform Daily Wire, co-founded by another right-wing controversy magnet, Ben Shapiro; it featured sit-down interviews with the likes of Trump, but she also used her platform to weigh in on pop culture and lifestyle topics (such as her vehement belief that women should not wear leggings outside of the gym, because doing so is indicative of the decline of our culture). But in 2024, Owens parted ways with Daily Wire, reportedly over her anti-Semitic comments (although she would later claim this was a smear campaign and a ridiculous storyline). Owens great talent, though, is for turning controversy into content, and it wasnt long before she returned with her own venture, a self-titled podcast. Since launching in June of last year, its ascent has been dizzying: in October 2025, it ranked as the number one show across platforms in terms of downloads and views per episode, with an average of around 3.5 million downloads per show, according to analytics from Podscribe. The right-wing podcast sphere is booming in a way that the left cant seem to match. Just a quick glance at the US charts demonstrates the dominance of controversial conservative-skewing figures such as Joe Rogan, Tucker Carlson and Theo Von. According to a Media Matters report from 2024, right-leaning online shows had nearly five times as many followers and subscribers as their left-wing equivalents. Controversy and conspiracy pay off: the more outrageous the content, the more the listeners keep coming back (not for nothing was ragebait announced as the Oxford Dictionarys word of the year). open image in gallery With husband George Farmer ( Getty Images for Vox Media ) It's a model that Owens has honed to perfection. Outrage drives clicks, listens and views. It keeps fans coming back. And this in turn makes advertisers sit up and take note. Her husband George Farmer, the British son of a multi-millionaire Tory peer and hedge fund manager, oversees the business side of the operation, and told Bloomberg that her advertisers have reported seeing returns of two-to-one on dollars spent with us, and up to five-to-one reported in some cases. Her huge listener base mean that the podcast can inevitably charge higher advertising rates; recent analysis from Fortune magazine suggested that her company generates up to $10m in revenues per year. And according to Farmer, only one advertiser has pulled out over the past year; the show now has almost 60 sponsors, Bloomberg reports. In 2023, her anti-trans YouTube videos were demonetised, and last year, she was temporarily suspended after violating hate speech policies, but she has since returned with a vengeance. And even if these bigger sites did ban her, she would probably follow in the footsteps of other cancelled right-wing figures and simply move to a new platform. Whats particularly shrewd, though, is the way Owens has a knack for throwing herself into topics that are guaranteed to creep onto your social feed. Take actor Blake Livelys legal battle against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Earlier this year, Owens covered the story in obsessive detail, responding to suggestions and clues from followers with all the zeal of a TikTok sleuth. Elsewhere, she borrows the aesthetic of your classic lifestyle influencer. Her website, Club Candace, doesnt exactly look like the online home of a conservative firebrand; instead of Maga red and shouty graphics, its all swirly, cursive fonts and glowing photos of Owens. But then you look closer at the merch shes selling: the Candace Intelligence Agency T-shirts ($35), the we dont know-know, but we know sweater ($60), a slogan that gets to the heart of Owens fast-and-loose attitude to facts, and the conspiracy theorist mug ($16). And yet with the Macron lawsuit looming, Owens may have met her match. For all the successes of her podcast, she is now facing a major legal battle. She has been asking fans to donate to her legal fund, and estimates she will need around $5m, but that feels like a conservative estimate. Should she lose, she could face millions in legal fees alone. The case of fellow right-wing podcaster and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones feels particularly pertinent here: Jones was ordered to pay around $1.4bn in total damages after the families of Sandy Hook elementary school shooting victims won two separate defamation suits against him. He has since been declared bankrupt (although he is still broadcasting). In American defamation cases against public figures, though, the onus is on the plaintiff to prove actual malice , or essentially to show that the defendant knew the information they were sharing was untrue. This can be tricky to prove. In 2021, Owens was hit with a separate defamation suit by the former Republican congressional candidate Kimberly Klacik. She claimed that Owens had smeared her with false allegations of drug use, fraud and working as a madame in a strip club, but the case was tossed out by a judge; Klacik ended up being required to pay her $115,000 to cover legal fees. Using Kirks death as another trending topic to boost her profile looks like an ill-advised move, too. Owens is far from the only podcaster to indulge in bizarre conspiracy theories, but her personal link to Kirk, coupled with her willingness to exploit that for clicks and listens, makes the whole spectacle feel extremely murky. In aiming for Turning Point, too, she risks splitting her support base. Here, she is not going after the establishment or the elite, those bogey people of conspiratorial thinking, but her own political allies. And the signs are that Turning Point are not going to let her get away with it. But Candace is unlikely to let this knock her off course. For her, a backlash is likely to be seen as just another opportunity. In this respect, she is the Trump era pundit par excellence: scandals that would have ended other careers only seem to give her more fodder to feed back to her devoted followers. Until now, Owens, with all her despicable theories, has made notoriety her superpower. In todays topsy-turvy cultural climate, being the ragebait queen has served her well. It remains to be seen, however, if they make her undefeatable. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sleep is the holy grail for new parents. So no wonder many tired parents are looking for something to help their babies sleep. A TikTok trend claims giving your baby a tablespoon or two of butter in the evening will help them sleep more at night. As well see, butter is just the latest food that promises to help babies sleep at night. But no single food can do this. So if youre a new parent and desperate for a good nights sleep, heres what to try instead. Babies need help to fall asleep, through feeding, movement (like rocking) or touch (like a cuddle or massage). Newborn babies also do not know night from day. Melatonin in breastmilk helps babies sleep more at night until they start to make this sleep-inducing hormone themselves. Bottlefed newborn babies do not have access to this melatonin. Regardless of how you feed your baby, it can take several months for them to develop a sleep pattern with longer stretches at night. Babies also sleep lighter than older children and adults. Light sleep helps ensure they continue breathing, protecting them from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). It also means they wake easily and often. The idea that babies should sleep deeply, alone and for long stretches, goes against their physiology. So sleeping like a baby usually means waking quite a lot at night. Yet, many parents have been asked whether their baby is sleeping through the night and is a good baby. The perception is that if a baby doesnt sleep for long stretches at night, it must be bad. open image in gallery It can take months for babies to establish sleep patterns ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) This may lead parents to say their babies sleep longer than they really do, setting unrealistic expectations for other new parents. The social pressure around baby sleep can add stress and anxiety for new parents. So the Tiktok trend about feeding babies butter may seem tempting. But giving babies any solid food before they are around six months old is not recommended. Babies digestive systems are not ready for solid food until they are around six months and feeding them before this can cause constipation or make them more likely to catch an illness. For this reason alone, you should not give your young baby butter. From about six months old, babies should be offered nutritious, iron-rich solid foods. Butter doesnt fit this bill because it is almost all saturated fat. If butter replaces more nutritious foods, babies may not get the vitamins and minerals they need. Butter is the latest in a long line of beliefs about certain foods making babies sleep longer at night. It was once thought that adding cereal or crushed arrowroot biscuits in bottle of milk before bedtime would make them sleep longer. Research found this did not increase sleep at all. Similarly, there is no evidence that giving babies butter before bed makes them sleep longer. In fact, research shows the foods babies eat make no difference to night waking. Waking overnight doesnt necessarily mean a baby is hungry. And stopping breastfeeds or bottle feeds overnight doesnt necessarily reduce night waking. Your baby could be too hot or cold, or need a nappy change. But some babies continue to wake at night even without an obvious problem. The good news is, sleeping is a skill babies develop naturally as they grow. Behavioural sleep interventions, known as sleep training, are not very effective in increasing overnight sleep. In one study, sleep training did not reduce the number of night wakes and only increased the length of the longest sleep by about 16 minutes. Sleep training is especially not recommended for babies under six months. If youre missing out on sleep at night, try to have small naps during the day while your baby sleeps. Ask friends and family to do some chores to allow you to nap. If your baby is crying and you find yourself getting overwhelmed it is OK to put your baby down somewhere safe (like a cot or baby mat) and take some time to settle yourself. If your babys sleep pattern changes significantly or they havent slept at all for more than a day, or if your baby seems to have pain or a fever see your doctor, or family and child health nurse, as soon as possible. If you think your baby is not sleeping well because of a breastfeeding problem, the Australian Breastfeeding Association has a national helpline. The association can also advise on co-sleeping. The charity Little Sparklers provides peer support for parents, including someone to chat to, about baby sleep. It also has helpful resources. UNICEF has resources about caring for your baby at night. And the UK-based Baby Sleep Info Source (Basis) provides evidence-based information about babies and sleep. Karleen Gribble is Adjunct Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University. Naomi Hull is PhD candidate, Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney. And Nina Jane Chad is Research Fellow, University of Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, the Florida teen who was found strangled to death on a Carnival Cruise ship last month, is living with a relative after being named a suspect in the case. Kepner, 18, had been traveling aboard the Carnival Horizon from Miami to the Caribbean with her father, Christopher Kepner, stepmother Shauntel Hudson, Shauntels two minor children, including the 16yearold, and her grandparents. This week, the teen suspects father, Thomas Hudson, stated in a family court motion that his ex-wife, Shauntel Hudson, also the mother of the teen suspect, failed to properly supervise their son on the trip, which he had not approved, the Associated Press reports. Kepner was found asphyxiated on November 7, reportedly covered in life jackets, under a bed in the cabin she shared with the teen suspect and 14-year-old biological brother, while the adults stayed across the hall. Her death has since been ruled a homicide. In court papers reviewed by AP, Shauntel Hudson wrote that the teen suspect had been staying with a relative since they returned from the cruise to ensure the safety of the youngest child of the parties. Anna Kepners 16-year-old stepbrother, a suspect in her death, has been living with a relative since the family returned from the November Carnival cruise, where she was strangled ( Temple Christian School ) All parties agree that (the teens) location will remain confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone other than his parents and law enforcement authorities, a November 13 document filed in the custody case this week states, per AP. During a family court hearing on Friday, Shauntel Hudsons attorney said its unclear how long her son will stay with relatives, as authorities await toxicology results and psychological evaluations while considering possible charges in Kepners death. Shauntel Hudson said during the hearing that the three teens wanted to room together on the cruise. The three of them ... were like best friends, Shauntel Hudson said, AP reports. Kepners death resulted in Thomas Hudson launching a custody battle for his younger children due to concerns about their safety. This includes the teen suspect, as well as another 9-year-old daughter he shares with Shauntel Hudson. The estranged couple also has an adult son. The judge ruled Friday that the Hudsons youngest child is not in immediate danger while living with her father and Shauntel Hudson, according to ABC News. Anna Kepner was a high school cheerleader from Floridas Space Coast, set to graduate next year. She reportedly felt unwell during dinner the night before her death and returned to her cabin. The next morning, she was absent from the familys planned breakfast and was missing until a maid found her body around 11 a.m. No one has been charged in her death case as authorities consider whether to pursue federal or state charges. The case involves international waters, making it typically federal, though juvenile prosecutions by the federal government are rare. Join the Independent Women newsletter with Victoria Richards for a thoughtful take on the weeks headlines Join the Independent Women newsletter Join the Independent Women newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Florida woman this week pleaded no contest to making a false report to law enforcement, after police say she admitted to using artificial intelligence to fake an October 911 call where she claimed a man broke into her home and sexually battered her, actions mirroring a disturbing new TikTok trend. Brooke Taylor Schinault, 32, called the St. Petersburg police on October 7, claiming an unknown man had broken into her home and attacked her. When officers arrived on the scene, they found no evidence of a crime, but Schinault showed them a photo of a man she said was the suspect. On a second call, Schinault told police she had been sexually battered. During that second call, we were able to contact one of our detectives upstairs to kind of get them to look over the evidence that we had and kind of give our officers at the scene some advice on how they should proceed with this case, Ashley Limardo, a public information specialist at the department, told Fox 13 at the time. As soon as that detective saw the images, immediately, she recognized it as a trend we were seeing online. Brooke Taylor Schinault, of St. Petersburg, Florida, allegedly used AI-generated images of a homeless manas part of a false report of a break-in and rape ( Reuters / Pinellas County Sheriff's Department ) It was later found the photo was AI generated via ChatGPT, police later wrote in charging documents. The photo provided to police was found in a deleted folder and was apparently made days before she alleged the burglary battery took place. A detective working the case believed Schinault was taking part in the AI homeless man TikTok prank, according to a police report obtained by the crime news site The Smoking Gun, though Schinault said she does not follow any trends. She admitted she lied about the break-in and rape during a rough stretch in which she was dealing with depression and seeking attention, according to the document. Schinault has been placed on probation and ordered to pay a fine. A phone number listed for Schinault on police documents has been disconnected. The Independent has contacted Schinaults public defender and an email tied to Schinault in public records for comment. As part of the trend, which has attracted millions of views on TikTok, social media users use artificial intelligence to create photo-realistic images of homeless people inside their homes to get a rise out of family members or friends. The prank has led to false police calls in Texas, Washington, and England, and law enforcement warns the public that engaging with this trend is both dehumanizing to the homeless and can drain resources from responding to real crimes. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two Florida teens have been arrested on murder charges in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl. Investigators found Danika Troy, 14, dead in the community of Pace, not far from the Alabama border, on Tuesday after a passerby reported her body to police, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office. Troys family last saw her on Sunday, and she was reported missing on Monday. Now, authorities say that 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins and 16-year-old Gabriel Williams are responsible for her murder. The teens were arrested on first-degree premeditated murder charges and are being held by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, according to the sheriffs office. Sheriff Bob Johnson alleged the teens shot Troy multiple times before setting her on fire. Investigators believe the weapon used in the brutal murder was stolen by Williams from his own mother. open image in gallery Kimahri Blevins, 14, was arrested this week in connection with the murder of Danika Troy ( Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office ) Theres not a clear motive, but I can tell you this: we're going to be hopefully working with the State Attorney's office to get these individuals charged as adults, Johnson said Thursday at a press conference. You do an adult crime, you need to do adult time. So that's going to be the next effort we're putting forth. The Independent has contacted the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice for comment. Attorneys for Blevins and Williams could not be identified for comment. Investigators believe Blevins and Williams lured Troy into the woods and planned to murder her, the Pensacola News Journal reports. open image in gallery Gabriel Williams, 16, is accused of stealing his mother's handgun and shooting Danika Troy ( Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office ) A cooperating witness said that Blevins told him the initial plan was to shoot Danika once, but Gabriel continued to shoot, according to a police report obtained by the Pensacola News Journal. Blevins then reportedly told the witness they burned Danika's body and left the area. Blevins told investigators he last talked to Troy during Thanksgiving break. They "had a falling out and he blocked her on social media," and Blevins said he hadnt seen or talked to her since, according to police documents. Williams also reportedly told police that "Danika has made hurtful comments to Gabriel about being worthless and a gang-banger, which upset him." The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Utah man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a man 17 times after the victim allegedly made comments about his minor daughter. Thad James Gurule, 32, is accused of luring the unnamed man to an industrial area in the small town of Wellington and stabbing him repeatedly. He was booked into Carbon County Jail on Wednesday. Wellington police were dispatched just after midnight on December 1 after getting a call about seeing a man covered in blood. They soon found the stabbing victim, who had multiple stab wounds and lacerations throughout his body, according to a probable cause statement obtained by Fox 13. The man was later taken to a specialized hospital for treatment. His present condition is unknown. open image in gallery Police accuse Thad James Gurule, 32, of stabbing a man 17 times in the small town of Wellington, Utah (pictured), after the man allegedly made comments about Gurules minor daughter ( Google Street View ) In an interview with police, Gurule said he met the victim a few days prior at a local post office, where the man made comments about his minor child. Gurule later did an internet search about the man and came to believe he was a sex offender. The 32-year-old later confessed he intended to kill the man to protect his daughter, according to the probable cause statement. After stabbing the man repeatedly with a red knife, Gurule gestured that the man should think again before making comments about his daughter, and left as [the victim] was laying on the ground, according to police. A search of the mans apartment revealed suspected marijuana and methamphetamine and associated paraphernalia, and Gurule is also facing drug charges. open image in gallery After the alleged stabbing, police urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands ( PA Wire ) Please dont take the law into your own hands like this, Wellington Police Department Sergeant Kevin Saccomano told Fox 13. Please contact authorities any time you need us. The Independent has contacted Gurule, the Wellington Police Department, and the Carbon County Jail for more information. Public records show that Gurule lives in Price, about six miles away from Wellington. He appears to have previously pleaded guilty or been found guilty of drug offenses and a disorderly conduct charge. Wellington is a town of about 1,500 people, roughly 125 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. When you purchase term life insurance from Ethos , you can quickly and easily create a will that reflects your values and responsibilities. But Ethos Insurance can help take the stress out of the process. Ethos Insurance customers receive access to their legally valid will-writing tool for free. The process is secure and private, and you can complete your will online in under 20 minutes. Many people put off making a will because it seems complicated and expensive. Finding a lawyer, having witnesses present and budgeting for the legal fees can feel stressful. A will is an effective way to leave money and property to children, but many Americans consider writing a will a retirement task. A recent Gallup poll found 76% of Americans over 65 have a will, compared to just 36% of those aged 30 to 49 (3). In the event that something unexpected happens, having a will protects your children, so waiting until retirement could be too late. Many Americans use a will to plan their estate and specify who should inherit their money and property. In fact, more than 75% of all American estate plans included a will in 2021, according to LegalZoom (2). These awkward situations can make estate planning much more difficult, but that doesnt mean Joan cant get her way. According to a survey from Psychology Today, situations like this are fairly common, as 15% of men and 60% of women say they have a negative relationship with their spouse's mother (1). In fact, if Joan could have her way, shed like to ensure that Rogers wife never gets her hands on this money, even if she ends up living longer than Roger. Joan, who never got along with her daughter-in-law, would feel a lot better about her will if she knew Rogers wife would never get a cut of the cash. Approaching retirement with no savings? Dont panic, you're not alone. Here are 6 easy ways you can catch up (and fast) Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Imagine Joan, a 73-year-old widow who lives in a $1.5-million house in Colorado and has roughly $1 million saved. Joan, who recently started working on her will, wants to leave her entire estate to her son, Roger. But theres a catch Joan doesnt want to include her daughter-in-law in the will. When preparing a will, its not uncommon for awkward family dynamics to complicate the process. Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Story Continues While a will works well for the average situation, it might not be the best option for Joan. A will doesnt allow Joan control over what happens to her assets after she passes them on. If Joan were to leave her assets to Roger and he maintained sole ownership, he would be able to keep his mom's money and property even if he and his wife were to get divorced. But if Roger were to mix his inheritance with his marital assets for example, investing the funds in a shared home or putting the money into a joint bank account those funds may be considered marital property (4). This means Rogers wife could be entitled to her share of Joans assets in the event of a divorce. Furthermore, inheriting Joans assets through a will would give Roger the ability to leave his inheritance to whomever he chooses, which would likely include his wife. If Roger were to pass away first, his wife could potentially inherit everything, depending on how Roger structured his own estate plan. Joan likely wont be very happy with these potential outcomes, but theres another option that can give her much more control over her assets to ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands. Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich) Why Joan should put her assets in a trust One of the best options for Joan to consider is a trust, which can legally protect her money and property while ensuring said assets are distributed based on her wishes. With a trust, the grantor (Joan) must appoint a trustee someone who will manage the assets on behalf of the beneficiaries who will eventually inherit them. There are several kinds of trusts that Joan could potentially use to protect her assets: Revocable trust : Also referred to as a living trust, this option gives the grantor the ability to make changes to the trust at any time. The grantor has control over how and when beneficiaries receive their inheritance, and the grantor remains the owner of the assets in the trust throughout their lifetime. Irrevocable trust : This trust is similar to a revocable trust with two considerable differences: the grantor cannot make changes to the trust, and the grantor is no longer considered the owner of the assets in the trust once its been created. This kind of trust requires the grantor to give up more control over their assets, but provides the grantor with stronger protection against potential creditors. Special needs trust : You might consider a special needs trust if you have a child or grandchild with a disability. This trust allows you to leave assets to said family members without affecting their eligibility for Medicaid or other government benefits. Unfortunately, gifting money or assets to a family member with a disability outside of a special needs trust could make them ineligible for government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income. Spendthrift trust: This option can be used for grantors who are leaving money and/or assets to a beneficiary who could potentially mismanage the funds. For example, a grantor may choose to set up a spendthrift trust for a beneficiary who has substance abuse or gambling issues. With a trust, Joan can provide detailed instructions for how her assets are to be distributed. For example, she could specify that portions of the money are released to Roger on a set schedule, or that Roger receives an allowance from the trust while leaving whats left to his children. Joan could also limit the use of the trusts funds. For example, she could set up a trust that only gives Roger access to the funds for certain things, like purchasing a house or paying for his kids college education. If your situation is similar to Joan's and you have a large estate youre hoping to see disbursed according to your wishes, opting for a trust is a reliable way to ensure your funds are used as you wish after you pass. However, setting up a trust can be a complex process it can be helpful to seek expert advice first if youre pursuing this option. A platform like Range can help. Range offers full wealth management services, including complex tax situations, equity compensation and estate planning. Their streamlined, cost-effective platform provides a way for high-net-worth individuals to manage their entire financial life in one place. Beyond estate planning, Range also offers investment advisory services. While traditional advisors can charge fees from 0.5% to 2% of your total assets under management (AUM), or between $1,000 to $3,000+ for more comprehensive plans, Range offers flat-fee pricing with 0% AUM fees. Thats a fraction of what youd pay a typical financial planner. Just answer a few quick questions about yourself and what youre looking for to book a free demo with the Range team today. And even if your estate is smaller, working with a financial advisor can be a critical component of your end-of-life planning especially if youd like to grow the funds youll leave behind to your heirs. Research from Vanguard shows that working with a financial advisor can add about 3% to net returns over time. For example, if you started with a $50,000 portfolio, professional guidance could mean more than $1.3 million in additional growth over 30 years, depending on market conditions and your investment strategy. Finding an advisor who can offer guidance on both your investments and your estate planning is simple with Advisor.com. Their platform connects you with licensed financial professionals in your area who can provide personalized guidance. A professional advisor can also help you determine how to balance your existing retirement portfolio and leave your assets to family in a way that aligns with your values. Through Advisor.com, you can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your end-of-life financial plan. Creating a trust is well worth Joans consideration, but before she makes a move, shed be wise to work with an estate lawyer to put the right type of enforceable trust in place. You May Also Like Article sources We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. Psychology Today (1); LegalZoom (2); Gallup (3); ACW Law (4) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Analysts view the larger repurchase capacity as consistent with the groups disciplined capital allocation framework, balancing organic growth investments with direct capital returns to shareholders. The expanded buyback program is expected to affect shareholder returns by reducing the free float and potentially supporting earnings per share over the medium term. Lion Finance Group has increased its equity buyback authorization by GEL 51.5 million to a total of GEL 257.2 million, reflecting managements confidence in its capital strength and future earnings capacity. Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative! While both JPMorgan and Keefe Bruyette are constructive in their initial views, the relatively narrow range of price targets around 92 to 94 indicates some acknowledgment that a significant portion of the long term growth narrative may already be reflected in the current share price. Across both new initiations, analysts highlight exposure to higher growth Caucasus economies and consistent execution in scaling market share as core factors shaping the medium term revenue and earnings outlook. Keefe Bruyette has launched coverage with an Outperform rating and a slightly higher 94 price target, reinforcing the view that the stock still offers upside relative to its assessed fair value despite recent gains. JPMorgan has initiated Lion Finance with an Overweight rating and a 92 price target, citing its dominant market shares in Georgian and Armenian banking as a key source of long term growth and a support for the current valuation. The latest update to the Lion Finance Group narrative reflects a modestly higher fair value estimate of about 95.66 per share, supported by medium term revenue growth expectations of roughly 14.59% and a slightly lower discount rate of around 8.44% as analyst coverage broadens. These adjustments highlight confidence in the groups established franchise in Georgia and Armenia, where new initiation reports describe its regional position and exposure to higher growth Caucasus economies as important influences on its outlook. Stay tuned to learn how you can track these evolving assumptions and keep up to date with shifts in the story behind the stock. Story Continues How This Changes the Fair Value For Lion Finance Group Fair Value: increased slightly from approximately 92.83 to about 95.66 per share. This implies a modest uplift in fundamental valuation. Discount Rate: edged down marginally from around 8.45% to roughly 8.44%, reflecting a slightly lower required return on equity. Revenue Growth: nudged higher from about 14.18% to approximately 14.59%, indicating a small improvement in medium term growth expectations. Net Profit Margin: risen meaningfully from roughly 46.97% to about 49.90%, pointing to stronger projected profitability and operating efficiency. Future P/E: declined moderately from around 6.46x to approximately 6.02x, suggesting higher earnings are being discounted at a lower valuation multiple. Never Miss an Update: Follow The Narrative Narratives on Simply Wall St are the story behind the numbers, where investors explain how a companys strategy, markets, and risks connect to their own forecasts for revenue, earnings, margins, and fair value. Each Narrative links Lion Finance Groups business journey to a financial model and a fair value estimate, updating dynamically as news or earnings land so you can easily compare Fair Value to Price and decide when to buy or sell, all from the Community page used by millions of investors. Head over to the Simply Wall St Community and follow the Narrative on Lion Finance Group to stay on top of the story as it evolves: Track how digital transformation and data driven risk management relate to earnings trends and support a current fair value estimate of about 95.66. Monitor how expansion in underpenetrated Georgian and Armenian markets, with rising financial inclusion, shapes future revenue and EPS forecasts. Stay alert to competitive, regulatory, and macro risks that might challenge the current narrative and alter the balance between upside and downside potential. You can read the original Lion Finance Group Narrative in full at this link and start building your own view of the stock. Curious how numbers become stories that shape markets? Explore Community Narratives This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include BGEO.L. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com 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. Queensland Ballet dancers have made an extraordinary on-stage appeal to the federal government for more funding for their cash-strapped company. At the opening night curtain call of The Nutcracker, soloist Georgia Swan asked the audience to sign a petition calling on the federal House of Representatives to increase ballets funding in line with other major Australian performing arts companies. Despite over 60 years of success and the tireless efforts of our leadership team, we remain significantly underfunded compared to our industry peers, Swan said, backed by the companys dancers on the Lyric Theatre stage at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. In 2026, only two Queensland Ballet dancers will earn above the average wage, and 12 will be on the minimum wage. Credit: Angharad Gladding This company is my family, and I am truly terrified about what may happen for us, and for Queensland, if we cant secure a better funding outcome, she said. A notorious child murderer suspected of killing at least four others has been found dead in prison, taking a terrible legacy and the truth of his crimes to the grave. Bevan Spencer von Einem, convicted murderer, has died in custody. Convicted murderer Bevan Spencer von Einem was found dead during a routine check in a prison hospital on Saturday morning while serving a life sentence for the 1983 murder of teenager Richard Kelvin. The 79-year-old had lung cancer and spent the last few weeks of his life in the Yatala Labour Prison infirmary, north of Adelaide. This is a really significant day von Einem is probably one of the most notorious criminals that weve ever seen in the history of our nation, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas told media on Saturday. [He was] an appalling human being who committed some of the most heinous acts weve ever seen in our states history. He was responsible for crimes that truly shocked our state, paralysed families throughout the community, but of course had the most egregious impact on the victims families. Today, first and foremost, we think of them. Lack of definition I never expected to agree this much with Tony Abbott ( Abbott says conservatives to blame for far-right rise , 6/12). He is right wing by Australian standards, lamenting that a centre-right party needs strong and distinct policies to distinguish from the centre left. However, Abbott fails when defining those policies. Much of his net zero and out of control immigration mantra has already been co-opted by far-right parties like One Nation. Although cost of living may be highest of the electorates priorities, the litmus test on the centre/right/far right seems to be what action is supported on climate change. In Australia, the broad political centre of Labor and moderate Liberals support net zero by 2050. The LNP overall admits that the climate is changing, but recommends limited action. One Nation is following Donald Trumps climate hoax view that there is no need to do anything. Abbotts views are closer to Pauline Hanson than Sussan Ley. John Hughes, Mentone Ban before holidays? I wonder if the government put much thought into implementing the social media ban for under 16-year-olds just weeks before the Christmas school holidays. I hope families have set up lots of alternative activities to keep them occupied, especially if one or both of the parents go out to work. Jill Burn, Ivanhoe To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au . Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. Challenging journey To navigate towards a future where all Australians, First Nations people, and those with a past connection to Britain and other countries can laugh at the same situations is incredibly complex and challenging. The suggestion by Andrew Bragg (Moderate Lib to reopen Indigenous culture war, 6/12) to expand the Acknowledgement to Country to a broader perspective, to include these recent arrivals is worth considering. It encapsulates the beautiful and important idea of walking together contained in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. However, the majority of Australians need far more information around the truth of our shared history, the deep richness of First Nations culture demonstrated through their respect and responsibilities towards each other and the natural world, before we take this step. Until we reach a point of true acceptance and appreciation of what the original custodians of this country have to offer, the original concept and practice of the Acknowledgement should be retained. Howard Tankey, Box Hill North A unique right As a pre-school British migrant who arrived with my family in Australia in 1956, I have welcomed the Acknowledgment to Country as an expression of respect to our First Nations people as the traditional custodians of these land and waters. No migrants, British or otherwise, can claim that. It is only right and proper that such acknowledgment be given to our Indigenous brothers and sisters, to their Elders; past, present and emerging. Nick Toovey, Beaumaris Welcome migrants Thanks to your correspondent (Letters, 5/12) on the list of skilled migrants attending to their health. Most articles on the benefits of multiculturalism or migration refer to the food and different cultures migrants bring to make Australia a more colourful place. The contributions to Australian society by migrants should be highlighted as well. The food and cultures are great, but the achievements by the scientists, teachers, accountants, lawyers, politicians, artists, economists, anthropologists, plumbers, electricians, farmers, builders, IT specialists, authors, TV script writers, nurses, cleaners, doctors, health specialists, singers, musicians, farm workers, mechanics, public servants, retail assistants, chefs, waiters/waitresses and much much more should be highlighted, spoken and written about. This will change the opinion of those who want to cut migration. Society demands a high standard of living. Unless we have migration there will never be sufficient people to fill the jobs required to maintain a high standard of living and pay taxes to maintain government services and ensure that our businesses are competitive enough to invest in capital to maintain our lifestyle. Michael DAloia, Coburg Uni dilemma Professor Andrew Parfitt notes positively (Yes, uni cuts are painful, but were securing our future, 5/12) that under the Morrison government job ready courses were favoured over other areas not regarded as priority, and maintains that his own clear goal is to ensure a financially stable, resilient university, wherein unfortunately, most courses originally proposed for closure those with low student demand and that we cannot afford to deliver will still have to close. He considers that this policy is about investing in education, and that we are making difficult choices required to secure the future of this great institution. Yet, what has job readiness specifically got to do with an university education; and how could generic subjects be adjudged expendable in a civilised great institution? Peter Drum, Coburg 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. Dec 5 (Reuters) - SoftBank is in talks to acquire digital infrastructure firm DigitalBridge, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday, as the Japanese conglomerate seeks to tap the firm's AI-linked portfolio. The deal could be struck by the end of the year, the source said. DigitalBridge and SoftBank declined to comment. Shares of DigitalBridge surged as much as 35%, hitting over a one-month high. The stock has slipped nearly 14% this year as of last close, giving the Boca Raton, Florida-based company a market value of $1.8 billion. Bloomberg News reported the talks earlier in the day. Investors have funneled record capital into digital infrastructure this year, wagering that growing power demand will turn data centers into prime real estate. McKinsey projects spending on AI-linked infrastructure could reach $6.7 trillion by 2030. U.S. President Donald Trump in January hosted top tech CEOs to launch Stargate, a private-sector initiative that plans to spend up to $500 billion to build AI infrastructure. SoftBank is part of this ambitious project that includes other big names such as OpenAI and Oracle. DigitalBridge, which is led by CEO Marc Ganzi, is one of the world's largest dedicated digital infrastructure firms and manages $108 billion in assets. The firm invests across verticals including data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, small cells and edge infrastructure. Its portfolio of companies includes Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch and AtlasEdge. Dealmaking involving digital infrastructure platforms has accelerated in recent years as investment firms eye data center holdings to tap growth fueled by artificial intelligence, cloud services and data localization. BlackRock bought alternative asset manager Global Infrastructure Partners last year, which has since acquired several data center firms, adding AI-linked infrastructure to its portfolio. (Reporting by David French in New York, Arasu Kannagi Basil and Pritam Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona) Soybeans saw higher trade on Thursday, with contracts up 2 to 3 cents at the close. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was 3 3/4 cents higher at $10.49 3/4. Soymeal were mixed, with contracts 30 cents higher to 90 cents lower. Soy Oil futures were steady to 18 points higher. USDA continued their backlogged update of Export Sales reports this morning, with 1.248 MMT of soybean sold in the week of 10/30. That was in the middle of traders looking for between 0.6-2 MMT. That is still shy of last week by 13.9% and the same week last year by 48.7%. A total of 232,000 MT was sold to China in that week as they make their first appearance. More News from Barchart Soybean meal sales fell to 219,830 MT in that week, on the low side of trade estimate of between 200,000 and 450,000 MT. Soybean oil bookings were tallied at 4,664 MT, shy of the 5,000 to 25,000 MT estimates. Statistics Canada updated 2025/26 production estimates this morning, with canola estimated at 21.8 MMT, a 1.3.3% increase from last year and 1.8 MMT above the September report. Actual soybean production was seen at 6.79 MMT, down 10.2%. Brazil exported 4.2 MMT of soybeans in November according to the countrys trade ministry, a 37.62% drop from last month but 64.4% above the same month last year. ANEC estimates December soybean exports out of Brazil at 2.81 MMT, a 1.34 MMT increase from last year if realized. Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.19 1/2, up 3 3/4 cents, Nearby Cash was $10.49 3/4, up 3 3/4 cents, Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.28 3/4, up 3 1/4 cents, May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.37 1/4, up 2 1/2 cents, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Beyond Protocol THAT India-Russia association has travelled far beyond mere protocol was superbly demonstrated by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi when he broke protocol and personally welcomed Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin in New Delhi. Then came another first when the Prime Minister hosted an informal dinner for his honoured guest at his official residence -- obviously to launch the bilateral discourse that may achieve many mutual interests for the future. And to the Prime Ministers residence, the two leaders drove in one car -- demonstrating their closeness -- which also is beyond norm. This purposeful breach of protocol points to the importance India attaches to Mr. Putins visit particularly in the context of the current global scenario. That New Delhi wants to pursue Indias national interests going full distance on its own terms in each of its diplomatic endeavours is one part of the story. The other part is that India wishes to communicate to the world that it would not accept to be part of any geopolitical tilt that may seek to weaken India-Russia relations with a glorious history of close to eight decades. In the given global situation, both India and Russia have much to achieve from each other -- in terms of strategic issues, in terms of arms purchases and technology transfer, in terms of diplomatic association, in terms of economic relationship, in terms of efforts to rewrite the script for a new global order! This visit of Mr. Vladimir Putin to India would achieve many of these stated -- and many hitherto unstated -- goals. All this is slated to happen under the glare of the world -- with the United States of America making every effort to keep the India-Russia association from getting thicker and stronger, with the European countries breathing down Russias neck not just to end war with Ukraine but also pander to the American whims, with China keenly watching how the India-Russia ties blossom further. For, each of these has calibrated vested interests in gleaning an interpretation that suits each countrys overall interest-range. It is obvious that Mr. Putin and Mr. Modi would have wide-ranging talks. Both are clear that both the countries expect the other partner to start giving more to strengthen the association. If India looks to buying more Russian war merchandise, Russia expects India to continue buying Russian oil (for which it is offering unprecedented discounts). If India expects Russia to buy more Indian goods, then Russia expects India to supply it huge manpower -- approximately 3.1 million Indians talented in different domains -- by the year 2030. The mutual wish-list is not very long, but it is critical to common interests. Of course, bilateral trade is a major issue, and the two leaders are slated to sort that out, or at least initiate the process. With a higher Russian awareness that it cannot depend completely on China for its economic consolidation, Mr. Putin looks forward to strengthening economic ties with India and take those to the next level. Being the most-sanctioned country in the world, Russia looks to friends like India to ease the economic roadblocks the American sanctions have created over time. Suffering from 50% tariffs on Indian goods in the US, India, too, looks forward to expanding its trade with Russia. It is obvious, both the leaders would create an ecosystem in which both would benefit from healthy collaboration. Even though the United States is trying to brand the Russian economy as of small consequence, the Russian leader does not care a damn. Even though the US has engaged India in trade talks, India has showed no inclination to rewrite its economic goals in which Russia plays a major part. Seen in this light, the India-Russia summit is expected to impact the global geopolitical and economic order to a big extent. It is expected to prove critical to a harmonious world in the coming years -- and both the countries and their leaders are fully conscious of that. Conscious foodpreneurs turn Ngps fields into organic innovation hubs Amit Bhide By Niraj Chinchkhede : Entrepreneurship often springs from restless ambition fueled by a vision to solve pressing problems. For Amit Bhide and Shivani, it was a journey from corporate careers in the Gulf to cultivating chemical-free turmeric on their own farmland, embodying this entrepreneurial spirit. In 2022, the couple left behind stable jobs after completing engineering and MBA degrees to return to Nagpur and start turmeric farming on a modest 5-acre plot. Employing natural farming methods alongside rigorous agricultural best practices, they focused on growing pure, chemical-free turmeric. They further enhanced their product by acquiring a CSIR patent to produce premium turmeric powder, now supplied to leading brands and discerning consumers alike. Their venture has since expanded to 20 acres, now cultivating three principal spices and catering to prominent names in Nagpurs food and hospitality industry, including Jog Hospitality, Naivedyam, Ghugre, and Baron Kitchen. Currently, the enterprise employs eight individuals and procures produce from ten nearby farmers committed to natural farming techniques. Conscious foodpreneurs are catalysts of transformation - by focusing on pure, innovative agriculture, they not only elevate Nagpurs agri-landscape but also set new standards for health, sustainability, and community prosperity, said Ravleen Singh Khurana, Past President from Laghu Udyog Bharati, Vidarbha Chapter. In a parallel success story, Anant Bhoyar of Katol tehsil has been a pioneer of organic farming since 2008. An award-winning farmer who is recognised with honours such as the Krishi Bhushan award and the MS Swaminathan Fellowship, Bhoyars commitment extends beyond cultivation. He has trained hundreds of farmers in natural farming and innovated indigenous machines to process agricultural products within his home enterprise. Together with his family, Bhoyar launched the Gavkus Naturals brand in 2014, which has grown to boast over 700 loyal customers in Nagpur and features more than 50 unique products. Among these are specialty items like Palash Chai, Ambadi Mukhwas/Sharbat, and caffeine-free herbal coffee, attracting attention for their purity and distinctiveness. It is essential to rebuild a more inclusive and socially conscious world through entrepreneurship. Initiatives led by passionate individuals have the potential to change the world and create social impact, forging a thriving ecosystem that uplifts communities and inspires purposeful change, Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur, affirmed. The rise of these conscious foodpreneurs reflects a growing demand across demographics for pure, unadulterated food. Amit, Shivani, and Anant are not only meeting this demand but also setting inspiring examples for aspiring entrepreneurs eager to enter the food industry. Supporting this entrepreneurial spirit, Nagpur Entrepreneurial Mission supported by Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) is actively working in Nagpur for the past one-and-half-years to drive economic growth of the local MSMEs in order to create bulk job opportunities for masses in the respective value chains of these MSMEs. Their journey underscores a powerful trend in Nagpur: a shift toward sustainable agriculture and locally rooted, health-conscious entrepreneurship that benefits communities and consumers alike. ED attaches fresh assets of Anil Ambanis Reliance Group NEW DELHI : 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. 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 on Friday. 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 Banks 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. Haryana Police raid 700 locations, arrest 165 accused under spl op CHANDIGARH : HARYANA Police raided 707 identified hotspots (crime-prone areas) across the State and arrested over 160 accused in just one day, as it conducted a large-scale campaign to strengthen law and order, an official statement said on Friday. During the special drive, named Operation Hotspot Domination, launched on Monday, various police teams on Thursday simultaneously raided these areas across the State. As a result of the polices swift and coordinated action, a total of 92 new criminal cases were registered and 165 accused involved in various offences were arrested and sent behind bars within just one day, the statement said. In the special drive, named Operation Hotspot Domination, launched on Monday, the police struck the network of drug dealers. Ground-level raids led to the recovery of a large quantity of narcotics. Across different districts, police seized a total of 4.33 kg of cannabis, 218 grams of opium, and more than 85 grams of heroin. Additionally, 890 intoxicating tablets and 23.5 grams of smack were recovered from drug traffickers. The operations in districts like Sirsa and Fatehabad especially inflicted significant damage on drug networks, according to the statement. Illegal liquor and illegal arms remain major challenges in the world of crime, and the operation focused specifically on curbing these. Police teams seized a large quantity of illicit liquor across the State, including 839 bottles of country-made liquor, and other illegal liquor, totalling over 1,000 bottles in total, it said. During the Operation, police also recovered three pistols and five live cartridges from the criminals. Five new cases under the Arms Act were registered, and five accused were arrested. Using an active intelligence network, the police succeeded in arresting 22 notorious criminals. Additionally, inter-state coordination was strengthened with neighbouring states by sharing 15 important intelligence reports to prevent criminals from exploiting state borders. Furthermore, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued in Fatehabad, and a proposal was sent to cancel the passport of a violent offender to prevent him from fleeing abroad. Combating cybercrime was also among the tasks of this Operation, and police acted on 309 complaints received on Cyber Helpline 1930 during the past 24-hour period, involving an attempted fraud amount of around Rs 88,36,208. The cyber team acted swiftly and intelligently and froze Rs 59,14,533 of the amount before it could reach the fraudsters accounts. Hindu schoolgirls allegedly pressured to convert in Sindh; inquiry launched KARACHI : SOME Hindu girl students in Pakistans Sindh province have allegedly been told to convert to Islam to continue their studies, prompting the government to order an inquiry, an official said on Friday. In late November, parents of some Hindu girl students at the Government High School in Mirpur Sakro in Sindh told the media that the schools headmistress had allegedly asked the Hindu students to convert to Islam to continue their education. It sparked outrage as the parents alleged that the Hindu students were being forced to recite the Kalma and being mocked for their faith. India, Russia firm up 5-yr economic roadmap Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin during joint press statement after their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI) NEW DELHI : India and Russia sign agreements to expand cooperation in a number of sectors including health, mobility and migration, food safety, shipping and people-to-people exchange War in Ukraine must be brought to an end through peaceful means. Over the past eight decades India-Russia friendship has remained like a pole star, says PM Modi Russia is ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy. Moscow will provide more market access for Indian products, says President Putin INDIA and Russia on Friday firmed up a five-year plan to bolster economic and trade ties 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 peaceful means. Following their summit talks that generated global attention, Modi and Putin demonstrated their keenness to impart a fresh momentum to the over eight-decades-old India-Russia friendship with the Prime Minister saying that it remained steadfast like a pole star notwithstanding geopolitical churn. Besides finalising the 2030 economic programme, the two sides signed several agreements to expand cooperation in a number of sectors including health, mobility and migration, food safety, shipping and people-to-people exchange. The Russian President landed in New Delhi on Thursday 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. 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. To achieve this, Modi said that the two sides agreed on an economic cooperation programme until 2030 and it will make bilateral trade and investment diversified, balanced, and sustainable. Modi 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 USD 100 billion from the present USD 64 billion and that Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal and everything that is required to address Indias energy requirement. Russia is ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy. India and Russia 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. Modi and Putin condemned the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam and Moscows Crocus City Hall and strongly pitched for a zero tolerance policy on terrorism. No penalties for delayed Waqf registration for next 3 months NEW DELHI : 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. 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 6-month deadline time for the registration of Waqf properties as per the Waqf 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. Key Points Four teams of companies are attempting to build a replacement for the International Space Station. Orbital Reef, backed by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, and Starlab are the leading contenders. Jeff Bezos has a lot of money, but the Starlab team has even more. 10 stocks we like better than Voyager Technologies RIP ISS. In 2030, NASA plans to terminate the International Space Station, hiring Elon Musk to push the station to a fiery death, out of orbit and down toward Earth to burn up in the atmosphere. Four separate teams of space companies are currently angling to replace ISS after its demise. It's already clear which one will succeed. Image source: Getty Images. Four space stations, four teams Just to bring you up to date, the four sets of companies proposing to build new private space stations include: Axiom Space and Vast Space, each operating independently and going it solo. Orbital Reef, a joint venture led by Blue Origin, but also including partners Sierra Space, Redwire , and Boeing . And then there's Starlab. Four teams, one winner With Orbital Reef being led by Blue Origin, a space company backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' billions, you might expect it would be leading this race. Blue Origin, however, is famously busy competing with SpaceX to win contracts for lunar exploration right now, and also juggling multibillion-dollar efforts to build a satellite internet constellation at the same time as it develops a new space rocket. Which is to say, Blue's a bit distracted at the moment. In contrast, the Starlab team is laser-focused on the space station race and making great strides as it assembles an international coalition of companies to help build the thing. Just last month, Starlab added a new defense contractor to its team, Leidos (NYSE: LDOS). Leidos joins an already large number of companies contributing various parts and services to the effort, ranging from newly public Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG) (arguably the leader of the group) to Hilton Worldwide, Northrop Grumman, and Palantir from the U.S., as well as Canada's MDA Space, Europe's Airbus, and Japan's Mitsubishi. Barely a week after Leidos joined up, Starlab announced a new member of the coalition: Janus Henderson Group (NYSE: JHG), a leading global asset manager, which says it will make "a strategic investment in Starlab Space" (i.e., cash). "We have strong conviction that Starlab has the best design, lowest cost profile, and most compelling business model of any of the contenders vying to replace the ISS after its de-orbit in 2030," argues Janus. As a "U.S.-led global partnership," it's furthermore unique among the contenders vying to replace ISS, and arguably "more attractive," not only to NASA but to international space agencies for that reason. Pressure to marry led to murder in Nandanvan Staff Reporter : A shocking twist has emerged in the Nandanvan murder case. Police investigation has revealed that 25-year-old Rati Sahebrao Deshmukh killed her boyfriend, Balaji Vinayak Kalyane, because he was pressuring her to marry him. The police say she planned the murder, brought a knife with her and attacked him while he was asleep. Balaji (28), a resident of Mudkhed in Nanded, had come to Nagpur a year ago for police recruitment and competitive exam preparation. He lived as a tenant in Nandanvan Colony with his friend Pawan Kale. Rati, a native of Karanji village in Nanded, is a fourth-year BAMS student at Pandav College and lived in a rented house nearby. The two were in a relationship and met almost every day. Balaji had spoken to Ratis father about marriage, but he had refused. This reportedly caused tension between the couple. According to police, on Wednesday night, Rati came to Balajis room. Pawan slept in the kitchen, while the couple slept in the front room. Around 3.30 am, Rati suddenly started screaming for help. When Pawan reached the front door, Rati opened it after several minutes. Her hand was bleeding, but Balaji was lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Pawan rushed Balaji to a hospital, but doctors declared him dead. Rati was admitted with minor injuries. At first, Rati told police that Balaji attacked her with a knife and then stabbed himself. Later, she changed her statement and said she did not know what had happened. However, the post-mortem revealed five deep stab wounds on Balajis chest. Doctors told police that it was impossible for someone to stab themselves five times with such force. Police said that Rati stabbed Balaji while he was sleeping and injured herself afterwards to mislead investigators. She had reportedly brought the knife with her which showed that the attack was planned. A murder case has been registered against Rati Deshmukh and she will be arrested by the police after her medical treatement is over. Temple money belongs to deity, not banks: SC NEW DELHI : Money collected from devotees must be saved, protected and utilised only for the interests of the temple and cannot become a source of income or survival for any cooperative bank: SC THE Supreme Court on Friday remarked that temple funds belong to the deity and cannot be used to aid struggling cooperative banks. The observation came from a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, as it dismissed special leave petitions (SLPs) filed by Kerala-based cooperative banks challenging a Kerala High Court direction to immediately return the fixed deposits of the Thirunelly Temple Devaswom. Refusing to interfere with the Kerala High Courts orders, the CJI Kant-led Bench remarked that the money collected from devotees must be saved, protected and utilised only for the interests of the temple and cannot become a source of income or survival for any cooperative bank. You want to use the temple money to save the bank? Temple money, first of all, belongs to the deity, observed the apex court, dismissing the cooperative banks SLP against the Kerala High Courts directive to repay matured deposits and shift the funds to nationalised banks. Before the Supreme Court, the cooperative banks argued that the Kerala High Courts abrupt two-month deadline made compliance difficult. You should establish your credibility among the people. If you are unable to attract the customers and deposits, that is your problem, the CJI Kant-led Bench said, stressing that deposits must be released as soon as they mature. The apex court dismissed the petitions but granted liberty to the banks to move the Kerala High Court seeking an extension of time for repayment. The SLPs were filed by Mananthawady Co-operative Urban Society Ltd and Thirunelly Service Co-operative Bank Ltd after the Kerala High Court held that temples under the Malabar Devaswom Board cannot keep deposits with cooperative societies in violation of binding circulars. In its detailed judgement, the Kerala HC noted that the Malabar Devaswom Boards circulars clearly barred temples from keeping deposits in cooperative banks. After reviewing the audit findings, it held that the banks had no right whatsoever to deny closure of the deposits. If any of the temples under the control of the Malabar Devaswom Board have deposited funds in any Co-operative Society, such deposits shall be withdrawn upon maturity and re-deposited in the banks and financial institutions authorised, had said a Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar. Weaning youth away from Macaulay mindset By Vijay Phanshikar : At the glittering fashion show where countless college students showcased their attires and themes, the climax came when the chief of the institution came onstage. He appreciated the artistic presentations of all participants and groups that showed fashions from different cultures. The members of the jury would do their job of selecting winners, all right. But I am announcing a special Directors Award for the group that presented its show based on a theme from the epic Mahabharat. This unexpected turn of events evoked a thunderous applause from the huge gathering of students from different institutions. The chief then added a few remarks about India and its tradition and culture and art -- and appealed to one and all to start understanding how India of ancient times had so much to offer by way of a fine civilisation that spanned literally thousands of years and mesmerised the world with its finesse and excellence. The institution that hosted the event was the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the chief was Dr Prashant P Joshi, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). When the AIIMS celebrated its Foundation Day, Dr Joshi stood up once again to highlight the importance of the Indian culture, tradition and history, during his speech. Why should we fall prey to mcdonaldisation of our minds ?, Dr Joshi asks, making a pun on the name of a foreign-origin snacks and coffee store chain. We must avoid such food, and adhere to Indian dishes. I say this from two angles -- one, as a medical doctor since certain foods do not suit our body-constitution; and two, as a proud Indian who knows the worth and value of food emerging from our cultural tradition and agricultural geography. Junk food alone is not Dr Joshis target. He also targets junk thoughts that take us away from Indias cultural value-system. He feels sorry that young generations of Indians are rarely introduced to Indianness. Most are goaded to follow foreign-kind of life-style. Himself very adept in English language, Dr Joshi does not appreciate insane dominance of English as a symbol of colonial mindset or Macaulian influence. Indias basic and native language is Sanskrit. Other languages and dialects emerge from Sanskrit. Yet, unfortunately, many, many of us treat Sanskrit as a dead language. This is very wrong. We must promote Sanskrit as a treasure-house of our culture and history, Dr Joshi insists. Macaulian mindset is something that Dr Prashant Joshi despises as a matter of his personal belief system and patriotic sentiment. He feels very happy and energised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has insisted upon erasing the Macauly mindset from our midst and has given a 10-year dead-line to achieve that national goal. At the AIIMS Nagpur, we often invite speakers who exhort students on Indian values and history. One of the guest-speakers -- Shahajiraje Angre -- spoke on various aspects of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His was not just a kingdom, but possibly the greatest chapter of Indias history. The students enjoyed the lecture thoroughly. Another guest-speaker -- Rashmi Sawant -- spoke on Swami Vivekananda and his contribution to Indian culture in modern times, Dr Joshi adds. Educational values and principles that Swami Vivekananda preached and promoted are the need of the hour even today. Good, value-based education as promoted by Swamiji is essential for character-building. He showcased to the world what India would always mean to larger humanity. I consider Swami Vivekananda as one of the greatest youth icons the world ever had. I make every possible effort to communicate to my students and other young people the right interpretation of the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, Dr Prashant Joshi says, encapsulating his career-long experience as a top-notch teacher of medical sciences. How do the young people respond to such idealistic view? Dr Joshi says, They respond very positively. I am glad, they have an open mind on such a subject. If told properly, the young people welcome any ideation. Their open-mindedness is the foundation on which I try to promote the Indic ideation -- of course in a palatable manner. Dr Joshi speaks energetically about the story of Indias Independence, the horrors of Partition, or how in post-Independence India the rulers named streets after despotic rulers and ignored Shivaji Maharaj. He insists upon the students to understand the greatness of the Mauryan empire and the Chola empire of South India. All these stories will enrich the young peoples personalities. With the help of such stories, we should try to erase the Macaulian influence about which the Prime Minister speaks with such intensity, he concludes. When 88-year-old Ed Bambas broke down in tears at his grocery store register this week, he had no idea strangers around the world were about to change his life. "I don't know what to say," Bambas told Australian social media influencer Sam Weidenhofer (1), who had just handed him a $400 tip. "It's going to go a long way to help me." Within days, that $400 had snowballed into more than $1.85 million as of Saturday morning and counting raised by tens of thousands of donors from around the globe who were moved by the Army veteran's story and donated to a GoFundMe page (2). Bambas has been working five days a week, eight hours a day, at a Meijer supermarket in Michigan just to make ends meet. "I wish my wife were here, but it's something that dreams are made out of," Bambas told Detroit station WXYZ Friday after being surprised with a ceremonial check (3). It's a heartwarming story of generosity. But behind the feel-good headlines lies a question few donors may have considered: How much of that $1.85 million will Bambas actually get to keep? Must Read The GoFundMe cut First, there's the platform's take. GoFundMe charges a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation. There's no platform fee for personal fundraisers in the U.S., but those processing charges add up quickly on a campaign this size (4). On $1.85 million, the math looks roughly like this: The percentage fee alone eats about $53,700. The flat $0.30 per transaction - assuming an average donation of around $25 - adds another $22,000 or so. That's approximately $75,000 in processing fees before Bambas sees a dime. The actual amount could be higher or lower depending on how donations were distributed (larger individual donations mean fewer flat fees), whether any came from international donors (which can incur additional conversion fees) and how many donors opted for recurring contributions (which carry a 5% fee). Still, Bambas should receive somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.77 million after GoFundMe's cut as of Saturday morning, a substantial sum by any measure. The tax question Here's where it gets more complicated. Will Bambas owe income tax on his windfall? SCS Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 11,721 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $1,437,000. Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. RWA Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in Dell Technologies by 1.0% during the second quarter. RWA Wealth Partners LLC now owns 8,953 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,098,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Dell Technologies by 3.1% during the first quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 3,004 shares of the technology companys stock worth $274,000 after buying an additional 90 shares during the period. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Dell Technologies by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 2,130 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $261,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 84.7% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 218 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Johnson Financial Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 66.2% in the 2nd quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. now owns 251 shares of the technology companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.37% of the companys stock. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have issued reports on DELL shares. Evercore ISI set a $180.00 target price on Dell Technologies and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Citic Securities raised their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Raymond James Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $161.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight 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 an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $162.84. Dell Technologies Trading Down 0.1% NYSE:DELL opened at $138.81 on Friday. Dell Technologies Inc. has a twelve month low of $66.25 and a twelve month high of $168.08. The company has a market cap of $93.33 billion, a PE ratio of 18.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.03. The companys 50 day moving average is $143.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $131.41. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The technology company reported $2.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $27.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.26 billion. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 5.01% and a negative return on equity of 234.84%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.15 earnings per share. 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. As a group, analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.93 EPS for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be given a dividend of $0.525 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is currently 28.00%. Insider Buying and Selling at Dell Technologies In related news, Director William D. Green sold 42,736 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $6,837,760.00. Following the sale, the director owned 47,619 shares in the company, valued at $7,619,040. This represents a 47.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Lake Group L.L.C. Silver sold 6,617 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.63, for a total transaction of $1,003,335.71. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 4,537,755 shares of company stock worth $642,644,973. 42.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Dell Technologies (Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DELL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. (NYSE:GRDN Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 20,155 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $430,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust bought a new position in Guardian Pharmacy Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey increased its position in shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services by 76.8% during the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 2,444 shares of the companys stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 1,062 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in Guardian Pharmacy Services during the second quarter worth $75,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Guardian Pharmacy Services by 48.0% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,027 shares of the companys stock worth $128,000 after acquiring an additional 1,956 shares during the period. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new position in shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services in the 1st quarter worth about $233,000. Get Guardian Pharmacy Services alerts: Guardian Pharmacy Services Stock Up 1.3% Shares of GRDN opened at $29.71 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $27.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.48. Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $17.78 and a twelve month high of $37.43. The stock has a market cap of $1.88 billion, a PE ratio of 47.15 and a beta of 0.96. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Guardian Pharmacy Services ( NYSE:GRDN Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.01. Guardian Pharmacy Services had a net margin of 2.90% and a return on equity of 30.29%. The firm had revenue of $377.43 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $381.16 million. Analysts expect that Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. will post 0.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on GRDN. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services in a report on Friday, October 10th. They issued an outperform rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services in a research report on Monday. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $30.67. View Our Latest Research Report on GRDN Guardian Pharmacy Services Company Profile (Free Report) Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc, a pharmacy service company, provides a suite of technology-enabled services designed to help residents of long-term health care facilities (LTCFs) in the United States. Its individualized clinical, drug dispensing, and administration capabilities are used to serve the needs of residents in lower acuity LTCFs, such as assisted living facilities and behavioral health facilities and group homes. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GRDN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. (NYSE:GRDN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Guardian Pharmacy Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Guardian Pharmacy Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO Free Report) had its target price upped by Telsey Advisory Group from $18.00 to $25.00 in a report released on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage currently has a market perform rating on the apparel retailers stock. A number of other research firms have also commented on AEO. BTIG Research initiated coverage on American Eagle Outfitters in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. They set a neutral rating for the company. Bank of America restated an underperform rating and set a $10.00 target price (down previously from $11.00) on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a report on Monday, August 25th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $10.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $14.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $21.10. Get American Eagle Outfitters alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on American Eagle Outfitters American Eagle Outfitters Stock Down 4.4% Shares of NYSE AEO opened at $23.11 on Wednesday. The firms fifty day moving average is $17.50 and its 200 day moving average is $14.22. American Eagle Outfitters has a 52 week low of $9.27 and a 52 week high of $24.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The company has a market cap of $3.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.92 and a beta of 1.44. 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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.32 billion. American Eagle Outfitters had a net margin of 3.90% and a return on equity of 13.82%. The companys revenue was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.48 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that American Eagle Outfitters will post 1.7 earnings per share for the current year. American Eagle Outfitters Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be given a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. American Eagle Outfitterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.10%. Insider Activity In related news, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,945 shares of American Eagle Outfitters stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.95, for a total transaction of $49,917.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Janice E. Page sold 26,869 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.04, for a total transaction of $484,716.76. Following the sale, the director directly owned 90,383 shares in the company, valued at $1,630,509.32. The trade was a 22.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 138,766 shares of company stock worth $2,515,354. 8.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Eagle Outfitters Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 920.6% during the third quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 5,497,720 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $94,066,000 after purchasing an additional 4,959,039 shares during the last quarter. Junto Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters in the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,588,000. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters in the 1st quarter worth approximately $18,140,000. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC bought a new position in American Eagle Outfitters during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $23,395,000. Finally, Millennium Management LLC raised its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 37.7% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 3,455,961 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $40,158,000 after buying an additional 946,904 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.33% of the companys stock. American Eagle Outfitters Company Profile (Get Free Report) American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Eagle Outfitters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Eagle Outfitters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Integrity Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:AII Get Free Report) major shareholder James Sowell sold 295,037 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.00, for a total transaction of $5,605,703.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 4,473,824 shares of the companys stock, valued at $85,002,656. This represents a 6.19% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys shares are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. American Integrity Insurance Group Trading Down 4.0% NYSE:AII opened at $19.79 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $22.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $19.82. American Integrity Insurance Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $15.77 and a 12-month high of $26.36. The firm has a market cap of $387.47 million and a PE ratio of 4.40. Get American Integrity Insurance Group alerts: American Integrity Insurance Group (NYSE:AII Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $62.03 million during the quarter. American Integrity Insurance Group had a return on equity of 37.99% and a net margin of 31.63%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Analyst Ratings Changes Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AII. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group during the second quarter worth $45,000. Emerald Advisers LLC purchased a new position in American Integrity Insurance Group during the 2nd quarter worth $653,000. Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust purchased a new position in American Integrity Insurance Group during the 2nd quarter worth $4,037,000. Boston Partners acquired a new stake in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in the 2nd quarter worth $4,790,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in the second quarter valued at about $1,382,000. AII has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citizens Jmp raised their price target on American Integrity Insurance Group from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group from $22.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. JMP Securities upped their target price on American Integrity Insurance Group from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $24.00 price objective (up previously from $22.00) on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $26.80. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on American Integrity Insurance Group About American Integrity Insurance Group (Get Free Report) We are a profitable and growing insurance group headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Through our insurance carrier subsidiary, American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida, Inc (AIICFL), we provide personal residential property insurance for single-family homeowners and condominium owners as well as coverage for vacant dwellings and investment properties, predominantly in Florida. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Earlier this year, Snap introduced new advertising tools such as Sponsored Snaps and Smart Campaign Solutions, which have reportedly boosted ad conversions while its daily active users reached a record 477 million in Q3 2025. This combination of improving ad performance and expanding global reach highlights how product innovation may be strengthening Snap's core advertising engine. We'll now examine how this progress in Sponsored Snaps and related ad tools might reshape Snap's existing investment narrative for readers. The best AI stocks today may lie beyond giants like Nvidia and Microsoft. Find the next big opportunity with these 26 smaller AI-focused companies with strong growth potential through early-stage innovation in machine learning, automation, and data intelligence that could fund your retirement. Snap Investment Narrative Recap To own Snap, you need to believe its growing user base and improving ad tools can eventually translate into a sustainable, profitable ad platform. The latest Sponsored Snaps and Smart Campaign Solutions results support the key near term catalyst of better ad monetization, but they do not remove the biggest risk that Snap still relies heavily on ads while remaining unprofitable and exposed to intense competition. Among recent announcements, the expanded partnership with Integral Ad Science looks especially relevant here, because it aims to improve measurement of viewability and brand safety across formats like Sponsored Snaps. Better third party verification can help advertisers trust performance metrics, which ties directly into the catalyst that more effective, conversion focused tools could draw in additional ad spend and deepen monetization if user engagement holds up. Yet despite these positives, investors should be aware that concentrated reliance on digital ad budgets still leaves Snap vulnerable to... Read the full narrative on Snap (it's free!) Snap's narrative projects $7.5 billion revenue and $827.3 million earnings by 2028. This requires 10.0% yearly revenue growth and a $1,373.6 million earnings increase from -$546.3 million today. Uncover how Snap's forecasts yield a $9.84 fair value, a 24% upside to its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives SNAP Community Fair Values as at Dec 2025 Thirteen members of the Simply Wall St Community currently value Snap between US$8.23 and US$16.87 per share, reflecting a wide spread of expectations. When you weigh those views against Snaps ongoing unprofitability and dependence on advertising, it underlines why exploring several competing outlooks on the companys future performance matters. Dole (NYSE:DOLE Get Free Report) is one of 38 public companies in the AGRI OPERATIONS industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Dole to related companies based on the strength of its earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation and risk. Institutional and Insider Ownership 41.7% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are held by institutional investors. 41.8% of Dole shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 11.6% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Dole alerts: Volatility & Risk Dole has a beta of 0.64, suggesting that its share price is 36% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Doles rivals have a beta of 0.80, suggesting that their average share price is 20% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Dole 0.17% 7.98% 2.56% Dole Competitors -292.89% -84.08% -18.63% Dividends This table compares Dole and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Dole pays an annual dividend of $0.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Dole pays out 226.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, AGRI OPERATIONS companies pay a dividend yield of 3.4% and pay out -99.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Dole has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Dole lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Dole and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Dole $8.48 billion $125.51 million 99.26 Dole Competitors $5.03 billion $103.81 million 3.36 Dole has higher revenue and earnings than its rivals. Dole is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Dole and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Dole 0 2 0 0 2.00 Dole Competitors 424 799 1017 38 2.29 Dole currently has a consensus target price of $16.00, suggesting a potential upside of 7.46%. As a group, AGRI OPERATIONS companies have a potential upside of 44.04%. Given Doles rivals stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Dole has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. Summary Dole rivals beat Dole on 8 of the 15 factors compared. Dole Company Profile (Get Free Report) Dole Food Company, Inc. (Dole) is a producer, marketer and distributor of fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. The Company is a producer of bananas and pineapples, and packaged fruit products, packaged salads and fresh-packed vegetables. The Company has three business segments: fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and packaged foods. The fresh fruit segment contains operating divisions that produce and market fresh fruit to wholesale, retail and institutional customers worldwide. The fresh vegetables segment produces and markets fresh-packed and value-added vegetables and salads to wholesale, retail and institutional customers, primarily in North America and Europe. The packaged foods segment contains several operating divisions that produce and market packaged foods, including fruit, juices, frozen fruit and healthy snack foods. In November 2013, Dole Food Company, Inc announced that an investor group acquired the remaining 60.43% interest in the Company. Receive News & Ratings for Dole Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dole and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Avolta AG Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:DUFRY Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $5.9010 and last traded at $5.8970, with a volume of 29700 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $5.62. Avolta Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.44. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $5.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of $5.40. About Avolta (Get Free Report) 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Avolta Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avolta and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank Hapoalim (OTCMKTS:BKHYY Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $113.48 and last traded at $109.96, with a volume of 2683 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $111.05. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Zacks Research raised Bank Hapoalim to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bank Hapoalim presently has an average rating of Hold. Get Bank Hapoalim alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Bank Hapoalim Bank Hapoalim Stock Up 0.9% The firms fifty day simple moving average is $102.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $95.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The company has a market cap of $29.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.44 and a beta of 1.16. Bank Hapoalim (OTCMKTS:BKHYY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 20th. The bank reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bank Hapoalim had a net margin of 21.60% and a return on equity of 15.12%. The business had revenue of $1.99 billion during the quarter. Bank Hapoalim Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.9362 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 266.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. Bank Hapoalims payout ratio is currently 37.82%. Bank Hapoalim Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bank Hapoalim B.M., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and financial products and services in Israel and internationally. It operates through Household, Private Banking, Small businesses and micro businesses, Mid-sized businesses, Large businesses, Institutional entities, and Financial management segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bank Hapoalim Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank Hapoalim and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Bank of Ireland Group plc (OTCMKTS:BKRIY Get Free Report) fell 0.8% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $18.39 and last traded at $18.45. 25,570 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 36% from the average session volume of 40,265 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.59. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley upgraded Bank of Ireland Group from an underweight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Bank of Ireland Group in a report on Monday, November 24th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Bank of Ireland Group to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of Bank of Ireland Group from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Friday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Bank of Ireland Group alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on BKRIY Bank of Ireland Group Stock Performance Bank of Ireland Group Company Profile The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $16.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.36. (Get Free Report) Bank of Ireland Group plc provides various banking and financial products and services. It provides current and savings accounts, and business deposits and accounts; personal, car, home improvement, graduate, motor finance, and student loans, as well as overdrafts; and business and farming loans, green business, insurance premium finance, invoice finance, hire purchase, and leasing services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Ireland Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Ireland Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Biglari Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BH Get Free Report) CEO Sardar Biglari acquired 2,802 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $303.32 per share, for a total transaction of $849,902.64. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,327,203 shares of the companys stock, valued at $402,567,213.96. The trade was a 0.21% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Sardar Biglari also recently made the following trade(s): Get Biglari alerts: On Friday, December 5th, Sardar Biglari bought 1,465 shares of Biglari stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $306.90 per share, with a total value of $449,608.50. On Thursday, December 4th, Sardar Biglari bought 1,139 shares of Biglari stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of $306.05 per share, with a total value of $348,590.95. On Monday, November 24th, Sardar Biglari purchased 2,032 shares of Biglari stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $393.35 per share, for a total transaction of $799,287.20. Biglari Trading Down 1.7% Shares of BH stock traded down $5.36 on Friday, hitting $304.11. 27,151 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 23,437. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 2.80 and a current ratio of 2.83. Biglari Holdings Inc. has a twelve month low of $195.05 and a twelve month high of $381.83. The firms 50-day moving average price is $334.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $306.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $693.36 million, a PE ratio of 27.18 and a beta of 0.82. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Biglari from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Read Our Latest Research Report on BH Institutional Trading of Biglari Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in Biglari by 111.6% during the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 364 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $79,000 after buying an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of Biglari by 1.2% during the first quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 12,029 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $2,605,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Biglari during the first quarter worth $3,965,000. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Biglari by 1.1% in the first quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 15,633 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $3,385,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new position in Biglari in the first quarter valued at $64,000. 74.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Biglari (Get Free Report) Biglari Holdings Inc, through its subsidiaries, primarily operates and franchises restaurants in the United States. It owns, operates, and franchises restaurants under the Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin names. The company also engages in underwriting commercial trucking insurance; selling physical damage and non-trucking liability insurance to truckers; and providing property and casualty insurance. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Biglari Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Biglari and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. B&M European Value Retail (LON:BME Free Report) had its price target decreased by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 205 to GBX 163 in a report released on Friday, MarketBeat reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has an underweight rating on the stock. Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Peel Hunt reiterated an add rating and set a GBX 200 target price on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on shares of B&M European Value Retail from GBX 260 to GBX 175 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Berenberg Bank cut their target price on B&M European Value Retail from GBX 450 to GBX 300 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on shares of B&M European Value Retail from GBX 250 to GBX 235 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 221.63. Get B&M European Value Retail alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on BME B&M European Value Retail Stock Performance LON BME opened at GBX 166.75 on Friday. B&M European Value Retail has a 12-month low of GBX 154 and a 12-month high of GBX 378.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 315.77. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 191.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 235.44. The firm has a market cap of 1.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.75 and a beta of 1.05. B&M European Value Retail (LON:BME Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported GBX 7.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. B&M European Value Retail had a return on equity of 43.85% and a net margin of 5.81%. On average, equities analysts forecast that B&M European Value Retail will post 38.4814815 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at B&M European Value Retail In related news, insider Tjeerd Jegen acquired 79,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 9th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 250 per share, with a total value of 198,750. Insiders bought a total of 315,350 shares of company stock valued at $67,115,500 over the last 90 days. 22.79% of the stock is owned by company insiders. B&M European Value Retail Company Profile (Get Free Report) B&M European Value Retail SA operates general merchandise and grocery stores. The company operates a chain of stores under the B&M, Heron Foods, and B&M Express in the United Kingdom; and stores under the B&M brand in France. It also provides property management services. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in Munsbach, Luxembourg. Read More Receive News & Ratings for B&M European Value Retail Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for B&M European Value Retail and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM Get Free Report) and BGSF (NYSE:BGSF Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and valuation. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Bright Horizons Family Solutions and BGSFs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Bright Horizons Family Solutions alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bright Horizons Family Solutions $2.87 billion 2.03 $140.19 million $3.48 29.69 BGSF $272.50 million 0.18 -$3.34 million ($1.03) -4.37 Profitability Bright Horizons Family Solutions has higher revenue and earnings than BGSF. BGSF is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bright Horizons Family Solutions, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This table compares Bright Horizons Family Solutions and BGSFs 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% BGSF -6.32% -13.16% -7.20% Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Bright Horizons Family Solutions and BGSF, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bright Horizons Family Solutions 1 3 3 0 2.29 BGSF 1 1 1 1 2.50 Bright Horizons Family Solutions presently has a consensus target price of $128.71, indicating a potential upside of 24.57%. BGSF has a consensus target price of $9.00, indicating a potential upside of 100.00%. Given BGSFs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe BGSF is more favorable than Bright Horizons Family Solutions. Risk and Volatility Bright Horizons Family Solutions has a beta of 1.41, suggesting that its stock price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BGSF has a beta of 0.75, suggesting that its stock price is 25% less volatile than the S&P 500. Insider and Institutional Ownership 37.2% of BGSF shares are held by institutional investors. 1.2% of Bright Horizons Family Solutions shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 8.0% of BGSF 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 Bright Horizons Family Solutions beats BGSF on 10 of the 15 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 BGSF (Get Free Report) BGSF, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides consulting, managed services, and professional workforce solutions in the United States. It operates in two segments, Property Management and Professional. The Property Management segment offers office and maintenance field talent to various apartment communities and commercial buildings. The Professional segment provides skilled IT professionals in SAP, Workday, Peoplesoft, Hyperion, Oracle, One Stream, cyber, project management, management services, and other IT workforce solutions. This segment also offers finance, accounting, legal, human resource, and related support personnel. It serves its products to fortune 500 companies, and medium and small companies, as well as consulting companies. The company was formerly known as BG Staffing, Inc. and changed its name to BGSF, Inc. in February 2021. BGSF, Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Plano, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Bright Horizons Family Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bright Horizons Family Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE:TFC Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seventeen analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $50.00. A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating on shares of Truist Financial in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and set a $47.00 price objective on shares of Truist Financial in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. Piper Sandler set a $48.00 target price on Truist Financial in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Truist Financial in a research note on Monday. Finally, TD Cowen upgraded Truist Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $55.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Get Truist Financial alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Truist Financial Truist Financial Trading Down 0.0% Shares of TFC stock opened at $47.54 on Friday. Truist Financial has a 1-year low of $33.56 and a 1-year high of $48.53. The company has a market cap of $60.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.78, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $44.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of $43.97. Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The insurance provider reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.99 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $5.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.20 billion. Truist Financial had a net margin of 16.84% and a return on equity of 8.73%. The firms revenue was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.97 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Truist Financial will post 4 EPS for the current fiscal year. Truist Financial Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.4%. Truist Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 55.91%. Insider Buying and Selling at Truist Financial In other news, Director K. David Jr. Boyer sold 5,160 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.45, for a total value of $239,682.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 10,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $471,606.85. This trade represents a 33.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Truist Financial Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. First Hawaiian Bank lifted its position in shares of Truist Financial by 8.6% in the first quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 11,991 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $493,000 after purchasing an additional 948 shares in the last quarter. Credit Agricole S A increased its stake in Truist Financial by 76.4% in the 1st quarter. Credit Agricole S A now owns 500,384 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $20,591,000 after buying an additional 216,672 shares during the last quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC lifted its position in Truist Financial by 319.8% during the 1st quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 29,143 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,199,000 after buying an additional 22,201 shares in the last quarter. Inspire Trust Co. N.A. boosted its stake in shares of Truist Financial by 9.8% during the 1st quarter. Inspire Trust Co. N.A. now owns 90,000 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,704,000 after buying an additional 8,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Aigen Investment Management LP bought a new position in shares of Truist Financial in the 1st quarter valued at about $2,435,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.28% of the companys stock. About Truist Financial (Get Free Report) Truist Financial Corporation, a financial services company, provides banking and trust services in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through three segments: Consumer Banking and Wealth, Corporate and Commercial Banking, and Insurance Holdings.Its deposit products include noninterest-bearing checking, interest-bearing checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Truist Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Truist Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $597.83 and last traded at $599.4350, with a volume of 269240 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $591.49. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on CAT. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $476.00 to $630.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. DA Davidson lifted their target price on Caterpillar from $408.00 to $569.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Caterpillar from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $570.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Erste Group Bank raised Caterpillar from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $610.32. Get Caterpillar alerts: Get Our Latest Report on CAT Caterpillar Trading Up 0.7% The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $282.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.97, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $542.45 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $451.75. Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The industrial products company reported $4.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.52 by $0.43. The business had revenue of $17.64 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.72 billion. Caterpillar had a net margin of 14.34% and a return on equity of 47.16%. The businesss revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $5.17 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Caterpillar Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Monday, October 20th were issued a $1.51 dividend. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 20th. Caterpillars payout ratio is 31.01%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CFO Andrew R. J. Bonfield sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.44, for a total transaction of $5,714,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 55,460 shares in the company, valued at $31,692,062.40. This trade represents a 15.28% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 8,184 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $570.18, for a total transaction of $4,666,353.12. Following the sale, the insider owned 41,512 shares in the company, valued at $23,669,312.16. This trade represents a 16.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 79,061 shares of company stock worth $41,949,366. Insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Caterpillar Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CAT. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Caterpillar by 36,842.1% during the 2nd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,299,751 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,833,836,000 after purchasing an additional 7,279,991 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Caterpillar in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,165,899,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in Caterpillar by 3,949.8% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,228,058 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,494,568,000 after acquiring an additional 5,098,964 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in Caterpillar by 1,851.8% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,830,414 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $873,382,000 after acquiring an additional 1,736,631 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the 1st quarter valued at $391,788,000. 70.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Caterpillar Company Profile (Get Free Report) Caterpillar Inc manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in worldwide. Its Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, compactors, road reclaimers, forestry machines, cold planers, material handlers, track-type tractors, excavators, telehandlers, motor graders, and pipelayers; compact track, wheel, track-type, backhoe, and skid steer loaders; and related parts and tools. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Caterpillar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caterpillar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Compass Minerals International (NYSE:CMP Get Free Report) is projected to post its Q4 2025 results after the market closes on Monday, December 8th. Analysts expect Compass Minerals International to post earnings of ($0.15) per share and revenue of $223.7170 million for the quarter. Interested persons may visit the the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning results page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM ET. Compass Minerals International Price Performance CMP stock opened at $20.29 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $845.97 million, a PE ratio of -6.95 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a current ratio of 2.15, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.30. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $18.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $19.30. Compass Minerals International has a 12-month low of $8.60 and a 12-month high of $22.69. Get Compass Minerals International alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Compass Minerals International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating and set a $18.00 price objective (up from $15.00) on shares of Compass Minerals International in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Zacks Research raised shares of Compass Minerals International from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Compass Minerals International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $20.00. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Compass Minerals International Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its stake in Compass Minerals International by 4.3% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 20,665 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $192,000 after purchasing an additional 858 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in Compass Minerals International by 8.4% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 20,070 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $403,000 after acquiring an additional 1,555 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Compass Minerals International in the second quarter valued at $83,000. Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in Compass Minerals International by 10.5% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 49,928 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $464,000 after acquiring an additional 4,740 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its stake in Compass Minerals International by 4.3% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 127,751 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,567,000 after acquiring an additional 5,241 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.78% of the companys stock. Compass Minerals International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Compass Minerals International, Inc, provides essential minerals in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Salt and Plant Nutrition. The Salt segment produces, markets, and sells sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, including rock salt, mechanically and solar evaporated salt, and brine and flake magnesium chloride products; and purchases potassium chloride and calcium chloride to sell as finished products or to blend with sodium chloride to produce specialty products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Compass Minerals International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Compass Minerals International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Key Points Sui is among the leading cryptocurrencies over the course of the past week, surging 6%. This move has come on increasing expectations of capital flows into this token via a number of listings over the past week. Let's dive into these key developments, and what they may mean for investors moving forward. 10 stocks we like better than Coinbase Global Sui (CRYPTO: SUI) is a top-20 cryptocurrency by market capitalization, and I think it doesn't get the amount of time and attention it probably deserves. The object-centric Layer-1 blockchain enables developers to utilize the secure Move programming language to build the fastest and most scalable applications in the market. As such, many investors view Sui as a long-term winner in the shift toward Web3 applications. That's a simple and easy-to-understand thesis most can get behind. What's interesting is that over the past week, Sui has surged more than most other top tokens. As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sui is up 6% over the course of the past week. Thus, I thought it would be interesting to explore the reasons behind this trend and develop a thesis on where this token could be headed in 2026. Let's do that. 2 key catalysts moving the ball forward for Sui Source: Getty Images. It was a busy week for this leading layer-1 network, with numerous positive developments for investors to consider. I'm not even going to get into the improving macro environment, with most major tokens heading higher as risk-on sentiment returns-that's table stakes, in my view. One of the most significant catalysts earlier this week came on Tuesday, when it was announced that Coinbase would list Sui on its web and mobile platform. Residents of New York were given the ability to trade Sui roughly one day after a key token unlock released more than $86 million of tokens on the market. So, really, this was a double-whammy of a catalyst, as a key headwind (the token unlock that investors were dreading) was taken care of, while at the same time, more options became available for those looking to trade Sui. Secondly, another listing on Thursday from 21Shares for a 2x leveraged Sui ETF was approved by the SEC and began trading publicly. This vehicle enables investors to place leveraged bets on Sui's price movements on an intraday basis, potentially encouraging some speculators to shift away from perpetual futures and other derivatives products to gain such exposure to Sui. I'll be keeping a close eye on this catalyst in particular, as it could provide a road map for other projects looking to minimize liquidation-related volatility moving forward. We'll see how that plays out, but for now, these catalysts do look compelling, and I can understand why Sui has surged in this way over the past week. Cresset Asset Management LLC cut its position in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 287,663 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 13,818 shares during the quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $23,048,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter worth $25,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 585.5% in the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 377 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. 1248 Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance Shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $89.86 on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52-week low of $58.42 and a 52-week high of $91.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $282.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a fifty day moving average of $84.63 and a 200-day moving average of $81.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.11 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.18% and a return on equity of 12.51%. The firms revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.42 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is 29.61%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently weighed in on WFC. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $89.57. View Our Latest Stock Report on WFC About Wells Fargo & Company (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) shares traded down 1.3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $1,022.32 and last traded at $1,033.0030. 3,381,716 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 17% from the average session volume of 4,052,825 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,046.12. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Wednesday. HSBC raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $800.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $895.00 to $1,080.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. National Bankshares set a $1,286.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,087.32. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance The company has a market capitalization of $954.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.38, a PEG ratio of 1.13 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. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $918.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $809.30. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 30.99% and a return on equity of 109.52%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.18 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. Analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 29.35%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 114.3% in the second quarter. Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. now owns 77,295 shares of the companys stock worth $60,253,000 after buying an additional 41,222 shares in the last quarter. Precedent Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 15.3% during the 2nd quarter. Precedent Wealth Partners LLC now owns 294 shares of the companys stock worth $229,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Inc. OK increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 6.8% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 6,747 shares of the companys stock worth $5,260,000 after acquiring an additional 429 shares during the period. Family CFO Inc purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $54,000. Finally, Duquesne Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 52.5% in the 1st quarter. Duquesne Family Office LLC now owns 94,830 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,321,000 after purchasing an additional 32,640 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (Get Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:EQH Free Report) by 25.1% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 2,266,927 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 454,325 shares during the quarter. Marshall Wace LLPs holdings in Equitable were worth $127,175,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Equitable in the second quarter worth approximately $703,060,000. Boston Partners purchased a new position in Equitable during the first quarter valued at approximately $108,264,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in Equitable by 23.4% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 10,878,516 shares of the companys stock valued at $566,662,000 after buying an additional 2,061,496 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in Equitable in the 1st quarter worth approximately $99,319,000. Finally, Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lifted its position in Equitable by 553.0% in the 2nd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 2,166,713 shares of the companys stock worth $121,553,000 after buying an additional 1,834,889 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.70% of the companys stock. Get Equitable alerts: Equitable Price Performance NYSE EQH opened at $45.82 on Friday. Equitable Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $41.39 and a fifty-two week high of $56.61. The stocks 50-day moving average is $47.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.16. The firm has a market cap of $13.13 billion, a P/E ratio of -16.60 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.87, a current ratio of 0.13 and a quick ratio of 0.13. Equitable Dividend Announcement Equitable ( NYSE:EQH Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $1.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.65 billion. Equitable had a negative net margin of 5.80% and a positive return on equity of 107.71%. The businesss revenue was down 52.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.58 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Equitable Holdings, Inc. will post 7.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 24th were issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 24th. Equitables dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -39.13%. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Mark Pearson sold 39,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.14, for a total value of $1,712,658.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 676,540 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,185,935.60. The trade was a 5.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Robin M. Raju sold 36,888 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.00, for a total transaction of $1,991,952.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 140,258 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,573,932. This represents a 20.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 176,358 shares of company stock valued at $8,760,599 over the last 90 days. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently commented on EQH shares. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Equitable in a report on Monday. Barclays reissued an overweight rating and set a $63.00 price objective on shares of Equitable in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on Equitable from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on Equitable from $64.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Equitable from $67.00 to $61.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Equitable currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $64.18. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Equitable Equitable Profile (Free Report) Equitable Holdings, Inc, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, operates as a diversified financial services company worldwide. The company operates through six segments: Individual Retirement, Group Retirement, Investment Management and Research, Protection Solutions, Wealth Management, and Legacy. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EQH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:EQH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Equitable Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equitable and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Farmers Bankshares, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FBVA Get Free Report) shares rose 2% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $18.85 and last traded at $18.81. Approximately 900 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 4% from the average daily volume of 933 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.45. Farmers Bankshares Stock Performance The companys fifty day simple moving average is $18.81 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $18.81. About Farmers Bankshares (Get Free Report) Farmers Bankshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Farmers Bank that provides various banking products and services to small and mid-sized businesses, professionals, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs primarily in southeastern Virginia. The company offers personal and business checking and savings accounts. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Farmers Bankshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Farmers Bankshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG Get Free Report) CAO Tyler Herb sold 2,310 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.60, for a total transaction of $84,546.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 203,406 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,444,659.60. The trade was a 1.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Tyler Herb also recently made the following trade(s): Get Figma alerts: On Monday, December 1st, Tyler Herb sold 3,073 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.45, for a total transaction of $108,937.85. On Monday, November 17th, Tyler Herb sold 757 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.21, for a total transaction of $28,924.97. On Monday, November 10th, Tyler Herb sold 43,357 shares of Figma stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.93, for a total value of $1,904,673.01. On Monday, November 3rd, Tyler Herb sold 3,133 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.17, for a total value of $150,916.61. Figma Stock Down 1.9% NYSE FIG opened at $37.96 on Friday. Figma, Inc. has a 52 week low of $32.83 and a 52 week high of $142.92. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $47.86. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Figma Figma ( NYSE:FIG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($1.56) by $1.66. The firm had revenue of $274.17 million during the quarter. The firms revenue was up 38.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.04 EPS. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FIG. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. acquired a new stake in Figma during the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Figma in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in shares of Figma in the third quarter worth about $27,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Figma during the third quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, US Bancorp DE bought a new position in shares of Figma during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have recently commented on FIG shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Figma from $70.00 to $52.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Figma in a report on Thursday, September 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Figma from $49.00 to $54.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Bank of America reduced their price target on Figma from $85.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Figma from $80.00 to $70.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $62.86. Check Out Our Latest Report on FIG About Figma (Get Free Report) Figma is where teams come together to turn ideas into the worlds best digital products and experiences. Every day, billions of people around the world use apps, websites, and other digital experiences that are made in Figma. Theyre looking up directions on Google Maps; requesting rides with Uber; checking in for flights on JetBlue; streaming shows on Netflix; learning languages with Duolingo; asking questions of Claude; connecting on LinkedIn; buying goods on Mercado Libre; or booking stays and experiences with Airbnb. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Figma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Figma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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. Get alerts: 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on HOOD 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 Recommended Stories GeoWealth Management LLC cut its holdings in GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report) by 46.0% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 5,526 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,709 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLCs holdings in GE Aerospace were worth $1,422,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ameriflex Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of GE Aerospace by 23.5% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 1,742 shares of the companys stock valued at $437,000 after acquiring an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in GE Aerospace by 17.1% during the first quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 8,241 shares of the companys stock worth $1,647,000 after acquiring an additional 1,201 shares in the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey grew its holdings in GE Aerospace by 1.8% in the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 159,682 shares of the companys stock worth $41,101,000 after purchasing an additional 2,779 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in GE Aerospace by 7.0% in the second quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 182,120 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,876,000 after purchasing an additional 11,873 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fayez Sarofim & Co raised its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace by 14.3% during the first quarter. Fayez Sarofim & Co now owns 9,644 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,930,000 after purchasing an additional 1,204 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 74.77% of the companys stock. Get GE Aerospace alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have recently commented on GE. TD Cowen raised their target price on GE Aerospace from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on GE Aerospace from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and set a $350.00 price objective on shares of GE Aerospace in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BNP Paribas upgraded GE Aerospace to a strong sell rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of GE Aerospace from $300.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $304.31. GE Aerospace Trading Down 2.8% NYSE GE opened at $283.74 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $300.52 and a 200 day simple moving average of $276.03. GE Aerospace has a 12 month low of $159.36 and a 12 month high of $316.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $299.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.88, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.40. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.20. GE Aerospace had a net margin of 18.34% and a return on equity of 34.01%. The firm had revenue of $11.31 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.29 billion. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 26.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.15 EPS. GE Aerospace has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. On average, analysts predict that GE Aerospace will post 5.4 EPS for the current fiscal year. GE Aerospace Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 29th will be given a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 29th. GE Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is presently 19.23%. Insider Buying and Selling In other GE Aerospace news, SVP Russell Stokes sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 150,434 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,785,706.14. This trade represents a 5.05% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock. GE Aerospace Profile (Free Report) 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for GE Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GE Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FrontView REIT (NYSE:FVR Get Free Report) and SEGRO (OTCMKTS:SEGXF Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and valuation. Profitability This table compares FrontView REIT and SEGROs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get FrontView REIT alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets FrontView REIT -32.21% -4.25% -2.57% SEGRO N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for FrontView REIT and SEGRO, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score FrontView REIT 2 3 1 0 1.83 SEGRO 2 2 1 1 2.17 Earnings and Valuation FrontView REIT presently has a consensus target price of $14.38, suggesting a potential downside of 6.93%. Given FrontView REITs higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe FrontView REIT is more favorable than SEGRO. This table compares FrontView REIT and SEGROs top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio FrontView REIT $66.68 million 5.01 -$22.21 million ($0.82) -18.84 SEGRO $862.60 million 14.98 $759.07 million N/A N/A SEGRO has higher revenue and earnings than FrontView REIT. Volatility and Risk FrontView REIT has a beta of 1.34, indicating that its stock price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SEGRO has a beta of 1.13, indicating that its stock price is 13% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary SEGRO beats FrontView REIT on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About FrontView REIT (Get Free Report) FrontView REIT specializes in real estate investing. About SEGRO (Get Free Report) SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris, and is a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property. It owns or manages 10.8 million square metres of space (116 million square feet) valued at 20.6 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries. For over 100 years SEGRO has been creating the space that enables extraordinary things to happen. From modern big box warehouses, used primarily for regional, national and international distribution hubs, to urban warehousing (including data centres) located close to major population centres and business districts, it provides high-quality assets that allow its customers to thrive. A commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good is integral to SEGROs purpose and strategy. Its Responsible SEGRO framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: Championing Low-Carbon Growth, Investing in Local Communities and Environments and Nurturing Talent. Striving for the highest standards of innovation, sustainable business practices and enabling economic and societal prosperity underpins SEGROs ambition to be the best property company. Receive News & Ratings for FrontView REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FrontView REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 2.250-2.450 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 2.210. The company issued revenue guidance of $40.1 billion-$41.8 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $40.8 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise also updated its Q1 2026 guidance to 0.570-0.610 EPS. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Performance Shares of HPE opened at $23.32 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market cap of $30.77 billion, a P/E ratio of -388.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.34. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $23.29 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.62. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 52 week low of $11.97 and a 52 week high of $26.44. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 4th. The technology company reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.03. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a return on equity of 9.17% and a net margin of 0.17%.The business had revenue of $9.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.91 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.58 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. 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. Equities research analysts anticipate that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Increases Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Investors of record on Friday, December 19th will be paid a $0.1425 dividend. This represents a $0.57 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 19th. This is a positive change from Hewlett Packard Enterprises previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. Hewlett Packard Enterprises dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.41%. A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $27.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Bank of America upped their price objective on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $25.25. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on HPE Insider Buying and Selling In other news, EVP Maeve C. Culloty sold 3,738 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.12, for a total transaction of $93,898.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Gary M. Reiner sold 40,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.58, for a total value of $983,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 83,869 shares of the companys stock, valued at $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. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 210,404 shares of company stock valued at $5,248,749. 0.36% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 44.7% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 4,456 shares of the technology companys stock worth $69,000 after acquiring an additional 1,377 shares in the last quarter. Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $123,000. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the third quarter valued at approximately $151,000. Institutional investors own 80.78% of the companys stock. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hyster-Yale, Inc. (NYSE:HY Get Free Report)s share price was up 7.9% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $32.19 and last traded at $32.10. Approximately 100,897 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 31% from the average daily volume of 77,266 shares. The stock had previously closed at $29.75. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Hyster-Yale in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Hyster-Yale from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Roth Capital set a $40.00 price target on shares of Hyster-Yale in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $40.00. Get Hyster-Yale alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Hyster-Yale Hyster-Yale Stock Down 3.5% The business has a 50 day moving average of $33.52 and a 200-day moving average of $37.46. The stock has a market cap of $599.17 million, a PE ratio of 241.40 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Hyster-Yale (NYSE:HY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.12). Hyster-Yale had a return on equity of 5.93% and a net margin of 0.07%.The business had revenue of $979.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $955.69 million. Equities research analysts predict that Hyster-Yale, Inc. will post 8.85 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hyster-Yale Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.36 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.3%. Hyster-Yales dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 1,028.57%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hyster-Yale Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HY. State of Alaska Department of Revenue acquired a new position in Hyster-Yale during the third quarter worth $27,000. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in shares of Hyster-Yale by 15.2% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,989 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC increased its position in Hyster-Yale by 71.9% during the third quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC now owns 3,372 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $124,000 after buying an additional 1,410 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP raised its stake in Hyster-Yale by 25.8% in the 1st quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 4,073 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $169,000 after purchasing an additional 835 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its stake in shares of Hyster-Yale by 1,641.5% during the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 4,319 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $172,000 after buying an additional 4,071 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.47% of the companys stock. Hyster-Yale Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hyster-Yale, Inc, through its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, sells, and services a line of lift trucks, attachments, and aftermarket parts worldwide. The company manufactures components, such as frames, masts, and transmissions; and assembles lift trucks. It markets its products primarily under the Hyster and Yale brand names to independent Hyster and Yale retail dealerships. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Hyster-Yale Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hyster-Yale and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. We came across a bullish thesis on Transocean Ltd. on TheOldEconomy Substacks Substack by Mihail Stoyanov. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on RIG. Transocean Ltd.'s share was trading at $4.4100 as of November 28th. RIGs forward P/E was 18.15 according to Yahoo Finance. 5 Worlds Most Water-Stressed Countries in 2040 Transocean Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells in Switzerland and internationally. RIG presents a compelling investment case driven by catalysts that create nonlinear upside potential. The company has strategically improved its capital structure, reducing total debt-to-equity below 100% and lowering total debt-to-EBITDA over the past 24 months. Its recent $500 million private bond issuance and equity raise are earmarked for redeeming high-coupon legacy and secured notes, further deleveraging the balance sheet. This positions Transocean to shift cash toward shareholder returns, including dividends and buybacks, which are currently constrained by mandatory debt amortization. Beyond capital structure improvements, the offshore industry offers a favorable supply-demand dynamic. High-spec drillers are increasingly scarce due to scrapping of idle rigs and rising offshore capex by IOCs, particularly in high-growth regions like Brazil, GoM, Guyana, Nigeria, Ghana, and Namibiathe so-called Golden Triangle. These catalysts create phase transitions where the probability of large upside moves becomes disproportionately higher than traditional risk models suggest. Transocean, with its global diversification and niche leadership, is well-positioned to benefit. Recent share price volatility, including a 16% drop on the day of the capital raise, masks the underlying structural improvements, creating a tactical entry opportunity. Investors can exploit this nonlinearity through equity positions or LEAPS options, particularly those expiring in January 2027, which balance risk and potential reward effectively. By combining disciplined timing with exposure to these structural and industry catalysts, Transocean offers a high-conviction opportunity for outsized returns, making it one of the most attractive names in the offshore sector. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Transocean Ltd. (RIG) by Unemployed Value Degen in February 2025, which highlighted leadership transition, strong backlog, and structural tightness in offshore drilling. The company's stock price has appreciated approximately by 38.24% since our coverage. The thesis still stands as market fundamentals remain strong. Mihail Stoyanov shares a similar perspective but emphasizes capital structure improvements and catalysts creating nonlinear upside. Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS Get Free Report) insider Sean Doyle bought 2,526 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 334 per share, for a total transaction of 8,436.84. Marks and Spencer Group Stock Performance Shares of Marks and Spencer Group stock opened at GBX 334.70 on Friday. Marks and Spencer Group plc has a 12 month low of GBX 319.20 and a 12 month high of GBX 417.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 95.00. The stock has a market cap of 6.75 billion, a PE ratio of 371.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.62. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 372.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 359.70. Get Marks and Spencer Group alerts: Marks and Spencer Group (LON:MKS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The retailer reported GBX 6.60 earnings per share for the quarter. Marks and Spencer Group had a return on equity of 17.23% and a net margin of 3.77%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Marks and Spencer Group plc will post 26.0113154 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MKS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 435 price target on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Friday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Peel Hunt restated a hold rating and set a GBX 360 price target on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Berenberg Bank upped their price target on shares of Marks and Spencer Group from GBX 406 to GBX 412 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut Marks and Spencer Group to a sector perform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from GBX 375 to GBX 400 in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marks and Spencer Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 415.33. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MKS About Marks and Spencer Group (Get Free Report) M&S has a heritage of quality, innovation and value for money and has been voted the UKs most trusted brand. From these foundations, M&S is reshaping for sustainable profitable growth and value creation. We operate as a family of businesses, selling high-quality, great-value, own-brand products and services, alongside a carefully selected range of third-party brands. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Marks and Spencer Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Marks and Spencer Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Get Free Report) COO Patrick Dumont sold 17,352 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.97, for a total value of $1,196,767.44. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 446,608 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,802,553.76. The trade was a 3.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Patrick Dumont also recently made the following trade(s): Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: On Wednesday, December 3rd, Patrick Dumont sold 135,603 shares of Las Vegas Sands stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.96, for a total value of $9,215,579.88. 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 value of $14,712,937.80. Las Vegas Sands Price Performance Shares of NYSE:LVS opened at $66.27 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 current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.42. The company has a market cap of $44.80 billion, a PE ratio of 29.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.97. The companys 50 day moving average is $59.40 and its 200 day moving average is $52.63. Las Vegas Sands Announces Dividend Las Vegas Sands ( NYSE:LVS Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The casino operator reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.16. Las Vegas Sands had a net margin of 12.69% and a return on equity of 73.14%. The firm had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.04 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.44 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 24.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Las Vegas Sands Corp. will post 2.6 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 4th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 4th. Las Vegas Sandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.25%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Las Vegas Sands Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Total Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Las Vegas Sands during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Las Vegas Sands by 48.0% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 512 shares of the casino operators stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Las Vegas Sands during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 549.5% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 630 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 533 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 182.4% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 672 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 434 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 39.16% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth LVS has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, September 7th. Seaport Global Securities raised their price target on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $66.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Zacks Research raised shares of Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Susquehanna increased their price target on Las Vegas Sands from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Argus boosted their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $65.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $65.60. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on LVS Las Vegas Sands Company Profile (Get Free Report) Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the Peoples Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Las Vegas Sands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Las Vegas Sands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Ltd. lessened its holdings in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR Free Report) by 1.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 5,461,623 shares of the companys stock after selling 80,327 shares during the quarter. Invesco Ltd.s holdings in Kroger were worth $391,762,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $518,267,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in Kroger by 85.3% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,397,771 shares of the companys stock worth $433,065,000 after acquiring an additional 2,945,848 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the first quarter worth $178,385,000. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. grew its stake in shares of Kroger by 101.7% in the first quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 4,084,584 shares of the companys stock worth $276,485,000 after acquiring an additional 2,059,574 shares during the last quarter. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new position in shares of Kroger during the second quarter valued at $120,965,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Kroger alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes KR has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Kroger from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, October 26th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday. Evercore ISI set a $77.00 price target on shares of Kroger and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and issued a $70.00 price objective (down from $78.00) on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $70.00 target price (down from $74.00) on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday. Ten 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, Kroger currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $73.61. Kroger Stock Down 0.6% Shares of Kroger stock opened at $62.76 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $41.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 58.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.58. The companys 50 day moving average is $66.43 and its 200 day moving average is $68.21. The Kroger Co. has a twelve month low of $57.69 and a twelve month high of $74.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28. Kroger (NYSE:KR Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $33.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.27 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.54% and a return on equity of 38.06%. The firms revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.98 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.750-4.800 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that The Kroger Co. will post 4.44 EPS for the current year. Kroger Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. Krogers dividend payout ratio is 35.53%. Kroger Company Profile (Free Report) The Kroger Co operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses. Its combination food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce; and multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, and toys. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kroger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kroger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:DGRO Free Report) by 8.0% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 158,631 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 11,763 shares during the quarter. iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF comprises approximately 1.1% of Shepherd Financial Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Shepherd Financial Partners LLCs holdings in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF were worth $10,143,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of DGRO. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 42.4% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 13,535,976 shares of the companys stock valued at $865,424,000 after acquiring an additional 4,028,341 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its stake in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 10,230,233 shares of the companys stock valued at $632,024,000 after purchasing an additional 174,417 shares during the last quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,961,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $509,040,000 after purchasing an additional 257,838 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 6,157,442 shares of the companys stock valued at $380,408,000 after purchasing an additional 219,938 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its stake in iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF by 38.2% during the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 5,837,667 shares of the companys stock worth $356,986,000 after purchasing an additional 1,612,709 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF alerts: iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF Stock Down 0.1% iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF stock opened at $69.65 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $66.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.66 and a beta of 0.84. iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF has a 52-week low of $54.09 and a 52-week high of $70.03. iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF Company Profile The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar US Dividend Growth index. The fund tracks an index of US stocks that are selected by dividends, dividend growth and payout ratio, then weighted by dividend dollars. DGRO was launched on Jun 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DGRO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:DGRO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:ISCV Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $68.88 and last traded at $68.8750, with a volume of 11392 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $67.97. iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF Trading Up 0.2% The company has a market cap of $565.55 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.52 and a beta of 1.11. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $66.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $64.48. Get iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF during the second quarter valued at about $29,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF during the first quarter valued at about $31,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF during the third quarter worth about $122,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF by 27.7% during the first quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,420 shares of the companys stock worth $143,000 after acquiring an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. About iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF The iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (ISCV) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index of US small-cap value stocks. The index selects stocks from 90-99.5% of market cap that fall into Morningstars value style categorization. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $210.40 and last traded at $210.3610, with a volume of 2544382 shares. The stock had previously closed at $208.43. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Stock Performance The businesss 50 day moving average is $204.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $198.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $66.95 billion, a PE ratio of 18.83 and a beta of 0.89. Get iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IWD. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 612.7% in the 2nd quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 23,036 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,474,000 after acquiring an additional 19,804 shares in the last quarter. 1ST Source Bank grew its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 0.3% during the second quarter. 1ST Source Bank now owns 677,377 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $131,567,000 after purchasing an additional 2,259 shares in the last quarter. American National Bank & Trust increased its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 8.1% in the second quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 4,768 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $926,000 after purchasing an additional 358 shares during the last quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 0.8% in the second quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,685 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,658,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Falcon Wealth Planning lifted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 6.5% during the second quarter. Falcon Wealth Planning now owns 1,166 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $226,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.93% of the companys stock. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Company Profile iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the large capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market, as represented by the Russell 1000 Value Index (the Index). See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StoneX Group Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report) by 49.8% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 32,362 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 10,753 shares during the quarter. StoneX Group Inc.s holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $6,983,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quaker Wealth Management LLC grew its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 211.1% in the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 120 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 1st quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Proathlete Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Get iShares Russell 2000 ETF alerts: iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Down 0.4% Shares of NYSEARCA IWM opened at $250.77 on Friday. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 12 month low of $171.73 and a 12 month high of $252.77. The company has a market cap of $69.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.69 and a beta of 1.13. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $243.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $230.13. 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. See Also 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). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H Free Report) by 26.4% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 125,262 shares of the companys stock after selling 44,857 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s holdings in Hyatt Hotels were worth $17,493,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in H. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,920,488 shares of the companys stock worth $480,260,000 after purchasing an additional 21,190 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in Hyatt Hotels by 6.9% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,800,639 shares of the companys stock worth $220,578,000 after purchasing an additional 116,813 shares in the last quarter. Long Pond Capital LP purchased a new stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels during the first quarter valued at about $191,922,000. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 10.6% in the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 562,776 shares of the companys stock valued at $68,940,000 after buying an additional 53,875 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 7.6% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 426,359 shares of the companys stock worth $52,229,000 after buying an additional 29,976 shares during the last quarter. 73.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Hyatt Hotels alerts: Hyatt Hotels Trading Down 0.4% Hyatt Hotels stock opened at $155.97 on Friday. Hyatt Hotels Corporation has a 52 week low of $102.43 and a 52 week high of $168.20. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $150.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $143.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. The company has a market capitalization of $14.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -167.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.93 and a beta of 1.29. Hyatt Hotels Announces Dividend Hyatt Hotels ( NYSE:H Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.30) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.79). The business had revenue of $1.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.82 billion. Hyatt Hotels had a negative net margin of 1.27% and a positive return on equity of 3.22%. The businesss revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.94 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Hyatt Hotels Corporation will post 3.05 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 24th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 24th. Hyatt Hotelss dividend payout ratio is presently -64.52%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $155.00 to $158.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Hyatt Hotels in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $154.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley raised Hyatt Hotels from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the stock from $147.00 to $168.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Hyatt Hotels in a report on Monday, November 24th. They set an overweight rating and a $178.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Hyatt Hotels from $154.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $158.93. View Our Latest Report on H Insider Activity In other Hyatt Hotels news, insider Peter Sears sold 12,394 shares of Hyatt Hotels stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.51, for a total transaction of $1,927,390.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 5,594 shares in the company, valued at approximately $869,922.94. This trade represents a 68.90% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider David Udell sold 4,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $166.00, for a total value of $713,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 13,746 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,281,836. The trade was a 23.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 23,835 shares of company stock worth $3,737,955 over the last ninety days. 23.70% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Hyatt Hotels (Free Report) Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding H? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Hyatt Hotels Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hyatt Hotels and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Enersys (NYSE:ENS Free Report) by 20.7% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 70,275 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 12,044 shares during the quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLCs holdings in Enersys were worth $6,027,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. ABLE Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Enersys during the second quarter valued at about $1,808,000. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Enersys by 13.4% in the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 29,706 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,720,000 after buying an additional 3,512 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP raised its holdings in Enersys by 235.6% in the 2nd quarter. Entropy Technologies LP now owns 10,072 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $864,000 after buying an additional 7,071 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Enersys in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $229,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Enersys by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 989,020 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $84,838,000 after buying an additional 23,252 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.93% of the companys stock. Get Enersys alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Enersys from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Enersys from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Enersys in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Enersys in a report on Thursday, October 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have given a Buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $126.00. Enersys Trading Up 0.8% ENS opened at $147.62 on Friday. Enersys has a twelve month low of $76.57 and a twelve month high of $148.21. The company has a fifty day moving average of $128.08 and a 200-day moving average of $105.80. The stock has a market cap of $5.45 billion, a PE ratio of 17.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 2.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. Enersys (NYSE:ENS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The industrial products company reported $2.56 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.36 by $0.20. Enersys had a net margin of 9.05% and a return on equity of 22.48%. The business had revenue of $951.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $890.27 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.12 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Enersys has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.710-2.81 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Enersys will post 9.99 EPS for the current year. Enersys Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.2625 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.05 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Enersyss dividend payout ratio is presently 12.28%. About Enersys (Free Report) EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in four segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty, and New Ventures. The Energy Systems segment offers uninterruptible power systems (UPS) applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, data center, and renewable and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ENS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enersys (NYSE:ENS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Enersys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enersys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the six research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 98.50. A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on LLOY shares. Shore Capital restated a hold rating and set a GBX 84 price objective on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 105 price target on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 100 to GBX 110 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 100 to GBX 102 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 84 to GBX 97 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Get Lloyds Banking Group alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Banking Group Stock Down 1.2% LLOY stock opened at GBX 95.76 on Friday. Lloyds Banking Group has a 52 week low of GBX 52.44 and a 52 week high of GBX 97.74. The firm has a market capitalization of 56.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 88.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 82.38. Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY Get Free Report) last posted 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 net margin of 16.66% and a return on equity of 11.22%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Lloyds Banking Group will post 7.3199528 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at Lloyds Banking Group In other Lloyds Banking Group news, insider William Chalmers purchased 138,723 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 19th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 84 per share, with a total value of 116,527.32. Also, insider Charlie Nunn acquired 217,494 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 19th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 84 per share, with a total value of 182,694.96. 0.16% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Lloyds Banking Group (Get Free Report) 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Lloyds Banking Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lloyds Banking Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Earlier this week, Trulieve Cannabis Corp. reported that its subsidiary Trulieve TX Inc. received conditional approval from the Texas Department of Public Safety for a Dispensing Organization license under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, enabling future cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution of medical cannabis products in the state pending final authorization. This conditional Texas license offers Trulieve a new entry point into one of the largest U.S. medical cannabis markets, potentially reshaping its growth mix beyond existing core states as qualifying conditions and product formats evolve under the program. Well now examine how gaining conditional access to Texass Compassionate Use Program could influence Trulieves existing investment narrative and long-term outlook. We've found 15 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. Trulieve Cannabis Investment Narrative Recap To own Trulieve, you need to believe it can turn a discounted, scale-driven medical footprint into sustainable cash generation despite ongoing losses, pricing pressure, and reliance on policy change. The conditional Texas license adds a potential long-term growth outlet and slightly eases geographic concentration risk, but it does not change that the key near term catalyst remains federal reform and tax relief, while the biggest current risk is continued margin pressure and persistent unprofitability. Recent guidance for Q4 2025, calling for low single digit sequential revenue growth, helps frame the Texas announcement in context: investors are still watching for modest, steady improvement rather than a rapid turnaround. The combination of subdued growth expectations and continued debt management efforts means any Texas contribution, once fully approved, is likely to be incremental to the existing catalysts rather than a near term swing factor. Yet investors should be aware that heavy reliance on regulatory reform and relief from 280E taxation could... Read the full narrative on Trulieve Cannabis (it's free!) Trulieve Cannabis' narrative projects $1.2 billion revenue and $15.0 million earnings by 2028. This requires 1.7% yearly revenue growth and a $177.0 million earnings increase from -$162.0 million today. Uncover how Trulieve Cannabis' forecasts yield a CA$18.87 fair value, a 124% upside to its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives CNSX:TRUL Community Fair Values as at Dec 2025 Four fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community range widely, from about CA$11.01 to CA$69.45 per share, showing how far apart individual views can be. Against this backdrop, Trulieves dependence on federal policy shifts and tax reform keeps the path to improved margins and cash flow tightly linked to regulatory outcomes, so it is worth weighing several perspectives before forming an opinion. Luxottica Group SpA (OTCMKTS:LUXTY Get Free Report)s stock price was up 0.4% on Friday . The company traded as high as $55.90 and last traded at $55.80. Approximately 2,900 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 14,259 shares. The stock had previously closed at $55.60. Luxottica Group Stock Up 0.4% The company has a market cap of $27.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.37 and a beta of 0.27. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $55.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $55.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.18. About Luxottica Group (Get Free Report) Luxottica Group S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides fashion, luxury, sports, and performance eyewear worldwide. It operates through two segments, Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution, and Retail Distribution. The Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution segment engages in the design, manufacture, distribution, and marketing of proprietary and designer lines of prescription frames and sunglasses. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Luxottica Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Luxottica Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MTY Food Group Inc. (OTCMKTS:MTYFF Get Free Report) traded up 1.2% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $27.47 and last traded at $27.47. 621 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 85% from the average session volume of 4,194 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.1460. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of MTY Food Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold. Get MTY Food Group alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on MTYFF MTY Food Group Stock Performance MTY Food Group Company Profile The business has a 50-day moving average price of $25.71 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $27.96. (Get Free Report) MTY Food Group Inc operates and franchises quick-service, fast-casual, and casual dining restaurants in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It also sells retail products under a multitude of banners. The company was formerly known as iNsu Innovations Group Inc and changed its name to MTY Food Group Inc in July 2003. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for MTY Food Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MTY Food Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. cut its stake in Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MLI Free Report) by 74.3% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 153,830 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 443,874 shares during the period. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.s holdings in Mueller Industries were worth $12,225,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its holdings in shares of Mueller Industries by 267.3% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 382 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the period. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mueller Industries in the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Employees Retirement System of Texas bought a new stake in Mueller Industries in the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Maseco LLP acquired a new position in Mueller Industries during the 2nd quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in Mueller Industries by 108.8% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 501 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 261 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.50% of the companys stock. Get Mueller Industries alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Mueller Industries In other news, Director John B. Hansen sold 1,000 shares of Mueller Industries stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.71, for a total transaction of $105,710.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 91,664 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,689,801.44. This trade represents a 1.08% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Scott Jay Goldman sold 4,234 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.64, for a total value of $459,981.76. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 41,745 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,535,176.80. This trade represents a 9.21% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 355,234 shares of company stock valued at $36,944,652. 2.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Mueller Industries Stock Up 0.4% Shares of NYSE MLI opened at $113.46 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $12.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.93 and a beta of 1.04. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $104.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $93.06. Mueller Industries, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $66.84 and a fifty-two week high of $113.57. Mueller Industries (NYSE:MLI Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 company had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $942.00 million. Mueller Industries had a net margin of 18.10% and a return on equity of 25.02%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.48 EPS. Mueller Industries Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Mueller Industriess dividend payout ratio is 14.93%. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Mueller Industries in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $105.00. View Our Latest Research Report on MLI About Mueller Industries (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MLI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MLI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mueller Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mueller Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of NEC Co. (OTCMKTS:NIPNF Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $39.27, but opened at $37.57. NEC shares last traded at $37.57, with a volume of 145 shares trading hands. NEC Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $9.79 billion, a PE ratio of 22.91 and a beta of -0.47. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $35.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $31.09. About NEC (Get Free Report) NEC Corporation provides information and communication technology solutions in Japan and internationally. It operates through five segments: Public Solutions Business, Public Infrastructure Business, Enterprise Business, Network Services Business, and Global Business. It provides systems integration services, including systems implementation and consulting; maintenance and support services; outsourcing and cloud services; and system equipment. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for NEC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NEC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Birkenstock Holding PLC (NYSE:BIRK Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund acquired 1,262,652 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $62,097,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Birkenstock by 2,514.6% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,785 shares of the companys stock worth $403,000 after purchasing an additional 8,449 shares during the period. Peregrine Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Birkenstock in the 2nd quarter worth $8,422,000. AGF Management Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Birkenstock by 72.8% in the second quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 2,038,210 shares of the companys stock valued at $100,239,000 after buying an additional 858,522 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Birkenstock during the second quarter valued at about $320,000. Finally, U S Global Investors Inc. acquired a new position in Birkenstock during the second quarter worth about $861,000. Institutional investors own 19.93% of the companys stock. Get Birkenstock alerts: Birkenstock Price Performance BIRK stock opened at $44.13 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.78, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Birkenstock Holding PLC has a one year low of $38.16 and a one year high of $62.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.29 billion, a PE ratio of 24.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $42.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $47.54. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Birkenstock from $81.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 19th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Friday, September 26th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Birkenstock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $69.08. Read Our Latest Report on Birkenstock About Birkenstock (Free Report) Birkenstock Holding plc manufactures and sells footwear products. It also offers sandals, shoes, closed-toe silhouettes, skincare products, and accessories. The company sells its products through e-commerce sites and a network of owned retail stores, as well as business-to-business channels. It operates in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Europe, APMA, and internationally. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BIRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Birkenstock Holding PLC (NYSE:BIRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Birkenstock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Birkenstock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 2,892,001 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $65,504,000. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Truist Financial Corp raised its holdings in Kite Realty Group Trust by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 10,024 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $227,000 after acquiring an additional 503 shares in the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its position in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 0.5% in the second quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 131,664 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,981,000 after purchasing an additional 641 shares during the period. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in Kite Realty Group Trust by 3.1% in the second quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 22,302 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $505,000 after purchasing an additional 661 shares in the last quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV lifted its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 2.4% during the first quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV now owns 32,956 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $737,000 after purchasing an additional 778 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Kite Realty Group Trust by 44.0% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,973 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 908 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.81% of the companys stock. Get Kite Realty Group Trust alerts: Kite Realty Group Trust Stock Performance NYSE KRG opened at $22.63 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $22.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $22.36. The stock has a market cap of $4.90 billion, a PE ratio of 35.35, a PEG ratio of 5.70 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.98. Kite Realty Group Trust has a fifty-two week low of $18.51 and a fifty-two week high of $27.04. Kite Realty Group Trust Increases Dividend Kite Realty Group Trust ( NYSE:KRG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $205.06 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $208.82 million. Kite Realty Group Trust had a return on equity of 4.27% and a net margin of 16.34%.Kite Realty Group Trust has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.090-2.110 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Kite Realty Group Trust will post 2.05 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be paid a $0.29 dividend. This is an increase from Kite Realty Group Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. Kite Realty Group Trusts payout ratio is currently 168.75%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently commented on KRG. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the company from $23.00 to $25.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH began coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. They set a buy rating and a $30.00 price objective for the company. Raymond James Financial downgraded Kite Realty Group Trust from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Monday. Finally, Citigroup restated a neutral rating and set a $24.00 price objective (down from $28.00) on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $25.88. Read Our Latest Research Report on KRG Kite Realty Group Trust Profile (Free Report) Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Indianapolis, IN that is one of the largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets. The Companys primarily grocery-anchored portfolio is located in high-growth Sun Belt and select strategic gateway markets. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KRG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paramount Resources Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PRMRF Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $18.29, but opened at $17.6501. Paramount Resources shares last traded at $18.5975, with a volume of 1,668 shares traded. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. CIBC reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Paramount Resources in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Paramount Resources in a research note on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, National Bankshares reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of Paramount Resources in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold. Get Paramount Resources alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Paramount Resources Paramount Resources Stock Performance The firms 50 day simple moving average is $16.63 and its 200 day simple moving average is $15.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 0.81. Paramount Resources (OTCMKTS:PRMRF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by ($0.12). Paramount Resources had a return on equity of 4.42% and a net margin of 129.12%.The business had revenue of $103.54 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $136.00 million. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Paramount Resources Ltd. will post 1.74 earnings per share for the current year. Paramount Resources Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 16th were paid a dividend of $0.0359 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 262.0%. Paramount Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.58%. Paramount Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Paramount Resources Ltd. explores for and develops conventional and unconventional petroleum and natural gas reserves and resources in Canada. The company holds interests in the Karr and Wapiti Montney properties covering an area of 109,000 net acres located south of the city of Grande Prairie, Alberta; Kaybob North Duvernay development and natural gas producing properties covering an area of 124,000 net acres located in west-central Alberta; and Willesden Green Duvernay development in central Alberta and shale gas producing properties in the Horn River Basin in northeast British Columbia covering an area of 249,000 net acres. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Paramount Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Paramount Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA Free Report) by 62.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 96,488 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 36,983 shares during the period. Prudential Financial Inc.s holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries were worth $1,617,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TEVA. US Bancorp DE raised its position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 6.5% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 10,812 shares of the companys stock worth $166,000 after acquiring an additional 656 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management increased its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 26.8% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 3,293 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 697 shares in the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. increased its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 3.3% during the second quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 21,995 shares of the companys stock worth $369,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 15.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 5,474 shares of the companys stock worth $92,000 after purchasing an additional 715 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC lifted its stake in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 18.1% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,995 shares of the companys stock valued at $84,000 after buying an additional 767 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.05% of the companys stock. Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Performance Shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock opened at $28.45 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $22.48 and its 200 day moving average price is $19.17. The company has a market cap of $32.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.42, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.11. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has a one year low of $12.47 and a one year high of $28.68. Insider Activity Analysts Set New Price Targets In other news, Director Roberto Mignone sold 200,000 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.11, for a total transaction of $4,822,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 495,000 shares in the company, valued at $11,934,450. The trade was a 28.78% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . 0.49% of the stock is owned by company insiders. TEVA has been the subject of several research reports. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Scotiabank began coverage on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research report on Friday. They set a sector outperform rating and a $35.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $27.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TEVA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Qtron Investments LLC boosted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Free Report) (TSE:CM) by 93.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,773 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 8,592 shares during the period. Qtron Investments LLCs holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce were worth $1,259,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,288 shares of the banks stock valued at $233,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. Brown Advisory Inc. raised its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 2.6% during the second quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 6,277 shares of the banks stock worth $445,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 0.3% in the second quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 53,477 shares of the banks stock valued at $3,788,000 after buying an additional 173 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 12.0% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,801 shares of the banks stock valued at $128,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. grew its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 4,320 shares of the banks stock worth $243,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. 49.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Price Performance CM opened at $91.22 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $84.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.98, a P/E/G ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.02. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 12 month low of $53.62 and a 12 month high of $91.47. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $83.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $76.62. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ( NYSE:CM Get Free Report ) (TSE:CM) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The bank reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.08. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a return on equity of 15.06% and a net margin of 13.57%.The firm had revenue of $5.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.23 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.91 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 5.5 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Investors of record on Monday, December 29th will be given a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date 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 payout ratio is presently 47.64%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Finally, Raymond James Financial started coverage on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. They set a market perform rating for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $107.50. Read Our Latest Analysis on CM About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Free Report) (TSE:CM). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 68,578 shares of the airlines stock, valued at approximately $2,225,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Southwest Airlines during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Southwest Airlines in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 1st quarter worth $34,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 81.4% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,056 shares of the airlines stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 474 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines during the 2nd quarter worth $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.82% of the companys stock. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Southwest Airlines Price Performance Shares of LUV opened at $37.87 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $32.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.67. The stock has a market cap of $19.59 billion, a PE ratio of 58.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.17. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 1-year low of $23.82 and a 1-year high of $38.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.49 and a quick ratio of 0.42. Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement Southwest Airlines ( NYSE:LUV Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The airline reported ($0.38) EPS for the quarter. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 6.39% and a net margin of 1.38%.The company had revenue of $6.17 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.55 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Southwest Airliness payout ratio is presently 110.77%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $35.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Southwest Airlines in a report on Thursday. They issued a neutral rating and a $38.00 price objective on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $35.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on LUV About Southwest Airlines (Free Report) Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff challenged President Donald Trump to a debate on the U.S. economy Saturday after Trump blasted Fox & Friends on Truth Social for featuring Schiff, accusing the show of heading in a different direction. Early Saturday morning, Trump erupted on Truth Social, complaining about Fox & Friends hosting Schiff, a financial commentator and radio personality who has been vocal about Americas affordability crisis. Trump, who has dismissed the concept of an affordability crisis as a Democratic con job, bristled at giving Schiff a platform to make his case. Why would Fox and Friends Weekend (of all things?) put on a Stockbroker named Peter Schiff, a Trump hating loser who has already proven to be wrong, the president wrote. Either the show made a mistake, or it is heading in a different direction. He thinks prices are going up when, in fact, they are coming substantially down. Gasoline hit $1.99 a gallon yesterday, in certain states, and is down BIG since Biden. President Donald Trump erupted on Truth Social Saturday following a 'Fox & Friends' appearance by Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff (Instagram/@peterschiff/Getty Images) Trump continued to claim that most prices are falling and blamed former President Joe Biden for creating the affordability crisis, insisting hes fixing it, saying even the border is already fixed. He ended by telling viewers to look into the booker responsible for putting Schiff on the show. Hours later, Schiff responded on X with a proposal for the commander-in-chief. Since Pres. Trump called me a jerk and a loser for claiming that prices are still rising when he insists they're coming way down, I challenge him, or his designee, to a debate on the U.S. economy and the efficacy of his policies. If I'm as wrong as he says I am, let him prove it, Schiff wrote, adding in a separate post that Trump should change the name of his social media site to Lie Social. Fox & Friends has long been a consistently supportive platform for Trump, providing favorable coverage that boosted his public profile and framed him as a populist blue-collar candidate before and during his 2016 campaign. The show amplified narratives supporting his policy agenda, defended him amid controversies, and shaped his messaging through speeches and social media. While the program remained loyal, other parts of Fox occasionally criticized Trump, revealing internal tensions, and, over time, the relationship evolved, with occasional pushback from hosts. CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins was also in Trumps Truth Social cross hairs on Saturday morning (AFP via Getty Images) In the same flurry of posts on Saturday, Trump also attacked CNN journalist Kaitlin Collins, always Stupid and Nasty, for questioning the cost of the new White House ballroom, explaining that the higher price reflects a larger size, upgraded finishes, and improved viewing features. Quantbot Technologies LP lowered its holdings in Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF Free Report) by 47.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,210 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 14,563 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in Raymond James Financial were worth $2,486,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Waterloo Capital L.P. raised its holdings in Raymond James Financial by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P. now owns 3,302 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $506,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the period. Level Four Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Raymond James Financial by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,880 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $442,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Raymond James Financial by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,629 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,170,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Raymond James Financial by 5.5% in the 1st quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,506 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $209,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the period. Finally, Tectonic Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Raymond James Financial by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 3,199 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $491,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. 83.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Raymond James Financial alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Citigroup restated an outperform rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Raymond James Financial from $180.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on Raymond James Financial from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $177.20. Raymond James Financial Stock Performance NYSE RJF opened at $163.00 on Friday. Raymond James Financial, Inc. has a 52-week low of $117.57 and a 52-week high of $177.66. The company has a fifty day moving average of $161.09 and a 200-day moving average of $160.32. The company has a market capitalization of $32.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.07. Raymond James Financial (NYSE:RJF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.28. Raymond James Financial had a return on equity of 18.19% and a net margin of 13.42%.The firm had revenue of $3.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.64 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.95 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Raymond James Financial, Inc. will post 11.17 EPS for the current fiscal year. Raymond James Financial Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.54 dividend. This is an increase from Raymond James Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. Raymond James Financials payout ratio is currently 19.44%. Raymond James Financial Company Profile (Free Report) Raymond James Financial, Inc, a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Raymond James Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Raymond James Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (CVE:RECO Get Free Report) shares were up 39.6% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$0.76 and last traded at C$0.67. Approximately 6,168,902 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,446% from the average daily volume of 399,128 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.48. Reconnaissance Energy Africa Stock Down 4.4% The company has a fifty day moving average of C$0.49 and a 200 day moving average of C$0.51. The company has a market cap of C$219.51 million, a P/E ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.34. Reconnaissance Energy Africa Company Profile (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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Reconnaissance Energy Africa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Reconnaissance Energy Africa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rogers Communication, Inc. (NYSE:RCI Get Free Report) (TSE:RCI.B) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Monday, December 8th will be paid a dividend of 0.50 per share by the Wireless communications provider on Friday, January 2nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 5.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 8th. This is a 36.2% increase from Rogers Communications previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. Rogers Communication has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 0.0%per year over the last three years. Rogers Communication has a payout ratio of 40.1% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Rogers Communication to earn $3.83 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.43 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 37.3%. Get Rogers Communication alerts: Rogers Communication Stock Up 0.1% Shares of Rogers Communication stock opened at $37.58 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $20.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $37.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $34.05. Rogers Communication has a twelve month low of $23.18 and a twelve month high of $40.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55. Rogers Communication Company Profile Rogers Communication ( NYSE:RCI Get Free Report ) (TSE:RCI.B) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.92 by $0.07. Rogers Communication had a net margin of 32.49% and a return on equity of 17.14%. The company had revenue of $3.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.33 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.42 EPS. The companys revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Rogers Communication will post 3.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. (Get Free Report) Rogers Communications Inc operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The company offers mobile Internet access, wireless voice and enhanced voice, device financing, device protection, global voice and data roaming, wireless home phone, bridging landline, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things solutions, and advanced wireless solutions for businesses, as well as device shipping and express pickup services; and postpaid and prepaid services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rogers Communication Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rogers Communication and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schroder Investment Management Group cut its position in Edison International (NYSE:EIX Free Report) by 36.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 100,487 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 56,409 shares during the quarter. Schroder Investment Management Groups holdings in Edison International were worth $5,185,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of EIX. Kentucky Trust Co raised its position in shares of Edison International by 66.7% during the 2nd quarter. Kentucky Trust Co now owns 500 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new stake in shares of Edison International in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. American National Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of Edison International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Edison International by 5,064.3% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 723 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 709 shares during the period. Finally, Hilltop National Bank bought a new position in Edison International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.95% of the companys stock. Get Edison International alerts: Edison International Stock Performance Shares of EIX opened at $58.08 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.76. Edison International has a one year low of $47.73 and a one year high of $85.15. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $56.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $54.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.35 billion, a PE ratio of 7.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.83. Edison International Announces Dividend Edison International ( NYSE:EIX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $2.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.18. Edison International had a return on equity of 13.62% and a net margin of 17.24%.The firm had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.31 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.51 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. Edison International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.950-6.200 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Edison International will post 4.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 7th were issued a $0.8275 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 7th. This represents a $3.31 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.7%. Edison Internationals dividend payout ratio is 43.27%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Edison International from $57.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Zacks Research raised shares of Edison International from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Edison International from $66.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Edison International from $69.00 to $68.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Edison International from $67.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $64.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Edison International Insider Buying and Selling In other Edison International news, Director Peter J. Taylor sold 1,800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.27, for a total transaction of $99,486.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 35,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,946,167.24. This trade represents a 4.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock. Edison International Profile (Free Report) Edison International, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation and distribution of electric power. The company supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 50,000 square mile area of southern California to residential, commercial, industrial, public authorities, agricultural, and other sectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Edison International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edison International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Free Report) (NYSE:TD) had its price objective hoisted by Scotiabank from C$114.00 to C$125.00 in a report published on Friday morning,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on TD. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$125.00 to C$130.00 in a research note on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$120.00 to C$128.00 in a research report on Friday. CIBC raised their price objective on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$112.00 to C$122.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$120.00 to C$128.00 in a research report on Friday. Finally, Desjardins upped their target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$107.00 to C$110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$120.00. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on TD Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Performance Shares of TD stock opened at C$122.20 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of C$114.18 and a 200 day moving average price of C$105.45. The stock has a market cap of C$208.62 billion, a PE ratio of 10.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.98. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 1 year low of C$73.22 and a 1 year high of C$122.24. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported C$2.18 earnings per share for the quarter. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a return on equity of 7.84% and a net margin of 15.80%.The company had revenue of C$16.03 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 7.2160149 earnings per share for the current year. Toronto-Dominion Bank Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 31st were given a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. Toronto-Dominion Banks payout ratio is currently 35.70%. Insider Activity at Toronto-Dominion Bank In other news, Director Nathalie Palladitcheff bought 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 6th. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$112.64 per share, for a total transaction of C$112,640.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 3,292 shares in the company, valued at C$370,810.88. The trade was a 43.63% increase in their ownership of the stock. Also, insider Ajai Bambawale sold 39,376 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$112.07, for a total value of C$4,412,868.32. Insiders have sold 84,384 shares of company stock worth $9,456,915 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE:SEE Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eight have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $42.8333. A number of brokerages recently weighed in on SEE. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Sealed Air from $48.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Sealed Air from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Sealed Air from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Raymond James Financial reiterated a strong-buy rating and issued a $50.00 price objective (up previously from $39.00) on shares of Sealed Air in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reissued a hold rating and set a $45.00 price objective (up previously from $43.80) on shares of Sealed Air in a report on Monday, November 17th. Get Sealed Air alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Sealed Air Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sealed Air Sealed Air Trading Down 1.4% Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Impax Asset Management Group plc increased its stake in Sealed Air by 18.6% in the second quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 680,824 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $21,126,000 after purchasing an additional 106,627 shares during the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp grew its holdings in Sealed Air by 43.3% in the 2nd quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 2,287,300 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $70,975,000 after buying an additional 691,200 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Sealed Air by 9.4% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 105,651 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,053,000 after acquiring an additional 9,052 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its stake in shares of Sealed Air by 43.1% during the 1st quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 519,339 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $15,009,000 after acquiring an additional 156,309 shares during the last quarter. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Sealed Air by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 12,545,129 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $362,555,000 after acquiring an additional 228,937 shares during the period. 94.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. NYSE SEE opened at $41.70 on Wednesday. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $6.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.54 and a beta of 1.35. Sealed Air has a 52-week low of $22.78 and a 52-week high of $44.27. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $37.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $33.83. Sealed Air (NYSE:SEE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.31 billion. Sealed Air had a return on equity of 54.90% and a net margin of 8.52%.Sealed Air has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.350 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Sealed Air will post 3.05 EPS for the current year. Sealed Air Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Sealed Airs dividend payout ratio is currently 25.97%. About Sealed Air (Get 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Sealed Air Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sealed Air and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stenger Family Office LLC bought a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 2,491 shares of the medical research companys stock, valued at approximately $1,010,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Idaho Trust Co acquired a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the second quarter worth about $243,000. Avestar Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 8.7% during the 2nd quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 4,546 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,844,000 after purchasing an additional 362 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 25.2% during the 2nd quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 36,591 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $14,852,000 after purchasing an additional 7,364 shares during the period. Portland Global Advisors LLC grew its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 9.0% during the 2nd quarter. Portland Global Advisors LLC now owns 508 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $206,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 12.0% in the second quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 6,265 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,540,000 after buying an additional 672 shares during the last quarter. 89.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Thermo Fisher Scientific In other news, EVP Frederick M. Lowery sold 6,913 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $597.68, for a total value of $4,131,761.84. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 14,367 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,586,868.56. The trade was a 32.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 17,104 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $573.54, for a total transaction of $9,809,828.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 113,762 shares in the company, valued at $65,247,057.48. The trade was a 13.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 149,271 shares of company stock worth $86,507,282 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock. Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance TMO opened at $572.49 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 1 year low of $385.46 and a 1 year high of $610.97. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $559.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $485.00. The stock has a market cap of $215.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.07, a PEG ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 0.90. Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical research company reported $5.79 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.50 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $11.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.90 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 16.97% and a net margin of 15.02%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.28 EPS. Thermo Fisher Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.600-22.860 EPS. Analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.28 EPS for the current fiscal year. Thermo Fisher Scientific declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, November 6th that allows the company to repurchase $5.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the medical research company to purchase up to 2.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is currently 9.94%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently weighed in on TMO shares. William Blair began coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday, August 18th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $561.00 target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $525.00 to $590.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, December 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $602.35. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Company Profile (Free Report) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Akzo Nobel (OTCMKTS:AKZOY Get Free Report) and Tosoh (OTCMKTS:TOSCF Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, dividends and institutional ownership. Profitability This table compares Akzo Nobel and Tosohs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Akzo Nobel alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Akzo Nobel 0.53% 13.69% 4.35% Tosoh 3.86% 6.66% 4.48% Volatility and Risk Akzo Nobel has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Tosoh has a beta of 0.25, indicating that its stock price is 75% less volatile than the S&P 500. Institutional and Insider Ownership Earnings & Valuation 0.4% of Akzo Nobel shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. This table compares Akzo Nobel and Tosohs top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Akzo Nobel $11.59 billion 0.95 $586.50 million $0.10 214.10 Tosoh $6.98 billion 0.73 $382.82 million $0.85 18.82 Akzo Nobel has higher revenue and earnings than Tosoh. Tosoh is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Akzo Nobel, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current recommendations for Akzo Nobel and Tosoh, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Akzo Nobel 1 1 2 1 2.60 Tosoh 0 0 0 0 0.00 Summary Akzo Nobel beats Tosoh on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Akzo Nobel (Get Free Report) Akzo Nobel N.V. engages in the production and sale of paints and coatings worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Decorative Paints and Performance Coatings. It offers decorative paints, including paints, lacquers, and varnishes; and a range of mixing machines and color concepts for the building and renovation industry, as well as specialty coatings. The company also provides performance coatings that protect and enhance ships, cars, aircraft, yachts, architectural components, consumer goods, and oil and gas facilities. It offers its products under AkzoNobel, Alabastine, Alba, Andercol, Apla, Armstead Trade, Astral, Astral Batiment, AwlGrip, Brikol, Dulux, Bruguer, Cetabever, Cetol, Chemcraft, Colourland Paints, CONSOLAN, Coral, Cromadex, Cuprinol, Dynacoat, Flexa, Glitsa, Grip-Gard, Herbol, Hammerite, International, Interlux, Innenweis, Interpon, Inca, Luxol, Levis, Lesonal, Molto, Modern Classikk, Maxilite, Mauvilac, Mason CT, Marshall, Mactra, Nordsjo, Oxirite, Protecto, Procolor, Polyfilla, Polycell, Pinotex, Pintuco, Resicoat, Relest, Sparlack, Sadolin, Sikkens, Sea Hawk, Savana, Salcomix, Trimetal, Titanlux, Taubmans, U-tech, Vpowdertech, Vivechrom, Xylazel, Xyladecor, Wanda, and Zweihorn brands. The company serves to energy, packaging, infrastructure, and shipbuilding and maintenance industries, as well as general industries, such as agricultural and construction equipment, construction-related steel, metal fabrication, pipes, appliances, and transportation. The company was formerly known as Akzo NV and changed its name to Akzo Nobel N.V. in 1994. Akzo Nobel N.V. was founded in 1646 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. About Tosoh (Get Free Report) Tosoh Corporation manufactures and sells basic chemicals, petrochemicals, specialty products, and fine chemicals worldwide. It operates through four segments: Petrochemical, Chlor-Alkali, Specialty, and Engineering. The company provides advance materials, including battery, fabricated quartzware, silica glass, thin film depositions, zeolites for catalysts and molecular sieves, zirconia injection mold components and compounds, zirconia grinding and dispersion media, and zirconia fine beads and powders. It also offers chromatographic columns, and media and diagnostic systems; clinical diagnostic systems; Portland cement and blast-furnace slag cement; and caustic soda, vinyl chloride monomer, calcium hypochlorite, and sodium bicarbonate. In addition, the company provides ethylene, propylene, C4 fraction, tertiary butyl alcohol, cumene, and aromatic compounds; and ethyleneamines, bromine, hydrobromic acids, flame retardants, non-aqueous solvents, chelating agents, ethylene dichloride, and sodium styrenesulfonate. Further, it offers polymers, such as ethylene vinyl-acetate copolymers, adhesive polymers, low and high-density polyethylene products, synthetic rubbers, functional polymers, and polyvinyl chloride pastes; and polyurethanes (PU), including methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, adhesives, coating resins, elastomers, polyisocyanates for PU paints, and polyols. The company manufactures and sells water treatment systems; and engages in the construction and repair businesses. It serves chemical and petrochemical, construction, automotive, consumer electronics, information technology, bioscience, and environmental markets. The company was incorporated in 1935 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Akzo Nobel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Akzo Nobel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the twelve ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of UBS Group in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating on shares of UBS Group in a report on Monday, November 24th. Zacks Research lowered shares of UBS Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of UBS Group in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, BNP Paribas downgraded UBS Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Get UBS Group alerts: Get Our Latest Report on UBS UBS Group Trading Up 4.7% Shares of UBS opened at $40.65 on Wednesday. UBS Group has a twelve month low of $25.75 and a twelve month high of $42.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $130.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.31, a PEG ratio of 0.63 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 3.69. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $37.42. UBS Group (NYSE:UBS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The bank reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.28. UBS Group had a net margin of 11.02% and a return on equity of 8.31%. The company had revenue of $12.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.68 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.43 earnings per share. UBS Groups quarterly revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that UBS Group will post 1.9 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On UBS Group Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UBS. Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of UBS Group by 8.0% in the 2nd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 106,313 shares of the banks stock valued at $3,598,000 after acquiring an additional 7,833 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in UBS Group during the 2nd quarter worth $87,000. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in UBS Group by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,248,597 shares of the banks stock worth $42,228,000 after acquiring an additional 13,582 shares during the last quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC acquired a new position in UBS Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,409,000. Finally, Crocodile Capital Partners GmbH raised its position in UBS Group by 74.6% in the second quarter. Crocodile Capital Partners GmbH now owns 995,000 shares of the banks stock valued at $33,651,000 after purchasing an additional 425,000 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) UBS Group AG provides financial advice and solutions to private, institutional, and corporate clients worldwide. It operates through five divisions: Global Wealth Management, Personal & Corporate Banking, Asset Management, Investment Bank, and Non-core and Legacy. The company offers investment advice, estate and wealth planning, investing, corporate and banking, and investment management, as well as mortgage, securities-based, and structured lending solutions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for UBS Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UBS Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President Donald Trump speaking at a podium. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Although pensions have largely disappeared thanks to tax code changes in the 1970s, today individuals have more options than ever to save for retirement with a variety of IRA and employer-sponsored plans to choose from. But Americans may soon have another account option for to retirement savings. In early December, CNN reported that President Donald Trump's administration is considering implementing an Australian-style retirement program in the U.S. Put simply, an Australian-type retirement program comprises an employer-sponsored retirement plan, which in Australia is commonly known as a "superannuation plan" or a "super." In Australia, these savings vehicles are mandatory for all employers, who are required to contribute 12% of an employee's income into the super funds to grow with the market. The contribution is made on top of the employee's regular income, not deducted from it. While there are specific tax structures that would likely not be copied in an American version of a superannuation plan, if implemented, the system would revive a retirement program with guaranteed income for seniors. It would also increase the number of individuals with retirement savings by making contributions mandatory for employers. Guaranteed income plans have been shown to greatly benefit retirees, while employers with auto-enrollment for their employer-sponsored plans have seen more individuals participate. If implemented in the U.S., superannuation plans and subsequent changes could make retirement look like its 1970s glory days. Read more: What Was Retirement Like In The 1970s And How Does It Compare To Today? How superannuation compares against 401(k) plans Paper with printed words "Retirement Plan.". - Piotrekswat/Getty Images Australian-style superannuation plans differ from American 401(k) plans because they're mandatory for employers and offer a limited number of investment funds where individuals can park their money for growth. 401(k)s, by comparison, are voluntary plans. This means that individuals must opt in, select their contribution levels, and self-manage if and how their money is invested in the market. And while more employers are now offering 401(k) plans and incentives like contribution-matching, these plans' voluntary nature means that millions of working-age Americans are not setting money aside for retirement. If legislated in the United States, Australian-style superannuation plans would likely not eliminate 401(k)s but rather complement them, much like mandatory state-level retirement plans do in states that have them. Supers could provide a base level of retirement savings for all working individuals, who would also be able to use 401(k)s to supplement their savings for a more cushioned retirement. In the meantime, 401(k) plans remain the most popular ways to save for retirement in the U.S. (but check out our explainer if you need help figuring out if a Roth IRA or 401(k) is right for you). WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S. trade with China needs to be balanced and probably needs to be smaller, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Thursday, adding that he viewed a 25% drop in goods trade with China as heading in the "right direction." "The landing zone with China is our trade with them needs to be more balanced. It needs to probably be smaller so we're not so dependent on each other, and it needs to be in areas of non-sensitive goods," he told the American Growth Summit, a policy conference in Washington. Greer said U.S. President Donald Trump's policies were helping to achieve more balanced trade with China and the situation was better overall than at the start of Trump's second term in January. "I don't think anyone wants to have a full-on economic conflict with China, and we're not having that," he said. He said the United States had many levers in its relationship with China, ranging from software to semiconductors, and that many allies were interested in taking coordinated action. "But the decision right now is we want to have stability in this relationship," he said, adding that the United States also needed to boost its industrial production of strategic goods, including critical minerals. Ties with China were now stable, but Washington was monitoring the situation on a daily basis, he said. Greer's comments came a day after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China was poised to complete its commitments under a U.S.-China trade agreement, including the purchase of 12 million metric tons of soybeans, something he said would be completed by the end of February 2026. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Matthew Lewis) US government debt in Treasuries topped $30 trillion for the first time having more than doubled since 2018 as the pandemic-era borrowing surge takes its toll. The combined total amount of Treasury bills, notes and bonds increased by about 0.7% in November to $30.2 trillion, according to data released Thursday. Most Read from Bloomberg A borrowing surge in 2020 to finance pandemic-related spending and higher borrowing rates have driven up the cost of paying interest on the debt, which accounts for growing share of the federal deficit. The gap between what the government spends and what it takes in has been persistent, which is why the debt burden has continued to grow over the last two decades, said Guneet Dhingra, head of US interest-rate strategy at BNP Paribas. Since Covid its been compounded because a lot of debt has been borrowed at higher rates, which makes interest cost become an exacerbating factor on the fiscal dynamics. The US borrowed $4.3 trillion via sales of Treasuries in 2020, according to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, as the deficit exceeded $3 trillion. While the deficit has since contracted, most recently to about $1.78 trillion in fiscal 2025, due in large part to revenue from tariffs the US placed on many imports this year, the debt service cost was $1.2 trillion. The big challenge is interest expense, said Jason Williams, an interest-rate strategist at Citigroup Inc. Even if tariff revenue is $300 billion to $400 billion, thats still less than the interest were paying on the existing debt. Were in quicksand and not able to get out of it with just the tariffs. Were drowning more slowly, but were still drowning. While the sizes of its longer-term debt auctions have been stable for most of the past two years and are projected not to change over the next several quarters, Treasury officials last month said they were beginning to preliminarily consider future increases. Treasury debt is the largest component of the US national debt, which totaled $38.4 trillion in November and includes money thats owed to the Social Security Trust Fund and holders of Savings Bonds, among others. The statutory debt limit, currently $41.1 trillion, applies to the total. We came across a bearish thesis on VeriSign, Inc. on X.com by MinusCherry. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on VRSN. VeriSign, Inc.'s share was trading at $253.67 as of December 2nd. VRSNs trailing and forward P/E were 29.26 and 25.77 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Ondas (ONDS) Falls on 5th Day on Profit-Taking from Rapid Surge Copyright: bluebay / 123RF Stock Photo VeriSign, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides internet infrastructure and domain name registry services that enables internet navigation for various recognized domain names worldwide faces a challenging outlook over the next 12 months, driven by structural pressures in its core .Com domain business. YTD growth has been supported by high-churn registrars leveraging aggressive rebate programs, sometimes offering discounts of up to 50% to meet growth targets, effectively transferring the cost burden to the registrars themselves. While this has temporarily inflated domain sales and contributed to the stocks ~30% YTD gain, the underlying growth is unsustainable. As these first-year promotional domains renew at lower rates and churn-prone registrars slow acquisition, Verisigns .Com domain base is expected to decline in FY2026, reversing a key growth driver. Compounding this, approximately 30% of .Com domains are parked, generating advertising revenue that has recently collapsed by 8590% following Googles ban on ads for parked domains. This sudden revenue loss makes it uneconomical for many non-operational domains to remain registered. With fewer than 30% of .Com domains representing active websites, this points to a broader secular trend of market rationalization, as excess and unprofitable domains are eliminated. Together, these factors create near-term headwinds for both growth and revenue. Registrar-driven rebates are unlikely to continue at scale, renewal rates are poised to revert, and parking revenue is structurally impaired. While the stock has benefited from temporary tailwinds, FY2026 is likely to bring negative net .Com domain growth and pressure on overall revenues, presenting a compelling near-term risk for investors and supporting a bearish investment thesis. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Cloudflare, Inc. (NET) by Oliver | MMMT Wealth in April 2025, which highlighted its scale, network effects, 20%+ revenue growth, and approaching profitability. The company's stock price has appreciated approximately 88.42% since our coverage. The thesis still stands as Cloudflare expands its platform. MinusCherry shares a contrarian view, highlighting structural headwinds in VeriSigns .Com business. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Revenue: Increased 60% to $10.6 million in Q3 2025 from $6.6 million in Q3 2024. Gross Profit: Increased to $3.47 million from $2.25 million in the same quarter last year. Gross Margin: Stable at 33%, a slight decrease from 34% due to a change in product mix. Adjusted EBITDA: Improved to a loss of $660,000 from a loss of $1.3 million in the same quarter last year, a 52% improvement. Cash Position: $17 million as of September 30, 2025, with a pro forma cash position of $40 million after recent financing. Equipment Sales: Increased by 423% compared to last year, now representing 53% of revenue. Loss from Operations: Reduced to $2.84 million from $4.19 million in Q3 2024. Pro Forma Operational Loss: $844,000 compared to $2.7 million last year. Release Date: December 02, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Volatus Aerospace Inc (TAKOF) reported a 60% increase in revenue to $10.6 million in Q3 2025, driven by strong equipment sales. The company has a strong cash position with $40 million, providing financial stability and flexibility for scaling operations. Volatus Aerospace Inc (TAKOF) secured a new $15 million North American utility contract, demonstrating momentum in essential infrastructure markets. The acquisition of a complete MALE class UAV technology stack positions the company as a defense tech manufacturer, expanding its market opportunities. The company's four-pillar ecosystem, including design and manufacturing, turnkey services, integrated reseller solutions, and training, creates recurring revenue and deepens customer relationships. Negative Points The gross margin decreased slightly from 34% to 33% due to a shift in product mix towards lower-margin equipment sales. The company reported a loss from operations of $2.84 million, although this is an improvement from the previous year's loss. There are delays in contract awards, particularly in the services segment, affecting the timing of revenue recognition. The defense sector's bureaucratic processes and geopolitical uncertainties pose challenges to the speed of contract execution. The company is not yet profitable, with a breakeven point projected at $13-14 million in quarterly revenue, and profitability expected with $16-17 million in quarterly revenue. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you describe the profile of the $600 million-plus sales pipeline, including services, geographies, and negotiation positions? A: The $600 million sales pipeline is primarily commercial, with a higher weight on equipment due to shorter sales cycles. It is heavily weighted towards Canada and Europe, with growing U.S. services. About 60% of the pipeline is in the probability phase, indicating a high likelihood of conversion. Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6) Today Periods of snow. High 29F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.. Tonight Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 19F. NE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. South Bow Corporation (NYSE:SOBO) is one of the Best Up and Coming Canadian Stocks to Buy. Wall Street has a cautious outlook on South Bow Corporation (NYSE:SOBO) since the company posted mixed results for fiscal Q3 2025 on November 13. On November 20, Praneeth Satish from Wells Fargo reiterated a Sell rating on the stock, while slightly raising the price target from $24.14 to $24.85. On the same day, Jeremy Tonet from J.P. Morgan reiterated a Sell rating on the stock with a $28 price target. During the quarter, the company posted an EPS of $0.47, which topped estimates by $0.08. However, the revenue dropped 13.7% year-over-year to $461 million and missed estimates by $37 million. Management reported average throughput of approximately 584,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) on the Keystone Pipeline and around 703,000 bbl/d on the U.S. Gulf Coast segment. Analyst Praneeth Satish of Wells Fargo earlier on August 12 noted that his sell rating is due to some important factors impacting the companys financial outlook. He noted the persistent valuation concerns despite an increase in stock price. Moreover, he highlighted that the company is trading at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 10.2x versus the sector median of 8.8x. Praneeth also highlighted potential financial impacts from the MP 171 incident, which is expected to impact the companys financial outlook. Management of South Bow Corporation (NYSE:SOBO) kept its annual 2025 guidance largely unchanged, with Normalized EBITDA expected around $1.010 billion and a slight improvement in the Effective tax rate from a range of 23% 24% to 20% 21%. South Bow Corporation (NYSE:SOBO) owns and operates critical crude oil pipelines and facilities spanning Canada and the United States, primarily connecting Albertas oil production to US refining markets in the Midwest and Gulf Coast. While we acknowledge the potential of SOBO as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers may become a casualty of a major flight disruption that has led to more than 1,300 flights cancelled in airports across the country, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Elbers's chaotic handling of the new flight duty rules is the reason behind his possible exit, an NDTV report said on Saturday, citing sources in the know. The sources added that this is part of a larger crackdown on the embattled airline, with the aviation ministry summoning IndiGo officials this evening for the second time since the issue began, earlier this week. Heavy fines may also be imposed on IndiGowhich will affect the airline's substantial domestic market sharein addition to a possible reduction in the number of flights it is allowed to operate. "It will take some time to return to a fully normal situation, which we do anticipate between 10-15 December," Elbers had said in a video message on X, apologising for the widespread flight cancellations after a long silence. Netizens soon criticised his message online for lacking context, such as IndiGo's failure to comply with recent policy changes from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) aimed at making air travel safer. According to aviation expert Subhash Goyal, IndiGo had also "expanded its international route network and increased domestic flights without increasing crew and pilots", instead of complying with the new DGCA policy, as per an ANI interview. #WATCH | Delhi: On IndiGo flight cancellations, Aviation expert, Subhash Goyal says, "To make air travel safer, pilots were demanding more rest hours in line with international regulations. Therefore, the DGCA issued new regulations, following court orders. All airlines were pic.twitter.com/hm39HmqLPB ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025 Goyal also pointed out that this deviation returned to haunt them at a crucial timewhen the government wanted to enforce a deadline for implementing the new policy changes. The chaos came after IndiGo's response to the deadline: it grounded most of its flights, instead of reducing some of them, Goyal added. Though the DGCA relaxed the implementation of its Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules for IndiGo, this decision was met with strong opposition from the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) India, which criticised the selective nature of the decision. The pilots' body said that the DGCA decision to allow IndiGo to substitute pilots' leaves with a weekly rest period went against its earlier agreement with the aviation watchdog, as per which no such lenience would beshown to any operator. Though the Delhi airport recently indicated that flight disruptions were gradually reducing, at least 400 flights were cancelled across India on Saturday. The aviation ministry has sought to curb "unusually high" airfares using fare caps that will remain in force until the situation fully stabilises, it said in an official statement. It also directed IndiGo to complete refund processes for all cancelled/delayed flights by 8:00 PM this Sunday. Amid rumours that India is looking to procure more S-400 Triumf air defence systems, and even as Russia is expected to deliver the fifth S-400 to India in 2026, Russian defence experts claimed that the Russian system is better than the American MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 system in mobility and the range of targets it can engage. In October 2018, India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems. Four of these have already been delivered. The S-400 "Sudarshan Chakra" systems played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor. According to experts at the Russian defense think-tank Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT), while both the Russian and American systems are virtually identical in terms of speed, when it comes to deployment speed from march to combat formation, S-400 outperforms the US system. They noted that the differences in the mobility capabilities of the S-400 Triumf air defense missile system and the Patriot air defense system are fundamental. ALSO READ: Why can't India use nuclear-powered submarine, which it will lease from Russia, for war? "...Triumf, with its five minutes, is five times faster than the Patriot, which deploys in 25 minutes. The S-400 launchers, providing vertical launch for missiles and subsequent tilting to any point on the horizon, have a 360-degree fire angle. The MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 launchers, with their inclined rails, have a limited field of fire," they observed in an article in the National Defense Magazine.. This would mean it becomes necessary to turn the US systems around when the air situation changes, they noted and concluded that the overall, in terms of mobility, the S-400 Triumf air defense system clearly and significantly outperforms its American counterpart. The expert further said the Patriot's target acquisition radar is inferior to the Russian system. They claimed that the problems of the US system are not in its technology, but in its strategy, as it is not prepared to combat the new threatening targets that have begun appearing in the sky. Another limitation, according to the experts, is that procurement of the US system reduces the autonomy of the countries. "...the transmission of satellite data is dependent on the United States and is granted only to those who favor the US foreign policy. As a result, foreign customers purchase Patriot systems at the expense of their own independence." READ MORE: India-Russia relations run deeper than just oil and weapon sales These claims come even as, during the recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, India is reported to have shown keen interest in the procurement of additional batches of S-400 missile systems from Moscow to bolster its combat prowess. Reports also indicate that India may also look at procuring the S-500 missile systems from Russia. It is to be noted that S-400 Triumf provides longer-range area air defense (up to 400 km) with layered interceptors for aircraft, cruise missiles, and limited ballistic threats, while the MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 excels in shorter-range, combat-proven hit-to-kill intercepts against tactical ballistic missiles and aircraft. While the two systems serve overlapping roles in air and missile defense, they differ fundamentally in design philosophy, making comparisons more context-dependent, and comparisons of specs like radar range or speed may even make this an apples-to-oranges debate. Key Points Bloom Energy has a fuel cell technology perfectly suited for the AI infrastructure space. It just signed a massive partnership with Brookfield Asset Management. The stock still looks pricey compared to its revenue potential. 10 stocks we like better than Bloom Energy Shares of Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) fell 17.3% in November, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The company behind an innovative fuel cell solution was riding high with the boom in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, but fell along with the rest of the sector last month. December has been a better month for Bloom Energy, with the share price recovering and getting back close to an all-time high. Here's why Bloom Energy stock fell 17% in November. Rising and falling with AI sentiment Bloom Energy has developed a fuel cell technology that can directly turn fossil fuels like natural gas into electricity, bypassing the traditional energy grid. These fuel cells work perfectly for AI datacenters, which use a boatload of electricity and are running up on supply shortages with the normal utility grid. Bloom fuel cells allow these "AI factories" to directly source electricity onsite. With demand for electricity growing like gangbusters, Bloom Energy's revenue has grown 129% cumulatively in the past five years, hitting $1.8 billion in the last twelve months. Last quarter saw a huge acceleration in growth, with sales up 57% year-over-year to $519 million. The company also signed a large partnership with Brookfield Asset Management worth $5 billion in the AI field. So why did Bloom Energy stock fall last month? The stock is tied to the AI investing theme, and popular names in the theme like Nvidia and Palantir finally broke last month. When sentiment turns more pessimistic on AI infrastructure, Bloom Energy stock is going to fall. It is as simple as that. Image source: Getty Images. Should you buy Bloom Energy stock? In just a few short trading days in December, Bloom Energy shares have begun to recover and are nearing all-time highs. The stock trades at a market cap of $28 billion as of this writing on December 6th, 2025, an expensive valuation compared to its trailing revenue of $1.8 billion. Bloom Energy also has slim gross margins under 30% and barely generates a bottom-line profit. With thin unit economics, the company is unlikely to achieve a bottom-line margin much above 10%, even when the business matures. Despite its massive growth potential due to the AI trade and its Brookfield partnership, Bloom Energy stock looks overvalued compared to its trailing revenue and earnings potential. Avoid buying this stock even though it down from all-time highs. The Government of India is accountable to the people of the country and thus has rules and norms to follow during a conflict, unlike Pakistan, Minister of External Affairs (MEA) S Jaishankar said on Sunday. With the civil society and media to answer to, it would be unjust and unreal to compare India's decisions to those being made by Pakistan, he added. ALSO READ | China's support for Pakistan through intelligence, military aid and diplomatic safeguards adds to India's strategic concerns The Pakistani Army holds an "ideological hostility" towards India, which is the root cause of many problems that the country faces, the minister reportedly said. Jaishankar said that the terror training camps and infiltration are part of this hostility against India in the Pak Army. While there are challenges, there is no need for India as a country to get over-obsessed by Islamabad, and New Delhi will "deal with it", the minister said. "When you look at the terrorism, when you look at the training camps, when you look at the sort of policy of a kind of, I would say, almost ideological hostility towards India, where does that come from? It comes from the army. I can only say that at the end of the day, look at the state of Pakistan and, you know, see the differentials and the capabilities and, frankly, the reputation on either side. I think, look, we should not get over-obsessed and hyphenate ourselves with them," S Jaishankar was quoted as saying by NDTV. ALSO READ | Pakistan continues to claim Rafale kill; warmonger Asim Munir warns of 'unimaginable' retaliation if hostilities are triggered "I think where India is concerned, there are things we do, and there are things we don't. We have rules, we have norms. If we take any step, we are accountable in this country, to the people, to the media, to the civil society. I think it would be unreal to compare ourselves with them, and in many ways, we would be doing ourselves an injustice," he further told the media. Asim Munirs silent coup in Pakistan The Minister was also asked about his impression about Pakistani army chief Asim Munir. "Like there are good terrorists and bad terrorists, there are good military leaders and not-so-good ones," he reportedly said. Pakistan's defence ministry on Friday officially notified the appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir as the first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Last month, the parliament passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment, creating a new post of CDF with the objective of a unified command and expediting decision-making in critical situations. ALSO READ | There is now only one power czar in PakistanChief of Defence Forces Asim Munir The CDF replaced the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), a position now abolished. The new arrangement consolidates operational, administrative and strategic authority in a single office. Asim Munir was appointed as Army Chief in November 2022 initially for three years, but his tenure was extended in 2024. He was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal just days after the four-day conflict with India in May, and is only the second military officer in Pakistan's history to be elevated to the position, after Field Marshal Ayub Khan in the 1960s. Actor Dev Patel was recently spotted on a Vande Bharat train by a fan going from Delhi to Agra. The actor is currently filming his coming directorial, The Peasant, a story set in medieval India. The fan who shared images of him on Reddit said that they spotted Patel and his crew on the train. The fan had approached him to ask about the film. However, when they went up to him, the actor hilariously denied that he was Dev Patel, just replying mmm no to "Are you Dev Patel?". I was in the Vandebharat from Delhi to Agra today, I saw Dev Patel and crew. I went up to him to ask him if hes heres shooting for a film, but when I asked him, hey, are you Dev Patel? He just blatantly said mmm no, that was pretty funny lol the fan shared. The image the fan posted showed Patel wearing a white shirt with a blue Jacket, standing next to a crew member. Some in the chat recognised some of his crew, and others joked that he was on the train because his IndiGo flight got cancelled. One person joked, It would be funny if OP just went to a random person and asked if they were Dev Patel. Patel, who rose to fame with the Danny Boyle film Slumdog Millionaire, made his directorial debut last year with Monkey Man. The actor-filmmaker is now directing the film The Peasant, which was described as an adrenalized revenge thriller similar to Braveheart, King Arthur, and John Wick. The films script originally featured an Italian shepherd as the protagonist, but Patel decided to take the story to India in the 1300s. "Set in the 1300s, it centers on a shepherd who embarks on a rage-fueled campaign against a group of mercenary knights who ransacked his community, revealing himself to be more than he seems," The Hollywood Reporter wrote. Patel has starred in the films The Green Knight, The Lion, Hotel Mumbai, and The Man Who Knew Infinity. With scores of people commemorating the 69th Mahaparinirvan Diwas (the death anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar) from December 5-7, the Mumbai police is on high alert, and has issued a number of restrictions to prevent stampedes and communal tensions. A large number of people are expected to gather at Chaityabhoomi, a pilgrimage spot in Dadars Chowpatty area for followers of Ambedkar. As a result, a number of road closures have been announced in the surrounding areas, in addition to tight security arrangements at various places. Apart from increased police presence in several areas, reports say that rapid response teams, riot control police, and bomb disposal squads have been stationed at religious areas like the Haji Ali Dargah and the Siddhivinayak Temple; railway stations, malls, and markets. Drone surveillance has also been increased in a number of areas. A stretch of the Swatantraveer Savarkar Margfrom Siddhivinayak Mandir Junction to Hinduja Hospitalwill be closed for traffic, as will a stretch of the T.H. Kataria Roadfrom the Shobha Hotel Junction to the Asawari Junction. Locals coming from the Hinduja Hospital side have been advised to take a left turn at the S. Bank Junction and go to Rajabade Chowk via Pandurang Naik. The S.K. Bole Road North Channel will also remain a one-way route from the Siddhivinayak Mandir Junction to the Portuguese Church Junction. Closures have also been announced at Ranade Road, the Dnyaneshwar Mandir area, Jambhekar Maharaj Road, Keluskar Road South, Keluskar Road North, and the M.B. Raut Road. Vehicles heading for South Mumbai The following options are available for vehicles heading towards South Mumbai to avoid traffic jams: Vehicles heading southward on the Western Express Highway (WEH) can take a left turn from Kalanagar Junction to go to the Shiv Railway Station (via the Dharavi 'T' junction), or take a right turn at the Shiv Hospital Junction via 60 Feet Road at Kumbharwada and travel further. The traffic police have also appealed to passengers to use the Bandra-Worli Sea Link for a more direct route to South Mumbai. Vehicles heading for North Mumbai The following options are available for vehicles heading towards North Mumbai to avoid traffic jams: Commuters coming from either Colaba (via the B.A. Road) or Haji Ali (via the Annie Besant Road) have been advised to use the P. D'Mello Road, Barrister Nath Pai Road, the Zakaria Bunder Road, or R.A.K. Marg. These routes will take you under the Aurora Bridge in Matunga, from where you can take a right turn to arrive at the Shiv Hospital Junction. The traffic police have also appealed to passengers to use the Bandra-Worli Sea Link for a more direct route to North Mumbai. Vehicles from the Mahalaxmi Railway Station Junction For passengers travelling from the Mahalaxmi Railway Station Junction via the North Channel, the traffic police has advised using the Dr. E. Moses Road to take a right turn at Rakhangi Chowk and proceed via the Senapati Bapat Road. Being expelled from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) did not deter MLA Humayun Kabir from cutting the ceremonial ribbon while laying the foundation stone of a mosque modelled on the Babri Masjid in Beldanga in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. On the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, amidst tight security, the elaborate programme started with a long Quran recital amidst huge crowds coming from various districts carrying bricks and cement, symbolic of their support to build the controversial mosque. In 2024 I had said in Murshidabads Beldanga I will lay the foundation stone for a new Babri Masjid, said Humayun Kabir. In January 2024, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a big temple in place of Rams birthplace. We did not oppose that, the Muslim community did not oppose that, said the expelled TMC leader. Babri Masjid was demolished. The Supreme Court did not say Babri Masjid cannot be built anywhere or that the Uttar Pradesh government has to give 5 acres of land for Babri Masjid. The people of India know the atrocities being committed on Muslims by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. The land given for Babri Masjid is 14 km away where only 15% Muslims reside, added Kabir, who also pointed out that only 5% in the minority community are socio-economically and educationally strong and 10% are from the labour class, hence they cannot build the Babri Masjid. Kabir says hence he felt out of the Muslim population in West Bengal, there is a sizeable number in Murshidabad where the Babri Masjid should be built. I am once again reiterating, Babri Masjid will be a reality, no force can stop this, added Kabir. He also hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is also the Health Minister of the state. Our Chief Minister is sitting with portfolios of various ministries. Ask the media to go to Behrampore Medical College; there are three patients on one bed. Patients who dont get beds are sleeping on the floor. Those who are going to get treated are coming back with more problems. And this leadership is preventing me from building the Babri Masjid. The people of Bengal will give the answer. The TMC, which distanced itself from the event after expelling Kabir, instead observed Samhiti Diwas (Unity Day) to symbolise communal harmony. The BJP on the other hand has hit out at Kabir. People were seen coming from various other districts too, including Malda and Uttar Dinajpur, apart from various parts of Murshidabad. Over 3,500 police personnel, including a Rapid Action Force (RAF) contingent and Central forces, were present around the area, including at NH12, to prevent traffic from being majorly affected. A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday turned down a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), while mentioning that the responsibility to maintain law and order during the foundation stone-laying ceremony is the responsibility of the state government. As chaos continued at all major airports across the country, with a large number of IndiGo flights getting cancelled over the past few days, Delhi airport has issued an advisory, saying the operations are now "steadily resuming". "We are glad to update that IndiGo flight operations are now steadily resuming and getting back to normalcy following the brief disruptions. Please check the status of your booking and flight before leaving home," the Indira Gandhi International Airport said in a statement. On Friday, IndiGo, India's largest airline, which controls about two-thirds of the country's domestic traffic, cancelled all domestic flights from Delhi due to pilot rostering issues. Across the nation, over 1,000 flights were cancelled, leading to chaos and confusion at airports and prompting protests by passengers. The massive flight disruptions were caused by IndiGo's failure to plan properly for the new flight duty norms that provide for increased rest periods and fewer night landings. Now, following the turmoil and mass flight cancellations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has provided a temporary exemption from the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms to the airline. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Friday said various operational measures, including keeping new flight duty norms in abeyance, will help address the IndiGo flight disruptions. Meanwhile, in a video message, IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers admitted that December 5 was the most severely impacted day, with the number of cancellations crossing 1,000. "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. IndiGos flight crisis continued for a fifth day on Saturday as the airline had to cancel more than 440 of its flights even after the DGCA rolled back some rules to ease the chaos. On December 6, a total of 124 flights, 63 departures and 61 arrivals, were cancelled at Bengaluru, and 109 flights were cancelled at Mumbai airport. About 106 flights, including 54 departures and 52 arrivals, were cancelled in Delhi, according to sources. In Hyderabad, 69 flights were reported cancelled with 26 arrivals and 43 departures. Around 19 flights were cancelled in Ahmedabad and 48 in Chennai. IndiGo also resumed 9 flights from Jammu Airport but cancelled seven flights from Srinagar. A total of 36 flights were cancelled on Saturday, 18 arrivals and 18 departures. IndiGo also cancelled 42 flights from Pune airport. Airport authorities confirmed that the they had to cancel 14 inbound flights and 28 departures at Pune, which also operates within an Indian Airport base. The airlines company had cancelled about 1000 flights on Friday, the largest ever number of flight cancellations. The government and the DGCA granted an exemption to the airline from meeting and following the new flight rules. Tight security is in place in West Bengals Murshidabad, where suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir is organising the foundation-laying ceremony of a Babri Masjid-style mosque on Saturday. Kabir claimed that two qazis from Saudi Arabia and religious leaders from several states would attend the ceremony. Nearly 3 lakh people will gather across 25 bighas near Moradighi on Saturday, he said on Friday. A close aide of the MLA told PTI that about 40,000 packets of shahi biryani were being made for guests and another 20,000 for local residents, pushing food expenses alone past Rs 30 lakh. Seven Murshidabad-based catering agencies have been reportedly contracted to cook the biryani. #WATCH | West Bengal: Md Safiqul Islam, a resident of Uttar Barasat, walks while carrying bricks on his head and says that his contribution would go toward the construction of Babri Masjid. Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir said that he will lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid pic.twitter.com/Kl7H2ImiE2 ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2025 The programme starts with Quran recitation at 10 am, while the main ceremony will be held at noon. The organisers of the event said nearly 3,000 volunteers have been deployed to manage crowd movement, regulate access roads and prevent bottlenecks on NH-12. Police have tightened security in the area, deploying nearly 3,000 personnel across Beldanga and Raninagar police station jurisdictions. Rapid Action Force (RAF) teams have already arrived in Rejinagar. "Our primary concern is keeping the national highway running. Extra forces have arrived from the headquarters. Multiple diversion plans are in place," a senior police officer told the news agency. The Calcutta High Court on Friday declined to intervene in the issue and asserted that maintaining public order is the responsibility of the state. #WATCH | West Bengal | Suspended TMC leader, MLA Humayun Kabir, surrounded by supporters, visits the land in Boldanga Block-1 of Murshidabad, where he plans to lay the foundation stone of a mosque named 'Babri Masjid' in a ceremony tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/dd7GMxrj1Y ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025 Kabir, who had signalled revolt in the Trinamool Congress for months and recently declared his intention to float a new outfit, was suspended from the party on Thursday after his move stirred up a political storm in the state. "Kabir was involved in communal politics, which the TMC is strictly against. TMC does not believe in communal politics. He will have no relation with the party from this moment. He is suspended on the instructions of our top leadership," party leader Firhad Hakim had said while announcing the rebel leaders suspension. Iranian pop icon Googoosh has revealed that her new music will release only after the current Islamic Republic regime in Tehran falls. "I prefer to leave my artistic work for a day when the Islamic Republic no longer exists in my country," she told AP. Her remarks come as younger Iranians voice their objections to strict hijab laws in a country, which is already grappling with geopolitical isolation and economic sanctions. She said the youth of Iran, especially women, are fighting for their basic rights. "They struggle for clean water, clean air, and land where they can live. Our young people grew old without ever enjoying their youth. Our people must end this painful cycle and gain the freedoms every human being deserves," she added. Who is Googoosh aka Faegheh Atashin? Googoosh, whose real name is Faegheh Atashin, is not just a pop icon. The 75-year-old was a former actress who starred in more than 25 Persian movies released in the 1950s, '60s and '70s. She was a role model for the Iranian women of the time, with many emulating her style. The most popular hairstyle among women was a short haircut called Googooshi, inspired by the pop icon herself. Googoosh even performed for the royal family several times, including during the 17th birthday of then crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who later ascended as the Shah. However, things changed with the 1979 revolution, following which the Shah went in exile. In 1980, she was imprisoned for around a month. Googoosh stayed in Tehran until 2000 but she did not perform for 21 years due to ban on female signers. Later she revealed that she remained in Iran "out of love for her homeland." After the hiatus, she travelled to Canada in 2000 and sang for the first time in 21 years in Toronto. The same year, she released her comeback album, Zarosht (Zoraster). On December 2, she published her memoir, Googoosh: A Sinful Voice, co-written with Tara Dehlavi. The Popular Forces, an Israeli-backed militia operating in southern Gaza, has named Ghassan al-Dahini as its new commander after the controversial death of its leader Yasser Abu Shabab on December 4. Until his sudden elevation, Dahini had served as Abu Shababs deputy and was seen as his natural successor within the organisation. Dahini has been serving as the head of its armed wing, known as the Counter-Terrorism Service. The Popular Forces is an anti-Hamas militia which has been active in areas of southern Gaza controlled by the Israeli Defence Forces. Abu Shabab had presented the group as a counterweight to Hamass authority and had on several occasions declared himself the strongest man in Gaza who intended to replace Hamas as the dominant force in local governance and security. Dahini has pledged openly to continue this ambition. He has dismissed Hamas as a weak movement and has argued that it is too feeble to hurt morale within the Popular Forces and among Gazans who hope for an alternative to its rule. Shortly after assuming command, Dahini appeared in a video posted on a Facebook page linked to the militia. The footage showed him dressed in military fatigues inspecting a formation of fighters in full gear. He used the occasion to promise that the Popular Forces would keep fighting until the people of Gaza were freed from Hamas and insisted he was committed to developing an alternative model of leadership and security in the territory. In a subsequent interview he spoke in defiant terms about resisting Hamas pressure and maintaining the course mapped out by his predecessor. Dahinis rise took place in the shadow of a violent and disputed incident that resulted in Abu Shababs death. Israeli officials characterised the killing as the consequence of an internal clash inside the group. One version circulating in Israeli media held that Abu Shabab had been beaten to death by his own bodyguards during a quarrel over positions, money and the extent of cooperation with Israel. The Popular Forces rejected this narrative and stated that he had been killed while attempting to intervene in a family dispute. The group denied any Hamas involvement. The opposing accounts highlighted both the secrecy surrounding the event and the broader volatility that has come to define the constellation of proxy militias which Israel has tried to cultivate in Gaza. They also appeared to confirm a growing consensus that the wider project of building a local security or civilian alternative to Hamas had faltered. Dahini himself was present during the incident in which Abu Shabab died and suffered a minor leg injury. He was taken to Barzilai Medical Centre in Ashkelon for treatment, according to Israeli reports. Soon afterwards, he appeared in a short video performing the funeral prayer for Abu Shabab alongside dozens of armed members of the Popular Forces. Though he subsequently assumed command, his ability to consolidate power remains in doubt. Israeli media described the leadership vacuum as dangerous and warned that the various militias formed in recent months are divided and disorganised. Dahinis authority is therefore considered precarious and vulnerable to internal rivalries as well as external threats. Little is known publicly about Dahinis personal history, though he has been identified as a former Palestinian security officer. He has also been described as a one-time official in the Army of Islam which is a Salafi Jihadist militant organisation based in Gaza. These links have drawn attention from analysts who argue that the shifting allegiances of figures like Dahini illustrate the fluid nature of militant and paramilitary politics in the enclave. Dahini and the Popular Forces face hostility from Hamas and from several local clans aligned with the movement. The Hamas-run Gaza Interior Ministry has threatened individuals who cooperate with Israel and has warned that they will face the same fate as Abu Shabab unless they surrender to the authorities. Hamas has executed numerous people it accuses of collaboration as it attempts to reassert control over the Strip. The Palestinian Tribal Committee in Gaza has also condemned the Popular Forces describing them as mercenaries for the occupation. It praised families who have distanced themselves from members working with Israel. Observers say that Israel, which once viewed groups like the Popular Forces as tools to undermine Hamas, may now see them as liabilities. Some believe Israel could seek to dismantle or sideline such militias particularly as international pressure mounts for a second phase of the conflict that would involve reducing the extent of Israeli control in southern Gaza. On the evening of November 7, just minutes before landing in New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Air India AI302 watched its navigation panel slip into a parallel universe, GPS readings suddenly placed the aircraft miles from Runway 10. It wasn't fog, not a technical glitch, but a burst of GPS spoofing that jolted IGI Airport. AI302 pulled out of its approach, several other aircraft were forced towards Jaipur and Lucknow, and hundreds of flights fell into delay as controllers switched to traditional ground-based systems. The impact rippled through Indias skies, over 800 flights experienced delays or diversions that day. Within 48 hours, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) moved into action. On November 10, DGCA issued a new standard operating procedure mandating real-time reporting of any GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) or GPS (Global Positioning System) anomalies within 10 minutes of detection. This includes logging flight details, date and time of the spoofing incident, and aircraft data for investigation. In the weeks that followed, similar disruptions surfaced at major airports including Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and other hubs. Although no accidents occurred, the interference caused flight diversions and prompted a nationwide investigation into the source of the fake signal. Investigators were surprised the spoofing occurred at civilian zones, not just conflict zones. Over 465 spoofing and interference cases were reported by airlines flying near Amritsar and Jammu. GPS spoofing, or more broadly, GNSS spoofing, refers to the act of broadcasting counterfeit satellite signals that trick the receivers into registering incorrect location, altitude, or timing information, making them believe they are somewhere they are not. Instead of blocking navigation data like simple jamming does, spoofing imitates it, slipping counterfeit coordinates into an aircrafts systems. GPS spoofing ranks among the most serious emerging threats in aviation because it targets an aircrafts central nervous system its navigation, timing, and positioning tools. When that goes wrong, pilots can be steered off the real path, on-board computers can chase phantom waypoints, air traffic controllers are left trying to locate a plane that thinks its somewhere else entirely. When GPS spoofing hits an aircraft, the real danger is to the people on board. Fake signals can corrupt systems like ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) and TAWS (Terrain Awareness and Warning System), making air traffic control see the plane in the wrong place and removing the alerts that protect passengers from nearby terrain or other aircraft. During landing, the most sensitive phase of flight, spoofed data can mislead pilots about their height, glide path, or runway alignment, creating conditions for hard landings, runway overruns, or dangerously low approaches. Inside the cockpit, the pilot faces clashing readings from GPS, radar, and on-board instruments, raising stress and the chance of human error. And when spoofing hits an entire region, it can disrupt hundreds of flights at once, forcing diversions, go-arounds, and reducing safe distance between aircraft, putting crews and passengers at unnecessary risk. The parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture submitted a report on overall review of safety in the aviation sector on August 20. Even as airports grapple with GPS spoofing with flights near Delhi, Mumbai and other major hubs, the report warns that the countrys Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) are already stretched to their limits. A chronic shortage of ATCOs means heavier workload, higher fatigue, and greater chances of human factor errors precisely when pilots and controllers need to be at their sharpest to manage spoofed signals, conflicting readings and emergency go-arounds. The committees call for better staffing, fatigue-risk systems and modernised ATC automation suddenly feels less like long-term planning and more like an urgent safety mandate. Indias current ATC systems lack advanced tools like conflict detection and predictive analytics, exactly the features that could help detect anomalies when aircraft begin ghosting across radar screens due to spoofed GNSS data. With GPS manipulation emerging as a real operational threat, the reports message is clear upgrading people and technology is no longer an option, its the firewall between digital chaos in the sky and the human lives depending on it. Before 2025, India had no publicly acknowledged cases of major GPS spoofing in civil aviation. Any earlier anomalies either went unclassified or were never reported. The incidents disclosed in 2025 thus mark the first officially reported cluster of spoofing events in Indian airspace, affecting near Delhi, Mumbai, and other major hubs, while GPS interference has caused diversions and near misses, India has no centralised reporting system, and no civilian crash has ever been conclusively linked solely to spoofed GNSS signals. Most events remain officially logged as navigation failures or interference, highlighting both the novelty of the threat and the gaps in public aviation data. First, Ferrari has a habit of outperforming its targets. The company is on track to exceed many of its 2026 profitability targets from its previous multiyear plan (laid out in 2022 for the period covering 2023 to 2026) a year early. Additionally, there are several reasons to believe Ferrari is being ultra conservative here. But management also paired this slower headline growth with plans for at least 3.6 billion euros of EBITDA and about 8 billion euros of industrial free cash flow across the plan's period: 2026 to 2030. And it committed to returning roughly 7 billion euros to shareholders over that period, split between dividends and buybacks. Those figures are below what many investors hoped to see, especially after a stretch of double-digit earnings growth. At its Capital Markets Day, Ferrari laid out a 2030 plan that calls for net revenue of about 9 billion euros, up from revised 2025 guidance of at least 7.1 billion euros. That works out to roughly 5% annualized revenue growth. In addition, the luxury automaker said it expects earnings before interest (EBIT) to climb to at least 2.75 billion euros by 2030, implying around 6% annual growth and an EBIT margin of at least 30%. Of course, there's more to the bull case than this. So, here's the full story on why I think Ferrari stock is a buy today. In my view, the gap between cautious long-term targets and still-excellent near-term performance created an opening, so I bought the dip. The irony is that the sell-off came just as Ferrari raised its 2025 guidance again and reaffirmed some of the best margins in the auto industry, with high-30s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ( EBITDA ) margins and high-20s adjusted operating margins. After Ferrari 's (NYSE: RACE) October Capital Markets Day, the stock cracked. Shares of the Italian luxury brand have fallen from levels above $500 in early October to below $400 more recently. For a stock that isn't typically very volatile, a drop like this in Ferrari stock is rare. Investors were spooked by the company's new 2030 targets, which implied slower growth than many had anticipated. Story Continues Another important detail is timing. This plan extends for five years this time. The company's last Capital Markets Day plan spanned a four-year period. Setting financial targets so far out makes conservatism prudent -- and management likely considered this when it committed to a five-year plan. Finally, there's a key phrase associated with some of its 2030 financial targets: "at least." For instance, Ferrari expects to achieve a 2030 adjusted EBITDA margin of "at least" 40%. So, is management's guidance disappointing or just cautious? I think the latter. When a management team with Ferrari's track record chooses conservative growth assumptions, I tend to treat them as a floor rather than the target. 2026: The year of the F80 supercar The headline numbers at Capital Markets Day also mask the contribution of individual products. Ferrari's recently unveiled F80 supercar is a good example. The car will be limited to 799 units, sits at the very top of the range in terms of performance, and carries a base price around 3.6 million euros. All units are already spoken for. From an investor's perspective, a sold-out, ultra-high-margin supercar program is powerful. While the company hasn't laid out its 2026 guidance yet, my guess is the ramp-up of F80 deliveries next year will help the company easily post growth in excess of its 5% average annualized revenue target -- and earnings growth could stretch into the double digits. Scarcity is key The other piece of the October story that weighed on the stock was Ferrari's decision to halve its 2030 electric-vehicle target from 40% of the lineup to 20%, maintaining a roughly even split between internal-combustion and hybrid cars. Some investors may have seen this as a retreat. But I see it as a recommitment to the core idea that Ferrari's job is not to chase volume or technology headlines; it is to build a few intensely desired cars that stay desirable for decades. Ferrari is proving it will make difficult decisions to protect the brand. You can see that philosophy in the numbers. Ferrari shipped 13,752 cars in 2024, up less than 1% year over year, and Q3 2025 shipments barely budged, growing less than 1%. The 2030 plan makes it explicit that revenue growth will be driven primarily by mix, pricing, and brand activities, with volume contributing to "a lesser extent" than these other factors. Indeed, management indicated that average volume on a per-model basis may actually decrease, as the company is introducing more models, but isn't boosting volume much. For long-term shareholders, this slow volume growth approach is critical to managing a luxury brand. Modest physical growth keeps waiting lists long and residual values strong. Over time, that approach will likely deepen customer goodwill as management protects the brand, ultimately enhancing pricing power. Why I was willing to pay up Even after the drop, Ferrari stock is not cheap. The stock trades around 38 times earnings. But I believe the October guidance reset did not break that story; it simply reset growth expectations to a level that looks more realistic -- and probably more beatable. In addition, there aren't many truly durable and iconic brands available in the public markets. Ferrari is one of them, making it worthy of an extraordinary valuation multiple for its staying power alone. So, yes, I bought the dip. Sure, given the stock's premium valuation, there's downside risk if Ferrari doesn't deliver results ahead of its five-year plan. But I believe Ferrari's targets will prove to be conservative, making this a rare opportunity to buy Ferrari at an attractive price. Should you invest $1,000 in Ferrari right now? Before you buy stock in Ferrari, 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 Ferrari 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 $556,658!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,124,157!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,001% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 1, 2025 Daniel Sparks and his clients have positions in Ferrari. The Motley Fool recommends Ferrari. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why I Bought the Dip in Ferrari Stock was originally published by The Motley Fool In a sharp attack on President Donald Trump, a former Pentagon official accused the US government of being hypocritical by "lecturing" India on its purchase of discounted oil from Russia. Michael Rubin said Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to India is seen as Trump's "gross incompetence" by the majority of the US people. "It is being perceived in two different ways. If you're Donald Trump, it's being perceived through the lens of I told you so that this embrace of India towards Russia is affirming what Donald Trump wants his spin to be. Because Donald Trump isn't going to admit that he is the one at fault. If you're the 65 per cent of Americans who dislike Donald Trump, according to the recent polls, then what we are seeing now is the result of Donald Trump's gross incompetence," he told ANI news agency. Rubins comments were in response to a question on Putin pledging uninterrupted fuel supplies to India during his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modian offer that came amid heightened US pressure on New Delhi to curb oil purchases from Moscow. The former official underscored USs hypocrisy, noting that Washington itself is involved in trade with Moscow. India is the most populous country. It's soon going to become the World's third-largest economy, and for that, it needs energy. The US is being hypocritical because we purchase from Russia. We purchase goods and materials for which we don't have alternative markets. We are being hypocritical when we lecture India," he said. US owes a vocal apology Rubin further remarked that the Trump administration needs to tender a vocal apology to India for its actions over the past one year, including the imposition of 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports. He noted that the interests of the US are much more important than one mans ego. "What we need is quiet diplomacy behind the scenes, and perhaps, at some point, a more vocal apology from the United States for the way we have treated India over the past year...President Donald Trump doesn't like to apologise, but the interests of the United States, world democracies are much more important than one man's ego, no matter how inflated it is," he said. Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their border late on Friday, officials from both countries said, amid heightened tensions following failed peace talks last weekend. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The exchange came nearly a week after a new round of peace talks between the South Asian neighbours ended without a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire. The talks in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series of meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to cool tensions following deadly border clashes in October. The exchange of fire started at around 10pm and continued till late night, Pakistani media reports said. Islamabad reportedly said that Afghan fighters fired mortar shells on the Badani area. Three people, including a woman, needed medical attention following the attack on the Pakistani side. Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces launched attacks in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. A spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister accused Afghan forces of "unprovoked firing" along the Chaman border. "Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens," spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement. At the heart of the dispute, Islamabad says Afghan-based militants have carried out recent attacks in Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul denies the charge, saying it cannot be held responsible for security inside Pakistan. Dozens were killed in Octobers clashes, the worst violence on the border since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021. At one point in Jay Kelly, its eponymous protagonist, a middle-aged actor (George Clooney), undertakes a train journey to attend a tribute event. In the meantime, he is besieged by the after-effects of multiple events: a fight with a former best friend at a bar, a midlife crisis, and an attempt to reconnect with his estranged daughters. Hollywood itself has ventured into this terrain too often including one starring Clooney himself, and directed by Alexander Payne. But the film that Jay Kelly reminded me most of was Satyajit Ray's 1966 classic Nayak, also about an actor re-examining his life and reflecting on the wrong, regretful choices he made in the past. One of the filmmakers associated with the 'mumblecore' movement, Noah Baumbach's work has caught different characters at different points of their existence, grappling with all kinds of dilemmas. The most notable and my favourite is Frances Ha (led by Greta Gerwig), which I saw at a crucial point in my life, when neither Frances nor I had my s*** together. That monochrome-textured film didn't offer me any solution for my situation, but it was one of those films that had telepathically conveyed a message: Just hang in there, man. 13 years later, Baumbach has made a film out now on Netflix about a man who is a victor in one department and a failure in another. Jay Kelly seems to ask: If you're somebody who was fortunate enough to achieve many professional wins, but at the cost of isolating your loved ones, would you consider yourself successful? When we catch Jay Kelly, the character, at the beginning of the film, he is being bombarded by a lot of things. His youngest daughter shows no interest in bonding with him. The demise of his mentor, the one who gave him his first big acting break. And then he runs into his former best friend, Timothy Galligan (Billy Crudup), who is still bitter about the fact that Kelly has attained a position that he once dreamt of. (The reality, we later learn, was something else.) Cue the ugly fight. In Nayak, however, the fight happened with a random stranger, for a different reason one that Uttam Kumar reads about in the papers as he is about to embark on his journey to collect an award in a different city. In the Ray film, we also saw the Uttam Kumar character being advised by a manager, the presence of whom automatically lends the star a larger-than-life quality. (Today, even an influencer born yesterday has a manager.) Kellys manager is Ron Sukenick, played by Adam Sandler. We usually don't see films where individuals in this area of work are given the necessary importance. The portrayal is often reduced to an annoyingly hyperactive, talking-walking diary following the celebrity, informing them about their upcoming engagements. Baumbach writes Sukenick as someone fiercely loyal; he is serious about his profession, not as a dubious figure resorting to threats to get a news story pulled or launching a whitewashing campaign. Sukenick, we gradually learn, is also dealing with his midlife crisis. Burdened by the weight of managing someone of Kelly's stature while also trying to manage his family life has taken a toll on him. (Gerwig plays Sukenick's concerned better half in a cameo). Jay Kelly is the film where Adam Sandler the actor gets more prominence than Adam Sandler the comedian. We are also introduced to Laura Dern, who, in a brief appearance, plays Kelly's publicist; like Sukenick, she too realises the unhealthy after-effects of dealing with Kelly. We also learn that Sukenick and Liz share a bittersweet backstory. Again, occupational hazards that accompany a profession where youre managing a in their own words child. Heres the problem with this film, though. The poignant moments are few and far between. I think one of the main reasons is Baumbach's attempts to pay attention to every character and their backstories, but his (and Emily Mortimer's) writing doesnt allow enough time to get us acquainted with these characters to the point of getting us deeply invested in their lives. Ironic, considering the film's protagonist is a father whose daughters are now leading independent lives without wanting him near them. Or perhaps, the film is asking us to see things from Kelly's point of view or that of any celebrity who had to endure the "misfortune" of becoming world famous but also the pain of alienating those who played a part in their growth. Strangely enough, the most touching aspect of Baumbach's film is the climactic moment, which functions as much as a George Clooney tribute as Kellys. It works for two reasons: One, it reaffirms the fact that Clooney is one of the best (and most underappreciated?) actors we have. Two, it touched the Clooney fan in me who discovered him for the first time while watching The Peacemaker (co-starring Nicole Kidman) on television as a child. So, yeah, maybe there's something to take away from Jay Kelly, after all. Film: Jay Kelly Director: Noah Baumbach Cast: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach Rating: 3.5/5 Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE:RYAM Get Free Report) and Sylvamo (NYSE:SLVM Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, profitability, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations. Insider & Institutional Ownership 68.6% of Rayonier Advanced Materials shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.2% of Sylvamo shares are held by institutional investors. 4.4% of Rayonier Advanced Materials shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.7% of Sylvamo shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Rayonier Advanced Materials alerts: Volatility & Risk Rayonier Advanced Materials has a beta of 2.17, suggesting that its share price is 117% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sylvamo has a beta of 0.95, suggesting that its share price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Rayonier Advanced Materials 1 1 1 0 2.00 Sylvamo 1 2 1 0 2.00 This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Rayonier Advanced Materials and Sylvamo, as reported by MarketBeat. Rayonier Advanced Materials presently has a consensus price target of $6.00, indicating a potential downside of 4.76%. Sylvamo has a consensus price target of $54.00, indicating a potential upside of 10.71%. Given Sylvamos higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Sylvamo is more favorable than Rayonier Advanced Materials. Profitability This table compares Rayonier Advanced Materials and Sylvamos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Rayonier Advanced Materials -28.21% -13.64% -3.64% Sylvamo 5.25% 19.72% 6.87% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Rayonier Advanced Materials and Sylvamos gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Rayonier Advanced Materials $1.63 billion 0.26 -$38.71 million ($6.25) -1.01 Sylvamo $3.77 billion 0.51 $302.00 million $4.37 11.16 Sylvamo has higher revenue and earnings than Rayonier Advanced Materials. Rayonier Advanced Materials is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sylvamo, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Sylvamo beats Rayonier Advanced Materials on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Rayonier Advanced Materials (Get Free Report) Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. manufactures and sells cellulose specialty products in the United States, China, Latin America, Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, other Asian countries, and internationally. It operates through High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard, and High-Yield Pulp segments. The companys products include cellulose specialties, which are natural polymers that are used as raw materials to manufacture a range of consumer-oriented products, such as liquid crystal displays, impact-resistant plastics, thickeners for food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cigarette filters, high-tenacity rayon yarn for tires and industrial hoses, food casings, paints, and lacquers. It also offers commodity products, such as commodity viscose pulp used in woven applications, including rayon textiles for clothing and other fabrics, as well as in non-woven applications comprising baby wipes, cosmetic and personal wipes, industrial wipes, and mattress ticking; and absorbent materials consisting of fluff fibers that are used as an absorbent medium in disposable baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinence pads, convalescent bed pads, industrial towels and wipes, and non-woven fabrics. In addition, the company provides paperboards for packaging, printing documents, brochures, promotional materials, paperback books and catalog covers, file folders, tags, and lottery tickets; and high-yield pulps to produces hardwood aspen, maple, and birch species for paperboard, packaging, printing and writing papers, and various other paper products. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. About Sylvamo (Get Free Report) Sylvamo Corporation produces and markets uncoated freesheet for cutsize, offset paper, and pulp in Latin America, Europe, and North America. The company operates through Europe, Latin America, and North America segments. The Europe segment offers copy, tinted, and colored laser printing paper under REY Adagio and Pro-Design brands; and graphic and high-speed inkjet printing papers under the brand Jetstar; as well as produces uncoated freesheet papers. The Latin America segment focuses on uncoated freesheet paper under Chamex, Chamequinho and Chambril brands, as well as produces HP papers. This segment also operates integrated mills and non-integrated mills. The North America segment offers imaging, commercial printing, and converting papers, as well as uncoated papers under Hammermill, Springhill, Williamsburg, Accent, DRM and Postmark brand names. It distributes its products through a variety of channels, including retail merchants, e-commerce, agents, resellers, and paper distributors. The company was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Receive News & Ratings for Rayonier Advanced Materials Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rayonier Advanced Materials and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Get Free Report) declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Thursday, December 4th, RTT News reports. The company plans to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to reacquire up to 8.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently commented on UNM shares. Barclays lifted their price target on Unum Group from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Unum Group to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Unum Group from $100.00 to $98.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Unum Group from $79.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $96.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Unum Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.67. Get Unum Group alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on UNM Unum Group Trading Up 1.3% Shares of NYSE UNM traded up $0.98 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $74.32. The stock had a trading volume of 1,317,865 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,142,491. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $66.81 and a twelve month high of $84.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.36. The companys 50 day moving average price is $76.19 and its 200 day moving average price is $76.39. The firm has a market cap of $12.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.20. Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.15 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.31 billion. Unum Group had a return on equity of 13.09% and a net margin of 6.99%.Unum Groups quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.13 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Unum Group will post 9.14 EPS for the current year. Unum Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 24th were paid a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. Unum Groups payout ratio is currently 35.87%. Insider Activity In other Unum Group news, EVP Christopher W. Pyne sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.04, for a total transaction of $312,160.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 51,372 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,009,070.88. This represents a 7.22% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Steven Andrew Zabel sold 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.38, for a total transaction of $572,850.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 113,807 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,692,578.66. This trade represents a 6.18% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.92% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Unum Group Company Profile Get Free Report) Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Unum Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unum Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAB (OTCMKTS:BABB Get Free Report) and Medifast (NYSE:MED Get Free Report) are both small-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and dividends. Profitability This table compares BAB and Medifasts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get BAB alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BAB 17.00% 16.79% 11.62% Medifast 0.06% -0.89% -0.69% Risk and Volatility BAB has a beta of 0.24, meaning that its share price is 76% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Medifast has a beta of 0.48, meaning that its share price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500. Institutional and Insider Ownership Analyst Recommendations 95.5% of Medifast shares are owned by institutional investors. 33.7% of BAB shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.9% of Medifast shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for BAB and Medifast, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BAB 0 0 0 0 0.00 Medifast 1 1 0 0 1.50 Medifast has a consensus price target of $16.50, indicating a potential upside of 51.31%. Given Medifasts stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Medifast is more favorable than BAB. Valuation & Earnings This table compares BAB and Medifasts revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio BAB $3.55 million 1.80 $520,000.00 $0.07 12.57 Medifast $602.46 million 0.20 $2.09 million $0.01 1,090.50 Medifast has higher revenue and earnings than BAB. BAB is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Medifast, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Medifast beats BAB on 7 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About BAB (Get Free Report) BAB, Inc. franchises and licenses bagel and muffin retail units under the Big Apple Bagels (BAB), My Favorite Muffin (MFM), and SweetDuet (SD) trade names in the United States. It's BAB franchised brand includes daily baked bagels, flavored cream cheeses, premium coffees, gourmet bagel sandwiches, and other related products; and MFM brand comprises various freshly baked muffins and coffees, as well as units operating as My Favorite Muffin Your All Day Bakery Cafe features specialty bagel sandwiches and related products. The company's SD brand includes frozen yogurt products. BAB, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Deerfield, Illinois. About Medifast (Get Free Report) Medifast, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of weight loss, weight management, and healthy living products in the United States and the Asia-Pacific. It offers bars, puffs, cereal, crunchers, drinks, hearty choices, oatmeal, pancakes, pudding, soft serve, shakes, smoothies, soft bakes, and soups under the OPTAVIA, OPTAVIA ACTIVE, and Optimal Health brand names. The company markets its products through point-of-sale transactions, as well as through ecommerce platform. Medifast, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. Receive News & Ratings for BAB Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BAB and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enghouse Systems Limited (TSE:ENGH Get Free Report)s stock price was down 0.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as C$20.05 and last traded at C$20.11. Approximately 61,957 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 57% from the average daily volume of 142,887 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$20.15. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ENGH has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on Enghouse Systems from C$26.00 to C$24.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 8th. CIBC lowered their price target on shares of Enghouse Systems from C$25.50 to C$25.00 and set a negative rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of C$26.00. Get Enghouse Systems alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Enghouse Systems Enghouse Systems Stock Performance Enghouse Systems Dividend Announcement The firms 50 day simple moving average is C$20.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$22.24. The firm has a market cap of C$1.11 billion, a PE ratio of 14.79, a PEG ratio of -4.19 and a beta of -0.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.81, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th were paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.0%. Enghouse Systemss payout ratio is presently 79.41%. About Enghouse Systems (Get Free Report) Enghouse Systems Ltd is a Canada-based provider of software and services to a variety of end markets. The firms operations are organized in two segments namely, the Interactive Management Group and the Asset Management Group. The firm has operations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, Israel, Croatia, Denmark, Norway, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia etc. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Enghouse Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enghouse Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Key Points Jensen Huang appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast yesterday. Huang suggested that nuclear energy will play an important role in the growth of the AI industry. An investment in NuScale Power represents a high degree of risk, so investors may prefer a nuclear energy ETF. 10 stocks we like better than NuScale Power After locking in an 11% gain from the end of trading on Monday through the close of yesterday's market session, NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) appears poised to extend its streak with investors bidding shares higher on Thursday. A prominent figure in the artificial intelligence (AI) field suggested that nuclear power will play a significant role in the burgeoning AI industry, and investors took note. As of 2:52 p.m. ET, shares of NuScale Power are up 15.5%. Image source: Getty Images. Nuclear energy is heralded in a convo between Jensen and Joe Listen to Joe Rogan's ever-popular podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, even a little bit, and you'd know that AI is a topic that fascinates him. It's unsurprising, therefore, that Jensen Huang, the founder and chief executive officer of Nvidia, appeared on Rogan's podcast yesterday. In addition to discussing Nvidia's origins, Huang suggested that nuclear power will play a significant role in the future of the AI industry. Responding to Rogan's questions about the insufficient power supply for AI computing, Huang commented, "I think in the next six, seven years, I think you're going to see a whole bunch of small nuclear reactors." Huang further praised the potential of nuclear power, stating: "It probably is the smartest way to do it. Right. And it takes the burden off. Yeah, takes the burden off the grid. It takes--and you could build as much as you need, and you can contribute back to the grid. It's a really important point." Huang's endorsement of nuclear power spoke loudly to NuScale Power investors, as the company contends that its small modular reactors can help meet the power demands that AI computing is placing on data centers. Is now the time to power your portfolio with NuScale Power stock? Although Huang's comments suggest nuclear power will soon occupy a greater place on the energy landscape, it's essential to recognize that a NuScale Power investment is speculative as the company doesn't generate substantial revenue. Therefore, investors averse to risk may feel more comfortable with investments in nuclear power exchange-traded funds. Should you invest $1,000 in NuScale Power right now? Before you buy stock in NuScale Power, consider this: Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited (OTCMKTS:DPZUF Get Free Report) shot up 8.4% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $14.30 and last traded at $14.30. 200 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 75% from the average session volume of 813 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.19. Dominos Pizza Enterprises Trading Up 8.4% The companys fifty day moving average price is $11.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.81. Dominos Pizza Enterprises Company Profile (Get Free Report) Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited operates retail food outlets. The company holds franchise rights for the Domino's brand in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Cambodia, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It operates various stores. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SAF-Holland SE (ETR:SFQ Get Free Report)s share price rose 0.8% on Friday . The company traded as high as 14.76 and last traded at 14.62. Approximately 45,626 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 68% from the average daily volume of 141,316 shares. The stock had previously closed at 14.50. SAF-Holland Stock Up 0.8% The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 2.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 160.06. The companys fifty day moving average is 14.26 and its 200-day moving average is 15.52. The company has a market cap of $677.58 million, a PE ratio of 8.99, a PEG ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.98. SAF-Holland Company Profile (Get Free Report) SAF-Holland SE manufactures and supplies chassis-related assemblies and components for trailers, trucks, semi-trailers, and buses. The company offers axle and air suspension systems, fifth wheels, hweel systems, coupling systems, kingpins, and landing gears, as well as ball races, braking and EBS systems, lighting systems, and disc brakes. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for SAF-Holland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SAF-Holland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Telecom Argentina S.A. (OTCMKTS:TCMFF Get Free Report)s stock price was down 21.3% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $1.85 and last traded at $1.85. Approximately 150 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 87% from the average daily volume of 1,197 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.35. Telecom Argentina Trading Down 21.3% The stock has a 50-day moving average of $1.59 and a 200 day moving average of $1.45. Telecom Argentina Company Profile (Get Free Report) Telecom Argentina SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services. The company offers mobile telecommunications services, including voice communications, high-speed mobile Internet content and applications download, online streaming, and other services; and sells mobile communication devices, such as handsets, Modems MiFi and wingles, and smart watches. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Telecom Argentina Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telecom Argentina and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Core Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CNR Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the seven brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $119.10. A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of Core Natural Resources from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Benchmark reissued a buy rating on shares of Core Natural Resources in a report on Monday, November 10th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Core Natural Resources in a research note on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Core Natural Resources from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $90.00 to $125.00 in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Core Natural Resources from $89.00 to $105.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Get Core Natural Resources alerts: Read Our Latest Report on CNR Insider Buying and Selling Institutional Trading of Core Natural Resources In other Core Natural Resources news, Director Richard A. Navarre sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.20, for a total transaction of $411,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 21,830 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,794,426. The trade was a 18.64% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director Patrick A. Kriegshauser sold 3,043 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.07, for a total transaction of $234,524.01. Following the sale, the director owned 23,348 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,799,430.36. This trade represents a 11.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . Insiders have sold 9,043 shares of company stock worth $740,524 in the last quarter. 1.41% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Core Natural Resources during the third quarter worth approximately $209,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Core Natural Resources by 27.1% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 652,379 shares of the energy companys stock worth $54,461,000 after acquiring an additional 139,188 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC bought a new position in Core Natural Resources during the third quarter worth $118,000. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new position in Core Natural Resources during the third quarter worth $464,000. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new position in Core Natural Resources during the 3rd quarter valued at $77,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.54% of the companys stock. Core Natural Resources Price Performance Shares of CNR opened at $83.33 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.82. The firm has a market cap of $4.27 billion, a PE ratio of -193.79 and a beta of 0.40. The firms 50 day moving average price is $84.60 and its 200 day moving average price is $77.10. Core Natural Resources has a twelve month low of $58.19 and a twelve month high of $125.78. Core Natural Resources (NYSE:CNR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy company reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($1.40) by $2.01. The company had revenue of $1 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.05 billion. Core Natural Resources had a negative net margin of 1.17% and a positive return on equity of 0.52%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 74.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Core Natural Resources will post 11.4 EPS for the current fiscal year. Core Natural Resources Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Core Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -93.02%. Core Natural Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Core Natural Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells bituminous coal in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC) and CONSOL Marine Terminal. The companys PAMC segment engages in the mining, preparing, and marketing of bituminous coal to power generators, industrial end-users, and metallurgical end-users. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Core Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Core Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eighteen analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $384.3333. Several research firms have recently commented on WAT. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Waters in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Redburn Partners set a $390.00 price objective on Waters in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Waters from $345.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Waters in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Rothschild Redb upgraded Waters to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Get Waters alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Waters Waters Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:WAT opened at $394.41 on Wednesday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $360.46 and a 200-day moving average of $332.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.53. Waters has a twelve month low of $275.05 and a twelve month high of $423.56. The firm has a market cap of $23.48 billion, a PE ratio of 36.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.60 and a beta of 1.16. Waters (NYSE:WAT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 19th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $608.55 million for the quarter. Waters had a net margin of 20.89% and a return on equity of 36.59%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Waters will post 12.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Waters Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in Waters by 2.8% in the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,055 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $368,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC boosted its position in shares of Waters by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 1,048 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $386,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its position in shares of Waters by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 630 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $189,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Waters by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 327 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $114,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Waters by 1.8% during the third quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,264 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $679,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the period. 94.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Waters (Get Free Report) Waters Corporation provides analytical workflow solutions in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through two segments: Waters and TA. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and services high and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, as well as mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products, and post-warranty service plans. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Waters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Waters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Weir Group (OTCMKTS:WEGRY Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Weir Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Get Weir Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Weir Group Weir Group Stock Down 0.2% Weir Group Dividend Announcement Shares of Weir Group stock opened at $19.25 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 2.09. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $19.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $17.76. Weir Group has a 52 week low of $12.45 and a 52 week high of $20.80. The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 6th were given a dividend of $0.1096 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 3rd. This represents a dividend yield of 128.0%. About Weir Group (Get Free Report) The Weir Group PLC produces and sells highly engineered original equipment worldwide. It operates in two segments, Minerals and ESCO. The Minerals segment offers engineering, manufacturing, and service processing technology for the use in abrasive high-wear mining applications; and differentiated technology for the use in infrastructure and general industrial markets. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Weir Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Weir Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO Free Report) had its price target boosted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 6,100 to GBX 6,950 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the stock. RIO has been the subject of several other research reports. Berenberg Bank reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 5,200 target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,000 to GBX 4,900 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 4,600 to GBX 5,700 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Rio Tinto Group has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 5,570. Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on RIO Rio Tinto Group Price Performance Insiders Place Their Bets Shares of RIO opened at GBX 5,498.95 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 5,252.18 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 4,757.08. The stock has a market cap of 89.35 billion, a PE ratio of 8.76, a P/E/G ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.59. Rio Tinto Group has a 1-year low of GBX 4,024.50 and a 1-year high of GBX 5,662. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.28, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.34. In other Rio Tinto Group news, insider Peter Cunningham sold 3,108 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,464, for a total value of 169,821.12. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Rio Tinto Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) We operate in 35 countries where our 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Our portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminium and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut carbon emissions to net zero. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by BNP Paribas Exane from $72.00 to $50.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has an underperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. BNP Paribas Exanes price objective would indicate a potential upside of 9.73% from the stocks previous close. Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. BMO Capital Markets set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald dropped their target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $52.00 to $48.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $98.00 to $65.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $72.43. Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Alexandria Real Estate Equities Alexandria Real Estate Equities Price Performance Shares of ARE stock opened at $45.57 on Thursday. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a twelve month low of $45.47 and a twelve month high of $107.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.45, a P/E/G ratio of 4.01 and a beta of 1.32. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $63.59 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $72.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.22 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $751.94 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $752.90 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative net margin of 13.43% and a negative return on equity of 1.89%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.37 EPS. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.980-9.040 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 9.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. IFM Investors Pty Ltd increased its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 58,544 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,909,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Presima Securities ULC lifted its position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 1.4% in the first quarter. Presima Securities ULC now owns 11,895 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,100,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Kaufman Rossin Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 6.3% in the third quarter. Kaufman Rossin Wealth LLC now owns 2,954 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $246,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional increased its position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 13.8% during the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 1,445 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 23,443 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,711,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. 96.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Company Profile (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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. trimmed its position in TotalEnergies SE Sponsored ADR (NYSE:TTE Free Report) by 4.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 206,146 shares of the companys stock after selling 10,425 shares during the period. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.s holdings in TotalEnergies were worth $12,655,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of TTE. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its holdings in TotalEnergies by 141.5% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 495 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new position in shares of TotalEnergies in the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. SouthState Corp increased its position in shares of TotalEnergies by 126.1% in the 1st quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 572 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 319 shares in the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in TotalEnergies during the 2nd quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its holdings in TotalEnergies by 49.0% during the second quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 721 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 237 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.53% of the companys stock. Get TotalEnergies alerts: TotalEnergies Price Performance Shares of TTE opened at $64.84 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. TotalEnergies SE Sponsored ADR has a twelve month low of $52.78 and a twelve month high of $66.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $155.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.22. The company has a 50 day moving average of $62.41 and a 200-day moving average of $61.70. Analyst Ratings Changes TotalEnergies ( NYSE:TTE Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.77 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.81 by ($0.04). TotalEnergies had a return on equity of 13.54% and a net margin of 6.98%.The business had revenue of $87.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $43.66 billion. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that TotalEnergies SE Sponsored ADR will post 8.02 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several equities research analysts have issued reports on TTE shares. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of TotalEnergies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BNP Paribas Exane restated a neutral rating on shares of TotalEnergies in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Loop Capital set a $73.00 price target on shares of TotalEnergies in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of TotalEnergies from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of TotalEnergies in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $66.96. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on TTE TotalEnergies Profile (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TTE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TotalEnergies SE Sponsored ADR (NYSE:TTE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TotalEnergies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TotalEnergies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. cut its position in shares of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW Free Report) by 85.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,093 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 68,295 shares during the quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.s holdings in Curtiss-Wright were worth $5,908,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. GeoWealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 804.5% in the 2nd quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 2,225 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,087,000 after acquiring an additional 1,979 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Curtiss-Wright by 914.7% in the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 20,679 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $10,103,000 after purchasing an additional 18,641 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Curtiss-Wright by 838.8% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 460 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares in the last quarter. Miramar Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter. Miramar Capital LLC now owns 1,290 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $630,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 2,688.1% during the 2nd quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 42,630 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $20,827,000 after buying an additional 41,101 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.71% of the companys stock. Get Curtiss-Wright alerts: Curtiss-Wright Stock Performance Shares of Curtiss-Wright stock opened at $543.88 on Friday. Curtiss-Wright Corporation has a 52 week low of $266.88 and a 52 week high of $612.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $558.46 and a 200-day moving average price of $507.32. The company has a market cap of $20.06 billion, a PE ratio of 44.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.93. Curtiss-Wright Dividend Announcement Curtiss-Wright ( NYSE:CW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The aerospace company reported $3.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.28 by $0.12. Curtiss-Wright had a return on equity of 18.82% and a net margin of 13.78%.The business had revenue of $869.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $869.03 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.89 earnings per share. Curtiss-Wrights revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Curtiss-Wright Corporation will post 12.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Curtiss-Wrights dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.82%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and set a $625.00 target price on shares of Curtiss-Wright in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Curtiss-Wright from $457.00 to $502.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Curtiss-Wright in a research report on Monday. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Curtiss-Wright from $565.00 to $645.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on Curtiss-Wright from $525.00 to $537.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $562.83. Read Our Latest Report on CW Curtiss-Wright Profile (Free Report) Curtiss-Wright Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides engineered products, solutions, and services mainly to aerospace and defense, commercial power, process, and industrial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Curtiss-Wright Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Curtiss-Wright and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wolfspeed logo appears against a falling stock chart backdrop as the company strengthens its balance sheet with new IRS funding. Key Points Wolfspeed received a $698.6 million IRS refund, boosting its liquidity to $1.5 billionmore than its market cap. Management utilized the influx of non-dilutive capital to immediately retire secured debt and strengthen the corporate credit profile for the future. The company is transitioning production to its advanced automated facility to drive higher yields and improve long-term unit economics for shareholders. Interested in Wolfspeed, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. On Dec. 1, 2025, Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) received a piece of mail that fundamentally altered its financial trajectory: the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) delivered a cash refund totaling $698.6 million. In the world of corporate finance, tax refunds are standard. However, a refund of this magnitude relative to the company's size is statistically anomalous. Office Suite Gets Pricier: Microsofts Bold Move Comes With Risk When the funds hit the bank, Wolfspeeds total market capitalization stood at approximately $553 million. Effectively, the government handed the company a check worth significantly more than the stock market said the entire business was worth. This liquidity event does more than just pad the bank account; it dismantles the primary argument against the stock. SoftBanks Next AI Move? DigitalBridge Rockets 46% on Takeover Buzz For the past year, the bear case for Wolfspeed rested on the fear that the company would run out of cash before it could complete its expensive transition to new manufacturing facilities. Investors worried that a liquidity crunch in fiscal 2026 would force the company into a desperate capital raise or even insolvency. With this single influx of cash, that timeline has been rewritten. The conversation has shifted overnight from questions of survival to questions of valuation and execution. UiPath Surges on Earnings: Should Investors Chase the Momentum? Paying Debt with Non-Dilutive Cash The immediate impact of this refund is a dramatic improvement in Wolfspeeds financial health. Following receipt of these funds, the companys total liquidity position, comprising cash and short-term investments, has swelled to approximately $1.5 billion. This creates a substantial buffer that protects the company against short-term market volatility and operational hiccups. Management moved quickly to utilize this capital with financial discipline. Rather than letting the cash sit idle, the company allocated $192.2 million of the proceeds to retire approximately $175 million of outstanding secured debt. This strategic move offers three distinct benefits for investors: Epoch Investment Partners Inc. bought a new position in shares of QXO, Inc. (NYSE:QXO Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 1,769,075 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $38,106,000. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. owned approximately 0.30% of QXO as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in QXO during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. American Capital Advisory LLC increased its stake in QXO by 258.0% in the second quarter. American Capital Advisory LLC now owns 1,167 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 841 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in shares of QXO by 1,740.9% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,215 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 1,149 shares during the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of QXO in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of QXO during the second quarter worth about $30,000. 58.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get QXO alerts: QXO Price Performance Shares of NYSE:QXO opened at $20.85 on Friday. QXO, Inc. has a one year low of $11.85 and a one year high of $24.69. The stock has a market cap of $14.06 billion, a PE ratio of -47.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 2.42. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $18.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $19.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 2.24 and a current ratio of 3.06. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades QXO ( NYSE:QXO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.78 billion. QXO had a negative net margin of 3.81% and a positive return on equity of 3.70%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 20726.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that QXO, Inc. will post -0.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. QXO has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Raymond James Financial initiated coverage on QXO in a research report on Friday, September 5th. They set an outperform rating and a $28.00 price objective for the company. Zacks Research downgraded QXO from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of QXO in a research report on Monday. Vertical Research assumed coverage on shares of QXO in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. They set a buy rating and a $30.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Benchmark upgraded shares of QXO to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $32.85. View Our Latest Analysis on QXO QXO Profile (Free Report) QXO, Inc operates as a business application, technology, and consulting company in North America. The company provides solutions for accounting and business management, financial reporting, enterprise resource planning, human capital management, warehouse management systems, customer relationship management, and business intelligence. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding QXO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for QXO, Inc. (NYSE:QXO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for QXO Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for QXO and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lessened its holdings in shares of Polaris Inc. (NYSE:PII Free Report) by 8.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 119,195 shares of the companys stock after selling 10,336 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned about 0.21% of Polaris worth $4,846,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. State of Michigan Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Polaris by 2.4% in the second quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 12,679 shares of the companys stock valued at $515,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC boosted its position in Polaris by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC now owns 40,667 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,653,000 after buying an additional 304 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its position in Polaris by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 8,064 shares of the companys stock valued at $328,000 after buying an additional 318 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in shares of Polaris by 39.9% in the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,393 shares of the companys stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 397 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Polaris by 22.5% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,339 shares of the companys stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 430 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.06% of the companys stock. Get Polaris alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes PII has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a market perform rating and issued a $70.00 target price on shares of Polaris in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Polaris from $56.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Polaris from $60.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research raised shares of Polaris from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Polaris from $45.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Polaris currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $55.25. Polaris Price Performance Shares of NYSE PII opened at $67.52 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $65.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $54.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.80 billion, a PE ratio of -25.48 and a beta of 1.12. Polaris Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $30.92 and a fifty-two week high of $75.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 1.02. Polaris (NYSE:PII Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.04. Polaris had a positive return on equity of 3.89% and a negative net margin of 2.17%.The firm had revenue of $1.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.68 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.73 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Polaris Inc. will post 1.11 EPS for the current fiscal year. Polaris Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.0%. Polariss payout ratio is -101.13%. Polaris Profile (Free Report) Polaris Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets powersports vehicles in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Off-Road, On-Road, and Marine. The company offers off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; motorcycles; and moto-roadsters, quadricycles, and boats. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PII? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Polaris Inc. (NYSE:PII Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Polaris Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Polaris and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. decreased its holdings in National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NBHC Free Report) by 26.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 149,202 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 53,504 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned 0.39% of National Bank worth $5,612,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quarry LP boosted its stake in shares of National Bank by 40.3% during the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,362 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 391 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in National Bank by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,955 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $224,000 after purchasing an additional 355 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in National Bank during the second quarter valued at $289,000. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in National Bank during the second quarter valued at about $293,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its position in National Bank by 6.5% in the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 8,026 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $302,000 after buying an additional 487 shares in the last quarter. 92.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get National Bank alerts: National Bank Trading Down 0.2% National Bank stock opened at $38.54 on Friday. National Bank Holdings Corporation has a 1 year low of $32.83 and a 1 year high of $48.04. The firms 50 day moving average price is $37.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $37.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The stock has a market cap of $1.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.19 and a beta of 0.81. National Bank Increases Dividend National Bank ( NYSE:NBHC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $102.07 million during the quarter. National Bank had a net margin of 20.50% and a return on equity of 9.56%. On average, equities analysts predict that National Bank Holdings Corporation will post 3.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This is a positive change from National Banks previous quarterly dividend of ($0.30). This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. National Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.24%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently weighed in on NBHC. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of National Bank in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of National Bank from $44.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Zacks Research raised shares of National Bank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, September 1st. Stephens upgraded shares of National Bank from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $42.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Hovde Group raised shares of National Bank from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $46.00 target price for the company in a report on Thursday, September 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Bank currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $44.50. View Our Latest Report on NBHC About National Bank (Free Report) National Bank Holdings Corporation operates as the bank holding company for NBH Bank that provides various banking products and financial services to commercial, business, and consumer clients in the United States. It offers deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts, including fixed-rate and fixed maturity time deposits. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for National Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Co. (NYSE:BIPC Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm bought 1,548,107 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $64,433,000. Norges Bank owned 1.30% of Brookfield Infrastructure as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure by 6.9% during the first 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 period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Brookfield Infrastructure by 81.4% during the 1st 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 stake in Brookfield Infrastructure during the 1st quarter worth $5,361,000. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System lifted its holdings in Brookfield Infrastructure by 1.4% in the 1st 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 lifted its holdings in Brookfield Infrastructure by 8.8% in the 1st 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.38% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield Infrastructure alerts: Brookfield Infrastructure Stock Performance Shares of BIPC stock opened at $46.89 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.58 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. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $44.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $42.06. Brookfield Infrastructure Announces Dividend Analyst Ratings Changes The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a dividend yield of 384.0%. A number of analysts have recently issued reports on BIPC shares. Morgan Stanley set a $53.00 target price on Brookfield Infrastructure and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Brookfield Infrastructure from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $53.00. Check Out Our Latest 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 3,400,000 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $63,206,000. Norges Bank owned about 0.10% of Barclays as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Barclays in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Elequin Capital LP bought a new position in Barclays in the first quarter valued at $30,000. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Barclays in the 2nd quarter valued at $46,000. WPG Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Barclays during the 1st quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in shares of Barclays during the 1st quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.39% of the companys stock. Get Barclays alerts: Barclays Stock Down 0.9% BCS opened at $23.20 on Friday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $21.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $19.86. Barclays PLC has a 1-year low of $12.14 and a 1-year high of $23.57. The stock has a market cap of $80.66 billion, a PE ratio of 10.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.94. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Barclays ( NYSE:BCS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $9.21 billion for the quarter. Barclays had a net margin of 21.26% and a return on equity of 8.19%. As a group, research analysts expect that Barclays PLC will post 2 earnings per share for the current year. A number of analysts recently issued reports on BCS shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Monday. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Monday, November 24th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of Barclays from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Barclays has an average rating of Moderate Buy. View Our Latest Analysis on Barclays About Barclays (Free Report) Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BCS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its stake in KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 224.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 59,983 shares of the construction companys stock after buying an additional 41,506 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLCs holdings in KBR were worth $2,874,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of KBR by 75.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 617 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of KBR in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in KBR by 37.5% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,093 shares of the construction companys stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 298 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in KBR by 98.1% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,228 shares of the construction companys stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 608 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. acquired a new stake in KBR during the 2nd quarter worth about $76,000. 97.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get KBR alerts: KBR Stock Down 0.6% KBR stock opened at $44.31 on Friday. KBR, Inc. has a twelve month low of $39.61 and a twelve month high of $60.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.18. The firm has a market cap of $5.63 billion, a PE ratio of 15.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.54. The firms 50 day moving average price is $43.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $47.37. KBR Announces Dividend KBR ( NYSE:KBR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.99 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.84 EPS. KBRs revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that KBR, Inc. will post 3.26 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.165 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. KBRs payout ratio is 22.68%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have commented on KBR shares. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of KBR from $55.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Oppenheimer started coverage on shares of KBR in a research report on Tuesday. They set an outperform rating and a $60.00 price objective on the stock. Truist Financial set a $62.00 target price on KBR in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of KBR in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $59.09. Get Our Latest Analysis on KBR About KBR (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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Navios Maritime Partners LP (NYSE:NMM Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $56.44 and last traded at $55.7810, with a volume of 144913 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $54.37. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Navios Maritime Partners in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Navios Maritime Partners alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Navios Maritime Partners Navios Maritime Partners Stock Up 0.6% The companys fifty day simple moving average is $48.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $44.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.65 billion, a PE ratio of 6.36 and a beta of 1.43. Navios Maritime Partners (NYSE:NMM Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 18th. The shipping company reported $2.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.55 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $346.92 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $334.64 million. Navios Maritime Partners had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 20.04%.The businesss revenue was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.15 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Navios Maritime Partners LP will post 12.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Navios Maritime Partners Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. Navios Maritime Partnerss dividend payout ratio is 2.29%. Institutional Trading of Navios Maritime Partners Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Ion Asset Management Ltd. raised its holdings in Navios Maritime Partners by 2.2% in the second quarter. Ion Asset Management Ltd. now owns 817,963 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $30,821,000 after buying an additional 17,285 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its position in shares of Navios Maritime Partners by 1.3% during the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 158,749 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $7,152,000 after acquiring an additional 2,045 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in Navios Maritime Partners by 28.8% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 117,950 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $5,314,000 after acquiring an additional 26,340 shares during the last quarter. ING Groep NV lifted its position in Navios Maritime Partners by 123.6% in the 3rd quarter. ING Groep NV now owns 96,600 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $4,352,000 after acquiring an additional 53,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. lifted its position in Navios Maritime Partners by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 92,682 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $4,175,000 after acquiring an additional 750 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.74% of the companys stock. Navios Maritime Partners Company Profile (Get Free Report) Navios Maritime Partners L.P. owns and operates dry cargo vessels in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. The company offers seaborne transportation services for a range of liquid and dry cargo commodities, including crude oil, refined petroleum, chemicals, iron ore, coal, grain, fertilizer, and containers, as well as charters its vessels under short, medium, and longer-term charters. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Navios Maritime Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Navios Maritime Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its stake in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report) by 10.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 9,391 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 910 shares during the period. Guggenheim Capital LLCs holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $9,769,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 51.8% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 252 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $262,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 15.2% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 473,771 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $492,836,000 after purchasing an additional 62,675 shares in the last quarter. CW Advisors LLC purchased a new position in W.W. Grainger during the second quarter valued at $521,000. Groupe la Francaise boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 20.4% during the 2nd quarter. Groupe la Francaise now owns 3,213 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,328,000 after buying an additional 544 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 169.6% during the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,826 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,980,000 after buying an additional 2,407 shares in the last quarter. 80.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get W.W. Grainger alerts: W.W. Grainger Price Performance Shares of GWW opened at $974.28 on Friday. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a twelve month low of $893.99 and a twelve month high of $1,192.65. The company has a market capitalization of $46.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $953.28 and a 200 day moving average of $1,000.47. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 2.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement W.W. Grainger ( NYSE:GWW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $10.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.95 by $0.26. W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 49.40% and a net margin of 9.75%.The business had revenue of $4.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.64 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $9.87 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. W.W. Grainger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 39.000-39.750 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were given a dividend of $2.26 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $9.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.35%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently issued reports on GWW. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. They set a market perform rating and a $975.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,006.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research report on Monday. Barclays upped their price target on W.W. Grainger from $963.00 to $975.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $1,150.00 to $1,100.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $1,009.43. View Our Latest Report on GWW Insider Buying and Selling In other W.W. Grainger news, SVP Jonny M. Leroy sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $992.86, for a total value of $496,430.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 1,771 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,758,355.06. The trade was a 22.02% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 6.10% of the companys stock. About W.W. Grainger (Free Report) W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 15.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,816 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 1,923 shares during the quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $6,078,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MA. LGT Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Flaharty Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Keystone Global Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in Mastercard during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the companys stock. Get Mastercard alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have commented on MA shares. Compass Point set a $620.00 target price on Mastercard and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group lifted their price target on Mastercard from $690.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $638.00 to $630.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. KeyCorp restated an overweight rating and set a $665.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Mastercard from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday. Four equities research 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $652.50. Mastercard Price Performance Shares of NYSE:MA opened at $545.48 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The firm has a market cap of $489.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.87. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $556.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $567.12. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $465.59 and a fifty-two week high of $601.77. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.28% and a return on equity of 202.03%. The firm had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.53 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.89 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year. Mastercard Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 9th were given a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 9th. Mastercards payout ratio is 19.44%. Mastercard Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Latin America 40 ETF (NYSEARCA:ILF Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $31.72 and last traded at $31.51, with a volume of 4157713 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $31.50. iShares Latin America 40 ETF Trading Down 4.2% The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $29.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $27.34. The stock has a market cap of $2.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.28 and a beta of 0.90. Get iShares Latin America 40 ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares Latin America 40 ETF Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in iShares Latin America 40 ETF by 31.7% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 70,934 shares of the companys stock worth $1,670,000 after buying an additional 17,064 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in iShares Latin America 40 ETF by 63.1% during the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 349,088 shares of the companys stock worth $8,221,000 after acquiring an additional 135,081 shares during the period. Simplex Trading LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF by 376.6% in the 1st quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 2,073 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 1,638 shares in the last quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,022,000. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Latin America 40 ETF by 1,065.9% in the 1st quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 285,077 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,714,000 after purchasing an additional 260,626 shares during the period. 45.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About iShares Latin America 40 ETF iShares S & P Latin America 40 Index Fund, formerly iShares Latin America 40 ETF (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P Latin America 40 (the Index). The Index consists of selected equities trading on the exchanges of five Latin American countries. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Latin America 40 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Latin America 40 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Disposable cups from different fast food brands - Sndr/Getty Images McDonald's and Starbucks are household names. The brands drive enormous sales revenue every year, and they're some of the world's largest employers. So you'd be forgiven for assuming that at least one of them must be the world's largest food chain as well. Starbucks, for instance, has more than 40,000 stores across the world. McDonald's, on the other hand, boasts of more than 44,000 global locations and has been consistently growing worldwide. In fact, if you would have invested $1,000 in McDonald's 10 years ago, you would have more than tripled your investment. Nonetheless, none of these mega-successful companies are No. 1 in terms of total number of outlets. It may surprise you, but with more than 45,000 stores on the world map as of September 2024, Mixue Bingcheng a Chinese ice cream and tea restaurant brand is currently the largest fast food chain in the world. Not only has the company gained immense popularity throughout Asia, but it has also capitalized on this demand by scaling at a rapid pace. Zhang Hongchao, founder of Mixue Bingcheng, started the business when he was still a student with a simple idea of providing affordable drinks and ice cream to workers and students. The company was founded in 1997 in Zhengzhou, still a newbie in comparison to, say, the Golden Arches, which began 85 years ago. Nonetheless, in a relatively short time, the brand has left a lasting impression on the hearts of its consumers with the affordability of its offerings as well as the quality of its service. Read more: McDonald's Happy Meal Toys That Are Worth A Ton Of Money Mixue Bingcheng offers cheap eats and sells products to its franchisees Mixue outlet at Jakarta - Edy waluyo nugroho/Shutterstock So what really differentiates Mixue from its competitors across the globe? Well, to begin with, the cost of its offerings. The pricing strategy revolves around the founder's intention to "let people around the world eat well and drink well for just two American dollars," as told by the founder to Chinese state media, per Eat This Not That. The price of a soft serve ice cream cone is only 15 cents, whereas beverages start from 30 cents. Such low-cost products are one of the primary reasons why Mixue has been able to thrive despite global economic crises that have shaken up other brands. In fact, considering just how much the average American spends on fast food, it comes as no surprise that fast food brands in America are turning to similar, budget-friendly strategies, like value meals, to further expand their customer base. Fannie Mae (OTCMKTS:FNMA Get Free Report) and PennyMac Financial Services (NYSE:PFSI Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, dividends and profitability. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Fannie Mae and PennyMac Financial Servicess top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Fannie Mae alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Fannie Mae $152.67 billion 0.09 $16.98 billion N/A N/A PennyMac Financial Services $1.59 billion 4.27 $311.42 million $9.28 14.10 Insider & Institutional Ownership Fannie Mae has higher revenue and earnings than PennyMac Financial Services. 0.0% of Fannie Mae shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 57.9% of PennyMac Financial Services shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Fannie Mae shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 15.8% of PennyMac Financial Services shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Fannie Mae and PennyMac Financial Services, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Fannie Mae 2 1 2 0 2.00 PennyMac Financial Services 0 4 4 0 2.50 Fannie Mae presently has a consensus price target of $12.88, suggesting a potential upside of 14.75%. PennyMac Financial Services has a consensus price target of $138.67, suggesting a potential upside of 5.94%. Given Fannie Maes higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Fannie Mae is more favorable than PennyMac Financial Services. Volatility and Risk Fannie Mae has a beta of 1.71, meaning that its share price is 71% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, PennyMac Financial Services has a beta of 1.58, meaning that its share price is 58% more volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares Fannie Mae and PennyMac Financial Services net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Fannie Mae 2.61% -37.47% 0.34% PennyMac Financial Services 25.21% 11.69% 1.87% Summary PennyMac Financial Services beats Fannie Mae on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Fannie Mae (Get Free Report) Federal National Mortgage Association provides financing solutions for mortgages in the United States. It operates through two segments, Single-Family and Multifamily. The Single-Family segment securitizes and purchases single-family fixed-rate or adjustable-rate, first-lien mortgage loans, or mortgage-related securities backed by these loans; and loans that are insured by Federal Housing Administration, loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Rural Development Housing and Community Facilities Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, manufactured housing mortgage loans, and other mortgage-related securities. The Multifamily segment securitizes multifamily mortgage loans into Fannie Mae mortgage backed securities (MBS); purchases multifamily mortgage loans; and provides credit enhancement for bonds issued by state and local housing finance authorities to finance multifamily housing. This segment also issues structured MBS backed by Fannie Mae multifamily MBS; buys and sells multifamily agency mortgage-backed securities; and invests in low-income housing tax credit multifamily projects. Federal National Mortgage Association was founded in 1938 and is based in Washington, the District of Columbia. About PennyMac Financial Services (Get Free Report) PennyMac Financial Services, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the mortgage banking and investment management activities in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Production, Servicing, and Investment Management. The Production segment is involved in the origination, acquisition, and sale of loans. This segment sources residential conventional and government-insured or guaranteed mortgage loans through correspondent production, consumer direct lending, and broker direct lending. The Servicing segment performs loan servicing for both newly originated loans that are under holding for sale and loans services for others. The segment performs loan administration, collection, and default management activities, including the collection and remittance of loan payments; responds to customer inquiries; provides accounting for principal and interest; holds custodial funds for the payment of property taxes and insurance premiums; counsels delinquent borrowers; and supervising foreclosures and property dispositions, as well as administers loss mitigation activities, such as modification and forbearance programs. The Investment Management segment is involved in sourcing, performing diligence, bidding, and closing investment asset acquisitions; managing correspondent production activities for PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust; and managing acquired assets. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Westlake Village, California. Receive News & Ratings for Fannie Mae Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fannie Mae and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its holdings in Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) by 144.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 80,632 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 47,659 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plcs holdings in Brookfield Asset Management were worth $4,456,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Brookfield Asset Management by 5.0% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,673,146 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $92,492,000 after purchasing an additional 79,124 shares in the last quarter. Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,925,000. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,014,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 9.5% during the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 1,486,086 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $81,513,000 after acquiring an additional 129,357 shares during the period. Finally, Wealthspire Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management during the 2nd quarter valued at $204,000. Institutional investors own 68.41% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield Asset Management alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BAM has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $62.00 to $59.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Brookfield Asset Management from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Bank of America downgraded Brookfield Asset Management from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $68.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Brookfield Asset Management from $55.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Brookfield Asset Management from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $64.32. Brookfield Asset Management Price Performance BAM stock opened at $53.27 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $87.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.39. Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. has a 52-week low of $41.78 and a 52-week high of $64.10. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $54.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $56.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 0.97. Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM Get Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.34 billion. Brookfield Asset Management had a net margin of 58.25% and a return on equity of 33.77%. Research analysts expect that Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. will post 1.7 EPS for the current fiscal year. Brookfield Asset Management Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.4375 dividend. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. Brookfield Asset Managements payout ratio is currently 109.38%. Brookfield Asset Management Company Profile (Free Report) Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. is a real estate investment firm specializing in alternative asset management services. Its renewable power and transition business includes the operates in the hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, and sustainable solution sector. The company's infrastructure business engages in the utilities, transport, midstream, and data infrastructure sectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Asset Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its position in Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES Free Report) by 11.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 121,453 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 12,584 shares during the quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLCs holdings in Eversource Energy were worth $7,727,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Eversource Energy by 1.5% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,652,661 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,904,422,000 after acquiring an additional 691,165 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in Eversource Energy by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 17,209,804 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,068,901,000 after acquiring an additional 739,448 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Eversource Energy by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 9,273,415 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $587,449,000 after purchasing an additional 211,962 shares during the period. Magellan Asset Management Ltd increased its position in Eversource Energy by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Magellan Asset Management Ltd now owns 6,952,127 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $442,294,000 after purchasing an additional 75,784 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Eversource Energy by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 6,036,393 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $374,920,000 after purchasing an additional 32,304 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.99% of the companys stock. Get Eversource Energy alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ES has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group downgraded shares of Eversource Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $78.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Scotiabank dropped their target price on Eversource Energy from $64.00 to $63.00 and set a sector underperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Eversource Energy in a report on Friday, October 31st. Wells Fargo & Company cut Eversource Energy from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $79.00 to $63.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed an underperform rating on shares of Eversource Energy in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $70.55. Insider Activity at Eversource Energy In related news, EVP James W. Hunt III sold 4,129 shares of Eversource Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.77, for a total value of $300,467.33. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 32,415 shares in the company, valued at $2,358,839.55. This trade represents a 11.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.41% of the stock is owned by insiders. Eversource Energy Stock Performance Shares of ES opened at $66.67 on Friday. Eversource Energy has a 12 month low of $52.28 and a 12 month high of $75.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $71.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $67.11. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. The firm has a market cap of $25.01 billion, a PE ratio of 18.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.76. Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.07. Eversource Energy had a return on equity of 11.06% and a net margin of 10.22%.The firm had revenue of $3.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.28 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.13 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Eversource Energy will post 4.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Eversource Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.7525 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 17th. This represents a $3.01 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.5%. Eversource Energys dividend payout ratio is 82.47%. Eversource Energy Profile (Free Report) Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company, engages in the energy delivery business. The company operates through Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, and Water Distribution segments. It is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity; solar power facilities; and distribution of natural gas. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ES? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eversource Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eversource Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Qtron Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 1,917 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $937,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Creative Planning raised its stake in Curtiss-Wright by 30.4% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 5,572 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,722,000 after buying an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management raised its holdings in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 21.5% during the second quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 549 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $268,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. Massachusetts Wealth Management acquired a new position in Curtiss-Wright in the 2nd quarter worth $266,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in Curtiss-Wright by 47.1% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,641 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,742,000 after purchasing an additional 2,766 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 46.3% during the second quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 127,003 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $62,047,000 after buying an additional 40,169 shares during the period. 82.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Curtiss-Wright alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently issued reports on CW shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $625.00 price objective on shares of Curtiss-Wright in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Curtiss-Wright from $565.00 to $645.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Curtiss-Wright from $525.00 to $537.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Curtiss-Wright from $457.00 to $502.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Curtiss-Wright in a research report on Monday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $562.83. Curtiss-Wright Trading Down 1.1% Shares of CW stock opened at $543.88 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $20.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.93. Curtiss-Wright Corporation has a 1 year low of $266.88 and a 1 year high of $612.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $558.46 and a 200 day simple moving average of $507.32. Curtiss-Wright (NYSE:CW Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The aerospace company reported $3.40 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.28 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $869.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $869.03 million. Curtiss-Wright had a return on equity of 18.82% and a net margin of 13.78%.The companys revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.89 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Curtiss-Wright Corporation will post 12.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Curtiss-Wright Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Curtiss-Wrights payout ratio is 7.82%. Curtiss-Wright Profile (Free Report) Curtiss-Wright Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides engineered products, solutions, and services mainly to aerospace and defense, commercial power, process, and industrial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Curtiss-Wright Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Curtiss-Wright and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantum Portfolio Management LLC increased its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Free Report) by 29.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 53,982 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 12,325 shares during the quarter. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF comprises about 1.3% of Quantum Portfolio Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Quantum Portfolio Management LLCs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $2,670,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP bought a new stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Bulwark Capital Corp acquired a new stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 250.0% in the 1st quarter. Accredited Wealth Management LLC now owns 700 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.19% of the companys stock. Get Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF alerts: Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Stock Up 0.4% Shares of VWO stock opened at $54.40 on Friday. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a 12 month low of $39.53 and a 12 month high of $56.04. The firm has a market cap of $102.87 billion, a PE ratio of 15.08 and a beta of 0.55. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $54.49 and a 200-day moving average of $51.82. About Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, that measures the return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VWO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.430-1.51 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 1.420. The company issued revenue guidance of $12.2 billion-$12.5 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $12.4 billion. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently commented on HRL. Zacks Research lowered Hormel Foods from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $27.00 target price on shares of Hormel Foods and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Piper Sandler reiterated a neutral rating and set a $26.00 price objective (up previously from $25.00) on shares of Hormel Foods in a report on Friday. Bank of America raised their target price on Hormel Foods from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $34.00 price target (down from $36.00) on shares of Hormel Foods in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Hormel Foods has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $28.86. Get Hormel Foods alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Hormel Foods Hormel Foods Trading Up 0.9% Shares of HRL stock opened at $24.37 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $13.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.01, a PEG ratio of 5.36 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 2.47. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $23.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $26.74. Hormel Foods has a 52-week low of $21.03 and a 52-week high of $33.80. Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.02. Hormel Foods had a return on equity of 9.41% and a net margin of 3.95%.The business had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.24 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.42 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Hormel Foods has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.430-1.51 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Hormel Foods will post 1.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hormel Foods Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 12th will be given a $0.2925 dividend. This is an increase from Hormel Foodss previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.17 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 12th. Hormel Foodss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 84.67%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hormel Foods Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HRL. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC raised its position in shares of Hormel Foods by 8.3% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 11,306 shares of the companys stock valued at $280,000 after purchasing an additional 863 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Hormel Foods during the third quarter worth $2,674,000. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in Hormel Foods during the third quarter valued at $5,403,000. Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its holdings in Hormel Foods by 30.3% in the third quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 35,905 shares of the companys stock valued at $888,000 after purchasing an additional 8,352 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morningstar Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Hormel Foods by 296.6% during the 3rd quarter. Morningstar Investment Management LLC now owns 31,915 shares of the companys stock valued at $790,000 after buying an additional 23,868 shares during the last quarter. 40.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Hormel Foods Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hormel Foods Corporation develops, processes, and distributes various meat, nuts, and other food products to retail, foodservice, deli, and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail, Foodservice, and International segments. The company provides various perishable products that include fresh meats, frozen items, refrigerated meal solutions, sausages, hams, guacamoles, and bacons; and shelf-stable products comprising canned luncheon meats, nut butters, snack nuts, chili, shelf-stable microwaveable meals, hash, stews, tortillas, salsas, tortilla chips, nutritional food supplements, and others. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hormel Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hormel Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank Of Montreal (NYSE:BMO Get Free Report) (TSE:BMO) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The bank reported $2.36 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.16 by $0.20, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $6.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.51 billion. Bank Of Montreal had a net margin of 11.13% and a return on equity of 11.79%. Bank Of Montreals revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.90 EPS. Bank Of Montreal Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BMO opened at $128.81 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $91.66 billion, a PE ratio of 15.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.95. The firms 50 day moving average price is $125.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $118.28. Bank Of Montreal has a twelve month low of $85.40 and a twelve month high of $131.36. Get Bank Of Montreal alerts: Bank Of Montreal Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be paid a $1.67 dividend. This is a boost from Bank Of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 30th. This represents a $6.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.2%. Bank Of Montreals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 57.28%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BMO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. National Bankshares restated an outperform rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a report on Friday, August 15th. Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. TD Securities reissued a hold rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a report on Friday. Finally, CIBC upgraded Bank Of Montreal from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $163.00. View Our Latest Analysis on BMO Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Bank Of Montreal by 4.0% in the third 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. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank Of Montreal by 1.4% in the second quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 12,364 shares of the banks stock worth $1,368,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank Of Montreal by 466.7% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 238 shares of the banks stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 196 shares during the last quarter. Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners Ltd. grew its holdings in Bank Of Montreal by 0.9% during the second quarter. Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners Ltd. now owns 26,888 shares of the banks stock worth $2,974,000 after acquiring an additional 241 shares during the period. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in Bank Of Montreal during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 45.82% of the companys stock. 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Bank Of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank Of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PGIM Custom Harvest LLC lifted its position in Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:FLJP Free Report) by 44.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 50,151 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 15,364 shares during the period. PGIM Custom Harvest LLC owned about 0.07% of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF worth $1,612,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in Franklin FTSE Japan ETF by 31.6% in the 1st quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 2,246 shares of the companys stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares during the period. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF in the second quarter valued at $109,000. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF by 385.7% in the second quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 3,400 shares of the companys stock valued at $109,000 after purchasing an additional 2,700 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its position in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF by 151.2% in the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 4,658 shares of the companys stock worth $137,000 after buying an additional 2,804 shares during the period. Finally, Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA purchased a new position in shares of Franklin FTSE Japan ETF during the first quarter valued at $202,000. Get Franklin FTSE Japan ETF alerts: Franklin FTSE Japan ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA:FLJP opened at $35.89 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $35.27 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.28 and a beta of 0.65. Franklin FTSE Japan ETF has a 1-year low of $25.77 and a 1-year high of $36.17. About Franklin FTSE Japan ETF The Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (FLJP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Japan RIC Capped index. The fund tracks a market-cap-selected and -weighted index of Japanese equities. FLJP was launched on Nov 2, 2017 and is managed by Franklin Templeton. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FLJP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:FLJP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Franklin FTSE Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Franklin FTSE Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JBT Marel Corporation (NYSE:JBTM Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of 0.10 per share on Monday, December 29th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. JBT Marel Stock Down 0.2% Shares of NYSE:JBTM opened at $140.99 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $137.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $132.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.33 billion, a P/E ratio of -62.94, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.01. JBT Marel has a 1 year low of $90.08 and a 1 year high of $148.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.93. Get JBT Marel alerts: JBT Marel (NYSE:JBTM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.43. JBT Marel had a negative net margin of 3.39% and a positive return on equity of 7.88%. The firm had revenue of $1 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $936.75 million. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 120.6% on a year-over-year basis. JBT Marel has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.100-6.400 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that JBT Marel will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In JBTM has been the subject of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of JBT Marel in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Robert W. Baird set a $169.00 target price on JBT Marel in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $156.00. Check Out Our Latest Report on JBT Marel About JBT Marel (Get Free Report) JBT Marel Corporation provides technology solutions to food and beverage industry in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. It offers value-added processing that includes chilling, mixing/grinding, injecting, blending, marinating, tumbling, flattening, forming, portioning, coating, cooking, frying, freezing, extracting, pasteurizing, sterilizing, concentrating, high pressure processing, weighing, inspecting, filling, closing, sealing, end of line material handling, and packaging solutions to the food, beverage, and health market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for JBT Marel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JBT Marel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Qtron Investments LLC grew its holdings in AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU Free Report) by 159.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 37,542 shares of the mining companys stock after acquiring an additional 23,070 shares during the quarter. Qtron Investments LLCs holdings in AngloGold Ashanti were worth $1,692,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in AngloGold Ashanti by 1,767.5% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,788,123 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $127,027,000 after purchasing an additional 2,638,823 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in AngloGold Ashanti by 274.6% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,137,721 shares of the mining companys stock worth $142,986,000 after purchasing an additional 2,300,204 shares during the last quarter. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. bought a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti during the 1st quarter worth about $63,186,000. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti during the second quarter valued at about $74,039,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 6.1% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,284,407 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,017,746,000 after buying an additional 1,281,958 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 36.09% of the companys stock. Get AngloGold Ashanti alerts: AngloGold Ashanti Stock Performance AngloGold Ashanti stock opened at $82.63 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.20 and a beta of 0.58. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $75.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $60.37. AngloGold Ashanti PLC has a 52-week low of $22.45 and a 52-week high of $89.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 2.99 and a quick ratio of 2.22. AngloGold Ashanti Dividend Announcement AngloGold Ashanti ( NYSE:AU Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 11th. The mining company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $2.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.53 billion. AngloGold Ashanti had a return on equity of 24.50% and a net margin of 26.25%. As a group, analysts anticipate that AngloGold Ashanti PLC will post 3.83 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.4%. AngloGold Ashantis dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 80.18%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades AU has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings raised AngloGold Ashanti from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on AngloGold Ashanti from $128.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. HSBC restated a reduce rating and set a $55.00 price objective on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Roth Capital set a $76.00 target price on AngloGold Ashanti and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of AngloGold Ashanti from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AngloGold Ashanti currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $80.83. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on AngloGold Ashanti About AngloGold Ashanti (Free Report) AngloGold Ashanti plc operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania. See Also Receive News & Ratings for AngloGold Ashanti Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AngloGold Ashanti and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PARIS Yuv, a London-based beauty tech company offering a smart, sustainable hair color lab system for salons and freelancers, has closed a $12 million Series A funding round. It was led by Swedens Nineyards Equity, specialized on companies delivering financial returns and positive ESGL impact, with strong participation of Yuvs founder Franciso Gimenez, existing investor VNV Global and strategic angels. More from WWD The newly raised funds are to be used to accelerate Yuvs growth in the U.K. and support its expansion in the U.S. next year. Yuv Beauty developed Yuv Lab, which is app-connected. The system allows for the replacement of single-use tubes with refillable aluminum cartridges. Alongside reducing waste, Yuv Lab offers with a touch of a button millions of customized formulations. From quarter shades to the addition of tertiary tones, pH control and translucency-opacity levels, the system employs advanced technology to create the desired blends of hues and tones. It uses patented hardware, AI-backed software and Swiss formulas. Yuv is billed to cut costs, streamline operations and enhance creativity. The pay-as-you-dispense model means that salons and freelancers are only charged for what they use. Yuv cartridges At Nineyards, we back category-defining companies with the potential to fundamentally reshape their industries, Eric Savendahl, principle at Nineyards Equity, said in a statement released Friday. Yuv is bringing true digital transformation to professional hair color by combining hardware, color and software into a platform that solves real pain points for salons and freelancing hairdressers alike. We are highly impressed by what Francisco and the team have accomplished so far, and are excited to support them as they scale in the U.K., U.S. and beyond. This raise represents a pivotal moment for Yuv, said Gimenez, founder and chief executive officer of the company. With the support of Nineyards Equity, VNV Global and our investor network, we are doubling down on our mission to transform professional hair color through sustainability, design and technology. Our next chapter will bring Yuvs platform to more salons and freelancers across the U.K., and soon to the U.S., where we see massive potential. The global salon hair services market is expected to register steady growth, from $203.78 billion in 2025 to $341.67 billion by 2032, according to Yuv, citing Fortune Business Insights. Idaho Trust Co increased its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Free Report) by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 195,724 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 10,587 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF accounts for about 6.3% of Idaho Trust Cos portfolio, making the stock its largest position. Idaho Trust Cos holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $17,496,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pineridge Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Addison Advisors LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 56.6% in the second quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 379 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Elequin Capital LP increased its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 44.7% during the 1st quarter. Elequin Capital LP now owns 447 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares during the period. Angeles Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $49,000. 79.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get iShares MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Performance EFA opened at $95.81 on Friday. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 12-month low of $72.14 and a 12-month high of $96.69. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $94.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $91.60. The company has a market capitalization of $69.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.84. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Idaho Trust Co grew its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWO Free Report) by 21.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 19,342 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 3,440 shares during the quarter. iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF accounts for 2.0% of Idaho Trust Cos investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Idaho Trust Cos holdings in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF were worth $5,529,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC purchased a new position in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $114,000. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI lifted its position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 10.2% during the first quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 6,760 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,727,000 after purchasing an additional 626 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF during the first quarter worth $238,000. AlphaCore Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF in the first quarter valued at $162,000. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $1,176,000. 74.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF Price Performance Shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF stock opened at $331.15 on Friday. iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF has a 1-year low of $219.19 and a 1-year high of $337.26. The company has a market capitalization of $13.30 billion, a PE ratio of 21.86 and a beta of 1.17. The business has a 50-day moving average of $323.43 and a 200-day moving average of $303.68. iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF Profile iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the small-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. cut its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUC Free Report) by 59.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 94,734 shares of the companys stock after selling 139,163 shares during the quarter. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc.s holdings in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund were worth $980,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund in the second quarter worth $28,000. US Bancorp DE boosted its holdings in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 937.6% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 3,144 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 2,841 shares during the last quarter. Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC grew its position in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 16.6% during the 1st quarter. Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC now owns 10,693 shares of the companys stock worth $115,000 after purchasing an additional 1,519 shares during the period. Realta Investment Advisors acquired a new stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund during the 2nd quarter worth about $141,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 37.7% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 38,079 shares of the companys stock valued at $408,000 after buying an additional 10,416 shares during the last quarter. 30.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund alerts: BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Price Performance Shares of MUC stock opened at $10.69 on Friday. BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. has a 52-week low of $9.97 and a 52-week high of $11.47. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.49. BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Announces Dividend About BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $0.0535 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. (Free Report) BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in a portfolio of long-term investment-grade municipal obligations, the interest on which is exempt from Federal and California income taxes. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MUC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stenger Family Office LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 7,886 shares of the credit services providers stock, valued at approximately $4,409,000. Mastercard makes up 1.0% of Stenger Family Office LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Idaho Trust Co purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 2nd quarter valued at about $302,000. Hendershot Investments Inc. boosted its stake in Mastercard by 1.7% during the second quarter. Hendershot Investments Inc. now owns 36,179 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $20,330,000 after buying an additional 612 shares during the last quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC grew its holdings in Mastercard by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC now owns 3,805 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $2,138,000 after buying an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Avestar Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 15.1% in the 2nd quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 7,079 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,978,000 after acquiring an additional 927 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial & Tax Architects LLC increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 40.4% in the 2nd quarter. Financial & Tax Architects LLC now owns 612 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $344,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the companys stock. Get Mastercard alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on MA shares. KeyCorp reissued an overweight rating and issued a $665.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Mastercard from $669.00 to $660.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Mastercard from $645.00 to $654.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group lifted their target price on Mastercard from $690.00 to $700.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Compass Point set a $620.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $652.50. Mastercard Price Performance MA opened at $545.48 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $556.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $567.12. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12-month low of $465.59 and a 12-month high of $601.77. The firm has a market cap of $489.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.88, a PEG ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $8.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.53 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.28% and a return on equity of 202.03%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.89 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year. Mastercard Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 9th were paid a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Mastercards payout ratio is presently 19.44%. Mastercard Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Long Pond Capital LP cut its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI Free Report) by 10.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 744,637 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 84,430 shares during the quarter. D.R. Horton makes up 6.2% of Long Pond Capital LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Long Pond Capital LP owned 0.25% of D.R. Horton worth $95,999,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. SageView Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in D.R. Horton during the second quarter worth about $380,000. TCM Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of D.R. Horton by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. TCM Advisors LLC now owns 6,100 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $786,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Brown Advisory Inc. increased its stake in shares of D.R. Horton by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 6,319 shares of the construction companys stock worth $815,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in shares of D.R. Horton by 81.0% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 695,185 shares of the construction companys stock worth $89,623,000 after purchasing an additional 311,078 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Philadelphia Trust Co. raised its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton by 55.1% in the 2nd quarter. Philadelphia Trust Co. now owns 55,225 shares of the construction companys stock worth $7,120,000 after purchasing an additional 19,608 shares during the period. 90.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get D.R. Horton alerts: D.R. Horton Stock Performance D.R. Horton stock opened at $158.59 on Friday. D.R. Horton, Inc. has a 1-year low of $110.44 and a 1-year high of $184.54. The company has a current ratio of 6.48, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.32 billion, a PE ratio of 13.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.38. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $153.75 and its 200 day simple moving average is $148.59. D.R. Horton Increases Dividend D.R. Horton ( NYSE:DHI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $3.04 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.29 by ($0.25). The firm had revenue of $9.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.44 billion. D.R. Horton had a net margin of 10.47% and a return on equity of 14.39%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.92 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that D.R. Horton, Inc. will post 13.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 13th. This is a positive change from D.R. Hortons previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. D.R. Hortons payout ratio is presently 15.53%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. BTIG Research started coverage on D.R. Horton in a report on Monday. They set a buy rating and a $186.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of D.R. Horton from $175.00 to $165.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of D.R. Horton from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of D.R. Horton from $178.00 to $175.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a market outperform rating on shares of D.R. Horton in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $160.15. Read Our Latest Research Report on D.R. Horton About D.R. Horton (Free Report) D.R. Horton, Inc operates as a homebuilding company in East, North, Southeast, South Central, Southwest, and Northwest regions in the United States. It engages in the acquisition and development of land; and construction and sale of residential homes in 118 markets across 33 states under the names of D.R. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DHI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for D.R. Horton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for D.R. Horton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its position in WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report) by 160.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 943,962 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 581,748 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP owned approximately 0.29% of WEC Energy Group worth $98,361,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WEC Energy Group in the 1st quarter valued at $403,372,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 34.9% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,213,304 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $567,727,000 after purchasing an additional 1,349,522 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in WEC Energy Group by 2.1% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 39,945,761 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,162,348,000 after purchasing an additional 816,243 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 16.6% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,103,604 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $556,191,000 after purchasing an additional 726,267 shares during the last quarter. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. grew its position in WEC Energy Group by 1,529.3% during the 1st quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 709,209 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $77,290,000 after purchasing an additional 665,681 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.20% of the companys stock. Get WEC Energy Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have recently issued reports on WEC. TD Cowen assumed coverage on WEC Energy Group in a report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a hold rating and a $125.00 price objective for the company. Scotiabank lifted their price target on WEC Energy Group from $129.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on WEC Energy Group from $114.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on WEC Energy Group in a research report on Monday, October 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $124.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of WEC Energy Group from $117.00 to $122.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, WEC Energy Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $120.21. WEC Energy Group Stock Performance Shares of WEC stock opened at $105.69 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $91.94 and a 12-month high of $118.18. The businesss 50 day moving average is $112.90 and its two-hundred day moving average is $109.21. The company has a market capitalization of $34.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.98, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.56. WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, September 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 12.60% and a net margin of 17.75%.The business had revenue of $2.28 billion during the quarter. Analysts expect that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 5.23 EPS for the current fiscal year. WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.9525 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This is a positive change from WEC Energy Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.89. This represents a $3.81 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. WEC Energy Groups payout ratio is 67.49%. About WEC Energy Group (Free Report) WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. It operates through Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, and Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure segments. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WEC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for WEC Energy Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WEC Energy Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Integrity Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:AII Get Free Report) CEO Robert Ritchie sold 59,554 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.00, for a total value of $1,131,526.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 2,417,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $45,927,028. This trade represents a 2.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. American Integrity Insurance Group Stock Down 4.0% NYSE AII opened at $19.79 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $22.81 and its 200-day moving average is $19.82. The company has a market capitalization of $387.47 million and a PE ratio of 4.40. American Integrity Insurance Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $15.77 and a 12-month high of $26.36. Get American Integrity Insurance Group alerts: American Integrity Insurance Group (NYSE:AII Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.10. American Integrity Insurance Group had a net margin of 31.63% and a return on equity of 37.99%. The business had revenue of $62.03 million during the quarter. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on AII shares. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on American Integrity Insurance Group from $22.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Citizens Jmp increased their price target on American Integrity Insurance Group from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Citigroup restated an outperform rating on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (e+) rating on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on American Integrity Insurance Group from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Integrity Insurance Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $26.80. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on American Integrity Insurance Group Institutional Trading of American Integrity Insurance Group Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in American Integrity Insurance Group during the second quarter worth $45,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in American Integrity Insurance Group during the third quarter worth $72,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in the third quarter valued at $83,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in the second quarter valued at about $101,000. About American Integrity Insurance Group (Get Free Report) We are a profitable and growing insurance group headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Through our insurance carrier subsidiary, American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida, Inc (AIICFL), we provide personal residential property insurance for single-family homeowners and condominium owners as well as coverage for vacant dwellings and investment properties, predominantly in Florida. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Halma (OTCMKTS:HLMAF Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $49.00 and last traded at $49.00, with a volume of 823 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $48.00. Analyst Ratings Changes HLMAF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Halma in a research report on Monday. UBS Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Halma in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Barclays restated an overweight rating on shares of Halma in a report on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Halma from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, August 18th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Halma currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Halma alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on HLMAF Halma Stock Performance About Halma The business has a 50-day moving average of $46.65 and a 200-day moving average of $44.40. The company has a quick ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 2.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. (Get Free Report) Halma plc, together its subsidiaries, provides technology solutions in the safety, health, and environmental markets in the United States, Mainland Europe, the United Kingdom, the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Safety, Environmental & Analysis, and Medical. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Halma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Halma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Greencore Group (OTCMKTS:GNCGY Get Free Report)s share price gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $13.75, but opened at $13.00. Greencore Group shares last traded at $13.00, with a volume of 100 shares. Greencore Group Price Performance The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.54. Greencore Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Greencore Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells convenience food products in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company offers sandwiches, salads, sushi, chilled snacking, chilled ready meals, chilled soups and sauces, chilled quiche, ambient sauces and pickles, and frozen Yorkshire Puddings. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Greencore Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Greencore Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Airlines Group, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Air Group, Joby Aviation, and Air Lease are the seven Airline stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Airline stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that operate passenger and cargo air transportation, giving investors ownership in carriers ranging from major legacy airlines to low-cost and regional operators. These stocks tend to be cyclical and relatively volatile, driven by factors like fuel prices, economic growth, travel demand, labor costs, regulation, and seasonality, which can lead to wide swings in profitability and returns. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Airline stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: American Airlines Group (AAL) American Airlines Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a network air carrier. The company provides scheduled air transportation services for passengers and cargo through its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., as well as through partner gateways in London, Doha, Madrid, Seattle/Tacoma, Sydney, and Tokyo. United Airlines (UAL) United Airlines Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional fleets. It also offers catering, ground handling, flight academy, and maintenance services for third parties. Read Our Latest Research Report on UAL Southwest Airlines (LUV) Southwest Airlines Co. operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. Read Our Latest Research Report on LUV Delta Air Lines (DAL) Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Read Our Latest Research Report on DAL Alaska Air Group (ALK) Alaska Air Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates airlines. It operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing jet aircraft for passengers and cargo in the United States, and in parts of Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and the Bahamas; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Read Our Latest Research Report on ALK Joby Aviation (JOBY) Joby Aviation, Inc., a vertically integrated air mobility company, engages in building an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft optimized to deliver air transportation as a service. The company intends to build an aerial ridesharing service, as well as developing an application-based platform that will enable consumers to book rides. Read Our Latest Research Report on JOBY Air Lease (AL) Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, engages in the purchase and leasing of commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. It sells aircraft from its fleet to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies, airlines, and other investors. The company provides fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios. Read Our Latest Research Report on AL Read More Flying Blue highlights Fly local : Flying Blue is great for getting to and from Europe, but it also offers excellent value to U.S.-focused travelers. You can book Delta flights with your Flying Blue Miles, opening up numerous opportunities to redeem rewards on domestic travel. Bring the family : You get a 25% discount on Flying Blue award tickets for children aged 2 to 11, making it more affordable to travel as a family. Rack up rewards : Its easy to earn Flying Blue Miles, as you can transfer rewards from Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and more. Travel in style: Flying Blue award sweet spots include business class flights to/from Europe, starting at 60,000 points (or fewer with a transfer bonus or promotional offer). Flying Blue overview What is Flying Blue? Flying Blue is the joint travel loyalty program of Air France and KLM, two European airlines based out of Paris and Amsterdam. This free-to-join program offers members the opportunity to earn and redeem Flying Blue Miles. Where does Flying Blue fly? Air France and KLM are the primary airlines within Flying Blue, offering direct flights to numerous destinations worldwide, including North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. These flights are based out of the hub cities of Paris and Amsterdam. However, Flying Blue also partners with over 30 other airlines to provide access to even more global destinations. For U.S.-based travelers, that includes access to Delta routes to and from these U.S. cities: Atlanta (ATL) Boston (BOS) Charlotte (CLT) Chicago (ORD) Dallas (DFW) Denver (DEN) Detroit (DTW) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Houston (IAH) Las Vegas (LAS) Los Angeles (LAX) Miami (MIA) Minneapolis (MSP) Nashville (BNA) Newark (EWR) New York (JFK) New York (LGA) Orlando (MCO) Philadelphia (PHL) Phoenix (PHX) Salt Lake City (SLC) San Francisco (SFO) Seattle (SEA) Tampa (TPA) Washington, D.C. (DCA) Washington, D.C. (IAD) How to earn Flying Blue Miles Flying You can earn Flying Blue Miles and status points, called XP, on eligible flights with Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and over 30 partner airlines, including Delta Air Lines. Credit cards The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard earns Flying Blue Miles on all eligible purchases, doesnt charge foreign transaction fees, and typically provides a sign-up bonus to qualifying new cardholders. It may make sense to apply for it if you frequently use Flying Blue. However, its worth noting that you can transfer rewards to Flying Blue from most major credit card rewards programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Wells Fargo. That opens up huge opportunities for taking advantage of Flying Blue redemptions while staying within a flexible rewards program. With that in mind, here are additional travel credit cards you could use to earn (via transfers) Flying Blue Miles: If you prefer travel cards with premium perks, such as airport lounge access, consider these options: Related: Best rewards credit cards Sharing miles The Flying Blue program lets you create or join a Flying Blue Family with up to eight Flying Blue members, with a maximum of two adults and six children. A Flying Blue Family lets you share your Flying Blue Miles with other members of the group, making it easier to build your overall points pool and book more award flights. Buying miles Flying Blue members can buy more Flying Blue Miles through the Flying Blue website. This typically isnt the most cost-effective way to earn miles, but it could make sense if you need to top off your balance to make a specific redemption. Here are a few examples of how much it costs to buy Flying Blue Miles: 2,000 miles: $63.40 10,000 miles: $305 50,000 miles: $1,525 100,000 miles: $3,050 Additional ways to earn Flying Blue Miles Hotel and other stays: Flying Blue has partnered with hotels and booking websites to offer opportunities to earn miles on hotel and other stays. Some of the partners include Accor Live Limitless, Hyatt, Booking.com, Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors, IHG, and more. Car rentals: Similarly, you can also earn miles with eligible car rentals from Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, National, Avis, Budget, and more. Shopping: The Flying Blue shopping portal, Shop for Miles, lets you earn miles for shopping at popular stores and retailers like Walmart, Macys, CVS, and others. Experiences: The Flying Blue Event & Concert Tickets website allows you to earn miles on various event tickets. If youre planning to book a fun tour or activity, consider using GetYourGuide to earn miles on your booking (after adding your Flying Blue number). How to book flights with Flying Blue 1. Sign up for a free Flying Blue account on the Air France or KLM website. 2. Log in to your account on either website. 3. Select the Book a flight option to search for flights using cash. Select the Book with Miles option to search for flights using miles. 4. Enter your desired itinerary information, including one-way or round trip, your departure city, your arrival city, your date(s), the number of passengers, and the fare class. 5. Select the Search flights button and browse flights from the available options. 6. Select a flight from the available options, enter the required personal and payment information, then book your flight. Tip: If youre browsing Flying Blue award flights and want to see a monthly calendar view of prices, leave the Departure date field blank when you start your search. Flying Blue award sweet spots and example bookings Theres loads of value to be had from the Flying Blue program, but you have to play around with it to see how it can benefit you. Here are some examples of what you can expect to find. Economy flights to/from Europe You can find economy flights to Europe from the U.S. for as little as 18,750 miles when Flying Blue is running promotional fares. If there arent promotional fares available for the route youre checking, the lowest economy award tickets tend to run at 25,000 miles. Business flights to and from Europe Business class flights to Europe from North America can go as low as 45,000 miles per person on promotional fares. The typical business class award ticket will go as low as 60,000 miles without a promotional fare. Delta domestic flights Delta U.S. domestic flights can provide great value when booking through Flying Blue. This flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas would only cost 5,000 miles one-way. For a short flight between Atlanta and Miami, youd be on the hook for 8,000 miles. Partner international flights This Delta flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo would only cost 35,500 miles. This AeroMexico flight from Houston to Mexico City is only 8,500 miles. Who should care about Flying Blue Miles? This list can give you an idea of who may be able to make the most of using Flying Blue to earn and redeem miles: Delta travelers: Flying Blue members can redeem miles toward Delta flights, often at a lower price. Delta elite status can also get you benefits when flying with KLM and Air France, including priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, preferred seats, lounge access, and more. Families: With a 25% discount on Flying Blue award tickets for children under 12, the Flying Blue program can provide huge value for families. Europe enthusiasts: Flying Blue is based out of Paris and Amsterdam, making it an excellent choice for travelers who frequently visit Europe. You can fly directly to those cities from many destinations worldwide, or connect through to another city. Flying Blue tips and tricks Transfer bonuses Major credit card rewards programs frequently offer bonuses on transfers to certain travel partners. This means youll receive additional miles on top of the miles you would normally get from a transfer. For example, Amex Membership Rewards typically transfer to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio, which means you get 1,000 Flying Blue Miles for every 1,000 Membership Rewards you transfer. With a 20% transfer bonus, you would actually get 1,200 Flying Blue Miles for every 1,000 Membership Rewards transferred. That may not seem like a lot when talking about only transferring 1,000 points, but it adds up the more points you transfer. And any points you save can be used for more redemptions down the road. Flying Blue Promo Rewards Every month, Flying Blue releases new Air France-KLM Flying Blue Promo Rewards that provide up to a 25% discount on different Flying Blue award tickets. These tickets can include economy, premium economy, and business class fares on Air France and KLM. To put it into perspective, that means you could book a flight to Europe for as little as: 18,750 miles in economy 30,000 miles in premium economy 45,000 miles in business You would have to add some taxes and fees onto these mileage prices, but you should still get excellent value from these promo redemptions. To take it a step further, you could increase your redemption value even more if you were also able to take advantage of a transfer bonus on one of these fares. For example, heres how much you would need in Amex, Chase, Capital One, or Citi rewards for the same promo fares as above with a 20% transfer bonus (this is assuming you need to transfer in increments of 1,000 rewards each): 16,000 in transferred rewards = 19,200 miles 25,000 in transferred rewards = 30,000 miles 38,000 in transferred rewards = 45,600 miles Stopovers Flying Blues stopover program lets you add a complimentary stopover in Paris or Amsterdam on eligible award itineraries. Stopovers must be at least 24 hours but can last days or weeks. Meaning, you can be quite flexible with your travel arrangements without incurring additional costs for your flights. Child discount Flying Blue gives a 25% discount on award tickets booked for children aged 2 to 11. This should also work for children under the age of 2 who are in their own seat. Lap infants typically have their own discounts. Calendar view Flying Blue is one of the easiest programs to use when searching for award flights across a range of dates. If you open up the Book with Miles search tool on the KLM or Air France website, leave the Departure date field blank. This will provide you with a calendar view that allows you to quickly see the lowest fares by month. Note: We have seen issues occasionally with clicking through to a specific day, and it wont show the same price as seen on the calendar but these instances are relatively uncommon in our experience. Elite status Having elite status with Flying Blue or another SkyTeam Alliance airline, such as Delta, can get you certain benefits across the board. For Delta elite status holders, that could mean getting lounge access, extra baggage allowance, preferred seats, and priority boarding on Flying Blue flights. Flight reservations In our experience, its possible to call Flying Blue to hold an award ticket reservation. This is mainly useful in situations where youre looking for award space, but havent actually transferred any points or miles into your Flying Blue account yet from another source. In many cases, transfers are immediate. However, they can sometimes take longer, even up to a few days or more. In these cases, its helpful to have a customer service agent put the award fare on hold while you arrange the transfer. Otherwise, someone else could snap up that booking before youre ready. Note that there might be a small fee for putting an award ticket on hold over the phone or completing a held reservation over the phone, but an agent may waive the fee for you. Miles expiration Flying Blue Miles are valid for two years for Explorer Members aged 18 and older. You can extend the expiration date by two years with an Overall Extending Activity. A qualifying activity typically includes earning Flying Blue Miles by completing an eligible flight with Air France, KLM, or a partner airline. You may also be able to extend the expiration date through other mileage-earning activities, such as transfers, although this isnt explicitly stated in the Flying Blue terms. What are Flying Blue Miles worth? According to our valuations, Flying Blue Miles are typically worth about 1.2 cents per mile. That means: 10,000 Flying Blue Miles = $120 100,000 Flying Blue Miles = $1,200 1,000,000 Flying Blue Miles = $12,000 However, the value of your miles could be higher or lower depending on how you redeem them. Redeeming your miles toward flights will typically provide the best redemption value, but that value can vary. For example, you can get much more value by redeeming your miles for a business class flight compared to one in economy class, simply because the cash prices for business class are much higher. You can calculate the redemption value for any potential booking by dividing the cash price by the number of miles needed for the same fare. For instance, if a flight costs $240 or 20,000 miles, you would divide $240 by 20,000 and get 0.012, or a valuation of 1.2 cents per mile. FAQs about Flying Blue Is it free to join Flying Blue? Yes, Flying Blue is free to join through the Air France and KLM websites. How much is 100,000 Flying Blue Miles worth? This is valued at approximately $1,200, according to our estimates. Thats a redemption value of 1.2 cents per mile. How do you book Air France with Flying Blue? Log in to your Flying Blue account through the KLM or Air France website, search for flights, and select a flight operated by Air France. Then pay for the booking with miles from your Flying Blue account. What are the Flying Blue partners? Flying Blue airline partners include: Aerolineas Argentinas Aeromexico Air Corsica Air Europa Air France Air Mauritius airBaltic Aircalin Chalair Aviation China Airlines China Eastern China Southern Airlines Copa Airlines Delta Air Lines EL AL Israel Airlines Etihad Airways Garuda Indonesia GOL ITA AIrways Japan Airlines (JAL) Kenya Airways KLM Korean Air Malaysia Airlines Middle East Airlines Oman Air Qantas Saudi Arabian Airlines Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) TAROM Transavia Twin Jet Vietnam Airlines Virgin Atlantic WestJet Winair Xiamen Airlines Are Air France and KLM the same? No, Air France and KLM are two separate airlines based in Europe. However, they share a travel loyalty program called Flying Blue. The Flying Blue program is free to join and offers members the opportunity to earn and redeem miles with Flying Blue and its partners, such as Delta, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air. Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the banks website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product. National Australia Bank Ltd. (OTCMKTS:NABZY Get Free Report)s share price gapped up prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $13.34, but opened at $13.91. National Australia Bank shares last traded at $13.3640, with a volume of 22,024 shares changing hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have commented on NABZY shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of National Australia Bank to a strong sell rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. National Bankshares started coverage on shares of National Australia Bank in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a sell rating and a $38.00 target price on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Sell and an average price target of $38.00. Get National Australia Bank alerts: Read Our Latest Report on National Australia Bank National Australia Bank Trading Up 0.9% About National Australia Bank The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $14.00 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $13.42. (Get Free Report) National Australia Bank Limited provides financial services to individuals and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. The company operates through Business and Private Banking; Personal Banking; Corporate and Institutional Banking; New Zealand Banking; and Corporate Functions and Other segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for National Australia Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Australia Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE:BDN Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $3.23 and last traded at $3.2350, with a volume of 1314327 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $3.32. Analyst Ratings Changes BDN has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on shares of Brandywine Realty Trust from $5.00 to $4.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Wall Street Zen cut Brandywine Realty Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Truist Financial cut Brandywine Realty Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the company from $5.00 to $4.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brandywine Realty Trust in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, KeyCorp lowered Brandywine Realty Trust from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a report on Thursday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Reduce and an average target price of $4.00. Get Brandywine Realty Trust alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Brandywine Realty Trust Brandywine Realty Trust Stock Down 2.8% The company has a market capitalization of $538.47 million, a PE ratio of -2.90 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a quick ratio of 2.14, a current ratio of 2.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $3.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4.01. Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE:BDN Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by ($0.01). Brandywine Realty Trust had a negative net margin of 38.03% and a negative return on equity of 19.55%. The business had revenue of $121.42 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $119.11 million. Equities research analysts predict that Brandywine Realty Trust will post 0.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Brandywine Realty Trust Cuts Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 9th were given a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 9th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.3%. Brandywine Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently -29.91%. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Gerard H. Sweeney acquired 88,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $3.38 per share, for a total transaction of $299,130.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 3,042,210 shares in the company, valued at $10,282,669.80. The trade was a 3.00% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director James C. Diggs sold 23,190 shares of Brandywine Realty Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.47, for a total transaction of $80,469.30. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 128,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $446,491.84. This trade represents a 15.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 3.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Brandywine Realty Trust by 18.7% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 36,115 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $161,000 after buying an additional 5,698 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Brandywine Realty Trust in the 1st quarter valued at about $331,000. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in Brandywine Realty Trust by 135.0% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 13,273 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 7,624 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Brandywine Realty Trust by 24.1% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,488,677 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $15,559,000 after purchasing an additional 676,477 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of Brandywine Realty Trust in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,037,000. 87.27% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Brandywine Realty Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE: BDN) is one of the largest, publicly traded, full-service, integrated real estate companies in the United States with a core focus in the Philadelphia and Austin markets. Organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT), we own, develop, lease and manage an urban, town center and transit-oriented portfolio comprising 160 properties and 22.6 million square feet as of September 30, 2023 which excludes assets held for sale. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Brandywine Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brandywine Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agri Bank China (OTCMKTS:ACGBY Get Free Report) and Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE:MFG Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and risk. Profitability This table compares Agri Bank China and Mizuho Financial Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Agri Bank China alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Agri Bank China 21.14% 9.25% 0.63% Mizuho Financial Group 11.57% 9.20% 0.35% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Agri Bank China and Mizuho Financial Groups gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Agri Bank China $195.64 billion 1.32 $39.24 billion $2.70 6.84 Mizuho Financial Group $59.30 billion 1.55 $3.92 billion $0.55 13.37 Agri Bank China has higher revenue and earnings than Mizuho Financial Group. Agri Bank China is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Mizuho Financial Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Agri Bank China and Mizuho Financial Group, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Agri Bank China 0 0 0 0 0.00 Mizuho Financial Group 0 1 0 1 3.00 Institutional and Insider Ownership 3.3% of Mizuho Financial Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Mizuho Financial Group shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Risk and Volatility Agri Bank China has a beta of 0.06, meaning that its stock price is 94% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Mizuho Financial Group has a beta of 0.35, meaning that its stock price is 65% less volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends Agri Bank China pays an annual dividend of $0.65 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Mizuho Financial Group pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Agri Bank China pays out 24.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Mizuho Financial Group pays out 14.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Summary Mizuho Financial Group beats Agri Bank China on 8 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Agri Bank China (Get Free Report) Agricultural Bank of China Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking products and services. The company operates through Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, and Treasury Operations segments. It offers demand, personal call, foreign currency call, time or demand optional, foreign exchange call, foreign exchange time, savings, agreed term, and negotiated deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; and loans, including housing, consumer, business, fixed asset, working capital, real estate, and entrusted syndicated loans, as well as trade finances, guarantees and commitments, and loans with custody of export rebates accounts. The company provides credit card, debit card, payment and settlement, private banking, cash management, investment banking, custody, financial market, and financial institution services, as well as trading and wealth management services; and personal fund collection and automatic transfer services. In addition, it offers agro-related personal and corporate banking products and services; telephone, mobile, self-service, television, and SMS banking services; financial leasing services; fund management services; asset custodian services; and insurance and reinsurance related products and services. The company operates domestic branches, including specialized institutions, training institutes, tier-1 branches, tier-2 branches, tier-1 sub-branches, foundation-level branch outlets and other establishments; overseas branches in Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, New York, Dubai International Financial Centre, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Sydney, Luxemburg, Dubai, London, Macao, and Hanoi; and overseas representative offices in Vancouver, Taipei, Sao Paulo, and Dushanbe. The company was founded in 1951 and is based in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. About Mizuho Financial Group (Get Free Report) Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in banking, trust, securities, and other businesses related to financial services in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Retail & Business Banking Company, Corporate & Institutional Company, Global Corporate Company, Global Markets Company, Asset Management Company, and Others segments. The company provides deposit products; syndicated, housing, and card loans; business matching services; and advisory services related to overseas expansions, and mergers and acquisitions-related services. It also offers consulting services, including asset management and asset succession; payroll services; and sells lottery tickets issued by prefectures and ordinance-designated cities. In addition, it offers fund management, underwriting of equity and bonds, risk hedging products, etc. for corporate customers; solutions based on capital management, business strategy, and financial strategy; real estate services; advisory services and solutions, such as advice on proposals on various investment products to financial institutions; and financial services that include funding support and public bonds underwriting. Further, the company offers corporate finance and transaction banking srvices; sales and trading services; investment products; pension funds; and ALM and investment services, including stable capital raising and balance sheet management, as well as management of fixed income, equity, and other securities portfolios. Additionally, the company provides online banking, cash management solutions, currency transaction, trade finance, custody, yen correspondence settlement, and research and consulting services; trust, securitization and structured finance, and stock transfers; and private banking and information technology-related services. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Agri Bank China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agri Bank China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Police are investigating the presence of drones over Ireland during Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit. Mr Zelensky gave a historic address to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas earlier this week and met with Government figures and President Catherine Connolly. Mr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska arrived in Dublin late on Monday night, with Irish broadcaster RTE reporting several unidentified drones were seen flying near Howth, over the Irish Sea, at around the time the Ukrainian president arrived at Dublin Airport. Gardai confirmed in a statement that a special detective unit was investigating the incident. As part of this, SDU will be liaising with the Defence Forces and international security partners, the statement said. The Russian ambassador to Ireland, Yuriy Filatov, said on Friday 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. 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. Mr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ireland is one of the few European countries that understands the price of freedom as he praised the country for its support. In the first visit to Ireland by a Ukrainian president, Mr Zelensky and Mr Martin both drew parallels between Ukraines struggle for sovereignty and Irelands centuries-long fight for independence. Mr Zelensky said Irelands decision to back Ukraine in the early days of the war was a moral one and while some had grown fatigued with hearing about Ukraines war, he said Irelands voice had not become quieter. He said that while Ireland was neutral, it was certainly not an indifferent country and thanked every Irish home that has sheltered some of the 120,000 Ukrainians that arrived in the country since 2022. In the historic address to Irish parliamentarians, where he received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber, he urged Ireland to take an active role in calling for a tribunal for Russias aggression against Ukraine. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. The Board of Governors of the Turkic Investment Fund on Friday announced the launch of the Funds operational activities, setting the start of financing until the end of the first quarter of 2026, Trend reports via the Fund. This was announced following the second meeting of the Board of Governors in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This decision marks the transition of the Fund from the establishment phase into operationalization of financial operations. During the meeting, the Board of Governors endorsed the Funds Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for 2024, adopted the Rules of Procedure of the Board of Governors, and reaffirmed the Funds preferred creditor status. Governors noted that most of the institutional framework required for operations had been completed in 2025 following coordinated efforts across member states. Preparatory work on project pipelines is kicking off, and financing activities are set to get going as the operational framework is rolled out in early 2026. The Fund has also held initial consultations with several regional and international financial institutions to lay the groundwork for future co-financing arrangements. Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, was elected Chairman of the Board of Governors. Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, was elected Vice-Chairman, both to serve until the next annual meeting. The Board also agreed to consider holding its third annual meeting in Tashkent in the second half of 2026. The Turkic Investment Fund is the first international financial institution jointly established by Turkic countries with a mandate to finance projects across its member states. The decision to establish the Turkic Investment Fund was made on November 11, 2022, at the 9th Summit of the Turkic Council. The members of the Fund are Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan. The Fund looks to boost economic ties among the Turkic countries by backing trade growth, enhancing connectivity, and ramping up cross-border investment. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. On Dec. 5, 2025, S&P Global Ratings revised its outlook on Azerbaijan to positive from stable, Trend reports via S&P. At the same time, we affirmed our 'BB+/B' long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Azerbaijan. We subsequently withdrew the ratings at the issuer's request, the rating agency said in its latest report. At the time of the withdrawal, the positive outlook reflected S&Ps view that tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia have eased, with a sustained de-escalation, progress toward a peace agreement, and planned defense-spending cuts in both countries' 2026 budgets. These developments lower conflict-related tail risks and, if sustained, could strengthen investor confidence and support medium-term growth through improved regional connectivity. Azerbaijan also continues to maintain exceptional fiscal and external buffers, anchored by substantial assets managed by the sovereign wealth fund, the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), a persistent net general government asset position, and low public debt, which provide significant shock-absorption capacity, the report says. In S&Ps view, Azerbaijan's credit fundamentals will strengthen over the medium term, supported by meaningful progress in the peace process with Armenia and the continued preservation of exceptional fiscal and external buffers. The Aug. 8, 2025, U.S.-brokered joint declaration committed Azerbaijan and Armenia to mutual recognition, the renunciation of territorial claims, accelerated border delimitation, and the reopening of regional transport routes, marking the most constructive phase in relations for decades. Although not yet a formal peace treaty, implementation has already begun to yield tangible outcomes. In November 2025, a train carrying around 1,000 tons of Kazakh wheat transited through Azerbaijan to Armenia for the first time in more than 30 years, indicating a gradual normalization of regional economic connectivity. Both governments also plan to reduce defense spending in their 2026 budgets, signaling increased confidence in the de-escalation process. If sustained, these developments could support confidence, improve the investment environment, and raise medium-term growth potential through deeper trade and transport integration across the South Caucasus, said the rating agency. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. Azerbaijan's net fiscal asset position remains a core credit strength and closely mirrors its strong external balance sheet, Trend reports with reference to the S&P Global Ratings. We expect the consolidated net general government asset position to remain above 50% of GDP through 2028, supported by continued SOFAZ savings and low public debt. Our measure of net general government debt includes only SOFAZ's externally held liquid assets (the sovereign's most readily deployable buffers) and excludes less-liquid holdings (around 10% of GDP in 2024), which would take longer to mobilize under stress, the latest report by S&P reads. The rating agencys analysts note that fiscal transparency compares favorably with that of many regional peers, including several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sovereigns. SOFAZ publishes detailed audited annual reports with clear disclosure of its asset composition, investment strategy, and performance. However, despite its strong transparency, Azerbaijan's net general government asset position remains more modest than those of larger GCC sovereign wealth funds. AqrarKredit's liabilities, which amounted to about AZN9.06 billion (as of October 2025) in sovereign-guaranteed loans from the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBAR) linked to legacy banking-sector support, are included in our measure of general government debt. Excluding these guaranteed obligations, direct gross government debt is low: it was roughly 13% of GDP at end-2024, with a favorable structure. About half is in local currency and most external obligations are owed to official creditors. Commercial foreign-currency debt remains limited to two Eurobonds maturing in 2029 and 2032, keeping refinancing risks contained, the report says. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb on the occasion of the country's Independence Day, Trend reports. "Dear Mr. President, On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Finland Independence Day. I believe that the relations between our countries will continue to develop in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation to the benefits of our peoples. On this festive day, I convey my best wishes to you, and wish everlasting peace and prosperity to your people," the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, met with Qatars Minister of State for International Cooperation, Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, during the Doha Forum, Trend reports. Hajiyev shared the outcome of the meeting in a post on his official X page. On the sidelines of the Doha Forum, I was pleased to meet with H.E. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the State of Qatar. During the meeting we discussed how to further enhance the brotherly relations between our countries and agreed to intensify our cooperation across areas of mutual interest," the post said. The Doha Forum serves as a global venue for dialogue, uniting policy leaders to address pressing global concerns and to establish innovative, action-oriented networks. The subject of the Doha Forum 2025, scheduled for December 6-7, urges stakeholders to transcend rhetoric and implement tangible initiatives to promote sustainable prosperity and rectify injustice. It underscores the necessity for a cohesive strategy that amalgamates policy innovation, equitable and transparent resource distribution, and cooperative solutions to foster a more just and sustainable future. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. Based on the just peace, we are building the new realities and the new status quo in the region of the South Caucasus, said Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Trend reports. Speaking at a panel discussion titled Armenia-Azerbaijan Lasting Peace: The Washington Accord and a Shared Future at the Doha Forum in Qatar, Hajiyev hailed the US-brokered deal with Armenia, which, he said, will ensure the legitimacy and the legality, and also the guiding principles of international law in our region. Hajiyev said many recent peace arrangements failed because once a deal was signed, the sides fell into a comfort zone, adding that Armenia and Azerbaijan were trying to avoid such a situation. He said that both sides know that peace is an uphill struggle and we should work very hard. Hajiyev also said the officials in the two capitals were in regular contact through different channels and are working hard to fully implement the agreements between the two countries. On August 8 in Washington, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, US President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint declaration. One of the points of the document provides for the launch of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) to unblock regional communications. During the same meeting, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan initialed the draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and signed a joint letter to the current OSCE Chairperson regarding the closure of the OSCE Minsk process, the OSCE Chairpersons personal representative for the conflict discussed at the Minsk Conference, and the High-Level Planning Group. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. Our efforts must focus on institutionalizing lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Secretary of the Armenian Security Council Armen Grigoryan said during a panel discussion with Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev at an international forum in Qatar's Doha, Trend reports. "Yerevan and Baku's striving for peace is of special importance, because without this, efforts of the international community cannot lead to a result. Now we need to work on the institutionalization of peace to make it long-term," the Armenian official explained. He noted that many narratives of Baku and Yerevan are now closely aligned, whereas a few years ago, the sides discussed conflicting narratives. Speaking about the August meeting in Washington, Grigoryan highlighted that the positions of Yerevan and Baku, along with the commitment of U.S. President Donald Trump, played a crucial role. On August 8 in Washington, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, US President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint declaration. One of the points of the document provides for the launch of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) to unblock regional communications. During the same meeting, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan initialed the draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and signed a joint letter to the current OSCE Chairperson regarding the closure of the OSCE Minsk process, the OSCE Chairpersons personal representative for the conflict discussed at the Minsk Conference, and the High-Level Planning Group. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. President of the United States of America Donald Trump has sent a letter of gratitude to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Dear Mr. President, Thank you for your and Prime Minister Pashinyan's joint letter advancing my nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. I am deeply appreciative of your kind recognition, which inspires us to sustain our important mission. As President of the United States, I remain committed to ending conflicts across the globe and to securing peace and prosperity for all people. With your ongoing partnership, we will achieve the impossible. Thank you, again, for your continued support," the letter reads. Photo: State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. President of the Otandastar Foundation of Kazakhstan Daniyar Kadyrov and Chairman of Uzbekistan's Committee on Interethnic Relations and Work with Compatriots Abroad Kakhramon Sariev highly appreciated Azerbaijan's diaspora experience and stressed the need to benefit from it, the Azerbaijani State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend. This issue was discussed during Kadyrov and Sariev's meeting with the Azerbaijani diaspora committee's chairman, Fuad Muradov, on the sidelines of the 7th Meeting of the Ministers and Heads of Institutions in Charge of Diaspora Affairs of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Budapest, Hungary. The meetings also discussed the high-level development of relations between the countries and discussed opportunities for joint activities between their diasporas. The dynamics in the field of cooperation were positively assessed, and an agreement was reached to organize meetings of the Azerbaijani, Uzbek and Kazakh diasporas. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. Azerbaijan's Baku hosted the opening ceremony of the D-8 (Developing Eight) Youth Dialogue, marking its debut, Trend reports. The official opening was attended by Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov, Secretary General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture Anar Guliyev, Lead Negotiator for COP29, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yalchin Rafiyev, UN Sustainable Development Goals Young Leader, JSRI Director of Communication and Outreach Merna Alzurikat, as well as the special guest of the event, Minister of Youth and Sports of Somalia Mohamed Abdulkadir. The opening began with the playing of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the presentation of a short video clip. The overall event brings together heads of youth policy institutions from D-8 member states, representatives of leading youth organizations, policymakers, and well-known international experts in the field. The dialogue, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, focuses on the theme Youth Shaping the Future of the Global Urban Agenda: Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Cities of Tomorrow. The main goal of the event is to strengthen regional and international cooperation among young people, enhance youth potential in innovation and employment, and expand the role of young people in building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments. Within the forum, discussions were held on topics such as "Human Capital Development and Sustainable UrbanizationYouth as a Leading Force for Development," "Sustainable Urbanization: Youth and the Future of Cities," and "Transformation for Smart and Inclusive Cities." More than 30 foreign delegates from eight countries, as well as the Secretariat of the Organization, and around 10 professional speakers will take part in the forum, bringing together over 100 participants in total. D-8 Youth Dialogue will continue until December 9. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. Azerbaijan has conducted successful social reforms in recent years and is ready to expand cooperation with member and observer countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), as well as exchange the successful experience, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Anar Aliyev said, Trend reports. He made the remark during the meeting with OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev as part of his visit to Azerbaijan for taking part in the first meeting of the OTS Ministers of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection, held in Baku. Aliyev noted that we highly appreciate the work done by the OTS Secretariat to strengthen cooperation in the social field among Turkic states. The minister emphasized the importance of the first meeting of the ministers of labor, employment, and social protection of the organization's member states held in Azerbaijan. Omuralev welcomed the important steps taken to expand cooperation between Turkic states in the fields of labor, employment, and social protection, and he stated that the OTS Secretariat will continue to provide its support in this area. During a meeting with Turkish Minister of Labor and Social Protection Vedat Iskhan, visiting Azerbaijan to participate in the first meeting of the OTS Ministers of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection, Aliyev emphasized that relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye have risen to the level of strategic alliance with the efforts of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Aliyev also pointed out that the interstate relations have really taken off in the areas of labor, employment, and social protection. Iskhan said that the successful cooperation between the two ministries will continue to expand within the OTS framework. He pointed out the special importance of the first meeting of the OTS Ministers of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection held under the title "Cooperation in the field of labor for the common prosperity of the Turkic states" in the development of relations. The meeting went on with an exchange of views on future cooperation issues. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Kyrgyzstans coal exports surge to Uzbekistan, slump to China Coal exports from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan increased by nearly a third in the first nine months of 2025, while shipments to China fell sharply. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. Azerbaijan has discussed opportunities for economic cooperation with the German Asienbrucke Association, Trend reports. Azerbaijans Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, shared the details of the meeting in a post on his official X page. During the video conference with Andreas Scheuer, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Asienbrucke Association, we exchanged views on promoting regional collaboration and strengthening business relations, as well as on opportunities for cooperation in investment, energy, logistics, transit, and other priority areas, the post said. The German Asienbrucke Association (Asienbrucke e.V.) is a non-partisan initiative that aims to enhance cooperation between the Asia-Pacific region and Germany/the European Union. Its mission involves promoting political, economic, social, and cultural ties, facilitating dialogue through various events, and organizing delegation trips to Asia for networking and partnership opportunities. Its key focus areas include trade, investment, logistics, technology, and sustainable development. The association is led by Andreas Scheuer, a former German Federal Minister, and is headquartered in Berlin, with a regional office at the Innovation Hub RheinMain. Will be updated Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 6. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took the reins at a Cabinet meeting, taking stock of the governments efforts over the first eleven months of the year, Trend reports via the Turkmen Parliament. Between January and November, 27 legislative acts were adopted on domestic and foreign policy issues, among them the ratification of the Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation involving Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and China. The Mejlis also issued 20 resolutions over the same period. In external relations, Turkmenistan received credentials from 10 newly appointed ambassadors and held 56 meetings with representatives of foreign parliaments, diplomatic missions, and international organizations. Deputies and Mejlis staff joined 106 international seminars, and parliamentary delegations completed 44 working trips abroad. The National Tourist Zone Avaza hosted a parliamentary forum as part of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, while the Mejlis held the second meeting of parliamentary speakers of the Group of Friends of Neutrality in a hybrid format. Earlier, in October, the UN and Turkmenistan discussed the draft Framework Program for Cooperation for 2026-2030 and ways to implement the countrys initiatives presented at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, implementing the outcomes of the 3rd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, and promoting Turkmenistans international initiatives in areas such as peace and security, sustainable transport, and environmental protection. The Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation, signed on June 17, 2025, at the Second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, creates a legal framework for enhanced political, economic, and security ties between China and five Central Asian states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The treaty aims to promote peace, mutual respect, and sustainable development while fostering regional stability and economic cooperation, including infrastructure projects like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. It signifies a milestone in China's diplomacy, responding to growing economic ties and trade volumes. Ratification by national legislatures is pending, with Kyrgyzstan already signing and others, such as Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, delaying their approval for domestic review. This treaty marks the beginning of a new era of regional partnership driven by economic incentives and strategic stability amidst China's expanding influence in Central Asia. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. A total of 25 documents have been signed between Iran and Russia in the fields of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), mainly artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, in Moscow, Russia, Trend reports via the Iranian Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies. The documents were signed in the presence of Iran's Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Meysam Abedi and Russian Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media Alexander Shoitov. The documents primarily delve into the nuts and bolts of relationships in AI, cybersecurity, the digital economy, smart government, blockchain and fintech, control and management, and technology parks, along with the private sector. At the signing ceremony of the documents, Abedi noted that the 5th meeting of the joint cooperation working group between Iran and Russia had been held and said that the parties are getting to know each other better day by day. In addition to revenues in the public sector, conditions have been created for joint cooperation. The parties are interested in making the most of the opportunities mutually. Shoitov also noted that at the meeting of the joint cooperation working group between the two countries, representatives of companies from the two countries got to know each other closely and that the cooperation between the two countries is moving in the right direction. Taking into account the issues raised at the meeting of the joint working group, cooperation between the two countries and their companies in the field of communications and telecommunications will further develop. The meeting of the Joint Cooperation Working Group between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation concluded yesterday. A cohort of 16 corporate entities within the technological sector also integrated into the formal delegation spearheaded by Abedi. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Azerbaijan records boom in product exports to Australia for 10M2025 Azerbaijans trade with Australia reached $764.49 million in JanuaryOctober 2025, a 26.2% decrease from a year earlier. Australia accounted for 1.87% of Azerbaijans total trade turnover, placing it ninth among trading partners. During this period, Azerbaijans exports rose to $309,000, while imports fell to $764.18 million. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register President of Turkmenistan urges measures to boost oil and gas production Photo: Artificial Intelligence President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has called for further measures to increase oil and gas output and expand export routes, following a report on the sectors performance from January to November, during the Cabinet meeting. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 6. Uzbekistan is developing rapidly, and along with this growth, the pressure on its energy system continues to rise. Economic expansion, the launch of new industries, the development of digital projects, and population growth are steadily increasing electricity demand year by year. The previous energy supply model, formed decades ago, can no longer fully meet these growing needs. Under these conditions, it has become critically important for the country not only to expand capacity but also to transition to a more sustainable and modern energy system. According to forecasts, Uzbekistans population will exceed 41 million by 2030, while the volume of the economy is expected to reach $200 billion. Government estimates show that electricity consumption in the country may reach around 120130 billion kilowatt-hours by 2035. At the same time, despite an increase in power generation from 60 billion kWh in 2017 to around 85 billion kWh this year, the existing generation system is already operating at near-maximum capacity. More than 80 percent of electricity is produced at gas-fired power plants, making the system vulnerable to any fuel supply disruptions or seasonal demand peaks. Addressing the challenges of this model, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has repeatedly emphasized the need for a transition to a more sustainable energy system. If we continue to rely on natural gas and coal, their reserves may be depleted over time. This would be an unforgivable mistake for future generations, the head of state noted, calling for accelerated reforms and expanded use of renewable energy sources. Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan has moved toward shaping a new energy course. Another confirmation of this shift was the conference Sustainable Energy a Confident Step into the Future of New Uzbekistan, held recently in Tashkent. The event became an important milestone in updating the countrys energy policy. Speaking at the conference, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated: We have identified two key goals: to ensure reliable and uninterrupted energy supply for all sectors and regions, and to achieve this primarily through modern, environmentally friendly, and renewable energy sources. This clearly outlined a strategy focused not only on increasing capacity but also on changing the structure of power generation. Projects worth about $11 billion were presented at the conference, covering 42 facilities ranging from modern solar and wind power plants to energy storage systems and new transmission lines. The total capacity of renewable energy facilities under construction stands at 3.5 GW, and their commissioning will allow Uzbekistan to generate up to 15 billion kWh of green electricity annually. This will significantly reduce the burden on gas-based thermal power plants, strengthen energy system stability, and create a solid foundation for industrial growth and export expansion. At the same time, the government is actively modernizing energy infrastructure. The construction of new substations and power lines, the development of storage systems, and the digitalization of grids help reduce losses and distribute loads more evenly across regions. In recent years, Uzbekistan has already commissioned about 9,000 MW of new capacity, attracted over $35 billion in energy investments, and formed a green certificate market, with more than 350,000 certificates already sold to enterprises. This indicates that the energy reform has taken on a sustainable and long-term character. Overall, Uzbekistan has set highly ambitious targets. By 2030, the country plans to commission more than 17,000 MW of additional renewable energy capacity and increase the share of green energy in total power generation to 54 percent. For comparison, Uzbekistan is pursuing its own energy transition path. Kazakhstan, the one of the largest economy in Central Asia and key regional energy players, is moving toward energy transition more gradually due to the high share of coal-based generation and the complexity of its energy system. According to expert estimates, the share of renewables in Kazakhstans energy mix may reach about 15 percent by 2030. Uzbekistan, in contrast, aims to reach 4054 percent much faster, relying on a more flexible regulatory environment, active use of public-private partnership mechanisms, and strong investment inflows nearly $6 billion has already been attracted into renewable projects in recent years. In practice, the two countries are following different energy transition models: Kazakhstan through a gradual transformation of its coal base, and Uzbekistan through an accelerated shift toward renewables. Another strategic direction is Uzbekistans entry into global capital markets. The establishment of Uzbekneftegazs subsidiary in the UAE, Orient Energy Limited (UNG Overseas), has enabled the country to access new investment platforms. A recent agreement with the American corporation Cargill to attract up to $3 billion, with the possibility of increasing it to $5 billion, helps ease pressure on the state budget and accelerate the construction of new capacities. Essentially, this marks a transition to a new model of energy financing based on global financial instruments. It is precisely this active engagement with international investors that gives Uzbekistan real potential to implement its large-scale energy transformation. According to a recent Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study, Uzbekistan faces a unique window of opportunity over the next 510 years to attract major investments and accelerate economic growth. As noted by BCG Managing Director Andrey Navitski, Uzbekistan was among the first countries in the region to open its economy to international partners, which has already provided a noticeable boost to GDP growth. The implementation of these plans is further confirmed by concrete investors. Saudi company ACWA Power remains one of the most active players in Uzbekistans energy sector. Uzbekistans energy balance is becoming more and more environmentally friendly each year, said John Zaidi, the companys head in the country. This year alone, we added more than 2,500 megawatts to the grid, and the Vision 2030 target of achieving 54 percent renewable energy is extremely important for us. As a result, energy is becoming one of the key pillars of Uzbekistans further economic growth. The rapid commissioning of new capacities, the development of renewable energy, and the steady inflow of investment are creating a solid foundation for the countrys sustainable development. In the coming years, stable energy supply will largely determine the pace of industrial development, the digital economy, and export-oriented industries. If current trends continue, Uzbekistan is steadily strengthening its position as one of the most dynamic energy markets in the region. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 6. Kazakhstans Ministry of Transport has announced that a joint KazakhUzbek meeting on grain export logistics will take place on December 89 in Saryagash and Tashkent, Trend reports via the ministry. The decision was made following an operational meeting between the representatives from the Ministry of Transport, Samruk-Kazyna, and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, amid increasing pressure on rail corridors due to record grain shipments to Central Asia. According to the ministry, grain exports to Central Asian countries reached 5.6 million tons in the first 11 months of 2025 a 32% increase compared to the same period of 2024. In November alone, Kazakhstan exported over 1.2 million tons of grain, including around 700,000 tons to Central Asian markets. However, the sharp rise in shipments has caused congestion at receiving terminals in Uzbekistan, making coordinated action between the transport authorities of both countries essential. The upcoming joint meeting aims to develop targeted, operational solutions for managing grain cargo flows, taking into account the throughput and processing capacities of the Uzbek side. Both countries railway administrations will participate in the talks, which are expected to improve scheduling, alleviate bottlenecks, and ensure stable export operations through the winter season. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 6. Kazatomprom's consolidated revenue for January-September 2025 amounted to 1.2 trillion tenge ($2.32 billion), Trend reports via the company. Operating profit exceeded 498 billion tenge ($963.5 million), while net profit reached 533 billion tenge ($1.03 billion). Meanwhile, total production of uranium oxide (UO) at all enterprises involving Kazatomprom amounted to 18,709 tons in January-September 2025, which is 12 percent higher compared to 16,751 tons in the same period of 2024. The company acknowledges that a segment of this aggregate may be attributable to collaborative venture stakeholders or third parties. Kazatomproms attributable share of UO production totaled 9,806 tons, representing a 10 percent increase versus 8,908 tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. The total sales volume of uranium by Kazatomprom and its consolidated subsidiaries reached 12,776 tons, up 10 percent from 11,639 tons sold in the same period last year. The average realized price for uranium sales over the first nine months of 2025 stood at $62.97 per pound, which is six percent below the average price of $66.81 per pound in January-September 2024. Kazatomprom is aiming to hit the ground running with its total uranium production, including joint ventures, expected to soar to between 25,000 and 26,500 tons in 2025. Kazatomprom operates as the principal atomic entity of Kazakhstan, holding the title of the preeminent global supplier of natural uranium. It exerts comprehensive oversight over the nations uranium reserves and manages the entire nuclear fuel continuum, encompassing exploration, extraction, and the fabrication and international distribution of nuclear fuel constituents. Conversions from KZT to USD are based on the National Bank of Kazakhstans official exchange rate of 1 USD = 516.86 KZT as of November 28, 2025. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 6. Oil product exports from Kazakhstan through the Dostyk station to China reached 322,800 tons from January through November 2025, which is a 35.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, Trend reports via Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. The export of other goods also saw growth. For example, chemical products totaled 70,600 tons, which is a 1% increase, while the export of compound feed surged 3 times to 522,400 tons compared to the same period of 2024 During the specified timeframe of January to November 2025, the aggregate throughput of railway freight transiting the Dostyk-Alashankou junction along the China-Kazakhstan frontier reached a substantial 17.8 million tons, reflecting a 6% uptick relative to the corresponding interval in 2024. The Dostyk-Alashankou corridor was commissioned in 1991, marking a significant milestone in cross-border connectivity and facilitating transcontinental logistics operations. In the fiscal year 2024, the throughput at the crossing reached an impressive 18.266 million tons of cargo, reflecting a substantial 14.6% uptick relative to the preceding year, 2023. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 6. Kazakhstan and Airbus have reached an agreement for the delivery of 25 initial A320neo aircraft, with the option to expand the order by an additional 25 units, Trend reports via the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan. The memorandum of understanding for the aircraft supply was exchanged during the meeting of the Kazakhstan-France Business Council and the 16th Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Paris. The meeting was attended by Talgat Lastaev, the Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan. The delivery timeline for the aircraft is set for 2031, though the Ministry of Transport has noted that there may be potential to accelerate the timeline. During the meeting, Talgat Lastaev and Airbus Vice President Charbel Youzkatli also discussed the creation of a joint aviation training center with Airbus and the possibility of organizing aircraft leasing agreements. Additionally, at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, Lastaev discussed further cooperation with international partners, including TAV Airports, regarding the modernization of Kazakhstan's airport infrastructure, and Alstom, in the field of industrial cooperation. The parties also discussed the resumption of flights between Paris and Astana, as well as the launch of a new air route connecting Shymkent, Kazakhstan, with Nice, France. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Hajj 2026 3rd Waiting List of 4,375 Pilgrims, Payment Details Released The Haj Committee of India has released the third waiting list for Hajj 2026, asking 4,375 pilgrims to confirm their seats by depositing the payment before December 15, 2025 Hajj 2026: The Haj Committee of India has released the third waiting list for Hajj 2026, asking 4,375 pilgrims to confirm their seats by depositing the payment before December 15, 2025. As on date, 4,375 Haj seats have become available due to cancellations of provisionally allotted seats. Accordingly, waitlisted applicants are required to deposit Rs. 2,77,300/- (First Instalment Rs. 1,52,300/- + Second Instalment Rs. 1,25,000/-) of the Advanced Haj Amount latest by December 15, 2025, the Haj Committee of India said in its latest notification released today. As per the Haj Committee of India notification dated Dec 04, 2025, in the state wise Hajj 2026 third waiting list pilgrims from: 1,288 to 1,475 in Delhi NCT, 3,286 to 3,634 in Gujarat, 4,679 to 5,562 in Karnataka, 4,783 to 5,173 in Kerala, 2,634 to 2,896 in Madhya Pradesh, 7,844 to 9,285 in Maharashtra, 2,433 to 2,761 in Tamil Nadu, and 2,849 to 3,733 in Telangana. ... have been asked to deposit the Haj Amount of Rs. 2,77,300/- by December 15, 2025 to confirm their pilgrimage to Makkah. How to check Haj 2026 Waiting List Go to Haj Committee of India website by clicking here: " hajcommittee.gov.in ". ". Click on "Haj 2026" Menu Under New Downloads, Click on "Waiting List" Click on the name of your state Download the PDF file and check your name How to make payment? If your name mentioned in the Haj waiting list is as per the serial numbers starting with "WL" mentiond above it means you are one of the 7,636 pilgrims provisionally selected from the wait list. Please note your selection from the Haj waiting list will be provisional unless you pay the the Haj Amount of Rs 2,77,300/- before the due date. Haj Advanced amount payment can be made through E-Payment facility available on the Haj Committee of India website, or Haj Suvidha App using Credit Card, Debit Card or Net Banking / UPI or through bank transfer in SBI or Union Bank of India in the Haj Committee of India account. After depositing the payment, the pilgrims must upload signed copy of Hajj Application Form (HAF), copy of pay-in-slip, and medical and fitness certificate to the Haj Committee of India on December 20, 2025. Hajj 2026 Waiting List Pilgrims wishing to perform Hajj latest season should note that the Haj Committee of India had conducted the Qurrah or draw of lots on August 13, 2025. After the Hajj 2026 qurrah conducted through Random Digital Selection process, a total of 95,336 pilgrims were put in the waiting list. From the Haj 2026 waiting list of 95,336 pilgrims, a total of 22,530 pilgrims were selected in the first Hajj waiting list and were asked to confirm seats by Oct 11, 2025. Following the deadline for 1st Hajj waiting list ended, the Haj Committee released the Second Waiting List of 7,636 pilgrims on October 13, 2025. The Haj Committee in its latest notification said the pilgrims selected in the third waiting list can now make the payment till December 15, 2025 and confirm their seats. Other pilgrims whose names are down in the list of the waiting list should note that they will get a chance if seats remain vacant in case the pilgrims in the third Haj Waiting Lists fail to make the payment before the due date. The Hajj 2026 4th waiting list will be released any time after December 15, 2025 which is the last date of payment for the waitlist pilgrims in the 3rd waiting list Hajj 2026. Mehram Quota List for Hajj 2026 The Haj Committee of India today also released the list of 500 Pilgrims who had applied under Haj Mehram Quota for the Hajj 2026. The Haj Committee said a total of 957 female pilgrims had applied under the Mehram quota. Out of them 500 applicants have been selected through randomized selection procedure. The remaining 457 pilgrims have been placed in waiting list. The Haj Committee has asked the female pilgrims selected under the Mehram quota to deposit Rs. 2,77,300/- (First Instalment Rs. 1,52,300/- + Second Instalment Rs. 1,25,000/-) of the Advanced Haj Amount latest by December 15, 2025. The pilgrims in the waiting list will be given chance if the pilgrims in the selected list fail to deposit the said amount by the due date. The likely date of Hajj 2026 is May 24 to 29, 2026. The final date of Haj 2026 (1447), however, will be confirmed after Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH moon sighting. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form 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. The curious legends of Rome's much-loved maritozzo. The maritozzo is a classic sweet pastry, traditionally packed full of whipped cream, in a treat that has satisfied Romans for centuries. The dough-based bun is typically eaten in Rome for breakfast but can also be eaten as a hefty snack, or dessert, throughout the day. Today there are multiple variations of the tasty treat, whose origins date back to ancient Roman times, with a simple recipe of eggs, flour, honey, salt and butter. In addition to the classic creamy variety, there are maritozzi prepared with pine nuts and raisins, or covered with chocolate, sometimes even stuffed with burrata, tomato, pesto or baccala. There are also gluten free or vegan versions these days. The maritozzo gained widespread appeal in Rome in the Middle Ages as the church allowed it to be eaten during the traditional period of fasting during Lent, earning it the nickname "er Santo Maritozzo." As for its name, "maritozzo" is derived from "marito", the Italian word for husband. In the 19th century the maritozzo became central to another curious tradition: men would propose - on the first Friday of March - by presenting their future brides with an engagement ring hidden inside a maritozzo. In recent years, Rome's bars and restaurants pay homage to the maritozzo with the capital's annual Maritozzo Day on the first Saturday of December. Some of the favourite Rome venues of maritozzo connoisseurs include Regoli, Bompiani, Il Maritozzo Rosso, Romoli dal 1952, Roscioli and Casa Manfredi. Pope Leo XIV to become first pontiff to attend concert which also marks a first for Michael Buble. The Vatican's Paul VI Hall will be illuminated by the voice of Canadian crooner Michael Buble as he performs as a special guest at the sixth edition of the Concert with the Poor on Saturday 6 December. The annual event - initiated by Pope Francis - blends music, fraternity and solidarity, welcoming 8,000 attendees, including 3,000 people in need who will be seated as guests of honour. This concert marks Buble's first-ever performance at the Vatican, an occasion he described as "one of the greatest moments of my life", following an audience with Pope Leo XIV on Friday. Leo, who is set to become the first pontiff to attend the concert, specifically requested Buble to perform Schubert's Ave Maria in Latin. The special musical journey will also include signature songs, Christmas classics like It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas and Silent Night. Buble will be accompanied by the Nova Opera Orchestra and the 200-member Choir of the Diocese of Rome, conducted by Monsignor Marco Frisina. The invited guests, including the homeless, migrants and people in need, will receive a hot takeaway dinner and other necessities after the event. Photo credit: Ben Houdijk / Shutterstock.com. An American man has been sent forward to Waterford Circuit Court in relation to a fatal road traffic incident in Tramore during the summer. John Fitzgibbon (67), with an address given as New York, US, is charged with dangerous driving causing death in the incident which occurred in July. Sergeant Michael Hickey told Waterford District Court that the book of evidence had been served and DPP consent to send the defendant forward to the Circuit Court had been received on September 19. Judge Cephas Power gave the defendant an alibi warning, which means that if Mr Fitzgibbon intends to rely on alibi evidence, he must inform the state within 14 days. The judge remanded the defendant on continuing bail to the current sittings of Waterford Circuit Court. The solicitor acting for the defendant asked the court to excuse her client and allow him to return to the states until he is required in court. Judge Power said that, as he had sent the defendant forward to the higher court, he was not able to decide that anymore. He advised the counsel for the defendant to make the application to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court put the matter back to January 13, 2026. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme Bowe OBrien Solicitors, a well-regarded private client and commercial law firm based in Waterford, has announced its strategic merger with Parker Law Solicitors, a dynamic general practice firm in the city. According to both firms, the collaboration represents a significant step forward, allowing them to combine their strengths and enhance their service offerings. With decades of experience in the legal sector, Bowe OBrien Solicitors has built a reputation for providing valued legal counsel to families and businesses in the commercial, private client, and business advisory fields. Parker Law Solicitors was established with the vision of comprehensive legal services to individuals and businesses. It provides innovative strategies and technology to deliver efficient and effective solutions. The merger will provide both existing and future clients with an expanded range of legal services and resources, while sustaining focus on quality of service. The firms said clients will benefit from enhanced expertise across various practice areas, including litigation, family law, commercial and private client law. We are excited about this merger with Parker Law Solicitors, which allows us to bring a broader range of services and depth of valuable support to our clients, said Helen Bowe OBrien, Principal Solicitor of Bowe OBrien Solicitors. This merger ensures the continuity of tailored legal services to our valued clients who expect high-quality delivery. Parker Law Solicitors Principal Solicitor, Suzanne Parker, expressed similar enthusiasm: We welcome Helen and her wonderful staff into the Parker Law family. Together, we can offer a broader spectrum of services and leverage our combined expertise to better serve our existing, new and future clients. The merger is effective from December 1, 2025. Both practices said clients can continue to expect "the same dedicated service while benefiting from the expanded capabilities that this partnership brings". Theatre Royal, Irelands oldest operating theatre, celebrated a belated 240th anniversary with a mayoral reception on Tuesday, December 2. The theatre first began operating in 1784, with the Shakespearean comedy As You Like It christening the floor. Located on The Mall, the building was built by John Roberts. At the mayoral reception, Theatre Royal was hailed as the primary conduit for Waterfords arts scene. Members of Theatre Royals board and alumni lined the walls of the Mayors Parlour, with notable figures, including Jamie Beamish of Bridgerton and Derry Girls fame. For well over two centuries, the Theatre Royal has, from this footprint, stood as one of Ireland's cultural landmarks, said Waterford City and County Council Mayor Seamus Ryan. The reception was held in recognition for hosting audiences for music, drama, laughter and celebration since 1784. Photo: Joe Evans Few theatres in the world, definitely none in this country, can claim such an unbroken story, and the Theatre Royals story is very much part of Waterfords story. It has given a stage to homegrown artists who have gone on to national and international success, and it continues to open its doors to new audiences and new ideas. The Theatre Royal is, and will always remain, the people's theatre, built by Waterford, sustained by Waterford, and now shaping a future for Waterfords young people and creative communities. Chair of the Theatre Royal board Ann Marie Shannon paid tribute to the work done by those who came before her, particularly in the 1950s - a time when the theatres existence faced existential threat amid tumultuous financial returns and efforts by local government to convert the building into municipal offices. Ms Shannon said the same spirit to rally and preserve the lifeblood of arts and the theatre has endured, with significant renovations taking place across the 2000s. We have navigated our way through a global pandemic, eradicated all age debt, achieved charitable status - a massive undertaking led by Nora Widger, said Ms Shannon. While we often acknowledge the leadership of our chairs, it is vital to stress the success achieved as the result of collaborative and shared commitment. Every individual who has served and continues to serve on the board brings a unique and essential skill set, as well as ambition and vision. Theatre Royals director Mary Boland paid homage to some of the theatres preeminent figures, from Dan Gallagher in the 1950s, who led the fight to secure the theatres future, to former stage manager Larry Quinn. The Theatre Royal has been managed and cared for by passionate and dedicated people, those who have understood Theatre Royals important legacy and its cultural importance to Waterford, Ms Boland said. Supported by the Local Democracy Scheme Vita Community Hub has launched a special exhibition viewing at GOMA Gallery of Modern Art. Capturing Perspectives is a showcase of works by students at the Vita Community Hub from their weekly workshops. Vita Community Hub supports their students to build confidence, meaningful connections and live independently. Community Support Worker Dawn Lee told the Waterford News and Star that the project is about students claiming their space in the art world. Thev Vita Community Ukulele Group with tutor with Dean Flynn, Tutor and Albert Delaney, GOMA. Photo: John Power The works come from the students own imagination and its their stories and their voices and its great to see them represented in the gallery, said Dawn. The Vita Community Hub has four programmes: visual art, ukulele class, photography and stop motion films. They work with a new artist every six weeks and tutors include Thomas Grace, Anne McDonald, Seamus OBrien, Rhys Wallace, Dean Flynn and Ben Hennessey. John Carton. Photo: John Power The hub has been doing these classes for two and a half years, but this year they have had a lot of new students. They said GOMA Director Jenna Whelan has been very supportive of the hub and some students now intend to go and study art. Its just the confidence of the guys. You know, you get people going oh I cant do art, and then they come in and they are making art, they see it up on the walls. Its a great confidence boost, said Dawn. Ciara Corbett, Deb Butler, WWETB, Mary McGrath, WWETB, Ally Durbridge and Larry. Photo; John Power Speeches on the day of the exhibition launch came from Dawn, students, Ally Durbridge, Ashraf Dufala, Conor Flynn and Orla Kelly. Students said they learned skills and new ways of creating, felt included and had a huge amount of fun. It made me see everyday things in a new way, said Ally from the photography programme. Dawn Lee and Thomas Grace, Tutor. Photo: John Power I didnt know much about animation, but I always loved stories and characters. This course helped me bring those stories to life, one tiny movement at a time, said Conor from the stop motion class. Each week I felt my confidence grow not just in the music but in myself, said Orla from the ukulele group. I am proud of the artwork I made, and I am proud to share it here today, said Ashraf from the visual art programme. Jenna Whelan, Director, GOMA and Aisling McCaffery, Programme Supervisor, Vita. Photo: John Power The programmes are funded by the WWETB, and art students used their work to create calendars available on the day. The launch concluded with a performance from the ukulele group, who played Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Queens We Will Rock You. Check out the performance in the video below. A story last week from our council, which reported that a planned pocket park in Thomas Street on the site of a fire-destroyed building may open in two years, was, frankly, upsetting. The implicit lack of urgency, the acceptance of delay seems symptomatic of public administration. A regular reader sent us a social media quote which sums it up. There's a real lack of vision at play here. Too much fire-fighting, and not enough time implementing real strategies that will deliver real change. It feels like it will be too late before they (council) realise the error of their ways. Since the amalgamation of city and county in 2014, there is an unhappy feeling among many city residents that our city has suffered from a lack of council attention, with largely predictable results. Some suggest the amalgamation was put in place by Environment Minister Phil Hogan to do precisely that, to undermine the primacy of the city locally and regionally. Make up your own mind. What is true, is that inter-urban competition for business across the country is intense. Its literally sink or swim time. Waterford city is in competition across the south east with some of the best presented towns in Ireland: Clonmel, Kilkenny, Wexford. No one is waiting for us to get our act together and catch up. Our council is trying very hard to do many things, but it appears that we have shotgun blast, instead of rifle accuracy. As HQ location of our council and supposed economic driver of the region, there must be laser focus on the city. That simply was not happening. The focus on delivering the North Quays is admirable. Its a project that will eventually deliver but it should have been devolved to a special purpose company like Dublin Docklands Development Authority. It has devoured council time, money and resources. Meanwhile, things like the (we all know it will be longer) two-year delay in Thomas Street undermine much good work and public confidence. 10 years ago it was announced that Parade Quay was to be refurbished. Two years ago all the lovely little shops there, the thing our city is crying out for, were decanted, leaving a terrace of dereliction next to Reginalds Tower. Since then nothing has happened. 10 years ago it was announced that infill houses were to be built in The Glen and in Summerland Square. Nothing has happened. Announcement after announcement says that the two beautiful presbytery buildings in George's Street are to be refurbished, that an office block was to be built on the Munster Express site etc, etc, yet nothing has happened. Such a failure to launch would be inexplicable and with severe consequences in the private sector. Lady Lane is a really beautiful street, yet the old Mackesey family home, number 22, opposite the Friary, owned by the council, is in deplorable condition. This is at the heart of the Viking Triangle. Where is the connected thinking? Ah shure 'twill do? We tolerate dereliction in New Street, Brownes Lane, Stephens Street, Newgate Street and Michael Street at a level unequalled across the south east and are waiting, like Mr Micawber, for something to turn up. If we are a serious city, this cannot go on. It must be that the prolonged delay in executing projects is related to the finances and rate base of the city. Our Sinn Fein TDs express concern at proposed job losses in Garrett Ireland, while the South East Economic Monitor (SEEM) report indicates that IDA-supported job numbers decreased last year in Waterford, in stark contrast to our peer cities. How long is it since there has been a new, capital-intense industry announced for Waterford? Were it not for Noel Frisby developing the Glassworks 1 building, what would be going on? The dogs in the street know that when a large medical devices company came calling here some years ago they were directed to set up elsewhere in the region because the IDA had no strategic site available in Waterford. Not a political or commercial voice was raised. While the IDA fails to deliver on their mandate for Waterford, they busy themselves with cutting down all the trees fronting the Cork Road Industrial Estate. Its like tidying the pens on your desk! The latest government blurb is the "National infrastructure plan will deliver for Waterford". How? Rosslare Port (4 million tons of cargo) recently opened a 250 million new terminal. Last week, Iarnrod Eireann, the Rosslare port owners announced they intend to apply for a 250 million wind energy support facility. Half a billion Euro in total investment, while Port of Waterford (2.25 million tons of cargo), operating at capacity, has a business case for two years with the Dept. of Hatcheting Waterford proposals, otherwise known as Transport, led by Fianna Fails Dara OBrien, without reply. Our senior government politician Minister Mary Butler failed to extract a paltry 12 million to support a joint venture at our airport. That spoke volumes about lack of influence. Can anyone imagine a similar situation with Martin Cullen? Waterford desperately needs senior political representation. Ms Butler is in the square, yet singularly fails to score. Is she a taker of whatever the system deigns to give, rather than the determined maker we need? Ms Butler must realise the extent to which our citys future is entwined with her actions? Without senior political leadership from Ms Butler, Waterford will struggle. Last week again saw many HSE tenders on the E-tender website for developments in Galway and elsewhere. Without planning permissions and published tenders, there is nothing on the stocks, ready to go, in HSE Waterford. Background chatter suggests the Kilkenny-based HSE Estates office is playing silly buggers with Waterford projects. Anecdotal reports suggest the Estates Office has Waterford projects queued and ready to go but that HSE funding has simply not been prioritised. The NDP Health Sector Plan 2026/30 does not inspire confidence. Worst of all is the widespread rumour that planned extra beds for UHW will not be allocated because the hospital successfully manages its workload within existing capacity. Perform well in Irelands HSE and you get a kicking? Our place in the Irish urban rankings is at stake. Urgent action is vital. Advertisement EnvironmentWeatherBushfires Just heartbreak: At least a dozen homes lost in bushfires near Sydney Perry Duffin and Eryk Bagshaw Updated December 6, 2025 5:35pm ,first published December 6, 2025 8:21am 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 At least a dozen homes are feared lost to a raging bushfire that jumped a bay just north of Sydney, and even more may have been engulfed by a second blaze further up the coast, as Sydney sweltered through a 40-degree scorcher. Locals have recounted fast-moving flames, fear for their lives and the heartbreak of homes up in flames. Loading Fifty bushfires were burning across the state on Saturday, with one at Milsons Gully in the Upper Hunter still at emergency warning levels by the evening, as it burnt through 10,000 hectares of bushland. Just after 2pm on Saturday, the NSW Rural Fire Service also issued an emergency alert to urge residents of Koolewong, near Woy Woy, to flee as fire took hold in steep bushland. Advertisement Firefighters continued to hose down smouldering ruins into the evening on Saturday at Koolewong. Sitthixay Ditthavong The fire at Koolewong burning into the night over Brisbane Water. Sitthixay Ditthavong A house destroyed in the Koolewong fire on Saturday afternoon. TNV The fire was downgraded to watch and act at 6pm, after an afternoon of significant destruction. Earlier in the day, the blaze at Koolewongs Nimbin Road had moved quickly south behind Glenrock Parade towards Lara Street, lighting up homes overlooking Brisbane Water. Advertisement Footage obtained by the Herald shows the homes in flaming ruins just minutes later. Katie Greene moved to the area five years ago and said at least five neighbours had lost their homes, though hers was saved. A cool change brought brief rain around sunset at Koolewong. Sitthixay Ditthavong I dont actually know how many homes have gone but I can see at least five neighbours have lost their homes, she said. Its such a lovely local community, its just heartbreak. Advertisement Greene fled with her children before the fire reached their street. The blaze moved so fast, fanned by high winds. All Greene heard was a firetruck and, half an hour later, the flames were swallowing houses. The bush has been super dry, and it was so hot and so windy today and the firefighters amazing, amazing, she said. The temperature had climbed, at that same moment, to 40.3 degrees at Mangrove Mountain, the nearest weather station. It was even hotter in Sydneys west, with temperatures reaching almost 42 degrees at Badgerys Creek, Penrith Lakes and Richmond in what was tipped to be the citys hottest day in two years. Advertisement The states largest firefighting helicopter, the RFS Chinook, was deployed to slow the Koolewong fires front. Homes are destroyed in the Koolewong fire. NBN NEWS The Koolewong fire had been downgraded to watch and act by 6pm on Saturday. AAP/Dan Himbrechts Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front, the RFS warned Central Coast residents. Those fears were soon realised when, just after 4pm, the fire jumped the water and headed south, to Phegans Bay. Advertisement Residents there were urged to seek shelter as the RFS issued its most dire warnings Your life is at risk. It is too late to leave at 4.30pm. There are many elderly people living around Woy Woy, Greene added, who will be deeply affected by the toll of rebuilding. This is the most beautiful community I have ever lived in, it will be devastating for them, she said. We will band together for them. Central Coast councillor Jared Wright said 12 homes had reportedly been burnt down, a doubling of estimates of six earlier in the afternoon. Advertisement In times of crisis, the Central Coast community always bands together to support each other and I know that will occur in the hours, days and weeks ahead, he told the Herald. Tony Stellino was among those who lost his home. I went out there and had a look ... and ... it was on top of us, he told Nine News. We made it, were still here. We start again. Everythings gone now, memories, everything, all our clothes, all our possessions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who bought a property in Copacabana a nearby suburb on the Central Coast in 2024, said he was thinking of all those across NSW affected by the fires. Advertisement The Koolewong fire halted trains on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line. Angus Dalton Another home destroyed in the Koolewong fire. TNV Please look out for each other and follow advice from authorities, he said in a statement. Thank you to all our emergency services and volunteers on the ground and in the air. On Saturday evening, an RFS spokesman said the service was yet to verify how many homes had been lost. Central Coast residents were bracing for the number of properties lost to climb, and an evacuation centre was established at Gosford RSL. Advertisement A second bushfire, on the Mid North Coast, is also believed to have destroyed at least one home near the town of Bulahdelah. That fire has burnt through more than 2800 hectares and is not yet under control. After the emergency alert for Koolewong, a second emergency warning was issued for a 10,000 hectare fire in the Upper Hunter, near Milsons Gully. Crews attend the Koolewong fire. TNV Advertisement The fire was bearing south, towards Bylong Valley Way, and affecting homes and properties in the areas of Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee, the RFS said in its warning. The fire will continue pushing in a south-south-west direction, but an approaching storm will bring erratic winds and could see the fire burn in multiple directions, the organisation said, before it was downgraded to watch and act level about 8pm. In Sydney, the temperature at Observatory Hill passed 33 degrees at 12.30pm, and approached 42 degrees in several suburbs across the citys west by the afternoon. The heat was forecast to rise to 39 degrees in the Sydney CBD, which would have been the citys hottest day since January 2024. Members of the Singh, Boparai and Hoju families at Penrith Beach. Sitthixay Ditthavong Advertisement Smoke from the fires drifted across Sydney and the Central Coast, blanketing the city in a light haze. Sydneysiders spend the hot Saturday afternoon at Cremorne Points Maccallum Seawater Pool. Oscar Colman People on the jetty at Clifton Gardens, in Sydneys north. Oscar Colman Pigs welcome a hose down from Calmsley Hill City Farm operations manager Ryan Pockran in Abbotsbury, near Fairfield, on Saturday. Sitthixay Ditthavong Raphael enjoys an ice-cream at Penrith Beach. Sitthixay Ditthavong Advertisement Rozema sisters Ava, 9, and Eli, 7, from Penrith, take advantage of the early opening at Penrith Beach yesterday. Sitthixay Ditthavong Related Article Climate crisis Heatwave conditions predicted for large parts of Australia Sydneysiders flocked to the water again on Saturday, including Penrith Beach, which opened a day ahead of schedule. The swimming spot, which is nicknamed Pondi, has had its hours extended, with new onsite amenities including more shade and outdoor showers, in preparation for its third summer operating. A sharp cool change is expected to push the mercury down to 26 degrees on Sunday. Advertisement Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Our fortnightly Environment newsletter brings you the news, the issues and the solutions. Sign up here. 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. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share 182 View all comments 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. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaArchitecture Frank Gehry, titan of architecture, dies aged 96 Nicolai Ouroussoff December 6, 2025 8:12am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 6 View all comments Frank Gehry, one of the most formidable and original talents in the history of American architecture, died on Friday at his home in Santa Monica, California. He was 96. Meaghan Lloyd, his chief of staff, confirmed the death, which followed a brief respiratory illness. Gehrys piece de resistance, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Santiago Lyon Gehrys greatest popular success, and the building he will be most remembered for, is the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Set in what had been a dying industrial city on the northern coast of Spain, this wildly exuberant, titanium-clad museum was an international sensation when it opened in 1997, helping to revive the city and making Gehry the most recognisable American architect since Frank Lloyd Wright. Its joyful appearance a composition of glittering, silvery forms that looked as if they had burst out of the ground seemed to signal the arrival of a new, emotionally charged architecture. Advertisement Gehry went on to create a host of other celebrated buildings many of them widely regarded as masterpieces that in their sculptural bravura and visceral power matched or even surpassed the baroque architecture of the 17th century. These included the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, with its cocoon-like interior, completed in 2003; New World Centre (2011), a concert hall in Miami stuffed with cylindrical rehearsal halls; and the Fondation Louis Vuitton (2014), a museum in Paris so ethereal that it looked as if it was made of blown glass. Gehry photographed in Sydney in 2010. Kate Geraghty But Gehry, who won the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1989, made his name long before then. He burst into the consciousness of the architectural world in 1978 with the completion of a Santa Monica, California, house that he designed and lived in for four decades a cheap, wood-frame Cape Cod bungalow that he ripped apart and enveloped in a new skin of plywood, corrugated metal and chain link. The crude, even violent collision of forms seemed to capture the political and generational rifts that had been straining American society, and the American family in particular, since the 1960s; it established Gehry as a force in architecture. Advertisement I was rebelling against everything, Gehry said in an interview with The New York Times in 2012, explaining his antipathy towards the dominant architectural movements of the time, as exemplified by the Farnsworth House on the Illinois prairie, a stark, flat, steel-and-glass modernist pavilion by Mies van der Rohe. I couldnt live in a house like that, he said. Id have to come home, clean up my clothes, hang them properly. I thought it was snotty and effete. It just didnt feel like it fit into life. The Gehry-designed Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at UTS Business School in Sydney. Fairfax Media For some, his work was more sculpture than architecture. Others saw it as emblematic of a global culture that reduced architecture to a form of branding. Gehry, whose name was recognised around the world, was sometimes derided as a star-chitect. But his works emotional ferocity could feel empowering, as if architecture had rediscovered a part of itself that had been lost after decades of dreary functionalism and postmodernist cliches. And the widespread focus on his buildings dazzling exteriors could distract from Gehrys deeper goals: to create an architecture that was not just affecting but democratic in spirit and evocative of the messiness of human life. Advertisement He was born Frank Owen Goldberg on February 28, 1929, in Toronto, to Irving and Sadie (Caplan) Goldberg. His father held a series of jobs, including managing a grocery store and selling pinball and slot machines. Frank and his sister, Doreen, lived with their parents in a two-family house clad in brick and tar-paper shingles (a material he would use in some of his designs). As a boy, he worked part-time in his maternal grandfathers hardware store, stocking the shelves with tools, screws and bolts an experience, he said, that spawned his love of everyday materials. The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, another Gehry masterpiece, opened in 2003. Getty Images Once a week, his maternal grandmother would come home from the market with a live carp, another formative experience, which would inspire the fish imagery that later appeared in his work. Wed put it in the bathtub, Gehry recalled, and Id play with this fish for a day until she killed it and made gefilte fish (a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish). Franks world abruptly fell apart in the mid-1940s, when his father, a heavy drinker, had a heart attack as the two were arguing on the front lawn, a memory that Gehry said haunted him for decades. His father never fully recovered. After a doctor warned that he would not survive another Toronto winter, the family moved to Los Angeles, renting a cramped $US50-a-month apartment in a run-down neighbourhood just west of downtown. Advertisement As an architect, Gehry was a late bloomer. After a brief stint in the army, he married Anita Snyder, who helped pay his way through the University of Southern California, where he initially studied ceramics. He shifted to architecture after a teacher introduced him to Raphael Soriano, a pillar of postwar modernism in Southern California. (It was around this time, too, that he adopted Gehry as his surname, a somewhat random choice inspired, he said, by the desire to avoid antisemitism.) Gehry spent several years toiling as a mid-level designer and project manager at Gruen Associates, a firm known for its shopping malls. After he opened his own office in 1962, much of his early work was for mainstream developers. He designed a sprawling headquarters for the Rouse Company in Columbia, Maryland, and two unremarkable department stores for Joseph Magnin in California. You go into architecture to make the world a better place. A better place to live, to work, whatever. You dont go into it as an ego trip. Frank Gehry, speaking in 2012 But he was an outsider by nature, and he began looking beyond the work of other architects for inspiration. Like many Angelenos, he was drawn to the laid-back, anything-goes atmosphere of the city, whose mix of garish mansions, flimsy bungalows, vacant lots, Googies coffee shops and colourful billboards was the antithesis of East Coast architectural academicism. And he became close to a generation of Los Angeles artists Robert Irwin, Billy Al Bengston, Ed Moses, Larry Bell whose surfboard-inspired aesthetic and raw work spaces suggested an alternative to the chilly austerity of late modernism and the reactionary tendencies of postmodernism. Advertisement The artists were living in industrial buildings and warehouses, Gehry said in the 2012 interview with the Times. They were constantly moving things around changing the rooms, building lofts or storage spaces. It was so free and unselfconscious. I wanted to do that. In the late 1960s, Gehry and his wife divorced, and in 1975, he married Berta Aguilera. She survives him, along with their two sons, Sam, an architectural designer, and Alejandro, an artist; a daughter, Brina Gehry, from his previous marriage; and his sister, Doreen Gehry Nelson. Another daughter from his first marriage, Leslie Gehry Brenner, died in 2008. Gehrys approach to his own Santa Monica home divided critics and his neighbours. wikipedia.org The Gehrys bought their Santa Monica house, a two-storey pink-stucco affair, in 1977. At Aguileras prodding, he began to tear it apart. The houses rough, unfinished appearance attracted the attention of architecture critics, even as it infuriated neighbours. But its tormented forms suggesting a world that had been ripped up and gently pieced back together had their own kind of beauty. And the use of crude, everyday materials was Gehrys assertion that the working-class aesthetic he had grown up with could be as appealing as anything found in the more refined corners of the city. Advertisement Decades later, he and Aguilera moved out of the little house that had first brought him fame and into a more luxurious spread overlooking Santa Monica Canyon. Designed with his son Sam, the new house was a sprawling, sometimes awkward composition of angled, heavy-timber posts and beams. Nonetheless, it retained some of the rough-and-tumble qualities of Gehrys earlier architecture, and its jostling forms reflected a lifelong quest for emotional and creative freedom. Gehry kept on working. An interior view of Gehrys Luma Foundation building in Arles, France. Getty Images In 2017, he completed the Pierre Boulez Hall in Berlin, designed in collaboration with conductor Daniel Barenboim: a compact, box-like space with a sunken floor and a floating elliptical balcony, contained inside an austere neoclassical building from the 1950s. And in 2021, the LUMA Foundation building in Arles, southern France, was finished; a twisting tower of stainless-steel bricks, it was inspired in part by the rocky terrain of the nearby Alpilles mountain range. Before his death, Gehry was completing several projects for luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault, including an 7618-square-metre flagship store for Louis Vuitton in Beverly Hills, and in Paris, the conversion of an abandoned 1960s building into an exhibition space and events hall down a block from Arnaults Fondation Louis Vuitton building, which he also designed. He was also putting the final touches on a 1000-seat concert hall for the Colburn School of Music, near his Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Advertisement Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Architecture USA Spain For subscribers Obituaries Two Mayo men were among the recipients as people from across the country who risked their own lives to come to another's aid were honoured at the National Bravery Awards. Jonathan Monroe and Garda Aiden McTigue were honoured for their bravery at a ceremony in Leinster House, while Donegal man Pat Cannon was also honoured after rescuing a man off the Mayo coast in 1988. On July 27, 2020, quick thinking and extraordinary courage from Garda Aiden McTigue (Mayo) and Inspector Brendan OGrady (Galway) saved a mans life on the River Corrib one of Irelands fastest-flowing and most dangerous rivers. After receiving a report of a man in distress near OBriens Bridge, both Gardai immediately rushed from Mill Street Garda Station. As Garda McTigue approached, the man deliberately entered the water and was swept away by the powerful current. Without hesitation, Garda McTigue jumped in, reaching the man and pulling him towards the bank. Inspector OGrady arrived with a lifebuoy, and together they held on in treacherous conditions while awaiting emergency services. In a sudden struggle, all three were pulled back into the river and dragged downstream. Despite the danger, Garda McTigue and Inspector OGrady refused to let go, calming the man and ultimately bringing him safely back to shore. He was transported to University Hospital Galway for further care. For their outstanding courage and selfless actions, Garda Aiden McTigue and Inspector Brendan OGrady are each awarded a Bronze Medal and a Certificate of Bravery. Jonathan Monroe was awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery. Picture: Maxwells On Friday, July 15, 2022, Jonathan Monroe 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. 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 passersby had 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. For his actions, Jonathan was awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery. Pat Cannon was awarded a Silver medal and a Certificate of Bravery. Picture: Maxwells On a cold October night in 1988, the crew of the MV Rosses Morn were fishing some miles off the Mayo coast, near the Stags rocks. They noticed the wind change and increase in speed and decided to head for shelter. As they were hauling in the nets, a bobbin snapped and struck a crew member, Flor Nolan, on the back of the head, knocking him across the boat and into the rough sea. Despite not being able to swim, the skipper, Pat Cannon, who was steering the boat, realised that his shipmate would be lost if he did not act. Grabbing a rope, he jumped into the dark sea and grabbed hold of Flor. As they were both wearing oilskins and boots, they were being dragged under by the weight and the growing swell. The other two crew on board hauled the men towards the boat and somehow managed to get Flor back on board. However, they could not get Pat out of the water, and he lost his grip on the rope. Struggling against the rough seas and weighed down by his boots and boiler suit, Pat managed to wrap the chain of the trawl door around his arm and hold on. The wind and waves pushed him under several times as he was dragged along the stern and the motion of the boat meant it was impossible to pull him out. Eventually the boat took a roll, and Pat came up long enough that the crew could grab his feet and pull him aboard. He was blue with the cold and some of the crew thought he was dead. The crewman he had rescued, Flor Nolan, noted that Pat Cannon could not swim when he jumped into the sea to save him. In the same statement he wrote that he owes his life to Pat Cannon. For his actions, Pat Cannon was awarded a Silver medal and a certificate of Bravery. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD 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, she concluded. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers gives the annual State of the State address Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at the state Capitol in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) I was the expectant team leader at Minot, the one designated to survive a little longer than the others if nuclear war came. My role was not glamorous. It was a reminder that even in medicine, some of us were expendable. Years later, I was nearly sent to the First Gulf War, and I watched colleagues deployed to Afghanistan, developmental pediatricians pressed into service far from the children they were trained to help. Some came back grievously injured. Even as a child, I understood that death was my greatest enemy, one I vowed to confront armed with every ounce of medical knowledge I could gather. And yet I swore an oath to God to defend the Constitution of the United States with my life. That paradox (fighting death while pledging my own life) followed me throughout my career and into retirement. That vow carried me to countless premature births, each one a battle between fragility and hope. I stood at the front lines, the first to respond to every code, praying for the skill to save each child. But sometimes, Gods answer was No. In those moments, I carried the weight of a life too brief. The base chaplain taught me to baptize with glucose water, a ritual that became my prayer, my offering of peace for children who came home to Paradise far too soon. My other role as a medical officer was chief of the expectant team: for war fighters who had no hope of survival. I would administer morphine to ease pain; the chaplain would administer last rites to ease the soul. Thank God I never had to serve that role, missing the First Gulf War by only 32 days. But every premature birth, every code, reminded me of the fragility of life and the certainty of death. From the nursery to the runway, the paradox followed me. Had Ronald Reagan declared a conventional war against the Soviets, my posting would have been at an aid station barely 100 yards from the runway. Instead of using four years of medical training, I would have relied on a two-week C-4 Combat Casualty Care Course: performing tracheostomies, placing tourniquets, packing wounds, an overtrained medic, not a pediatrician. I carried a gas mask with glasses inserts already installed, ready for chemical or nerve agent attack. Drop the helmet, don the mask, suit up, and get back to work. One colleague returned from Afghanistan with a shattered leg. A developmental pediatrician trained at the cost of millions of dollars, sent as cannon fodder while internists and family physicians remained safely in their offices. The Army adopted the Marine Corps mantra every man a rifleman, as if we were interchangeable soldiers. She came home, after a long recovery, carrying a K-Bar knife in her boot (against regulations) not for combat, but to kill any rapist who threatened her. We ultimately used that knife for a peaceful purpose: unscrewing battery cases in ADOS-2 toys to replace old batteries. Not quite swords into plowshares, but knives into screwdrivers for childrens assessments. You wont find that parable in the Bible. Later, in Phoenix, even the building itself became hostile. My colleagues sick building complaints were dismissed as hypochondria, but they led to real medical crises for me. Typing reports while receiving albuterol nebulizations left my hands shaking so badly I couldnt finish. Twice I ended up in the emergency room. And yet, the final blow was not the building or the asthma, it was being fired for seeing too many Hispanic children. Equity was treated as insubordination. I signed a blank check to the Constitution, payable with my own life. That oath was not symbolic; it was lived in every deployment order, every expectation that developmental pediatricians could be treated as expendable. My colleagues carried scars from Afghanistan, and I carried the memory of being designated expectant at Minot, the one meant to survive just long enough to bear witness. Even our survival tools, like a K-Bar knife hidden in a boot, were repurposed for childrens assessments, not combat. What we gave was not expendable. It was service, sacrifice, and dignity. If the nation can honor surgeons, it must also honor the pediatricians who stood ready to help children even in war zones. Our blank checks were cashed in ways that ethics should never allow. It is time to reckon with that truth. Ronald L. Lindsay is a retired developmental-behavioral pediatrician whose career spanned military service, academic leadership, and public health reform. His professional trajectory, detailed on LinkedIn, reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing neurodevelopmental science and equitable systems of care. Dr. Lindsays research has appeared in leading journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Archives of General Psychiatry, The Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, and Clinical Pediatrics. His NIH-funded work with the Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Network helped define evidence-based approaches to autism and related developmental disorders. As medical director of the Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University, he led the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program, training future leaders in interdisciplinary care. His Ohio Rural DBP Clinic Initiative earned national recognition for expanding access in underserved counties, and at Madigan Army Medical Center, he founded Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) CARES, a $10 million autism resource center for military families. ADVERTISEMENT Dr. Lindsays scholarship, profiled on ResearchGate and Doximity, extends across seventeen peer-reviewed articles, eleven book chapters, and forty-five invited lectures, as well as contributions to major academic publishers such as Oxford University Press and McGraw-Hill. His memoir-in-progress, The Quiet Architect, threads testimony, resistance, and civic duty into a reckoning with systems retreat. The US and European Union (EU) have mounted a cynical human-rights campaign against President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) government, exploiting Tanzanias brutal post-October 29 election crackdown that has reportedly killed thousands. Their real aim is to leverage this state violence to pull Tanzania out of Chinas orbit amid an imperialist-led struggle for control over Africas strategic minerals. On Thursday, the US State Department issued a statement declaring that recent actions by the Government of Tanzania raise grave concerns about the direction of our bilateral relationship and the reliability of the Tanzanian Government as a partner, citing ongoing repression of religious freedom and free speech, persistent obstacles to US investment, and disturbing violence against civilians following the elections. President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan [Photo by Scottish Government / CC BY 2.0 The statement comes weeks after US Senators Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the committee, urged President Donald Trump to review Washingtons relationship with Tanzania. Both are among the most aggressive anti-China hawks in the US political establishment. Risch has repeatedly proposed legislation aimed at countering Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, expanding US military and economic leverage on Africa, and pressuring African governments that deepen ties with Beijing. This year he called Trump to drop Kenyas non-NATO US ally status after Kenyan President William Ruto visited China. Last May, during a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Shaheen explicitly tied Tanzania to the escalating geopolitical struggle with China. She highlighted the US and EU-funded Lobito Corridor which seeks to funnel Central Africas minerals westward to Angolas Atlantic coast. She warned that Washingtons position in Africa is being undermined by Beijings competing infrastructure projects, presenting the Chinese-linked transport networks in East Africa in place since the late 1960s as a threat to US strategic and economic interests. Meanwhile, China has a competing railway project in Tanzania that would send these natural resources East, out to the Indian Ocean, she stated. The European Union (EU) has joined the campaign. Last week, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to freeze 156 million in development funding to Tanzania and called for the immediate release of CHADEMAs pro-business leader Tundu Lissu, who was based in Brussels for six years and enjoys close connections to European officials. The resolution remains non-binding and there are divisions within the EU. Philippe Van Damme, a former EU ambassador in Africa, countered, If a regime is ready as we have seen in Tanzania to sacrifice people to stay in power, our [Official Development Assistance] doesnt have the weight to influence that, he said. The crimes of Hassans regime, horrific as they are, pale beside the daily atrocities of the imperialist powers. For over two years, they have armed and financed Israels genocide in Gaza and they instigated a war against Russia in Ukraine in 2022 that has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands. Within the US, Trump is attempting to install a dictatorship, unleashing Gestapo-style raids on migrants as he conducts extrajudicial drone assassinations in the Caribbean and threatens to invade oil-rich Venezuela. The EUs Fortress Europe immigration regime has transformed the Mediterranean into a mass grave, mostly for Africans. A fire erupts amid buildings destroyed during Israeli ground and air operations, following an Israeli military strike in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. [AP Photo/Leo Correa] The imperialist powers have worked for over 60 years with the TANU/CCM regime to plunder the countrys resources, tightening their control through debt, development assistance, and mining and energy concessions while showing total indifference to the democratic rights and social conditions of the masses. Their invocation of human rights is driven by a new scramble for Africa that has become yet another front of a developing Third World War. Tanzania is endowed with vast deposits of nickel, cobalt, graphite, uranium, titanium, and rare-earth minerals, alongside major reserves of gold, diamonds, tanzanite, coal, and natural gas. These minerals are essential for lithium-ion batteries, drones, advanced electronics, jet-engine alloys, missile systems, and the broader technological infrastructure underpinning the US and European military industrial complex. Washingtons Department of Defense classifies nickel, cobalt, and graphite as critical to military readiness. Williamson Diamond Mine in Mwadui, Tanzania [Photo by Hansueli Krapf / CC BY-SA 3.0 The EU is intensifying its partnership with Tanzania based on the Critical Raw Materials Act, adopted in 2024 to diversify supply chains away from China. Brussels is collaborating with the CCM government to expand geological surveys, map mineral reserves, train artisanal miners for incorporation into formal supply chains, and support investment in graphite and nickel production. What alarms the US and EU is that China is rapidly consolidating itself as Tanzanias principal economic partner. Even though Hassan further reopened the economy to Western corporations after her predecessor John Magufuli was denounced by the West for resource nationalism, Chinese economic influence continues to grow. China has become Tanzanias largest trading partner by far, with nearly $9 billion in annual trade, dwarfing the EUs $2 billion and USs $0.8 billion trade volumes. Chinas dominance is driven by its export of affordable goods like cheap machinery, electronics and textiles. The EU, historically a major market for Tanzanian exports like coffee, cashews, cotton, and fish has seen its share fall compared to Asian markets (India, China). The US is a minor export destination. Throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, Tanzanias mining sector was overwhelmingly dominated by Western firms. More than $1 billion in foreign mining investment during the IMF-dictated privatisation period of the late 1990s and early 2000s went almost entirely into large gold operations run by Canadian, British, South African and Australian companies. By 2016, Acacia Mining, 63 percent owned by Canadas Barrick, accounted for 58.2 percent of national gold production and generated 37 percent of Tanzanias mineral revenues. AngloGold Ashantis Geita mine, operating since 2000, remained one of Africas largest. As Chinas overall Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose sharply, however, the landscape began to shift. By 2021 Chinese firms had accumulated $3.4 billion in FDI stock, surpassing the United Kingdom and representing about 23 percent of total FDI, making China one of the top investors across the economy. In 2011, Tanzania signed a $3 billion agreement with China Sichuan Hongda for the Mchuchuma coal and Liganga iron ore projects. In 2019 the government announced Chinese financing for a $100 million mineral smelter at Buzwagi and two gold refineries worth roughly $500 million. Chinese companies are also positioned in rare earths through financing and off-take agreements at the Ngualla project. Conversely, new large-scale investment of the 2020s includes the Kabanga nickel project, led by the US-based Lifezone Metals with nearly $1 billion in planned capital investment, backed by the US International Development Finance Corporation and included in Washingtons Minerals Security Partnership. China has become the largest single source of FDI and a major financier of new mineral processing and infrastructure. But European and North American firms still control most legacy gold mines. The US is arriving late but with significant weight in critical minerals such as nickel. The economic war now unfolding is shaping the mineral geography of the energy transition, determining whether Africas central copper belts vast deposits move through a US-EU controlled Atlantic gateway or a China-influenced Indian Ocean corridor. The US and EU are backing the rehabilitation and expansion of the Lobito Corridor to the Atlantic, as an export route for copper, cobalt and nickel that reduces global dependence on Chinese-dominated supply chains. China is seeking to maintain and expand its eastward routes through the TAZARA railway and Dar es Salaam port. China Exim Bank has funded with $2.15 billion the standard-gauge railway section linking Dar es Salaam to the interior. Workers across Africa must oppose both the murderous repression of the Hassan government and the predatory manoeuvres of the imperialist powers. Tanzanias capitalist oppositionCHADEMA and ACTWazalendooffers no alternative. These parties routinely appeal to the international community dominated by Washington and Brussels, defend the capitalist system, and fear the independent mobilisation of the working class far more than they fear state violence. Their calls for inquiries, commissions, and electoral law changes serve only to demobilise popular anger. People protest in the streets of Arusha, Tanzania, on election day October 29, 2025 [AP Photo/str] On Tuesday, youth who played a central role in the three days of mass protests that erupted after the election are calling for nationwide demonstrations coinciding with the countrys independence day. Hassans regime has banned official celebrations and even imposed restrictions at petrol sales at fuel stations to just two litres for tuk tuks and motorbikes, some of the main means youth have mobilised in the last round of protests. She has carried out a wave of disappearances, arrests, and abductions targeting government critics. The central lesson of the October 29 massacre is that to break the imperialist stranglehold over Tanzania and its CCM stooge requires the independent political mobilisation of the working class and rural poor on a socialist programme that places the countrys vast resources at the service of human need, not profit or war. The decisive task is the construction of a revolutionary socialist leadership in Tanzania, rooted in the working class and armed with the internationalist perspectives forged by the Trotskyist movement in its struggle against Stalinism, social democracy, Nyereres African Socialism, and every form of pseudo-left nationalism and opportunism, as a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International. These historical are summarised in the WSWSs four-part series, The December 9 protest in Tanzania, Nyereres African Socialism and the struggle for Permanent Revolution. The Labor Party government in Australias second-largest state Victoria, headed by Premier Jacinta Allan, announced on November 12 that it will introduce laws allowing children as young as 14 to be tried in adult courts and sentenced to life imprisonment. The so-called Adult Time for Violent Crime legislation, to be introduced by the end of this year, marks an escalation in the assault on democratic rights being carried out by Labor and Coalition governments across Australia. The laws target children from 14 to 17 charged with offences including home invasion, carjacking and causing injury. Under the current Childrens Court system, the maximum sentence for any offence is three years. Under the new regime, children will be dragged before the County Court, where the same offences will carry the threat of adult penalties up to life imprisonment. The basic legal principle that detention should be a last resort for childrenenshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Childwill be effectively abolished. Judges will instead be directed to prioritise community safety, a deliberately vague formulation that subordinates childrens futures to the political requirements of a government seeking to posture as tough on crime. Allan stated bluntly: We want courts to treat these violent children like adults, so jail is more likely and sentences are longer. Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny was equally explicit: When child offenders are sentenced in an adult court, most go to jail. The entire framework rests on a lie. In reality, youth crime in Victoria has fallen by 18 percent since 2010. The recent increase in recorded offences is driven not by more children offending but by repeat offenders. Police Minister Anthony Carbines himself admitted, There were 149 less child offenders in the reporting period, indicating that repeat offenders are driving the arrest numbers. A cohort of approximately 300 young people accounts for the bulk of serious youth offences, with just 20 responsible for a quarter of the total. The governments own figures demolish its claim of a youth crime wave. The measures will worsen the very problems they purport to address. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data show 51 percent of young offenders who serve their first sentence in detention return to offending before turning 18, compared to 41 percent when community-based sentences are used. Dr Susan Baidawi of the Monash Criminal Justice Consortium warned the legislation will at best have no impact on their future risk of crime, at worst, it will inflate it. Victoria Legal Aid chief executive Toby Hemming noted that many children before the courts have committed violent crimes, and many have been victims of crime themselves. These children are in urgent need of support to help them build stable, positive lives and avoid reoffending, which the adult justice system is not designed to do. Exposed by researchers but ignored by the government is the phenomenon of child criminal exploitationorganised adult criminals grooming impoverished and disadvantaged youth to commit offences on their behalf. Rather than targeting these criminal networks and the social conditions that make such exploitation possible, the Labor government seeks to imprison the exploited children. The Allan Labor government knows its laws will not reduce offending. Their real purpose is to construct new mechanisms and infrastructure of state repression under conditions of a deepening social and economic crisis, and to channel legitimate popular anger over deteriorating living standards into support for authoritarian measures directed at the most vulnerable layers of the working class, above all youth. The social conditions producing desperation among working-class youth are a matter of public record. The 2023 Australian Youth Barometer report found 90 percent of young Australians experienced financial difficulties in the preceding 12 months, 72 percent believe they will never own a home, and 21 percent experienced food insecurity. Young workers are grossly over-represented among the unemployed, comprising 15.7 percent of the workforce but 25.2 percent of the long-term jobless. Only 22 percent work full-time, while 67 percent require financial support from family. The psychological toll is immense: 97 percent reported feelings of worry, anxiety or pessimism. These are the conditions over which successive state and federal governments, Labor and Coalition alike, have presided. The Allan Labor government has deepened them. Its response is not to address the housing crisis, restore secure, well-paid employment or reverse decades of social spending cuts. It is to imprison children. The laws are also nakedly racist in their operation and intent. Data from the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service show Allans bail reforms introduced in March 2025 have already produced a 233 percent increase in Aboriginal youth being refused bail, compared to 6 percent for non-Indigenous youth. Law and order is used as code for intensified repression directed above all against Aboriginal youth and other oppressed layers of the working class. Nerita Waight, the Legal Services chief executive, condemned the announcement: Victoria is a cruel and unforgiving state where children cannot make a mistake. Punishing trauma is not the answer. Victorias escalation is part of a coordinated national offensive. The New South Wales Labor government initiated its new youth crime laws in March 2024. Victoria followed with severe bail reforms in August 2024. The Northern Territory Country Liberals introduced five tough on crime bills in October 2024. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuks Labor government on August 24, 2023, amended the Youth Justice Act to legitimise locking up children in adult cells. [Photo: Australian Human Rights Commission] In Queensland, the Liberal government implemented adult crime, adult time laws in December 2024, expanding them last May to cover 33 offences. The states Human Rights Act was suspended twice to ram through the laws, at a time when youth crime stood at a 14-year low. The Allan government is now adopting the Queensland model wholesale. No faction of the official political establishment opposes these measures. Former Liberal opposition leader Brad Battin criticised Allan only for lacking credibility to deliver on her promises. The bipartisan consensus extends to the federal level. Asked about Victorias laws, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mouthed the platitude that Australians want to be safe and insisted that the states can determine their own policy, signalling the full support of the federal Labor government for this reactionary law-and-order campaign. The Allan governments crime laws are only its latest assault on the democratic and social rights of workers and youth. It has viciously denounced school students striking against the Gaza genocide, joining the official campaign to suppress opposition to Australian imperialisms complicity in Israeli war crimes. It has participated in escalating attacks on the right to protest, including a ban on face coverings at demonstrations and leaving intact the repressive apparatus used against climate, anti-war and pro-Palestine protesters. Meanwhile, it is overseeing the demolition of public housing estates amid the worst housing crisis in decades. The bipartisan adoption of authoritarian methods by Australian state and federal governments is part of an international shift towards dictatorial rule, epitomised by the fascistic Trump administration. Confronted with a growing social and economic crisis, capitalist governments worldwide are turning to the most repressive measures. Defending the democratic rights of children and workers in general can only be achieved through a struggle against all the major parties of capitalist rule in Australia and globally. That requires the independent mobilisation of the working class against the entire political establishment and the capitalist system it defends. The laws targeting children today will be extended to workers, students and all those who oppose Labors agenda of war and social devastation. The urgent task is to build a socialist leadership in the working class to wage this political struggle. A boat moments before it was struck by the US military in the Caribbean, November 6, 2025. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, boasted that three people were killed in the latest war crime committed by the US government. The survivors of the US militarys September 2 drone strike in the Caribbean attempted to wave to US military aircraft for rescue and appeared not to understand that the US military had attempted to kill them, the New York Times reported Friday. The Times, citing people who saw the video following its screening at a meeting before congressional committees yesterday, wrote that two survivors of the US militarys first boat strike on Sept. 2 climbed atop the overturned hull and waved to something overhead. The people who saw the video told the Times the most logical explanation was that the two survivors had seen the American aircraft above them and started signaling for a rescue. The report in the Times contradicts the claims of defenders of the Trump administrations drone murders. 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, said Republican Senator Tom Cotton, in an attempt to defend the killings. Rather, the video indicates that the survivors had no idea they were in any fight. According to the Times, a person who watched the video added that it is also not clear if the survivors even knew the initial explosion was an attack. 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 the two survivors. Legal experts have denounced the strikes as murder and war crime. It is absolutely unlawful to order that there will be no survivors, a Cardozo Law School professor told Time magazine. There is no actual armed conflict here, so this is murder. The American public has a right to view the recording of the strike, which has so far only been shown to members of Congress behind closed doors. It must be publicly released immediately. The Trump administration, however, will no doubt seek to cover up or even destroy the tape and is counting on the Democrats to help them do it. In 2005, the Bush administration destroyed recordings of the torture of detainees at a CIA black site. At the time, congressional Democrats were made aware of the destruction of the tapes but did not inform the public. On Thursday, Democratic Representatives Jim Himes and Adam Smith said 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. 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. In response to the crisis, the administration has only doubled down, killing another four people in a strike in the coastal waters of Latin America on Thursday. To date, 87 people have been killed in over 20 strikes. The details of the murder came the same day that the Trump administration published a new National Defense Strategy that places central emphasis on US domination of Latin America as a base of power projection in the conflict with China and other states. The document declares: We want to ensure that the Western Hemisphere remains free of hostile foreign incursion or ownership of key assets, and that supports critical supply chains; and we want to ensure our continued access to key strategic locations. In other words, we will assert and enforce a Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. It demands a readjustment of our global military presence to address urgent threats in our Hemisphere to control sea lanes and to control key transit routes in a crisis... It effectively declares all of North and South America to be our hemisphere, giving a generality to the seemingly disparate plans floated by Trump over the past year to annex Panama, Greenland and Canada, as well as the massive militarization targeting Venezuela. Control of these strategic territories and waterways would give the United States, the Trump administration hopes, the weight to confront China on the global sphere. As the World Socialist Web Site wrote in February following Trumps statement that he intended to annex Canada, there is a direct precedent for Trumps efforts to unify our hemisphere in the Anschluss policy of the Nazi regime. This process is akin to Hitlers push for Anschluss (the joining of Austria to his Third Reich) and subsequent dismemberment of Czechoslovakiapivotal preparatory steps to Nazi Germanys launching of a broader European war. Trump aims to reorder US imperialisms near-abroad and thereby gain unfettered control of its strategic territories and abundant resources. This plan for world domination entails criminality on a vast scale, as has been demonstrated by the killing spree in the Pacific and Caribbean. FedEx workers: speak out against the mass layoffs by filling out the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous. A FedEx driver delivers a cart of packages, Thursday, May 6, 2021, in New York. [AP Photo/Mark Lennihan] FedEx is laying off all 856 employees at its FedEx Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics center in Coppell, Texas, 20 minutes northwest of Dallas. The layoffs are beginning in phases starting in January, with the facility fully closing in April. This comes amid an ongoing job slaughter, with 32,000 jobs being cut in November and 30 percent of US corporations planning holiday season layoffs. The explanation given by the company is that this action is necessitated solely by our customers decision [an undisclosed business] to transition its business to a new location that will be managed by a new third-party logistics provider. A similar explanation was given in the announcement of the layoff of 611 workers at a Memphis Fed Ex Supply Chain center. The layoffs were detailed in a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice) notice to the Texas Workforce Commission. The WARN Act requires that private employers give notice 60 days in advance to relevant state authorities and employees for layoffs affecting more than 50 people. Recent notices in Texas notices are viewable on the TWC website here. The WARN Act does not cover contractors, however. Given the large number of independent contractors that FedEx relies upon for shipping and other aspects of operating the site, the announced layoff numbers are likely an undercount of the closures real impact. Two other such notices were submitted by FedEx this year in Texas, including 50 layoffs at a facility in the Dallas suburb of Plano, and 305 cuts at its Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics facility in Fort Worth. According to WARN data compiled by Layoffdata, Fedex has announced 3,761 layoffs via 23 separate notifications this year. The number of WARN Act notifications is higher than at any other point in the dataset going back to 2001. The second highest was in 2023, where 1,916 jobs were axed in 15 notices. FedEx representative Adam Snyder said that employees would be eligible for other roles within the company, including at other FedEx facilities in the area. But there is no apparent guarantee that they will retain jobs. FedEx launched a $2 billion cost-reduction plan in 2023 called Network 2.0, aimed at combining 650 Fedex Express and 650 FedEx Ground locations into 850 to 900 combined locations. This plan, modeled on a similar one by the company in Canada, seeks to slash jobs and close facilities, consolidating the companys operations into a smaller number of highly automated facilities. The plan is reportedly 25 percent complete and expected to be completed in May. Previously, FedEx has stated it intends to close 30 percent of package facilities as part of the plan. More than 1.2 million layoffs have been announced so far by US corporations this year, the highest level since the start of the pandemic and approaching the figure from the first year of the Great Recession in 2008. While the largest components come from the government (as part of the Trump administrations attack on social programs and corporate regulators) and technology firms, logistics is also playing a leading role. FedExs main private competitor UPS is carrying out a similar plan, the Network of the Future, aiming to close 200 facilities and introduce technology with the potential to automate 80 percent of its warehouse jobs. While FedEx is nonunion, the UPS job cuts are being carried out with the support of the Teamsters union; the cuts began almost as soon as a sellout contract passed in 2023. This year alone, UPS has axed 48,000 jobs. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is in the midst of its own Delivering for America consolidation program, which aims to close hundreds of post offices and thousands of routes and automate much of its operations. Related systems are being introduced to impose speedup on letter carriers through the use of Amazon-style AI-tracking programs. The impact of the relentless cost-cutting has been a series of industrial disasters. On November 4, an aging UPS cargo plane taking off from the companys main Worldport hub plowed into an industrial area in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 14. At least five USPS workers have died so far this year, including two letter carriers from apparent heat-related causes. Two distribution workers, Nick Acker and Russell Scruggs, Jr, died last month in separate horrific accidents near Detroit and Atlanta. In response, the USPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee has launched an independent investigation into Acker and Russells deaths. The committee was founded in opposition to the betrayals of the postal union bureaucrats, who by and large openly support Delivering for America. Behind all of the logistics layoffs is the rapid rise of Amazons competing logistics network. The company, which only began offering last-mile delivery around a decade ago, leads the industry with 25 percent of the total US parcel volume, more than combined volume of FedEx and UPS. Other alternatives besides Amazonsuch as Walmart, Target, and smaller carriershave also grown their market share by 3 percent at the cost of FedEx and UPS, accounting for 10 percent of the market by 2024. The use of third-party contractors (or Delivery Service Providers as they are known at Amazon) and Uber-style deliveries using personal vehicles marks the further shift towards the highly exploited gig economy. The trade war led by the Trump administration is another major contributing factor to the layoffs. FedEx said that it is moving away from Business to Customer (B2C) e-commerce at a recent in-person event for Wall Street analysts in New York, industry journal Freightwaves reports. Its operating income decreased by $150 million as a result of the pulling of duty-free entry for packages under $800 by the Trump administration. Its operating income has decreased by 6.15 percent between fiscal year 2024 and 2025. FedEx management highlighted its Business to Business (B2B) customers as a primary source for growth. But the center in Coppell is a B2B center, hinting that the difficulties facing FedEx are far from over even with the shift towards a more B2B-centric business model. Tariffs and relentless cost-cutting will contribute to accelerating layoffs across the US and the world. In response, workers must launch a global counter-offensive through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). The IWA-RFC is organizing workers independent of the sellout union bureaucrats to fight for the right to a good-paying job, workers control over safety, the defense of immigrant workers and other basic social and democratic rights. FedEx workers must join this growing movement by founding rank-and-file committees at their own workplaces, comprised of the most trusted workers, to prepare a fight against layoffs. In Japans far north, Hokkaido stretches across mountains, forests, and endless snow. For months each year, the landscape turns white, and travel slows to a crawl. This vast and beautiful region (known for dairy farms, fishing towns, and open space) is also one of the most sparsely populated parts of the country. For people living here, health care access depends not only on medicine, but on geography, infrastructure, and weather. Its not uncommon for patients to miss appointments or for doctors to travel hours between towns when snowstorms close highways and flights. In many ways, Hokkaido mirrors parts of rural America: Alaskas tundra villages, the Great Plains, or the agricultural Midwest. These regions share the same challenges: distance, cold, workforce shortages, and aging populations. But Japans health system offers a contrasting model for how a society can confront these realities with equity at its center. Japans universal health coverage guarantees every citizen access to care. That changes everything. In Hokkaido, patients may struggle with distance, but they rarely face financial barriers. Insurance covers hospital visits, imaging, and medications with modest co-pays. The result is a landscape where access is determined by location, not affordability, a crucial distinction from the U.S. Still, the logistical challenges are enormous. Many small towns rely on one or two physicians, often working long hours with limited backup. When patients need specialized care (an oncologist, a cardiologist, or an emergency surgeon) they may travel hours to reach a city like Sapporo or Asahikawa. Air ambulances and Doctor-Heli helicopters bridge some of that distance, but heavy snowfall can ground even those. And like many rural areas worldwide, Hokkaido faces demographic headwinds. The population is aging rapidly. Younger workers move south to cities, leaving behind elderly residents who require chronic disease management and long-term care. Small hospitals and clinics face financial pressure as patient volumes decline, echoing the rural hospital crisis seen across parts of the U.S. Midwest. What keeps the system functioning in Hokkaido is a combination of coordination and innovation. Agricultural cooperatives operate community hospitals that anchor regional care. University medical centers have built telemedicine networks that link local physicians to urban specialists through cloud systems and video consultation. A doctor in a snowbound town can review cases with a cardiologist in Sapporo in real time. The Japanese government also supports programs that place newly-trained physicians in rural regions for several years, ensuring that even small communities have access to consistent care. Its not a perfect system (turnover remains high) but it represents a deliberate national effort to share medical resources fairly. Contrast this with the U.S., where rural health care remains fragmented. Financial barriers, insurance gaps, and hospital closures often compound the same geographic and weather-related problems. Many rural counties in the U.S. now lack one practicing physician. Patients delay care not just because the hospital is far away, but because the bill might be insurmountable. Both Hokkaido and rural America reveal the same truth: geography is destiny, unless policy intervenes. Japans model demonstrates what can happen when health care is treated as a right, and when national coordination supports even the most remote communities. As a physician, I find Hokkaidos example instructive. It shows that universal coverage alone isnt enough; it must be paired with strong infrastructure, telemedicine, and community partnerships. It also shows that rural health care isnt just about hospitals; its about transportation, broadband access, and trust. Rural health challenges wont disappear in either country. Snowstorms will still close roads; populations will still age; and doctors will still choose cities. But Japans experience proves that a system can be built to ensure that no community is entirely left behind. For both Japan and the U.S., the question is ultimately one of values: whether we view health care access as a shared responsibility, or as a matter of individual circumstance. Hokkaidos lesson is simple but profound: Distance may shape the landscape, but it shouldnt define who gets care. ADVERTISEMENT Vikram Madireddy is a neurologist. Hana Asami and Taiga Nakayama are medical students in Japan. Postal workers demonstrating in Rio de Janeiro in October of this year [Photo: SINTECT-RJ] Postal workers in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazils richest and most industrialized state, voted on Thursday for a strike to begin December 16 amid deadlocked negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement for next year. More significantly, they are also fighting against a restructuring plan presented on November 21 by the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Workers Party PT) that will accelerate plans to privatize one of Brazils largest public companies. Assemblies have also been called by the other 35 local unions, and in the coming days workers in other regions and states of Brazil may approve further strike action. The Lula administrations restructuring establishes a Voluntary Dismissal Plan (PDV) for 10,000 of the 83,000 employees, the closure of 1,000 agencies, and the sale of Brazils Post Office properties. In addition, it provides for a loan of 20 billion reais (US$3.7 billion) to supposedly modernize the postal service and bring it into line with business interests. The Lula administration justified this plan due to the alleged unsustainable financial situation of Brazils Post Office. The Post Office has suffered losses in five out of the last ten years. In 2024, the postal services deficit was over R$2.5 billion, and it is expected to reach R$10 billion this year. The Post Office has existed for 360 years in Brazil, operating in all 5,500 of its municipalities, offering services ranging from postal and delivery services to banking and the distribution of vaccines and food to poor families. It is this unique logistical capacity that has attracted the interest of companies such as Amazon and Fedex from the US, Germanys DHL, Chinas Alibaba and Argentinas Mercado Livre. To meet the growing interests of these and other companies, successive Brazilian governments have been cutting staff, wages, and rights, making working conditions more precarious, and advancing the privatization of the Post Office. Today, only the postal service is a monopoly of the Post Office, while parcel delivery has been open to free competition in Brazil since 2009. What Lulas government is doing now is a continuation of what the PT did during the 13 years it was in power at the beginning of this century (2003-2016). During that period, it increased the number of outsourced workers and affiliated agencies. Strikes were held almost annually. Since the first year of Dilma Rousseffs PT government in 2011, there have been no public tenders or new hires for the company, causing the number of employees to drop from 120,000 that year to 100,000 in 2020 and 83,000 today. This year alone, the Post Office lost 3,500 employees through a voluntary dismissal program launched by the Lula administration in May. According to the UNs Universal Postal Union, 250,000 workers would be needed at the Post Office to serve a continental country like Brazil. During the administration of fascist President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), attacks on Post Office services intensified. In 2020, it removed 50 of the 79 clauses from the collective bargaining agreement, which included benefits related to food, vacations, health, maternity leave, and childrens education, resulting in a salary reduction of between 43 and 69 percent, depending on an employees salary range. In 2021, the government sent a bill to the Brazilian Congress to break the postal service monopoly, which was approved in the same year in the Chamber of Deputies but was not even voted on in the Senate. However, Congress efforts to break the postal service monopoly have continued, with the Chambers Constitution and Justice Committee approving another bill to that effect in March of this year, which is now being discussed by deputies. The Lula administration, despite claiming to be against the privatization of the Post Office, is implementing measures that will pave the way for it. In addition to the recently announced restructuring plan, these measures include opening up certain areas to competition from private companies and reducing funding. Between 2018 and 2020, domestic and international goods delivery services accounted for most of the Post Offices revenue (52 percent), with the Post Office handling 80 percent of deliveries for small and medium-sized online retailers. However, in August 2023, in the first year of the Lula administration, a normative instruction from the Federal Revenue Service allowed private carriers to participate in the delivery of parcels from abroad, breaking the Post Offices monopoly over this market. This caused the Post Offices share of the parcel sector to fall from 50 percent to 25 percent. In this general context, Brazilian postal workers, like their counterparts around the world, have been subjected to increasingly brutal working conditions, in which workplace accidents, ranging from repetitive strain injuries and spinal problems to fatal accidents, have become the norm. Today, the Post Office is the company with the most labor lawsuits in Brazil. Recent data from the National Council of Justice (CNJ) show that in the last 12 months, more than 56,000 (70 percent of the state-owned companys total workforce) labor lawsuits were filed against the Post Officean average of 154 new lawsuits per day, or about six new lawsuits every hour. In an interview with the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, lawyer Marina Tambelli, who represents permanent and outsourced employees of the Brazilian Post Office, attributes the volume of lawsuits to the companys failure to invest in worker health and safety and to outsourcing processes. She also pointed out that unsafe working conditions intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Bolsonaro administration, by making the postal service an essential service, widely exposed workers to the deadly virus. Fatal accidents that could easily be prevented have also been occurring with increasing frequency at the Post Office. In September, the Labor Court ordered the company to pay R$2.5 million in compensation to the family of a forklift operator who died after boxes of books fell on his head. He had worked at the Post Office for 32 years. A report on the Jota website stated that Reports and testimonies pointed out that the work environment had serious safety flaws, such as defective pallet trucks, a steep ramp, lack of protective railings, and lack of load securing, factors that, according to the ruling, were decisive in causing the accident. Brazilian postal workers have responded to this process with increasing protests and strikes. In 2020, after wildcat strikes at the beginning of the pandemic, they held a 35-day strike against the Bolsonaro governments attacks. It was the largest strike in the sector since 1995. In 2023, as part of a broad movement of federal public employees against the Lula administration, postal workers engaged in walkouts and protests demanding better wages and working conditions and against attacks on their health insurance plan. Last year, they staged a 16-day strike for the same reasons. The approval of the strike notice for December 16 by Sao Paulo postal workers comes after a series of local protests and walkouts throughout Brazil this year. The major obstacle to advancing these struggles is the nationalist and pro-corporate perspective of the postal workers union federations, which have a record of dividing workers, isolating them from other sectors of the federal public service, and diverting their struggles into empty appeals to the courts to break collective-bargaining deadlocks. Since 2013, postal workers have been divided between two union federations: Fentect, affiliated with CUT, the union federation controlled by the PT, and Findect, affiliated with CTB, the union federation controlled by the Maoist Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB). This year, they decided to take unprecedented action and forge unity in the face of an unprecedented crisis, in which the companys management is trying to transfer losses to workers, according to a joint statement on December 2. In response to the Lula administrations restructuring plan, Fentect wrote a statement saying that Pushing a voluntary dismissal program down peoples throats, trying to achieve 10,000 layoffs, is not a solution, it is an attack. It called the program an attempt to dismantle the company from within and further weaken an essential public service. The solution to the crisis at the Post Office, according to Fentect, would be to establish a serious business plan, with medium- and long-term financial planning, modernization, revenue expansion, and appreciation for the workers who sustain the company every day. Such a plan, however, is far from guaranteeing better wages and working conditions for postal workers. Its goal is to increase the postal services competitiveness with international corporations, which will inevitably mean new attacks on workers. While Fentect denounces the Lula governments attacks, it and Findect are making futile appeals for President Lula to save the Post Office! and promoting the nationalist poison that Defending the Post Office is defending sovereignty! What postal workers need is not to defend national sovereignty to guarantee their interests, but to advance a struggle independent of the Lula government, the PT and its pseudo-left satellites, and the unions controlled by them. This means forming rank-and-file committees affiliated with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) to unify their struggles with their brothers and sisters internationally. In countries such as the US and Canada, where postal workers are facing the same threats as their Brazilian counterparts and have staged protests and strikes that have been betrayed by the unions, these committees have been formed to oppose job cuts, the intensification of working hours and the consequent increase in workplace accidents, along with the root cause of these attacks: the capitalist system. We call on postal workers in Brazil who are beginning their struggles to join this movement. Over 8,000 people from across Australia attended the Peoples Blockade in Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW) over the weekend of November 27 to December 2, voicing hostility to the escalating climate catastrophe and the refusal of successive governments to curb Australias vast coal and gas exports. Australia is the worlds second-largest exporter of thermal coal and a major LNG producer, with Newcastle hosting the largest coal port in the world in terms of export volume. Participants were motivated by the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events attributed to rising greenhouse emissions including soaring temperatures, intensifying bushfires and storms. Under these conditions, coal and gas companies enjoy tens of billions in revenue with some paying virtually zero tax according to experts. Protesters take to kayaks to block coal ships in Newcastle, Australia, 2025 Taking to kayaks and other small craft over the weekend, protesters blocked three coal ships and rescheduled 10 according to organisers, crossing a maritime exclusion zone imposed by the NSW Police. On Sunday around 2 p.m., the port authority was compelled to announce the cancellation of all shipping movements. Over this time, police carried out a coordinated crackdown on protesters arresting 181 people. Sixteen of these were detained on Monday morning, including one juvenile, for entering the restricted areas of the coal terminal nearby and chaining themselves to coal loaders and conveyor belts for three and a half hours. The police operation included marine units, drones, rapid-response teams and mounted patrols aimed at preventing even symbolic interference with the movement of coal ships. While draconian anti-protest laws were not formally invoked, which can carry up to two years imprisonment for disrupting major economic activities, police relied upon the exclusion zone to carry out the detentions. Whilst many in attendance were genuinely opposed to the actions of the Labor government, the politics that lead the protestival, of appealing to the government to change course, are bankrupt. This is the third year that the Peoples Blockade by Rising Tide has run, and the response of both the state and federal Labor governments has been to solidarize with the coal and gas giants whose operations dominate the Hunter region (where Newcastle is based). A section of the 2025 Rising Tide protest NSW government ministers, including Premier Chris Minns, denounced the latest protest as reckless and dangerous, parroting police claims that the blockade threatened public safety. In reality, the only danger posed by the flotilla of kayaks and swimmers was to the uninterrupted flow of corporate profits. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his ministers have routinely defended fossil-fuel exports as essential to national economic security, ignoring the scientific consensus that such exports must rapidly cease to avert catastrophic warming. Labors 2024 and 2025 budgets entrenched subsidies, tax concessions and infrastructure support for the industry. Since taking office in 2022, the Albanese government has approved new coal, oil and gas developments. The claim that climate change can be addressed through parliament has also proven to be a sham. At one global forum after another, including the COP30 climate summit in November, governments, each representing their own corporate interests, refuse to take anything approaching the measures required to halt or even slow the environmental crisis. They have largely abandoned such pretences. Just last week, Labor passed legislation which fast tracks the approval of mining and war-related projects. This is pursuant to the minerals agreement reached with the fascistic US President Donald Trump in October, in which Labor pledged to deregulate and streamline the existing environmental approvals process, reducing time and opportunity for public challenge or review. It is significant that while environmental groups have described the legislation as the largest deregulation of environmental law in 20 years, it was passed with the active support of the Greens, who were praised in the financial press for their assistance. Contained within are new powers for the environment minister to unilaterally set or disregard environmental standards on the grounds of a national emergency. Additionally, there will be an expansion of critical infrastructure protection, enabling police/authorities to more easily block or disperse protests at ports, energy facilities, pipelines, and more. Greens leader Larissa Waters was warmly promoted by event organisers and spoke on Saturday. Waters began her speech with faux moral outrage and solidarity with participants, cynically stating: coal and gas corporations get approvals handed out like confetti. She then stated, But we did manage to have a win this week the best that we could get is to stop the governments plan to process coal and gas projects even faster. Waters was referring to the fact that the Greens joined with Labor to pass its regressive environmental legislation, providing the votes necessary. Greens leader Larissa Waters speaks at 2025 Rising Tide protest in Newcastle Her depiction of the bills was a complete fraud. As even Waters comment hinted at, the legislation provides no obstacles to the establishment of new coal and gas projects, which will continue to be approved by Labor. The supposed Greens victory was to remove a provision for those to be fast-tracked. Feigning confusion with Labor, Waters raised, What is going on in these peoples minds? They promised theyd be better and different from the last bozo, but were now breaking all of our hearts. Such remarks are designed to cultivate illusions in Labor, a party of the corporate elite, which represents the largest businesses, including the mining giants. Waters was covering over this basic class reality, while suggesting that moral appeals would compel Labor to shift course. Waters could not square her lament with the fact that she had joined hands with Labor to pass its environmental laws just days before. In reality, the aspiration of the Greens, which was at the centre of their May, 2025 election campaign, is to form a de facto or actual coalition with Labor, in line with their character as a pro-capitalist party of the parliamentary establishment. Roughly an hour after Waters spoke, Emma Norton, an organiser with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and a member of pseudo-left Socialist Alternative, addressed the crowd during a segment dubbed Paddle for Palestine. Norton hailed the recent general strike in Italy opposing the Gaza genocide, urging that the Italian spirit of block everything be brought to Australia. This was noisy bluster aimed at concealing the political issues confronting workers in the fight against the climate catastrophe and more broadly. In the first instance, Norton said nothing about the role of the Greens. The pseudo-left groups collaborate with the Greens and like its representatives promote the fraud that protest politics can pressure governments to the left. The union bureaucracies, moreover, are the chief obstacle to any industrial and political action by the working class, a fact that Norton did not mention. Thoroughly corporatised entities, they collaborate on a daily basis with governments and the major employers, driving down the jobs, wages and conditions of workers. The suppression of industrial action extends to every major political issue. The unions rejected demands, including for the members, for stoppages to oppose the Australian Labor governments complicity in the Gaza genocide. Over the course of the mass slaughter, not a single day has been lost to industrial action called to defend the Palestinians. Similarly, during the youth climate strikes of 2019 and 2023, unions warned members not to participate during work hours, declaring any stoppage unlawful under the Fair Work Act, introduced by a Labor government with the active involvement of the union bureaucracies. The pseudo-left covers up these issues, because they are themselves increasingly integrated into the union bureaucracy. They defend it by insisting that workers cannot take any action, outside the framework of the bureaucracy. While the Newcastle event pointed to growing anger over the climate crisis, definite political lessons must be drawn. The environmental catastrophe will not be halted through yet more appeals to capitalist governments, or protest stunts aimed at placing pressure on them. Climate change is a product of capitalism, an outmoded social order hurtling to catastrophe, including the threat of a nuclear war. The climate crisis cannot be resolved under conditions where societys resources and productive capacity by a tiny corporate and financial elite. It is, moreover, an inherently global issue which cannot be addressed within the framework of rival capitalist nation-states, each representing their own capitalist class. What is required is the development of an international movement of the working class, completely independent of the governments and political establishments responsible for the climate crisis. Such a movement must be socialist, aiming at nothing less than the reorganisation of society from top to bottom on a world scale, so that the immense resources that exist can be harnessed to address social need, including by addressing the climate catastrophe, not the accumulation of vast private profit. President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] In the aftermath of New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdanis White House meeting with Donald Trump, in which the so-called democratic socialist and the fascist would-be dictator exchanged pleasantries and mutual praise, Jacobin, the unofficial organ of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has published a series of articles hailing the meeting and praising Mamdanis capitulation to Trump as a political tour de force. One of the most significant of these articles is a commentary by Christopher Marquis headlined Trump and Mamdani Agree on the State, Not on Whom It Serves. In the course of the article, Marquis, a professor of management at the University of Cambridge, argues that the capitalist state is not intrinsically hostile to the interests of the working class and can, through prodding from the left, be either pressured to serve the needs of working people or captured outright by them. This argument exemplifies the role of the DSA and the middle class pseudo-left more broadly in promoting illusions in the Democratic Party and propping up the capitalist system, which is careening toward fascism and world war, defending it against the coming revolutionary challenge from the working class. The article is not an academic exercise. It is a political manifesto by the DSA and Jacobins privileged petty-bourgeois milieu, justifying their open collaboration with a fascistic administration and defending the capitalist state itself. The headlines claim that Trump and Mamdani agree on the state is correct. There is an underlying agreement between the two, as well as the DSA, that the existing state is sacrosanct. Marquis and Jacobin go out of their way to reassure the corporate oligarchy that it has nothing to fear from their so-called democratic socialism. On the basic questions of how the economy is organized, Marquis writes, Trump is not all that different from Mamdani. At one point he sums up the pathetic goal of Mamdani and company as giving the state a firm nudge toward public value. Lest there be any remaining concerns, he writes, When Mamdani advances democratic socialist policies, hes not suggesting we abolish markets Marquis defines the underlying issue as economic governance (emphasis in the original). This is a false statement that could be taken from the talking points of any run-of-the-mill Democratic politician. In reality, the underlying issue is the social relations of production under capitalism, in which the capitalists own the means of production, and the workers, who produce all of the wealth, own nothing but their ability to work, which they must sell to their exploiters in return for a wage. These relations generate an irreconcilable class struggle, leading either to the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism by the working class and the establishment of a workers state and socialism, based on common ownership of the means of production, equality, and production for social need rather than private profit, or a descent into fascist barbarism and nuclear war. There is not a hint of class struggle or working class revolution in the Jacobin article, or in the politics of the DSA and Mamdani. On the contrary, this is their greatest fear, which leads them into the arms of the fascist representative of the oligarchy, Trump. Government of, by and for the oligarchy It is striking that Marquis presentation of the political situation, couched in abstract, academic jargon, provides no sense of the staggering and unprecedented levels of wealth concentration and social inequality in todays America. It says nothing about Trumps fascist pogrom against immigrants, his unconstitutional deployment of troops to major cities, his assertion of dictatorial powers, his support for genocide in Gaza, or his illegal military attacks on Iran, Venezuela and other countries. This, however, is not surprising in a commentary that argues the state machine is not by its nature an instrument of the ruling class and that it can be won, at least in part, to the side of workers. It would hardly be convenient to acknowledge the facts that show the Trump administration is a government of, by and for an unaccountable financial oligarchy that consists of a tiny fraction of the population. In his recent lecture, Where is America going? Oligarchy, dictatorship, and the revolutionary crisis of capitalism, the chairman of the World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board, David North, painted a devastating portrait of contemporary US society. He reviewed the historically unprecedented breakdown of American democracy under conditions of the rise of a superrich oligarchy wielding direct political power. He noted that 16 of Trumps top 25 appointees are among the countrys 813 billionaires, in a country where the richest one percent hold tens of trillions of dollars in wealth while 75 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and nearly half of all children are poor or lowincome. As the WSWS has repeatedly pointed out, such levels of inequality are incompatible with democratic forms of rule. In his foundational work of 1916, Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, Vladimir Lenin wrote of the monstrous depredations against the working class of state monopoly capitalism, with its massive concentration of wealth and economic power in the hands of a relatively small number of corporate behemoths. Imperialism, Lenin wrote, meant reaction all along the line. But the growth of oligarchic rule today has put the concentration of wealth at the very top far beyond what existed in Lenins day. The class function of the state has never been more naked, rendering absurd the DSAs politics of tinkering around the edges of the capitalist status quo. Marquis argument is not merely wrong in theory. It serves a definite class function. Jacobin is an organ of the DSA and a broader affluent middle class layer clustered in academia, NGOs and the trade union bureaucracy. This milieu has grown socially and politically dependent on the capitalist state: on public grants, tenured posts, foundations, and the managed left spaces supplied by the Democratic Party. Its material interests bind it to the preservation of the existing order, even as it cultivates a leftwing image through rhetoric about democratic socialism and identity politics. Marxism on the state Against Jacobin and the DSA, it is necessary to restate the ABCs of Marxism on the state. In September of 1917, in the run-up to the October Revolution, Lenin wrote The State and Revolution precisely to combat the type of reformism now propagated by Jacobin. Lenin wrote while in hiding from the repression unleashed against the Bolsheviks by the bourgeois provisional government following mass working class demonstrations in July. He wrote the pamphlet, following the failed military coup by General Kornilov at the end of August, to prepare the party to lead the workers and soldiers in the armed overthrow of the bourgeois government and establishment of a workers state. Lenin waged theoretical and political war against all those who sought to adapt Marxism to bourgeois parliamentarism and social reformism. This included Karl Kautsky, a leading theoretician of the German Social Democratic Party and Second International, who opposed the revolutionary overthrow and destruction of the capitalist state and preached a peaceful, parliamentary road to socialism. Lenin was at the same time combating right-wing tendencies within the Bolshevik leadership. In the beginning of his preface to The State and Revolution, Lenin wrote: The struggle to free the working people from the influence of the bourgeoisie in general, and of the imperialist bourgeoisie in particular, is impossible without a struggle against opportunist prejudices concerning the state. He explained that the central lesson of the 1871 Paris Commune was that the working class could not simply take over the bourgeois state machine and use it for its own purposes. It had to dismantle it and replace it with organs of workers power. Under conditions of war and revolutionary upheaval, Lenin undertook a systematic historical excavation of Marx and Engels on the state to arm the Bolshevik Party and the international working class for the seizure of power. Trotsky noted that Lenin considered this so critical that, fearing assassination, he asked comrades to publish his preparatory notebooks on Marxism and the State should he be killed. (See, From the July Days to the Kornilov coup: Lenins The State and Revolution) After quoting from Engels The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State, Lenin wrote: This expresses with perfect clarity the basic idea of Marxism with regard to the historical role and the meaning of the state. The state is a product and a manifestation of the irreconcilability of class antagonisms. The state arises where, when and insofar as class antagonisms objectively cannot be reconciled. And, conversely, the existence of the state proves that the class antagonisms are irreconcilable. The state is not an umpire standing above society, but the organized power of one class to suppress another. Its special bodies of armed men, prisons, etc. exist to maintain the domination of the exploiting class. Lenin stressed that under imperialism the repressive apparatus of the capitalist state assumed monstrous proportions, while democracy became a fig leaf for militarism and police violence. The task of the proletariat was not to redraw boundaries (re: Jacobin) within this apparatus, but to smash it and build a workers state based on new, radically democratic institutions (soviets) as the instruments of socialist transformation. This is all the more true today. The anti-Marxist purveyors of illusions in social reform, from Syriza in Greece, to Podemos in Spain, to the Left Party in Germany, to Sanders in the US, have all betrayed the working class. The working class must establish its political and organizational independence from all parties and agencies of the capitalist class, from the Democrats to the pseudo-lefts and the trade union bureaucracies. Rank-and-file committees must be built in workplaces, schools and working class communities in the US and internationally, affiliated with the International Workers Alliance of Rank and File Committees (IWA-RFC). The revolutionary partythe International Committee of the Fourth International and its American section, the Socialist Equality Partymust be built to lead the struggle to expropriate the oligarchy and overthrow capitalist rule. The objective conditions for socialist revolution are maturing rapidly. The same technological and economic processes, such as AI, which have driven the rise of the oligarchy are also creating the material basis for the mass political radicalization of the working class. The decisive issue is the building of a revolutionary leadership capable of turning this objective movement into a conscious struggle for power. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, as President Donald Trump, left, and Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, look on. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] In what public health experts are calling the most consequential attack on disease prevention policy in modern US history, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), under the control of the Trump administration, has voted to delay the Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. The decision effectively dismantles the decades-long standard of administering the first dose within the first 24 hours of life, a cornerstone of the universal immunization strategy that has protected millions of infants from a lifelong, incurable viral infection. The birth dose is needed because maternal infection is often asymptomatic, and screening fails to identify all infectious mothers. This critical vaccination has helped reduce pediatric Hepatitis B infections by more than 95 percent since 1991. This vote by the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is part of the Trump administrations campaign, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to dismantle public health in the United States. What is being implemented under the guise of health freedom is, in fact, the demolition of the very institutions and structures that have protected millions from infectious disease. The path to this outcome was paved through a calculated dismantling of the public health advisory structure, a central component of the Trump administrations broader war on science. Earlier this year, Kennedy took the unprecedented step of firing all 17 members of the existing ACIP panelhistorically composed of experts in vaccinology, infectious diseases, epidemiology and immunologyand replacing them with anti-vaccination advocates. The committees decision to delay the birth dose runs counter to 40 years of safety and efficacy data. Anticipating the administrations intent to undermine the standard of care, the Vaccine Integrity Project at the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) undertook an independent review of the evidence. Led by Dr. Angela K. Ulrich and Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, the CIDRAP analyzed more than 400 studies spanning four decades. Its conclusion was unequivocal: There is no new evidence to suggest that delaying the birth dose would be safer or more efficacious. The review reaffirmed that the birth dose reduces perinatal transmission by about 70 percent on its ownand up to 97 percent when paired with hepatitis B immune globulin. It also found no causal links between the birth dose and serious adverse events, refuting the pseudoscience used to justify the delay. These findings build upon a vast historical record. A 2024 CDC analysis led by Dr. Fangjun Zhou, a health economist in the Immunization Services Division, estimated that routine immunizations administered to children born between 1994 and 2023 prevented an estimated 508 million illnesses and 1.1 million deaths, saving nearly $2.7 trillion in societal costs. To justify the delay, the committee raised theoretical concerns about the cumulative effect of vaccines and specific ingredients such as aluminum adjuvants. Newly appointed ACIP members have been tasked with investigating questions such as whether the two different aluminum adjuvants increase the risk of asthma. But these concerns have already been tested. A landmark nationwide cohort study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in July 2025, led by Dr. Niklas Worm Andersson of the Statens Serum Institut in Denmark, examined 1.2 million children and found no association between aluminum-adsorbed vaccines and autoimmune, allergic or neurodevelopmental disordersincluding autism and asthma. The consequences of this policy shift have already been modeled in detail, and the projections show a significant rise in preventable illness, cancer, death and long-term healthcare costs. In a preprint study titled Economic Evaluation of Delaying the Infant Hepatitis B Vaccination Schedule, Eric W. Hall of Oregon Health & Science University assessed the lifetime clinical and economic impact of delaying the birth dose for the 2024 US birth cohort. The model incorporates the realities of the US healthcare system, including imperfect adherencethe well documented fact that when the birth dose is not administered in the hospital, the likelihood of completing the full vaccine series drops sharply. According to Halls modeling, even a brief delay of the first dose until two months of age for infants born to mothers not known to be infected would result in 1,437 additional preventable acute Hepatitis B infections in children, 304 additional cases of liver cancer, 482 additional HBV-related deaths, and $222 million in excess healthcare costs annually. The alarm over the decision has been immediate across the medical and public health community. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) called the delay a direct threat to infant safety, warning that it contradicts every major body of scientific evidence accumulated over four decades. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) condemned the vote as an abandonment of the standards that protect children from preventable disease. The Association of Immunization Managers, representing state and territorial immunization programs, cautioned that the shift will undermine the integrity of vaccination schedules nationwide. Members of the CDC Alumni Association described the vote as a grave departure from evidence-based practice, and warned that abandoning the birth dose will result in unnecessary and irreversible harm. Several former leaders of the Immunization Safety Office noted that the decision makes no scientific sense and violates the precautionary principle that has guided immunization policy for decades. These warningscoming from the very people who built the nations immunization infrastructureunderscore the unprecedented nature of the collapse now unfolding. The vote to delay the Hepatitis B vaccine is the most advanced expression of the broader restructuring of American public health by the Trump-Kennedy administration. With far-right anti-vaccination activists now installed across Health and Human Services (HHS), CDC and ACIP, the administration has created the machinery to revise, and ultimately dismantle, the entire childhood immunization schedule and the scientific norms that once governed it. This is part of a broader war on the working class and all remaining social programs. The Trump administration is pursuing the same strategy in every sphere: gutting environmental regulations, dismantling public education, militarizing police forces and criminalizing political opposition. This transformation, however, did not begin with Trump. The Biden administration played an indispensable role in creating the political and institutional framework for the present collapse of public health. It was Biden who prematurely declared in 2022 that the COVID pandemic was over, dismantled all mitigation measures, ended federal funding for testing and treatment, blocked mask requirements and forced millions back into unsafe workplaces and schools. The bipartisan forever COVID policy normalized mass infection, sickness and deathabandoning the basic principle that society has a responsibility to protect public health. This cultivated the political environment in which Trump and Kennedy can move openly to destroy all that remains of evidence-based policy. What is unfolding is a class offensive. The destruction of public health is an attack on the working class, which depends on social infrastructure for protection from disease, exploitation and poverty. The rollback of the Hepatitis B birth dose is part of a sweeping campaign to eliminate the gains won through more than a century of struggle: vaccines, clean air standards, workplace safety regulations, reproductive rights and public education. The defense of public health is inseparable from the defense of all democratic and social rights. It cannot be entrusted to either party of the ruling class. The independent political mobilization of the working class is the only means of halting this descent into dictatorship. The defense of sciencereal science, grounded in evidence and dedicated to human welfarerequires the overthrow of the capitalist system, which subordinates life to profit. We urge scientists, health care workers, educators, students and all workers who recognize the danger of this moment to join this fight for socialism. Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala Determined to suppress growing public anger over the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) governments catastrophic mishandling of Cyclone Ditwah, which has left nearly 1,000 dead, a senior JVP/NPP minister has ordered police to invoke emergency regulations against critics. The measure, framed as a response to an extremely malicious attack through social media campaigns targeting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and several ministers, is in fact a blatant attempt to silence dissent. Sri Lanka has been under a draconian state of emergency since Dissanayake declared it immediately after Cyclone Ditwah devastated large sections of the island. In a televised address on November 28, he justified the move as necessary to provide legal protection and financial allocation to rebuild our country better than before. Notably, opposition figures such as Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa had urged the declaration of an emergency, underscoring the bipartisan support within the ruling elite for using repressive laws to preempt social unrest. Although Dissanayake pledged in his speech last Sunday that emergency powers would not be used repressively, the World Socialist Web Site warned they would be deployed to enforce deeper austerity under the guise of rebuilding. The latest statement by his minister confirms that the government is quickly moving in that direction. As the devastating consequences of the cyclone continue to unfold, JVP leader and Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala claimed on December 2 that a coordinated effort was underway to spread distorted or false information about the disastervia flyers, social media, and even AI-generated content. He alleged that individuals abroad were also involved. Watagala made these remarks at a meeting at the Malabe Divisional Secretariat, attended by police officers, government officials and Deputy Media Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathna. Watagala warned, If this continues for another day or two, the orders issued by the President and the emergency regulation clearly cover the situation. He cited clauses 20, 21 and 22 of Extraordinary Gazette No. 2464/31, issued on November 28, 2025, under Section 5 of the Public Security Ordinance. The regulations cited by Watagala are sweeping in scope. Clause 20 prohibits individuals from communicating, publishing, or disseminating any supposedly false statementswhether by word of mouth, print, electronic means, or even through artificial intelligence systemsthat could allegedly cause public alarm or public disorder. Clause 21 makes it a criminal offence to knowingly or have reasonable cause to believe one is providing false information in response to any inquiry made under emergency regulations. These provisions clearly extend well beyond social media attacks on the president or government ministers. They can be used to criminalize virtually any criticism of the governments response to the disaster and its failure to prepare for it. Watagala added that violations could carry prison sentences of over five years, with some offenses punishable by up to 10 years. The minister revealed that 20 complaints had already been filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against individuals accused of spreading such content. He stated that further action would be taken after summoning them for questioning. Exposing the deeply anti-democratic nature of the JVP/NPP government, he instructed police to treat individuals posting defamatory or false material not merely as suspects but as offenders. This directive effectively discards the presumption of innocence and encourages law enforcement to preemptively criminalize dissent. This is an unmistakable attempt to intimidate government critics as popular anger mounts. The ministers remarks were swiftly condemned by journalist associations and civil liberties advocates. The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) denounced the directive, stating: The very people who once championed freedom of speech and expression are now issuing orders to abolish it, showing the government has embarked on a path against democracy. The SLWJA also pointed to several incidents over the past year that threatened media freedom under the JVP/NPP. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) endorsed the SLWJAs statement, calling on the government to respect the publics right to information and uphold freedom of expression. Since taking office late last year, the JVP/NPP government has mounted a series of attacks on press freedom and journalists. On November 22, a CID team visited the Aruna newspaper office to question Chief Editor Mahinda Illeperuma following a complaint by Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala. The complaint alleged that the paper published false and vague information in a November 19 lead story reporting that police clearance certificatesrequired for foreign employment, public sector job applications, ID cards and other processeswould now need endorsement from local Public Security Committees. The complaint drew strong opposition from the media, with clear evidence confirming the storys accuracy. Earlier, on August 17, the Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID) summoned Tamil journalist and activist Kanapathipillai Kumanan in Mullaitivu while he was reporting on the Chemmani mass grave, where hundreds of war crimes victims skeletons have been unearthed. In its December 5 editorial, The Island recalled the JVPs fascistic repression of political opponents in the late 1980s: The JVP has a history of stifling dissent; old habits are said to die hard. In the past, it relied on mindless violence, but it now appears to be using Emergency regulations to achieve the same end under the pretext of controlling errant social media activists. The editorial, however, evaded the real purpose of the emergency decree: to suppress the emerging movement of the working class. It concluded with an empty plea for the government to halt the misuse of emergency powers. The Cyclone Ditwah disaster has completely exposed the bankruptcy of the JVP/NPP government and the capitalist system as a whole. It has triggered a profound political crisisnot only for the government, but also for the opposition parties, which are scrambling to disassociate themselves from responsibility for what is ultimately a man-made disaster rooted in decades of neglect and corruption. Successive governments failed to invest in modern forecasting systems or to develop infrastructure that could have saved lives and mitigated the cyclones impact. Now, while making empty phrases over the catastrophe, both government and opposition are united in fear of the growing outrage in the working class and among the oppressed masses. The JVP/NPP government remains focused on fulfilling its pledges to the International Monetary Fund. President Dissanayake and his ministers have made clear that not even a natural catastrophe of this magnitude will shift their commitment to brutal austerity. Officials insist that working people must bear the burden of recovery costs, now estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. Anticipating resistance, the government has responded by imposing emergency regulations to punish even modest criticism of its failures. The concentration camp known as "Alligator Alcatraz," at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility in the Florida Everglades, on July 4, 2025, in Ochopee, Florida. [AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell] On Thursday, Amnesty International published a report titled Torture and enforced disappearances in the Sunshine State, documenting torture carried out by the US immigration Gestapo at detention camps in Florida. The report includes interviews with four immigrants kidnapped and held at the Everglades compound (run by the state in conjunction with the federal government), which Trump has proudly labeled Alligator Alcatraz, and at Miamis notorious Krome detention and processing center, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility with decades of documented abuse and maltreatment. The reports most explosive revelations describe torture methods at the Everglades camp that directly mirror the war crimes committed by the US military and intelligence agencies at Abu Ghraib in Iraq and at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba beginning in the early 2000s. At those imperialist outposts, the US carried out beatings, forced stress positions, sensory deprivation, sexual humiliation, and confinement in boxes and containers, all under the authority of the Pentagon and CIA. The same methods of domination and terror have now been imported wholesale onto US soil and used against immigrant workers. All four men interviewed by Amnesty International described a torture method employed at Alligator Alcatraz called the box. They described the box as a tiny two-by-two-foot cage-like structure located outside in the yard of the Everglades camp. Individuals placed inside are shackled by their hands and feet to the ground and left for hours or longer with almost no water or protection from the intense sun, humidity, insects and wildlife. One person interviewed by Amnesty International said that people ended up in the box just for asking the guards for anything. I saw a guy who was put in it for an entire day. Another person said he saw two people put into the box for trying to help him lobby the guards to provide him his medication. [T]wo people in my cell were calling out to the guards telling them that I needed my medication. Ten guards rushed into the cell and threw them to the ground. They were taken to the box and punished just for trying to help me. Any time that anyone demanded that our rights be respected, they were punished. A different man confirmed that guards call it the box at Everglades. Its a box outside, exposed to the South Florida sun and humidity and exposed to mosquitoes, that is used as a punishment. Another concluded bluntly, Its a copy of Guantanamo. The conditions are inhuman. The use of small-box confinement has long been part of the repertoire of US imperialist torture. Abu Zubaydah, captured by the US in 2002 and still held at Guantanamo, was subjected to prolonged confinement in dark cramped boxes as part of the CIAs torture program. The same methods used against alleged terrorists are now being deployed against immigrants and will soon be used against workers and citizens who object to ongoing attacks on their living standards and democratic rights. The Everglades concentration camp opened in July 2025 with the capacity to detain roughly 3,000 people. It is the first state-owned and operated immigration concentration camp in the United States. Located directly in a hurricane corridor, the facility operates without regard to federal rules even though the Department of Homeland Security recently approved more than $600 million in grant money to fund and sustain operations. Because the camp is state-run, it is not integrated with federal databases, including the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Locator. As of this writing, there is no public record of who is detained there or how many. Lawyers report being unable to contact clients for weeks, creating effective incommunicado detention and conditions that meet the definition of enforced disappearances. Consequently, not only is there no federal oversight of the facility, but there exists no integration into ICEs systems or databases. The absence of registration or tracking mechanisms for those detained at Alligator Alcatraz facilitates incommunicado detention and constitutes enforced disappearances, when the whereabouts of persons being detained there is denied to their family and they are not allowed to contact their lawyer. In addition to torture, detainees describe inhuman and unsanitary conditions. Toilets overflow with fecal matter that seeps into the areas where people sleep. Access to medical care is limited or nonexistent. Food and water are poor in quality. Insects are constant. Privacy is nonexistent. Amnesty International concludes that people detained in Alligator Alcatraz are held in cages of approximately 1,000 square feet, with 32 people per cage and eight cages per tent. The lights are like stadium lights; theyre always on, theyre never turned off or even dimmed. Its very cold, the air-conditioning is very strong. There are a lot of mosquitoes, one man said. Another described the toilet conditions: There are three toilets in each cage. Theres no privacy; there are cameras above the toilets. The toilets were clogged a lot and shit overflowed from them. I saw a big snake. A friend was bitten by a spider that laid eggs inside of him. One man reported that someone died while he was held there. I heard a lot of screaming, he said. But theres no way to know what actually happened to the person because were not registered in ICEs system. Although the state of Florida is required to keep records of deaths and major medical incidents, the Florida Division of Emergency Management provided no such documentation to Amnesty International. Similar overcrowded and cruel conditions were found at the Krome facility in Miami. The for-profit detention and processing center, currently managed by Akima Global Services, LLC, has operated for decades. All four men interviewed by Amnesty International were transferred from the Everglades camp to Krome. All four said they were shackled for hours during transport. At Krome immigrants faced many of the same cruel, inhuman and degrading treatments. One man said that after a guard punched him in the neck, he was forced into solitary confinement for 24 straight days. I went nine days without any sort of medical attention, he said. My neck hurt; I couldnt move it. My ribs and ear hurt too. I was finally just given a pill. I went outside only once in 24 days. I was basically incommunicado. Another man described being placed in an overcrowded tent. There are 126 of us in there. There are only three telephones that we can use for five minutes a day. They count us at least twice a day. When this is happening we have to sit on our cots. The bathrooms are closed during the count which lasts over an hour. Another detainee said, People are extremely stressed. Theyre having a hard time, theyre sad, theyre anxious. The guards are racist and hostile. Its almost like we disgust them. The conditions at both facilities are deliberately cruel and deadly. During fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024-September 30, 2025) at least 25 prisoners have died in ICE custody, more than double the 12 deaths reported in fiscal year 2024. Of these 25 confirmed deaths, six occurred in the state of Florida, including four at Krome: Ramesh Amechand, Genry Ruiz-Guillen, Maksym Chernyak and Isidro Perez. The horrors described in the Amnesty International report are not aberrations and not the product of a single administration. The torture, enforced disappearances and inhuman detention conditions at Alligator Alcatraz and Krome express a bipartisan policy developed and expanded over decades. The torture methods pioneered under George W. Bush and acknowledged by Obama with his infamous admission, We tortured some folks, have now been brought onto US soil and turned against immigrant workers. This has been made possible only because of the criminal complicity of the Democratic Party. Far from opposing Trumps fascistic attacks on immigrants, the Democrats have facilitated them. They joined Republicans to pass the Laken Riley Act, which expands the mass detention and deportation of immigrants. Senior Democratic figures, including Bernie Sanders, have praised Trumps mass deportation operation and echoed his claims that immigrants pose a threat to the nation and US workers. As resistance grows towards the raids against immigrants, the conditions in the Everglades and at Krome are a warning to workers and students that the methods of imperialist torture abroad are being brought home for use against the working class. This week, World Socialist Web Site reporters and members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) spoke to students at Wayne State University about the attacks on immigrant workers by the Trump administration. These videos are posted on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, and Twitter/X. Please like, comment and share them, and subscribe/follow the World Socialist Web Site on each platform for more. Its a way of dividing people who are really all in the same group. White, black, Hispanic, all fighting to make change. ... That is what they fear the most. Coming together with international people is just Americans being Americans as we should be. U.S. Border Patrol agents speak to a truck driver during an immigration enforcement operation at a truck stop Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Hampshire, Illinois. [AP Photo/Erin Hooley] In a move targeted at immigrant truckers, the Trump administration has revoked the accreditation of nearly 3,000 CDL (commercial drivers license) training centers and placed another 4,500 on notice that they must prove compliance with federal Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements within 30 days. The federal Training Provider Registry lists roughly 16,000 providers nationwide. With nearly 3,000 removed and 4,500 more under review, the purge affects approximately 45 percent of all entries in the registry. More than 40 percent of listed CDL training providers could lose their ability to certify new drivers. Furthermore, graduates of any removed center will not be recognized as having completed federally mandated training, and many current CDL holders may find their credentials revoked. ELDT requirements include covering the required curriculum, maintaining complete and accurate training records, verifying instructor qualifications, and documenting that the school has the necessary equipment and facilities. According to federal auditors, the training providers removed from the registry failed to meet the requirements of the ELDT rule. Centers were cited for falsifying or manipulating training data, neglecting to cover required curriculum topics, employing instructors who did not meet federal qualifications, or lacking the necessary equipment and facilities to provide legitimate commercial driver training. Many failed to maintain complete and accurate records or refused to provide documentation during federal reviews. Some of the removed providers had been inactive for years, a result of a registry system that allowed schools to self-certify without inspection or verification. But the main target of the move is immigrants. In September, the Trump administration imposed sweeping restrictions on non-domiciled commercial driver licenses after a series of highly sensationalized fatal crashes in Florida, Texas, Alabama and California involving big rigs. Officials focused on the immigration status of the drivers involved and presented these isolated incidents as evidence of a wider safety crisis caused by immigrants. The interim final rule (IFR), a fast-tracked regulation issued without the usual public comment period, sharply limited which non-citizens could obtain a CDL, shortened license validity to one year or less and required states to verify immigration status through federal databases. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) claimed the restrictions were needed because the agency could not reliably verify foreign driving histories and that the rule was necessary for public safety. In early November, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Jorge Rivera Lujan, a longtime CDL holder and DACA recipient (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era measure that allowed some undocumented immigrants who entered the country as children), arguing that the rule was imposed without due process and causes irreparable harm to lawful workers. Rivera Lujan, who has lived in the United States since childhood and operated his own small trucking business for years, was unable to renew his CDL on September 30 despite a decade of legal compliance and safe operation. On December 4 the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia granted a request to place the case in abeyance and maintain the temporary stay it issued in November, halting enforcement of the rule while the litigation proceeds. The stay has temporarily protected the nearly 200,000 non-domiciled CDL holders who would have lost their jobs under the new restrictions. This move followed Trumps xenophobic executive order last May requiring English proficiency for all commercial drivers, a rule not grounded in any safety data and imposed despite the widespread multilingual support built into modern navigation and communication systems. The fatal crashes over the summer were seized upon by the administration to reinforce this narrative. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy made the governments position unmistakably clear. He claimed that licenses to operate a massive, 80,000-pound truck are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers, often times illegally. Duffy used the crashes to portray immigrant workers as a systemic danger, even though there is no publicly available evidence showing that immigrant or foreign born truckers are disproportionately involved in fatal collisions. His statements fused immigration enforcement with CDL licensing and provided the justification for both the restrictions on non-domiciled drivers and the nationwide audit of CDL training providers. According to COGO, a commercial trucking insurance firm that analyzes federal crash data, immigrant drivers are involved in a tiny fraction of fatal truck crashes. Only five fatal crashes this year involved non domiciled commercial drivers out of approximately 1,600 fatal truck crashes recorded through July, or three-tenths of one percent. Immigrant and foreign born drivers make up between 16 and 20 percent of the trucking workforce, a share far out of proportion to their minuscule representation in fatal collisions. The crisis in CDL training is the result of decades of deregulation. The ELDR rule was originally developed to end the fragmented system in which each state determined its own standards, producing wide variations in training quality. Industry lobbying stripped the rule of its core provisions before implementation. Mandatory training hours were removed. Behind the wheel requirements became optional. Instructor qualifications were weakened. Training centers could join the federal registry by submitting an online form without inspection, credential verification, or proof that they possessed equipment or instructors. For decades, Democratic and Republican governments alike allowed the trucking industry to shape federal regulations to its benefit, repeatedly delaying implementation, weakening enforcement mechanisms and resisting any measures that would impose real oversight on CDL training programs. The result is a nationwide patchwork of state-based standards easily exploited by operators. The escalating attacks on immigrant workers is part of a broader war on the working class. Employers in the United States have announced approximately 1.1 million job cuts so far this year, a level of contraction not seen since the 2008 financial crash. The cuts span every major sector of the economy, from telecommunications and information technology to manufacturing and retail. Logistics and warehousing have been hit especially hard. Nearly 48,000 jobs were eliminated in that sector in October alone, part of a jobs bloodbath that has swept through UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and other major employers this year. Immigrant workers are being targeted as scapegoats to expand the governments powers over the workforce as a whole. Measures first directed at immigrants will later be applied more broadly to stem the rising tide of social unrest in the face of the accelerating crisis of capitalism. The defense of jobs and democratic rights requires the development of independent rank-and-file committees that unite immigrant and native-born workers in a common struggle against these escalating attacks. Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana] On Wednesday, CNN published the findings of an investigation showing that Israeli bulldozers pushed Palestinian corpses into mass graves near the Zikim crossing and buried dozens of unidentified victims in Gazas sand. The CNN investigation, along with earlier reporting of mass burials of unknown Palestinians, exposes evidence of war crimes committed by the Israeli military with the full support of US and European imperialism and the complicity of the Arab bourgeois regimes. The December 3 investigation traces the fate of Palestinians who went missing while attempting to reach desperately needed aid convoys near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza. The Zikim crossing is the main entry point into the northern Gaza Strip along the border with Israel. Through analysis of videos, photos, satellite imagery and interviews with drivers and local witnesses, the report establishes that Israeli forces used military bulldozers to push bodies into the earth, creating unmarked or barely marked graves along the aid corridor. The investigation links these scenes to a broader pattern of desecration, documenting the bulldozing of cemeteries and the destruction of makeshift graves across Gaza as Israeli ground forces advanced. Residents describe areas where the dead lay for days under constant fire, unreachable by ambulances, before bulldozers arrived to clear the road and cover the bodies. The picture that emerges is not of collateral damage but of a conscious policy of terror in which Palestinians are deprived not only of life but of the most elementary right to be identified and mourned by their community and loved ones. The bulldozer graves near Zikim intersect with a second, equally horrific reality: the thousands listed as missing in Gaza whose bodies have never been identified. In late October, the New York Times documented a mass burial in central Gaza in which 54 bodies returned by Israel were interred together because they could not be individually identified. Hospital staff described remains arriving with numerical tags and minimal information, overwhelming their limited capacity to perform forensic work under bombardment and siege conditions. Families, the Times report noted, searched hospitals and makeshift cemeteries for any sign of their loved ones, often with nothing more than a number or a fragmentary description to go on. The combination of high-intensity bombardment, collapsing medical infrastructure and bulldozed graves has produced a situation in which countless Palestinians simply vanish into the sand, their fate known only in the most general terms: killed while seeking food, killed while fleeing, killed in their homes and then buried in a pit carved by an Israeli machine. This is not an accident but a method of mass terror and murder by Israel aimed at obliterating both memory and evidence. International humanitarian law, codified in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, imposes clear obligations regarding the treatment of the dead. Parties to a conflict must search for, recover and respect the bodies of those killed, protect them from despoliation and facilitate identification and dignified burial, with information transmitted to families through neutral channels. Customary law further condemns outrages upon personal dignity, which in practice extends to the handling of bodies and graves. Bulldozing corpses into unmarked pits, destroying cemeteries or leaving bodies exposed where families cannot safely reach them is a flagrant violation of these laws. When such practices occur in the context of indiscriminate or targeted killing of civilians and a campaign of mass displacement, they constitute war crimes. Evidence of such acts can and must form part of the legal and political case for crimes against humanity and genocide. The treatment of the dead in Gaza by the Zionist government and military is inseparable from the systematic assault on the living. Since October 2023, the Israeli state has waged a campaign that has devastated the Gaza Strip and killed tens of thousands, the majority women and children. Entire neighborhoods have been wiped from the map by air and artillery strikes, with residential towers, schools, markets and refugee camps pulverized in attacks that cannot be reconciled with any serious distinction between combatants and civilians. Hospitals and clinicsShifa, Al-Quds, Nasser and many othershave been repeatedly targeted, besieged and raided, based on unsubstantiated claims that they served as terrorist infrastructure. No evidence has ever been produced by Israel or its sponsor in Washington, DC that the medical facilities in Gaza have been used for any such infrastructure. Meanwhile, areas that Israel itself designated as safe zones or evacuation corridors have been repeatedly bombed and shelled, producing mass casualties among those who obeyed evacuation orders. And the deliberate throttling of food, water, fuel and medicine, combined with the destruction of farmland and fishing infrastructure, constitutes the use of starvation as a weapon of war. Aid distribution points have been transformed into death traps, where crowds seeking flour or tinned food are gunned down or hit by air strikes. Journalists, medics and rescue workers have been killed at an unprecedented rate, despite their protected status under international law. At the heart of this campaign lies a strategy of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing. From the first weeks of the onslaught, Israel ordered civilians in northern Gaza to flee south, only to subject them to further bombardment once they arrived in overcrowded camps and shelters. Columns of refugees moving along supposed safe routes have come under sniper fire and aerial attack. Those who remained in the north faced siege, starvation and the destruction of every aspect of civilian life. The bulldozed mass graves near the Zikim crossing are a component part of the genocidal onslaught. People were killed while attempting to reach aid, in areas under Israeli control, and then buried by Israeli machinery without identification. This fusion of displacement, starvation, mass murder and desecration of the dead is the material content of what the Israeli ruling class and its imperialist backers call security. Washington has provided Israel with the bombs, shells, intelligence and diplomatic cover necessary to wage its war, rushing munitions deliveries even as casualty figures mounted and evidence of mass starvation emerged. In the United Nations, the US has vetoed or gutted resolutions calling for a cease-fire and accountability, while repeating the mantra that Israel has the right to defend itself. European governments, while occasionally muttering about proportionality, have continued arms sales and security cooperation and have criminalized or repressed the mass demonstrations against the genocide. The Arab bourgeois regimesfrom Egypt and Jordan to the Gulf monarchieshave acted as accomplices, enforcing the siege, suppressing solidarity among their own populations and angling for a seat at the table in the post-war arrangements. Their overriding concern is not the fate of the Palestinian masses but the preservation of their own rule and their integration into the imperialist regional realignment plan. Against this backdrop, talk of a peace plan and reconstruction for Gaza, driven by Washington and Tel Aviv, is a cynical fraud. The schemes being prepared envisage sections of the devastated enclave rebuilt under permanent Israeli military control, policed by proxy forces and financed by capital from the imperialist and Gulf countries. For the Israeli ruling class, this offers a chance to solidify its grip and to reshape Gazas geography and demography; for the US and its regional allies, it promises profitable contracts and new levels of imperialist domination. The involvement of figures such as Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trumpwhose family real estate empire epitomizes parasitic speculation and the financial oligarchyunderscores the class character of these plans. The same system that turned Gaza into a killing field now seeks to turn its ruins into an investment bonanza, from which the survivors are to be excluded except as a super-exploited labor force under the guns of the Israeli occupation troops. NEW YORK Cuban-born artist Wifredo Lam sometimes let other people title his paintings, as if their insight might detect ideas of which the artist was unconscious. His life follows a similar pattern, an ongoing discovery of himself as a slightly foreign object, rather like finding meaning in dreams that seem to come from outside ourselves. NEW YORK Cuban-born artist Wifredo Lam sometimes let other people title his paintings, as if their insight might detect ideas of which the artist was unconscious. His life follows a similar pattern, an ongoing discovery of himself as a slightly foreign object, rather like finding meaning in dreams that seem to come from outside ourselves. It was almost inevitable that Lam, born in 1902 to a Chinese father and a multiracial mother, would seem to experience the self as a kind of foreign presence. Cuban society was a complex web of racial and economic hierarchies, just emerging from a colonial oppression founded on slavery and perpetuated by indentured labor. Caribbean artists and intellectuals who, like Lam, went back and forth between Europe and the islands wrote of a divided identity, of constant battle with an inculcated inferiority complex, and the pain of always being the other in both worlds they inhabited. He also came of age when psychoanalysis was in vogue and when European artists fetishized the idea of the primitive, as somehow providing an avenue to deeper states of consciousness and being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was almost inevitable that Lam, born in 1902 to a Chinese father and a multiracial mother, would seem to experience the self as a kind of foreign presence. Cuban society was a complex web of racial and economic hierarchies, just emerging from a colonial oppression founded on slavery and perpetuated by indentured labor. Caribbean artists and intellectuals who, like Lam, went back and forth between Europe and the islands wrote of a divided identity, of constant battle with an inculcated inferiority complex, and the pain of always being the other in both worlds they inhabited. He also came of age when psychoanalysis was in vogue and when European artists fetishized the idea of the primitive, as somehow providing an avenue to deeper states of consciousness and being. The Museum of Modern Arts Wifredo Lam: When I Dont Sleep, I Dream, billed as the largest U.S. retrospective of the artists work, mostly skirts the emotional complexity of colonial life and the anti-colonialism with which Lam was allied through much of his life. It doesnt focus much on his early life or his Chinese heritage, foregrounding instead his later interest in the Afro-Cuban movement, and his ties to major anti-colonial figures, especially the Martinique-born French author and politician Aime Cesaire. The Museum of Modern Arts Wifredo Lam: When I Dont Sleep, I Dream, billed as the largest U.S. retrospective of the artists work, mostly skirts the emotional complexity of colonial life and the anti-colonialism with which Lam was allied through much of his life. It doesnt focus much on his early life or his Chinese heritage, foregrounding instead his later interest in the Afro-Cuban movement, and his ties to major anti-colonial figures, especially the Martinique-born French author and politician Aime Cesaire. But it does include a few early self-portraits that suggest an identity in flux, or undecided as if one needed to decide such things. An intimate, sensitive image from around 1923, when the painter was in his early 20s, shows him in a shirt and tie, carefully coiffed, with a starched color, like a freshman about to matriculate at university. A few years later he appeared to foreground his Chinese heritage in a painting called Sol, probably a self-portrait, in which he appears with sharply accentuated features, dressed in intricately patterned flowing clothes. In a circa 1938 image he is shirtless, with light skin, while a 1926 graphite drawing, not included in the exhibition, shows him with more pronounced African features. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it does include a few early self-portraits that suggest an identity in flux, or undecided as if one needed to decide such things. An intimate, sensitive image from around 1923, when the painter was in his early 20s, shows him in a shirt and tie, carefully coiffed, with a starched color, like a freshman about to matriculate at university. A few years later he appeared to foreground his Chinese heritage in a painting called Sol, probably a self-portrait, in which he appears with sharply accentuated features, dressed in intricately patterned flowing clothes. In a circa 1938 image he is shirtless, with light skin, while a 1926 graphite drawing, not included in the exhibition, shows him with more pronounced African features. The exhibition feels a bit like an institutional confessional, a museum making amends for having neglected or condescended to Lam in the past. His most famous painting, The Jungle from 1942-1943, once hung in the museums lobby, where it was perceived by some to be excluded from or marginal to the main galleries while others felt it as uniquely accessible to the public, which could see it without paying admission. It was given more prestigious space within the galleries after the 1988 publication of a critical essay by the poet and critic John Yau, Please Wait by the Coatroom: Wifredo Lam in the Museum of Modern Art. A wave of appreciation for Lam in the 1980s made him a revered and influential figure to artists of that generation, and he remains a powerful force for younger artists who embrace decolonization not just as a political struggle, but as an analogue for a larger sense of mental and spiritual freedom from oppressive power. The exhibition feels a bit like an institutional confessional, a museum making amends for having neglected or condescended to Lam in the past. His most famous painting, The Jungle from 1942-1943, once hung in the museums lobby, where it was perceived by some to be excluded from or marginal to the main galleries while others felt it as uniquely accessible to the public, which could see it without paying admission. It was given more prestigious space within the galleries after the 1988 publication of a critical essay by the poet and critic John Yau, Please Wait by the Coatroom: Wifredo Lam in the Museum of Modern Art. A wave of appreciation for Lam in the 1980s made him a revered and influential figure to artists of that generation, and he remains a powerful force for younger artists who embrace decolonization not just as a political struggle, but as an analogue for a larger sense of mental and spiritual freedom from oppressive power. The Jungle is central to the exhibition. Lam had escaped Europe and fascism in 1941 and returned to Cuba, where he experienced mixed emotions back in a country where the old power structure, and its indignities, was still firmly in place. In The Jungle, figuration and forms derivative from Picasso become idiosyncratically his own, exuberant and animated, filling out the canvas to its edges. Faces inscribed into crescent moons, distended human forms with oversize feet and animal-human hybrids cavort in a field of brightly colored sugarcane stocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jungle is central to the exhibition. Lam had escaped Europe and fascism in 1941 and returned to Cuba, where he experienced mixed emotions back in a country where the old power structure, and its indignities, was still firmly in place. In The Jungle, figuration and forms derivative from Picasso become idiosyncratically his own, exuberant and animated, filling out the canvas to its edges. Faces inscribed into crescent moons, distended human forms with oversize feet and animal-human hybrids cavort in a field of brightly colored sugarcane stocks. These figures werent new to Lam, nor was the allover treatment of the canvas, which he had previously used in a powerful 1937 indictment of fascism, The Spanish Civil War. But the energy is new, and vibrant, and while Lam never entirely broke free from the influence of Picasso, he gives these borrowed figures their own inflections and their own private language. These figures werent new to Lam, nor was the allover treatment of the canvas, which he had previously used in a powerful 1937 indictment of fascism, The Spanish Civil War. But the energy is new, and vibrant, and while Lam never entirely broke free from the influence of Picasso, he gives these borrowed figures their own inflections and their own private language. They are herbivorous, not predatory. Even in the darker and almost monochromatic 1949 Large Composition, a major, large-scale work on view for the first time in United States, the figures are animated more by playful, subversive and sexual energies than the darker, more violent fantasies of surrealism. Picassos Guernica has been domesticated, tamed and personalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are herbivorous, not predatory. Even in the darker and almost monochromatic 1949 Large Composition, a major, large-scale work on view for the first time in United States, the figures are animated more by playful, subversive and sexual energies than the darker, more violent fantasies of surrealism. Picassos Guernica has been domesticated, tamed and personalized. The show, curated by Christophe Cherix and Beverly Adams, includes representative paintings from the various periods of Lams life, including drawings made before he moved to Europe in 1923, work made in Spain before and during the Civil War, work made upon his return to Cuba and large abstractions and ceramics made when he was a citizen of the world, with a studio in the picture-perfect Italian seaside town of Albissola Marina, in Liguria. The show, curated by Christophe Cherix and Beverly Adams, includes representative paintings from the various periods of Lams life, including drawings made before he moved to Europe in 1923, work made in Spain before and during the Civil War, work made upon his return to Cuba and large abstractions and ceramics made when he was a citizen of the world, with a studio in the picture-perfect Italian seaside town of Albissola Marina, in Liguria. In 1951, Lam painted his first mural, for the giant Esso Standard Oil Company, in Havana. A year later, Fulgencio Batista seized power in a military coup and Lam fled for Paris. His work became increasingly and sometimes entirely abstract. The distended figures of The Jungle are put through geometric contortions and, in the 1955 work that gives the exhibition its title, When I Dont Sleep, I Dream, a body (or composite of bodies) with a half-moon face and overlarge feet is laid out horizontally, like a living corpse. The fauna in Lams private menagerie retain their eyes, but often it seems they are looking only at themselves, or their nearest companions with profound estrangement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1951, Lam painted his first mural, for the giant Esso Standard Oil Company, in Havana. A year later, Fulgencio Batista seized power in a military coup and Lam fled for Paris. His work became increasingly and sometimes entirely abstract. The distended figures of The Jungle are put through geometric contortions and, in the 1955 work that gives the exhibition its title, When I Dont Sleep, I Dream, a body (or composite of bodies) with a half-moon face and overlarge feet is laid out horizontally, like a living corpse. The fauna in Lams private menagerie retain their eyes, but often it seems they are looking only at themselves, or their nearest companions with profound estrangement. The large, untitled abstractions he made in 1958 may have been an attempt to complete that estrangement, to free his work entirely from its self-consciousness and its indebtedness. But in the psychological drama of anti-colonialism one reads in the works of Cesaire or Frantz Fanon, there is no easy or magical escape from the deep patterns and habits of colonial thinking. One struggles to get outside the vicious circle, only to be reinscribed. So, too, pure abstraction is as fully inscribed within the discourse of Western art as is surrealism. Lams pivot was an alignment with elite, art-world sensibilities, but his abstractions often feel like a blotting over or strapping down of the exuberant, decorative energies that made his earlier work feel distinctive. The large, untitled abstractions he made in 1958 may have been an attempt to complete that estrangement, to free his work entirely from its self-consciousness and its indebtedness. But in the psychological drama of anti-colonialism one reads in the works of Cesaire or Frantz Fanon, there is no easy or magical escape from the deep patterns and habits of colonial thinking. One struggles to get outside the vicious circle, only to be reinscribed. So, too, pure abstraction is as fully inscribed within the discourse of Western art as is surrealism. Lams pivot was an alignment with elite, art-world sensibilities, but his abstractions often feel like a blotting over or strapping down of the exuberant, decorative energies that made his earlier work feel distinctive. Cherix detects a more triumphant narrative: Lams visionary commitment to making his painting an act of decolonization, as he put it, forever changed modern art, he said in a news release. In 1980, two years before his death, Lam did indeed describe his work as an act of decolonization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cherix detects a more triumphant narrative: Lams visionary commitment to making his painting an act of decolonization, as he put it, forever changed modern art, he said in a news release. In 1980, two years before his death, Lam did indeed describe his work as an act of decolonization. That describes an intention, an act of self-interpretation, perhaps another self-discovery. But what does anti-colonialism look like in artistic terms? Lam was too individual and too refined in his sensibility to do visual agitprop, and decolonization doesnt have a stable meaning. In his drawings, one finds a restless invention that suggests a private, perpetual instability of thought, a yearning, or struggle perhaps. The straight, sharp, almost violent lines of his 1958 abstractions appear like thought bubbles in the figures he drew in a set of 1946 images on paper. Is that decolonization at work? That describes an intention, an act of self-interpretation, perhaps another self-discovery. But what does anti-colonialism look like in artistic terms? Lam was too individual and too refined in his sensibility to do visual agitprop, and decolonization doesnt have a stable meaning. In his drawings, one finds a restless invention that suggests a private, perpetual instability of thought, a yearning, or struggle perhaps. The straight, sharp, almost violent lines of his 1958 abstractions appear like thought bubbles in the figures he drew in a set of 1946 images on paper. Is that decolonization at work? Despite Lams statement in 1980 and the frequent references to his friendship and allegiance with major figures in the struggle against colonialism, this framing of Lam seems more fashionable than comprehensive. Theres no doubt that Lam thought these thoughts and lived this struggle. He added generously to the canon of modern art, but its not clear that he forever changed it. Rather, he found in art what is often impossible to find for people caught within the cruel dialectics of colonial oppression: a home capacious enough for his imagination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Lams statement in 1980 and the frequent references to his friendship and allegiance with major figures in the struggle against colonialism, this framing of Lam seems more fashionable than comprehensive. Theres no doubt that Lam thought these thoughts and lived this struggle. He added generously to the canon of modern art, but its not clear that he forever changed it. Rather, he found in art what is often impossible to find for people caught within the cruel dialectics of colonial oppression: a home capacious enough for his imagination. Wifredo Lam: When I Dont Sleep, I Dream Through April 11 at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. www.moma.org. Wifredo Lam: When I Dont Sleep, I Dream Through April 11 at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. www.moma.org. Plenty of people from all over the world move to Los Angeles with hopes of making it big in Hollywood. However, once they've become pretty big stars, some people move out of the city and some leave the US altogether. Here are 11 American celebs who moved out of the US and why: Related: Let's Talk About How Creepy The Sydney Sweeney Bikini Pics Are 1. In 2024, Eva Longoria told Marie Claire that she and her family have been splitting their time between Spain [where she often works] and Mexico [where her husband, Jose Baston, is from] for the last few years. Kevin Winter / Getty Images / Via Getty She said, "I had my whole adult life here. But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then COVID happened, and it pushed it over the edge. Whether its the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to shit on California it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now. ...Im privileged. I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans arent so lucky. Theyre going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her comments led to online speculation that she'd moved out of the US because of the 2024 election. So, to set the record straight, Eva called into her friend Ana Navarro's podcast The View: Behind the Table. She asked Ana, "Will you please let them know I didnt move out of Spain, I mean the United States, because of Trump? Then, Eva added, "Ive been in Europe working for almost three years. By the way, the article says that. People just grabbed some clickbait stuff to be divisive, which makes me so sad, you know. Everything you say is just meant to be divisive when we cant be that way right now. ...I didnt leave because of the political environment. I left because my work took me there." 2. In a 2024 Instagram video, Britney Spears shared that she moved to Mexico because of the "extremely mean and cruel" treatment she'd faced from paparazzi. Steve Granitz / Getty Images / Via Getty She said, "It really kind of hurts my feelings that the paparazzi make my face look like I'm wearing, like, a white Jason mask. It doesn't even look like me. They've always been incredibly cruel to me, the paparazzi and pictures and the way they've illustrated me to be in some of it." 3. Lindsay Lohan and her family live in Dubai. She relocated to the UAE in 2014. Thestewartofny / Getty Images According to Cosmopolitan, she moved to Dubai because paparazzi are illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, she told Flaunt, "Its still a city. So its pretty similar. I mean, I do anything that anyone else does in their daily life. Im up with my son in the mornings, I do breakfast with him, go to my pilates, come home for lunch, and go to the park, the same things that any normal mom would do in their daily life. Or you would do in LA. I think the only difference is the time zone shift. Theres a big disconnect between when work starts for me and other places. I can do my work calls with New York at like three or four, around this time, and then LA picks up later." Related: 14 Famous People Who Were Teenagers When They Said "I Do" And How Long Their Marriages Lasted 4. In 2024, People reported that Ellen DeGeneres fell in love with a house in the Cotswolds in the UK and moved there with her wife, Portia de Rossi. Dave Benett / Getty Images Per sources that spoke to The Wrap and TMZ, the couple reportedly moved abroad following the results of the 2024 presidential election. 5. Lily Collins and her husband, Charlie McDowell, relocated to Copenhagen, Denmark in 2023. Dave Benett / Getty Images The couple honeymooned in Denmark in 2021, and they co-own the media production and real estate company Case Study Copenhagen. 6. Janet Jackson has lived in London, UK since about 2016. Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty Images / Via Getty According to the Guardian, she stayed in the city after her 2017 divorce from billionaire Wissam Al Mana, who is from Qatar but lives in London, because they co-parent their son. Related: Liam Hemsworth Just Proposed To His Girlfriend Of 5 Years, And Her Ring Is So Pretty 7. In April 2024, Richard Gere told Vanity Fair Spain that he and his family planned to move to Spain, where his wife, Alejandra Silva, is from, later in the year. Carlos Alvarez / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said, "For me, going to Madrid is going to be a great adventure because I have never lived full-time outside the United States. And I think it will be very interesting for my children as well. For Alejandra, it will be wonderful to be closer to her family, her lifelong friends, and her culture. She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so I think it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers. In any case, I love Spain, and I think your lifestyle is fabulous. Also, your ability to live, transmitting joy and happiness. It is a beautiful place, the food is extraordinary, and the people exude sensitivity and generosity, as well as a strong will to laugh and enjoy. So I'm looking forward to going there." 8. In 1995, Tina Turner moved to Switzerland with Erwin Bach, her then-boyfriend (and later husband). Bertrand Rindoff Petroff / Getty Images In 1997, she told CNN, "I have left America because my success was in another country, and my boyfriend was in another country." She also said she was "as big as Madonna" in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said, "I went to England for a couple of years, and then I met a man, and I lived three years with him in his country, in Germany. Then I bought a house, in the meantime, in the south of France, and I started to rebuild that, so I'm in and out of there. That's not a place I can go often. [Home is] Zurich. Because my boyfriend was moved there to run the company, and I always wanted to go to Switzerland, and I was very happy." In 2013, Tina married Erwin and became a Swiss citizen. 9. In 2021, George Clooney reportedly moved to Brignoles, Provence, France with his wife, Amal Clooney, and their children. James Devaney / Getty Images / Via Getty He and his wife, Amal Clooney, reportedly want to have a "peaceful life" and raise their children primarily in France. Related: If You Can Identify These Celebrities From Under A Heat Map, Your Visual Cortex Is Operating At Genius Level 10. In 2023, Christina Milian and her family moved to France, where her husband, Matt Pokora, is from. Marc Piasecki / Getty Images She told the Jennifer Hudson Show, "My husband is French, and weve been together for over seven or eight years, and for like the last three or four years, we were commuting back and forth every six months. And then we decided to commit to it last year because our kids were going to go to school." 11. And finally, Josh Hartnett and his wife, Tamsin Egerton, lived between the US and the UK (her home country) for years but spent lockdown in the UK. Then, when they were expecting their third child, they decided to stay in Hampshire for good. Dave Benett / Getty Images In 2024, he told the Guardian that in NYC or LA, people only want to talk about your career," but he prefers how, in Hampshire, "nobody cares." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that, because he'd on a marriage visa, he's only allowed to leave the UK for work for 180 days out of the year, giving him time to make about one movie. He's fine with that and enjoys getting to spend more time with his kids while they're growing up. If you were going to move to a different country, which one would you choose? Let us know in the comments! Also in Celebrity: Can You See Through The Pixels To Identify These 13 Celebs That Are So Hot Right Now? Also in Celebrity: I'm Sorry, But If You Can't Name At Least 12 Of These Gen Z Celebs, You're Officially Old Also in Celebrity: 6 Times Male Celebs Tried Doing Something Romantic, Only For It To Give "I'm Glad I'm Not His Wife" Read it on BuzzFeed.com The daughters of the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have declined an invitation to Kate Middletons carol service at Westminster Abbey amid the ongoing royal drama. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, cousins to Prince William and Harry, posted a formal apology on social media, saying they were unable to attend Friday evenings holiday event. Wish Bea and I could have been celebrating tonight with our family, Eugenie wrote in a post to Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wishing @princeandprincessofwales such a special evening at her incredible carol service. What an amazing message of love and hope. Princess Eugenies Instagram post revealed that she and her sister, Beatrice, would not be attending Princess Kates carol service. / Princess Eugenie / Instagram The Princess of Wales is thought to have personally invited the sisters to her Together at Christmas carol service in an effort to reunite the British royal family following the scandal surrounding Andrew. In October, Andrew, formerly Prince Andrew, was stripped of his royal title and evicted from his Royal Lodge residence at Windsor by his brother, King Charles, in response to the continuing controversy surrounding his long friendship with the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The 65-year-old ex-prince is alleged to have raped Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre several times in the early 2000s, when she was just 17 years old. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001. / Virginia Roberts Giuffre/Fair Use Giuffres posthumous memoir, published in October, as well as additional Epstein file releases, continue to fuel the story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The princesses did not give a reason for being no-shows at the carol service, but King Charles is thought to be attempting to shield his nieces from the fallout. The pair have retained their royal titles and are conducting their royal duties as usual, with reports that the king is considering expanding their responsibilities. The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 5, 2025, in London, England. / Pool / Getty Images Friday marked the fifth annual Together at Christmas carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales with some 1,600 people in attendance at the historic church. The Westminster Abbey choir sang Christmas carols and was joined for musical performances by Zac Abel, Dan Smith, and Griff. Actors Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor were among the guests who performed readings during the service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Royals in attendance included Kate and William and their three children, George (12), Charlotte (10), and Louis (7). Zara Tindall and her husband, Mike Tindall, were also there, along with Lord Frederick Windsor and his wife, Sophie Winkleman, plus their two daughters, Maud and Isabella. Lord Frederick Windsor is the son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and is 54th in line to the British throne. King Charles and Queen Camilla did not attend, leaving Kate and William as the most senior royals at Kates personal passion project event. It is part of the 43-year-old princesss gradual return to public life following her diagnosis and treatment for cancer in early 2024. Want more royal gossip, scoops and scandal? Head over toThe Royalist on Substack Bonnie Blue and 14 men have been arrested following a police raid in Bali, Indonesia. According to multiple media reports on Friday, December 5, the British sex worker, 26, was arrested alongside the men after allegedly making X-rated material. Indonesia has strict laws governing morality. Australian outlets Nine News and news.com.au reported that Blue (real name Tia Emma Billinger) is still in custody in Kuta. According to news.com.au, the majority of the arrested men, aged between 17 and 40, have since been released. One Australian man and two British men remain in custody, per the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Badung Police Chief, Arif Batubara, told Indonesian outlet Bali Express that the raid came after the public reported the alleged creation of a pornographic video. Police and Immigration department officers then reportedly raided a vacation rental. According to the outlet, the property is suspected of being used to create content containing pornographic or immoral elements. Bonnie Blue Reveals What Parts of Her Job She Doesnt Show the Public Because Its Very Intimate Blue is in Bali during Schoolies an event for recently graduated Australian high school students who are celebrating the end of exams and finishing Year 12. She is reportedly taking her Bangbus on tour in the Indonesian island, with the aim of banging as many recently graduated students as possible. The former OnlyFans content creator was previously banned from Australia after announcing her plans to film pornographic content at local Schoolies events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia revoked her visa after Blue published a call-out for a barely legal 18-year-old to film explicit video content with her. According to a news.com.au report in November 2024, the influencers visa was canceled on the grounds that she was planning to violate her previously approved visa by working in Australia. (Photo courtesy of Bonnie Blue/Instagram) Blue became a headline-making name in January when she claimed she had slept with 1,057 people within a 12-hour period, allegedly breaking a world record. The content creator was later banned from making content for OnlyFans after advertising her petting zoo stunt. For the stunt, Blue wanted to be tied up in a glass box like a zoo animal with anyone of legal age encouraged to have sex with her. OnlyFans confirmed in June that extreme sex challenge acts violated its terms of service and restricted her from the platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme challenge content is not available on OnlyFans and is not permitted under our Acceptable Use Policy and Terms of Service, a spokesperson told Us Weekly in a statement at the time. Any breach of our Terms of Service results in content or account deactivation. If the content breaches the OnlyFans terms of service, the subscription-based platform does not permit creators to suggest that it could be located there. OnlyFans will act when users breach their terms of service. Bonnie Blues Mom Says Shes Proud Her Daughter Earns $1 Million Per Month With Sex Videos Blue later broke her silence, telling Us that the platform took unprecedented action by banning her for making content, while multiple other creators are mimicking my entire marketing techniques and events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They deemed my content dangerous, although Im the only person creating this content who has never publicly made statements about ending up in hospital, due to creating unsafe environments, she said in a statement. Nor have I publicly explained my sadness due to these events, unlike others who are allowed to stay. To learn more about the serious potential risks and harms of competitive sex and other explicit OnlyFans content read what doctors, mental health professionals and other experts told Us Weekly here. MEXICO CITY, Mexico Eduardo Manzano, renowned Mexican comedian, actor and one half of the famed comedy duo Los Polivoces, died Thursday at 87, Dallas News reported. According to Milenio, Manzano was born July 18, 1938, in Mexico City, and rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s alongside partner Enrique Cuenca. Together they brought to life a string of characters, such as Agallon Mafafas and Gordolfo Gelatino, that made Los Polivoces a household name across Mexico and Latin America. Dallas News said after the duo disbanded, Manzano continued a career spanning television, film, theater and voice work. He was best known for playing Don Arnoldo in the long-running sitcom Una familia de diez, a role he held well into recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a social-media post announcing his passing, his son described him as a comedian loved by thousands and a human being admired by everyone who knew him, Dallas News reported. Although Manzano had faced health issues in recent years, some rumors of his death had circulated erroneously earlier in 2025, his family publicly denied those reports at the time, Univision reported. A cause of death has not been disclosed. Read the original article on cleveland.com. An Emily in Paris actor, who also produced the second season of Euphoria, is being detained in Japan after authorities claim he tried to smuggle drugs into the country. Jeremy O. Harris Arrested in Japan Reuters reported that Jeremy O. Harris, the Tony-nominated playwright, producer, and actor, has been in custody in Okinawa since Nov. 16, when customs officials at Naha Airport allegedly found 780 milligrams (about 0.78 grams) of MDMA, or Ecstasy, in his carry-on bag. On Thursday, Dec. 4, prosecutors in Naha, Okinawas capital, filed papers to formally charge Harris for violating the Customs Act. Authorities in Tomigusuku, which oversees the airports jurisdiction, could not confirm whether or not Harris admitted to the allegations. Japan is known for its extremely strict drug laws, with the potential for lengthy prison sentences even for minor possession charges. There have been several high-profile cases of celebrities being hit with drug possession charges in the country, including Paul McCartney, who was infamously banned from the country for many years after being arrested with marijuana in the 1980s. Harris is a Tony-Nominated Multi-Hyphenate Harris is a multi-hyphenate best known for the 2018 Broadway drama Slave Play, which received 12 Tony Award nominations at the 2020 ceremony. In addition to co-writing the dark comedy @Zola (2021), Harris appeared as an actor in the revival of Gossip Girl; Emily in Paris; and The Sweet East (2023). With Charli XCX, he co-wrote, co-produced, and co-starred in the film Erupcja. Jeremy O. Harris at Rimowa SoHo Store Party at 148 Mercer Street, SoHo on October 09, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images) It's Unclear If Harris Has Legal Representation He had traveled to the resort island of Okinawa for a sightseeing trip from the U.K., with a layover in Taiwan. Its unclear at this time if Harris has secured legal representation in Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris was born in Virginia to a teenage mother. He moved frequently in his youth, part of a large military family. In a September interview with Vanity Fair, Harris responded to rumors that his privilege helped him land his professional plaudits. Ive heard from other people that I have trust-fund-baby allegations, upper-middle-class allegations, he said. What people should know, because Ive said it 5,000 times, is that the threat thats looming over methat drives both my ambition and my necessary delusionis that if this didnt work by a certain point, I would be back in Virginia working at a Goodyear Tire or at Burger King. This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Dec 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. UPDATE 12/9 7:50 AM PT -- "Emily in Paris" star Jeremy O. Harris has been released from custody in Japan after being accused of smuggling the below drugs, TMZ can confirm. Officials in Japan originally said charges were filed ... but a source close to the actor tells us he was freed without a single charge filed against him. We're also told he will be staying in Japan to work on an upcoming project. TMZ We told you about his arrest last month -- officers found 780 milligrams of Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, in his carry-on tote bag when he was traveling to the southern Japanese island of Okinawa from Taiwan. TMZ Continue reading original story below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeremy O. Harris, a Tony-nominated playwright and actor, is reportedly in custody in Japan on suspicion of attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country ... because customs officials at an airport say they found Ecstasy in his carry-on. Jeremy was stopped at Naha Airport on Okinawa island after flying in from Taiwan on November 16 ... and he's been detained ever since ... according to Japanese authorities. Getty Customs officials say officers found 780 milligrams of MDMA in Jeremy's carry-on tote bag ... and he was arrested on suspicion of violating Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. Jeremy was traveling to Japan from the United Kingdom ... arriving in Okinawa after a layover in Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan is super tough on drugs ... they've been known to prosecute folks for even the smallest of illegal substances, particularly narcotics. Hell, even Paul McCartney was arrested for marijuana possession at Tokyo's Narita airport way back in January 1980 ... he was detained and then deported. BTW ... Paul had half a pound of weed in his luggage, which he said was for personal use. Marie Etchegoyen / Netflix Jeremy is known for his Tony-nominated "Slave Play" and appearances in the HBO Max series "Gossip Girl" and the Netflix series "Emily in Paris." We reached out to Jeremy's camp ... so far no word back. Jessica Alba is reflecting on one of the more difficult scenes she had to film in her career. During an appearance at the Red Sea Film Festival on Dec. 5, the 44-year-old "Sin City" star spoke about her role in the 2005 superhero movie, "Fantastic Four," and why appearing nude in one of the scenes was something she "dreaded." "I thought that was awful," she said, according to the New York Post. "It was very humiliating in real life. I grew up with a pretty conservative family, and I am a pretty modest person. I dreaded that scene for weeks. I have a lot of whiplash from those days." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the scene, her character, Sue Storm, appears naked in front of tons of spectators after she attempts to use her new powers of invisibility to cross a police barrier but reappears halfway through getting undressed. Jessica Alba's 'Stunning' In Green Bikini As Romance With Top Gun Star Danny Ramirez Heats Up Alba called filming her nude scene in "Fantastic Four" "humiliating." The film also starred Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis and Ioan Gruffudd as the other members of The Fantastic Four, and the late Julian McMahon as the villain Dr. Doom. As the only woman in the foursome, Alba felt Sue was someone she "looked up to," adding that while "she was very maternal and very kind," she was not a pushover. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She had a great moral compass. No matter who you are, you can look up to her," she said. "Oftentimes, the women in these stories need to be saved by a guy or the villain, the problem in the story. This was back then. Its different now." Alba went on to play the character again in the 2007 sequel, "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer." The character was later played by Kate Mara in 2015 and Vanessa Kirby in 2025. Her role in the film not only cemented Alba's position as a leading lady in Hollywood, but it's where she met Cash Warren, her estranged husband and the father of her children. Like What Youre Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Warren and Alba met while she was filming "Fantastic Four." After meeting on the set of the 2005 movie, Warren and Alba got married in May 2008 and welcomed three children together Honor, 17, Haven, 14, and Hayes, 7. The two were married for 16 years before announcing their separation in January 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've been on a journey of self realization and transformation for years both as an individual and in partnership with Cash," she wrote on Instagram. "I'm proud of how we've grown as a couple and in our marriage over the last 20 years and it's now time for us to embark on a new chapter of growth and evolution as individuals." Since filing for divorce in February 2025, Alba has flooded her Instagram feed with bikini photos, showing off her revenge body. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter Most recently, she posted a series of photos from her trip to Australia, featuring her lying on the sand in a mixed-print bikini, as well as a snap of her bronzed legs and flat stomach with the waves crashing in the background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Bikini QUEEN! Alba will always be crush," one fan wrote in the comments section, while another added, "The most beautiful woman that ever lived." Click Here To Download The Fox News App In another photo dump from her Australia trip, she debuted her relationship with "Top Gun: Maverick" star Danny Ramirez, sharing a photo of the couple holding hands. Original article source: Jessica Alba dreaded filming 'humiliating' nude scene in 'Fantastic Four' due to conservative upbringing NEED TO KNOW King Charles and Queen Camilla unveiled their 2025 Christmas card on Saturday, Dec. 6 The holiday greeting includes a photo of the royal couple taken in Italy in April to mark their 20th wedding anniversary Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year, the royal couple wrote alongside the photograph King Charles and Queen Camilla are ringing in the holiday season. The royal couple unveiled their annual Christmas card on Saturday, Dec. 6, which features a photo of the King, 77, and Camilla, 78, that was taken to mark their 20th wedding anniversary earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The image, captured by photographer Chris Jackson, shows the monarch and Camilla at Villa Wolkonsky in Rome, during their trip to Italy in April. Queen Camilla is seen wearing a white and beige coat dress by Anna Valentine which she accessorized with a lily of the valley brooch while King Charles wore a striped blue suit. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year, the royal couple wrote in the card alongside the photograph. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! The photo used for the royals' 2025 Christmas card is similar to others King Charles and Camilla used to mark their 20th wedding anniversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days ahead of their April 9 anniversary, the pair shared images next to the Neronian spur of the Aqua Claudia, an ancient Roman aqueduct. King Charles and Queen Camilla shared a personal message with the snapshots, writing, "As we begin our first visit to Italy as King and Queen, we are so looking forward to celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary in such a special place and with such wonderful people! A presto, Roma e Ravenna!" They signed the note as "Charles R." (with the initial standing for the Latin word for king, "rex") & "Camilla R." (standing for "regina," which is "queen" in Latin). Handout/Millie Pilkington/Buckingham Palace via Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla's 2024 Christmas card King Charles and Queen Camilla's 2024 Christmas card The couple, who faced public scrutiny after it was revealed they had an affair during King Charles' marriage to Princess Diana, wed in 2005. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sovereign and Camilla had a civil ceremony near Windsor Castle (but outside the royal residence's grounds) with just 28 guests, including King Charles' sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and Camilla's children from her marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes. King Charles and Queen Camilla marked two decades of marriage in April with an Instagram post, which featured a video splicing together scenes from their 2005 wedding, as well as pictures of the pair on tours around the world and attending events around the U.K. "20 Happy Years!" the King's office wrote with the video set to the tune of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by James Taylor adding a single white heart emoji. Camilla also celebrated the milestone while speaking to reporters in Rome. "Twenty years, who could believe it was 20 years? What is the secret? I dont know well I suppose it's just sort of friendship, really," she said, per Hello! Magazine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other members of the royal family have been marking the holiday season this week as well. On Friday, Dec. 5, Kate Middleton hosted her annual "Together at Christmas" carol service, where she was joined by husband Prince William, 43, and their three children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. Zara Tindall and her husband, Mike Tindall, were among other members of the royal family to attend, as were Lord Frederick Windsor and his wife, Sophie Winkelman, with their daughters, Maud, 12, and Isabella, 9, plus Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. Read the original article on People Rosie ODonnell Rosie ODonnells hatred of President Donald Trump led her therapist to recently plead with her to go two days without posting anything about the president on social media; ODonnell, according to a Washington Post profile on Saturday, only lasted a few hours before she was compelled to post about Trump again. The comics fixation on the president, as WaPo put it, has also become a concern for her longtime friends. One of those friends, Jeanne Kopetic, insisted ODonnell has got to disconnect from following the news, because she is so consumed by what Trump does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That kind of obsessiveness is why she knew she had to leave [the States], WaPo reporter Geoff Edgers wrote. The article, titled Rosie ODonnells life in exile although self-exile is a more appropriate description looks at the stars life in Ireland, where she moved following Trumps return to the White House earlier this year. ODonnells brother, Eddie, told Edgers that he believes the move was the best decision shes made. Still, when you have a phone and a fixation, it can be hard to totally disengage, Edgers wrote. Her inability to stop paying so much attention to American politics was what led her therapist to challenging ODonnell to take a two day detox break. But after the president told Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey to be quiet, piggy last month, ODonnell broke her social media fast after only a couple hours. She told Jim Acosta she was disgusted with the White House press corps for allowing Trump to verbally rape a reporter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, the Trump-ODonnell rivalry goes back years at this point. One famous example: Trump, when Megyn Kelly confronted him about calling women he does not like fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals at a Republican debate in 2015, said he was only referring to ODonnell a quip that immediately riled up the crowd. ODonnell ditched the U.S. earlier this year and moved to Ireland right as Trump was starting his second term. She said she would only consider moving back to the States when you know it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America. The WaPo profile was not the first time her therapist has been mentioned, either. ODonnell in September admitted her therapist wanted to know why Trump made her so upset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I said to her, why are you not? ODonnell responded. The post Rosie ODonnells Trump Fixation Made Her Therapist Challenge Her to Go Two Days Without Posting About Him She Made It a Few Hours first appeared on Mediaite. The pores in Tara Reid's story are getting wider and wider, at least according to the recent updates. New evidence has emerged in the actress' drink poisoning case, where she was spotted getting pretty cozy with the YouTuber she accused of tampering with her drink. Tara Reid sparked controversy online when she was spotted getting wheeled out of a hotel lobby in Illinois, where she was staying to attend a singing event. New Surveillance Video Exposes More Than Just A Moment With Tara Reid & YouTuber ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA The actress was seen sipping wine at the hotel bar before the incident allegedly took place, looking rather relaxed with her acquaintance for the night. In the surveillance video, Tara was seen drinking wine while four men surrounded her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was dressed in a coat and a beanie while she left her purse on the bar and gladly gulped glasses of wine brought to her table by two different bartenders. Tara had claimed in her complaints that she had just one drink at the hotel, but it seems as though that account is a lie. When she proceeded to exit the bar, she had a wine glass in hand and also beckoned to folks that she was leaving. She soon returned to the same area, this time without her coat and also picking a different seat. TMZ stated that Reid still drank from her wine glass, and when she was done emptying its contents, she touched the arm of the man sitting next to her. The footage also showed the actress being taken into an ambulance on a stretcher and ferried away. The TV Star Was Incoherent In A 911 Call From The Scene GilbertFlores@Broadimage / MEGA Emergency responders showed up at the venue, and in newly released audios from the scene, Reid reportedly slurred her words and struggled to listen to instructions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman, who might be working in the hotel, was heard describing her as a guest and a celebrity who was really intoxicated and could not stay upright. As shared by The Blast, the caller on the other end of the line repeatedly called Reid's name, and the actress found it difficult to respond coherently. The staff confirmed that Reid was not vomiting blood and did not have trouble breathing either. However, the worker expressed worries that the actress might collapse and hit her head if she did not have a professional around. In another recording on the 911 log, a dispatcher claimed the movie star was an intoxicated female who was lying on the floor of the hallway. Law Enforcement Authorities Disputed Tara Reid's Claims twoeyephotos/MEGA Following her report to the police, investigations commenced, and the authorities confirmed that no one had messed with her drink while she was away from the hotel bar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Blast noted that the police explained that the bartender took a very careful measure of covering her drink when she stepped away. This official report negated her story that after having a single drink at the Double Tree hotel in Rosemont on November 23, she completely blacked out. The Rosemont Police Department noted that they could not confirm if any testing had been done on the actress and the case, but no criminal act was reported to have occurred at the venue. Authorities seized the opportunity to encourage members of the public never to leave a drink unattended when out in a public space. The 50-Year-Old Detailed The Scary Moment Of Her Poisoning Episode Jeffrey Mayer/JTMPhotos, Int'l. / MEGA Reid immediately reacted to the police report that no drugs were involved during her time at the hotel bar. In the emotional statement, the actress insisted that the bottom line of her story is that "no one ends up in the hospital incapacitated for over 8 hours after a drink." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She described waking up on a hospital bed after sipping a glass of white wine as the scariest feeling she has ever felt, leaving her helpless and mentally vulnerable. Reid explained that the YouTuber, who identified himself as Sean P, initiated a conversation and stepped outside with her for a couple of cigarettes and an exchange of contact. Upon her return, she claimed that she saw a napkin over her drink, and the next minute, she remembered waking up hours later without a recollection of her previous moments. Inside Tara Reid's Smoking Partner's Side Of The Story Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency The smoking buddy, who was sighted with the actress, explained that their initial meeting was not exactly pleasant because they were both intoxicated during their first-ever conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sean P revealed that the actress was the one who approached him with cigarettes outside the hotel bar, and while they returned to clear their respective tabs, he saw pills in her purse. As they headed out for a second round of smoking, Sean P claimed that Reid landed on the floor and became unconscious. The YouTuber explained that he never saw her notice the actress with a drink, even while they chatted. Regarding the pictures that Reid claimed Sean P sent to him with the intent to blackmail her, the content creator clarified that he only sent the video to her to inform her that his friend had footage of her on the stretcher. Will Tara Reid ever figure out the missing piece in this case? Vice President JD Vance has addressed the speculation surrounding his marriage after wife Usha Vance was spotted without her wedding ring. Our marriage is as strong as its ever been, JD, 41, told NBC News in an interview published on Friday, December 5, noting that he and Usha, 39, get a kick out of the rumors. With anything in life, you take the good with the bad, he explained of the newfound attention surrounding their relationship. You accept that there are some sacrifices and there are some very good things that come along with it, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JD also praised his wife for how shes adapted to her role as the Second Lady of the United States. I think Ushas really taken to it, he added. Its been kind of cool to see how shes developed and evolved in this new role. Vice President JD Vance and Wife Ushas Relationship Timeline: From Law School to the Split Rumors Last month, Usha stepped alongside First Lady Melania Trump and was photographed without her wedding ring. Rumors about the status of her and JDs marriage subsequently started to swirl online. [She is] a mother of three young children, who does a lot of dishes, gives lots of baths, and forgets her ring sometimes, a rep for Usha told People in a statement on November 22, denying any trouble in paradise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlie Kirks widow, Erika Kirk (nee Frantzve), was also forced to address her relationship with JD after social media users were confused about what appeared to be an intimate hug between the two. JD hugged Erika, 37, at a Turning Point USA in October. My love language is touch, if you will, Erika said during an appearance on Megyn Kelly Live. So, I will give you a play-by-play: They just played the emotional video. Im walking over, [JD] is walking over. Im starting to cry. They hugged and JD spoke into her ear. He says, Im so proud of you. And I say, God bless you, and I touch the back of his head, Erika continued. Anyone whom I have hugged, that I have touched the back of your head when I hug you, I always say, God bless you.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JD and Usha married in 2014. They are parents of sons Ewan, 8, and Vivek, 5, and daughter Mirabel, 3. JD concluded to NBC News on Friday that he doesn't think its tough navigating rumors about his marriage. He also recalled a more recent instance where Usha joked about leaving her wedding ring behind ahead of a public outing. JD Vance Breaks College Football National Championship Trophy During Ohio States White House Visit She was like, Oh, if I dont go back and get them, theres going to be some ridiculous psycho who talks about it on social media, he said. And I was like, let them. Its not even worth the trip to run back upstairs. So we actually have a little bit of fun with it. And we thought that whole viral social media cycle was kind of funny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing the couple is on the fence about is the attention on their three children. I think that theres always a limelight on the kids, and thats both good and bad, JD told NBC News. Our 8-year-old really doesnt like it. He wants to have as private of a life as possible. When we come to an event in the White House and he sees the cameras, he doesnt love it, and so we try to keep him out of that limelight as much as possible. He added, On the flip side, our 5-year-old, whos a little bit more like me he probably likes it too much. He loves the fact that wherever he goes, people treat him very specially. Meghan Markles estranged relationship with her father, Thomas Markle, has been thrust back into the spotlight after the 81-year-old underwent emergency surgery this month to amputate his left leg below the knee following a blood clot that cut off circulation. The former Hollywood lighting director was rushed to intensive care in the Philippines, where he now faces another procedure to remove a blood clot in his thigh. According to son Thomas Jr., doctors remain extremely concerned for his fathers welfare, though he is currently in stable condition. The health scare comes as Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, reportedly remain out of contact with Thomas. Meghan has never reconciled with her father or her half-siblings Samantha and Thomas Jr., who have publicly criticized both her and the royal family over the years. Thomas Jr., who lives next door to his dad, pleaded for Meghan to reach out: I would implore Meghan and Harry to reach out to Dad. Thomas Sr.s health has been fragile for years, including two heart attacks on the eve of Meghans wedding and a life-threatening stroke. He moved to the Philippines in January 2025 seeking peace after decades of family drama. At 80, it is time to go somewhere where the people are lovely and I can enjoy a quieter, friendlier existence, he said. Mostly, I just want peace none of the awful drama of recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Markle family drama goes back decades. Before Meghan and Harry even exchanged vows, Samantha and Thomas Jr. were vocal critics. Samantha praised Meghan in 2016, saying, Shes got the eloquence of a Condoleezza Rice, and the grace of Princess Diana, but quickly became a relentless critic after Meghans engagement. She accused Meghan of abandoning their father and even called her Cruella Deville and witchy poo on Twitter. Thomas Jr. also made his opinions clear, warning Prince Harry in a May 2018 letter not to marry Meghan: It became very clear that this is the biggest mistake in royal wedding history. He later questioned why the royal family welcomed outsiders like the Middletons but not Meghans own extended family. Meanwhile, Thomas Sr. became entangled in scandal when paparazzi photos he staged in 2018 were revealed, leading him to decide not to walk Meghan down the aisle. Despite the drama, Meghan and Harry tried to stay above it all, asking for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr. Markle in this difficult situation. Future WWE Hall of Famer John Cena has often commented on his relationship with former WWE chairman Vince McMahon, including saying back in April that he didn't care who heard it, but he loves his former boss, even following allegations of sex trafficking and assault by McMahon brought forth in a January 2024 civil lawsuit by former WWE employee Janel Grant. He was also amongst the stars who attended McMahon's 80th birthday back in August. Cena recently appeared on an episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience," and openly talked about McMahon and how his former boss would be an excellent guest on the show, but also said that he had learned to be more accountable for what he said. "Just because I feel a certain way about a person doesn't exonerate them for being accountable for their actions," Cena said. "Just because he did start, quote, unquote, all this 'gangster s***,' that doesn't mean he doesn't need to be accountable for his actions. So, let's figure out what that means, and then figure out if we can move forward and bring that back in the fold, or if it stays the way it is." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When speaking about "gangster s***," Cena was referring to McMahon building WWE into what it is today, with the "gangster" phrase being used by comedian, and WWE super fan, Tony Hinchcliffe, who also appeared on the podcast alongside Cena and Rogan. Cena reiterated another point of the comedian's, and said, "I'm me because of him," when speaking about McMahon and his contributions to the business. Read more: 15 Wrestlers Who Still Have Beef With WWE Cena: 'I'd Like to Think Time Heals Everything' World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. Chairman Vince McMahon appears in the ring during the WWE Monday Night Raw show at the Thomas & Mack Center August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Ethan Miller/Getty Images When Hinchcliffe revealed his dream guests from the professional wrestling world, he named McMahon, and Cena said that he believed his friend would love to do the "Joe Rogan Experience." He said that he wasn't sure when the right time would be, however, due to the "fragile stuff going on." The "Leader of the Cenation" also said that despite Rogan feeling like something would happen to bring McMahon back in, he was out of the business. McMahon left WWE for a second time in January 2024, following the sale of the company to Endeavor the previous year. "We were talking about, 'Why's your last event in this place?' Because I don't chose the events," Cena said. "All that stuff is so far above me, but I know now he's out. In my eyes, I'd like to think time heals everything and I believe in forgiveness, and I also believe in like, looking at the body of work, and I also know there's a lot of fragile stuff going on there. I don't know, man. I don't know." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rumors have flown online about McMahon possibly attending Cena's last match at Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13 from Washington, DC, the city where his father, Vincent J. McMahon, started the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, which would later become the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Neither WWE or Cena have confirmed that McMahon will be in attendance, either backstage or in the crowd, at the event. If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "Joe Rogan Experience" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. Don't miss any of the major wrestling headlines. Sign up to our free newsletter for the biggest stories, sent straight to your inbox. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Wrestling Inc. Annemarie Jacirs drama Palestine 36, which reconstructs the largely unknown Palestinian revolt against British colonial rule in 1936, is the very definition of a passion project for the director who has always explored Palestinian identity her films. But never on such a large canvas. Her particularly timely historical epic follows a young man named Yusuf who gets caught up in political upheaval as tensions rise in Jerusalem and in his village amid British crackdowns prompted by the arrival of Jewish immigrants escaping antisemitism in Europe. The multi-strand drama features a high-profile cast comprising Jeremy Irons as a colonial commissioner, Hiam Abbas (Succession), Liam Cunningham and Saleh Bakri (The Teacher). More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Israel-Hamas War broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, Jacir was just one week away from starting principal photography on Palestine 36 in Bethlehem, where she was born. Production was put on hold and subsequently started in Jordan before returning for additional shooting in Palestine. The film which is Palestines official entry for the Oscars international feature film race is having its Middle East premiere at Saudi Arabias Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah after launching from Toronto and playing at other top events including the Marrakech Film Festival where it is the closer. Palestine 36 will be released by Watermelon Pictures in the U.S. in early 2026 promoted with a series of conversations held by Mark Ruffalo, Diego Luna, Susan Sarandon, Riz Ahmed, Ava DuVernay, Mira Nair, Julie Delpy and Ramy Youssef. Jacir whose previous works comprise When I Saw You, Salt of This Sea and Wajib speaks to Variety about her research for this film and her first impressions of playing it for a U.S. audience. I know the film is based on research and rooted in historical fact. But Im wondering about the central character of Khuloud, the feisty female journalist. Is she based on a real person? Khaloud is a female, well-educated, upper-class journalist during this period, completely inspired by a number of real women who were working in Palestine, but also in Lebanon and Egypt. They were using male names for two reasons. One, because it was kind of looked down upon [for a woman] to be a journalist, and they wanted to be taken seriously. And the second reason is they were writing under a colonial government that was censoring the news and it was dangerous to be a journalist. Which, incidentally, is still the case today. Khuloud is married to Amir, the wealthy newspaper editor who belongs to the Muslim Association that we learn is in collusion with a Jewish agency called the Zionist Commission. How did that surface? When I started doing the research I came across this mention of a Zionist Commission for Arab Affairs and that they were placing articles in newspapers in Arabic to influence people. And I was like, wow! Thats so modern. Thats what people do today. I started digging at it more. The Palestinian national parties had what were called the Muslim Christian associations that were working towards independence. Then I found out that the Zionists founded a Muslim Association to break that solidarity. Divide and conquer has really been the way for hundreds of years that has worked all over the world. The film shows factionalism within the Palestinians. Do you also see that as something that is relevant today? Absolutely. We still see that kind of thing going on. What we have today [the Israeli -Palestinian conflict] is not a religious conflict. People want to turn into a religious conflict by saying: Oh, Jews and Muslims have been fighting for thousands of years. But its not a religious conflict. And people play upon that. I find it really interesting because even now the Israelis are trying very hard to continue that history of divide and conquer. They started with the Druze community. The Druze community is part of us, they are part of our community. But theyve been putting Druze in the army. Putting them on the borders. Letting them do the grunt work. Its all about trying to separate a people. In terms of your historical sources, Ive read that one of them is the book The Hundred Years War on Palestine by Columbia University professor Rashid Khalid. Have you been in contact with him. Has he seen the film? There were books by many other people as well, including one by Tom Segev [a columnist for Israeli newspaper Haaretz], another by [Israeli historian] Ilan Pappe. And others. Khalid has not seen the film yet. I am waiting for him to see it. But other historians that have seen it whose works are very influential to me. Charles Anderson, a historian who writes a lot about the period, has seen the film and wrote a beautiful response to it. The same goes for [Oxford University historian] Avi Shlaim, who has seen the film. Thats one of the things that makes me nervous, you know. Theres the audience, and then theres the academics and the historians. What are they gonna say? Its like: I dont care about the reviews, I care about these guys. A lot has been written about the fact that you were in prep when Oct. 7 events forced you to relocate from Palestine to Jordan. Simply put: what was it like to be shooting this film about the roots of the conflict just as it escalated to an unprecedented level? There was something really insane about it, and emotionally very difficult. Because, you know, we were making this film about this violent period, this critical period. But the violence around us was so much worse than what we could have ever imagined. We always think weve lived through a dark moment of history, and then we find ourselves living an even darker one. Though the film is from the Palestinian perspective you interweave archive footage that shows real footage of Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Europe. Talk to me about that choice. That was an important choice for me because we dont have Jewish characters in the film, but I think its crucial to see the background of what was going on. I wanted to focus on the British [colonialists] and their complicity in the conflict. But also on the fact that for me Palestine is one of the most ethnically and religiously mixed places on earth. Armenians fled the Ottoman genocide and came to Palestine, and they are part of our community. Circassians came to Palestine. Bosnians came to Palestine. Theres a village in Palestine that founded by Bosnians. Jewish people fled Europe. They fled fascism and Nazism and came for safety. They were later used for a political project. But I wanted to show the people on those boats coming in because we were a country not to say that we were perfect, or that we were angels but we were a country that a lot of people have been coming in and out of for thousands and thousands of years. From the East, from the West. Some as conquerors, some as Crusaders. Some as religious pilgrims. Theres a Nigerian community that came as religious pilgrims. Its who we are. And I wanted to nod to that fact that the fascism that was happening in Europe was not us. They came for safety. The film just played for a week as a sneak peak in U.S. theaters prior to its more substantial rollout early next year. What are your thoughts about bringing it to American audiences in the current climate? I never thought that there would be a Palestinian distribution company in the U.S. Then when Watermelon Pictures approached us I thought: the world is really changing! The U.S. is the one place where Ive always struggled to get distribution. So its interesting. Ive been to the U.S. now a couple times for these Oscar screenings or festival screenings. Its really interesting because first of all, Im looking out at the audience, and theres a bunch of 18-year-olds. They are like old-school progressives, and they are all 18 year-olds. And second of all, Im always waiting for some aggressive thing to happen, because thats how it used to be. I had somebody spit at me once in a screening. You known Palestinian voices can trigger craziness in some people. And Im having none of that happening. I havent lived in the U.S. in, like, 25 years. But I feel something is happening. The climate is really bad. But also something has happened for the better. I think people are open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Jessica Simpson is set to play a show in Connecticut for the first time in more than two decades this weekend, and tickets are still available. Simpson, who rose to the top of the pop charts in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits like "I Wanna Love You Forever," "With You" and "Irresistible," recently returned from a 15-year hiatus from music. This March marked Simpson's return to the stage with a set at SXSW in Austin, Texas. The pop star also released her first new pieces of music since 2010 with the EPs "Nashville Canyon, Part 1" and "Nashville Canyon, Part 2." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Simpson will play at the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino on Sunday, her fifth and final concert of a fall comeback tour. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Simpson is scheduled to go on at 7 p.m. Tickets for Sunday's show are still available on Ticketmaster, with the cheapest seats starting at $39.05. On Friday, Simpson took to social media to encourage fans to attend. "Connecticut I'm coming for youuuu!!!," Simpson wrote in an Instagram post. "If anyone feels like gettin' lucky y'all need to 'Come On Over' and get you some of the last remainin' tickets to my show at Foxwoods Casino!!! " In an April interview with People Magazine, Simpson says she walked away from music after she was dropped by her label, despite the success of her 2008 country album "Do You Know." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I took a long break," Simpson said. "I was mad at music a bit. After being dropped with a number one country album, I was dropped and I just never understood it. They just said I would never recoup if I didn't give them part of the brand, but my brand was already successful." Outside of music, Simpson has kept busy running her fashion line, The Jessica Simpson Collection. She has also appeared as a mentor on NBC's "Fashion Star" with Nicole Richie. In 2020, Simpson released her autobiography "Open Book," which became a New York Times bestseller. Sunday's concert will mark Simpson's first performance in the state since she played at Mohegan Sun Arena in June 2004, according to concert tracking website setlist.fm. This article contains previous reporting from staff writer Andrew DaRosa. This article originally published at Jessica Simpson returns to Connecticut Sunday for first show in 21 years. Here's what to know. Aside from those rare few who can give solo stand-up performances, most comedians are at their best when bouncing off of others. So picking out the funniest TV characters from the past two decades ultimately amounts to choosing the "MVP" of an ensemble. While any great sitcom requires a stellar cast to last, especially in an age where executives won't hesitate to cancel a show for any reason, there are stand-out actors who demonstrate especially great chemistry with everyone around them. In all the time that TV has been around, comedy has evolved past the slapstick humor and catchphrases of the 20th century. With shows like "The Office" and "Abbott Elementary," TV sitcoms have moved largely away from the family home to focus on American workplaces. TV comedy is denser and more referential too someone can watch "30 Rock" all the way through multiple times and still catch new jokes in every viewing. The characters audiences love are both more satirical and realistic, absurd and flawed, but still somehow believable. Comedic characters no longer operate as two-dimensional canvases, and the more idiosyncratic they are, the better. We've ranked 10 TV personalities most guaranteed to keep audiences laughing. Read more: What You Didn't Know About The Allstate Mayhem Commercial Guy Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls Lorelai Gilmore standing with Rory in Gilmore Girls - Warner Brothers Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) is certainly a bit of a wild card choice, as she doesn't come from a TV sitcom or satire. She is one of three titular characters from "Gilmore Girls," a comedic drama that ran from 2000 to 2007. The show remained unique to Amy Sherman-Palladino's erudite writing style and expert handling of character dynamics. At its core, the series is about how mothers and daughters can be simultaneously close and bitterly resentful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Gilmore Girls" went far on the dynamic between Lorelai and her mother, Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop), offering the series' most delightful jokes and despairing moments. Lorelai is a force of nature a successful career woman, mother, and style icon and Lauren Graham's comedic performance remains consistently brilliant throughout. With absolutely no improvisation allowed on the "Gilmore Girls" set, Graham brought Sherman-Palladino's words to life more beautifully than anyone on the show, though Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann (Richard Gilmore), and Melissa McCarthy (Sookie St. James) are also excellent as Lorelai's dynamic scene partners. No other drama is nearly as dense with referential nods and jokes as "Gilmore Girls," and Lorelai is the show's comedic heart. Tracy Jordan from 30 Rock Tracy Jordan standing in front of a wall covered in paraphernalia in "30 Rock" - NBC It's difficult to choose one funny character from "30 Rock." Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) delivers consistently precise comedic timing. The impeccable characterization of Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) and Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski), meanwhile, left permanent marks on pop culture. Kenneth Parcell (Jack McBrayer) probably has the most perfect one-liners of them all. But laugh for laugh, Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) is easily the show's funniest character. While some gags from "30 Rock" have aged poorly, most of the series offers a good deal of insightful comedy. Tracy Jordan's evolution mirrors that of the show; he begins as a relatively lucid if intentionally provocative comedian with a failing film career, but it doesn't take him long to become just as ridiculous as "30 Rock" itself. Even through the final seasons, Tracy remains the most memorable and re-watchable character. It's easy to underestimate Tracy, and you still catch new jokes from him after multiple re-watches. It's difficult to single out examples of Tracy being funny, but there are a few stand-out moments worth mentioning. In Season 2, Tracy feels betrayed by Angie (Sherri Shepherd) when she calls his license plate inscrutable ("ICU81MI hilarious!"). In Season 4, Episode 5, Tracy's team-up with Jenna to solve problems while making them worse effectively demonstrates one of the show's most successful pairings. Andy Dwyer from Parks and Recreation Andy Dwyer with an excited expression during a talking head interview - NBC Many forget that, before his Marvel-ization into Star-Lord/Peter Quill, Chris Pratt was Andy Dwyer, the funniest guy on "Parks and Recreation." It's painful to admit this, as Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott), and Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari) are consistently fantastic. Ultimately, though, all are at their best in congress with another character; Ron and Leslie (Amy Poehler) are perfect comedic foils and their friendship is probably the most interesting part of the show. Ben and Tom both bounce off April (Aubrey Plaza), Donna (Retta), and other side characters beautifully. Andy is the only one who is just as funny alone as with any scene partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Pratt has the kind of natural comedic instinct that many dream of. Mike Schur the lauded co-creator and writer of "Parks and Recreation," "The Good Place," and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" is among them, even almost refusing to include one of Pratt's best improvised moments due to it being funnier than anything he ever wrote. The moment in question came during the "Parks and Recreation" Season 2 episode "Flu Season." In it, Leslie is beset by serious flu symptoms, so Andy (as her assistant) says, "Leslie I typed your symptoms into the computer and it says you might have network connectivity issues." Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek Moira Rose standing in front of her wall of wigs in "Schitt's Creek" - CBC Television Catherine O'Hara was largely under-appreciated for most of her career, but her work as Moira Rose on "Schitt's Creek" triggered something of a well-deserved renaissance; after all, Rose is one of the best sitcom moms in TV history. From her wall of wigs to her inability to define "folding" as it pertains to cooking, Rose is a strange and glorious creation. Her frequent shrieks of disgust and panic are funnier than most of the show's already well-written dialogue, and Rose's strange manner of pronouncing everyday words are a testament to how O'Hara brings a written page to life. Not once does Rose pronounce the word "baby" like a conventional English-speaker. Other TV matriarchs like Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter) from "Arrested Development" and Elka Ostrovsky (Betty White) from "Hot in Cleveland" are similarly imbued with powerhouse performances from powerhouse comedians, but what sets Moira apart is how the show lets her become a larger-than-life character. One of the funniest scenes in all of television is Moira's visionary performance during a previewed scene for her film "The Crows Have Eyes 3." You haven't laughed until you've heard Catherine O'Hara's impression of a part-crow, part-human scientist addressing a flock of birds in her best approximation of a crow's speaking voice. Abed Nadir from Community Abed standing at the head of the classroom, looking disheveled, after watching every Nicholas Cage movie for a course - NBC Choosing to put Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi) on this list as a representative of "Community" was a close call. Abed is obviously at his best when he's with best friend and joyful co-conspirator Troy Barnes (Donald Glover). Additionally, part of what makes "Community" great is how everyone in the study group brings out the funniest part of one another. We almost didn't include a "Community" character at all, but looking deeper, Abed stands above the rest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Abed is one of the most likable characters on "Community," it's not that quality that makes him funny, but rather his self-awareness and intuition. Abed understands people through the lens of pop culture, and his meta consciousness of the gang's place as sitcom characters is one of the show's best running gags. Often, when others attempt to curb his seemingly insensitive communication habits i.e. Britta (Gillian Jacobs) wondering how something she wants to say might affect others Abed subverts the situation by revealing something about that person ("I'm really glad you shared that, Britta ... it makes your lack of flavor sort of a flavor ... "). Abed feeds the show's cynicism with comments like these, but also provides the most fun moments with his thirst for good storytelling. Ava Coleman from Abbott Elementary Principal Ava Coleman sitting at her desk with her hands folded in front of her, donning an unimpressed look on her face - ABC When viewers are first introduced to Principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James) in Season 1 of "Abbott Elementary," it's difficult not to be irritated by her boldfaced incompetence; she spends school money on personal items and consistently stands in the way of teachers doing right by the students. Also, she sexually harassed Gregory (Tyler James Williams) for way, way too long. But like any good sitcom, "Abbott Elementary" evolves Ava into a more likable, authentic version of herself, with her growing to become a bona fide. Fans love Ava, and not just for her quotable one-liners. James' background in stand-up comedy imbues Ava with the outgoing confidence needed to get away with being so selfish and materialistic. She is those things, but she's also loyal, resourceful, and wickedly funny. Ava has been a stand-out character for most of the show, and is especially funny when paired with Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter). Episodes where she shines on her own like Season 2, Episode 9, "Sick Day," in which she substitutes for a violently ill Janine (Quinta Brunson) are a special delight to watch. Nandor the Relentless from What We Do in the Shadows Nandor the Relentless standing outside at night, showing card in What We Do in the Shadows - FX "What We Do in the Shadows" is one of the best and most criminally underrated sitcoms of all time. Filmed in a mockumentary format, the show follows the vampiric residents of a somewhat dilapidated Staten Island home. The house's residents include centuries-long married couple Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), energy-draining vampire Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch), token human familiar Guillermo (Harvey Guillen), and of course, Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak) a great conqueror of early human civilization and the show's funniest addition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cast understands the show's ensemble-driven format, thus their individual lack of Emmy nominations for "What We Do in the Shadows" doesn't bother them so much, despite deserving to be nominated. But there are still standouts among the team. Colin Robinson is conceptually hilarious and provides an experimental imaginative edge. Matt Berry's charisma greatly benefits Laszlo. But Nandor tops them all, as every word that comes from his mouth is hilarious. Novak delivers genius character work, and Nandor is at his best when experiencing the modern world as what he is: a man who lived in ancient times. Nandor's altercation with a werewolf in Season 1, Episode 3 "Werewolf Feud" helped "What We Do in the Shadows" hook viewers for the long haul. Selina Meyer from Veep Selina Meyer standing in a crowd with Richard and Gary in Veep - HBO Julia Louis-Dreyfus has prove n herself several times over to be one of the most gifted comedic performers alive. She first made her mark as Elaine Benes on "Seinfeld" but, not wanting to just be a token sitcom girl, didn't stop there. She followed up "Seinfeld" with "The New Adventures of Old Christine," establishing her as a talent who can anchor a show on her own. More recently, Louis-Dreyfus took up the role of Vice President Selina Meyer on "Veep," who stands among the most iconic TV figures in the past decade. From "don't give me that quaker in a [expletive] bar look" (Season 2, Episode 5) to "If men got pregnant, you could get an abortion at an ATM" (Season 3, Episode 2), Selina Meyer has delivered some of the best one-liners on television. Selina is a narcissistic career politician who suffers dozens of indignities all for the privilege of being elected president. Constantly judging everyone around her and pathologically avoidant of self-criticism, she functions both as the deliverer and the punchline of any given joke. Her dark, frankly serious faults are what make the show and her so funny. It's a pretty accurate facsimile of the personalities of many real-life politicians. Captain Raymond Holt from Brooklyn Nine-Nine Captain Raymond Holt smiling in Brooklyn Nine-Nine - NBC Andre Braugher wasn't known for his comedic chops before landing the role of Captain Raymond Holt on "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." Ironically, he started his television career in a dramatic detective role on the crime drama "Homicide: Life on the Street." The two shows are about the same profession and yet represent opposite ends of the tonal spectrum. Unsurprisingly, Braugher's Captain Holt was impeccable from the jump, and a true testament to his natural acting ability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Captain Raymond Holt is a distinct personality, disliking flavorful food or popular music (post-1900), and enjoying hobbies such as bird watching and painting hundreds of canvases depicting the same rock. He is meticulous, rule-abiding, and honorable almost to a fault; in short, he seems pretty boring. "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" is a thoughtful, well-written show, though, and Holt is its best asset. There's not a single episode where he doesn't earn at least one belly laugh, and those where he veers from his norm (such as Season 7, Episode 12, in which Holt becomes ferocious after his dog is abducted for ransom) are a delight to watch. Not only does he deliver some of the best lines, but Holt is also the most fun to watch interact with others, including Jake (Andy Samberg). A finer TV cop there never has been. Michael Scott from The Office Michael Scott biting his lip in The Office - NBC There's really no other character that could take the top spot other than Michael Scott (Steve Carell). It's easy to view Michael as an overhyped comedic figure, especially because "The Office" is so heavily-memed and universally beloved. But returning to "The Office," it only takes a few minutes of experiencing Steve Carell's unmatched comedy to remember that Michael Scott really is that funny. While characters like Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) and Erin Hannon (Ellie Kemper) are similarly hilarious, none hold a candle to Michael. Michael Scott began as a facsimile of Ricky Gervais's David Brent from the original British iteration of "The Office," but Carell's natural goofiness and willing vulnerability turned him into something else entirely. Michael brought some of the most acute cringe to the hearts and minds of viewers thanks to his lack of impulse control, self-absorption, and failure to accept consequences. The worst things Michael Scott ever did are so bad that it can be hard to watch certain episodes ("Scott's Tots," Season 6, Episode 12, is probably the best example). But Michael is also strangely lovable and, at times, surprisingly wise. He's both sweet and irritating problematic, but ultimately caring. He is the funniest TV character from the past 20 years, and the fact that Steve Carell never won an acting Emmy for his work on "The Office" is an unforgivable gaffe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you enjoyed this article, sign up to our free newsletter for the biggest movie and TV news delivered straight to your inbox. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Looper. In January 2025, Nippon published findings from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) revealing that Japan welcomed about 37 million international visitors in 2024, the highest it had ever received, even before the pandemic. While it's still behind tourism giants like France and Spain, those are high numbers, and demand often affects hotel prices, plane tickets, and of course, how long the queues in major city hotspots are. Japan may not be as pricey as Singapore or Scandinavian countries, but it's far less affordable than other East Asian destinations. So, if you're on a tight vacation budget and worry about getting into debt on your travels, your precious dollars could stretch further in a similar East Asian location, like Taipei, Taiwan. Now, make no mistake, you can't actually replace Japan; it has its own culture, food, and unique attractions. However, you can still get that same East Asia vibe, delicious Asian food, and temples with fewer crowds, if those are the things you're looking for. Getting to Taiwan is quite a bit cheaper than flying to Japan. Per Kayak, the average cost of a round trip between New York City and Tokyo is $1,156. The same trip to Taipei would cost $962 on average (if you're flying from the West Coast, you'll spend a few hundred less on either flight). Advertisement Advertisement Taipei is the cheaper option in almost every other metric, too. Suggestions from Budget Your Trip indicate that a one-week trip in Japan for two people costs $1,946 on average, while the same costs $1,769 in Taiwan and this includes food, accommodation, local transportation, and sightseeing. That's 9% less you'd spend daily if you pick Taiwan, which could add up to a lot of money if you plan to stay over 10 days. Read more: People You Should Never Tip What you gain by traveling to Taiwan instead of Japan Aerial view of Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall with its blue-tiled roof, flanked by the National Theater and National Concert Hall, set against the modern city skyline and distant mountains - Richie Chan/Shutterstock Let's start with the things Taiwan and Japan have in common. They both have safe, walkable cities; they have cheap, reliable transit systems; they have delicious street food; they have that traditional temple-mixed-with-mega-city appeal; and they have a similar hot springs culture. Crucially, both nations have friendly locals. However, Taiwan is just cheaper. One appealing example is how you can get great street food for just a few dollars in many parts of Taipei. There are also big savings when it comes to sightseeing. Since Taiwan is compact, you can choose Taipei as your base and do a lot of day trips from there. Taiwan is about one-tenth of Japan's size, and Taipei sits in a target-rich area of the country there are as many as 38 solid day trips you can make from your base in Taipei, according to Nickkembel Travels. Advertisement Advertisement That's less hotel-hopping (and more savings) compared to sightseeing in Japan. Many mainstream Japanese itineraries suggest going to Tokyo, then Hakone or Mount Fuji, then Kyoto, then Nara, and finally, Osaka. That entails at least three or four separate hotel bookings, so you don't have much room to negotiate good hospitality deals for extended stays. That said, if you adopt some of Rick Steves' traveling tricks, you could save some money on pain points such as this. Taipei avoids Japan's peak-season price hikes Crowd of people standing on a bridge, photographing cherry blossoms with their phones, framed by blurred sakura branches in the foreground - Takashi Aoyama/Getty One major savings advantage Taipei has over Japan is how stable its prices are throughout the year. Japan experiences extreme seasonal demands that often push hotel and flight costs sharply upward. Cherry blossom season, Golden Week, and the autumn foliage rush are major examples of such seasonal surges. In fact, it's because these seasons are so crowded and pricey that it's best to time your vacation in "shoulder season" to save money. On the other hand, Taipei doesn't experience the same level of international tourism spikes or global event-driven rushes. Therefore, hotel prices in Taipei end up being more stable across the calendar year. You're far less likely to encounter the kind of "sold-out months" or price surges that Japan sees every spring. Because Taiwan's tourism numbers are much more modest, even its busiest travel weeks don't cause massive price hikes. If you can only travel during peak vacation windows in the U.S., Taipei becomes the reliably cheaper destination. Without the need to fight inflated hotel prices, limited availability, or intense competition for flights and accommodation, you stand to save hundreds, if not thousands on your trip. Unlock your financial potential. Add Money Digest to your preferred sources for smart money insights! Read the original article on Money Digest. For right-wing firebrand Candace Owens, conspiracy theories are a form of mind yoga, a way of bending the mind like a pretzel. Theyre also extremely compelling, for her millions of social media followers and podcast listeners at least, and extremely lucrative, helping the 36-year-old American build a staggering media empire in under a decade. Coronavirus and the vaccines. The moon landings. Climate change. The #MeToo case against Harvey Weinstein. Blake Lively and Justin Baldonis legal battle. All these disparate subjects have received Owens signature treatment. On her eponymous podcast, she is the queen of the just asking questions approach: positioning herself as an investigating crusader who is bold enough to probe the topics that she believes the mainstream media dont want you to know about. She is part one-woman outrage machine, part millennial version of a medieval mystic; she has certainly worked out how to cleverly monetise the human impulse to uncover so-called truths and to feel like we are somehow in possession of a secret knowledge that explains how the world works. But her latest forays into so-called mind yoga are tying her in ever more complex knots that set her apart from even the most fact-averse of her fellow microphone-toting far-right truthers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the summer, French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte filed a defamation lawsuit against Owens, who has regularly and fervently spouted bizarre claims that the first lady was born male; the couple have accused her of mounting a campaign of global humiliation and relentless bullying on a worldwide scale. Last month, Owens made the even stranger allegations that the Macrons had attempted to orchestrate her assassination (the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, the organisation that Owens claimed was involved in the plot, told French media that these allegations were fake news). And in recent weeks, Owens has dragged herself and her followers even further down the rabbit hole by stirring up conspiracies around the death of her one-time boss, Charlie Kirk, the right-wing activist and founder of conservative student group Turning Point, who was shot dead in September. Among her inflammatory claims? The suggestion that his death was somehow an inside job involving Turning Point employees. On Wednesday (3 December), Kirks longtime producer Blake Neff finally called Owens out for spending months attacking Charlies closest friends, who, he said, have had to endure harassment from people who have gotten whipped up by what Candace is saying. Owens is now playing an even higher stakes game, running the risk of finally alienating one-time allies on her end of the political spectrum, while also surely aware that her most devoted core of fans will expect wilder theories to come. Owens has built a staggering media empire over the course of just a few years (Getty Images) So how did Owens become one of the most influential and arguably, one of the most dangerous woman on the internet? Her early days didnt exactly lay obvious foundations for a hard-right pivot. The third of four children, she spent her childhood in Stamford, Connecticut and, following her parents divorce, was brought up by her grandparents. At school, she experienced racist bullying; when she was in her senior year, she received death threats from some white classmates, including the son of Stamfords then-mayor. Her family sued the Stamford Board of Education, eventually gaining a $37,500 settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around this time, she developed an abiding interest in current affairs, as a Tatler profile would later put it, with her political sympathies initially skewing towards the Democrats. After dropping out of a journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island, Owens interned in the fashion cupboard at America Vogue (There was not some kind of formal hierarchy, but it was very clear that she was running the show, a fellow intern recalled in Vanity Fair). She then worked her way up the ranks in administration in a New York private equity firm, before co-founding a marketing agency. Dig back into the agencys blog archives and you will find Owens mouthing off about the bat-s**t-crazy antics of the Republican Tea Party. But her politics would soon change drastically. In 2016, she launched a Kickstarter campaign for a platform called Social Autopsy, a searchable database of internet trolls (there is, of course, a certain irony to Owens initially touting herself as some kind of anti-cyber bullying champion). She is part one-woman outrage machine, part millennial version of a medieval mystic Inevitably, it stoked criticism: wouldnt this just amount to doxxing, the typically malicious act of posting another persons private details on the internet? Owens ended up on the receiving end of online hate herself, and blamed left-wing activists. I became a conservative overnight, she later reflected. I realised that liberals were actually the racists. Liberals were actually the trolls. Not long after, she started posting on YouTube: her first video was a sketch in which she came out to her parents as a conservative. Owens positioned herself as a supporter of Trump, who was then in the early stages of his first presidency, and decried ideas around identity politics, structural racism and the Black Lives Matter movement. She particularly vehemently opposed any suggestion that African-Americans should perceive themselves as victims and still does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens crossed paths with Kirk at a conservative conference in Florida late in 2017. Within 30 seconds of seeing her on stage, I said to myself, Oh my goodness, I have not seen a talent like this in my six years of politics, Kirk later told The Washington Post. He immediately hired her to work in communications for Turning Point, and they spent the next few years touring colleges, spreading the conservative gospel. Owens has encouraged Black voters to switch allegiances to the Republican Party (AFP via Getty Images) Around this time, Owens launched the BLEXIT Foundation, an organisation encouraging a Black exit from the Democrats, urging Black voters to throw their support behind the Republican party instead. Kanye West publicly supported her, writing I love the way Candace Owens thinks on Twitter. And she and Kirk also took their Turning Point mission overseas. At an event in London in December 2018, Owens ended up appearing to suggest that if Hitler had simply stuck to Germany, his policies would have been fine. Whenever we say nationalism, the first thing people think about, at least in America, is Hitler, she said. He was a national socialist, but if Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, OK, fine. The problem, she added, was that he had dreams outside of Germany. He wanted to globalise. Owens would later claim that her words had been taken out of context by leftist journalists, and stated that there is no excuse or defence ever for everything that [Hitler] did. Owens left Turning Point in 2019, but her profile continued to grow and grow. 2021 saw the launch of Candace, an online show for the conservative platform Daily Wire, co-founded by another right-wing controversy magnet, Ben Shapiro; it featured sit-down interviews with the likes of Trump, but she also used her platform to weigh in on pop culture and lifestyle topics (such as her vehement belief that women should not wear leggings outside of the gym, because doing so is indicative of the decline of our culture). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in 2024, Owens parted ways with Daily Wire, reportedly over her anti-Semitic comments (although she would later claim this was a smear campaign and a ridiculous storyline). Owens great talent, though, is for turning controversy into content, and it wasnt long before she returned with her own venture, a self-titled podcast. Since launching in June of last year, its ascent has been dizzying: in October 2025, it ranked as the number one show across platforms in terms of downloads and views per episode, with an average of around 3.5 million downloads per show, according to analytics from Podscribe. The right-wing podcast sphere is booming in a way that the left cant seem to match. Just a quick glance at the US charts demonstrates the dominance of controversial conservative-skewing figures such as Joe Rogan, Tucker Carlson and Theo Von. According to a Media Matters report from 2024, right-leaning online shows had nearly five times as many followers and subscribers as their left-wing equivalents. Controversy and conspiracy pay off: the more outrageous the content, the more the listeners keep coming back (not for nothing was ragebait announced as the Oxford Dictionarys word of the year). With husband George Farmer (Getty Images for Vox Media) It's a model that Owens has honed to perfection. Outrage drives clicks, listens and views. It keeps fans coming back. And this in turn makes advertisers sit up and take note. Her husband George Farmer, the British son of a multi-millionaire Tory peer and hedge fund manager, oversees the business side of the operation, and told Bloomberg that her advertisers have reported seeing returns of two-to-one on dollars spent with us, and up to five-to-one reported in some cases. Her huge listener base mean that the podcast can inevitably charge higher advertising rates; recent analysis from Fortune magazine suggested that her company generates up to $10m in revenues per year. And according to Farmer, only one advertiser has pulled out over the past year; the show now has almost 60 sponsors, Bloomberg reports. In 2023, her anti-trans YouTube videos were demonetised, and last year, she was temporarily suspended after violating hate speech policies, but she has since returned with a vengeance. And even if these bigger sites did ban her, she would probably follow in the footsteps of other cancelled right-wing figures and simply move to a new platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats particularly shrewd, though, is the way Owens has a knack for throwing herself into topics that are guaranteed to creep onto your social feed. Take actor Blake Livelys legal battle against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Earlier this year, Owens covered the story in obsessive detail, responding to suggestions and clues from followers with all the zeal of a TikTok sleuth. Elsewhere, she borrows the aesthetic of your classic lifestyle influencer. Her website, Club Candace, doesnt exactly look like the online home of a conservative firebrand; instead of Maga red and shouty graphics, its all swirly, cursive fonts and glowing photos of Owens. But then you look closer at the merch shes selling: the Candace Intelligence Agency T-shirts ($35), the we dont know-know, but we know sweater ($60), a slogan that gets to the heart of Owens fast-and-loose attitude to facts, and the conspiracy theorist mug ($16). And yet with the Macron lawsuit looming, Owens may have met her match. For all the successes of her podcast, she is now facing a major legal battle. She has been asking fans to donate to her legal fund, and estimates she will need around $5m, but that feels like a conservative estimate. Should she lose, she could face millions in legal fees alone. The case of fellow right-wing podcaster and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones feels particularly pertinent here: Jones was ordered to pay around $1.4bn in total damages after the families of Sandy Hook elementary school shooting victims won two separate defamation suits against him. He has since been declared bankrupt (although he is still broadcasting). In American defamation cases against public figures, though, the onus is on the plaintiff to prove actual malice , or essentially to show that the defendant knew the information they were sharing was untrue. This can be tricky to prove. In 2021, Owens was hit with a separate defamation suit by the former Republican congressional candidate Kimberly Klacik. She claimed that Owens had smeared her with false allegations of drug use, fraud and working as a madame in a strip club, but the case was tossed out by a judge; Klacik ended up being required to pay her $115,000 to cover legal fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using Kirks death as another trending topic to boost her profile looks like an ill-advised move, too. Owens is far from the only podcaster to indulge in bizarre conspiracy theories, but her personal link to Kirk, coupled with her willingness to exploit that for clicks and listens, makes the whole spectacle feel extremely murky. In aiming for Turning Point, too, she risks splitting her support base. Here, she is not going after the establishment or the elite, those bogey people of conspiratorial thinking, but her own political allies. And the signs are that Turning Point are not going to let her get away with it. But Candace is unlikely to let this knock her off course. For her, a backlash is likely to be seen as just another opportunity. In this respect, she is the Trump era pundit par excellence: scandals that would have ended other careers only seem to give her more fodder to feed back to her devoted followers. Until now, Owens, with all her despicable theories, has made notoriety her superpower. In todays topsy-turvy cultural climate, being the ragebait queen has served her well. It remains to be seen, however, if they make her undefeatable. The Gilmore Girls series showcases, perhaps better than many shows in pop culture, how people react to wealth. As one Redditor pointed out, Lorelai grew up high income and didnt like it, so she chose differently. Rory grew up low-income and didnt like it, so she chose differently. Read More: Im a Retired Boomer: 3 Things I Wish I Had Done Differently To Better Prepare For Retirement Longevity Find Out: 6 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money But is that truly the case? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both women benefited from the safety net of Richard and Emilys wealth, even though it didnt necessarily give them the means to afford a wealthy everyday life. Lorelai, especially, worked hard. She started her adult life as a single mom at 16, eventually working her way up to management at the Independence Inn. She was usually able to provide for Rory, but had to turn to her parents at several pivotal moments, including to cover Rorys tuition. As the Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life mini-series sequel ended, Lorelai was doing well running The Dragonfly Inn and married to Luke, another small business owner. Meanwhile, Rory was struggling and broke as a freelance journalist with some solid bylines to her name but no steady employment in her future. Rory enjoyed the security and benefits of wealth, while Lorelai worked to create her own security through a successful hospitality business. The History of Gilmore Wealth We know from the original 2000 television series that the Gilmore family comes from wealth. We can trace the money back at least to Lorelais grandmother, Trix. Richard Gilmore, Lorelais father, did well to preserve and grow the family fortune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His income as an insurance executive could have ranged from $200,000 to $600,000, according to ScreenRant. There are other indications that the Gilmore familys wealth exceeded $50 million, and perhaps much more. We know that the original Gilmores came over on the Mayflower, but that doesnt necessarily indicate how far back their wealth goes. Its possible (though unlikely) that Lorelai is from a third-generation wealthy family. Gilmore money probably dates back several generations more. But the question still stands: Will Lorelai and Rory expand the family fortune, build their own, or lose it all? Discover Next: The Wealthiest Suburb in Each of Americas 50 Largest Metro Areas Will Lorelai Hang Onto Her Wealth? Viewers in the Gilmore Girls Fanatics Group on Facebook wonder how Lorelai afforded to eat out frequently, randomly spend $300 on airport souvenirs, and pay for a summer trip to Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Lorelai showed poor money management skills at times during the TV series, she also managed to save money, purchase the Dragonfly Inn, and build a successful business. From a teen mom living in a barn to a small business owner even though she had family support along with way Lorelais story is inspirational. She likely maintained the inn, potentially selling it for a hefty sum later in life. She and Luke could also have sold both their businesses to retire or kept the buildings and leased the properties to new owners. Either way, its likely that, especially with her lifestyle, Lorelai was likely to hold onto any potential inheritance once Emily died and also continue to grow the Gilmore family fortune. What About Rory? Rory Gilmore, however, could be the one to squander the family fortune. At the end of the Gilmore Girls sequel, A Year in the Life (AYITL), she is an unemployed, soon-to-be single mom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its uncertain how she successfully supported herself living in Brooklyn, as her $250,000 trust fund wasnt likely to go far. At age 32, when AYITL ends, Rory still has time to catch up, build a career and preserve any fortune Lorelai ultimately leaves for her. But the shows creator and writer, Amy Sherman-Palladino, chose to leave Rorys future open-ended even down to the paternity of her baby. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lauren Graham (Lorelai) and Kelly Bishop (Emily) both said theyd be open to reprising their roles. Perhaps well find out whether the Gilmore Girls dodge the third-generation curse and preserve the familys wealth. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How the Gilmore Girls Preserved Generational Wealth and Will It Last? If you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain, youll love this new variety of pineapple. Doles Colada Royale pineapple was bred without GMOs to taste like the popular tropical cocktail, with research and development taking place over the course of 15 years to get it right. It was created to be an exceptionally luxurious fruit with an unexpected premium flavor featuring hints of coconut and pina colada, according to Dole. First impressions Good Housekeeping / Alyse Whitney When I opened the box of pineapples that I was sent to taste-test, a sweet aroma immediately filled the air. I had just experienced Doles Royal Hawaiian Tropical Gold Pineapple while visiting Honolulu on Oahu, so my expectations were already sky-high. The intensely aromatic fragrance alone was tantalizing before even cutting into it, and as I carefully sliced the skin off and carved around the surprisingly slim core, my cutting board filled with juice. What does it taste like? Dole So I poured that juice into a glass and took a sip and was astounded at how much it tasted like a virgin pina colada. It had the flavor of the ripest and juiciest pineapple Id ever tasted but with undertones of coconut and possibly a little banana or another tropical fruit I couldnt quite identify but absolutely loved. Once I cut the pineapple into chunks and had a whole piece, it was bursting with the same flavor, astounding juiciness, and a balanced sweet tang that wasnt cloying but rather refreshing. Trying it with and without rum Dole Although I didnt make an actual pina colada with the pineapple, I tried turning some of the fruit into an agua fresca and found it didnt need added sugar for a great drink. But when I added a shot of rum, a little simple syrup and extra lime juice helped balance it out into a lovely simple cocktail. Other ways to serve this pineapple Mike Garten Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I were to buy another Colada Royale pineapple, Id try caramelizing it as a topping for ice cream, turning it into a Dole Whip or smoothie, or pineapple sorbet of sorts with a swirl or drizzle of coconut condensed milk. Of course, it would make a killer pina colada. Sweet flavor, with a sweeter mission Dole Not only is this pineapple variety new, exciting, and utterly delicious, it has a purpose: supporting the community where it is grown. A portion of every purchase will be used to create a community center for Doles farm workers and their families in La Ceiba, Honduras, providing education, healthcare, and vocational training. This pineapples creation was led by Honduras native Roberto Young, PhD., Doles Director of Pineapple (a fun title!) who has been with the company for 28 years. The nutrition perks In addition to its flavor, this pineapple also has a unique health benefit; Dole says each 1-cup serving of Colada Royale pineapple delivers two and a half times more vitamin B6 than other varieties, a nutrient supporting brain health and the nervous and immune systems. A tasty fruit that makes you healthier? Say less. You Might Also Like Everyone seems to have their own philosophy (and social media "airport theory") about airport arrival times, and honestly, there's no definitive answer. I, personally, typically arrive an hour and a half to two hours before my flight, but I also rarely check a bag, and I have TSA PreCheck, which helps speed things along. Still, when I fly during peak travel times, even I like to leave myself a little extra time. During the holidays, airports are more crowded, which means longer lines for basically everything, and I'd rather get through security a little early and wander the airport terminal than sweat through my layers, stressing about whether I'll make it to my gate in time. Most airlines recommend arriving 2 hours before your domestic flight departure time or 3 hours before your international flight departure time. Advertisement Advertisement The Transportation Security Administration recommends following your airline's guidance because "times may vary depending on the airport and date of travel." The agency also has a mobile app that will let you see estimates of security screening wait times. Story continues below. American Airlines Flagship business class suites, with Preferred seats in the foreground. American Airlines Flagship Suite business class seats use a lighter color palette compared to the Preferred bulkhead seats. An American Airlines Flagship suite in bed mode on a Boeing 787. An AMerican Airlines Flagship suite in seat mode on a Boeing 787. An American Airlines Flagship Preferred suite with mattress pad, duvet, extra pillow, throw blanket and pajamas on display. American Airlines Flagship Preferred business class suites in seat mode on a Boeing 787. Premium economy seats have a deep recline and foot and leg rests on American Airlines' new premium-heavy Boeing 787 The premium economy cabin on American Airlines' new premium-heavy Boeing 787. Economy seats on American Airlines' new premium-heavy Boeing 787. See inside all three cabins on American Airlines' new Boeing 787 1 of 9 American Airlines Flagship business class suites, with Preferred seats in the foreground. When airports are crowded, you also don't want to be a "gate camper," sprawling out with all your stuff hours before your flight and taking precious seats from other festive season travelers. Travel journalist Christopher Elliott recommends adding an extra hour to your regular airport arrival window for the holidays, but says anything more than that is excessive and unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement So what's the right time to arrive? It depends on your risk tolerance, comfort navigating the airport, and how crowded the facilities you're going to use are likely to be. But if in doubt, follow the airline's guidance and maybe add a little extra padding to your schedule. The holidays are definitely not the time to test the 15-minute arrival airport theory. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How early do you need to arrive at the airport in December? European travel doyen Rick Steves has great tips for your next trip abroad, including affordable ways to dine as a tourist, and which type of street food vendor you should always hit up. And he has a special love for Italy, where he had the best meal of his life at a family-owned-and-run bed and breakfast. Aside from fantastic dinners, Italy also offers up a robust cafe culture, and here, Steves plays favorites. According to his website, the Il Campo square in Siena is Steves' favorite spot in Italy for cafe-sitting. Siena is renowned for its glorious Gothic architecture, which was built mostly between 1100 and 1400 AD. And at the center of the city sits the Il Campo Square, or Piazza del Campo, "the physical and cultural heart" of Siena, according to Steves. It's easy to see why he prefers this public square to any others when settling down for a cup of coffee or wine. The buildings surrounding it are large and imposing, yet warmly colored and harmonious in appearance, making for a spectacular backdrop against which to enjoy a beverage (or two). While Steves doesn't go into specifics about which cafes he visits, consider Torrefazione Fiorella or Caffe 19zero3 Ristorante, both of which are centrally located near the square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Foods Anthony Bourdain Hated With A Passion What to expect when cafe-sitting at Il Campo Cafe-goers sit under umbrellas in an outside seating area on the Il Campo in Siena - Bert e Boer/Shutterstock Before you take Rick Steves' advice to visit Il Campo in Siena and enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine on the square, it's important to understand cafe culture in Italy. Cafes in Italy are instead referred to as "bars," and many serve both coffee and alcohol, as well as small bites, like panini sandwiches, baked goods, and even gelato. Keep in mind that it costs more to sit at an outdoor table at a bar in Italy (your other, cheaper, option is consuming your beverage standing at the bar); the price difference is typically marked inside the cafe. The good news is that when you opt for a table to view the splendid Il Campo while you imbibe, there will be no rushing you out of the seats for quick turnover, as can occur in some American eateries. Instead, it's assumed that you will occupy the table for a good long while, so you can take in the sights both architectural and human for as long as you want and really get your money's worth. Aside from spectacular daily people-watching, at Il Campo on any given day you might bear witness to an outdoor concert or cultural event which will liven up your afternoon or evening seating. And in the summer, the Il Palio di Siena horse races occur in the square, drawing huge crowds, which can make grabbing a table difficult but worth the effort if you can manage it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Food Republic. Dec. 5BEMIDJI Nestled in the woods just a few miles north of Bemidji sits a building overflowing with unique offerings from all over the world. Each winter, ahead of the holidays, Concordia Language Villages hosts an international holiday market called "Shop the World." The festive marketplace features treasures and treats from 14 different languages and cultures, including baked goods, chocolates and candies, handcrafted ornaments, apparel and accessories, international books, decor and a whole lot more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kicking off on Thursday, Dec. 4, the market continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 11-14 in the Utgard Gym at Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village located at 8607 Thorsonveien Road NE. "The Shop the World experience is kind of a way of showing the community what we do each summer at the villages," Associate Director of Programs Marty Fankhanel said, explaining that when campers shop at their respective language village store, they learn to do so in their learned language as well. "They are coming into their store and learning how to say, 'I would like to purchase this' in that target language; in Japanese, in French, in Arabic," he said. "And here, we break down that barrier so shoppers don't have to speak the language themselves but can see what offerings the campers have from all over the world." Retail Manager Ross Dybvig, whose village name is Odin, is proud of the wide range of products available to shoppers and the culture it exposes them to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I would say that this is the largest array of international candy, probably in the state, if not maybe the upper 50 states," Odin said. "Not many places are outfitting Finnish candy alongside Japanese candy, alongside German and Norwegian, Spanish candy. Like, we got it all. It's just a lovely array." Kyle Chones, Concordia's site director, echoed this, adding that it's an opportunity to buy things that folks might not normally have access to. "So if you're looking for something really unique or special for your husband, wife, family, friend, whoever it is, there's pretty much something for everyone," he said. Fankhanel added that it can also be used as an educational piece for folks to learn more about different parts of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These hats are representations of German Oktoberfest," he said, picking up a hat. "And we have various instruments that are from Portuguese dancing, like our drums and things like that. And so all of the different pieces represent little itty-bitty stories from that culture." A brand new offering Odin is excited about is the village's Northwoods stuffed animal collection, featuring animals local to the Minnesota Northland such as loons, woodpeckers, deer, eagles and many more. "If you buy a stuffed animal, you can request a name tag for that animal in whatever language of the 14 that we offer at the villages," he explained. "So if you wanted a squirrel name tag in Norwegian, we will provide that for you, or a Japanese turtle or whatever. It's a new concept we're playing with and it's very popular thus far." Two other new items available are pre-made stockings filled with an assortment of international candy, and a coloring book just released this week that features various scenes of the villages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think we have a gift, really, for any occasion and for any member of the family," Odin added. "From the baked goods to a huge variety of stuffed animals from all over the world, we have something for everyone." He explained that it takes around a month to gather all of the items for the shop from the various stores located in each of the villages, along with some items in storage and things that are sourced specifically for the event each year such as the baked goods made in the German bakery. "I, and many others at the organization, brought everything here, unpacked it, set it up nicely," he said. "It took about a month to bring it to life, and now Bemidjians and others in the local area are here enjoying it." Though it's a large undertaking to host the event, Odin said he loves having the chance to share it with the community each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Honestly, I really look forward to people either carrying on their own holiday traditions, which usually does involve us in some way, or creating a new one with us here," he added. Odin also said it's fun to open the shop for the first time and see how excited people are to get their hands on the specialty items. "A lot of people come here to get the cookies, maybe they're going to host a party or book club or whatever, and this is always on their holiday to-do list to visit us. We had a line right at the first start of the day like battling for the cookies," he added with a laugh. "So it's been a great first day, and we're looking forward to the next seven." U.S. travel consumers are scouring their mobile apps for airfare deals this holiday season, and many of them are outsourcing the entire itinerary management to AI. A recent Adobe study shows that nearly three in 10 U.S. travelers now use generative-AI tools to plan excursions, a rise that approximates the 3,500% spike in AI-driven traffic to travel sites over the past year. As the holiday chaos mounts in early December, trip planning is quickly becoming the latest everyday task Americans hand over to algorithms. A Matador Network survey of 1,000-plus travelers found that 30% say theyre likely to use AI to plan or assist with their holiday travel this year. Travel can unravel when using AI to plan a holiday trip Before breaking out your favorite credit card for that trip to Lisbon, technology experts want a word with you about rising risks associated with AI-powered travel tools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People must verify everything, said Juan Luis Nicolau, a business professor at Virginia Tech. AI is excellent for idea generation and trip inspiration, but it can be risky to make decisions without independent confirmation. Think of it as a smart first draft, not the final word. What risk does AI bring to the travel planning table? Heres a snapshot. Outdated and inaccurate information AI might pull information from the previous availability and hours, but many places have different availability or hours during the holidays. When we used AI to plan a New Years Eve trip to Tokyos Shibuya district, AI didnt update that the event was canceled altogether, said Dana Yao, co-founder at Dana Yao Media, a Japanese destinations travel services platform. We found its always smart to check the official website or call ahead. Missing local traditions and cultural context AI might miss seasonal customs that could impact your travel plans. Yao said in Japan, Kentucky Fried Chicken is the go-to for Christmas dinner. If you want KFC around Christmas, you need to pre-order weeks in advance or there will be no dinner left, she said. AI wont provide that information unless asked, and your holiday evening might end up a lot different from what youd planned. Oversimplified travel logistics AI often overlooks key real-world variables such as weather, traffic, airport layout, or typical congestion patterns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, it may recommend a flight connection that doesnt account for the distance between arrival and departure gates, or provide an idealized drive time that ignores areas known for consistent delays, said Casey Keller, co-founder at Wandering Everywhere, a travel services platform. Limited awareness of international requirements When traveling abroad, AI generally does not verify passport validity rules, visa requirements, or other entry restrictions. That can lead to serious, last-minute complications, Keller noted. When Holiday demand is high, AI can underdeliver, or worse The stakes are higher during holidays when availability is tight, and prices surge. Goedele Mangelaars, founder and CEO at Pink Notebook, a New York City-based travel services company, cites these additional AI-related travel planning risks. Phantom availability. LLMs scrape outdated information and confidently recommend fully booked hotels, Mangelaars noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pricing hallucinations. An LLM trained on summer data might suggest a 'reasonably priced' Christmas market hotel at $150 a night when the actual rate is now $450, Mangelaars added. Currency confusion. AI travel tools can mix up exchange rates or misunderstand local pricing norms, Mangelaars said. Use these tips to protect and optimize your AI-powered holiday trip planning Its perfectly fine to use AI to help plan a holiday excursion, as long as youre aware of the operational risks and apply some due diligence to the process. After some trial and error and having now established her own trip-planning workflow, heres what Yao recommends when using AI for travel itineraries. Use AI for idea gathering first The technology is great at providing sample itineraries, activity suggestions, neighborhood breakdowns, and overall structure, Yao said. Be specific To get better results, youll want to provide as much detail as possible about what you enjoy, what you value most, and the type of trip you're seeking. Dont forget to tell it to include cushion time, since delays and holiday crowds are quite common, Yao noted. Follow up on everything Its crucial to fact-check your AI-planned itinerary. Youll want to confirm the details by hand, such as location, event, and attraction hours, ticket availability, or if there are any holiday changes from the official website or their social channels, she added. Eventually, AI will get more accurate and improve what it already does well Travel experts say AI already has much going for it, and further improvements are on the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AI can process data almost instantaneously, which is excellent when you are looking for specific information, such as '10 family-friendly things to do in Miami,' or an outline for an itinerary, said Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance in Hingham, Mass. It addresses blank-page anxiety by providing inspirational and innovative ideas. While there are always details to fact-check, AI saves travelers a lot of time during preliminary research. AI is useful for things like taking the effort to synthesize weather patterns, cultural norms, and popular destinations, Cronin noted. In her primary job, Yao works in the technology sector and has seen firsthand the potential in AI for travel. Im seeing the speed of new technology merging, so I do think AI trip planning will get better, she said. With more advanced models and data retrieval, it will get more accurate information faster and do better with filtering out the irrelevant and outdated info. One potential downside is that AI will still struggle with the human side of travel: emotions, etiquette, nuance, and a place's feeling. It can say things like 'Kyoto has amazing traditional culture,' but it doesnt actually understand what that actually feels like, Yao noted. So for now, definitely utilize AI for brainstorming and setting up the overall trip structure, but still double-check the specific details and feasibility to make sure your holiday trip goes as planned. The Delmarva Peninsula spans the coastlines of three eastern states: Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. While it is home to many famous beach towns, including Delaware's iconic Rehoboth Beach, Virginia's section of the peninsula, known as the Eastern Shore, contains some of Delmarva's true hidden gems. The Old Dominion is no stranger to charming small towns, and the town of Onancock is absolutely brimming with historic village charm. Founded in 1680 and called the "Gem of the Eastern Coast" by explorer John Smith, Onancock has been welcoming travelers to its streets for over 300 years. Its small year-round population of just over 1,100 people lends Onancock a true small village feel. However, with numerous restaurants, a thriving arts scene, plenty of history, an international film festival, an old live theater venue, and plenty of opportunities to explore the coast, Onancock is far more vibrant than your average small town. Despite being tucked into an inlet on the far Eastern Shore of Virginia, Onancock is not overly difficult to reach. From the terminal at the international airport in Norfolk, take Route 13 through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel and up the Delmarva Peninsula until you reach the exit for VA-179 for Onancock. The whole trip should take about an hour and a half and bring you into one of Virginia's most charming coastal towns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Nashville Celebrity Hotspots: Where To Go To See Stars Explore Onancock's unique history Sign to John Smith National Historic Trail - EWY Media/Shutterstock Nestled safely at the end of the long, winding harbor called Onancock Creek, Onancock thrived as a coastal trading center in Chesapeake Bay. This history is evidenced by the numerous colonial and federal era homes that line the creek. A great way to experience these is with a kayak or SUP tour with Burnham Guides. They also provide day trips along the Eastern Shore, including one to the utterly scenic and vastly underrated Chincoteague Island. Paddling these historically calm waters is a great way to experience the vantage point of Captain John Smith as he explored these waterways in the early 1600s. Speaking of Captain Smith, the Ker Place on Market Street is a stopping point along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, which traces Smith's 3,000 plus miles of travel throughout the region. A beautiful brick structure built between 1799 and 1803, the Ker Place is today managed by Shore History and serves as a regional museum complete with art gallery, collections, and a genealogy room. However, if there is one piece of historic Onancock you should check out, it's the Samuel D. Outlaw Blacksmith Shop Memorial Museum. Showcasing the life and legacy of notable community member Samuel Outlaw, who served as Onancock's blacksmith from 1927 to 1991, the museum offers visitors a rare taste of how a single craftsman can impact the whole community. A true hidden gem well worth seeking out. Don't miss Onancock's downtown charms Market Street, Onancock, VA - John Blottman/Shutterstock While Onancock is certainly a must-see destination for Virginia history buffs, you cannot miss all of the fun things that are going on downtown. Market Street is the main thoroughfare through town where you will find most of the shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Stop by the Foggy Place Cafe for gourmet coffee and pastries to start your day, then make your way down the street to Crockett Gallery, Danny Doughty Gallery, or Red Queen Gallery for a mix of folk and landscape paintings, as well as pottery, glasswork, and wood carved items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you love film, it's worth taking a trip to the historic Roseland Theatre. Every second Thursday of the month they host Onancock International Films, bringing movies from around the world to the heart of downtown. Prefer live theater? The North Street Playhouse offers a mix of drama, comedy, and musicals throughout the year. Another must along Market Street is to stop at The Onancock Market. With an outdoor market in the summer and an indoor market for the winter, this vendor-led market brings local produce and artisans directly to downtown. Fill up your grocery bag with produce from local farmers, crafts from local makers, and numerous other things including handmade candles, seafood, and woodworking pieces. Despite being a small, hidden away coastal town, Onancock has so much amazing experiences to offer. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Explore. Picture a conflict where soldiers lived in rat-infested trenches, machine guns mowed down troops by the thousands, and poison gas sucked the life out of everyone on the battlefield. That's the horrifying reality of World War I, a conflict that crushed the world's innocence and ushered in a new era of mechanized warfare. While history books often focus on dates, battles, and political outcomes, the true horror of World War I lies in the individual stories of suffering, trauma, and the massive scale of destruction that forever changed the course of human history. This was a war where technological advancements were utilized for unprecedented brutality, leaving lasting scars on both the landscape and the collective psyche of a generation. Let's consider the chilling details and uncover 14 terrifying facts about World War I. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Note: Unfortunately, not all the images can match the exact events discussed here due to concerns with copyright and violent graphics. 1. The Meat Grinder of Verdun: A Battle with No End in Sight Image Credit: Henry Armytage Sanders - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. The Battle of Verdun, fought in 1916, was a horrific clash between French and German forces. It became a symbol of the war's brutality and futility, with over 300,000 soldiers killed and countless others wounded. The battle raged for nearly 10 months, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. The constant shelling and fighting turned the once-picturesque countryside into a scarred, cratered wasteland. Soldiers lived in constant fear, exposed to the elements and the ever-present threat of death or injury. The psychological toll was immense, with many suffering from "shell shock" (now known as PTSD). 2. Chemical Warfare: The Silent Killer Image Credit: FJThomas1945 - Own work - CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons. World War I was the first major conflict to deploy chemical weapons on a large scale. Chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas were used to devastating effects, causing blindness, severe burns, and agonizing deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of chemical weapons shocked the world and forever changed the nature of warfare. The psychological impact of these invisible killers, lingering in the air and seeping into trenches, added a new dimension of terror to the battlefield. 3. Trench Warfare: A Living Hell Image Credit: Simon Q from United Kingdom - German WW1 SoldiersUploaded by High Contrast - CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons. The Western Front of World War I was defined by its brutal trench warfare. Soldiers on both sides dug miles of interconnected trenches, living in squalid conditions, surrounded by rats, disease, and the constant threat of artillery bombardment. Life in the trenches was a waking nightmare, with the stench of rotting flesh, the screams of the wounded, and the constant fear of enemy attacks. The psychological toll of trench warfare was immense, with many soldiers suffering from "shell shock" and other mental health issues. The physical toll was equally devastating, with millions killed or maimed in this brutal form of combat. 4. The Armenian Genocide: A Hidden Atrocity Image Credit: Deposit Photos. While the Holocaust is widely known, the Armenian Genocide is often overlooked. During World War I, the Ottoman Empire systematically targeted and killed an estimated 1.5 million Armenians. This brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing involved forced deportations, mass executions, and starvation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Armenian Genocide is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of ethnic hatred and the importance of acknowledging historical atrocities. Turkey's continued denial of the genocide remains a source of international tension and a painful legacy for the Armenian people. 5. The Lost Generation: A Scarred Youth Image Credit: Deposit Photos. World War I decimated a generation of young men. Millions died in the trenches, leaving behind families, communities, and an entire generation forever marked by the trauma of war. The physical and psychological scars inflicted upon those who survived often haunted them for the rest of their lives. The loss of this generation's potential is immeasurable. The war robbed them of their youth, their dreams, and their futures. It also profoundly impacted the arts and culture of the time, with many artists and writers expressing their disillusionment and despair through their work. 6. The Russian Revolution: A Nation Upended Image Credit: Internet Archive Book Images - throughrussianre00will - No restrictions/Wiki Commons. While the world was consumed by the war, a revolution was brewing in Russia. The hardships of the conflict, coupled with deep-rooted social and political discontent, culminated in the overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of the world's first communist state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Revolution not only changed the course of history for Russia, but it also had a profound impact on global politics. It ushered in a new era of ideological conflict and set the stage for the Cold War that would dominate the latter half of the 20th century. 7. The Influenza Pandemic of 1918: A Global Killer Image Credit: Deposit Photos. As World War I raged, another deadly threat emerged the Spanish flu pandemic. This highly contagious influenza strain killed an estimated 50 to 100 million people worldwide, more than the war itself. Soldiers, weakened by the harsh conditions of war, were particularly vulnerable. The 1918 pandemic highlights the interconnectedness of global health and how disease outbreaks can have devastating consequences, especially during times of conflict. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of public health measures and the need for international cooperation in combating infectious diseases. 8. The Sinking of the Lusitania: A Catalyst for American Involvement Image Credit: Royal Navy official photographer - from the collections of the Imperial War Museums - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. In 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania, killing 1,198 passengers, including 128 Americans. The sinking of the Lusitania outraged the American public and fueled anti-German sentiment, ultimately contributing to the United States' entry into the war in 1917. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This tragic event demonstrates the interconnectedness of global conflicts and the potential for seemingly isolated incidents to have far-reaching consequences. The sinking of the Lusitania shifted public opinion and ultimately altered the course of World War I, leading to a wider conflict and a greater loss of life. 9. The Use of Tanks: A New Era of Mechanized Warfare Image Credit: National Library NZ on The Commons - No restrictions/Wiki Commons. The introduction of tanks in World War I revolutionized warfare. While initially crude and unreliable, these armored vehicles provided a significant advantage on the battlefield, breaking through enemy lines and overcoming the stalemate of trench warfare. The use of tanks marked a turning point in military technology, paving the way for the development of even more advanced armored vehicles in future conflicts. It also changed the dynamics of warfare, shifting the focus from individual soldiers to mechanized units and altering the tactics and strategies employed on the battlefield. 10. Aerial Combat: Dogfights in the Sky Image Credit: Deposit Photos. World War I witnessed the birth of aerial combat, as airplanes were used for reconnaissance, bombing, and, eventually, dogfighting. These aerial duels were often a deadly ballet, with pilots engaging in daring maneuvers and risking their lives in the skies above the battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of airplanes in warfare forever changed the nature of conflict, adding a new dimension to military strategy and tactics. It also sparked a technological race, as nations competed to develop more advanced aircraft and aerial weapons, setting the stage for future conflicts in the air. 11. The Battle of the Somme: A Sacrifice with Little Gain Image Credit: Deposit Photos. The Battle of the Somme in 1916 was a catastrophic attempt by the British and French to break through German lines. Despite months of planning and a massive artillery bombardment, the first day of the battle resulted in over 57,000 British casualties, making it the bloodiest day in British military history. The battle raged for months, with a final tally of over 1 million casualties on both sides, yet yielded minimal territorial gains. The Somme became a symbol of the futility of trench warfare and the devastating cost of attrition tactics. 12. The Gallipoli Campaign: A Disastrous Amphibious Assault Image Credit: Ernest Brooks - from the collections of the Imperial War Museums - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. The Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 was an attempt by the Allies to secure a strategic waterway and knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war. The plan, however, was poorly executed and resulted in a bloody stalemate, with over half a million casualties on both sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign was marked by disastrous landings, entrenched positions, and the spread of disease among the troops. It became a symbol of strategic failure and the devastating consequences of underestimating the enemy's capabilities. 13. The Use of Flamethrowers: A Weapon of Terror Image Credit: Deposit Photos. Flamethrowers, first deployed by the Germans in 1915, became a terrifying weapon of war. These devices, capable of projecting streams of fire up to 40 meters, were used to clear out trenches and bunkers, often causing horrific burns and psychological trauma. The use of flamethrowers added a new dimension of horror to the battlefield, terrorizing soldiers and contributing to the war's overall brutality. Although their military effectiveness was limited, their psychological impact was immense, leaving a lasting scar on those who witnessed their devastating power. 14. The Battle of Passchendaele: A Mud-Filled Nightmare Image Credit: Deposit Photos. In 1917, amidst heavy rains and a landscape already scarred by artillery, the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium became infamous for its horrific conditions. Mud turned the battlefield into a quagmire, swallowing men and horses alike, often drowning them in the thick, clinging sludge. Beyond the physical challenges, the constant bombardment and endless waves of attacks led to immense psychological trauma for the soldiers involved. The senseless loss of life, estimated at over half a million casualties on both sides, made this battle a symbol of the war's brutality and futility. A 14-year-old boy was found shot inside a vehicle after Tacoma police responded to a crash Friday afternoon, according to the Tacoma Police Department. Officers were called just before 4 p.m. to a collision in the 6400 block of East McKinley Avenue. When they arrived, police said they discovered a 14-year-old male inside the car who had been shot. He was rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition. Detectives have not released any information about a possible suspect, and no one is in custody. KIRO 7 News has sent a reporter to the area to gather more information. An investigation is underway after two people were found dead inside a vehicle on Friday night, according to Gwinnett County police. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Just after 10 p.m., officers were called to the 3200 block of Windscape Village Lane in Norcross regarding a person shot. When police arrived, they found a man with a neck wound and a witness. Shortly thereafter, police were notified of a vehicle near Harbins Road and Harbins Point Lane in Lilburn with two people inside suffering from gunshot wounds, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives and investigators arrived at both scenes to gather evidence and speak with witnesses. Their investigation revealed that the two incidents were related. TRENDING STORIES: The suspect, identified as Javier Aragon Ruiz, 54, was found in Tennessee. Tennessee State Troopers arrested Aragon Ruiz, and he is currently held at the Robertson County Sheriffs Office in Springfield, Tenn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The names of the victims have not been released pending notification of their next of kin. The Gwinnett County Police Department is urging anyone with information about the case to contact their detectives at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 or through www.stopcrimeATL.com, with the possibility of a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Jackson Medical Mall Foundation (JMMF) hosted the Legacy Gala on December 5, 2026, to honor the malls impact on the community and those who work for positive change in the capital city. Grammy-nominated artist and Mississippi native David Banner was the keynote speaker of the gala. Im honored, man. Ive gone all around the world. Ive been so successful in the things that Ive done. And to be able to come home and inspire others, I dont know anything is much better than that, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said the Jackson Medical Mall is vital to the community, because it provides essentials for residents. The Medical Mall attracts industry. It attracts people, and they bring people together in our community. When you bring people together, you always have awesome things that happen. So, its a key component to make sure that economic development stays in this area. And its also the economic driver in this area, as well, said Richard Bradley, with Metro Booming Training Academy. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. A 27-year-old man was killed in a Hartwell shooting on Dec. 5, according to Cincinnati police. Johnie Deontae Thomas was found shot in the 70 block of Ferndale Avenue at about 8 p.m., police said in a news release. Thomas was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he died from his injuries. A police department spokesperson declined to answer whether police had made an arrest or identified any persons of interest connected to the shooting. Police ask anyone with information call 513-352-3542. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 27-year-old man killed in Hartwell shooting Three people have been indicted on multiple federal charges in connection with the death of Zachariah Juwaun Shorty, who was killed in Nenahnezad, New Mexico, in July 2020, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico. Shorty, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was found dead on July 25, 2020, with multiple gunshot wounds on a dirt pathway in a field on the Navajo Nation, officials said. Court documents allege that Austin Begay, 31, also an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, used a semiautomatic firearm to shoot and kill Shorty. Begay has been charged with first-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, it has been alleged that Jaymes Fage, 38, also an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, helped conceal the murder and lied to investigators, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Joshua Watkins, 40, also faces charges related to concealing the murder, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Charges against each defendant Austin Begay has been charged with: First-degree murder in Indian Country. Knowingly using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and discharging that firearm, thereby causing Shorty's death. Making materially false statements to federal investigators on Dec. 21, 2021, regarding events that occurred on July 21, 2020. Misprision of a felony in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4. That statute makes it a federal crime to have knowledge of a federal felony that has been committed but failing to report the crime to authorities as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jaymes Fage has been charged with the following: Making materially false statements to federal investigators on December 21, 2021, regarding the events that occurred on July 21, 2020. Being an accessory to the crime after the fact. Misprision of a felony in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4. Watkins' charges include: Misprision of a felony in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4 The MMIP (Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons) Regional Outreach Program was created to ensure that cases like Zachariah Shortys never fade into the background and to show the impact that focused federal attention can have, said Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Begayand Fage face a maximum of life in prison, officials said. Watkins faces up to three years in prison if convicted, according to the U.S, Attorney's Office. Begay and Fage remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. What we know: Man faces prison, fines for illegal pot, hemp farms on Navajo Nation This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 3 face federal charges in 2020 homicide on Navajo Nation Nearly 100 arrests were made and several more citations were issued during a multiagency sweep of the Jordan River Parkway Trail carried out over the last few months. The sweep dubbed Operation Safe Streets covered Salt Lake Countys portion of the trail between August and Nov. 24, but focused heavily on a section running from North Temple to 1000 North in Salt Lake City. That section has been closed recently due to growing safety concerns. Ninety-two arrests were made throughout the latest operation, mainly for misdemeanor offenses, but there were 14 felony arrests made, as well. Another 122 citations were issued through the coordination between the Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement, Salt Lake City Police Department, Utah Highway Patrol and other local entities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The overall goal was to help residents, workers and recreational users visit this part of the Jordan River without fear of harm or exposure to criminal activity, said Ben Stireman, deputy director for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, which assisted Salt Lake City in removing vegetation overgrowth during the operation. Many people experiencing homelessness were directed to health care, shelter and other resources during the operation, as well, authorities added. Salt Lake City reopened a section of the trail from about 400 North to 700 North in July, following an emergency closure that was issued in March. The city helped relocate a segment between 500 North and 600 North, while reducing vegetation overgrowth to improve public safety and increasing patrols in the area. City officials cited illegal activity, environmental degradation and infrastructure challenges as reasons for the closure. While the area experienced an uptick in homeless encampments, Salt Lake City Councilwoman Victoria Petro told KSL that cartel activity had also infiltrated the section, leading to many of the criminal concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chaos caused by the homelessness crisis ... has created a kind of a chaotic system that now criminals are exploiting, she said at the time. Its gotten to kind of a crisis point, where interventions that we havent tried before need to be tried to protect sheltered and unsheltered alike. Thirty-three felony arrests and 49 misdemeanor arrests were made during a city-led sweep of the river corridor in the weeks following the closure. Another 45 citations were issued, as well. A segment of the trail from North Temple to 300 North was temporarily closed over similar concerns last year. Increased patrols along the Jordan River were included in the public safety plan Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall released at the start of this year, in response to criticism by state leaders. However, city and state officials believe the recent patrols and public land enhancements are making a difference. We have people back out on the trail walking dogs, running and hiking. Its now a safer area for the community, said Natural Resources Law Enforcement Lt. Eric Stucki. Ghassan Al-Duhaini greets troops in Gaza. (photo credit: screenshot, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT) In an interview with N12 News, Al-Duhaini said that he fights Hamas "in the name of the people and the free individuals. The new leader of the Abu Shabab clan, Ghassan al-Duhaini, told N12 News on Friday that his militia would continue to fight Hamas in southern Gaza with greater intensity. "Why would I be afraid of Hamas when I am fighting Hamas? al-Dahini told N12. I fight them, arrest their people, confiscate their equipment, fight them, and push them away. I do what they deserve in the name of the people and the free individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage of Al-Dahini greeting members of his militia circulated on Telegram after the announcement. "The purpose of the video that was published is simple and clear: to show that the Popular Forces continue to operate, he told N12. It was meant to show readiness, to check the status of the forces and the guys there with high morale." Al-Duhaini was named as the head of the Abu Shabab clan after the former leader of the clan,Yasser Abu 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. members of the Abu Shabab Popular Forces militia in the Gaza Strip. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT) New leader of Abu Shabab clan speaks out Al-Duhaini was also wounded in the attack that killed Shabab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is true that the commander was dear to us and his absence is painful, but it does not stop the fight against terror. We continue with the same strength, and even with more determination. According to N12, he is 39 years old and belongs to the Bedouin al-Tarabin tribe, like his predecessor, Yasser Abu Shabab. He was the militias military commander before he stepped into his new role. Notably, he was a commander in a terrorist group in Gaza that was associated with al-Qaeda. He is considered one of Hamass most wanted individuals and was previously arrested by the terror group. He told N12 that the clan would work to push Hamas out of southern Gaza. "We will clear the area for the civilians, we will direct the fighting toward an area where only the force has weapons, an area that can be described as demilitarized. There are civilians there who believe in peace. We are preparing a safe place where they can be received properly." A new housing community is available for senior members of the LGBTQ+ community in Pittsburgh. Mosaic Apartments is on Forbes Avenue in Oakland, on property donated by UPMC and Pitt. It is meant to offer adorable housing to seniors in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The apartment is the first of its kind in Western Pennsylvania and only the second like it in the state. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Nov. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This day represents a first step forward in addressing the housing needs of an underserved population, said Jim Pieffer, President and CEO of Presbyterian SeniorCare Network. There is an urgent need for safe, welcoming spaces where LGBTQ+ seniors and their allies can thrive without fear of discrimination or exclusion. Those behind the project say theyre looking toward future communities as well. We also hope that this new community will spur people in existing apartment complexes to make them more LGBTQ friendly and more welcoming in the future as well, Pieffer said. The $28.5 million development was funded by public and private partners, including: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, Huntington National Bank, U.S. Bank, National Equity Fund, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and 20 other foundations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis Downey was one of the first residents to move in. He said he was excited. This move will be a huge win for me, Downey said. The impact this will have on my physical health, mental health and safety are obvious wins. However, the sense of community that Ive struggled connecting with over the years will be the biggest win for me. All 48 units in the complex are expected to be filled by the end of the year. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Afghanistan authorities say five people have been killed after an exchange of heavy fire with Pakistans forces along their shared border, as tensions between the South Asian neighbours escalate after peace talks in Saudi Arabia failed to produce a breakthrough. The governor of Afghanistans Spin Boldak district in the Kandahar province confirmed four civilian deaths on Saturday. Deputy Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitra later told Reuters news agency that shelling by Pakistan killed five people, including a Taliban member. Officials from both sides said the clashes broke out late on Friday night, with the two countries accusing one another of opening fire first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on X, the spokesman for Afghanistans Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Pakistani forces had launched attacks towards the Spin Boldak district, prompting Afghan forces to respond. A spokesman for Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it was the Afghan forces who carried out unprovoked firing along the Chaman border. Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens, spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement. Unfortunately, this evening the Pakistani side once again launched attacks towards Afghanistan in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, prompting the Islamic Emirate forces to respond. Zabihullah (.. ) (@Zabehulah_M33) December 5, 2025 Residents on the Afghan side of the border told the AFP news agency that the exchange of fire broke out around 10:30pm local time (18:00 GMT) and lasted about two hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ali Mohammad Haqmal, head of Kandahars information department, told AFP that Pakistan forces attacked with light and heavy artillery and that mortar fire had struck civilian homes. The clashes have ended, both sides agreed to stop, he added. Strained ties Relations have soured between Afghanistan and Pakistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, largely due to Islamabads accusations that Kabul is providing sanctuary to several armed groups, including the Pakistan Taliban (TTP). The TTP has waged a sustained campaign against the Pakistani state since 2007 and is often described as the ideological twin of the Afghan Taliban. Most recently, on Wednesday, a roadside bombing in Pakistan near the Afghan border claimed by the TTP killed three Pakistani police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan also accuses Afghanistan of sheltering the Balochistan Liberation Army and a local ISIL/ISIS affiliate known as the ISKP even though the ISKP is a sworn enemy of the Afghan Taliban. The Afghan Taliban denies the charges, saying it cannot be held responsible for security inside Pakistan, and has accused Islamabad of intentionally spreading misinformation and provoking border tensions. A week of deadly fighting on their shared border erupted in October, triggered after Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in the fighters stepping up attacks in Pakistan. About 70 people were killed on both sides of the border and hundreds more wounded before Afghan and Pakistani officials signed a ceasefire agreement in Qatars capital Doha on October 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That agreement, however, has been followed by a series of unsuccessful talks hosted by Qatar, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia aimed at cementing a longer-term truce. The latest round of talks, held in Saudi Arabia last weekend, failed to produce a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire. Despite the truce, Kabul has accused its neighbour of carrying out repeated air strikes in Afghanistans eastern provinces over recent weeks. One attack reportedly carried out by the Pakistani military on a house in Afghanistans southeastern Khost province in late November reportedly killed nine children and a woman. Pakistan denied that it carried out any such attack. Ricardo Hernandez/AP photo/screenshot The alleged drug boat hit with two American airstrikes in September was reportedly not bound for the United States. Admiral Frank Bradley, who oversaw the controversial double-tap bombing, told lawmakers on Thursday that the boat was set to meet and transfer drugs to a larger vessel, which the military was unable to locate. This second vessel was heading for the South American country of Suriname, two sources with direct knowledge of Bradleys remarks told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The admiral maintained that the strike was nevertheless justified, as the drugs allegedly onboard could still have made their way into the United States. The narrative contradicts President Donald Trumps initial statement after the strike was carried out, in which he claimed the vessel was heading to the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the same day that the boat was likely bound for Trinidad or another Caribbean country. The airstrikes sparked controversy this week after a Washington Post report alleged that a double-tap on survivors was initiated in order to comply with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths directive to the SEAL team in charge of the operation to kill every individual on board. A bipartisan group of lawmakers was briefed on the details of the strike by Bradley after widespread outrage over the kill order allegations. Bradley told the group that the two survivors of the initial strike were waving at something in the air before being hit, sources told CNN. It remains unclear whether the two were surrounding or attempting to ask for help from U.S. aircrafts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The briefing also included a video of the strike, which House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Jim Himes (D-CT) told reporters was one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service. Admiral Bradley denied that Hegseth gave the order, as have administration officials and Hegseth himself. The Secretary of Defense blamed the fog of war for the second strike during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The post NEW: Alleged Drug Boat U.S. Bombed Twice Reportedly Wasnt Even Heading to the States first appeared on Mediaite. As prices for many grocery staples soar, many Americans are turning to food pantries and community fridges to make ends meet. As Wisconsin Public Radio reported, the surging prices are fueling the need for more volunteers to keep pace with demand. But luckily, there are organizations that make it easy to save money on food, and you don't even need to leave your home to do it. The scoop As WPR noted, grocery prices are up 3% across the Midwest compared to the same time last year, according to the Consumer Price Index. That's why Kelsey Lutzow co-founded The Fridge in Green Bay, which is open 24/7 and provides people in need with all the basics, including fresh produce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only is this a great solution to help communities reduce the stress of rising food costs, but it also reduces food waste by keeping perishable items fresh that might otherwise be thrown away. The United States wastes about 30-40% of food supplies, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, yet sticker shock keeps getting worse at supermarkets. TJ Hobbs, a co-founder of Hope Fridge, said that their volunteers have to restock fridges multiple times per day to keep up with demand, and the food is often gone in hours or even minutes. Lutzow told the news outlet: "The everyday dollar and SNAP benefits just aren't stretching as far as they used to, and it's tough." But the online grocery store Martie, which offers shelf-stable pantry goods, snacks, and household essentials, can help you save up to 80% on brand-name goods, since it sources overstock and surplus items from other brands and ships them directly to customers. By shopping with Martie, you're also helping address the major global problem of food waste, which is the single largest component of landfill waste. How it's helping Visiting community fridges or shopping online with Martie are both great ways to help the planet by keeping food out of landfills while saving massively on groceries. If you're looking for a fridge near you, the Fridge Finder app and Freedge are free resources that include maps to make your search easy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other ways to cut down on grocery bills include hacks such as reusing leftovers, making lists before you shop, and storing food at the proper temperature so it lasts longer. What everyone's saying Community fridges are popping up everywhere, and they're not just helping people put food on the table they also help people come together and build connections. "It's just a really good way for neighbors to look after each other, especially in hard times," Lutzow told WPR's "Wisconsin Today." "For families that are right in that point of living paycheck to paycheck, it's just needing a little bit of extra help to make those ends meet," he added. 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. Gaza mediators Egypt and Qatar, and six other Muslim-majority countries have raised the alarm over Israels stated plan for a one-way opening of the Rafah border crossing, which would allow Palestinians to leave their territory, but not to return, and block the entry of humanitarian aid. Their warning comes as Israels genocidal war on Gaza continues unabated, with some 600 violations of the ceasefire in the last seven weeks, and reports that three people were killed in the latest round of attacks on Saturday in the northern town of Beit Lahiya. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement on Friday that expressed deep concern over a recent Israeli military announcement that the Rafah Crossing will open in the coming days exclusively for the exit of residents from the Gaza Strip to Egypt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement, which breaches Israeli obligations under the first phase of a United States-led peace plan, was made on Wednesday by an Israeli military unit called the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), stating that one-way crossing would be allowed with Israeli security approval in coordination with Egypt. However, Egypt and its cosignatories slammed the plan, expressing their complete rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land and stressing the need for Israel to fully comply with US President Donald Trumps 20-point plan, which calls for the Rafah crossing to be opened in both directions. Eight Arab and Islamic countries issued a joint statement expressing their deep concern over Israeli statements about opening the Rafah crossing in one direction, allowing Gaza residents to leave for Egypt#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/sW3Gg7rd09 Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) December 5, 2025 The Rafah crossing has been mostly closed throughout the war. Since the October 10 ceasefire took effect under Trumps plan, Israeli authorities have stalled on reopening it to allow desperately needed aid to enter and people requiring medical treatment to leave, citing Hamass failure to return the bodies of all captives and the need for coordination with Egypt. Only one captives body remains in Gaza, and retrieval has been hampered by the widespread destruction of the enclave under Israeli bombardment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministers said they appreciated Trumps peace efforts, which foresee the formation of a technocratic Palestinian government supported by a multinational stabilisation force under the supervision of an international board of peace, insisting that his plan move forward without delay or obstruction. They urged that conditions be established allowing the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities in Gaza, calling for sustainable peace that would enable the two-state solution to be rolled out, with an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, including Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Gaza featured prominently at the Doha Forum on Saturday, an annual diplomatic conference in Qatar, with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani saying that the two-month ceasefire was at a critical moment. We cannot consider it yet a ceasefire. A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of the Israeli forces, (and) there is stability back in Gaza, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also speaking at the conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that negotiations over the Gaza international stabilisation force (ISF) remained ongoing, including its mandate and rules of engagement, and that its main objective should be to separate Israelis and Palestinians along the border. Arab and other Muslim countries, which had expressed interest in providing troops for an ISF, had insisted the US include more defined language about Palestinian self-determination in the plan before a United Nations Security Council vote last month. Israeli attempts to stymie the move failed. Attacks continue despite ceasefire Meanwhile, Israel kept up intense attacks on Gaza overnight into Saturday morning, killing three people in a drone strike in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, where it was carrying out a demolition operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud said the victims were part of a group of family members who had been travelling to inspect their farm in the northern part of the Strip. Mahmoud said that Israeli sources had claimed the family had breached the so-called yellow line designating the area to which Israeli troops have withdrawn under the truce, but that members had not been aware they were in a dangerous and restricted zone. In other attacks, Israel pummelled Gaza with at least 20 air strikes across the enclave, including eastern Gaza city, the centrally located Maghazi refugee camp and the southern city of Rafah. There were also reports of artillery shelling and heavy fire from tanks and aircraft in areas where the Israeli military is currently stationed east of Khan Younis and Rafah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli gunboats attacked Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of Khan Younis, amid heavy gunfire and shelling. The Israeli army continues to control the southern and eastern belts of the Strip, along with large parts of northern Gaza, spanning more than 50 percent of the enclaves total area. Israels genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 70,125 Palestinians and wounded 171,015 since October 2023. U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva said she was pepper-sprayed Dec. 5 during protests responding to an immigration enforcement raid in Tucson. Protesters had assembled near Taco Giro, a Mexican restaurant that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had raided earlier that day. Grijalva, a progressive Democrat and a vocal critic of President Donald Trump's immigration policy, was in the area at the time of the protest, according to aide Nate Sigal. She headed to the scene after her staff was notified of the commotion taking place, Sigal said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos by a local television affiliate showed protesters carrying signs critical of ICE, and yelling at the officers as they detained people. Grijalva can be seen walking toward the officers, speaking with the officers, and coughing. In another video, which Grijalva posted online, a cloud of smoke can be seen bursting near the congresswoman's feet while she walks toward an officer. Protesters can be heard yelling in the background. It's unclear, based on the videos, whether the officers' actions were aimed specifically at Grijalva or part of a wider crowd control effort. What we know: Adelita Grijalva condemns Border Patrol raid at No More Deaths camp Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The community had stopped" a squadron of about 40 ICE agents, most of them wearing masks, Grijalva said in a video posted to social media. "They were afraid that they were taking people without due process." "When I presented myself as a Member of Congress asking for more information, I was pushed aside and pepper sprayed," she wrote. The Friday morning raid that sparked the protests was part of a wider sweep of the region. ICE spokesperson Fernando X. Burgos said officers from ICE Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, and other federal agents were executing 16 search warrants in southern Arizona as part of a years-long investigation into immigration and tax violations." Multiple individuals were in custody, Burgos wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burgos did not return The Arizona Republic's requests for comment on Grijalva's allegations. The incident comes two days after Grijalva blasted a Border Patrol raid that took place on Nov. 23 at a humanitarian aid camp on the House floor. Volunteers from the humanitarian group No More Deaths accused Border Patrol agents of entering a trailer at the camp without a warrant and arresting three undocumented migrants found inside. Grijalva called the raid an example of the cruel and unconstitutional immigration enforcement actions being carried out under the direction of the Trump administrations immigration crackdowns in southern Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. Customs and Border Protection official denied that the Border Patrol raid at the No More Deaths camp was unlawful. Arizona Democrats leapt to Grijalva's defense after the pepper-spray incident. Reps. Greg Stanton and Yassamin Ansari called the incident "outrageous" and "absolutely unacceptable." "Pepper-spraying a sitting member of Congress is disgraceful, unacceptable, and absolutely not what we voted for. Period," wrote Sen. Ruben Gallego. The Trump administration has used other protest altercations as the basis for legal action. Illinois congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, a Democrat, was among those charged for "impeding" an officer after she and other protesters stood in front of an immigration enforcement SUV entering a Homeland Security facility in the suburbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republic's Daniel Gonzalez contributed reporting. This is a developing story. Check www.azcentral.com for updates. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rep. Adelita Grijalva says she was pepper-sprayed during ICE protest Adelita Grijalva, an Arizona congressperson, said she was sprayed in the face during a protest against a federal immigration raid at a Mexican restaurant in Tucson on Friday. In a video filmed after the incident, Grijalva said she joined a group of protesters assembled outside Taco Giro, a small mom-and-pop restaurant in Tucson Grijalva said she visits weekly. By the time she arrived, she said, the protesters had stopped a squadron of dozens of mostly masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The protesters, Grijalva said, were afraid that they were taking people without due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second video shared by Grijalvas official account on social media shows a chaotic standoff between federal agents in tactical gear and protesters carrying anti-ICE signs. In the footage, Grijalva, a progressive Democratic representative, who has been sharply critical of the Trump administrations immigration policy, can be seen approaching the officers, as an agent sprays an orange chemical in the direction of the protesters alongside her. She then urges the officers to calm down and get out as she coughs. The agent holding a spray can orders the group to get out of the way as protestors yell. Related: US citizen chased by ICE in New Orleans says she was targeted because Im brown In a video clip taken from another angle, a projectile lands behind Grijalva, producing a cloud at the her feet as she steps toward an officer. When I presented myself as a Member of Congress asking for more information, I was pushed aside and pepper sprayed, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, DHS said immigration agents actions were not aimed at the representative. If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel, the DHS spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, said. But theyre not true. She wasnt pepper sprayed. She was in the vicinity of someone who was pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement. McLaughlin said two law enforcement officers were seriously injured during the clash. Presenting ones self as a Member of Congress doesnt give you the right to obstruct law enforcement, she added, promising more information forthcoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Fernando Burgos, an ICE spokesperson, said special agents as well as officers from the agencys homeland security investigations were executing 16 search warrants across southern Arizona as part of a years-long investigation into immigration and tax violations. Multiple individuals were taken into custody during the operation, he said. In a video filmed shortly after the incident, Grijalva, still coughing, says she arrived on the scene because she believed it was important for me to have eyes on whats happening here. I literally was not being aggressive, I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of Congress, she said, adding: I just can only imagine if theyre going to treat me like that, how theyre treating everybody else. Grijalva and other local officials praised the Tucson police department for helping to calm the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a joint statement, Regina Romero, the Tucson mayor and Lane Santa Cruz, the vice-mayor, both Democrats, said the enforcement operation in Tucson had rapidly escalated into violence against the public. Their disproportionate use of force, smoke grenades and pepper balls against the public, including our own Representative Adelita Grijalva, is not justified and cannot be tolerated, they wrote, encouraging bystanders to share video and photographs of the incident for potential investigation and follow-up. Arizona Democrats rallied around Grijalva. The representative Greg Stanton denounced the incident as outrageous while the representative Yassamin Ansari called it absolutely unacceptable. Senator Ruben Gallego wrote: Pepper-spraying a sitting member of Congress is disgraceful, unacceptable, and absolutely not what we voted for. Period. At a town hall in Tucson later that day, senator Mark Kelly called it horrific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grijalva was elected to Congress in September, winning a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of her father, the late representative Raul Grijalva. However, she was not sworn in as a member of Congress until last month, after the House returned from a weeks-long recess during the federal government shutdown. If federal agents are brazen enough to fire pellets directly at a Member of Congress, Grijalva wrote on Friday, imagine how they behave when encountering defenseless members of our community. AccuWeather meteorologists caution that numerous storms will press into the Pacific Northwest over the upcoming weeks, delivering repeated rounds of heavy rain and mountain snow across the region. Fueled by multiple atmospheric rivers, this active pattern carries the potential to unleash flooding downpours, spark mudslides, halt travel on highways and elevate the avalanche danger around the mountain peaks. AccuWeather.com Significant rain and blustery conditions this week A substantial storm is on track to arrive early week, marking the beginning of a period of increasingly frequent systems expected to impact the area through midmonth. Beginning Monday, the storm will start to unleash several inches of rain from western British Columbia, Canada, to western Washington and Oregon. AccuWeather.com While rain and showers will spread across the region through the end of the weekend, a more widespread and heavier event is in store for portions of Washington and Oregon come Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The storm early this week can bring a few inches of rain, which could fall over already saturated soils and lead to more widespread flooding near the coast, in valleys and in upslope areas that can trigger mudslides and rises on rivers and streams," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus. The most notable rainfall amounts expected from Monday to Wednesday night are 8-12 inches for the upslope regions and higher elevations of the Cascades. AccuWeather.com Across these mountainous zones, where significant flooding, landslides and road washouts could unfold, is where forecasters are highlighting the best chance for rainfall totals to approach the AccuWeather Local StormMax of 22 inches from the rain that falls from Monday to Wednesday night. As the early-week storm pushes onshore, winds will strengthen along the coast and across the Coastal Range. Coastal gusts are expected to reach 35-45 mph during the day on Monday, while eastern Washington and Oregon may have winds of similar intensity by Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farther inland, the storm's energy will set the stage for a blustery stretch across Montana, Wyoming and into the Dakotas on Tuesday into Tuesday night. Forecasters caution that residents in the Montana-Wyoming corridor may experience only a brief lull in the winds Tuesday night before the next approaching storm drives another round of gusts that could blow around holiday decorations or even cause property damage. AccuWeather.com Rising snow levels initially As the storm evolves, the precipitation type and the associated hazards will change as moisture advances across the Washington Cascades. Forecasters say that rising snow levels and an influx of warmer Pacific air will shape the risks in the coming days. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A push of warmer air from the Pacific will accompany the moisture from the atmospheric river, causing snow levels to rise later Tuesday into Wednesday in the Washington Cascades. Wet snow could slow travel along U.S. Route 2 near Stevens Pass Monday night into Tuesday, but eventually that wet snow should change to rain during the day Tuesday into Wednesday as snow levels rise," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski noted. "However, the warmer air mass, heavy rain and rising snow levels will raise the risk of avalanches heading into midweek across the Cascades as heavy rain falls on top of a snowpack," warned Pydynowski. AccuWeather.com Pydynowski added that mainly rain is expected on I-90 through Snoqualmie Pass during the duration of the event from Monday to Wednesday. Beyond the Monday to Wednesday storm, additional storm activity will persist through the latter half of the week, and potentially extend into the week before Christmas. This rampage of rain, wind and mountain snow will only compound the hazards brought by the first storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The risk of flooding, mudslides, travel-snarling mountain snow and avalanches will remain elevated. As cooler air filters into the region later this week, snow levels are likely to drop, potentially sinking to near sea level and broadening the areas that could experience disruptive snowfall. Over the highest mountain peaks in the northwestern United States, there is the potential for feet of snow in the double digits to fall over the next few weeks. In the upcoming weeks and as the winter holidays draw closer, heavy rain and reduced visibility can cause flight delays and cancellations at area airports. Impacts of this nature during the busier holiday travel season can result in a domino effect across the nation's air traffic grid. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. China's deployment this week of a naval fleet led by a Type 075 amphibious assault ship in the Philippine Sea has triggered a rapid response from Australia. Canberra deployed a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to track the flotilla, reviving security concerns raised after an unprecedented circumnavigation of the Australian continent by a People's Liberation Army (PLA) fleet nine months ago. US satellite images, first reported by Australian media on Wednesday, confirmed the presence of the Chinese warships and a nearby helicopter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Based on the images, three of the four Chinese naval ships were identified by their hull numbers: the Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan, the Type 055 destroyer Yanan, and the Type 903A replenishment ship Luomahu. Imagery also appeared to show the Hainan breaking formation and sailing away while the destroyer and the replenishment ship conducted a resupplying operation. The Hainan is China's first 40,000-tonne landing helicopter dock and was commissioned in 2021. The fourth Type 075, the Hubei, went into service in August and recently completed drills elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starboard Maritime Intelligence, a New Zealand-based company, said on Tuesday that the Chinese fleet was operating 300 miles (483km) east of the Philippines, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation this week. Admiral David Johnston, chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), said on Wednesday that the Australian military had deployed a P-8 to monitor the fleet, which was spotted on Tuesday evening local time about 500 nautical miles (926km) north of Palau. Johnston also said it was unclear where the task force was likely to sail next. In June, he said that Australia had seen a greater Chinese navy presence in its immediate region in recent years and expected to see extended PLA deployments in the region. The current flotilla comes about nine months after rare live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, conducted by a Chinese task group led by the Type 055 destroyer Zunyi. The fleet also carried out a circumnavigation of Australia, which included sailing near a strategically sensitive defence facility off Western Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Monday that the ADF had been tracking the PLA fleet. "We do not have a sense of where it is going, but we continue to monitor it," he said. China's foreign ministry said on Monday that PLA naval vessels always operated at sea in accordance with international law, while the defence ministry said last week that many Chinese ships were currently carrying out missions in various locations. The current fleet is larger than the Zunyi-led February operation, which also included the Type 054A frigate Hengyang and the Type 903 replenishment vessel Weishanhu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is rare for a PLA destroyer to sail near Australian waters. Previously, a Chinese destroyer made a friendly visit to Sydney port in 2019. The Type 075 Hubei went into service on August 1. Photo: CCTV alt=The Type 075 Hubei went into service on August 1. Photo: CCTV> The four-vessel naval flotilla now operating in the Philippine Sea appears to have varied mission objectives, given that its leading vessel is a Type 075 amphibious warship designed to project power from sea to shore - a key capability for island-landing missions. The PLA Navy has four Type 075 vessels. On Tuesday, the Chinese military released images of the Hubei conducting what it called "high-intensity, multi-subject training" at an undisclosed location, adding that it was leading a naval formation to sharpen combat capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China now operates the world's largest navy by hull count, with more than 370 ships and submarines, including three aircraft carriers, enabling the navy to reach further across the Pacific Ocean. The country is also testing the Sichuan, a Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the first of a new generation of vessel equipped with an electromagnetic catapult. 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. Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Frank Gehry, one of the most influential architects of the latter 20th century, died at age 96 at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., on Friday, a spokesperson announced. Gehry was afflicted with a brief respiratory illness before his death, his chief of staff told NPR. Among his most renowned works are the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, which is a unique structure built of titanium that opened in 1997 and is regarded as his most famous work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The design ushered in the era of emotive architectural design and was followed by the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles in 2003, the New World Center in Miami in 2011 and the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris in 2014, among others. During his career, Gehry won the Pritzker Prize in 1989, the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects in 1999, British Building of the Year in 2004 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. The Fondation Louis Vitton is seen during its inauguration at the Bois de Boulogne in Paris on October 23, 2014. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI Upon accepting the Gold Medal from the AIA, Gehry said: "It's like finding out my big brothers love me after all." He pioneered the use of computer design in architecture and is credited with triggering the era of "iconic architecture" that spurs the revitalization of decaying cities, Rowan Moore of The Guardian said in 2019. Many consider the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, to be a masterpiece that was designed by U.S. architect Frank Gehry, who died at age 98 on Friday. Photo by Luis Tejido/EPA Gehry was born Frank Owen Goldberg in Toronto on Feb. 29, 1929, moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1947 and later legally changed his surname to Gehry to avoid anti-Semitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1950 and founded his architecture practice in Los Angeles in 1962 after serving in the U.S. Army and completing his studies in architecture at the University of Southern California and urban planning at Harvard University, according to CNN. One of his first works was to convert a small bungalow that he bought in Santa Monica using affordable materials, such as chain-link fencing, cinder blocks, corrugated metal and plywood. "A few people got excited about it," he said during a 2008 discussion with TED founder Richard Saul Wurman. That excitement led to the many projects already listed, as well as Chicago's Millennium Park; a performing arts center on the former site of the World Trade Center in New York City; the Facebook building in Menlo Park, Calif.; the Eisenhower Memorial in the nation's capital; and many others. U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty and other central Ohio community leaders commemorated the 20-year anniversary of Ohio becoming the first state to have a day to memorialize Rosa Parks, the late Civil Rights icon who sparked a 13-month long bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. Around 250 people gathered Dec. 5 at the Vitria on the Square near Ohio State University to celebrate 20 years since Beatty's legislation that designated Dec. 1 as Rosa Parks Day in Ohio. The legislation was signed by former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, who was also in attendance. U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, speaks with news media before the 20th annual statewide tribute to the late Rosa Parks on Dec. 5 at Vitria on the Square in Columbus. "We have made progress," Beatty said in an interview with Columbus media before the event started. At the same time, she also emphasized that "the battle continues" to bring quality education and health care to people in Columbus and across the country . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Beatty, the event featured COTA President and CEO Monica Tellez-Fowler, OSU President Ted Carter, U.S. Rep. James Clyburn and Ed Gordon, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and author. "This is an event about courage and doing the right thing when nobody's looking," Carter said. When asked about the connection between the history of the Civil Rights Movement and accusations that the federal government is trying to erase and distort Black history and how it's taught in schools, Carter said it was "always important to speak the truth." U.S. Reps. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, left, and Jim Clyburn speak at an annual event honoring Rosa Parks on Dec. 5 at Vitria on the Square in Columbus. Tellez-Fowler said COTA regularly uses "Parks' lens" when thinking of ways to make the public transit service more equitable for all its customers. "Rosa Parks did not set out to become a political figure; she set out to correct a wrong," Tellez-Fowler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Beatty and Clyburn fielded questions from Gordon on the history and impact of the Civil Rights Movement, its misconceptions and myths, educating today's youth about activism and where the United States is headed. Clyburn also talked heavily about his third book, "The First Eight." The two leaders also discussed religion, faith and learning from past civil rights activists. "I'm not giving up on this country, and I'm not giving in to the opposition," Clyburn said. Who was Rosa Parks? Even before Parks' decision to refuse to go to the back of the bus at the demands of a White bus operator, sparking a 381-day Black boycott of buses in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks was active in the Civil Rights struggle within the South and was well-known in political circles. Parks served as the secretary of the NAACP Montgomery chapter, and she worked on a host of issues affecting African Americans. She investigated cases of police brutality and the pattern of sexual assault of Black women by White men in the South and advised the local NAACP Youth Council, where she taught nonviolent ways to challenge Jim Crow racism and segregation. A picture of Rosa Parks on a public bus. Parks refused to give her seat to a white passenger at the demands of a white bus operator, sparking a 13-month bus boycott. While Parks was thrust into the national spotlight for her refusal to yield her seat to a White passenger, she was not the first Black woman to do so. Just months before, police arrested Claudette Colvin, 15, for refusing to give up her seat to a White passenger. In October 1955, police arrested an 18-year-old maid named Mary Louise Smith for a similar reason. But the arrests of both women didn't stir action among Montgomery's Black elite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beatty acknowledged the efforts of both Smith and Colvin as well as Parks and said that Civil Rights leadership at the time had a reason for using Parks as an icon for the boycott. "Timing is everything, and I think when those who were there reflected back in 1955, I think they made a decision that [Parks would be] the profile," Beatty said. "Whether that's good or bad, she was the profile." While reasons behind this have swirled, the explanation given by historians is that NAACP leaders felt that Parks would be a better, more respectable face that could galvanize support from other organizations and the public. Colvin was poor and was impregnated months after her arrest, and Smith was from a poor area of Montgomery. Parks, on the other hand, was middle-class, viewed as respectable and well known among political circles due to her activism. "Unlike Claudette Colvin or Mary Louise Smith, Parks was the perfect woman to rally around," said Danielle McGuire in her book, "At The Dark End of the Street." After Parks' arrest, support from a wide swath of workers' and Civil Rights organizations poured in, sparking the boycott and putting pressure on the Montgomery bus system to desegregate their buses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Rosa Parks legacy celebrated by hundreds in Columbus, Ohio A business degree remains one of the top choices for people looking to move from high school to higher education. No matter how the world changes, there will always be a need for people in business, whether it is old school or new school. The people behind Niche conducted a deep dive into the top colleges with business programs in the United States. There is always a need for a strong foundation before making the leap into the real world of working for a living. Here are the top 25 business schools. 25. University of Miami Overall School Ranking: 49 24. University of California, Berkeley Overall School Ranking: 48 23. University of Illinois Overall School Ranking: 47 22. Boston College Overall School Ranking: 45 A view of the statue of Saint Ignatius Loyola at the campus of Boston College. 21. University of Texas Overall School Ranking: 41 20. Northeastern University Overall School Ranking: 39 19. Boston University Overall School Ranking: 38 18. University of North Carolina Overall School Ranking: 37 17. NYU Overall School Ranking: 34 Students from the class of 2025 attend the NYU 192nd Commencement Ceremony. 16. Emory University Overall School Ranking: 33 15. Washington and Lee University Overall School Ranking: 31 14. University of Florida Overall School Ranking: 30 Field & Fork Student Gardens is located across from Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. Overall School Ranking: 29 12. University of Virginia Overall School Ranking: 26 11. University of Notre Dame Overall School Ranking: 25 The Golden Dome on top of the University of Notre Dame's Main Administration Building is seen through the trees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 10. Johns Hopkins University Overall School Ranking: 24 9. Northwestern University Overall School Ranking: 22 8. Cornell University Overall School Ranking: 21 7. UCLA Overall School Ranking: 20 UCLA Bruins student fan section. 6. University of Michigan Overall School Ranking: 19 5. Georgetown Overall School Ranking: 17 Georgetown University Law Center student Ruija Guo poses as her friend Xiao Xiao takes photos at the tidal basin in Washington D.C. 4. Carnegie Mellon Overall School Ranking: 15 3. Washington University Overall School Ranking: 13 2. University of Pennsylvania Overall School Ranking: 12 1. Rice University The Rice University mariachi band plays the national anthem before the Houston Dynamo FC play the Portland Timbers. Overall School Ranking: 10 This article originally appeared on The List Wire: A Texas college headlines the top business schools in 2026 The Hopper is where Washington lawmakers file proposed bill language. (Courtesy of the Washington Legislature) Washington lawmakers are warming up for a sprint. Theyve been pre-filing bills and holding press conferences this week, knowing theyll have just 60 days to drive their policy ideas through the legislative process once next years session starts Jan. 12. Being proactive, they hope, will get them on the radar of committee and caucus leaders who hold great sway on what legislation will be considered. Competition will be tough. Hundreds of bills introduced but not enacted in the last session are already well-positioned for early votes in the House or Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at a few new bills now in the hopper. Tax the protest Not a single Republican legislator voted this year for a new law imposing the retail sales tax on more services, such as temporary staffing, certain digital advertising, and security services. Now that this tax law is in effect, a Republican state senator wasted little time in pursuing a change to make sure it covers the profession of protesting. A protester in a chicken suit at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility south of downtown Portland on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Photo by Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle) With Senate Bill 5819, Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, proposes to expand the definition of temporary staffing services to include providing workers as paid protestors to any person, business, or other entity for limited periods of time to supplement or support a public protest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coverage of protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland sparked Christians interest. You see some people over and over on the protest lines, he said. If its happening here, or if a group is paying Washington residents to protest in Oregon, it probably should be subject to the tax, he said. This idea came from the other side of the aisle, saying theres no such thing as a paid protester, Christian said. If the state thinks it can get some money, well, any money is better than nothing with the budget situation. Embracing nuclear power Washington has doggedly pursued ways to slash greenhouse gas emissions and curb the states appetite for fossil fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It means securing greater supplies of clean energy to power homes, cars and businesses. Solar, wind and hydropower are cornerstones of the states strategy. Some heavyweight lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle think nuclear energy should be one as well. Identical bills pre-filed in the House and the Senate push the state to more aggressively embrace nuclear energy. They direct the state Department of Commerce to publish a nuclear power strategic framework identifying opportunities and obstacles to encouraging, enticing and permitting development of new fission nuclear power generation facilities. Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, and House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, teamed up in the House while Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia and Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, are the lead sponsors in the Senate. There is a catch. Commerce will not get any state dollars. It must secure enough private funds to do the work, or it wont get done. Other tax matters This week brought proposals to impose a new tax on businesses, restore a tax break on bullion and hike a fee used to help new car buyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jeremie Dufault, R-Selah, wants to reinstate a tax exemption on the sale of precious metals and bullion. It is one of a handful of tax breaks Democrats eliminated last session with Senate Bill 5794. If the tax break comes back, the state would lose out on $129 million over the course of this budget and the next one. Rep. Shaun Scott, D-Seattle, is forging ahead with his proposed new tax targeting large employers with high-paid workers. Under his bill, companies with more than 20 employees and $5 million in gross receipts would pay a tax on payroll expenses for those workers earning more than $125,000 a year. He held a press conference Tuesday to tout it. Two Democratic senators filed the first fee increase proposed for the next session. It comes at the request of the Attorney General Nick Brown. The bill from Sens. Marcus Riccelli of Spokane and Derek Stanford of Bothell would increase the fee auto buyers pay for the new motor vehicle arbitration account to $6. It is now $3. It would be the first update in over three decades to the fee, according to the attorney generals office. Money is used to help new vehicle owners who have problems with warranty repairs. The account is projected to run into a deficit this fiscal year and an increase would ensure it remains financially solvent. Tuition break Washingtons higher education institutions are reeling from lawmakers handiwork last session that led to budget cuts, tuition hikes and a crimping of the states generous financial aid programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enter Rep. Julia Reed, D-Seattle, with an attempt to reset the scales. Her legislation titled Adjusting higher education funding would cut tuition by 10% a year for three school years starting in the fall of 2027 and expand eligibility for the Washington College Grant program. To pay for the changes, she proposes to erase the cap on annual payments of the states advanced computing surcharge. This may be a sticking point. This tax is paid by firms with global revenue above $25 billion think Microsoft and Amazon and is spent to expand student access to higher education through efforts like the Washington College Grant. Under a law passed last session, the annual cap on payments, now $9 million, will rise to $75 million per taxpayer on Jan. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The notion of erasing it completely came up last session. It may be too soon to revisit. Political hate crimes Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is once again proposing to make it a hate crime to assault or threaten a person, or damage their property because of their political affiliation. This isnt his first attempt. Earlier this year, when the state Senate debated and approved an expansion of the states hate crime law, Fortunato offered an amendment to add political affiliation to the laws roster of characteristics, such as race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation At the time, Fortunato cited an incident at Washington State University in which a student, described as a Republican and member of Turning Point USA, was reportedly attacked by two university employees while wearing a Trump 2024: Take America Back hat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If were going to protect people from violence based on who they are or what they believe, then that must include political views, Fortunato said at the time. Otherwise, the law is just a political tool for the majority party. In Washington, hate crime offenses are a class C felony that carries a potential penalty of up to 5 years behind bars, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The Black Death which ravaged Europe in the Middle Ages was triggered by a volcanic eruption, experts believe. It is thought a volcanic eruption or eruptions caused temperatures to drop for consecutive years due to the haze from volcanic ash and gases, which in turn caused crops to fail across the Mediterranean. The University of Cambridge studied ancient tree rings and found unusually cold and wet summers in 1345, 1346 and 1347, across much of southern Europe in the years leading up to the plague. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To combat the shortfalls, Italian city states began importing grain from farmers in the Black Sea region, and inadvertently brought in fleas carrying the bacterium Yersinia pestis, responsible for the Black Death. Tree ring samples studied by researchers - Ulf Buntgen 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. Although the new grain trade routes helped avoid famine, the ships enabled the first and deadliest wave of the plague to gain a foothold in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Martin Bauch, a historian of medieval climate and epidemiology from the Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe. But ultimately, these would inadvertently lead to a far bigger catastrophe. Plague origins The Black Death was one of the worst pandemics in human history. It devastated European populations from 1346 to 1353 and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people 60 per cent of the population. But despite intense multidisciplinary research, its geographic and chronological origins have remained in doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although it was assumed ships from the Black Sea had imported the deadly bacteria, it was never clear why grain was needed so urgently in the first place. The new study suggests that volcanoes forced climatic downturn led to poor harvests, crop failure and famine. As a consequence, the Italian maritime republics of Venice, Genoa and Pisa imported grain from the Mongols of the Golden Horde around the Sea of Azov in 1347. Once the plague-infected fleas arrived in 14th-century Mediterranean ports on grain ships, they infected humans and rapidly spread across Europe, devastating the population. The theory is boosted by the fact that some larger Italian cities, such as Milan and Rome escaped the Black Death because they never needed to import grain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In so many European towns and cities you can find some evidence of the Black Death, almost 800 years later, said Prof Buntgen. Here in Cambridge for instance, Corpus Christi College was founded by townspeople after the plague devastated the local community. There are similar examples across much of the continent. The researchers say the perfect storm of climate, agricultural, societal and economic factors after 1345 led to the Black Death can also be considered an early example of the consequences of globalisation. The research was published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. 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. It happened again. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to quickly seek the return of a man it deported to Guatemala in violation of an immigration courts finding that he was likely to face torture there. U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama scolded the administration for the blatant lawlessness of its decision to deport Faustino Pablo Pablo to Guatemala, despite the mans urgent warnings to immigration officials that he faced serious danger in his home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guaderrama, an El Paso, Texas-based Obama appointee, ordered the administration to return Pablo by Dec. 12 and to provide daily updates about its efforts in the meantime. The judge noted that the administration repeatedly acknowledged the unlawful and wrongful nature of the mans deportation and had, in recent days, suggested it would seek to bring him back to the United States. But despite a tentatively scheduled flight on Thursday, the judge said, Pablo was not returned to the country and appeared to remain in Guatemala. A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security said that should Pablo return, hell be redeported somewhere else. "This illegal alien from Guatemala has a final order of removal from an immigration judge issued in 2015. He received full due process. One thing is certain: he is not going to be able to remain in the U.S. We will deport him to another country," said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs for the Department of Homeland Security, in a statement on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If a judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period," she added. Pablos situation is strikingly reminiscent of the illegal deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who the administration abruptly sent to El Salvador in March, despite an immigration judges 2019 order that he was likely to face persecution at the hands of a local gang. Abregos case drew national headlines after a judge ordered the administration to quickly facilitate his return prompting fierce resistance from the White House and top Homeland Security officials, who denounced Abrego and excoriated judges that ruled against them. The administration has acknowledged several other improper deportations, including a man sent to El Salvador despite a court-approved settlement agreement barring his deportation while his asylum claim was pending, a man who was sent to Mexico despite immigration officials acknowledgment that they had no record of a credible fear interview to determine whether he might face persecution, a man deported to El Salvador where he remains incarcerated despite a federal appeals court order barring his deportation , and a transgender woman deported to Mexico despite an immigration court order finding she was likely to be tortured there. Pablo entered the United States illegally in 2012. Though an immigration judge ordered his removal, the judge also concluded that he would face torture by, or with the consent or acquiescence of, the Guatemalan government. After he was released from immigration detention in 2013, Pablo resided in California and reported regularly to immigration officials until Nov. 5, when he was abruptly detained at an immigration check-in. His attorney quickly notified immigration officials about Pablos protection from deportation to Guatemala, the judge indicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 17, Pablo was transferred to El Paso and told he was being prepared for deportation to Guatemala. He quickly sued to secure his release from detention but was nevertheless deported on Nov. 20, before Guaderrama could intervene. By the time the Court ordered [the administration] not to remove Pablo Pablo, he had arrived in Guatemala City, Guaderrama wrote. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Michaela Benthaus has taken numerous parabolic flights carrying out unique accessibility experiments. And she's about to go to space. | Credit: AstroAccess Blue Origin is gearing up for its NS-37 flight, which will rocket six passengers to suborbital space and back. One traveler on board that mission, which does not yet have a set launch date, is Michaela "Michi" Benthaus. Her voyage carries special significance: She is on a trajectory to become the first wheelchair user in space . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, Benthaus became wheelchair-bound after a mountain biking accident resulted in a spinal cord injury. Passionate about space travel, Benthaus was selected to fly in 2022 with AstroAccess on a parabolic flight, becoming one of the first wheelchair users to test accessibility experiments in weightlessness . Since then, Benthaus' journey has included 18 parabolas and first-of-its-kind accessibility experiments , with a focus on demonstrating innovative methods for making sure that differently abled people can anchor, maneuver and secure themselves in microgravity. Paving the way Currently, Benthaus is at the TUM School of Engineering and Design in Munich, Germany and is a young graduate trainee at the European Space Agency (ESA). AstroAccess is a project of SciAccess, Inc., dedicated "to promoting disability inclusion in human space exploration by paving the way for disabled astronauts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Founded in 2021, AstroAccess has conducted five microgravity missions in which disabled scientists, veterans, students, athletes and artists perform demonstrations onboard parabolic flights with the Zero Gravity Corporation the first step in a progression toward flying a diverse range of people to space . The message from AstroAccess: "If we can make space accessible, we can make any space accessible." The six passengers on Blue Origin's upcoming NS-37 suborbital spaceflight. | Credit: Blue Origin Historical context Former NASA official Alan Ladwig considers the upcoming suborbital launch of Benthaus as "a historical flight." He is the author of "See You in Orbit? Our Dream Of Spaceflight" (To Orbit Productions, 2019). Ladwig's career at NASA began in 1981, when he joined as a program manager for the Shuttle Student Involvement Project. He later played a significant role in the Space Flight Participant Program, which was designed to allow civilians, including teachers and journalists, to experience space travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "First, some historical context," Ladwig told Space.com. In June 1984, the space shuttle program's STS-41D mission experienced an abort at T-4 seconds. The six astronauts safely egressed, but it was a moment of high anxiety, he said. "In 1985, a National Finalist for the Journalist in Space Program was a paraplegic," Ladwig said. "Citing the STS-41D incident, an astronaut complained to me that it would be highly dangerous if this person would have been selected. If getting out of the [shuttle] orbiter needed to be done quickly, how was he supposed to exit safely with a paraplegic? At this point, safely flying a civilian was controversial, much less a person with a disability." Michaela "Michi" Benthaus is on a trajectory to become the first wheelchair user in space. | Credit: AstroAccess Equal opportunity Ladwig recalled that the late Harriet Jenkins, who was the head of the then NASA Office of Equal Opportunity, led a study on the possibilities for people with disabilities to fly on the space shuttle. "If memory serves me, her report came out in late 1985 and back in the day when equal opportunity wasn't considered woke," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the space shuttle Challenger accident in January 1986, Jenkins' report was quietly put on the back burner, Ladwig said. "In any case, after the accident, it was clear it would be a long time before any [other] civilian would fly on the space shuttle, much less a person with a disability," he said. John McFall, a reserve astronaut with the European Space Agency, standing in a mockup International Space Station module. | Credit: ESA ESA's Parastronaut project But times have changed. For example, the ESA astronaut class selected in November 2022 included John McFall , a former Paralympic athlete, Ladwig said. His selection was part of a Parastronaut Feasibility Project to determine if people with disabilities can safely participate in a mission to the International Space Station . "The study, completed in 2024, concluded it was feasible to integrate a person with a disability on ISS," said Ladwig, "but I'm not aware of any specific plans to do so." FRANKLIN, Kan. A key piece of Southeast Kansas coal mining history made the move Friday from an old coal field in northeastern Cherokee County to its final home in Franklin, Kansas. Derrick Tilton and his crew with Tilton & Sons House Movers hauled the first piece of the 250-ton Page 618 walking dragline about 25 miles to the intersection of Kansas Highway 47 and U.S. Highway 69. The 105-foot boom from the dragline was moved in about four hours with no serious glitches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this move went great. It was as good as to be expected or even better, Tilton said. We got it done and arrived at our destination quite a bit faster than we thought we would. Traffic was great, we had a few traffic hiccups but other than that traffic was great. There wasnt anything unexpected that happened.It just worked really well. Im so excited and Im relieved, Phyllis Bitner, chair of the Miners Hall Museum Foundation, said Friday afternoon. It has been over 10 years weve been talking about this project and over three years since we knew we had the funding and we were making preparations." Tilton said more equipment will have to be removed from the dragline and hauled separately to the Franklin site before the next big move happens in late winter or early spring 2026. Weve still got some disassembly of the main body of the dragline, more components to come off, Tilton said. Then well get ready to pick the unit up, see what it weighs, see what our axle requirements will be, bridge studies that may need to be done, and go from there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bitner said she's happy this move happened and worked out well. Its one more step to assembling an eye-catching piece of mining history in a place where thousands of travelers can see it and maybe stop to learn more about the regions mining history. We want to preserve this wonderful history at the Miners Hall Museum, Bitner said. You can ask just about anyone who lives in the community, most have a connection to the mining. It might have been their dad or their grandfather or great-grandfather. It might have been them who worked in the mines. ... Everyone had a connection to that mining history, it was very very important to Southeast Kansas. So thats just a part of what our mission is, to preserve that history and we think this dragline is a big part of it. The Page 618 dragline is one of only two of that model remaining out of 18 that were manufactured, according to Miners Hall Museum. A critical system failed as a fighter jet was landing on an aircraft carrier earlier this year. The $60 million F/A-18 fell off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman and into the Red Sea. A new Navy investigation shows how the landing unraveled in a matter of moments. As the fighter jet landed on the aircraft carrier, a critical piece of the landing system blew apart, shot across the machinery room, slammed into equipment a sailor had been sitting at only moments earlier, and then hit the deck spinning like the Tasmanian devil. "Something bad just happened," a sailor in the room said as he raced to get help. The other sailor who narrowly avoided catastrophe suffered a minor injury and had their headset ripped off in the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the arresting gear cables the tensioned wires that US Navy fighter jets hook onto during landings at sea had broken as the crucial machinery that absorbs the landing plane's force came apart beneath the flight deck. The failure destabilized the F/A-18 Super Hornet that had just touched down. Asymmetric forces threw the aircraft off-center. With no chance of regaining flight, the aviators ejected as it shot off the deck and into the sea. It all unfolded in a matter of seconds. A new Navy investigation into the disastrous landing, reviewed by Business Insider prior to its release on Thursday, highlights how quickly routine carrier operations can go terribly wrong. The May 6 incident, which injured two naval aviators, marked the second Super Hornet loss in a matter of days and the third overall for the carrier USS Harry S. Truman's Middle East deployment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The command investigation into the costly mishap details how one of the carrier's arresting cables failed to stop the fighter jet, which left a trail of sparks and flames as it flipped off the flight deck and into the Red Sea. Aircraft carriers have multiple arresting cables on the flight deck. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Logan McGuire Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the Navy's Carrier Strike Group 8, led by the Truman, said in the investigation that the loss of the $60 million fighter jet was "entirely preventable." A rough landing The Truman and its strike group spent months in the Red Sea leading Navy combat operations against the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen that had been attacking important Middle East shipping lanes. Flight operations were running at a higher tempo, with the carrier launching and recovering aircraft dozens of times a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For aircraft recoveries, Nimitz-class carriers like the Truman typically have four arresting cables tensioned across the flight deck to catch the tailhook of a landing plane and decelerate it instantly. On May 6, as the two-seater F/A-18F was landing that night, everything looked normal right up until the jet hooked the arresting cable. Arresting gear sailors heard what sounded like an explosion, parts were flying around the machinery space, and on deck, sparks were shooting out of the jet, followed by flames. It was dark, and the air boss overseeing the flight operations and landing signal officers, unaware that the cable had parted, thought the fighter's engine had ingested foreign object debris. The carrier Truman suffered multiple mishaps during its Middle East deployment. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mike Shen The aircraft was leaning left as it moved down the landing zone. "POWER!" the lead LSO called. "ROTATE, CLIMB!" The fighter jet was traveling too fast to stop, but not fast enough to take off. A back-up LSO realized the aircraft wasn't climbing and made the call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "EJECT, EJECT, EJECT!" the officer called out. The aircraft rolled and then knife-edged at 90 degrees. Moments later, it plunged into the Red Sea. The "man overboard" call went out a minute after the plane first touched the deck. Sailors on the flight deck didn't see any parachutes deploy after their cockpit ejection amid the disarray, but a few minutes later, they saw the two aviators illuminate their flashlights in the water around 100 yards away. Twenty minutes later, a rescue helicopter and swimmers arrived on scene to recover them. The aviators suffered minor injuries. The 'critical point of failure' The command investigation blamed the mishap on a mix of factors, including the ship's high operational tempo, understaffing, and errors by the arresting gear operator, who ensures the system is ready to counteract the landing aircraft's momentum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the investigation, "the primary contributor in the chain of events that led to the mishap" was inadequate maintenance on the sheave damper crosshead and clevis pin, components of the arresting gear system. The room where a carrier's arresting cables are operated. US Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza The root cause, the investigation report said, was "the material failure of the clevis pin." The pin lacked a washer, a small part that helps keep the system in place. That maintenance oversight ended with a jet in the water and two aviators overboard. It's possible this mechanism had been loosening for some time before the mishap, the investigation said. A missing washer could allow the pin in the arresting gear to work loose and shear off, ultimately causing internal parts in the gear to come apart under and the arresting cable to break. Sailors across the board were poorly trained, the investigation determined, and a maintenance support sailor who was supposed to inspect the arresting cable and its mechanisms hadn't thoroughly done so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, acting head of Fleet Forces Command, wrote in a letter attached to the investigation that Truman's leadership across all levels "allowed the air department's aircraft launch and recovery equipment maintenance program standards to decline, ultimately leading to a critical point of failure." The May 6 incident was the fourth major mishap that the Truman and the rest of its strike group suffered during the monthslong Middle East combat deployment. In December, the cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down one of the Truman's F/A-18s. A few months later, in February, the carrier collided with a commercial vessel. And in April, just over a week before the arresting cable incident, a fighter jet and a tow tractor fell overboard as the carrier made a hard turn to evade incoming Houthi missile fire. Read the original article on Business Insider LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A family is asking for the communitys help after their home was burglarized and the thief stole $70,000 worth of designer pieces. Everything felt so unreal, one family member said. You know? A brazen crime was caught on camera in the southwest valley in November; a man broke into a home with a mask, sunglasses and gloves. He was later seen on video leaving with a bag of items valued around $70,000, according to the owners. A family is asking for the communitys help after their home was burglarized and the thief stole $70,000 worth of designer pieces. (KLAS) When I looked through the camera, we saw this tall dude, a family member told 8 News Now. And he seemed to know where the cameras were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither person wanted to share their identity for safety reasons, but they believe they were targeted. The thief knew where to find a Birkin bag, a Rolex watch and over a dozen other designer pieces in the closet, according to the family. My mom, she lost this Rolex shes been keeping for like 20 years, one person said. And she just felt so sad when she lost it. The crime also happened right after dusk, they said, when both were still out of the house. Both came home to doors and windows shattered and the closet ransacked. The neighborhood is really safe, they said. So Im not sure why we were targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family filed a police report, but officers havent made any arrests and their things are still missing. They hope by sharing their story, they can find someone who might know something so they can track down their prized possessions they didnt expect. Please help find this suspect, because um its just a very unfortunate thing that happens to us, one family member said. And we never wish this upon anyone. Hopefully, we can find the culprit, another family member added. And she just wants her stuff back. Anyone with any information is asked to call Las Vegas Metropolitan Police at 702-828-3111. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can also contact Crimestoppers of NV at 702-385-5555 or report tips online to remain anonymous. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Safety advisories for Caribbean islands may have travelers thinking twice before taking a tropical vacation, but a new report shows there are several islands with extremely impressive safety records. The safest island in the Caribbean was Saint Barthelemy, according to a study from travel platform Going. The company said the island is known for its "exceptional security" and for having the lowest crime rates. Popular among luxury travelers, the small island is renowned for its high-end resorts, exceptional nightlife, and top-notch shopping. The U.S. State Department also classifies the French West Indies, of which St. Barts is included, under its lowest Level 1 travel warning, telling Americans to "exercise normal precautions" when going there. "This tiny island maintains French law enforcement standards, excellent healthcare facilities, and tourism infrastructure that prioritizes visitor safety above all else, Going wrote in its report, calling St. Barts "ultra-exclusive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planning a Caribbean vacation should focus on relaxation and adventure, not safety concerns, Going wrote in its report. Some destinations are viewed as safer than others, whether due to tourism infrastructure, weather-related events, or otherwiseand that goes for Caribbean destinations, like anywhere else in the world." Following Saint Barts was Anguilla, which was also ranked one of the safest islands in the Caribbean for its "strong British Overseas Territory governance and a tourism-focused economy." The island was also lauded for "comprehensive emergency services." Anguilla was recently named the safest country in the Caribbean in World Population Review's Global Peace Index, and is considered one of Travel + Leisure readers' favorite islands for 2025. Aruba rounded out the list of the safest Caribbean destinations, according to Going, thanks to its location outside the hurricane belt, "well-trained local police, excellent healthcare infrastructure," and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Anguilla and Aruba were similarly classified under the State Department's lowest Level 1 travel warning. Beyond these, the Cayman Islands, Barbados, Turks and Caicos, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Grenada were also considered safe for visitors, according to the report. To come up with its list, Going looked at different safety-related metrics, including crime rates, healthcare infrastructure quality, emergency response capabilities, political stability indicators, and more. While there are exceptionally safe destinations across the Caribbean, the State Department has warned against traveling to Haiti, classifying the country under its highest "Level 4" warning "due to kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited health care." Earlier this year, the department also issued a Level 3 advisory for Trinidad and Tobago, telling Americans to "reconsider travel" there. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure A cold front is pushing into Central Florida, bringing widespread rain chances to Orlando and surrounding areas this weekend. Saturday, December 7 Cloudy with Afternoon and Evening Showers Expect mostly cloudy skies across Central Florida with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms developing in the afternoon and continuing into the evening. Rainfall will be light for most, but a quick downpour is possible. Winds will occasionally gust to 20 mph. Highs near 80F. Sunday, December 8 Wettest Day of the Weekend Rain chances increase significantly on Sunday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will begin late morning, becoming more widespread through the afternoon and evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some areas could see brief heavy downpours with rainfall totals up to inch in a short time. The steadiest rain arrives Sunday evening. No severe weather or thunderstorms are expected. Highs drop to the mid-to-upper 70s. Monday and Beyond Drying Out and Cooler Rain ends by early Monday morning (December 9). The rest of next week looks mostly dry and pleasant across Central Florida with highs in the low to mid-70s through Friday. Summary for Orlando & Central Florida Friday & Saturday: Near 80F with increasing clouds Sunday: Highs 7578F, best rain chance (especially evening) MondayFriday: Cooler and mostly dry, highs 7276F Stay weather-aware this weekend if you have outdoor plans in Orlando, Daytona, or anywhere in Central Florida! Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Chicago police have issued a warning about a series of disturbing crimes that start on a dating app. The sexual assaults and robberies happened in Woodlawn on the city's South Side. Police say they've received reports of three incidents where women went to meet a man and he led them into an apartment. Then, police say the man showed a gun, assaulted the victims, and took their belongings. The suspect also used the victim's phones to transfer money from their accounts, CPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incidents date back to October. Chicago police said the crimes happened at the following locations and times: -6400 block of South Ingleside Avenue on Oct. 3 around 3 p.m. -6400 block of South Ingleside Avenue on Oct. 17 around 12:07 a.m. -6400 block of South Drexel Avenue on Dec. 4 around 11 a.m. No arrests have been made as Chicago police continue to investigate. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood Chicago police are looking for the person behind attempted sexual assaults in Logan Square. Two incidents were reported last month, on Nov. 22, on Sawyer Avenue and Schubert Avenue about an hour apart, police said. The victims told police a man came up to them, battered them and tried to restrain them. Police say sexual assault was likely the motive. The victims were able to get away in each incident Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police released a picture of the suspect in a gray sweatshirt and jeans. SEE ALSO | Chicago police issue warning after sexual assaults, robberies in Woodlawn linked to dating app Anyone who recognizes the suspect has been asked to call police. CPD said the crimes happened at the following locations and times: -2600 block of N. Sawyer Ave. on November 22, 2025, at 2:32 a.m. (Logan Square) -3100 block of W. Schubert Ave. on November 22, 2025, at 3:23 a.m. (Logan Square) No arrests have been made as Chicago police continue to investigate. China's omission of the term "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" from a new policy paper suggests its "tacit acceptance" of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, as Beijing gives priority to its strategic rivalry with Washington, according to analysts. Late last month, China released a white paper on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, outlining its national defence and nuclear policies. The document was an update of a 2005 white paper and contained a notable shift - within the paper's overall "non-proliferation" clause, it did not refer to China's traditional support for the peninsula's denuclearisation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. "With regard to the Korean peninsula issue, China adopts an impartial stance and adheres to the right approach of always working for the peace, stability and prosperity of the peninsula and the resolution of the Korean peninsula issue through political means," it said. "China calls on relevant parties to desist from an approach based on aggressive deterrence and coercion, restart dialogue and negotiations, and play a constructive role in resolving the Korean peninsula issue through political means and realising lasting peace and stability on the peninsula." However, in its 2005 arms control and non-proliferation white paper, Beijing said "China supports denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, in 2017, another white paper on China's policies on Asia-Pacific security cooperation said Beijing was "committed to the denuclearisation of the [Korean] peninsula, its peace and stability, and settlement of the issue through dialogue and consultation". Zhao Tong, senior fellow at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that in the past year and a half, Beijing had "clearly shifted away" from mentioning "denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula in its official statements and policy documents. "If Beijing can no longer bring itself to utter the phrase 'denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula', that is, in effect, tacit acceptance of a nuclear-armed North Korea," Zhao said. "Under repeated pressure from Pyongyang, Beijing now appears to have decided to accommodate North Korea's demand to drop the nuclear issue, an issue that had repeatedly complicated bilateral relations in recent years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing's apparent policy shift comes as its ties with Pyongyang improve. In September, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended China's military parade in Beijing and held summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In their talks after the parade, Xi and Kim pledged to "strengthen strategic coordination in international and regional affairs to safeguard common interests", according to Chinese state media. It was a contrast from Xi's last visit to Pyongyang in 2019, when he told Kim that China was willing to play a "positive and constructive role in achieving denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and long-term stability in the region". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zhao said Beijing's decision to not publicly invoke denuclearisation reflected a "broader recalibration" prioritising strategic competition with the United States. But he said the approach risked "inevitably" weakening Beijing's capacity to press Pyongyang on nuclear restraint. "Beijing seems to have concluded that keeping North Korea close and preserving China's geopolitical leverage on the peninsula matters more than cooperating with Washington to curb Pyongyang's nuclear expansion," Zhao said. North Korea has advanced its nuclear programme in recent years, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with weapons and, more recently, troops in the armed conflict in exchange for Russian aid and weapons technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a military parade in Pyongyang in October, North Korea rolled out its latest solid-fuelled Hwasong-20 intercontinental-range ballistic missiles (ICBMs), reportedly with technological help from Russia. The event was attended by Li Qiang, the first Chinese premier to visit the country in 16 years. Meanwhile, Kim has repeatedly rejected US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's proposals to resume denuclearisation dialogue, insisting that recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state must be a condition of any talks. Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at the US-based Rand Corporation, said Beijing appeared to have adopted a "pragmatic approach" by accepting a nuclear-armed North Korea as a reality. "China's shift is probably driven in part by Russia's active support for [North Korea's] nuclear weapons programme," Heath said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow's support made it easier for Pyongyang to build its nuclear weapons inventory, he added, and "puts pressure on China to at least maintain a neutral stance on the issue to maintain stable ties with North Korea and Russia". Patrick Cronin, the Asia-Pacific security chair at the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute, said China wanted to project itself as the "most principled defender of denuclearisation" on its own terms. Cronin said China's posture served as "a subtle protest" against the US' strengthening of extended deterrence alongside South Korea and Japan, and as a way to "deflect growing international pressure to rein in Pyongyang's expanding nuclear programme". Extended deterrence refers to the US policy of assuring its allies and partners of deterrence against attacks from adversaries by providing a security umbrella, including the use of nuclear arsenals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington has used the policy for decades to deter allies such as South Korea and Japan from developing their own nuclear arsenals. The strategy has helped maintain a non-proliferation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region, despite China and North Korea's growing nuclear capabilities. The new white paper said China "firmly opposes" nuclear sharing, extended deterrence and other arrangements that "undermine" the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism. It also urged "relevant countries" to stop deploying nuclear weapons abroad. Without identifying the US by name, the paper said a "certain country" sought "absolute strategic superiority" by constantly expanding its armaments, strengthening combat readiness and provoking bloc confrontation. Heath said China's "acquiescence" to North Korea as a nuclear-armed power meant there was a risk that America's regional allies would seek protection from those weapons either through the US' extended nuclear deterrence or by developing their own. North Korea has made advances in its nuclear programme in recent years. Photo: KCNA alt=North Korea has made advances in its nuclear programme in recent years. Photo: KCNA> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington could respond by modernising and upgrading its nuclear weapons capabilities to protect America's allies, which "may mean more US nuclear bombs in the Indo-Pacific region", he said. "China's acceptance of North Korea as a nuclear-armed power may buy stability" in ties between Beijing and Pyongyang, Heath added, but it was likely to "worsen the overall security situation in Asia". Washington has also shifted away from its traditional approach to seeking a denuclearised Korean peninsula. In October, the Trump administration granted South Korea approval to build its own nuclear-powered submarine and start updating their bilateral atomic energy pact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came after Lee said Seoul needed to improve submersibility in its naval fleet to track Chinese and North Korean submarines. Washington's blessing was seen as a pivot from its decades-long opposition to Seoul securing its own nuclear abilities out of the concern that nuclear-powered submarine technology could lead to the development of nuclear weapons. Kang Jun-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, called China's new white paper an "indirect expression" of Beijing's view that denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula would be "difficult" to achieve, considering both Koreas' development of nuclear-powered submarines. "From China's perspective, on the one hand, the introduction of South Korean nuclear-powered submarines into the Korean peninsula, with US approval, is a sign of the influx of nuclear materials for military use," Kang said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On the other hand, given North Korea's existing illegal nuclear development and its claim that it is building nuclear-powered submarines, continuing to talk about the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula may be unreasonable." The North Korean leader announced in 2021 that his country planned to build its own nuclear-powered submarines. Despite scepticism about North Korea's technological expertise, the plan appeared to be materialising in March when Kim visited a shipyard that, according to Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency, was building a "nuclear-powered strategic guided-missile submarine". Amid those advances, the US has put pressure on US allies to spend more on their own defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elbridge Colby, US undersecretary of defence for policy, has said that "all options" should be on the table to ensure South Korea's security, including its nuclear armament in the face of a nuclear build-up in North Korea and China. Zhao said the US nuclear umbrella had long helped to contain proliferation pressures, which were now increasingly originating "from Washington's own allies". "Yet Beijing's competition-first orientation has amplified its suspicion that Washington is using extended deterrence as a pretext for expanding forward deployment of US nuclear capabilities in the region to constrain China," Zhao added. "The secrecy surrounding Beijing's ultimate objectives - what end state it envisions and what military purpose a substantially larger arsenal is meant to serve - has put the United States on course to reverse decades of nuclear reductions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. In October, the Greenville Tourism and Convention Advisory Board heard presentations from four different organizations that requested hotel occupancy tax funds to help with projects aimed at promoting tourism. This Tuesday, members of the Greenville City Council will vote on how much each of those organizations will receive from the designated $50,000 in funds, which are from taxes collected from local hotels/motels, bed and breakfasts and other lodging facilities. The organizations/projects were the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum, the North Texas Fishing Lure and Tackle Show, Greenville Rotary Clubs Cotton Patch Challenge bike ride and the United States Police Canine Associations Region 20 K-9 trials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum requested $39,300 but the tourism advisory board recommended $28,900. If approved, the funding will be for the museums programs, such as its Audie Murphy Day celebration, gun shows, Munzee at the Museum and motorcycle poker run. Meanwhile, the North Texas Fishing Lure and Tackle Show requested $10,000 but the board approved $5,000. If approved, the funds will be used to help with general costs associated with the event such as advertising, signage and complimentary items for youth and bass club members. Another group seeking funds to help with event promotion was the Greenville Rotary Club, which requested $20,000 but the board approved $12,500. If approved, the funds will be used for expenses associated with the Rotary Clubs annual Cotton Patch Challenge bike ride, including branded shirts, porta-potties, rest stop supplies, advertising and police/security. Lastly, $3,600 was requested to help with advertising and promotion for the 2026 USPCA Region 20 K-9 trials, which will be held in Greenville. The board approved the requested amount of $3,600. A. Guses letter to the editor, From street takeovers to shootings, Milwaukee lawless city, reminded me of the adage perception is reality. How we perceive something often forms what we believe to be true, regardless of objective fact. The writer is certainly correct in that this city has its problems, including violent crime, reckless driving and incidents of unruly crowds, which are valid concerns for all of us. However, I also feel the writer paints Milwaukee and its leaders with a broad brush. Ive lived in the city all my 68 years and spent 35 of those years as a social worker with Milwaukee Public Schools, traveling on a regular basis to just about every neighborhood in the city. Never once in doing my job or going about my personal business have I ever been threatened or a victim of crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letters: Our water and our bodies are all victims of plastic waste Are good fortune and being able to identify potentially dangerous situations factors? Perhaps. The latter is just good sense. But I also think most citizens of this city are law abiding and trying to do their best, many under difficult circumstances. The daily lives of most Milwaukeeans are nonstories in that they dont make the news. So, if Guse and others feel Milwaukee is unsafe or "lawless," they certainly have a right to that personal truth, its just not my reality, nor that for most of us who choose to live here. John Thiele, Milwaukee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: HRAs could address major problem in Obamacare marketplace Opinion: Bucks did all they can to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy Tips for getting your letter to the editor published Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Calling Milwaukee 'lawless' is not reality for most here | Letters A 53-year-old man will spend years behind bars after he was convicted of malice murder for the 2023 shooting death of a 23-year-old man in Clayton County. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A Clayton County jury found Frederick Scott, 53, guilty of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, and firearm possession during a felony. The conviction stems from the shooting death of 23-year-old Niang Djine on December 29, 2023, in Morrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Clayton County District Attorneys Office, the shooting happened after Scott felt disrespected by Djine looking at his wife outside the Social Security Office. Last week, a Clayton County judge sentenced Scott to life in prison with the possibility of parole plus five years. TRENDING STORIES: We hope this conviction brings peace to the family of Mr. Djine and that the citizens of Clayton County can rest easier knowing a violent offender has been removed from our streets, said District Attorney Tasha M. Mosley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the trial, detectives recovered surveillance footage that shows Djine standing outside the Social Security Office with a friend scrolling on his phone. Surveillance footage captured the moment when a black Dodge Caravan drove by slowly, stopped briefly, and a shot was fired, hitting Djine in the stomach. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The DA said surveillance video captured Scott in possession of the gun used in the shooting. Scotts wife testified that Scott was upset because Djine looked at her as she exited the office. Djine, originally from Senegal, did not speak English and had no prior interaction with Scott or his wife before the shooting, according to the DAs office. BALTIMORE Maryland delegates and insiders are assessing who might succeed outgoing House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, after Del. C.T. Wilson confirmed he is running for the position, and Dels. Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, and Jheanelle Wilkins, all Democrats, emerged as other front-runners on Friday. House Democratic Caucus Chair Emily Shetty told The Baltimore Sun that all four potential candidates have shown what she called the kind of legislative leadership Jones cultivated within the caucus. Each, she said, has steered major policy initiatives and negotiated complex bills that have shaped the state. Its never been about [Jones] but about the institution, the future of our state, and ensuring that great policies will pass, Shetty said. She added that her focus in the coming weeks will be guiding the caucus through a constructive and ultimately peaceful and unifying election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speaker is the presiding officer of the Maryland House of Delegates. In addition to working alongside the governor and Senate president on state policy, they also typically control the legislative agenda, appoint committee members, and help approve the governors budget. As the speaker, Jones made an annual salary of more than $71,000. She resigned Thursday, but said she would retain her position as a delegate representing District 10. While sitting delegates have refrained from early endorsements, former state Sen. Jill P. Carter who served two decades in the legislature in both the House and the Senate and worked closely with most of the contenders said Pena-Melnyk stands out as the most qualified. Carter described her as a seasoned leader with strong relationships in both parties, particularly compared with Barnes, who represents the same district. Joseline is a strong leader already, Carter said, citing what she described as Pena-Melnyks record of mentoring colleagues, fundraising for the Democratic Caucus and maintaining an open-door, compromising approach. Even though she hails from Prince Georges, she understands the importance of Baltimore, and Im certain she will support legislative initiatives to benefit our city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter said she was more skeptical of Barnes potential bid. I dont know why [Barnes] is purportedly running, she said. He has a powerful position but may not have quite an established track record of building relationships. A progressive grassroots leader, who requested anonymity to be frank about their organizations work, told The Sun that progressive members in the House have called him to express support for Pena-Melnyk as well. During the 2019 speaker race, this leader said, their group publicly opposed then Del. Dereck Davis bid for the Houses top job. The group plans to meet on Tuesday to pick which House delegate to back for speaker. Even though we didnt endorse previously, we just opposed, this leader said. But now theres precedent that we come together to try to influence the process. And its just happening so quickly that Ive got to figure out where exactly our base stands on this, including our allies that we work very closely with [including] several members that are in elected positions in office. The contenders As of Friday, four lawmakers, who are all Democrats, expressed interest in the speaker position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson, 52, represents Charles County. When elected in 2011, he became the countys first Black delegate. He is a U.S. Army veteran and Chair of the House Economic Matters Committee. In 2023, Wilson was named The Suns Marylander of the Year after becoming the driving force behind the states landmark Child Victims Act an effort he had long been pushing that drew statewide attention after he delivered an emotional testimony in 2019 about surviving childhood sexual abuse. Pena-Melnyk, 59, has represented Anne Arundel and Prince Georges counties since 2007. She is a Dominican immigrant and chairs the Health and Government Operations Committee. Earlier this year, Pena-Melnyk was the lead sponsor of the House bill that created the Workgroup on Pediatric Hospital Overstays and Unlicensed Settings. Its mission took on even greater import after a 16-year-old foster girl, Kanaiyah Ward, who was being housed in an East Baltimore hotel, was found dead of suicide on Sept. 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnes, 50, has also represented Anne Arundel and Prince Georges counties since 2007. Barnes serves as the General Assemblys chief deputy whip and the chair of the House Appropriations Committee. In 2024, Barnes proposed measures to help stabilize funding for victimservice programs statewide, including efforts to secure consistent state support for services like rapecrisis centers and domesticviolence shelters. Wilkins, 37, has represented Montgomery County since 2017. She is a Jamaican immigrant and serves as the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. Earlier this year, Wilkins led efforts to push a bill that would have created a commission to study reparations for descendants of enslaved people. It was vetoed by Moore and is likely to resurface this session. Wilkins also led Maryland relief efforts after Hurricane Melissa hit her hometown in October as a Category 5 storm. High stakes Filling the speakership comes a month shy of legislators return to Annapolis with a long list of priorities for the 2025 legislative session. Maryland faces a projected $1.4 billion budget deficit, an issue legislative leaders expect to dominate the session. Lawmakers also want to address rising energy costs, while Ferguson is preparing an immigration reform package focused on limiting local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both chambers may also weigh Moores push for redistricting reform, a debate that has raised concerns among some lawmakers about potentially eliminating the states lone Republican congressional district. Carter stressed the stakes of the moment. The speaker and the Senate president control the agenda, they decide what lives and dies. No bill gets through without their blessing. These positions call for policy-savvy architects, Carter said. The top qualities the next speaker should have are: coalition builder, fiscal steward and budget strategist, and balanced, fair-minded policy broker. As speaker, Jones was the most powerful delegate in the House. She played a key role in determining the chambers legislative agenda and selected delegates to key roles on committees. Jones was also the Houses senior-most spokesperson and often liaised with Senate President Bill Ferguson and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to execute the Maryland Democrats legislative agenda. The Maryland Democratic Caucus will select its nominee for speaker on Dec. 16. What makes an ideal speaker? Delegates weigh in Del. Caylin Young, a Baltimore City Democrat, called all four viable options, noting that each chairs an influential committee a marker, he said, of their ability to build broad support among colleagues. But Young told The Sun he remains undecided and that candidates will need to earn his vote, given the long-term significance of the speaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he is looking for someone who prioritizes the Baltimore region, health across the state and bringing new voices and diverse choices to the table. Im very much trying to evaluate the character and the leadership of each member because thats going to really dictate how they are beyond just negotiating to get the role, Young said, adding that he wouldnt write any of them off because of the unpredictability of House speaker races. Jones made history in 2019 as the first woman and first African American elected speaker, succeeding her mentor, Mike Busch, the states longest-serving speaker. She emerged as a compromise choice after neither Del. Maggie McIntosh of Baltimore nor Del. Dereck Davis of Prince Georges County secured enough support. Del. Brian Chisholm, a Republican representing Anne Arundel County, said the qualities he values most in the next speaker is a genuine willingness to engage in fair, open debate and to show respect for colleagues with differing philosophical viewpoints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Del. Andre Johnson, a first-term Democrat from Harford County, said the transition carries enormous weight for rank-and-file members like him. He described Jones departure as leaving a significant void, and said he is looking for a speaker who communicates consistently, leads with clarity, and embodies integrity, moral courage, and the ability to make decisions that serve all Marylanders not just the loudest voices or the political winds of the day. The next speaker must bring unity, transparency and steadiness to our caucus at a pivotal time, he said. (Tinashe Chingarande contributed to this article.) MONDAY, Dec. 8 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS: A Christmas ornament craft will be held at the Lucasville Library at 6 p.m. for adults over the age of 18. The library is located at 103 OH-728, Lucasville. PARKINSONS SUPPORT: The Portsmouth Area Parkinsons Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. at Hill View Retirement Center in the room beyond the main entrance, 1610 28th Street. Friends and family are always welcome. Call (740) 456-7574 for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FREE PLANETARIUM SHOW: A free show will be offered at 7 p.m. at the Clark Planetarium in the Advanced Technology Center on the campus of Shawnee State University. Free shows are offered on Mondays and Thursdays. Learn more about the planetariums shows at www.shawnee.edu/planetarium. TUESDAY, Dec. 9 HANDMADE HOLIDAY: The Portsmouth Public Library will host Handmade Holiday between 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. At the event, patrons will be invited to craft ornaments, jewelry and other keepsakes to give as gifts for the holidays. Staff will also be available to wrap the gifts made at the event. Refreshments, snacks, and other activities will also be going on at that time. It is free for all ages. The library is located at 1220 Gallia St, Portsmouth. BOARD OF HEALTH: The Portsmouth City Board of Health will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. in the first-floor conference room at the Portsmouth City Health Department, located at 605 Washington St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CIVIL SERVICE: The Civil Service Commission will hold their monthly meeting at noon in the conference room at the Portsmouth City Health Department, 605 Washington Street, Portsmouth. WATER DISTRICT: The regular board meeting of the Northwest Regional Water District will be held at 7 p.m. at the Thomas E. and Lois E. Slye Annex located at 123 Smith Street, McDermott. THURSDAY, Dec. 11 SCIOTOVILLE SCHOOLS: Sciotoville Community School will hold its regular December governing board meeting at 5:30 pm in the library of East High School. CHRISTMAS CRAFTS: The Wheelersburg Library will have a 3D Christmas tree craft at 4 p.m. At the event, patrons under the age of 12 will craft trees out of cardstock. The library is located at 10745 Gallia Pike, Wheelersburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: The Scioto County Commissioners will meet in regular session at 9:30 a.m., on the third floor of the Scioto County Courthouse, 602 Seventh St., Portsmouth. The commissioners meeting is also livestreamed on their Facebook page. FREE PLANETARIUM SHOW: A free show will be offered at 7 p.m. at the Clark Planetarium in the Advanced Technology Center on the campus of Shawnee State University. Free shows are offered on Mondays and Thursdays. Learn more about the planetariums shows at www.shawnee.edu/planetarium. FRIDAY, Dec. 12 BOOKMOBILE: The Bookmobile will be at Lett Terrace between 3-5 p.m. for a winter craft that uses battery tealights to make melted snowmen. The craft is for children under the age of 12. Officials from various Arab states seem to agree that the Gaza deal must move to the next phase, but are unwilling to send their own personnel to contribute. A number of officials from various Arab states gathered in Doha over the weekend for the Doha Forum. They appear to be coming together in a consensus regarding Gaza and the need for the Trump-backed ceasefire deal to move to a new phase. The White House also appears to want this to happen. Among the statements at the Doha confab, there was Egypts Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who said on Saturday that the rapid deployment of an international ceasefire monitoring force should happen soon under the second phase of a peace deal for the Gaza Strip, Arab News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters on Saturday that a credible Palestinian civil administration and a vetted, trained police force should be in place to allow Hamas to disarm, saying the group is prepared to hand over governance of the enclave. Qatar pushes for next phase Qatar, which hosts the forum, is also pushing for movement to a new phase in Gaza despite one hostage still being held in Gaza. Doha appears to believe that the new phase can happen before all the hostages have been handed over. The ceasefire deal requires Hamas to hand over all the hostages. Negotiations on consolidating the US-backed truce in the war in Gaza are at a critical moment, Qatars Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said on Saturday. Mediators are working to force the next phase of ceasefire forward, the Qatari prime minister, whose country has been a key mediator in the war, said during a panel at the Doha Forum conference in Qatar. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during an interview with Reuters at the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum, in Doha, Qatar, December 6, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA) Al-Arabiya said that the Board of Peace, which is supposed to help post-war Gaza, should meet by the end of the year. Al-Arabiya also focused on Qatars views on the negotiations to keep the deal going. Egypt is also clear that it wont have the Rafah crossing open solely to have Gazans displaced and leave. Israeli officials have hinted that the crossing will open to let Gazans leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the war, some Israeli officials have tried to get Gazans to leave, including announcing plans that they could move to Egypt, Libya, or other countries. None of these plans came to fruition, and Egypt has been clear that it will not collaborate in any initiative that sees Gazans displaced, where they leave but cannot return. The concept of opening the border solely for people to leave is viewed by Cairo as a plan to get rid of Gazans. It said in Doha that I will not abide by this concept and that any border opening must enable two-way traffic, meaning people can also go into Gaza. It is now clear that most of the Arab countries, as well as Turkey, want to see the international stabilization force deployed to Gaza. They want to see this happen as part of the new phase. They appear to believe that Israel is stalling and dragging out the ceasefire without enabling new initiatives to take shape. However, although all countries want to see the new phase begin, they dont seem ready to send their own personnel to the international force. Turkey appears to want to contribute, but Jerusalem has opposed Ankara having an expanded role in Gaza. This is because of concerns that Ankara backs Hamas. This creates significant complexity in reaching the next phase. The Trump administration may have to be more involved to work with the Arab and Muslim countries regarding Gaza and the next steps. Felonies The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Friday at 11 a.m. Dewey Baldon, 41, of New Albany, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, two counts of possession of a Schedule II drug. Destiny Blade, 31, of Baldwyn, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of methamphetamine, no insurance, no tag, possession of paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles A. Burns, 34, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of parole. Wesley Andrew Ford, 59, of Mooreville, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of methamphetamine. Casey Perez Gaston, 38, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capias for possession of cocaine. John Mark Harmon, 42, of Mantachie, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of methamphetamine. Javontae Z. Harris, 30, no address listed, was arrested by the Baldwyn Police Department, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Jason Chadwick Haughton, 47, of Nettleton, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, capias for home repair fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick K. Jackson, 40, homeless, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of methamphetamine. Quartaveus Keshawn Lyles, 24, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of post-release supervision. Brant E. McCullom, 29, of Mantachie, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, two counts of home repair fraud. Jose Enrique Pena, 22, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, cyberstalking, kidnapping, sexual battery, harassing phone calls, simple assault on a minor. Mary E. Silas, 54, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, open container. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frankie Turner, 39, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, aggravated domestic violence. Lee County Sheriffs Office The following reports were filed Friday by the Lee County Sheriffs Office. A County Road 2788, Baldwyn, woman said a black car pulled into her driveway around 3:45 p.m. A Black male got out and walked into her shed. He then left the property. When deputies arrived on the scene, it was determined that a package was dropped off by a delivery service. A Bentgrass Circle, Saltillo, man walked out at 7 a.m. and discovered the rear passenger window of his 2021 GNC Sierra was broken. He said nothing was taken, and he left nothing of value in the truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man said he drove past a County Road 885, Saltillo, house he owns and noticed that someone had kicked in the front door. The man stopped to check on the property when a skinny white male in his late-30s came out of the door. The unknown suspect left walking north. He said nothing was taken from the house, which has no electricity and has no been occupied in more than five years. Anyone with information on any of these crimes is urged to call the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way. Donald Trump and senior members of his administration have dramatically escalated their hostile language towards immigrants in the US after an Afghan man was named a suspect in last weeks shooting of two national guard members in Washington DC. In recent days, the US president has made sweeping statements, claiming that there were a lot of problems with Afghans, and went on a tirade against Somali immigrants, calling them garbage whose country of origin stinks. Critics have described the recent derogatory remarks as alarming, awful, dehumanizing and vile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just hours after the shooting, and after authorities reported that the suspect had arrived in the US in 2021 through a Biden-era evacuation program for Afghans and was later granted asylum under the Trump administration, the US president declared: We must now re-examine every single alien from Afghanistan who has entered our country under Biden. JD Vance took up the baton when he commented on the shooting. We will first bring the shooter to justice, and then we must redouble our efforts to deport people with no right to be in our country, he said. Several other Republican lawmakers went even further. The US senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama called via X for an immediate ban on all ISLAM immigrants and to DEPORT every single Islamist who is living among us just waiting to attack, while Texas congressman Chip Roy urged the administration to stop importing Islamists. Deport Islamists. Reject Sharia law. Defend our Western Civilization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That evening, US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an immediate suspension of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols. Over Thanksgiving, Trump vowed to strip US citizenship from naturalized immigrants who undermine domestic tranquility, said he would permanently pause migration from all third-world countries and deport any Foreign national deemed non-compatible with Western Civilization. When pressed by a reporter during Thanksgiving remarks on whether he was blaming all Afghans for one mans actions, Trump replied: No, but weve had a lot of problems with Afghans, adding: Many of these people are criminals. In the same address, Trump turned his attention to Somali immigrants, whom he has increasingly targeted in recent weeks after reports of government fraud among pockets of Minnesotas large Somali population the largest Somali community in the US, most of whom are US citizens or legal permanent residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you look at Somalia, theyre taking over Minnesota, Trump said. Asked what Somalis had to do with the DC shooting, he responded: Nothing, but Somalians have caused a lot of trouble. Related: Ilhan Omar says Trump made racist anti-Somali tirade because he knows he is failing He singled out Democratic representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota who came to the US from Somalia as a refugee when she was a child and became a US citizen in 2000 when she was 17 accusing her, without evidence, of having probably entered the US illegally, and said she is always wrapped in her swaddling hijab. Then, in a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump described Somali immigrants as garbage who contribute nothing. He added: Their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks. We dont want them in our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the remarks an epic moment. Omar called Trumps remarks vile, while saying they were not a surprise. She also hit back with an essay in the New York Times on Thursday saying Trump is lashing out at her and her community with bigotry because he knows he is failing. Meanwhile, the homeland security secretary Kristi Noem endorsed what she called a full travel ban on every damn country thats been flooding our nation with killers, leeches and entitlement junkies. The administrations intensified rhetoric has been accompanied by further restrictions on immigration, including halting the ability of Afghans to obtain US visas, pausing immigration applications filed by immigrants from 19 non-European countries and halting all asylum decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Administration officials have also said that there will be an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Minnesota. Top White House adviser Stephen Miller defended the various sweeping measures, dismissing an editorial by the Wall Street Journal arguing that the alleged shooting by an Afghan partner shouldnt condemn all who assisted the US [military mission in Afghanistan] and now live here. This is the great lie of mass migration, Miller wrote on X. You are not just importing individuals. You are importing societies. No magic transformation occurs when failed states cross borders. At scale, migrants and their descendants recreate the conditions, and terrors, of their broken homelands. In response to the intensifying anti-immigrant rhetoric and new restrictions in the wake of the shooting, Democratic lawmakers and immigration advocates have accused the administration of using the tragedy to advance its anti-immigrant policies, and have warned that xenophobic rhetoric creates danger and could lead to violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Church World Service, a faith-based group that helps resettle refugees, issued a statement denouncing what it described as the administrations campaign of collective punishment after the shooting. In a joint statement this week, several Democratic lawmakers described Trumps comments as xenophobic and unacceptable. Susan Benesch, the executive director of the Dangerous Speech Project, a research group that studies speech that can inspire violence, said that xenophobic language was not new for Trump. But what stood out to her this time was the virtual silence from [other] Republicans objecting to the rhetoric. When Trump described several African nations, as well as Haiti and El Salvador in 2018 as shithole countries, a number of Republicans condemned the remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benesch said the rhetoric over the last week was alarming and awful. She said Trumps garbage remark was a classic form of dehumanization. If you use dehumanizing, degrading and frightening rhetoric about groups of people, and then you also take significant policy decisions against them, then those decisions reinforce the impact of the language, she said. Lynne Tirrell, who specializes in the intersections of language with social and political philosophy at the University of Connecticut, described Trumps statements as reckless speech. Trumps rhetoric, she says, licenses people to go ahead and call Somalis garbage because the president said it, and it seeps into the culture in a way that licenses everyday, ordinary people to use this language and to possibly follow through with non-linguistic behaviors of how you treat garbage. That, to me, is terrifying, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the ground in Minnesota, Dieu Do, a community organizer with the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, said that she has already seen a spike in panic and fear among Somali residents and a noticeable uptick in ICE operations in the state in recent days. The leaders rhetoric, she said, is placing a very clear and visible target on the backs of not only Somali immigrants, but immigrant communities from the African diaspora, and also all immigrant communities. Shawn VanDiver, CEO of #AfghanEvac, said many Afghan refugees in the US that he has spoken to are afraid to leave their homes and feeling terrified and attacked. Jeff Joseph, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), said the administrations claims of concerns around improper vetting of Afghan refugees just ignores the reality of the immigration situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having represented individuals who have gone through the Afghan process, the special immigrant process, they are vetted by the US military, theyre vetted by the Department of Justice, they fill applications out and go through biometrics processing, he said. Joseph said that, in general, he supports continuing to look at and finding ways to improve vetting procedures but said that is not what the new policies do. Instead, he said, the administration is targeting entire countries with a sledgehammer and pausing applications for asylum not based on targeted intelligence but simply based on where people were born. AILAs executive director, Ben Johnson, also weighed in, warning: Weaponizing this tragedy to advance an anti-immigrant agenda is not only unjust, but also dangerous. When asked for comment about the various criticisms of the administrations recent remarks and policies, a White House spokesperson reiterated the claim that the Afghan suspect, whom they referred to as an animal, would not have been here if not for Joe Bidens policies and said that Trump was absolutely right to highlight the problems caused by the radical Somali migrants. West Hartford police have made an arrest in a shots fired incident that damaged an unoccupied vehicle back in February, officials said. Jaecob Gonzalez, 27, of New Britain, has been arrested and charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal use of a weapon, weapons in a motor vehicle, first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree breach of peace, according to the West Hartford Police Department. Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of 134 Park Road at approximately 12:41 a.m. on Feb. 17, police said. Officers first on scene reported finding evidence of gunshots with damage to an unoccupied vehicle. There were no victims reported at the time the incident was reported, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Hartford Police Department detectives said they began a follow-up investigation, pursuing leads in the months following the shooting. On Dec. 2, an arrest warrant was sought, charging Gonzalez with multiple criminal offenses. Police say Gonzalez is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges. West Hartford police are asking anyone with information related to this investigation to contact the West Hartford Police Department at (860) 523-5203, or use the anonymous WHPD Tip Line/email at (860) 570-8969 / whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com Millions of people have been displaced within war-torn Sudan (file photo) [AFP via Getty Images] A drone attack on the town of Kalogi, in Sudan's South Kordofan region, is said to have hit a kindergarten and killed at least 50 people, including 33 children. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group battling the army in Sudan's civil war, was accused of Thursday's attack by a medical organisation, the Sudan Doctors' Network, and the army. There was no immediate comment from the RSF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RSF in turn accused the army of hitting a market on Friday in a drone attack in the Darfur region, on a fuel depot at the Adre border crossing with Chad. Sudan has been ravaged by war since April 2023 when a power struggle broke out between the RSF and the army, who were formerly allies . The reports could not be verified independently. According to the army-aligned foreign ministry, the kindergarten was struck twice with missiles from drones. Civilians and medics who rushed to the school were also attacked, it added. Responding to reports of the attack in Kalogi, a spokesman for the UN children's agency Unicef said: "Killing children in their school is a horrific violation of children's rights." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Children should never pay the price of conflict," Sheldon Yett added. The agency, he said, urged "all parties to stop these attacks immediately and allow safe, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to reach those in desperate need". The RSF accused the army of attacking the Adre crossing because it was used for the "delivery of aid and commercial supplies". According to the Sudan War Monitor, a group of researchers tracking the conflict, the attack caused civilian casualties and significant damage to a market. The military did not immediately comment on the reports from Darfur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wedged between Sudan's capital Khartoum and Darfur, the region made up of North Kordofan, South Kordofan and West Kordofan has been a frontline in the civil war. The battle for the Kordofans - which have a population of almost eight million - has intensified as the army pushes towards Darfur. Very few Minnesota deer hunters are wolf poachers. But a significant number of wolves are illegally killed during the deer-hunting season. The University of Minnesotas Voyageurs Wolf Project on Friday shared a graphic image showing a dead wolf on the snow with a bullet hole in its side. The social-media post emphasized that it is not fair or accurate to characterize all hunters as poachers. ALSO: Enormous, dinosaur-like bird lands on tour boat in Africa Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the project stated that the illegal killing of federally protected wolves spikes during deer-hunting season in Minnesota and other Great Lakes states. Wolf pack in Minnesota. It was no different during the recent rifle deer-hunting season, according to the project, which shared its findings and those of other studies: During our study, 44% of all illegally killed wolves were illegally killed between November 7 to 16 a 10-day window when deer hunting is in full swing. Our findings are strikingly similar to a study in Wisconsin where they examined patterns of mortality from 501 wolves during 1979-2013, and found that 43% of all illegally killed wolves were killed in November during deer-hunting season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wolves are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, killing them can result in fines and jail time. The Voyageurs Wolf Project added: Our findings are similar to a study of wolves in and around Voyageurs National Park in 1987-1991 when 50% of all illegally killed wolves were killed in November. The project also cited other studies and promised to post more about this issue and the impact poaching has on wolf populations in the near future. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Are deer hunters in Minnesota illegally killing wolves? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Southern California Friday for an event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley this weekend. Hegseth is scheduled to deliver the keynote address Saturday at the Reagan National Defense Forum, where top military officials, members of Congress, defense industry executives and national security officials will gather. Hegseth will also travel to Santa Ana to meet with defense industry leaders in the area, according to a statement from the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The embattled Cabinet chief is facing criticism for the military's deadly airstrikes on suspected drug boats. Earlier this year, he became embroiled in Signalgate as he and other top U.S. officials used the popular Signal messaging application to discuss pending military strikes in Yemen. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An empty class at Coral Glades High School, Tamarac, Florida. Oregon has some of the highest rates of chronic absenteeism in the nation, according to the most recent state data. (Stock photo by Dan Forer/Getty Images) Building on the work of his predecessor, new state Rep. Lamar Wise, D-Portland, hopes to tackle chronic absenteeism in Oregons schools when he joins lawmakers for his first legislative session in February. Oregon schools have among the highest absenteeism rates in the country, the states latest data show, and its a problem that has persisted since students returned to school following the COVID pandemic nearly five years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wise, recently appointed to finish former Rep. Hoa Nguyens term after she died from cancer in October, said hes committed to carrying out work on the issue that she started with a work group in 2024 and with House Bill 3199 this summer. The bill created an advisory committee to propose, among other things, better policies for getting more frequent and transparent attendance data from schools and the state. She was sick and still was pushing the issue, Wise said. Wises proposal would first require the education department to share attendance data more frequently. Schools submit attendance records to the department quarterly, but the agency doesnt do anything with that data until it produces its annual At-A-Glance school and district profiles and Oregon Online Report Card. Wise proposes that the agency publish quarterly attendance data as it comes in, even without some time-intensive verification measures, because it will provide state and school leaders, and the public, with at least a snapshot showing patterns or concerns in schools and districts that can be addressed mid-year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency could include a disclaimer that the data is preliminary, he said, or that it will be further verified as part of the annual report, but that state leaders need to be able to act more expeditiously to address problems as theyre unfolding. Were really asking for the Department of Education to use the data that they already have, he said. A year is simply too long, right? By the time we receive that report, what can we do other than look out to the future and start to work on policy that could affect the next class? SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill also would adjust who is included in attendance and absenteeism data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, an Oregon student has to be enrolled for at least 75 days at one school before theyre included in that schools attendance and absenteeism data. Thats in part because of federal standards that require students included in a schools accountability data be enrolled at least half the school year. Wises proposal would instead put Oregon in line with about half of states, which include in their attendance data all students enrolled at a school for at least 10 days. Roughly one-third of Oregon students in 2024 were considered chronically absent, meaning they missed 17 or more school days during the school year, in a state with one of the shortest school years in the country. About one-fifth of students nationwide were chronically absent in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Eastern Oklahoma State College has become the fifth state higher-education institution to receive a major gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The two-year college in Wilburton, in southeast Oklahoma, announced on Friday, Dec. 5, it had received a $16 million unrestricted gift from Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. As with Scotts previous donations to Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa and Enid, Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, College of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee and Seminole State College in Seminole, it was the largest gift in school history. Scotts donations to Oklahoma schools now total $75 million, all since Nov. 21. Northern, Northeastern State and Seminole State each received $17 million while the College of the Muscogee Nation received $8 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott pledged in 2019 to give away most of her wealth, which Bloomberg estimates to be about $40.1 billion. Since mid-October, shes given more than $825 million to more than 20 colleges and universities, including the five in Oklahoma. Eastern said its gift came through Scotts foundation, Yield Giving. Eastern, located in an area of the state in which coal mining once was prevalent, was founded in 1908 as the Oklahoma School of Mines and Metallurgy and opened in January 1909. It currently has about 1,200 students. The college said its Development Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the school, would steward Scotts gift. Eastern President Randy Harp said Scotts generosity affirms the colleges longstanding commitment to the region. This is truly a historic moment and will be transformational for Eastern, Harp said. MacKenzie Scotts investment demonstrates tremendous confidence in our mission and in the life-changing opportunities we provide for students. This gift will allow us to think bigger, act faster and expand the ways we serve southeast Oklahoma for decades to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the donation is unrestricted, the colleges foundation said it will work with the schools administration to determine how best to direct the funds in alignment with Easterns mission and strategic priorities. Foundation leaders emphasized that decisions will be guided by a long-term view of student success, workforce development and regional impact. This extraordinary and truly transformational gift from MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving Organization will change lives for generations, said Cathy Cogburn, the foundations executive director. At Eastern Oklahoma State College, our mission is to put students first, and this investment empowers us to expand opportunities, remove barriers, and move mountains for those we serve. We are honored and humbled by this incredible vote of confidence from Ms. Scott. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: MacKenzie Scott makes another donation to an Oklahoma college WASHINGTON Facing a backlog of school discrimination cases, the U.S. Department of Education has asked hundreds of employees it fired months ago to temporarily return to work. A Dec. 5 email obtained by USA TODAY shows the agency ordered a significant portion of staffers in the Office for Civil Rights to come back later this month. In the "return to duty" directive, officials acknowledged they're facing a sizable caseload of civil rights complaints, and they underscored a need to utilize every resource at the governments disposal to work through them. The agency said the request applies to roughly 250 workers who've been on administrative leave for months amid legal challenges to their March firings. Julie Hartman, the Education Department's press secretary for legal affairs, stressed there still aren't any plans to fully rehire those workers permanently. Read more: Fired Education Department workers say the 'fight isn't over' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Department will continue to appeal the persistent and unceasing litigation disputes concerning the Reductions in Force, but in the meantime, it will utilize all employees currently being compensated by American taxpayers," she said in a statement to USA TODAY. The shift is the latest chapter in a monthslong saga that has upended one of the most important offices in the federal Education Department, which President Donald Trump has vowed to close. Read more: Trump just made it harder to close the Education Department Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 20, 2025. Students, parents and educators across the country have long relied on the agency's Office for Civil Rights, also known as OCR, to enforce antidiscrimination laws, especially for students with disabilities. In particular, OCR has helped provide equal access to educational opportunities to families who don't have the financial means to bring costly lawsuits against their school districts or universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet as the Trump administration has proceeded to dismantle the Education Department despite lacking the necessary congressional support to do so the agency's civil rights office has been reduced to a fraction of what it once was. Hundreds of staffers have been laid off. Its key regional divisions in places like Philadelphia and Boston have been largely shuttered. Of the roughly 450 people OCR still lists as employees, only about 60 haven't received layoff notices in the past year, according to court documents. Nearly 250 were originally terminated in March, and another 137 were fired in October during the government shutdown (their firings were later reversed as part of a deal to end the funding crisis). Read more: Education Department lays off roughly 20% of its workforce amid shutdown Education Secretary Linda McMahon's decision to tap into her own laid-off workforce provides further evidence her agency is struggling more than she has publicly indicated to meet its legally mandated responsibilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since cutting the department in half earlier this year, many families waiting on resolutions to their civil rights complaints have been stuck in limbo. Colleges have also reported significant issues with the federal financial aid system. In November, McMahon announced new plans to offload many of the department's key responsibilities to other agencies, setting off fears of further disruptions in important programs. She has argued the change will ultimately help streamline the federal government's limited role in the education system. Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Education Dept. asks hundreds of fired employees to pitch in with work The future of work as we know it is hanging by a threadat least, thats what many tech leaders consistently say. Elon Musk predicts AI will replace all jobs in less than 20 years. Bill Gates says even those who train to use AI tools may not be safe from its claws. And then theres Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski, who is warning workers that tech bros are sugarcoating just how badly its about to impact jobs. But according to one LinkedIn exec, thats simply not what the data is showing. With hundreds of millions of workers hunting for jobs and employers posting open roles in real time, LinkedIn acts as one of the clearest barometers of whats actually happening on the groundand its managing director for EMEA, Sue Duke, is not buying the AI apocalypse narrative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not what were seeing, Duke revealed at the Fortune CEO Forum at The Shard in London. When asked about an AI-induced hiring slowdown she insisted that the opposite is actually true. What were seeing is that organizations who are adopting and integrating this technology, theyre actually going out and hiring more people to really take advantage of this technology, Duke explained. Theyre going out and looking for more business development people, more technologically savvy people, and more salespeople as they realize the business opportunities, the innovation possibilities, and ultimately the growth possibilities of this technology. For the millions of job-seeking Gen Zerswho keep being told that entry-level jobs are about to get swallowed by AI and that a youth unemployment crisis is well underwaythe news will be a welcome surprise. LinkedIn exec breaks down exactly what employers are looking for from new hires in 2026 For those looking to make the most of the job markets shift, Duke says there are two key areas to upskill in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first, no surprise, is AI skills. Whether thats literacy, tooling, prompt-writing, or more technical capabilities, we continue to see those AI skills being red, red hot in the labor market, she said. With companies racing to integrate automation into products and workflows, that demand isnt cooling anytime soonno matter what industry youre looking to work in. We see a huge demand for those skills across the board, economy-wide, across all sectors, and tons of companies looking for those, Duke added. As AI takes over many administrative tasks, its putting the spotlight on job functions that bots cant do. Those unique human skills, Duke said, are the second area of focus for employers. They remain rock solid, constant at the heart of hiring desires and demands out there. Theyre not going away either. She called out communication, team building, and problem-solving as some of those human skills that will stand the test of time: Theyre the ones to invest in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And ultimately, the skill employers are zeroing in on most isnt technical at allits adaptability. Bosses know the tools will change faster than job titles. What they want is someone who can change with them. The most important thing for job seekers to think about is the mindset that youre also bringing to the table, Duke concluded. What employers are really looking for is that growth mindset and understanding that this technology is moving very, very quickly, and we need adaptability. Adaptability is right at the top of those most in-demand skills, so making sure youre bringing that mindset, bringing that agility with you, thats going to be hugely important. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com It seems Elon Musk is taking the axiom of "ask for forgiveness, not permission" way too far. Musk's The Boring Company is in hot water after being fined nearly half a million dollars by Nevada authorities. What's happening? KNTV Las Vegas reported that the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) fined The Boring Company $493,297.08 for illegally draining over 2,400 gallons of drilling fluids and bore mud into the Clark County Water Reclamation District's system. The company is currently working on a controversial underground Vegas Loop project. The wheels got turning after an anonymous tip in August claimed The Boring Company had been discharging untreated water to the District's facility since April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within days, inspectors caught staff in the act and demanded they stop after observing "an active illicit discharge of what appeared to be drilling fluids/spoils." When they met initial reticence to comply, they elevated the matter to a cease-and-desist while commissioning an investigation. The Boring Company did relent formally soon thereafter, but the damage was done. The probe uncovered numerous violations of federal laws and regulations in addition to the mud, spoils, and waste improperly discharged at the facilities. Why are The Boring Company's violations important? Discharging waste into water treatment facilities without proper sanitation can endanger the safety of treated water and pose risks to wastewater workers. It also costs the public entities time and money to undo the damage. For Elon Musk and The Boring Company, this cavalier attitude toward the environment and public safety is hardly new. Nevada regulators hit the company with fines nearing $250,000 recently for similar environmental violations on the Vegas Loop project, as well as worker safety violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Texas, Musk is similarly pushing the boundaries of how much wastewater he can dump in the Colorado River as part of an emerging plan. Musk is even on record with his preference for disregarding the rules, calling environmental regulations "terrible" at a 2024 event, per Pro Publica. "You have to get permission in advance, as opposed to, say, paying a penalty if you do something wrong, which I think would be much more effective," Musk purportedly explained. What's being done about The Boring Company's violations? Ideally, steep fines start to change Musk and The Boring Company's philosophy when it comes to ignoring environmental rules and just waiting to get caught. If The Boring Company doesn't pay up in time, regulators can up the ante with larger penalties. Just as in this case, whistleblowers are critical to protecting the environment, public safety, and worker health. Considering The Boring Company was able to get away with illegal discharges for months, it's clear that regulators and whistleblowers are needed to crack down on illicit acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local residents can also take action to push back on The Boring Company being awarded major projects, given its track record of overpromising and underdelivering while drawing major fines for improprieties. 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. NEW YORK, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Allegiant Air's pilots' union is blocking the airline's attempt to secure permanent residency for dozens of foreign pilots from Chile, Australia and Singapore, leaving their immigration status - and the company's staffing - in limbo. The union has refused to certify to the U.S. Department of Labor that the pilot positions, which start at about $50,000 a year, about half of what pilots at other regional airlines earn, meet "prevailing wage" standards. That certification is a crucial bureaucratic step and a requirement for the pilots' green card applications. Instead of hiring foreign pilots, the Teamsters Local 2118 has asked Allegiant to offer industry-standard compensation and improvements to scheduling to retain pilots who are leaving for rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allegiant said it, like most U.S. carriers, faced significant workforce challenges when travel surged after the pandemic. The carrier has also struggled to retain pilots in part due to low pay levels. To stabilize staffing, the carrier expanded recruitment to hire pilots under employment-based visa programs. The union alleges the airline misrepresented its intentions to permanently hire these pilots and that there is no longer a shortage in the U.S., making the move to pursue permanent residency for the pilots unnecessary. "They had such a hard time in 2023 finding pilots, they actually started hiring visa pilots out of Chile on an H-1B1 because they promised them citizenship, a green card verbally to come fly in America for 50,000 bucks a year," Gregory Unterseher, director of the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, told Reuters. "Because they're having such a hard time keeping and maintaining pilots at such a low wage." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allegiant said it currently employs approximately 62 pilots from Chile, Australia, and Singapore through H-1B1 and E-3 visa programs, or about 4% of its overall pilot count of 1,345. An Allegiant spokesperson said hiring pilots through visa programs is a small supplement to its broader workforce strategy, not a replacement for U.S. hires. The union declined to provide the letter needed for the permanent labor certification application submitted by the airline. A Labor Department-issued permanent labor certification allows employers to hire foreign workers to work permanently in the U.S. In a letter to pilots seen by Reuters, Allegiant wrote as a result of the unions failure to provide that information, we understand that the time to obtain your green card may be delayed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company condemns the unions decision to harm you by refusing to provide the updated letter requested by the Department of Labor," the letter said. In a statement to Reuters, Allegiant said that "all of our hiring practices fully comply with federal labor laws, FAA regulations, and the collective bargaining agreements in place with our pilot union." The status of many of the foreign pilots hangs in limbo with some instructed not to leave the country as President Donald Trump cracks down on foreign-born workers, the union said. "My heart goes out to them. They were told, I think recently that they shouldn't even leave the country, right? Because they might not be able to get back in," said Unterseher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ATTRITION ON THE RISE Attrition is on the rise at Allegiant, according to pilots, as some leave due to industry-low pay, frustrations with scheduling and a near-10-year-old labor contract. "First officers at Allegiant in their first year in most cases are making less than flight attendants at other major airlines or TSA agents," one pilot who recently left Allegiant told Reuters, on the condition of anonymity. The carrier has expressed interest in expanding its operations, at one point discussing 1,400 more destinations it can add. But lack of staffing remains a sticky point, pilots told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For the last 18 months, there was nowhere to go. Now that people have options, you are seeing people leaving. I've got five or six friends just in my little small group of people that I know that are leaving," the pilot added. (Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by David Gregorio) Greg Bovino and his Border Patrol agents have moved on to a different city, but faith leaders gathered Friday to remind people immigration enforcement is far from over. They said Chicagoans must continue to support neighborhoods like Little Village. At the gathering, a Muslim faith leader played a drum to a Jewish Rabbi's song about peace. They were joined by Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants and First Nations people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago's "Faith over Fear" movement has put religious differences aside to support people like Ana Christina Bravo and her 2-year-old daughter. Their family was torn apart when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Bravo's husband in October. "We worked as a team," Bravo said. "There are the three of us here, I worked at night and he worked during the day, and that way we can each take care of our daughter. So I don't know why they said to separate us as a family." Speaking through an interpreter, Bravo says her husband was in the country legally without a criminal record or deportation orders. He remains in a Kentucky ICE Detention Center "I've also had to lose my job, because I don't have anyone to watch my daughter, and on top of that, because I have an ankle bracelet," Bravo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED | DOJ lawyer says it's 'wrong to allege' operation 'Midway Blitz' is over While Border Patrol agents appear to no longer be in Chicago, religious leaders reminded residents ICE has not left. "We're coming together, saying, this isn't a time to just lay low and do nothing, but how do we prepare for the next wave coming," said Matt DeMateo, New Life Centers CEO. DeMateo is a Little Village resident. He says since Border Patrol left, church attendance and business are starting to bounce back a bit, but people remain scared. The winter weather and real ice haven't helped. Las Comales owner Christina Gonzales says sales always drop with the first snow. While it's been tough, Gonzales says if there is a silver lining, the spotlight on Little Village has brought Chicagoans in from different neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My servers are also saying, wow, I don't see my regulars, which we're kind of, we know that, but they're seeing so many new faces and so many new demographics that we're so blessed and happy that we do have this support that is, is, is coming from all all levels of the community," Gonzales said. SEE ALSO | Judge issues new order on Broadview ICE facility The Faith over Fear movement continues to grow. The first Friday of every month is called Faithful Fridays. Next month, religious leaders will come together on the South Side. FBI officials in Southern California and across the nation are warning the public of a new type of scam in which tech-savvy con-artists have been creating fake photos and videos to convince victims that their loved ones have been kidnapped. The scammers have been taking photos and videos from social media or other publicly available sources "to use as fake proof of life photos in virtual kidnapping for ransom scams," according to an FBI alert issued Friday, Dec. 5. The FBI logo on a podium at the Cincinnati Field Office. "The criminal actors pose as kidnappers and provide seemingly real photos or videos of victims along with demands for ransom payments," the statement said. How the 'virtual kidnapping' scam works Most often, victims are first targeted through text messages, according to federal officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Oftentimes, the criminal actor will express significant claims of violence towards the loved one if the ransom is not paid immediately," the FBI stated. "The criminal actor will then send what appears to be a genuine photo or video of the victims loved one, which upon close inspection often reveals inaccuracies when compared to confirmed photos of the loved one." Discrepancies in the images often include missing tattoos or scars, or inaccurate body proportions. "Criminal actors will sometimes purposefully send these photos using timed message features to limit the amount of time victims have to analyze the images," the statement added. The FBI urges the public to beware of criminals altering photos found on social media or other publicly available sites to use as fake proof of life photos in virtual kidnapping for ransom scams. Learn more here: https://t.co/9UQtzmEzkH pic.twitter.com/bogoVsiSya FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) December 5, 2025 Tips from the FBI The FBI offered a series of suggestions to help prevent becoming a victim of the new scam, starting with awareness that the problem exists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional tips include: Avoiding providing personal information to strangers while traveling Establishing a code word that only you or your loved ones know that you can use to communicate Slowing down: Scammers portray a false sense of urgency. Stop and think: "Does this make sense?" Screenshotting or recording proof of life photos whenever possible Always attempt to contact your loved one before considering paying any ransom demand. Anyone who believes they may be dealing with such a scam is urged to report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. "Be sure to submit as much information as possible about the interaction, including phone numbers, payment information, text and audio communications, and proof of life photos," the statement said. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: FBI Issues Alert on Virtual Kidnapping Scam Using Social Media Photos A 2024 lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice alleged Maine was failing to meet the needs of students that require behavioral health services and violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by separating them from their homes and communities. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) A federal court last week rejected a joint attempt by Maine and the U.S. Department of Justice to weaken a previous agreement that required the state to improve services so that children with disabilities no longer had to be separated from their families. In a statement Friday, a coalition of rights organizations said the ruling preserves essential protections that ensure children with behavioral-health needs will receive integrated, community-based services rather than face unnecessary institutionalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlement agreement stemmed from a September 2024 lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice that alleged the state was failing to meet the needs of students that require behavioral health services and violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by separating them from their homes and communities by institutionalizing them or sending them to juvenile detention centers. Two months later, the lawsuit was dismissed after the state agreed to implement a robust accountability system with reporting requirements, community outreach and the establishment of an independent watchdog, who would oversee data on state services. Under that initial agreement, the state committed to increasing the availability of community-based behavioral health services through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services so that children would no longer have to be separated from their families. Fast forward to this past September when the state and Justice Department now under the Trump administration jointly filed a motion to change the agreement, weakening some of those requirements, including removing the independent reviewer position. The parties argued that the changes were minor and thus acceptable since both the plaintiff and defendant were agreeing to the new terms. In response, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, GLAD Law and Disability Rights Maine intervened, asking the court through an amicus brief to reject the amended agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Stacey Neumann with the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine ruled on Nov. 24 that the state and federal governments had not justified the proposed changes. The requirements were intrinsic to the case, she wrote, and essential to protecting the rights of children with disabilities as required by the ADA. Indeed, there is no evidence that reducing the frequency of reporting, trainings, and community outreach and removing the Independent Reviewer will do anything to facilitate the States compliance with the agreement, she wrote. And may in actuality make it harder to ascertain whether compliance is being achieved. As of Friday, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services website displayed the modified agreement not the approved settlement that makes no mention of the independent reviewer. The departments implementation plan, released last month, also makes no mention of the stricter requirements that the court determined the state must meet. Atlee Reilly, managing attorney at Disability Rights Maine, said its clear the department was operating under the assumption that this was kind of pro forma and that they were just going to push ahead, as if the agreement had already been changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that the court declined to approve it, Reilly said he doesnt know what thats going to mean going forward. Both DHHS and the Maine Attorney Generals Office declined to comment. Carol Garvan, legal director at the ACLU of Maine, said that by denying this motion, the court affirmed that independent, external oversight is essential. The role of an independent reviewer is critical in ensuring that Maine keeps its promises to children with disabilities and follows through on long-overdue reforms, she said in a press statement. A childs right to live and thrive in their community is a fundamental right that must be continuously defended. The federal government is making cuts to funding that support permanent housing and Fresno County is expected to feel the impacts at the beginning of next year. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, has released its Continuum of Care Notice of Funding. The notice says there's a cap at 30 percent on federal funds that back Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Re-housing Projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's a 45 percent decrease for Fresno County projects. The organization, Turning Point of Central California, will lose funds with the new guidelines. Because of the loss, Turning Point told its residents to vacate by the end of January. "60-day notice for 80 people right before Christmas is devastating," Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez said. Chavez, whose district covers the permanent housing projects, says it's all hands-on deck to find alternatives. "The short-term solution is going to be postpones those 60-day notices to give us some more time and not just have folks go out in the cold," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HUD is expected to offer over $3.9 billion to its recipients but county officials say with the cap on permanent housing, they're having to get creative on helping those in need. "This is impacting people that are in long-term housing placements. But at the same time, it's so important for us to be strategic about how we approach this funding," Fresno County Homelessness Program Manager Dylan McCully said. There's state funding that could help with housing, but county officials explain it won't be long-term housing solutions. "We are, you know, working closely with the county, COC, our jurisdictional partners, and the city to try and mitigate these effects and and find housing pathways for the folks that effected," McCully said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Action News did reach out to Turning Point of Central California for comment and has not heard back at the time of publication. For news updates, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. In its final report, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) documented 1,327 instances of waste, fraud, and abuse from 2002 to 2021. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) reported on Wednesday that close to $30 billion in US funds were wasted, stolen, or mismanaged, during nearly 20 years of American involvement. In its final forensic report summarizing US reconstruction in Afghanistan, SIGAR said it had documented 1,327 instances of waste, fraud, and abuse from 2002 to 2021, amounting to between $26 billion and $29.2 billionmost of which it classified as wasted funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SIGAR noted that the mission promised to bring stability and democracy to Afghanistan, yet ultimately delivered neither, with Washingtons $145 billion state-building project yielding only limited and fragile results. The SIGAR report also highlighted that multiple factors contributed to the failure of the US effort to transform a war-torn, underdeveloped country into a stable and prosperous democracy. US decision to ally with corrupt power brokers was a repeated mistake For example, early and ongoing US decisions to ally with corrupt, human-rights-abusing power brokers bolstered the insurgency and undermined the mission, including US goals for bringing democracy and good governance to Afghanistan. Early and ongoing US decisions to ally with corrupt, human-rights-abusing power brokers bolstered the insurgency and undermined the mission, including US goals for bringing democracy and good governance to Afghanistan. (credit: REUTERS/LARRY DOWNING/FILE PICTURE) Efforts to improve Afghanistans economic and social conditions also failed to have a lasting impact. And, despite nearly $90 billion in US appropriations for security-sector assistance, Afghan security forces ultimately collapsed quickly without a sustained US military presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This report summarizes, for the first time in one report, the totality of SIGARs work overseeing the US reconstruction effort in Afghanistan. Created by Congress in 2008, SIGAR will officially wind down on January 31, 2026, as required under last years US defense policy legislation. NEW YORK A massive purge of judges has left the federal governments web of immigration courts decimated and in disarray. Ousted jurists believe thats by design. The roster of those whove lost their jobs since President Donald Trump returned to office includes judges with higher than average rates of granting migrants asylum, judges with dual citizenship and those with a history of providing legal defense to immigrants. But not all of them fit that mold. Its about destroying a system where cases are carefully considered by people with knowledge of the subject matter, said Olivia Cassin, a former New York immigration judge pushed out of her job late last month. Theyre firing everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far this year, the Trump administration has dismissed at least 98 of the approximately 700 immigration judges who were on the bench, according to the National Association of Immigration Judges, an organization that advocates for independent immigration courts. Dozens more have retired or resigned. The diminishing headcount and mounting backlog of cases is fueling further disorder at immigration courts already roiled by masked federal agents detaining migrants and reduced pathways to legal status. The courtroom culling process has become formulaic, ousted judges and their advocates told POLITICO: The judges receive an email stating Attorney General Pam Bondi has removed them from their posts, pursuant to Article II of the Constitution; their names are immediately struck from the Department of Justices website; and the news of the latest wave ricochets around chat groups formed among ousted colleagues. Immigration judges are treated as at-will employees because the administrative courts they preside over fall under the purview of the Department of Justice and are not part of the judiciary branch. Rulings by judges in those immigration courts can ultimately be overturned by the attorney general. The oustings have renewed calls for the immigration courts to be independent of the executive branch a push unlikely to gain traction in a Republican-controlled Congress. A Department of Justice spokesperson blamed the current state of affairs on former President Joe Bidens administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After four years of the Biden Administration forcing Immigration Courts to implement a de facto amnesty for hundreds of thousands of aliens, this Department of Justice is restoring integrity to our immigration system and encourages talented legal professionals to join in our mission to protect national security and public safety, the spokesperson said. The Trump administration has sought to replace terminated immigration judges with military lawyers as a stopgap and recruit deportation judges to ensure that only aliens with legally meritorious claims are allowed to remain. We all felt like you cant do more damage than you already have to the immigration courts and to justice and to due process. Yet its like, Hold my beer, watch this, said Judge Jennifer Peyton, who told POLITICO she was fired in July in Chicago, where 14 judges remain. New York is decimated. Chelmsford (Massachusetts) is decimated. The San Francisco court is decimated. Chicago is down half. Theres literally millions millions with an m millions of cases that are pending. At New York Citys 26 Federal Plaza, an epicenter of clashes between immigrants, federal agents and protesters, seven judges were pushed out in one day this week. The wave of dismissals leaves 25 immigration judges in a courthouse that in January had 37, according to a comparison of Department of Justice staff lists now and then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most senior among the New Yorkers is former Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Amiena Khan, who is on the American Accountability Foundations bureaucrat watch list. Peyton of Chicago is also on the conservative opposition research groups list. Of the nine judges targeted by it, only one remains on the bench: Claudia Cubas of Maryland. Many of the judges are challenging their dismissals. Cassin of New York has begun the process. Former Judge Tania Nemer of Ohio, who said she was fired in February, filed a lawsuit this week alleging the Department of Justice discriminated against her on the basis of sex, national origin and political affiliation. Nemer is a dual citizen of the United States and Lebanon and had sought local office as a Democrat. Bondi referenced Nemers lawsuit at a Cabinet meeting, quipping, Last I checked, I was a woman as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The seven judges terminated in New York on Dec. 1 are all women: Khan, Lisa Ehrens, Maria Lurye, Alice Segal, Evalyn Douchy, Theodora Kouris and Lori Adams, five judges and court observers told POLITICO. The expulsions have intensified the need for independent immigration courts, judges and Democratic lawmakers said. These unlawful and politicized firings are definitely just another reason why theres a strong need for an independent judiciary under Article I or Article III of the Constitution, said Anam Petit, a former Virginia immigration judge who said she was fired in September. Judges should not be afraid for their jobs. They shouldnt be nervous that they need to rule a certain way. Reps. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) plan to reintroduce legislation to move immigration courts out of the executive branch. The bill would establish an independent immigration court system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By firing immigration judges whose rulings he does not like, President Trump is installing himself as the judge and jury of his own decisions, said Goldman, who has frequently sought to inspect areas in 26 Federal Plaza where migrants are being held. Goldman is part of a slate of House members suing the Trump administration for barring them from providing congressional oversight. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has launched a campaign seeking those willing to serve as deportation judges to fill the vacuum and is offering additional enticements. According to a job posting, the DOJ will provide a 25% of base pay recruitment incentive for first-time federal employees placed in New York; Chelmsford, Massachusetts; San Francisco and other cities where a significant number of experienced immigration judges have been let go. Jeremiah Johnson, an immigration judge who said he was fired in San Francisco late last month, called the recruitment effort a false advertisement that makes light of, and offers a bonus for, a position he and others consider a serious responsibility. During Trump One, when I was appointed, there was a policy that got some pushback called No Dark Courtrooms. We were to hear cases every day, use all the space, Johnson said in an interview. Now, theres vacant courtrooms that are not being utilized. And any attempts by the administration saying theyre replacing judges the math just doesnt work if you look at the numbers. Saturday started off with dense patches of fog in some neighborhoods. Southeast Georgia saw some light showers. That rain will slowly move into the Jacksonville area around dinnertime and continue through the late evening. Itll be mostly cloudy throughout the day with temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Showers will continue through Sunday. Rainfall totals are expected to be about an inch, with higher amounts around the I-10 corridor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre going to the Jaguars game, bring your rain gear. Temperatures will remain in the upper 50s, low 60s throughout the afternoon. We will dry out on Monday and remain cloudy ahead of colder temperatures Monday night into Tuesday. It will be noticeably colder on Tuesday before warming up on Wednesday and the end of the week. WATCH THE FORECAST | DOWNLOAD THE APPS TODAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain arrives in SE Georgia by the afternoon, NE Florida by the evening. HIGH: 64 TONIGHT: Rain arrives and continues through the evening. LOW: 54 SUN: Rain through the day. Cool and cloudy. HIGH: 63 MON: Mostly cloudy. Drying out through the morning and turning colder and breezier by the evening. 52/60 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TUE: Partly cloudy and noticeably colder. 43/59 WED: Partly sunny. Warmer. 56/72 THU: Partly cloudy. 44/70 FRI: Mostly cloudy. May have evening showers. 52/75 Follow Action News Jax Meteorologists on Twitter for updates: Mike Buresh | Garrett Bedenbaugh | Corey Simma | Trevor Gibbs ALLERGY TRACKER: See what the pollen counts look like in our area LISTEN: Mike Buresh All the Weather, All the Time Podcast INTERACTIVE RADAR: Keep track of the rain as it moves through your neighborhood SHARE WITH US: Send us photos of the weather youre seeing in your area A former Connecticut gang member has been sentenced to life in prison after being indicted on dozens of charges, officials said. Julian Scott, 26, was sentenced Friday in Bridgeport to life in prison, and a mandatory consecutive term of 30 years, for his involvement in the 960 gang, a violent Waterbury street gang, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury police have been investigating the 960 gang. On Sept. 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 36-count indictment charging Scott, Gabriel Pulliam, and 14 other 960 gang members with several offenses including racketeering, murder, attempted murder and assault, firearm possession, narcotics trafficking, and obstruction of justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the evidence presented during Scott and Pulliams trial, it was found the pair committed several acts of violence around Waterbury, including participating in a drive-by shooting that killed 30-year-old Fransua Guzman, a mother with four children, in 2018. On Oct. 6, 2018, in a drive-by shooting in the area of Bank Street and Porter Street, Scott and other gang members reportedly attempted to murder individuals believed to be members of a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to an innocent bystander. Just days later, on Oct. 11, 2018, in an effort to murder rival gang members in retaliation for the murder of a fellow 960 member, Scott, Pulliam, and other 960 members shot into a crowd of people and killed an innocent bystander, 30-year-old Fransua Guzman, and paralyzed a second victim. On Nov. 18, 2018, Scott and other gang members participated in a drive-by shooting of rival gang members in the area of Bank Street and Porter Street, which resulted in gunshot wounds to two individuals. Scott has been detained since his arrest on state charges on May 23, 2019, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 10, 2024, a federal jury found Scott and Pulliam guilty of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, murder in violation of the violent crimes in aid of racketeering statute, causing death through the use of a firearm and in relation to a crime of violence, attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Pulliam was also found guilty of conspiracy to possess, with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances. On Nov. 5, 2025, Pulliam was sentenced to life in prison and a mandatory 10-year consecutive term in prison. This investigation also helped identify at least 10 violent acts committed by 960 members in 2017 and 2018. All 16 individuals charged have been convicted and sentenced, officials say. In addition to Scott and Pulliam, Zaekwon McDaniel, Tahjay Love, and Malik Bayon have all received life sentences. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com A former Milwaukee police officer accused of using his position to funnel information to a member of a violent street gang has pleaded guilty to five charges in federal court, according to an agreement filed Dec. 5. Juwon J. Madlock was arrested in March, weeks after agents arrested a suspected member of the BZF, also known as the Burleigh Zoo Family, and searched a house in Greenfield. During that investigation, agents uncovered texts showing Madlock tipping the suspect off to law enforcement action and offering guns for sale, according to court records. MPD Officer Juwon J. Madlock is seen in his department-issued photo. In one exchange, Madlock provided several potential addresses of a rival gang member, including one not readily available to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madlock later said he thought the suspect would "beat them up," but investigators believed the suspect wanted the addresses "for the purposes of shooting and possibly killing them," according to court records. Once investigators seized Madlock's phone, they found more text messages indicating Madlock "was engaged in drug trafficking activity while serving as a Milwaukee police officer," the plea documents state. The messages included Madlock discussing resale prices for the drug mixture commonly known as lean, and the purchase and resale of large amounts of marijuana and cocaine. Madlock pleaded guilty to all charges in the indictment, which included two counts of lying to federal agents, transferring ammunition to a felon, aiding and abetting the possession of stolen property, and possessing a machine gun after agents found a gun with a switch device at his residence. Switches are designed to convert handguns into automatic weapons. Federal agents recovered this gun at the residence of former Milwaukee Police Officer Juwon Madlock. The gun has a conversion device, known as a switch, to make it fully automatic. Madlock's attorney, Michael J. Steinle, declined to comment when reached by phone on Dec. 5. Federal prosecutors did not return a call and email seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sentencing date has not been set. According to the plea agreement, Madlock's attorney will recommend a sentence no less than 7 years in prison, while prosecutors will recommend a sentence no higher than 13 years. Agents questioned and arrested Madlock on March 12. He resigned from the Police Department that same day. At the time, he had been assigned to District 6 on the city's far south side. Prior to that, he was assigned to District 7 on the north side. Earlier this year before charges were filed, Madlock was highlighted in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation about the county's list of officers with a history of credibility concerns, bias or past crimes, known as the Brady list. Madlock had been added to the list in 2021 after internal affairs found he misled supervisors about his response to a shooting investigation. He was among two dozen law enforcement officers who kept their jobs after being added to the list, which is maintained by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his career, Madlock was investigated by Internal Affairs for six incidents, according to department records. Several resulted in policy reviews or remedial training. Two incidents led to findings that he had violated the department's rules and policies, including the one that landed him on the Brady list. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ex-Milwuakee police officers pleads guilty in gang, firearms case A former University of Iowa student was found guilty of attempted murder, robbery, and theft after a 2022 attack near the school's Art Building West. Ali Younes, 22, also pleaded guilty to one charge of escape from custody by a felon in a related case after he allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled to Jordan. The guilty plea was filed just 14 minutes before Younes was set to hear the verdict in the attempted murder case. Younes faces up to 65 years in prison on the four charges. He must serve at least 17-and-a-half years each on the attempted murder and first-degree robbery charges, the Johnson County Attorney's Office said in a release, for a minimum of 35 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Feb. 27, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Younes went on trial before a judge from the Iowa District Court for Johnson County in July, waiving his right to a trial by a jury of his peers. Judge Kevin McKeever gave the sides several weeks to deliver written closing arguments and privately deliberated since August before delivering his decision on Friday, Dec. 5. Younes attacked a woman walking home from her job Younes, a UI freshman living in Burge Residence Hall at the time, was accused of attacking Anne Rizzo shortly after 10 p.m. on April 25, 2022. Rizzo testified that she was walking home from her job around the time of the incident. On the stand, she described herself as five-foot-three, 110 pounds. According to police and prosecutors, Younes passed Rizzo heading in the opposite direction, turned back and jogged after her to catch up, and proceeded to tackle Rizzo to the ground from behind and strangled her until she lost consciousness. More: See unionized Iowa City Starbucks workers join national strike Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two UI students noticed Younes on top of Rizzo and ran up to see what was happening. They had been leaving the Art Building West, where they were studying. Younes attempted to explain away his involvement, said he would call the police, then fled the scene, according to the state's closing argument. The students then called 911 and rendered aid to Rizzo, Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith wrote in closing arguments. Upon his arrest, Younes allegedly admitted to police that he stole Rizzo's earrings because he believed she was dead. Prosecutors, defense paint starkly different pictures of Younes' intent Younes' defense attempted to argue that prosecutors had not proven any intent for Younes to kill Rizzo, leaning on testimony from Katy Rasmussen, the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team coordinator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rasmussen said that strangulation around the jugular vein takes about 4.4 pounds of pressure to "occlude" or stop blood flow. She said it would take between 35 and 46 pounds of pressure to fracture the trachea, and someone can be strangled unconscious in as little as 10 seconds. The defense argued that unintended injuries from strangulation are "not only possible, but common," suggesting that Younes wasn't trying to kill Rizzo. "It is therefore reasonable that the defendant, himself less than 20 years old at the time, would not have realized the danger he was putting Ms. Rizzo in," Younes's attorney, Jeffrey Powell, wrote. "And realistically that he did not inten(d) to kill her." More: North Liberty couples holiday light display becomes community staple Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only reason Younes did not kill Rizzo, prosecutors said in their closing arguments, was the presence of the two students who noticed Younes on top of Rizzo. "If (the two students) had not decided to leave the Art Building West to go home when they did, if they were not the brave and responsible women that they are, Anne Rizzo would be dead," Zimmermann Smith wrote in the state's closing arguments. Younes also convicted for fleeing the country In May 2023, Younes was on house arrest while awaiting his trial later that month. On May 6, he cut off his ankle monitor, was driven to Chicago, and flew from O'Hare International Airport to Jordan. His parents, Alfred and Lima, were arrested in connection with their involvement and convicted of aiding his escape. Alfred and Lima Younes were each sentenced to five years in prison, and their appeals to shorten the sentence were denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: How cold was it? At least 15 Iowa cities set new record lows Thursday Eventually, Younes was contacted by University of Iowa police, who convinced him to surrender to the U.S. Embassy in Jordan. UIPD "established and maintained an open line of communication with Younes following his arrival in Jordan," and the department took credit for facilitating his "voluntary return," with help from the Jordanian embassy, according to a 2024 release. Younes was rebooked into the Johnson County Jail on Sept. 2, 2024, ending a nearly 18-month manhunt that included the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Former UI student Ali Younes convicted of attempted murder, robbery Merz will also meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday morning, before visiting Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial later in the day. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told President Isaac Herzog that Germany wants to be more involved in the situation in the Gaza Strip, including the return of the remains of the final hostage, St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili. The comment came amid Merz's visit to the President's Residence in Jerusalem on Saturday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Isaac Herzog hosts German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem, December 6, 2025. (CREDIT: GREGORY BADO/GPO, GIDEON ARNOLD/GPO). Germany's approval of a two-state solution was not intended to upset the Israeli public, Merz commented. Herzog and Merz agreed that bilateral relations are "much closer than portrayed in the media." "It is in our core DNA to stand with Israel," Merz said. "We have become very close friends, and for me to see the Arrow 3 missiles being installed in Germany to defend Germany and Europe, Israeli-made products, is something very unique and moving and important," Herzog said. Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, December 6, 2025. (credit: YOSSI ZAMIR/GPO) "I come as a friend, and we've met on numerous occasions before when we were able to hold discussions, but this is the first time I come in my capacity as Federal Chancellor. I come as a longstanding friend of Israel, and I'm delighted to have this first opportunity to be here in my capacity as Federal Chancellor on the first official visit," Merz stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We couldn't meet in more challenging and more complicated times, and you know that Germany firmly stands at Israel's side, especially since the horrific attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Since then, we were able to deepen and further intensify our friendship, and you know that we will always stand by Israel's side. We still consider this friendship a miracle. So shortly after the Shoah to be able to establish diplomatic relations and further continue to deepen and foster our friendship is very special and important to us indeed," he added. "Israel has the right to defend itself and has the right to exist. We stand with Israel in its right to exist, and we support you in your endeavors," he affirmed. "We are going to help you as peace and the negotiations enter into a next phase. The war is going to end as soon as Hamas has laid down all its arms, the war will end, and then we will look into the future," he continued. "We also hope that the situation in the West Bank will continue to evolve in a positive direction so that in the end we will see a two-state solution that we have always advocated for, and the two-state solution is an important factor for good coexistence between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Israeli people, the Palestinian people, and the Arab world, for it to be able to live peacefully in peace and security and in dignity," he stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, followed by a joint press conference, on Sunday morning. According to reports in the German press, the talks are expected to focus on bilateral relations, especially the resumption of military cooperation following the partial lifting of the freeze on German arms exports to Israel in November. The talks will also cover stabilising the Gaza ceasefire and the US peace plan for Gazas day after." Regional stability and Germanys role in supplying humanitarian aid to Gaza are also expected to be discussed. According to the same sources, the issue of rising antisemitism and the safety of German Jews will also be addressed. Merz to make customary visit to memorial Later in the day, Merz will visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, where he will lay a wreath to honour the victims of the Holocaust, as is customary for every German leaders inaugural visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also scheduled to meet relatives of the victims of October 7. In a phone call with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas hours before his departure for Israel, Merz called for reforms within the Palestinian Authority. He urged Abbas to push ahead with urgently needed reforms so that the organisation could play a constructive role in the post-war order. The PA issued a statement saying that Abbas had briefed Merz on how the PA has been reforming and modernising school curricula according to UNESCO standards. Abbas also claimed that the law on prisoner payments, known as pay-to-slay in Israel, is being abolished and that the PA is preparing to hold general elections as soon as the war ends and the appropriate conditions are met. The Flightright legal services company that represents passenger compensation claims is not allowed to disparage Irish budget carrier Ryanair, a German court has ruled. The Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg prohibited the online company from claiming, among other things, that the airline was trampling on consumer rights, it said on Friday. Furthermore, the platform may no longer advise its customers to ignore any attempts by the airline to contact them. A penalty payment of 250,000 ($291,000) was imposed for each repeat offence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flightright handles passenger compensation claims in the event of serious flight delays and enforces them legally against airlines, taking a commission for the service. In this context, the Hamburg court obliged the company to make its additional 14% legal surcharge transparent from the outset. According to the EU's Air Passengers Rights Regulation, airlines have to pay compensation of 250 for delays on short flights of up to 1,500 kilometres. For longer flights, customers are entitled to up to 600 after a delay of three hours. Companies seeking compensation on behalf of passengers tend to take up to 40% of the amount, according to Ryanair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dublin-based airline welcomed the ruling, which is based on a precedent set by Germany's Federal Court of Justice. Head of marketing Dara Brady urged passengers to submit their claims directly to Ryanair to avoid unnecessary costs. Customers would receive 100% of what they are entitled to, Brady said. In the event of flight delays, consumers who do not wish to bring claims against the airline can also use the free service provided by Germany's Travel and Transport Arbitration Board, which says it reaches an agreement in up to 90% of cases. Meet the German hairy snail (Pseudotrichia rubiginosa): a tiny mollusk with a hairy shell that lives along the River Thames in England, among other places. Researchers believe that its signature hairs help the strange creature live in its damp, riverside environments by enabling it to sweat off moisture. By wicking off that excess moisture, the slime gets more sticky, so the snail can hold onto the slick riverside debris and the plants it eats. However, the snail needs some extra support. The German hairy snail is one of the United Kingdoms most endangered mollusks, with its original habitat along the river diminished to limited, disconnected areas. As such, rewilders, conservationists and citizen scientists in London have started conducting surveys to investigate the situation. They are trying to better understand the snails presence in the city and contribute to future conservation efforts.. Advertisement Advertisement These surveys will help us understand how the snail is faring and how we can protect it not only securing their future for years to come, but also helping safeguard green spaces throughout London for people and wildlife for future generations, Joe Pecorelli, Freshwater Conservation Programme Manager at the Zoological Society of London, said in a statement by the society. According to the fossil record, the German hairy snail has existed in the UK at least since the Stone Age and perhaps even since the last Ice Age. At the time, mainland Europe was still connected to Britain, and the Thames was connected to the German River Rhine. This charming little snail has called our riverbanks and wetlands home for thousands of years yet it is sadly now very rare in the UK, potentially restricted to just a few sites along the Thames, Pecorelli added. The snail has been known to exist across Europe. An assessment from 2013 identified eastern Russia, islands in the Baltic Sea, and Germanywhere the mollusk is considered endangeredas parts of its range. Getting a better picture about the distribution of this funky snail is important to its survival and could rally efforts to safeguard and restore Londons riverine habitats. Clearer waterways will only benefit all of the f other native animals, including the European eel, seals, and the short snouted seahorse, that live in Londons busy waterways. Police in Germany are investigating a sudden swell of public insults, defamation and slander directed at the country's politicians, according to latest statistics. Last year, 4,439 such violations of the Criminal Code were recorded, a spokeswoman for the Federal Criminal Police Office told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper in comments published Saturday. In 2023, there were significantly fewer violations at 2,598, compared with 1,404 in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Section 188 of the Criminal Code protects politicians from such impingements on their reputation, with violations punishable with imprisonment or a fine. The far-right Alternative for Germany faction in parliament recently advocated for the abolition of the section, which was introduced in 2021 in its current form. A German police officer has agreed to pay 40,000 ($46,500) in compensation to a taxi driver on the Spanish holiday island of Mallorca after a violent assault last year, allowing him to avoid a possible prison sentence, local media reported on Friday. The settlement was reached by lawyers for both sides, according to the Mallorca Zeitung, a German-language newspaper on the island. The officer, from the western German city of Essen, remains on active duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 2024, the German tourist attacked a 71-year-old driver after a taxi ride from the Ballermann party strip, a nightlife area popular with German tourists at the Playa de Palma beach area in the south-west, to a rural hotel in the centre of the island. Three other German police officers were also involved, according to the victim. The dispute was sparked by a missing mobile phone. The young holidaymakers, all under the age of 30 according to Spanish authorities, accused the Mallorcan driver of theft. The phone was later found in one of their own bags. The assault left the driver with several broken ribs and a fractured arm. The main suspect was arrested during the night by the Guardia Civil, with two more detentions the following day. A judge released all three shortly afterwards, but prosecutors later filed charges. Only the main suspect faced a possible prison term of up to three years. The settlement was signed by lawyers for both sides as well as by the public prosecutor, the Mallorca Zeitung reported. The agreement still requires court approval, though this is considered a formality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer has reportedly pleaded guilty to coercion and bodily harm and will cover both the compensation payment and legal costs. It remains unclear whether he and the other officers involved will be allowed to stay on duty. They could face disciplinary proceedings in Germany. Police in Essen recently said they were awaiting documents from Spain. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz flew into Israel Saturday for his first visit since taking office, and reaffirmed Berlin's support after traditionally solid ties between the countries were shaken by the Gaza war. Merz landed at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport just before 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) and was met by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who called him "a friend of Israel". Germany, he added, was "an important partner". Merz met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem later Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I consider it a great honour and a truly great distinction to be here and to reaffirm that standing by this country is and will remain the unchanging core principle of the Federal Republic of Germany's policy," said Merz. Earlier Saturday, Merz held talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II during a brief stopover there. Their discussions focused largely on the fragile peace process in Israel and the Palestinian territories, he told reporters. Merz urged more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and for Hamas fighters to lay down their weapons, adding that both Jordan and Germany remained committed to a negotiated two-state solution. "There can be no place for terrorism and antisemitism in this shared future," Merz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan's royal palace said in a statement that Abdullah had stressed "the need to commit to implementing all stages of the agreement to end the war and deliver humanitarian aid to all areas of the Strip". The king warned of "the danger of continued Israeli escalations in the West Bank", which Israel has occupied since 1967. Hamas said Saturday it was ready to hand over its weapons in the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian authority governing the territory, provided the Israeli army's occupation ended. "We accept the deployment of UN forces as a separation force, tasked with monitoring the borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire in Gaza," Hamas chief negotiator and its Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya added in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he rejected the deployment of any international force in the Strip whose mission would be to disarm it. - Ties shaken - In Jerusalem on Sunday, Merz is scheduled to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial before meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Given the dark legacy of Nazi Germany's industrial-scale murder of Jews, German leaders have long seen unflinching support for Israel as a bedrock of the country's foreign policy. But Israeli-German ties were shaken during the Gaza war set off by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz, who took power in May, has repeatedly criticised Israel's relentless military campaign, which has killed more than 69,000 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, figures the United Nations considers credible. In August, he also moved to restrict sales of weapons for use in Gaza. Since a fragile US-backed ceasefire and hostage deal ended full-scale fighting, Germany has lifted those export restrictions. Despite the ceasefire, more than 350 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities, as well as three Israeli soldiers. "The actions of the Israeli army in Gaza have posed some dilemmas for us (and) we have responded to them," Merz said Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, he added: "Israel has the right to defend itself." - Defence deals - Although Merz's public criticism of Israel was unusual for a German leader, it was measured by international standards. Merz recently offered Israel full-throated support as European broadcasters considered whether to exclude the country from the annual Eurovision Song Contest, calling such a possibility "scandalous". Thursday's decision to include Israel in the upcoming Eurovision event was warmly welcomed in Berlin. Nevertheless, German officials have said there are currently no plans to invite Netanyahu to Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli leader faces an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Earlier this year however, Merz vowed to invite the Israeli leader and told him he would not be arrested. Nor have any tensions disrupted key military ties. Germany last week put into operation the first phase of the Israeli-made Arrow missile defence shield. The $4.5-billion deal was reportedly the largest arms export agreement in Israeli history. Before leaving Berlin on Saturday, Merz spoke with Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmud Abbas. A spokesman said Merz underscored German support for a two-state solution but urged Abbas to push through "urgently necessary reforms" of the PA in order to play a "constructive role" in the postwar order. burs-jj/acb When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The new sunspot complex AR 4294-4296 is collectively around the same size as the dark patch that triggered the infamous Carrington Event in 1859. | Credit: NASA A gigantic cluster of sunspots collectively around the same size as the one that birthed the largest solar storm in recorded history has just emerged on the sun's Earth-facing side, and is now pointed directly at our planet. But don't panic! While auroras and some technological disturbances are possible over the coming week, the new sunspot complex seems unlikely to unleash a second Carrington Event. The complex, dubbed AR 4294-4296, is made up of two different sunspot groups, AR 4294, and AR 4296, that are magnetically intertwined. It first became visible on Nov. 28, when it rotated onto the sun's Earth-facing side on our home star's western limb. However, the dark patches were first spotted around a week earlier by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover, which was spying on the sun's far side relative to Earth . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AR 4294-4296 is around the same size as a giant sunspot observed by British astronomer Richard Carrington in September 1859, which subsequently birthed the " Carrington Event " the biggest solar storm ever seen by humans. The image above, first shared by Spaceweather.com on Dec. 2, shows the sunspot complex alongside Carrington's sketch of the giant 19th-century behemoth . At first glance, the new sunspot complex appears to be larger. However, in reality, its dark spots cover an area of the solar surface around 90% the size of the Carrington sunspot. Sunspots have the capacity to unleash powerful blasts of radiation, or solar flares , when their invisible magnetic field lines contort and snap, unleashing energy into space. These explosive outbursts can trigger temporary radio blackouts on Earth and launch massive, fast-moving clouds of plasma, or coronal mass ejections (CMEs), at our planet. When this happens, it can subsequently cause disturbances in our planet's magnetic field, known as geomagnetic storms, which can interfere with electronics and paint vibrant auroras in the night sky. The new dark patches are "one of the biggest sunspot groups of the past 10 years" and have the capacity to unleash supercharged X-class flares the most powerful type on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations solar flare categorization system Spaceweather.com representatives recently wrote . If it does blow and unleashes a CME, then the resulting solar storm "will be geoeffective," they added. NASA's Perseverance rover first spotted AR 4294-4296 from Mars, when the sunspot complex was still on the far-side of the sun relative to Earth. | Credit: NASA The Carrington Event unleashed an estimated X45 magnitude solar flare in 1859, which remains a record, although there is geological evidence that even more powerful blasts occurred long before humans emerged. For context, an X45 flare is more than five times stronger than the most powerful solar flare of the last decade an X7 blast in October 2024 . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If an equally powerful blast impacted Earth today, the radiation would knock out every satellite in orbit around our planet , recent simulations revealed. It would also wreak havoc on the ground, potentially damaging parts of the electrical grid. Experts estimate that the total damages would easily exceed $1 trillion. If AR 4294-4296 is close in size to the sunspot that birthed the Carrington Event, that means a huge solar storm is likely, right? Well, yes and no. Larger sunspots do have the potential to launch more powerful solar flares. For example, the sunspot that birthed a geomagnetic "superstorm" in May 2024 was more than 15 times wider than Earth. However, with sunspots, size isn't everything. Whether or not a sunspot reaches its maximum explosive potential is also tied to the configuration of its magnetic field and the frequency with which it explodes, meaning that some giant sunspots can be completely harmless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The magnetic fields of AR 4294-4296 are quite entangled, meaning that flares are possible, and the complex has already unleashed a potential X-class flare while still on the sun's farside, according to Spaceweather.com. However, despite this, experts say there is no clear sign of a superstorm on par with the Carrington Event in the immediate future. Scientists will be keeping a particularly close eye on the magnetic field of the latest behemoth for signs of incoming activity. But if it happens to rotate past Earth without any outbursts, the hefty dark spots are likely large enough to survive more than one trip around the sun , meaning they could be back for "round two" sometime closer to Christmas. RELATED STORIES 'The sun is slowly waking up': NASA warns that there may be more extreme space weather for decades to come Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Invisible 'flickering' on the sun could predict potentially dangerous solar flares hours in advance We are fast approaching the sun's 'battle zone' and it could be even worse than solar maximum, experts warn The sun has been particularly active in recent years, because it has recently been in the most active phase of its roughly 11-year solar cycle, known as solar maximum . That has fueled several recent X-class flares, including two back-to-back explosions, which triggered a G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm between Nov. 11-12. In fact, 2024 had the highest number of X-class flares in a single year since modern records began in 1996. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of these flares have triggered geomagnetic storms on Earth, including the extreme disturbance in May 2024, which was the most powerful of its kind for 21 years and triggered some of the most widespread auroras in centuries . Sun quiz: How well do you know our home star? GOSHEN The Goshen Board of Public Works and Public Safety tabled a request brought forward by Jill Sinclair, property manager of the Roxbury Park housing community. Sinclair was seeking relief for previously billed wastewater charges that were the result of multiple leaks in the parks water lines. The leaks were initially discovered in January, but the leaks were not fully repaired until October, resulting in an indeterminate amount of water that was distributed through the system, but which never entered the sewer system. Wastewater charges are added separately by the city based on water usage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was noted by the city that the utilities department contacted Roxbury Park management by telephone on March 20 to alert them of abnormal water usage. However, that call apparently went unheeded as the problem continued for another several months. Sinclair did not bring a dollar amount for relief to the meeting. In tabling the request, the board recommended that she return with a specific request, along with documentation, when the board reconsiders the request. The utilities department also will attempt to arrive at a figure, although doing so will be difficult since the park uses a master meter and it is impossible to determine how much water usage was legitimate and how much was a result of the leaks. In other business, the board: Acknowledged the use of a public city parking lot adjacent to Goshen Brewing Company, 315 W. Washington St., beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. The parking lot will be used by cars taking part in the distribution of 200 Christmas meals for families by Edible Michiana and the Center for Healing and Hope. The meals will be distributed in the actual parking lot of GBC. No additional city resources, such as stanchions, cones or personnel will be required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approved the usage of a sandwich board for use on the sidewalk outside of Kindred Wool Company at the corner of Main and Washington streets. The board will be placed on the sidewalk during the businesss open hours and will be removed when it is closed. Additionally, the board will be removed from the sidewalk during snow events to allow for shoveling. Awarded a contract for the purchase of five new police vehicles to Eby Ford Sales Inc. in the amount of $220,505. The bid was the lowest of several received at a previous board meeting. Adopted resolution 2025-33, an interlocal agreement with Elkhart County for funding the Horn Ditch maintenance, brushing and stabilization project, in regard to the reconstruction of the bridge on College Avenue crossing at Horn Ditch. Approved an amendment to an agreement with Cathys Cleaning Service to allow the city to add cleaning services to the current agreement with the business to include certain spaces being leased by the city at the Historic Elkhart County Courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approved the construction engineering services consulting contract with A&Z Engineering LLC for the College Avenue Phase I project for a not-to-exceed amount of $1,260,597. Approved the professional services contract with DLC for the biennial bridge inspection project for a not-to-exceed amount of $31,350. Approved the amount of $82,307 for equipment and subscription of new communication devices for the Goshen Police Department. The new equipment will be compatible with other law enforcement agencies in the county, including the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office. The second-year subscription amount will be $53,379. Following the regular meeting, the board held a review/compliance hearing on the property located at 208 Queen St. The formerly dilapidated house at that location has undergone a complete renovation by Artisan Group LLC and is now ready for occupancy. A presentation of photos was given, showing before and after pictures of the building. According to the city, the property has been on its radar since 1991. The next regular meeting of the Board of Works and Public Safety is scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 11, inside the Goshen Police & Courts Building, 111 E. Jefferson St. The public is invited to attend. If there is a way to be right and wrong about something at the same time, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has figured it out. The subject? The New York City Police Department. The incoming mayor, during a wide-ranging news conference last week, was right on target when he doubled down on the NYPDs existing policy not to help the federal government carry out President Trumps onerous immigration policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There must be no cooperation between the NYPD and ICE, Mamdani told reporters after handing out hot chocolate to residents in Manhattans Stuyvesant Town. The NYPDs job is to keep order, but its not to assist immigration. Its to protect New Yorkers. The clarification was necessary after protesters recently claimed that New York City cops were helping ICE agents round up illegal immigrants in what would be a violation of the citys status as a sanctuary city. An NYPD spokesman disputed the claim, saying that the cops were only on hand to help disperse a crowd. A number of arrests were made as protesters tried to block ICE vehicles leaving a lower Manhattan garage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NYPD had no involvement with the federal operation, and does not conduct civil immigration enforcement, period, the spokesman told WPIX. Affirming the sanctuary city policy wasnt the only police issue to surface during the news conference. Mamdani confirmed he intends to maintain a police force of 35,000 officers, the staffing level reflected in the current city budget which could require hiring about 1,000 additional officers to offset attrition. Several weeks ago, outgoing Mayor Adams added money to the citys budget to hire an additional 5,000 cops, to bring the NYPD uniform headcount to 40,000 by July 2008, the highest number in 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vast majority of New Yorkers want more police officers on their streets and in their subways, Adams, a retired NYPD captain, said at the time. But Mamdani insisted that the city didnt need as many as that. Thirty-five thousand is the budget number of police officers, Mamdani said. I think thats the right amount. I think if were struggling to hire even up to that amount, any ideas of extending it beyond that are not reckoning with the reality. Try telling that to residents in Queens Whitestone neighborhood, which was besieged last month by a group of rowdy drag racers who rioted in the street and pummeled a homeowner when he confronted them and told them to get off his property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the chaos, the revelers also set off fireworks that ignited a parked car. City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Queens), in a post on X, said the NYPD was slow to respond. These violent street takeovers should be met with maximum force by the police department, she posted. We have NEVER had these problems before. Now its an epidemic. What changed? We stopped arresting criminals. An NYPD representative later said a department chief recently met with Paladino and local residents, and that patrols will be increased in the neighborhood. Officials also noted it was a busy night in the precinct, and that cops were responding to multiple high-priority incidents, including a DWI arrest, transporting a detainee to a hospital and a crash with injuries. That sounds like a department thats stretched too thin. Its nothing 5,000 more cops wouldnt fix. Gunmen have stormed into a hostel in South Africas capital and killed at least 12 people, including a three-year-old child, and injured more than a dozen others. Police said they had launched a manhunt for three people and were investigating whether the killings were linked to a bar within the hostel that may have been selling alcohol illegally. The attack is the latest in a series of mass shootings in the country of 63 million people, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can confirm that a total of 25 people were shot, said a police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, of the early morning attack in Saulsville township, 11 miles (18km) west of Pretoria. She said the armed men had shot indiscriminately. Ten had died at the scene while two died in hospital, she said. The twelfth victim succumbed to injuries on Saturday afternoon. The victims included a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. South African police have been grappling with violence linked to illegal bars, known as shebeens, which often sell home-brewed drinks. With high levels of gun ownership in the country, shootings linked to organised crime are common and police say they are often fuelled by alcohol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These illegal shebeens are really giving us a problem as the police, Mathe told the 24-hour eNCA news broadcaster. Because a lot of murders are being reported at these illegal establishments. Forensic and ballistic experts and investigators were at the scene. So we are on a manhunt. For now, we are looking for three suspects, Mathe said. Between April and September, more than 60 people were killed each day in South Africa, according to police data. Agence France-Presse contributed to this report The Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons Gal Hirsch left for Cairo for talks on Gvili's return, as well as advancement to the second phase of the hostage and ceasefire deal. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad know how to reach slain hostage Ran Gvili to return his remains to Israel, the Jewish state's delegation told mediators of the hostage and ceasefire deal while in Cairo, N12 reported late Friday. The Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch left for Cairo on Wednesday, where talks are being held, to convey the message to Hamas to bring Gvili's remains to Israel as soon as possible. The delegation included officials from the IDF, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and the Mossad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gvili's sister, Shira, demanded at a rally at Tel Aviv's Hostages' Square on Friday, "not to proceed to Phase II until Rani is home. "This is the first Shabbat that Rani has remained alone there," she added. "Compel Hamas to return Rani to the country he loved so much. Continue to stand with us, think of my Rani. 254 hostages have been returned from Gaza, and our Rani is still there." What will happen in deal's second phase when Gvili's remains are returned? The talks in the Egyptian capital also deal with the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal, which demands that Hamas step down from power in the Gaza Strip. Posters of Ran Gvili, whose body is still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, seen at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. December 02, 2025. (credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90) "The mediators are saying that Hamas is showing interest in upholding the hostage deal, and wants to move to the next phase, which includes disarmament and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip," the Friday N12 report added, citing an Israeli source. The source also told N12 that "it's either they agree to disarm, or we will disarm them. We will not leave any threat to the State of Israel in Gaza." Uri Sela contributed to this report. Rescue teams and volunteers have been struggling to assist millions of people affected by floods and landslides in parts of Asia, as the official death toll from the ongoing climate-fuelled disaster has climbed to more than 1,750 people in the worst-affected countries of Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. In Indonesia, at least 908 people were confirmed dead and 410 were still missing, according to the latest data on Saturday. In Sri Lanka, the government has confirmed 607 deaths, with another 214 people missing and feared dead, in what President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called the countrys most challenging natural disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The floods also caused at least 276 deaths in Thailand, while two people were killed in Malaysia and two people died in Vietnam after heavy rains triggered more than a dozen landslides, according to state media. On Indonesias Sumatra, many survivors were still struggling to recover from the flash floods and landslides that hit last week as Indonesias meteorological agency warned Aceh could see very heavy rain through Saturday, with North and West Sumatra also at risk. Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf said response teams were still searching for bodies in waist-deep mud. However, starvation was one of the gravest threats now hanging over remote and inaccessible villages, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people need basic necessities. Many areas remain untouched in the remote areas of Aceh, he told reporters. People are not dying from the flood, but from starvation. Thats how it is. Entire villages had been washed away in the rainforest-cloaked Aceh Tamiang region, Muzakir said. The Aceh Tamiang region is completely destroyed from the top to the bottom, down to the roads and down to the sea. Many villages and sub-districts are now just names, he said. In Sri Lanka, where more than two million people nearly 10 percent of the population- have been affected, officials warned on Friday of continuing heavy rains causing new landslide risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sri Lankas Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said more than 71,000 homes were damaged, including nearly 5,000 that were destroyed by last weeks floods and landslides. The DMC said on Friday that more rain was expected in many parts of the country, including the worst-affected central region, triggering fears of more landslides, hampering cleanup operations. Sri Lankans clean their mud and water-covered homes in a flood-affected suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Wednesday [Chamila Karunarathne/EPA] Climate change, logging contribute to disasters Last weeks flood came as two typhoons and a cyclone swept through the region at the same time, causing heavy rains, which experts told Al Jazeera are becoming more likely due to climate change. Illegal logging, often linked to the global demand for palm oil, also contributed to the severity of the disaster in Sumatra, where photographs of the aftermath showed many tree logs washed downstream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indonesia is among the countries with the largest annual forest loss due to mining, plantations and fires, and has seen the clearance of large tracts of its lush rainforest in recent decades. Indonesias Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said on Friday that his office was revoking the logging licences of 20 companies, covering an area of 750,000 hectares (1.8m acres), including in flood-affected areas in Sumatra, Indonesias Antara news agency reported. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq also immediately halted the activities of palm oil, mining, and power plant companies operating upstream of the disaster-hit areas in northern Sumatra on Saturday, according to Antara. The Batang Toru and Garoga watersheds are strategic areas with ecological and social functions that must not be compromised, Hanif said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Febi Dwirahmadi, Indonesian programme coordinator for the Centre for Environment and Population Health at Griffith University in Australia, told Al Jazeera that rainforest cover acts like a sponge absorbing water during heavy rainfall. Following deforestation, which is also contributing to making climate change worse, there is nothing to slow down the heavy rainfall as it enters waterways, Dwirahmadi said. Six Democratic legislators, all with strong national security experience and credentials, recently took the extraordinary step of sending a video message to officers in the United States military, reminding them of something they already know: They should not follow unlawful orders. The reaction from the Trump administration has been explosive. The legislators have been called traitors and seditious. President Donald Trump has called for their deaths on social media. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Sen. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and the only retired military officer in the group, is under investigation for possible court-martial, and the others may be under FBI investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What the hell is going on here? We're way beyond the usual political theater U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, addresses a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 1, 2025, in Washington, DC. This is not a political sideshow or a stunt. Both groups involved those posting the video on one hand, Trump and Hegseth on the other are deadly serious about what theyre doing. The news media has reported that U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin organized the video. She is a personal friend, former colleague and someone I admire greatly. I have not discussed the video with her, but I know firsthand what she's worried about. The senator from Michigan has been very public about her concerns. Sen. Kelly of Arizona, too, is as patriotic an American as I have ever encountered. I worked with him closely in his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Donald Trump didn't count on Mark Kelly fighting back No one can doubt these legislators patriotism or commitment to the U.S. Constitution they took oaths to defend. One must conclude that they genuinely see the Trump administration as giving, or preparing to give, illegal orders. As I and others have commented, the decision to disobey an unlawful order can be difficult and perilous, but it is still an important professional obligation, especially for senior officers. This isn't just a hypothetical situation Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during President Donald Trump's Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, on Dec. 2, 2025. These Democratic members of Congress did not specify what orders are or would be illegal, but recent events provide examples. The strikes on alleged drug boats have been almost universally condemned as illegal, nonjudicial killings. It was recently reported that Hegseth gave orders to kill them all during the first attack in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If true, as a group of former judge advocates has made clear, this was either outright murder, a war crime or both. Opinion: US 'drug boat' strikes don't just cross a line, they're legally indefensible Courts have found many of the National Guard deployments to states and cities that didnt request or want them to be illegal. I believe, however, that we should all be most concerned about future unlawful orders, and my sense is that these six legislators share my concern. Ask yourself what happened the last time Trump lost an election. Did he give up power willingly in the longstanding American democratic tradition that was the envy of the world? No. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He took extraordinary, and I believe unlawful, measures to remain in power. Over 60 frivolous lawsuits. Coercion of state officials. A fake slate of electors. Inciting an assault on the nation's Capitol and then doing nothing for hours as the mob attacked and occupied the building. Crisis may come to a head sooner than expected After the American people put Trump back in the White House in 2024, I was immediately concerned that we would face an extreme constitutional crisis in 2028. Now, I don't believe we will have to wait that long. In less than one year, we will have another election in which Trump's MAGA party may lose control of the U.S. House of Representatives and even the Senate. The president is already taking actions to retain power, regardless of the voters wishes, including out-of-cycle redistricting and baselessly condemning voting practices as fraudulent. Military members look on before President Donald Trump addresses senior military officers gathered at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, Virginia, on Sept. 30, 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the military must fix "decades of decay" as he addressed a rare gathering of hundreds of senior officers summoned from around the world to hear him speak near Washington. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addresses senior military officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, Virginia, on Sept.30, 2025. Members of the military attend a meeting convened by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in Quantico, Virginia, on Sept. 30, 2025. Members of the military wait for President Donald Trump to arrive for a meeting convened by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, in Quantico, Virginia, on Sept. 30, 2025. Hundreds of military leaders went to Quantico for Trump, Hegseth. See inside the Sept. summit 1 of 4 Military members look on before President Donald Trump addresses senior military officers gathered at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, Virginia, on Sept. 30, 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the military must fix "decades of decay" as he addressed a rare gathering of hundreds of senior officers summoned from around the world to hear him speak near Washington. The presence of National Guard troops in our cities and the creation of a new force for responding to civic disturbances are part of this pattern of behavior. So, too, is the continuing purge of senior military officers including lawyers who are seen as inadequately compliant with the presidents demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe the use of military force to stay in power is the unlawful action that this administration is preparing to take. This is not mere speculation. We have already seen how far Trump is willing to go to retain power. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Then, theres the administrations extraordinary overreaction to the video posted by the six legislators a video that simply reminds men and women in uniform of well-established law. Trump's pettiness and vindictiveness are on full display Protesters rally against President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on Nov. 21, 2025. Trump has a well-earned reputation for exacting retribution on his perceived enemies. He is abusing the office of the presidency in totally unprecedented ways to coerce those he wishes to dominate, for any purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He routinely reacts to dissent or opposition with childish, petty and extreme responses. But something more is happening here, especially with regard to Sen. Kelly. Trump and Hegseth are sending a message. Theyre telling everyone in uniform today and every current or future retiree that if you cross them, they will use all the power at their disposal to attack you. Frank Kendall served as secretary of the Air Force from 2021 to 2025. If a true American hero like Mark Kelly can be threatened with being called back onto active duty and court-martialed for unjustified and outrageous charges, then what can be done to an unknown officer who lacks the special constitutional protections and prestige of a senator? Trump and Hegseth are determined to ensure that any order they give, lawful or unlawful, is followed. If anyone in the active or retired military dares challenge them, they now know what to expect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frank Kendall is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as secretary of the Air Force from 2021 to 2025. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump, Hegseth on a dangerous path toward authoritarian rule | Opinion The Department of Health and Human Services, under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has removed the legal name Rachel from Adm. Rachel Levines official portrait, replacing it with her deadname and doing so beneath the mounted glass typically used for permanent institutional displays. Levine was the first transgender person confirmed by the U.S. Senate, something that took place under President Joe Biden. Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocates email newsletter. NPR, which first reported the development, described the setting in stark terms. On the seventh floor of the Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C., portraits of those who have led the Public Health Corps at HHS hang. Levines portrait was among them until the nameplate was altered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Dr. Rachel Levine Confirmed to HHS Post, Makes Transgender History (www.advocate.com) The modification appears to have occurred during the recent federal shutdown, shortly after Assistant Secretary for Health Brian Cristine was confirmed by the Senate. Such an action during a shutdown raises immediate procedural concerns. Shutdown rules restrict employees to duties tied to public safety or health emergencies. Altering a portrait, especially removing the frames glass and replacing it with a different nameplate, does not appear to fall into that category. Adrian Shanker, who served as Levines deputy and directed the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Policy, said the move reflects a troubling misuse of institutional authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Rachel Levine on being out in government and the faux outrage over Trans Day of Visibility (exclusive) During her entire time as assistant secretary for health and admiral of the United States Public Health Service, Admiral Levine was a dedicated public health servant, Shanker told The Advocate. She was working to end the HIV epidemic, respond to syphilis surges, improve mental health and nutrition, and really work for the health and well-being of all Americans. And it seems like what the folks that are there now are doing are small acts of pettiness and bigotry. Its not only unfair to Admiral Levine, but its unfair to the American people that this is the level of seriousness of the current political appointees at HHS. HHS defended the change in a statement to NPR, claiming its priority is to ensure that the information presented internally and externally by HHS reflects gold standard science, and asserting that the department remains focused on reversing harmful policies enacted by Levine and advancing biological reality. The language echoed ongoing efforts across the administration to remove references to transgender people from federal materials. Shanker said the administrations bombast obscures what actually occurred. They have a lot of rhetoric and campaign slogans theyre still using as they craft the policies theyre implementing, he said. But this isnt about policy. This is a small act of pettiness and bigotry, and we should just call it what it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the portrait alteration fits into the broader pattern of the administration seeking to erase transgender people from public life. It does seem like theyre obsessed with trans people and with removing not only their legal rights and their access to health care, but even peoples basic existence, he said. After this story was initially published, HHS took a victory lap on social media. "Can confirm," the agency's Instagram account posted on Tuesday morning, with a photo of the portrait that included Levines deadname. Related: Rachel Levine led fights against HIV & STIs at HHS. Now Trumps undoing that progress, and shes speaking out Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Levine, who was traveling on Friday and not conducting interviews, provided a brief statement to The Advocate through Shanker. It was my great honor to serve in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, she said. My focus has been and continues to be on how we can advance health equity and public health for everyone. Im not going to comment on this type of petty action. Editors note: This story has been updated with HHSs reaction on Instagram. This article originally appeared on Advocate: HHS replaces name on transgender admirals official portrait with deadname in act of pettiness and bigotry RELATED HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kongs national security police arrested a man on Saturday in the first publicly confirmed arrest relating to criticism of authorities over a high-rise apartment blaze that killed at least 159 people. Police said he had been accused of posting information with seditious intention on social media. That mainly included (materials intending to) incite hatred among (others) toward the Hong Kong government and the central government, Steve Li, chief superintendent of the police National Security Department, told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, he pointed to the Hong Kong and the central governments as instigators of exploiting the tragedy to cause chaos and turmoil, he said. Thats something totally impossible. Local media reported other arrests earlier but authorities have not confirmed them. The fire, which broke out Nov. 26 at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, has prompted a debate about government accountability. Authorities have warned against attempts to use the fire to try to undermine the local government or the central government in Beijing. Hong Kong is part of China but, like nearby Macao, has its own legal system and laws. Both are former European colonies that were returned to China in the late 1990s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the man had also been arrested on suspicion of disclosing information related to a national security probe, possibly with the intent of prejudicing the investigation. On Dec. 2, he was asked to come to a police station to assist with a national security investigation, according to police. But on the following day, we discovered that he had brazenly released all (or) some of those details on social media, said Li, despite being warned not to disclose the information publicly. He said officials believed the 71-year-old man was attempting to tip off others involved in the case. The initial cause of last month's blaze was unknown, but the government said it would set up an independent committee to probe the cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 21 people have been arrested by authorities as officials investigate suspected corruption and negligence over a major renovation project that had been taking place at the housing complex before the fire broke out. Substandard green netting covering the scaffolding that enveloped the buildings, as well as foam boards installed on windows of the buildings, have been identified as among the main causes for the fire's rapid spread to seven of the eight residential towers in the complex. Some fire alarms were also found to be not working. Last weekend, the organizer of a petition calling for government accountability over the fire was arrested by national security police on suspicion of sedition, local media including HK01 and Sing Tao Daily reported. Li did not confirm nor deny any other arrests but said officials had spotted a lot of fake information about the fire that they believed was intended in part to incite hatred against Hong Kong and Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Li also said that some people were attempting to provoke conflict by distributing pamphlets and putting up slogans near the scene of the fire, which he said resembled scenes from massive anti-government protests in Hong Kong in 2019. The protests led to a crackdown that has effectively silenced political dissent in the city. There are no opposition candidates in a legislative election on Sunday, with all those running vetted to ensure they are loyal to Beijing. John Lee, Hong Kongs leader, has warned that authorities would take action against those who exploit the tragedy. For anybody who tries to sabotage the commitment of society, I will do all I can to ensure justice is done, he said. The protective casing over the destroyed fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant requires major renovation due to damage from the Ukraine war, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "Limited temporary repairs have been carried out on the roof, but timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement on Friday. According to the agency, a recent safety assessment found that the shelter had lost protective functions after a drone strike in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes containment capability around the reactor, which blew up during safety testing in 1986. The IAEA recommends further repairs and protective measures, including moisture controls, updated corrosion monitoring and improved monitoring of the concrete sarcophagus that was built over the damaged reactor immediately after the disaster. The entire Chernobyl site was permanently shut down in December 2000 when the last operating reactor was closed. Further preliminary repairs are to be carried out next year to improve the new shelter at the plant, located around 100 kilometres north of Kiev. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a Russian drone damaged the New Safe Confinement (NSC) a huge hangar-like structure installed over the fourth reactor in 2016. No increased radiation levels were reported after the drone incident. Moscow denied that it had attacked the site, which its troops occupied for 35 days at the start of the war before withdrawing. Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, there have been repeated incidents at the country's partially decommissioned nuclear power plants. At the beginning of October, according to Kiev, the shelter at Chernobyl was left without power due to attacks on energy infrastructure. The decommissioned Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which has been occupied by Russian troops since March 2022, was cut off from the external power supply for about a month in the autumn. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem openly admitted to defying a judges order and dared the court to do something about it in a stunning court filing. The case, which has dragged on through 2025, concerns a March incident in which D.C. Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ordered that two planes bound for El Salvador carrying mostly Venezuelan migrants remain in the United States. The order was ignored, and the detainees were handed over to El Salvadors CECOT mega-prison, a facility notorious for human rights abuses. The men were ultimately transferred to Venezuela in a prison swap months later. Noem at El Salvador's infamous CECOT prison. / Pool / Getty Images Pursuing answers as to why his order was not followed, Boasberg ordered that those involved provide written testimony detailing their role in the decision. Noem, 54, boasted in the court filing Friday evening that she was the one who chose to ignore his ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A filing accompanying her declaration taunts Boasberg, saying, Accordingly, if the Court continues to believe its order was sufficiently clear in imposing an obligation to halt the transfer of custody for detainees who had already been removed from the United States, the Court should proceed promptly with a referral. A DOJ whistleblower accused then-top DOJ official Emil Bove of planning to defy the court's orders no matter what. / Kevin Dietsch/Getty Image The Justice Department admitted that Noem made the decision last week. DOJ attorney Tiberius Davis wrote, After receiving that legal advice, Secretary Noem directed that the AEA [Alien Enemies Act] detainees who had been removed from the United States before the Courts order could be transferred to the custody of El Salvador. The DOJ has argued that Judge Boasbergs order to halt the deportation of more than 100 men was ambiguous, and that its decision to ship the men out was legally consistent. Boasbergs oral order came on March 15, when the planes were already in the air. He said, Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOJ whistleblower Erez Reuveni, a former DOJ attorney, alleged over the summer that the DOJ always planned to ignore Judge Boasbergs orders. He accused Emil Bove, then-principal associate deputy attorney general, of telling DOJ attorneys to be prepared to tell courts f--- you if they ruled against the government, per a letter from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to Chief Justice John Roberts. Reuveni also accused Bove of telling the lawyers, the planes need to take off no matter what. Like many judges who have challenged the Trump administration, Boasberg has endured smears from the president himself, despite a sterling record and bipartisan approval. When Boasberg ruled that the migrants be kept in the United States, Trump called Boasberg a Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator and demanded his impeachment, prompting a rare rebuke from Justice Roberts. Boasberg was appointed to the D.C. Superior Court by George W. Bush in 2002 and then to the U.S. District Court by Barack Obama in 2011. The Senate confirmed him in a 96-0 vote. Judge Boasberg. / Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post/Getty Images The Supreme Court ultimately voided Boasbergs order to halt the migrants deportation, saying he lacked authority in the case. Boasberg has continued to pursue the question of whether the DOJ acted in contempt of court, as Noem and the DOJ defied his order before the Supreme Courts ruling. Such disobedience is punishable as contempt, notwithstanding any later-revealed deficiencies, he wrote. The operation was conducted with the IDF's Menashe Brigade and Samaria Brigade in collaboration with the Shin Bet, Border Police, and the Air Force. The IDF killed six terrorists and arrested dozens of wanted individuals over the past two weeks in the northern West Bank, in what the military dubbed "Operation Five Stones," the military said in a Friday statement. The operation was conducted by the IDF's Menashe and Samaria Brigades, in collaboration with the Shin Bet, Border Police, and the Air Force. Forces also interrogated dozens of additional suspects, the IDF said. The wanted individuals, as well as all weapons uncovered during the operation, were transferred to the District Police and Shin Bet. Funds, weapons, and explosives uncovered during the operation Israeli troops also uncovered hundreds of thousands of shekels that were intended to finance terrorist activities. Weapons, including pistols, rifles, M-16s, knives, and ammunition, were also discovered in the village of Tammun by the IDF's Maglan Unit. Books inciting violence and supporting Hamas were found at the scene. IDF killed six terrorists and arrested dozens in ''Operation Five Stones'' in the northern West Bank. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) The IDF's Menashe Brigade also located and destroyed weapons and explosives in Jenin during the operation. Two buildings used to house terrorists were also demolished in the Palestinian city. The IAF conducted more than 30 targeted airstrikes to assist forces on the ground. The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., earlier this week hosted a study visit by a delegation of 19 students from the Georgetown University Security Studies Program, Walsh School of Foreign Service. During the engagement, mid-career professionals and emerging security practitioners met for focused discussions on Philippine-United States defense relations and the evolving regional security environment. - Advertisement - The activity was jointly hosted by the Defense and Armed Forces Affairs Office, headed by BGen Roy Anthony Derilo, the Defense Attache, and the Philippine Embassy, represented by Minister and Consul Lenna Eilleen De Dios-Sison, Political and Legislative Officer, with the participation of Col. Lee Sarpamones and Capt. James Francis Lugtu, Air and Naval Attache, respectively. The program started with a prepared video presentation setting the strategic context of the Philippines national defense posture. This was followed by a briefing delivered by Lugtu, which provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving security situation in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, with particular emphasis on the Illegal, Coercive, Aggressive, and Deceptive (ICAD) activities of the Peoples Republic of China. The presentation examined recent operational developments across key maritime features, including Scarborough Shoal, Second Thomas Shoal, Sabina Shoal, and Pag-asa Island, outlining the broader geopolitical implications for regional stability, freedom of navigation, and international law. During the interactive question-and-answer session that followed, students engaged Embassy officials on maritime security, alliance interoperability, and the broader implications of great-power competition in Southeast Asia. The study visit concluded with a photo opportunity between Embassy officials and the visiting students, marking the successful conclusion of a meaningful academic and diplomatic engagement. The Philippine Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining dialogue with academic institutions and future security leaders to advance mutual understanding of Philippine foreign and defense policy priorities in the Indo-Pacific. Two were arrested for terror-related activity in the West Bank, while nine were arrested for criminal activity in Umm al-Fahm. The IDF and Israel Police arrested eleven people over the weekend in crime and terror-related activities since Thursday, according to statements by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel Police. Two wanted individuals were arrested on Thursday in Kafr Akab by the IDF's Binyamin Brigade and Border Police using the guidance of Shin Bet intelligence. Weapons owned by the two were also confiscated. The suspects were transferred to the Shin Bet for questioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli forces entered the village and closed off the building where the two were staying, following intelligence they received. Another nine arrested in Umm al-Fahm Also, over the weekend, nine people were arrested in Umm al-Fahm by the Israel Police for involvement in shooting incidents. Weapons confiscated in IDF raids on the West Bank over the past week. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Officers carried out raids and searches in the town and located a large cache of ammunition and Molotov cocktails, which were confiscated and submitted into evidence. Indonesia's disaster agency on Saturday reported a rise in the death toll from floods and landslides on the island of Sumatra, saying at least 883 people have been confirmed dead while more than 500 remain missing. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said the figures cover three provinces Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra which have been hit by days of intense rainfall that triggered overflowing rivers, landslides and severe damage to transport infrastructure. According to the agency, 520 people are still unaccounted for and around 4,200 have been injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aceh province recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 345 deaths and 174 people listed as missing. BNPB said many of the 3,500 injured were from rural districts on steep terrain prone to landslides. In North Sumatra, officials confirmed 312 deaths and 133 missing, while West Sumatra reported 226 fatalities and 213 missing. The agency warned that the number of victims could rise further as rescue teams reach isolated areas. Access has been hampered by dozens of damaged bridges and blocked roads, leaving some villages without electricity, clean water or telecommunications for days. Environmental organizations have linked the scale of destruction to rapid deforestation and hillside development in parts of Sumatra, arguing that weakened watersheds have made communities more vulnerable to heavy rainfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indonesia frequently experiences floods and landslides during the monsoon period, but experts say climate change is contributing to more extreme weather events across the region. The government has deployed the military, police and additional disaster-response personnel to the affected provinces. A resident walks through floodwaters in Dayeuhkolot. Claudio Pramana/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Jean A. Kettler passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025, in Eastman, Georgia. With her loving family at her side. She was born on October 28, 1942, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Allen N. Daily and Olive R. Rosky and was a lifetime resident until recently moving to Georgia. Find obituaries from your high school Jean graduated from South High School in 1960. She graduated from LPN school in 1976, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University of New York with her associates degree in nursing in 1986. She was a registered nurse and head of Orthopedic Surgery at St. Elizabeth Hospital prior to retiring in 2005. Jean belonged to the American Legion auxiliary post 472 and the Youngstown Fraternal Order of Eagles # 213. She was also a member of the VFW post on South Ave, in Youngstown. She was a very social person; she loved spending time with her friends at the clubs she belonged to. Jean would help when they placed flags for the veterans, potluck dinners and holiday parties, for the kids and the adults, plus anything else they needed help with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She loved to sing karaoke and to decorate for the holidays. Jean had over 20 or 30 t-shirts and sweatshirts for each holiday. Jean enjoyed going up to Geneva-on-the-Lake lake where she owned a cottage for over forty years. After her husband and mother passed away, she would spend the winters with her kids and grandkids in Florida before moving there in 2020, and then to Georgia last year. She married the love of her life, Kenneth Kettler, on August 17, 1991. Sadly, he passed away just shy of their ten-year anniversary in August 2001. Jean leaves to cherish her memory, her son Richard Putko of Boardman, and her daughter Christine (Ted) Jones of Eastman, Georgia, her grandchildren Lisa (Jason) Guthrie, Rachel Jones, Brandon (Rachel) Elsass and Alex (Zainab) Putko. And her bonus grandchildren, Ann Michelle (Michael) Odom and Rachel Ray Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also leaves her bonus children: Jackie Richards of Struthers and Keith Kettler, Kelly Kettler, Kathy Noel and Chris Kettler, who all live in Iowa. Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by Kyle Kettler. Family and friends may call on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 2:00 4:00 p.m. at the Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman, followed by a memorial service at 4:00 p.m., celebrated by Deacon Paul Lisko. Jean will be buried with her husband at Lake Park Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean A. Kettler, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Monday, December 8 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. 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 WKBN.com. Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley is a font of interesting ideas. His latest is to add health care to the Trump administrations tax mantra of no tax on tips and no tax on overtime. Hawley reports that Trump is intrigued by the idea proposed as a fallback position if Democrats and Republicans are unable to come to agreement on making the Biden administrations temporary Obamacare subsidies more permanent. Hawleys no tax on health care proposal is to add up to $25,000 of medical expenses (including your premiums!) to the standard deduction so that you wouldnt pay any income taxes on those expenses. Sounds great. It is especially attractive to me in that I am sick of guessing how much my out-of-pocket medical expenses are every year in order to use my employers standard medical expense account that must be used up by the new year. Hawleys plan would cover them all, unlike the tax system we have now that lets you deduct medical expenses only if they are over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are a few caveats. For one thing, most of the people on the lower half of the income scale already pay zero income tax after things like the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit are figured in. So who benefits from this break that Hawley pitches as for the working class? Generally, it will go to people who make more than average income. Thats fine with me, but it is not what Hawley is saying. In any case, thats not the big problem with the idea though. The big problem is deciding what is health care. At first glance, it would seem easy, but then I read the 15,000 word IRS rulebook for deducting health care expenses that only an accountant could love, or maybe a creative tax cheat. To begin with, Republicans are going to have a hard time swallowing the fact that the IRS says abortion is health care. If Joe Biden had suggested a tax break for abortion, the Republican screams would have been heard past Jupiter. But it looks like that is what Josh Hawley proposed. Tell me again how these MAGA-types are the real conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyway, it was just weeks ago that Hawley was railing against medical abortions and Food and Drug Administration rules. Wait til he reads the Internal Revenue Service rules, which incidentally cover transgender surgeries, puberty blockers and hormones even for minors, something else Hawley doesnt like. Hawleys office did not respond when I raised these issues in an email, but accountants I talked to who work with these rules say such things are covered under the general categories of surgery and medicine, since they are approved as standard care by medical governing bodies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dental implants, pet medical care, Ozempic Some of the IRS rules are easy to understand breast implants are medical care when they are used for reconstruction after breast cancer or other medical conditions, but not when they are used for, well, improving the scenery. But dental implants are covered, I am told, whether their primary reason is cosmetic or not. There are rules for when an animals medical expenses are covered, when improvements to your house make the grade, when your trips and what expenses on your trips are covered, as well as baby milk accoutrements (breast pump yes, storage bottles no). There are even rules covering medical care for dead people. Oh, then there is the Ozempic clause. It turns out that most things your doctor does to help you lose weight are included, except joining a gym. That means that our local Missouri senator has just proposed to make Ozempic tax-deductible for all Americans. I think maybe we should have a debate about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But just wait until the tax cheats get a hold of this thing. Is the IRS going to check whether you were actually driving to the doctor or flying to a medical conference when you deduct your family plane tickets or fill-up receipts? Who is going to be the IRS guardian of the line between legitimate seeing eye dogs and standard-issue pets with bogus emotional support animal credentials? Are you going to have to prove you had cancer before you deduct breast implants? And what about plain old people just trying to do the right thing? Adding another 15,000-word set of rules for regular people with the simplest taxes doesnt sound like an improvement to me. We already spend an average of 13 hours on these darned things, and if Hawleys proposal goes through it will only get longer. I dont know Sen. Hawley, maybe we should reconsider. Let me go check the rules and see if that is deductible. David Mastio is a national columnist for The Kansas City Star and McClatchy. A judge has refused to kick Attorney General Gentner Drummond off the criminal case against the owner of Swadley's Bar-B-Q for making public statements like "he's going to serve prison time." Brent Swadley was indicted in 2024 over his controversial operation of restaurants at state parks during the pandemic. Swadley was asking the judge to disqualify Drummond and his assistants from prosecuting the case. In a Dec. 4 order, Oklahoma County District Judge Susan Stallings ruled Swadley failed to show the AG's statements have had a substantial likelihood of prejudicing his case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also ruled "the statements have not been shown to substantially heighten public condemnation of the accused." "Alleged public corruption is a matter of general public concern," the judge noted in her 13-page order. She "strongly" advised both sides to not make any further public statements unless absolutely necessary but refused to issue a so-called gag order. Swadley is accused in the indictment of knowingly presenting fraudulent invoices to the state from Swadley's Foggy Bottom Kitchen LLC. He denies wrongdoing. Foggy Bottom Kitchen cafes were developed at six state parks. The first one opened in 2020 during the pandemic. The last opened in 2022. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department in April 2022 canceled its agreement over the cafes due to "suspected fraudulent activity and questionable business practices." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In public remarks last year, Drummond said he was "tired of backdoor deals like Swadley's in Bethany." "I've read all the paperwork," the AG also said. "He's going to serve prison time." DO NOT RUN LARGE Brent Swadley is shown with a sign for a burger business that toppled in the wind Wednesday. In Yukon, wind blew a part of a roof off a house at 915 Cooper Lane, a police dispatcher said. There were no injuries. In March, the AG said to state bankers, "If you're wealthy and well connected in the State of Oklahoma, you can break the law. Guys like Brent Swadley who is about to get to live for free for about eight years on the State of Oklahoma." In April, at the Yukon mayor's prayer breakfast, Drummond said, "As he washed invoices, he was able to take over $6 million from the State of Oklahoma, and nobody held him accountable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: AG says Swadley's defense filing may have used AI, cites fake ruling Swadley, 55, faces one count of conspiracy to defraud the state and five counts of presenting fraudulent claims to the state. He and a co-defendant had faced a jury trial in November. Removed signage from the closed Foggy Bottom Kitchen restaurant sits on the ground at Roman Nose state park in Watonga, Okla. on Tuesday, April, 26, 2022. The judge called off the trial to take up the disqualification request. The trial has not been rescheduled. Swadley complained Drummond made public statements about the case for political gain. The Republican announced in January he was running for governor. At a hearing Oct. 31, defense expert Lawrence Hellman, a former dean at the Oklahoma City University School of Law, criticized the AG's statements. Swadley's attorneys wanted the judge to agree with the expert testimony that the statements violated professional norms intended to ensure a fair trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors in Oklahoma regularly step aside from criminal cases because of conflicts, but judge-ordered disqualifications are rare. Notably, Oklahoma County District Attorney Bob Macy in 2000 was disqualified from the state bombing case for his statements to the media that Terry Nichols deserved the death penalty. "You should have been down there the first four or five days," Macy said in an interview with CBS. "There would be no question in your mind. ... I've sent several people to death row for killing one person. I certainly feel that death would be the appropriate punishment for killing 19 babies." Nichols was convicted in 2004 of 161 counts of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after his jury deadlocked on the death penalty. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Judge lets AG stay on criminal case against owner of Swadley's Bar-B-Q Dec. 6A weekly podcast aired by a jury foreperson prompted a judge to toss a $40 million verdict against Presbyterian Healthcare Services and open the door to a new trial in the medical negligence case. The judge ordered a mistrial in the case after finding that comments the foreperson expressed in her podcast indicated a bias against Presbyterian and health care providers generally. The June 2 verdict followed a two-week trial in 2nd Judicial District Court before District Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd. The award included $15 million in punitive damages against Presbyterian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jurors also awarded nearly $25 million to the child, now 6, and a total of $825,000 to the boy's parents, Samantha and Patrick Leonard. The couple alleged that Presbyterian personnel failed to diagnose the infant's low blood glucose levels after the child's birth in April 2019, resulting in brain damage and permanent developmental effects. Attorneys for Presbyterian sought a new trial in July, arguing that "the jury foreperson, in her zeal to sit on the jury, concealed her biased opinions about our nation's health care system." The foreperson, Rebecca Allen, hosts a weekly podcast called Becca Mari's Freedom Speak that reveals "long-held biases toward health care providers which she failed to disclose" during jury selection, Presbyterian's attorneys argued in a motion seeking a new trial. "PHS has since learned Ms. Allen published multiple episodes over the course of the trial in which she discussed her jury service, and the trial, both during and immediately after the trial," the motion said. Presbyterian attorneys took issue with Allen's views on the COVID-19 pandemic, which she referred to as the "scamdemic," and her criticism of the COVID vaccine, which she called the "clot shot." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the podcasts was recorded on May 25, about halfway through the trial, in which Allen discussed her service on the jury. She also said other jurors were aware of her podcast and "might be listening today," the motion said. The Leonards' attorney, Lisa Curtis, responded that Presbyterian failed to show that Allen was biased and had no grounds to seek a mistrial. Allen's opinions about the COVID-19 pandemic "are irrelevant in a case that had nothing to do with COVID-19. Nor can they be imputed to her overall opinion of the medical field or PHS, specifically." Curtis argued that Allen admitted during jury selection that she hosted a podcast and had "opinions" about medical care. "Jurors can have opinions, even strong opinions, and even strong opinions that PHS, or the Court, disagree with that does not automatically make them biased," Curtis argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curtis said in a written statement on Friday, "We respect jurors and the right to jury trial as a fundamental part of a democratic country." Judge Barela-Shepherd granted the mistrial and vacated the jury's verdict in an Oct. 22 order. "Based on Allen's statement, the Court concludes that she was biased against (Presbyterian)," Barela-Shepherd wrote. "Allen's statements demonstrate that her negative views of medical care providers, corporations, and hospitals, perhaps shaped during the pandemic, were durable, continuing up to and through trial." Allen disputed the finding Friday and denied that she discussed the trial during her May 25 podcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They just totally validated all of the things I've ever said about how I think it's harder and harder to get a fair trial in this country these days," Allen said Friday in a phone interview. "I wasn't talking about the details of the trial on that (May 25) show," she said. "I was just being very generalized about serving on a jury." Allen said she discussed the trial in her podcast only after the jury returned the verdict and that she had been "open and honest" about her role as a conservative podcast host before she was selected as a juror. "I'm skeptical," Allen said. "I am skeptical about personal injury lawyers. I am skeptical about politicians. I am skeptical about health care when it gets mixed up with corporations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen acknowledged that she has expressed opinions on her podcast critical of corporate medical care, physicians and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "But as far as the trial goes, everything that me and the other 11 jurors did during that trial was based on just the evidence and the testimony provided to us during the trial," she said. COURTESY UNITE HERE LOCAL 5 Dozens of unionized Kaiser Permanente workers rally today in front of the Mapunapuna campus to call for a fair contract. COURTESY UNITE HERE LOCAL 5 Dozens of unionized Kaiser Permanente workers rally today in front of the Mapunapuna campus to call for a fair contract. Dozens of unionized Kaiser Permanente workers rallied this morning in front of the Mapunapuna campus to call for a fair contract as negotiations remained stuck over wage increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rallies were also scheduled at Kaiser Moanalua, at Kaiser Maui Lani and Wailuku, and at Kaiser Kona on Hawaii island this evening. The rallies come about six weeks after the conclusion of a that took place across Hawaii in mid-October. Negotiations for a new contract for roughly 2, 300 workers, which expired Sept. 30, have made little progress following the strike, according to Unite Here Local 5, which has since launched its own campaign at KaiserDoBetter.org. Local 5 represents nurse aides, lab technicians, medical assistants, and housekeeping staff, among others. Negotiations have been ongoing locally since April, and nationally since May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaiser can do better ; for its workers, our members and our community, Cade Watanabe, Local 5 financial secretary-treasurer, said in a statement. For months we have shown our commitment to getting a deal done, but we cannot accept a deal that devalues Hawaiis front-line healthcare workers. The union says key issues include wages that match the cost of living in Hawaii, along with wage parity, as Hawaii workers are paid up to 25 % less than their counterparts in southern California. Additionally, workers here want longevity pay and more say in staffing issues. Kaiser, which continues operations as normal, is at the same time negotiating with the Alliance of Health Care Unions, which includes Local 5, to reach a new national agreement. Kaiser executives said its proposal represents the strongest compensation package in Kaiser Permanentes national bargaining history. It includes a 21.5 % wage increase over the next four years, Kaiser said, with 16 % of it in the first two years and step increases and local adjustments factored in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With step increases and local adjustments factored in, the total average increase we are offering is approximately 30 % over four years, Kaiser officials said in a statement. But its not just about wages. Weve strengthened our total compensation package with enhancements to the already robust medical and retiree benefits employees currently enjoy, increased investment in education funds, and programs that support employees in growing their professional development. Kaiser added, We remain focused on reaching an agreement, that supports our employees well-being and allows us to continue providing high-quality health care that is affordable. Kaiser and the Alliance are scheduled for a 12th bargaining session next week. See more : Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . The fight over an effort to boost wages for Los Angeles tourism workers to coincide with the 2028 Olympics has taken a fresh twist, with the City Council president introducing a new motion that critics say would significantly water down the measure. The issue ostensibly had been put to rest in September, when a business group-backed effort to repeal a $30 per hour minimum wage for Los Angeles hotel and airport workers failed to secure enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. But now, L.A. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson has introduced a motion that, if approved, would phase the increase in over a longer period of time delaying the full $30 hourly minimum wage until 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rhonda Mitchell, a spokesperson for Harris-Dawson, said the council president "continues to work with partners around negotiations," but did not provide other details when asked for comment by The Times on Friday. Read more: L.A. council backs $30 minimum wage for hotels, despite warnings from tourism industry Hospitality and service employee unions sharply criticized the proposal. It is a shameful day in Los Angeles when our own elected leaders decide to put forth a motion to strip hard-earned wages from some of the citys lowest-paid workers, Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, said in a statement Friday. These workers fought for more than two years to improve their working conditions, only to have the very people who should defend them try to take it all away." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rosanna Maietta president and chief executive of the American Hotel and Lodging Assn., which had supported repealing the wage increase said relief from higher labor costs is much-needed in an industry that has struggled to bounce back from pandemic shutdowns. The business group urges the council to "swiftly adopt" the new proposal, she said. Hotels are essential to the vitality of Los Angeles, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and generating critical tax revenue that funds essential services like schools, sanitation, and public safety," Maietta said in a statement Friday. "This motion is a long-overdue step in the right direction and provides hotel owners and operators with short-term relief in the face of decreased travel demand and rising operational costs." The City Council originally voted in May to approve a series of yearly wage increases for hotel employees and workers at Los Angeles International Airport, following a two-year campaign by labor organizers. The law was put on hold during the subsequent opposition ballot campaign, but recently went into effect, with workers seeing the first increments in a series of wage increases designed to boost their minimum pay to $30 per hour by 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new proposal put forth by Harris-Dawson would instead offer smaller annual wage increases, eventually boosting the workers' wages to $30 two years later, in 2030. Read more: L.A. passed a $30 minimum wage for tourism workers. Then came the warring ballot measures Harris-Dawson backed the original proposal and helped ease it through a council vote. His spokesperson did not elaborate on why he now supports altering the timeline. However, the motion comes after a coalition of airline and hotel businesses filed paperwork for a ballot measure to repeal the citys business tax a move that would strip about $740 million annually from the citys general fund, which pays for police officers, firefighters and other services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The business-backed referendum has been approved to circulate for signatures, and is backed by several airlines as well as the American Hotel and Lodging Assn. Read more: Push to block L.A.s tourism wage hike has been misleading, union alleges David Huerta, president of SEIU-United Service Workers West, which represents airport workers, said the timing of the motion, in the middle of the holiday season, was "particularly callous." "We stand ready to defend the Olympic Wage," he said in a statement. The proposal now heads to two committees one dealing with economic development, the other focused on tourism for consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Times staff writer David Zahniser contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. At least 11 people including a three-year-old child have been killed in a mass shooting at a hostel in South Africa. Fourteen others were wounded when gunmen stormed the venue in Saulsville township, west of the capital Pretoria, early on Saturday. At least three unknown gunmen began firing "randomly" at a group of people who were drinking, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motive of the shooting is unknown and no arrests have been made. It is the latest in a string of mass shootings that have rocked the crime-ridden country in recent years. The gunmen reportedly entered the premise at 04:30 local time (02:30 GMT) and opened fire on a group of men who were drinking. A 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were among those killed in the attack. "I can confirm that a total of 25 people were shot," Mathe said. Describing the hostel as an "illegal shebeen", she added: "We are having a serious challenge when it comes to these illegal and unlicensed liquor premises," where she said the majority of mass shootings occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Innocent people also get caught up in the crossfire," she told public broadcaster SABC. In a major crackdown, police shut down 12,000 such premises outlets between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people across the country. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, at 45 people per 100,000 according to 2023-24 figures from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Some 63 people were killed every day between April and September, according to police data. More on this story MEXICO CITY (AP) An explosion outside a local police station in the western Mexican state of Michoacan Saturday killed at least three people and wounded six, local and federal security officials said. The explosion came as the federal government has stepped up security activities in the state, sending in additional troops after two recent high-profile assassinations. The Attorney General's office said in a statement that a vehicle exploded on a central avenue in Coahuayana. The driver died at the scene, while two other people died in the regional hospital, and six others were injured," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two people who died in the hospital were community police officers, said Hector Zepeda, commander of the Coahuayana community police. He said the remains of some of the victims were found scattered in the area of the explosion, which also damaged nearby buildings. With this operation (from the federal government) a lot of marines came, Zepeda said. We stopped doing patrols because the operation is going on. The community police, which patrol various rural communities, are a remnant of the civilian vigilante forces that took up arms more than a decade ago to defend communities from drug cartels, and then were formalized by the state. Coahuayana is near the Pacific coast in western Michoacan and the border with the state of Colima, a stronghold of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturdays explosion happened while Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla was in Mexico City to celebrate with President Claudia Sheinbaum the anniversary of their Morena partys arrival in power seven years ago. Ramirez Bedolla and Sheinbaum have been criticized for the deteriorating security situation in Michoacan where numerous drug cartels are fighting to control territory, terrorizing locals. At least three of the six drug cartels that the Trump administration designated as terrorist organizations Jalisco New Generation, United Cartels and The New Michoacan Family operate here, in addition to a slew of homegrown armed splinter groups, some supported by the Sinaloa Cartel. Explosives dropped from drones, buried as mines or planted alongside roadways are increasingly employed by criminal groups operating in the state. Last year, some 3,000 explosive devices were seized in the state compared to 160 in 2022. So far this year, there have been more than 2,000, according to the state security agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michoacan is a key importer of chemical precursors for synthetic drugs. In the last two months, 17 drug laboratories were dismantled by Mexican authorities there. The state also produces avocados exported to the U.S. and is a major producer of limes, sectors extorted by cartels for years. The state government said Saturday in a statement that an explosive device was responsible, but did not provide details. Images circulating online showed a completely burned out vehicle. Last month, Sheinbaum sent 2,000 troops on top of the 4,300 permanent ones and 4,000 in neighboring states to Michoacan following the killings of an outspoken representative of the lime growers and a popular mayor standing up to the cartels. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Treatment with an immune and cancer cell-targeting antibody therapy eradicates residual traces of the blood cell cancer multiple myeloma, according to interim results from a clinical trial conducted by researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The findings will be presented Dec. 6, 2025, at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in Orlando. None of the 18 patients who completed up to six cycles of treatment with the antibody linvoseltamab had detectable disease on highly sensitive tests. This preliminary success suggests linvoseltamab, a bispecific antibody, could allow patients to avoid bone marrow transplants, which involve intense, high-potency chemotherapy. It also points to the long-term possibility of improving patients' odds against this disease. Lead researcher Dickran Kazandjian, M.D., a Sylvester physician and professor in the Myeloma Division at the Miller School, conducted the research in collaboration with C. Ola Landgren, M.D., Ph.D., director of Sylvester Myeloma Institute, and will present the updated results at ASH. "These patients received modern and effective, upfront treatment that eliminated 90% of their tumor," said Kazandjian. "Usually, patients like these would receive high-dose chemotherapy and a transplant. Instead, we give them a treatment with the drug linvoseltamab." Landgren called the results so far "extremely impressive" and said the disappearance of the lingering myeloma cells bodes well for patients' futures. "Based on my experience, I would predict that after having such a good response after such a short time, the disease most likely could stay away for many years," he said. "Could it never come back in some patients? I would say it's possible." Understanding multiple myeloma and current treatments Multiple myeloma arises from antibody-producing immune cells called plasma cells. These cancerous cells build up, interfering with normal blood cells and causing damage. There is no established cure. The U.S. National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program estimates that in 2022, more than 192,000 Americans were living with the disease, and this year, 36,000 new cases will be diagnosed. Currently, most newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients receive a three- or four-drug combination. In some cases, this therapy eradicates the myeloma cells, but sometimes the cancer remains. These traces of the myeloma can occur at such low levels that they do not show up on standard bone marrow evaluations. To find minute amounts of lingering cancer, physicians at Sylvester analyze bone marrow biopsies using a test that detects genetic sequences associated with the cancer. The test is sensitive enough to identify a single cancer cell out of a million normal cells. Oncologists call these few remaining myeloma cells minimal residual disease or MRD. Those patients who test negative for MRD can expect to live years longer without their cancer returning than those positive for it, according to Landgren, who pioneered MRD's use as an indicator of effectiveness in evaluating experimental therapies. Traditional approaches and their limitations For many years, patients with residual disease (who are MRD positive) after completing combination therapy typically receive potent, high-dose chemotherapy. While intended to wipe out the remaining myeloma cells, this chemotherapy causes significant side effects. To make this approach possible, the following day, patients receive a transplant of their own blood-forming stem cells from their bone marrow. It's a "quite brutal therapy, which was first introduced in the U.K. in 1983," Landgren says. Unfortunately, in most cases, the myeloma eventually comes back. Details of the new clinical trial The study, a phase 2 clinical trial conducted at Sylvester and its satellite sites at Coral Gables and Deerfield Beach, has so far enrolled 25 patients who have tested MRD positive after completing combination therapy. These participants receive four or six cycles of treatment with linvoseltamab. While most therapeutic antibodies attach to a single target, bispecific antibodies attach to two. Linvoseltamab binds to CD3, a protein on the T cells that destroys cancerous cells, and to a second target, BCMA, a protein on multiple myeloma cells. By bringing these two types of cells into contact, the antibody invigorates the body's immune response to the cancer. A few patients experienced side effects, including decreases in white blood cells called neutropenia and upper respiratory infections, but all these events fell within an acceptable safety profile, according to Kazandjian. The researchers took preventive measures to avoid triggering two potentially dangerous reactions, cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, that can occur with immunotherapies like this one. However, thus far, no patients in this study have experienced these reactions. Afterward, the researchers tested patients' bone marrow for MRD using two independent and highly sensitive tests. No traces of disease were found in any of those who completed the therapy. Future directions and hopes for a cure Based on its performance so far, Kazandjian hopes linvoseltamab could offer patients more durable responses than transplants, perhaps providing long-term control over the diseasea "functional cure." "It's a bold claim, but we need to aim for the stars to move the field forward; that is what we are trying to do," he said. Exploring this possibility will require more studies with many more participants who must be followed for years. The team is already taking a step in that direction. Based on the results so far, they are expanding enrollment to 50 participants. More information: Presentation Title: A phase 2 trial of abbreviated fixed-duration (Default 4 Cycles) linvoseltamab immuno-consolidation to deepen responses post newly diagnosed multiple myeloma combination therapy for minimal residual disease positivity (the IMMUNOPLANT Study) submit.hematology.org/program/presentation/671661 Legal experts say the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Texas' congressional map could have impacts for years to come. You might remember, last month, a lower court said the state couldn't use the map because of racial concerns. On Thursday, the Supreme Court disagreed, saying lawmakers created the map on political, not racial, grounds, which the justices say is legal. Rice University political science professor Mark Jones crunched numbers from last year's election and broke down how registered Republicans voted on the old map versus the new map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our area, the most significant swing is district nine, which changes from southside Houston neighborhoods and parts of Fort Bend County, to east Harris County and all of rural Liberty County. That change affected registered Republicans, increasing from 27 percent to 59 percent. District 32, near Dallas, goes from 37 percent registered Republicans to 58 percent. Near San Antonio, District 35 goes from 27 percent registered Republicans to 55 percent. In districts 28 and 34 in southern Texas, there weren't dramatic swings, but they did increase registered Republicans. Supreme Court justices sided with Texas Republicans, saying they can do this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decision that legal experts say may be hard to reverse. "This wasn't even close," South Texas College of Law Constitutional law professor Josh Blackman explained. "The Supreme Court said there's no evidence of racial discrimination and you have to show something that's called deference. You have to say, we presume they acted in good faith. The extent that members discussed race, they were trying to say they were trying to avoid racial discrimination claims, we're not saying we were using race to harm people, they were trying to avoid this." This doesn't just help Republicans in Texas. Blackman said this sets a precedent and allows Democrats in other states to redistrict based on politics as well. Blackman said the courts had to act quickly. After all, candidates are filing for elections right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision will mean next year's election will use the new map. However, it doesn't mean it can't be challenged for future elections. Blackman said groups could again challenge the map in a lower court. If they do, he said it may require a new trial and evidence. Even if the state loses, Blackman said it may be hard to get the Supreme Court on board after the decision they just gave. For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram. A mass shooting on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta on July 5, 2020, hit 16 people and killed Georgia State University student Joshua Ingram and college graduate Erica Robinson. Jerry Emile was convicted with felony murder for brandishing a gun and firing after confronting someone who hit his friends vehicle. The loved ones of Ingram and Robinson and other ones affected by the shooting got to face the man convicted in connection with the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was sentenced to consecutive life terms plus 65 years in prison for felony murders and other charges. I was shot 14 times. I, I actually still have one bullet inside of me, Ayinde Woodley, one of the victims, told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne. He lit a match that started a firestorm of over 100 bullets flying through a crowd of innocent bystanders, said Fulton County Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love. The shooting occurred during the early morning hours and was triggered by an incident involving two vehicles, according to prosecutors. One vehicle did strike two other vehicles, and Mr. Emil wanted to confront the person that hit his his friends vehicle, said Deputy DA Vincent Faucette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense lawyer Olga Izmaylova stated, He has always and continues to deny that he ever fired a weapon at all that night. Obviously, we disagree with the verdict. And we will be seeking an appeal. The night began with a festive atmosphere, including fast cars and fireworks, before turning tragic. I still have nightmares from it just because it could have been resolved, Woodley said. Joshua Ingram, who aspired to study mechanical engineering, was remembered by his parents, who keep his pictures around their home and car. Faith, belief, said Sherlyn Ingram when asked what sustained her during the ordeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got his pictures all over the house in the car, and I think about, I look at it and say, How would it be if he was here now? Rodney Ingram said. Erica Robinson, who majored in criminal justice, was also killed in the shooting. Her mother, Rosa Robinson, described Erica as a great person. Prosecutors have not identified who fired the fatal shots, but Emiles actions are believed to have triggered the violence. He kind of lit the fuse that ended up in this tragedy, said Chief Senior Assistant DA Robert Wilson. The aftermath of the shooting continues to affect those involved, with survivors like Woodley reflecting on their survival and the loss of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I still have nightmares from it just because it could have been resolved, he said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 28-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 3, after failing to stop at a road closure at far East El Paso that was impacted due to a water main break, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPCSO). 28-year-old Christian Chuy Martinez Shortly after 12:05 a.m. on Wednesday, deputies were conducting traffic control at Montana Avenue and Desert Meadows due to a water main break that forced the complete closure of the westbound lanes at the 14600 block of Montana. While deputies were managing the closure, a black Ford Explorer approached the intersection westbound without its headlights on. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle for the equipment violation; however, the driver, identified as 28-year-old Christian Chuy Martinez, gestured with his hands that he would not stop and continued driving, according to EPCSO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EPCSO said Martinez was arrested without further incident and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle under a $1,000 bond. When our deputies are out managing emergencies and keeping the public safe, ignoring their instructions puts everyone at risk, said Sheriff Oscar Ugarte. If you refuse to stop, you will be held accountable. 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 KTSM 9 News. NORFOLK Authorities on Saturday said an early morning shooting at the Calvert Square community was under investigation. Police said a man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers were alerted to a shooting around residences off Bagnall Road at about 3:20 a.m. Police called investigation of the shooting a homicide. Additional information, including a motive or the shootings circumstances, has not been released by the Norfolk Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A shooting near Calvert Square transpired on Oct. 30, which proved fatal for a 56-year-old man. At Calvert Square, a public housing project that city officials have long sought to redevelop, two separate fatal shootings occurred days apart in July. Police ask anyone with information to call the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. A man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for illegally re-entering the country after being deported following a sexual assault conviction involving a child more than a decade ago. Roberto Muy, 35, a citizen of Ecuador who has been living in Torrington, faced sentencing on Thursday in federal court in Hartford, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut. He pleaded guilty in August to illegal re-entry, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to authorities, Muy was admitted to the U.S. using a fraudulent visitor visa under the alias of a Peruvian citizen in February 2006. In June 2012, he appeared in Superior Court in Torrington where he was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a minor and sentenced to 10 years in prison, suspended after service of 15 months, and 25 years of probation. Officials said Muy was removed to Ecuador in June 2013. Federal authorities said Muy illegally re-entered the country and was arrested by the Torrington Police Department on Nov. 9, 2024, and charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. On March 18, he was sentenced in state court to two years in prison for violating his probation in the sexual assault case and two additional days behind bars for the motor vehicle case, officials said. He has been in custody since. A 45-year-old man was pronounced dead late Friday night after he was found lying unresponsive on a sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds in the Garfield Park neighborhood. Shortly before 11:30 p.m., Chicago police responded to a call of a person shot in the 3800 block of West Adams Street and found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. He was identified as Carl McDonald of the 3200 block of West Arthington Street, according to the Cook County medical examiners office. No one was in custody, and detectives were investigating. A man charged in the Chicago murder of 21-year-old Diamond Turner was found guilty on Friday. Police say Turner was found dead in an alley in March 2017. READ MORE | Judge OK's bond for man accused of concealing body in alley Nearly three years after the murder, CPD officials said DNA evidence led to Arthur Hilliard's arrest. SEE ALSO | New DNA details in Diamond Turner investigation timeline Cook County prosecutors also linked him to the stabbing murder of another person in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED | Man charged in 2017 murder of Diamond Turner accused in stabbing death of 2 others: police A jury found Hilliard guilty of all three counts he was charged with, including murder and concealing a homicide, in connection with Turner's killing on Friday. Hilliard will be back in court later this month for post-trial motions. READ MORE | Justice for Diamond Turner INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood A 49-year-old man was rushed to the hospital with a slashed hand after a bloody brawl inside a Brooklyn apartment building early Saturday, police said. The person arrested for the attack, identified as Luis Soto, tried to kick out the windows of an NYPD patrol car after he was taken into custody and was being brought to the 70th Precinct stationhouse after the 1:50 a.m. assault, officials said. Police said the mayhem began inside an apartment building on E. 14th St. near Avenue H in Midwood when the victim and another man started arguing with each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two men were strangers to each other, a police source with knowledge of the case said. It wasnt immediately clear what sparked the fight. As the pair argued, Soto, 36, flashed a knife. The victim had his left hand slashed open as he tried to grab for the knife, cops said. EMS rushed the victim to Coney Island Hospital with minor injuries. Soto was taken into custody, charged with assault, menacing, obstruction of government administration and weapons possession. His arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court was pending. Maryland Rep. Andy Harris was released after being hospitalized Friday evening for an episode of dizziness, a spokesperson said. I want to thank all the healthcare providers who took care of me today. I am glad I can return to normal activity after being given a clean bill of health, Harris said in a statement upon his release. Congressman Harris is nine days out from hip surgery and, out of an abundance of caution, was taken to the emergency room for evaluation of an episode of dizziness, his communications director, Anna Adamian, said earlier in an emailed statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris, 68, represents Marylands 1st Congressional District, which includes the Eastern Shore, Harford County and part of Baltimore County. He is the states only Republican member of Congress. A physician by training and a former Naval Reserve medical officer, Harris has served in Congress since 2011. NEW YORK New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been cooperating with the city corruption watchdogs investigation into possible violations of ethics laws, his spokesperson said Friday. This is a non-criminal, ethics review, and the Mayor is fully confident it will show he followed the law, Todd Shapiro said of the Department of Investigations probe. The federal case was dismissed because the allegations had no merit. Mayor Adams respects DOIs process and will continue to cooperate. His focus remains on serving New Yorkers and delivering results. Adams federal corruption indictment was dropped in April by Trumps Justice Department. The DOJs dismissal motion didnt weigh in on the merits of the prosecution against Adams, instead writing that the charges impeded the mayor from carrying out aspects of President Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, the Manhattan Federal Judge Dale Ho wrote that the terms of the dismissal smacks of a bargain but dropped the case with prejudice, meaning the feds cannot prosecute Adams again for the same alleged crimes. The mayor has maintained he did nothing wrong. DOI got the green light from Ho earlier this week to obtain evidence that the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office used to bring the since-dismissed charges against Adams. Adams charges, which were brought in Sept. 2023, alleged the mayor accept illegal campaign donations and travel perks in exchange for carrying out favors for associates of the Turkish government. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay from Pexels A new study finds that only one in three patients visiting emergency departments (EDs) for severe pain associated with sickle cell disease received appropriate opioid-based pain-relieving medications within the first hour as recommended by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The study was presented at the 67th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition held 69 December, in Orlando, Florida. Based on data from several hundred medical centers across the United States, the research represents the first large, national study to assess guideline adherence across diverse EDs. It shows substantially lower guideline adherence than has been reported in smaller studies focused on pediatric specialty EDs. Guideline adherence and patient disparities The results suggest that a majority of patients experience prolonged suffering while waiting to receive opioids as recommended for pain. Patients over age 19, female patients, and those with public health insurance were less likely to receive guideline-adherent care compared with younger patients, male patients, and those with private health insurance. "We want to call attention to the fact that there is huge room for improvement across the board, particularly in general EDs that primarily attend to adults," said lead study author Ibrahim Gwarzo, MD, DrPH, MBBS, research scientist at Nemours Children's Health, Delaware Valley and research assistant professor Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. "Some strategies for improvement include greater dissemination of the guidelines, integration of the sickle cell care protocol into general EDs, and continued advocacy for this population." Understanding sickle cell pain and treatment Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped, and when these misshapen blood cells accumulate in a vessel, they can cause episodes of severe pain, known as vaso-occlusive crises. ASH and NHLBI guidelines recommend that patients experiencing vaso-occlusive crises receive opioid pain medication within 60 minutes of arrival at a hospital ED. After the initial dose, ASH guidelines recommend evaluating the patient's pain level and administering further doses as needed at intervals of 3060 minutes, while NHLBI guidelines recommend subsequent evaluations and doses at intervals of 30 minutes. Study methods and key findings To study the implementation of these guidelines in practice, researchers analyzed electronic health records on 398,895 ED visits for vaso-occlusive crises between 2019 and 2024 in which at least one opioid pain medication was administered. These visits occurred among 41,547 unique patients at 233 medical centers. The results showed that the first opioid dose was given within 60 minutes of arrival in just 32.5% of visits. Among the approximately three-quarters of visits in which multiple doses of opioid medications were administered, the timing of the second dose also failed to meet guideline recommendations in most instances. In these cases, the second dose was administered within 60 minutes after the first dose (in accordance with ASH guidelines) 36% of the time, while the second dose was administered within 30 minutes after the first dose (in accordance with NHLBI guidelines) just 9% of the time. Age, clinician familiarity, and bias Researchers found that patients younger than 19 received guideline-adherent care far more oftenin 52% of casescompared with older patients, who received timely treatment in just 30% of cases. They suggested that clinicians' familiarity with sickle cell treatment protocols may play a role in this disparity. "Generally, pediatric EDs might be more familiar with sickle cell disease because those are typically near more academic sites and may have more specialized care, as opposed to freestanding adult or general EDs in more remote locations where the exposure to sickle cell disease is pretty limited," said Dr. Gwarzo. As a result of the ongoing epidemic of opioid dependence, ED clinicians sometimes encounter patients who request opioid medications as a result of their dependence but are not actually experiencing severe pain. Given this context, researchers suggested that some clinicians may be concerned about giving opioid medications to people they suspect of opioid dependence. "One of the challenges of identifying sickle cell disease pain is that there is no biomarker for it, and as a provider, you rely on what the patient tells you about how severe the pain is," said Dr. Gwarzo. "Providers are more likely to be hesitant to administer opioids for the adult population than for little kids." He added that implicit bias may also influence a clinician's decision on whether to give opioids when a patient visits the ED for pain. Other factors affecting adherence The study found that guideline adherence was higher when patients were male, with 37% of male patients receiving their first dose within 60 minutes compared with 29% of female patients. Adherence was also higher among the one-quarter of patients who were privately insured compared with those on public insurance. Arriving at the ED overnight was also associated with higher adherence, perhaps because patient volumes are generally lower at night. Opiate medications can be administered orally, injected, or infused. The study showed no difference in guideline adherence by route of administration for the first dose, but adherence was significantly higher for the second dose when medications were given orally (which showed guideline adherence in 24% of cases) compared with injection or infusion (less than 8%). Implications and future directions Overall, researchers said that the findings underscore the importance of improving clinician training and awareness to ensure people living with sickle cell disease receive recommended treatments in a timely manner, wherever they receive treatment. Dr. Gwarzo added that further studies could assess interventions to improve guideline adherence and elucidate the benefits of compliance, such as potential reductions in hospitalization. More information: Multicenter evaluation of guideline adherence for the timeliness of pain medication for acute sickle cell disease pain. submit.hematology.org/program/presentation/676258 U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney introduced two bills this week focused on federal emergency responses and support for rural areas. Together with U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, a Colorado Republican, McClain Delaney introduced the Rural Recovery Act on Thursday. The act would cut down the application process requirements for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development state offices that provide federal assistance to rural areas in the wake of natural disasters, according to McClain Delaneys office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also provide $50 million annually to USDA offices in affected states for up to three years after a natural disaster to support planning, application assistance, and project implementation. The act is a bipartisan measure to ensure that the [USDA] is equipped to respond timely and effectively when rural communities are impacted by natural disasters, a press release from her office states. In an interview on Friday, McClain Delaney said assistance for natural disaster recovery has traditionally come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but the USDA may be better equipped to provide timely disaster recovery assistance in rural areas because of its dispersed structure and history of providing technical assistance to farmers. They have some really good experts within USDA ..., she said. Lets make it automatic that they will also assume technical assistance when a community is struck with an emergency and they will be able to seamlessly help figure out what recovery efforts are needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McClain Delaney referenced the flooding of Western Maryland communities in May, noting particularly the public infrastructure damage to the town of Westernport in Allegany County. She recalled the extensive damage to the public library and said small towns dont have a tax base that enables them to replace that kind of infrastructure. The repairs that will be required for reopening the building, which has been closed since the flood, could cost up to $2 million, according to recent reporting of the Cumberland Times-News. Had we received automatic technical assistance through USDA Rural Development, local economies, infrastructure, and families would have felt the difference, she said in the press release. Emergencies dont wait for lengthy application processes and our communities cant either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on Thursday, McClain Delaney introduced the Emergency Alert Grant Fairness Act with U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy, a New York Democrat. The act is intended to help public broadcasters purchase modern equipment for accessing the Next Generation Warning System, a federal emergency broadcasting system maintained by the FEMA, according to McClain Delaneys office. The press release notes that the federal emergency broadcast program has been administered by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting before its closure earlier this year. Under its new management of the program, FEMA has a nine-day application window for state and tribal government broadcasters to apply for equipment grants, the press release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed act would open that application window to 30 days and expand the eligibility requirements to include local public broadcasters. When Western Maryland saw incredible devastation at the hands of historic flooding last May, emergency alerts played an essential role in delivering life-saving information to every family affected, preventing further devastation, McClain Delaney said in the press release. When disaster strikes, we must be equipped with the proper infrastructure to reach our communities and keep them safe. The press release states that the emergency alerts sent by the federal warning system are able to reach 99% of Americans, regardless of cellphone service or internet accessibility. McClain Delaney said in an interview that many areas of the country, including parts of her own congressional district, do not have access to broadband internet. The emergency broadcast service is still highly used, particularly in rural areas ..., she said. It really is what is lifesaving, particularly for those who dont have broadband connectivity. ... Many of our elderly still are listening to our television stations for relevant information. The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at Dec. 5, 2025, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from Dec. 5 drawing Midday: 8-6-6 Evening: 8-8-9 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from Dec. 5 drawing Midday: 0-9-7-6 Evening: 9-2-6-5 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 5 drawing 04-35-38-40-41, Lucky Ball: 03 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from Dec. 5 drawing JC-JD-JH-8C-7D Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Dec. 5 drawing 15-25-26-32-37 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 12-16-22-25-34 Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily Keno numbers from Dec. 5 drawing 02-03-04-06-10-11-14-29-31-33-38-39-40-42-47-51-52-53-55-57-67-74 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: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 5, 2025 Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Rapid Support Forces militia reportedly killed more than 100 civilians in the Sudanese city of Kalogi while also concealing tens of thousands of civilian deaths in El Fasher. RSF forces killed 114 in Kalogi in Kordofan, including 46 children, in drone strikes on Thursday, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry announced. The attacks are "part of an ongoing campaign of genocide carried out by the terrorist Rapid Support Forces militia against Sudanese communities," the Foreign Ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said an initial attack in Kalogi in South Kordofan "targeted a kindergarten with rockets launched from a drone with the aim of killing a large number of children." The RSF launched another strike against the kindergarten when local residents rushed into the kindergarten after the first strike, which killed more people and children. RSF members also "chased victims and medics" from a local hospital and targeted a government building with rockets, raising the death toll to 114. "Killing children in their school is a horrific violation of children's rights," UNICEF representative Sheldon Yett said in a statement on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Children should never pay the price of conflict," Yett said, adding that all parties immediately should stop the attacks and "allow safe, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to reach those in desperate need." The call for humanitarian assistance followed an attack on a U.N. World Food Programme truck that was part of a 39-truck convoy delivering humanitarian assistance in North Darfur. "It is truly shocking to see history repeating itself in Kordofan so soon after the horrific events in El Fasher," said Volker Turk, U.N. Human Rights High Commissioner, as reported by The New York Times. "We must not allow Kordofan to become another El Fasher," Turk added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RSF took control of El Fasher in North Darfur six weeks ago after a lengthy siege that was followed by systematic killings of local civilians. El Fasher now "resembles a 'massive crime scene' with large piles of bodies heaped throughout its streets," The Guardian reported on Friday. RSF forces are destroying evidence of a civilian massacre by piling up dead bodies in many locations and either burying them in mass graves or cremating them, according to satellite images. The city is closed off to even U.N. war crimes investigators, leaving satellites as the only sources of evidence of the atrocities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current estimates say 60,000 civilians have died in El Fasher, and 150,000 are missing. The RSF and Sudanese government have been engaged in a civil war for the past two years, in which the RSF has made significant gains in recent months. Up to 400,000 have died because of the war, which has forced about 12 million from their homes and created a widespread humanitarian crisis. Milwaukee officials say the decision to evacuate dozens of tenants at an east side apartment building was deemed unnecessary following a collapse scare on a frigid night Dec. 4. Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County Transit System resources were used after an engineer working for the property owner raised concerns about the building's structural integrity. The warped support beams in the parking garage at 2515 N. Oakland Ave. prompted a call to the fire department, who evacuated the three-story building, requiring tenants to set up camp on county buses until further notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We responded to make sure it wasn't a collapse," said Deputy Fire Chief Travis Jones on Nov. 4. He added all residents of the 24 to 30 units who were evacuated were allowed back in after a couple hours. According to the Department of Neighborhood Services, a shoring company addressed the concerns in the parking structure. DNS added that their role would now be assessing any complaints or permits that arise. "Our team at DNS found that apartments did not require evacuation," said city spokesman Jeff Fleming. "The garage was (shored), and the inspectors felt that was sufficient." The property owner, Robert Schmidt, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee apartment evacuation after collapse scare deemed unwarranted For years, Idahos second-largest city has been trying to build a name for itself as the states medical epicenter. Meridian, whose population has grown to nearly 150,000 people, has recently become home to a new accelerated nursing program and a giant distribution center for St. Lukes Health System, with a planned expansion also in the pipeline at Idaho State Universitys Health Science campus. But one long-term player in Meridians medical landscape is thinking of packing up shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blue Cross of Idaho, the citys third-largest employer, announced that it plans to sell its roughly 34-acre headquarters campus at the corner of Pine Avenue and Eagle Road and move to a more right-sized location elsewhere in the Treasure Valley. Over the last three decades, weve seen the area around us evolve and grow from farmland to one of the busiest corridors in the state, Blue Cross said Wednesday in a news release. In recent years, the way our employees work has evolved, as well. A modern, right-sized campus will help us operate more efficiently so we can continue investing in high-quality, affordable care for our members. The announcement comes months after the nonprofit health insurer said it planned to lay off over 100 employees following a canceled Idaho Department of Health and Welfare contract, the Idaho Statesman reported in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public Affairs Manager Bret Rumbeck told the Statesman that 802 Blue Cross employees call the Meridian campus home. Blue Cross of Idahos blue roofs have been a staple in Meridians medical landscape since 1997. Across the state, Blue Cross employs 1,113 people, and a little over 100 work fully remotely out of state, Rumbeck said by phone. Blue Cross of Idaho move may take years Rumbeck said the building, known for its signature blue roofs, has roughly 250,000 square feet. What size building Blue Cross is looking for, though, is not yet clear. The insurer is working with TOK Commercial Real Estate to assess its property and find a buyer, according to the release, while looking for nearby real estate that could host on-site operations plus accommodate Blue Cross largely hybrid workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each move in our 80-year history has reflected our focus on serving our members more effectively and being good stewards of the premium dollars they entrust to us, the release said. We expect this process may take several years to complete. Blue Cross of Idaho was founded in 1945 and has roughly 600,000 members, according to its website. Its been headquartered in Meridian since 1997. In an email statement to the Statesman, Mayor Robert Simison, who has long championed the medical corridor where Blue Cross sits, expressed hope that the insurer would stay within city limits. We understand that business needs evolve, and we value our partnership with Blue Cross of Idaho as we continue to work together to keep them headquartered in Meridian, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISU may buy a private med school. What would it mean for Idahos doctor shortage? A local developer saw Meridian was changing. His new plan? Urban luxury living People are going to die: Idahoans fear spike in insurance costs A Meridian company on a Forbes best-employers list is laying off workers SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) A Savannah mother is speaking out after she says her eighth-grade son was violently attacked at home by a group of boys he believed were his friends, all over a disagreement that started at school. Eighth grader Tremel Lamonte says it was a normal school day that quickly turned sour after an argument over snacks escalated. He says he told the boys he didnt have enough snacks to share, which upset them. They came to my house later that day, still asking for snacks, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Tremel told them no again, he said the boys attacked him. His mother, Tanisha Lamonte, says her son has never been involved in anything like this. He dont get into fights. This is something that has never happened to him before, she said. And especially for this to be from his so-called friends, to do this over some snacks. Tanisha says Tremel was punched, kicked, thrown to the floor and beaten with a belt buckle. The incident was recorded on video. The boy went to school the next day, showing the video all around and put it on social media before coming to my house. He was going around, I guess, looking for a gun, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, Tremel and his mother met with administrators at Pulaski Elementary School. Tanisha says the situation is truly disturbing and wants the school system to intervene earlier when conflicts arise. These kids, they are too scared to speak up, she said. They dont feel safe enough or feel like anything is going to happen to protect them. They see there are no consequences being done. They say, If I do this right here, oh, they might get ISS, but there are no real consequences. So, theyre not speaking up, and thats not right. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System said the Board of Education Police Department launched an investigation after the incident was reported, and the Savannah Police Department is now the lead agency. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed, and two boys who attend Tremels school have been suspended. There is no word yet on the consequences for the minor involved, who attends a different school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can read the districts full statement below. SCCPSS Statement Regarding Pulaski Student Incident BOEPD is investigating an alleged incident that took place in a bathroom at Pulaski K-8 School. That investigation began AFTER an alleged battery incident that took place at the home of a student on Monday, November 17, 2025. The Savannah Police Department is the lead investigating agency in the off-campus incident and SCCPSS can therefore not comment on the status of that investigation. The alleged on-campus incident was not reported to the school until November 18, 2025 (following the alleged off-campus incident) and an investigation was immediately begun by BOEPD. Based on the details surrounding the off-campus incident, school administrators determined disciplinary consequences were required per the Student Code of Conduct to ensure the school remained a safe place for all. The SCCPSS Code of Conduct provides for appropriate actions when school jurisdiction is in question as this did not occur on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The code of conduct states: When incidents occur off school grounds, the authority of the school over the conduct of students extends when it is determined that a students behavior has a direct and immediate effect on maintaining order or discipline in schools or maintaining the safety and welfare of the students and staff. Incidents that occur off school grounds could result in the student being criminally charged with a felony subject to the jurisdiction of the municipality where the incident took place. In addition, school administrators have visited every 7th and 8th-grade Pulaski classroom in person to discuss the seriousness of abuse, battery, bullying, and cyberbullying. They emphasized the importance of See Something, Say Something and reminded students that teachers, counselors, and administrators are always available to receive concerns, no matter how small. 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 WSAV-TV. Being a member of the Pentagon press corps was once one of the more prestigious assignments in US journalism, a position reserved for heavy hitters from venerable newspapers and news channels, reporters at the peak of their powers. Not any more. A press conference last week held at a crucial time for a Pentagon embroiled in scandal was instead attended by more than a dozen rightwing activists, with the government being held to account by a close ally of Donald Trump, an employee at Turning Point USA and someone from a pillow salesmans nascent media company. Almost all credentialed reporters from traditional media companies surrendered their Pentagon press passes in October, rather than sign a 21-page Pentagon document that set restrictions on journalistic activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: New York Times sues Pentagon over Trump teams limits on press reporting Those constraints include requiring news organizations to pledge they will not obtain unauthorized material in effect limiting journalists to reporting on officially provided information and agreeing to limits on journalists entering certain parts of the Pentagon. Following that walkout, the Pentagon issued passes and access to dozens of rightwing media figures and organizations who agreed to the strict rules, including Laura Loomer, a Trump confidante who has described herself as a proud Islamophobe; LindellTV, an online streaming channel founded by Mike Lindell, a conspiracy theorist and CEO of MyPillow; and Matt Gaetz, a disgraced former congressman turned host at One America News Network. The lack of serious media figures scrutinizing the Pentagon last year Loomer filmed herself eating dog food for an advert, while LindellTV appears to exist primarily to push Lindells disproven claims of election fraud comes at a time when there is a particular need for journalists to provide proper scrutiny of a Pentagon beset by controversy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, an independent report published by the Pentagons office of inspector general found that the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed US mission objectives and potential harm to US pilots when he used the chat app Signal to discuss details of an operation in Yemen. A journalist from the Atlantic was included in the Signal group chat where Hegseth shared the information the debacle led to calls for Hegseths resignation. Separately, the Pentagon continues to face questions over the double strike conducted on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean. The new press corps seems ill-positioned to ask those questions, or to hold the government to account. Loomer and Gaetz are hyper-partisan rightwing commentators and avid supporters of the Trump administration; LindellTV and other organizations which signed the agreement, like Turning Point USA, the Daily Signal, the Gateway Pundit and the Post Millennial, are self-professed conservative outlets. Its incredibly problematic. Were talking about severely limited access to the already secretive military-industrial complex, said Carole-Anne Morris, a journalism professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I have a hard time assigning any credibility whatsoever to any media outlet or journalist who would agree to the terms of the Pentagons new press policy. Essentially, these folks will only be able to parrot information theyre spoon-fed by some media liaison in the Pentagon. They cant seek out information on their own. Doesnt sound like journalism to me. Heres what it actually is: a group of alt-right outlets who are vying to be mouthpieces and apologists for this administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times sued the Pentagon and Hegseth on Thursday, alleging that the ban 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, and experts have warned that the government is violating the first amendment right to free speech. Everything about the press and the way it works requires independence from the government, so anything that restricts what you can say, what you can do, anything thats about how you do your job is just unacceptable, said Gregg Leslie, executive director of the First Amendment Clinic, at Arizona State Universitys Sandra Day OConnor College of Law. Its just a fundamental violation of the first amendment. I mean, you can make the argument that nobody has the right to get into the Pentagon, and the same is true of the White House, but once they start making decisions that discriminate against you based on how youre going to cover something or what your viewpoint is, thats going to become completely unacceptable. As criticism continued this week, the Pentagon issued its own, school newspaper-style report on Wednesday, chirpily hailing a whirlwind of activity for its staff, who it said had completed three days of onboarding for the new press corps. That new makeup consists of more than 70 independent journalists, bloggers and social media influencers, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new media operates differently than traditional media, and Pentagon leadership believes it is better equipped to inform a broader swath of the American public about what goes on inside the department, Kingsley Wilson, the Pentagons press secretary, said in the release. Of the new, almost exclusively rightwing press corps, Wilson said: We want to make sure that were reaching as many Americans as possible. Snowflakes are falling across Iowa as another winter storm pushes across the state on Saturday, Dec. 6. While the winter storm is expected to produce less snow than the Thanksgiving weekend storm, there will still be significant snowfall and travel headaches in Iowa. Here's what to know about the forecast. How much snow will we get? Updated forecast snowfall totals. We shifted the heavier amounts south. Widespread snow totals of at least 2-5 inches expected across the northern half of Iowa. A band of higher totals may be as high as 8 inches. #iawx pic.twitter.com/JnxLB3Q7ky NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) December 6, 2025 Much of Iowa will see around 2-5 inches of snow by the time the winter storm exits the state on Sunday, Dec. 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are the snowfall forecasts: Des Moines area: 2-3 inches Ames: 4-6 inches Northwest Iowa (Sheldon, Storm Lake, Fort Dodge): 6-8 inches Southwest Iowa (Council Bluffs, Creston, Atlantic): Less than 1 inch Northeast Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque): 4-6 inches with higher totals possible in Clinton and Jackson counties Southeast Iowa (Burlington, Ottumwa): 0-2 inches Iowa road conditions: Some roads already completely covered with snow Here's a snapshot as the storm moves east creating a growing number of 100% covered roads. In NW Iowa, roads are partially snow covered. Towing is not recommended in several areas.Crews will stay out through the night and into Sunday digging for pavement. #DOTSnowfighters pic.twitter.com/KiHaOzEVCe Iowa DOT (@iowadot) December 7, 2025 Iowa road conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly as snow moves across the state. Some roads in northwest Iowa had improved from completely covered to partially covered, according to an 8:45 p.m. update from the Iowa Department of Transportation. But, many roads in central Iowa are completely covered and the DOT warned that conditions were worsening in eastern Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tow restrictions are in place in several counties, including Polk and Story in central Iowa. Drivers are advised to check 511ia.org for the latest conditions before driving. In a social media update, the Iowa State Patrol recommended that drivers slow down and stay off their phones. Check the Doppler radar for Des Moines, Iowa Track the latest conditions with the National Weather Service's radar loop Where is there a winter storm warning in Iowa? Parts of northwest and north central Iowa are under a winter storm warning through 7 a.m. Sunday. The warning was expanded around 5:15 p.m. Saturday to include Ames. These areas are expected to see the highest snowfall totals. Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How much snow will we get? Iowa winter storm forecast, road conditions Everyone is safe after the Museum of Science was evacuated on Friday following reports of a bomb threat. According to Cambridge police, around 3:30 p.m., a person came to the station and reported to the desk officer that there may be an explosive device at the Museum of Science. As a precaution, the museum was notified and evacuated. Members of Cambridge Police, Cambridge Fire, and Massachusetts State Police conducted a check of the facility and found nothing hazardous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the Museum of Science Director of Public Safety, Bob Colantoni, said This afternoon, an individual implied to Cambridge Police that he had placed a suspicious package at the Museum of Science. Following an immediate evacuation and full sweep of the Museum by state and local police, the threat was determined to be a hoax. We thank the Museum visitors who were onsite for their patience and our law enforcement partners for their quick and thorough response. The incident remains under investigation. 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 A few dozen early voters in Myanmar's widely criticised elections cast their ballots at the country's embassy in Bangkok on Saturday as polls opened for citizens abroad. Myanmar's junta snatched power in a 2021 coup which plunged the country into a many-sided civil war, but it promises that phased polls -- slated to begin in certain areas in late December -- will move the country towards peace and democracy. But its election commission on Saturday called off vote-holding in almost 1,600 village areas, a major cancellation of already-limited polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile early voting abroad has begun at a few Myanmar embassies, including in Hong Kong, Singapore, Chiang Mai and Bangkok. There was a heavy police presence on Saturday at the Bangkok embassy, where AFP journalists saw around 25 people sign up in the first two hours of polling. Several voters declined to offer comment, but Moe Moe Lwin, 42, said she believed peace would follow the election. "I came to vote as I want peace and I want to live with love and kindness," she told AFP. "I want to see unity between Myanmar citizens." Construction worker and first-time voter Khun Kyaw Swe said he hoped to see educational and regional development after the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are around half a million documented Myanmar nationals in the capital, according to Thailand's labour ministry. The International Organization for Migration estimates there are 4.1 million Myanmar nationals residing in Thailand, many of whom have fled the war and are undocumented. Officials at the embassy told AFP they did not know how many people had filled the required voting registration form, which had an October 15 deadline. - Vote limited in scope - Deposed lawmakers excluded from the vote, human rights monitors and rebel groups opposing the junta have dismissed the election as a charade to disguise continuing military rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Master's student at Thailand's Chulalongkorn University said Saturday he refused to take part in an election he described as a "fake showcase". The 29-year-old, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said there is "no hope" for an election held "while civilians are oppressed, displaced, and denied basic rights of citizens". "There will be a few individuals who may feel pressured or forced to vote," he said, but the majority of Myanmar people living in Thailand "don't accept" the election. On Saturday, the junta-stacked Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that voting in 1,585 village areas had been called off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The territories "have been deemed not conducive to holding free and fair elections", it said in a statement published in Burmese-language newspapers. In September, the junta said its long-promised election would not be held in about one in seven national parliament constituencies. The military government introduced broad new legislation ahead of the polls, including clauses punishing protesting or criticising the election with up to a decade in prison. There have been other signs that the poll will be limited in scope. A census held last year in preparation for the election estimated it failed to collect data from 19 million of the country's 51 million people, according to provisional findings. bur-sjc/rsc 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: SHVETS production from Pexels Taking the sickle cell drug hydroxyurea during or shortly before pregnancy does not appear to cause specific issues in newborns, according to the first prospective study of pregnancies involving hydroxyurea exposure. The study was presented at the 67th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition held 69 December, in Orlando, Florida. Since there may yet be undocumented effects, the authors still recommend discontinuing the drug before pregnancy, if possible. However, the findings offer reassurance that hydroxyurea exposure may not cause harm when unplanned pregnancies occur or when the drug is the only or best option for managing sickle cell complications during pregnancy. Blood transfusions can offer an alternative treatment for some, but they are not available in all countries and not safe for all patients. "Overall, the rate of live births was better than that seen in previous studies, and we had no maternal mortality, even though these patients were highly symptomatic," said lead study author Anoosha Habibi, MD, associate professor in the sickle cell referral center of Hopitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor in Creteil, France. "Based on these findings, we call for a pragmatic approach. We have to decide case by case and evaluate the risk from transfusion and stopping hydroxyurea." Hydroxyurea is an oral medication that helps blood cells maintain a healthy shape, aiding in the prevention of sickle cell complications like painful vaso-occlusive crises and tissue damage. Since the drug has never been tested in pregnant women, its effects during pregnancy are unknown, and as a precaution, women are advised to stop taking the drug three to six months before they plan to conceive. "Women are usually advised to stop hydroxyurea several months before pregnancy, but this is extremely difficult because these patients are often highly symptomatic and no one knows exactly when pregnancy will occur," said Dr. Habibi. "So, many women remain without treatment for months, during which some develop severe vaso-occlusive crises and complications." "In higher-resourced settings, we can manage treatment interruption and provide safe transfusions for most patients, but in many regions in Africa, India, and the Caribbean, the safety of transfusion is limited, or the access is simply unavailable," said Dr. Habibi. "In those contexts, asking women to stop hydroxyurea may actually put them in danger of vaso-occlusive crises, and both maternal and fetal outcomes can worsen." Drawing from a collection of prospective cohort studies involving 77 medical centers in Europe, the study included data from 245 pregnancies that occurred in 183 women taking hydroxyurea between 2009 to 2025. Most of the women had been taking hydroxyurea for many years before conceiving. In 84% of cases, the women were taking hydroxyurea when they became pregnant, suggesting that many of the pregnancies may have been unplanned. Researchers analyzed outcomes from a subset of 178 pregnancies after excluding pregnancies that were voluntarily aborted, ongoing at the time of analysis, and those in which hydroxyurea was discontinued before conception. Of these 178 pregnancies, three-quarters resulted in live births. No maternal deaths and no hydroxyurea-related newborn malformations were reported. The rate of miscarriage (17%) was similar to that seen in the general population, and the rate of premature birth (17%) was similar to that seen in previous studies of people living with sickle cell disease. Two pregnancies were discontinued in the hydroxyurea-exposed group for maternal medical reasons, and two fetal deaths occurred, one a late-term miscarriage before 21 weeks and one a stillbirth at 34 weeks, with neither death deemed to be related to hydroxyurea exposure. Overall, the results provide no evidence of specific harms related to hydroxyurea exposure during pregnancy. This suggests that continuing hydroxyurea during pregnancy could be a reasonable choice when transfusion is not an option and a woman is at high risk of complications of untreated sickle cell disease, according to researchers. While the data were collected prospectively, the researchers pointed out that the cohort study was not designed to monitor pregnancies, so the data regarding pregnancy outcomes are limited and the data on the percentage of transfusions performed may not be exhaustive. Dr. Habibi said that more studies are needed to confirm the research findings and assess long-term outcomes in children who were exposed to hydroxyurea in the womb. More information: Outcomes of pregnancies in sickle cell patients treated with hydroxyurea : Findings from the escort-HU cohort studies. submit.hematology.org/program/presentation/681292 A contractor working on a 310-foot radio tower died on Thursday after a large chunk of the structure fell to the ground. The incident happened about 4:30 p.m. on Murray Avenue in Atlantic Citys Venice Park neighborhood. A section of the radio tower fell to the ground as three men were working on its upper portion, the Atlantic City Police Department said in a statement on Friday night. Police did not identify the victim or specify the circumstances of his death. Two other workers involved in the incident did not suffer serious injuries, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A separate piece of the tower became suspended and was hanging near the top of the structure. Police have established a perimeter around the tower until the piece can be safely removed. First responders worked for about an hour and a half to remove the workers from the tower. ABC6 Action News Philadelphia, who was on the scene on Thursday, reported that the construction crew is from North Carolina and had been working to remove a section near the top of the tower. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Police are asking residents to be cautious when traveling through the area. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The West Virginia national guard soldier who was wounded in the 26 November shooting that killed a colleague of his in Washington DC is slowly healing, according to West Virginias governor. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was shot alongside fellow West Virginia national guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom, 20, while they patrolled the US capital as part of the Trump administrations push to deploy military members on to the citys streets. Beckstrom died of her injuries the day after she was shot while Wolfe was hospitalized in critical condition. On Friday, West Virginias governor, Patrick Morrisey who deployed the states national guard to Washington DC said in a post on his website that Wolfe had been recovering, if slowly, from being shot in the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Pressure grows on reckless Hegseth as twin scandals engulf Pentagon chief His parents report that his head wound is slowly healing and that hes beginning to look more like himself, the governors statement said of Wolfe. Overall, the family expects that Andy will be in acute care for another 2-3 weeks but have been optimistic about his progress. Wolfe joined the West Virginia national guard in 2019 and has earned multiple commendations since. He was deployed to Washington DC in August after the Trump administration announced what it billed as a crime emergency there, though the city had just reported a 30-year low in violent crime. The suspect in the deadly double shooting, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was formally charged on Tuesday for a number of crimes, including first-degree murder. Lakanwal is from Afghanistan and had entered the US in 2021 after the US militarys withdrawal from the country as the Taliban took power there again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lakanwal worked with the CIA, within an Afghan counter-terrorism group called the Zero Unit. The unit was involved in secretive and dangerous missions to capture or assassinate suspected terrorists. Afghan strike forces, like so-called Zero Units, have been accused of human rights abuses. In the days after the shooting attributed to Lakanwal, the Trump administration announced a number of restrictive immigration policies. The White House at first announced it would be halting all asylum decisions and processes for Afghan nationals, blaming the preceding Biden administration for allowing Lakanwal into the country. Lakanwal was granted asylum in April, during Donald Trumps second presidency. Then the administration announced it would be pausing immigration applications for people from 19 separate countries, including Afghanistan. The 19 countries were included in a Trump proclamation this June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morrisey has fallen under criticism by his states Democratic lawmakers for deploying its national guard to Washington DC. Troops and other federal officials have reported finding relatively little crime in the city and instead have been assigned tasks such as picking up trash. West Virginia Democratic lawmaker Mike Pushkin said to National Public Radio that Wolfe and Beckstrom who had been in the states national guard since 2023 would not have been in harms had it not been for the president calling in the national guard in this strange form of political theater. After Wolfe and Beckstrom were attacked, another national guard soldier shot Lakanwal. Lakanwal made an initial court appearance on the charges filed against him through a video feed from his hospital bed. Federal officials have indicated that they expect to file more charges against Lakanwal. The US attorney general, Pam Bondi, said she was considering pursuing the death penalty against him. His next court date is tentatively set for 14 January. A National Guardsman is on the mend after he was critically injured in an ambush-style shooting last month in Washington DC. The parents of Andrew Wolfe, 24, say "his head wound is slowly healing and that he's beginning to 'look more like himself'", said West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey. The family expects the Air Force staff sergeant to be in acute care for the next two to three weeks, and they feel optimistic about his progress, Morrisey said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff Sgt Wolfe was one of two West Virginia National Guard members shot when a gunman opened fire not far from the White House on 26 November. His colleague, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, died from her injuries. "We continue to ask all West Virginians and Americans for their prayers!" the governor said in his statement. Morrisey attended a vigil on Friday evening for Staff Sgt Wolfe at Musselman High School in Inwood, West Virginia, where the guardsman was once a student. A pastor at the vigil read a message from the soldier's parents, Jason and Melody Wolfe. "We know that there is a long road to go," they wrote, according to local news outlet Metro News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But our faith keeps us hopeful. We remain grateful for the prayers and the support from people all over the world." Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe [Reuters] Earlier in the week, the governor said Staff Sgt Wolfe had responded to a nurse with a thumbs-up and was able to move his toes. Police have charged the suspected shooter, an Afghan national named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, with first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill. Before coming to the US in 2021, he was once a counterterrorism soldier in a CIA-backed unit that worked with American troops in Afghanistan. Staff Sgt Wolfe was one of 2,000 National Guard members whom President Donald Trump deployed to the nation's capitol in August as part of his immigration and crime-related crackdown in Democratic-led cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the shooting, Trump said he wanted another 500 National Guard troops sent to the nation's capital. The Trump administration has also cited the shooting as a reason for additional immigration crackdown measures. They have cancelled all citizenship ceremonies for immigrants from 19 countries that were part of a travel ban announced over the summer, including Afghanistan. One observant national park enthusiast spotted something upsetting while checking out the Lake McDonald webcam at Glacier Park in Montana. They posted a screenshot of the footage to the r/GlacierNationalPark community on Reddit, pointing out that some visitors had left piles of stones, or cairns, along the edge of the shore. "Doing so disturbs the habit of wildlife that lives amongst the rocks, creates navigational issues if made on or near trails, and is a disturbance to the natural beauty that we come to the park to experience," they pointed out in the caption. Photo Credit: Reddit It might seem like a harmless activity while visiting the lake, but moving or stacking rocks can have adverse environmental effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Park Service notes that some parks use cairns as marker points for hikers, so building unauthorized ones could lead to confusion among visitors and get them lost, potentially putting them in danger. "Every park has different rules about cairns, so it's always a good idea to check out a park's website for information on hiking trails before you go," the NPS advises. Generally, though, it's best to avoid moving rocks, as it could disturb the soil and increase the likelihood of erosion, as the NPS observes. Whatever national park or green space you visit, be sure to practice the "leave no trace" philosophy. That means cleaning up after yourself, leaving no trash behind, and leaving the landscape exactly how it was when you found it. If you notice any damage, inform a park ranger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the OP observed, this sort of activity can impact the animals that call these parks home, and disturbing the natural processes of creatures shows a lack of respect for their wellbeing. "Just as annoying as finding litter on the trail, not sure what part of 'leave nothing but footprints' they don't understand," one Redditor said. "The rangers at Yosemite are encouraging people to knock over any cairns they find," another user noted. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. National parks have been ordered to check their gift shops for items that support programs like diversity, equity and inclusion and remove them. According to an Interior Department memo obtained by the nonprofit advocacy group National Parks Conservation Association and reviewed by USA TODAY, parks have until Dec. 19 to review all retail items sold at on-site outlets run by partner associations and concessionaires. In keeping with Secretarys Order 3416, the National Park Service is conducting a common-sense review of retail items to ensure our gift shops remain neutral spaces that serve all visitors, the Interior Department confirmed to USA TODAY. Were working closely with our partners to make sure this process is smooth and doesnt disrupt the visitor experience. If any items are found to be inconsistent with the Order, they are being removed from sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National parks 'America-first' pricing will make these visitors pay more Alan Spears, senior director for Cultural Resources at NPCA, says it's not that straightforward. This is along the lines of the ongoing effort to sanitize, soften or erase history in our national parks, he said. S.O. 3416 calls for ending all actions related to illegal and immoral discrimination programs, including DEI ... (collectively, equity-related') mandates, policies, preferences, and activities in the (Interior) Department. It was issued in January, on the heels of a larger executive order by President Donald Trump focusing on DEI across the federal government. In March, Trump issued another order, calling on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to take action to ensure that all public monuments, memorials, statues, markers, or similar properties within the Department of the Interiors jurisdiction do not contain descriptions, depictions, or other content that inappropriately disparage Americans past or living (including persons living in colonial times), and instead focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people. Burgum followed suit with his own order in May and weeks later, visitors at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio reported seeing signs asking them to flag anything that could be disparaging toward America or U.S. history. Americans will get more free national park days next year, but it's going to cost foreign tourists much more to visit some of the most popular parks. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, "nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee," the Department of Interior announced on Nov. 25, among other changes. "These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a news release in line with an executive order designed to "allow more Americans to visit national parks." Here's what all national park visitors should know. How much does it cost to visit national parks? Not all national parks charge entry fees. Those that do typically top out at $35 per private vehicle. To save money on multiple trips, visitors can buy an America the Beautiful annual pass. Pricing for those will stay flat for U.S. residents at $80. However starting Jan. 1, annual passes will cost $250 for nonresidents. And international travelers who opt out of annual passes will be subject to extra $100 per person fees at several bucket-list parks. Residents will be asked to enter their ZIP code when buying passes through Recreation.gov and show a U.S.-government issued photo ID when using the passes. Individuals without such identification will be asked to upgrade to a nonresident annual pass, according to the Department of Interior, which noted that existing passes will continue to be honored until expiration. Revenue generated by the new pricing will be invested back into the parks for upgrades and improvements as well as essential maintenance. Which national parks are impacted? * Acadia National Park in Maine * Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah * Everglades National Park in Florida * Glacier National Park in Montana * Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona * Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming * Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado * Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California * Yellowstone National Park in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming * Yosemite National Park in California * Zion National Park in Utah Sequoia and Kings Canyon are technically different parks, but operate as one. National park fee-free days for 2026 Next year, there will be more free entry dates across national parks, but only U.S. residents will be eligible. The "patriotic fee-free days" will also fall on largely different dates than in recent years. * President's Day: Feb. 16 * Memorial Day: May 31 * Flag Day/President Donald Trump's birthday: June 14 * Independence Day weekend: July 3-5 * 110th Birthday of the National Park Service: Aug. 25 * Constitution Day: Sept. 17 * Theodore Roosevelt's birthday: Oct. 27 * Veterans Day: Nov. 11 Other national park changes. In addition to the pricing changes, the Department of Interior is rolling out new digital America the Beautiful passes for annual pass holders, military, seniors, fourth graders and visitors with disabilities. Those can be stored on mobile devices and linked to physical cards for user convenience. Going forward, the passes will cover two motorcycles per pass, instead of one. Also, both digital and physical passes will feature new artwork with "patriotic designs that honor America's landscapes, heritage and outdoor legacy," according to the Interior Department. One pass features Presidents George Washington and Donald Trump side-by-side. See the 2026 America the Beautiful national park passes 1 of 5 Americans will get more free national park days next year, but it's going to cost foreign tourists much more to visit some of the most popular parks. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, "nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee," the Department of Interior announced on Nov. 25, among other changes. "These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a news release in line with an executive order designed to "allow more Americans to visit national parks." Here's what all national park visitors should know. However, Spears said, It's all a part of our story ... If we've got books or interpretive materials, signage or even key chains that point that out, that's a part of our shared national narrative, and I think those things need to remain in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that national parks have enough to worry about without the gift shop reviews. Citing staffing shortages, maintenance backlogs and inadequate funding among, he said, Our National Park Service rangers should be managing parks, not censorship campaigns. The Interior Department asserted its commitment to remaining neutral and not promoting specific viewpoints: Our goal is to keep National Parks focused on their core mission: preserving natural and cultural resources for the benefit of all Americans. (This story was updated to add additional information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National parks to pull DEI-type items from gift shops House Health and Government Operations Committee listens to a briefing Friday on the newly established Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Marylands newest department already had a tall order, to advance social and economic mobility for all Marylanders, as Acting Secretary Walter Simmons describes it. Then, two days after the law creating the Department of Social and Economic Mobility took effect, the federal government made it more challenging by declaring that race- and sex-based eligibility for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise status was itself discriminatory. Its a change that Simmons estimates could affect up to 7,000 businesses in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Simmons was largely confident Friday in a briefing for the House Health and Government Operations Committee on the role of the new department and the efforts to stand it up. It was the first public appearance for the new agency. The hearing came one day after the driving force behind its creation, House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) announced she was stepping down from leadership, a fact that was noted at the meeting. But mostly the hearing dealt with the details of setting up a new Cabinet-level department. The law creating the department took effect Oct. 1 and Simmons became its acting secretary on Oct. 20. He summarized its mission: To advance social and economic mobility for all Marylanders by removing barriers, investing in inclusive opportunities and aligning these resources. That is something that we are going to be heavily focused onbut also being able to frame it to ensure efficient government efficiency through this work. Acting Social and Economic Mobility Secretary Walter Simmons chats with Del. Terri Hill (D-Howard) after Fridays briefing before the Health and Government Operations Committee. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) The law creating the department rolls threes existing offices into the new agency: the Office of Minority Business Enterprises in the state Department of Transportation; the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs; and the Office of Social Equity in the Maryland Cannabis Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the departments responsibilities will include promoting and encouraging participation in the regulated cannabis industry by individuals previously impacted by the war on drugs, and supporting small or disadvantaged businesses and monitoring trends in social equity programs and policies nationwide. Del. Harry Bhandari (D-Baltimore County) asked Simmons what the first structural barriers are that the department has taken on since it became established. Simmons said daily administrative functions remain such staffing, receiving keys to an office and getting emails. He received help from Yolanda Maria Martinez, special secretary of the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs. She gave me her desk, Simmons said, while sitting next to Martinez who arrived a few minutes later during the briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But one major challenged that Simmons highlighted was the federal change to its DBE standards. Those changes, published in the Federal Register on Oct. 3, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an order that removes race- and sex-based presumptions of social and economic disadvantage that violate the U.S. Constitution. Under the new rule, in order for any business to qualify for certification through a disadvantaged business enterprise or Airport Concessions DBE program must not only provide financial documentation, but also write a narrative or case-specific justification for all applications. Simmons said that could affect more than 7,000 businesses in the state. Everybody knows that historically, minorities and women have had a disadvantage for the last 400 years. You dont have to prove that you have an economic disadvantage, because we know youve been economically disadvantaged, Simmons said after the nearly one-hour briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration says, No, throw that out. They [federal government] said that because theyre minority and theyre women [and] that theyre disadvantaged, thats actually discrimination, he said of the feds reasoning. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The department is required to submit a report to the governor and General Assembly by July 1 that identifies all state programs and units that have a social equity component and provide recommendations on how they can be reorganized, coordinated, or otherwise made more effective and more efficient to promote social equity. Near the end of the briefing, committee chair Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D-Prince Georges and Anne Arundel) praised Simmons. Pena-Melnyk and several other committee members are familiar with his work as president and CEO of Employ Prince Georges, a quasi-government nonprofit organization founded in 2018 that provides workforce development programs and other duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can hear your passion. I will sleep well at night knowing that youre in charge, Pena-Melnyk said. She also praised Jones work to create the department. This is her baby, Pena-Melnyk said. It reflects her lasting vision that equity and economic mobility must be permanent, coordinated priorities of state government. NEW YORK Top charter school leaders are looking to improve ties with Zohran Mamdani as simmering tensions between the mayor-elect and the sector threaten to open a contentious chapter in their relationship with City Hall. After those differences became apparent on the campaign trail, the heads of 19 charter schools and networks, including Eva Moskowitz of Success Academy and Rev. Al Cockfield of Lamad Academy, reached out to Mamdani and invited him to meet with them on Dec. 12 or sooner at Ember Charter School in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Please come see our schools whats working, what were changing, and where the Citys partnership would enable us to do so much more for the children and families who need us most, read the letter, shared with The New York Daily News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Mamdani prepares to take office next month, his relationship with the charter sector is being closely watched to see if the mayor-elect can make inroads as he has with other skeptics, or if the city is in for a revival of the charter school wars that dominated New York politics a decade ago. In the final stretch before the Democratic primary, Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, said he opposed any expansion of the publicly funded but privately run schools in New York, which he argues siphons resources away from traditional public schools. Only the governor and state legislature can raise the statutory cap on the number of charter schools, not the mayor, though he can use his bully pulpit to apply pressure on the sector in other ways. After he won that contest, the charter schools led a march over the Brooklyn Bridge that drew 15,000 demonstrators from 200 schools, widely seen as targeting the Democratic nominee. Charter leaders have denied the Sept. 18 demonstration was related to Mamdanis then-frontrunner status, though made no secret of their beliefs that opposing public school choice was antithetical to his affordability agenda. The next day, two state lawmakers, including an early endorser of Mamdanis, led a push for an investigation into the rally, alleging a misuse of instructional time and public funds. It is unclear if a probe was ever launched; a rep for Sen. John Liu said his office has not heard back from the SUNY Charter Institute and also sent a letter on the same issue to the Department of Labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani did, however, visit Imagine Me Leadership Charter School in Ocean Hill in late October before the general election, according to his rep, who did not comment Friday on the invite specifically. Bishop Raymond Rivera, founder of Family Life Academy Charter Schools and one of the letters signatories, also met with Mamdani earlier this year and discussed the sector, The News previously reported. The charter school leaders said they had yet to hear back from Mamdani on their invite, which was sent Tuesday. There are no reps for the sector on the mayor-elects education transition committee. We want to do everything we can to get on his radar, said Kalam Id-Din, the founder of Ember Charter Schools who spearheaded the letter, because we speak the same language of equity. In the letter, the charter leaders offered their help on universal child care and more quality public schools, while not so subtly appealing to Mamdanis own educational background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know well the power of public school choice, the heads of school wrote. Your own journey at private school Bank Street and then at Bronx Science, a selective public high school, shows how options can widen the circle of whats possible. In that same spirit, charter schools throw open the door of possibility. Shipping containers filled with radioactive dust appeared in Indonesia in September and it's not clear who is responsible. What's happening? Indonesia refused the entry of 23 shipping containers of radioactive zinc dust that appeared at a Jakarta port in September. The shipment originated from the Philippines, but officials are still scrambling to figure out who is responsible for the export. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute said that the materials originated with the Philippine manufacturer SteelAsia. SteelAsia, they contend, sold the zinc dust to the Chinese company Zannwann International Trading Corp., which exported the boxes, as The Maritime Executive reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, SteelAsia has strongly denied responsibility for the materials and is even considering legal action against the PNRI. The containers had elevated levels of radioactive isotope Cesium-137, which is a byproduct of processes including steel manufacturing and radioactive fission. Why is Cesium-137 concerning? Cesium-137 is used in small amounts in industrial gauges and cancer treatments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At high doses, however, it can cause burns, radiation sickness, and even death. Improper handling of Cesium-137 at an industrial level poses risks to public health. In September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled shipments of shrimp from Indonesia that it found to be contaminated with Cesium-137. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The radioactive material apparently originated at an Indonesian industrial site near the shrimp company, as Bloomberg reported. That incident led Indonesia to halt exports of scrap metal, fearing contamination. Because Cesium is a byproduct of nuclear fission the process that fuels nuclear energy the incident also sheds light on the difficulties of disposing of this type of waste. Nuclear reactors can generate enormous amounts of electricity without using dirty fuel, but they produce radioactive materials that, as this debacle has shown, no one seems to want to take responsibility for. What's being done about the radioactive materials? Indonesia shipped the containers back to the Philippines, where they have been sitting on a containership outside Manila, according to The Maritime Executive. They can't be unloaded until someone claims them and lays out a plan for their disposal. SteelAsia said that it was ordered to bury the materials, but the situation remains unresolved. However, worldwide, some governments have made great strides in remediating radioactive waste, from allocating money to clean up industrial sites to repurposing radioactive materials into everyday products. Chinese researchers have even proposed using gamma rays to turn nuclear waste into safer materials that produce thermal energy. 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 Ohio House recently approved a new bill that aims to bring stricter penalties for crimes committed against correctional facility employees. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] House Bill 338, also known as Andys Law, was approved by the Ohio House of Representatives in November. The bill was introduced by State Representatives Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), according to a press release from Johnsons office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was developed in response to the murder of correctional officer Andrew Lansing by an inmate last Christmas. TRENDING STORIES: The bill looks to impose stricter penalties for aggravated murder and assault of correctional employees and introduces measures to curb drug possession among inmates, according to the release. This is a great first step to restoring respect to our officers and to reward good behavior within the inmate population, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have placed a large focus on getting drugs out of our prisons, its hard to rehabilitate an addict, Plummer said. This bill will make it very clear that inmates assaulting Corrections Officers will no longer be tolerated. According to the release, the bill aims to accomplish the following: Expand the offense to a life sentence in prison without parole if an inmate murders an ODRC or DYS employee Create a mandatory, 7-year sentence for inmates who assault an ODRC or DYS employee Create a mandatory, 3-year sentence for inmates who throw bodily fluids at an ODRC or DYS employee Allow higher-ranking staff members of prisons to detain people who try to bring illegal substances into prisons or give them to inmates Ensure all Level 3 and 4 prisons have drug-sniffing dogs at the institution within 2 years, and all lower-level prisons have K9 units within 5 years Instill no-contact visitations at all Level 3 and 4 prisons Require the Ohio State Highway Patrol to train Drug Detection Dogs for correctional facilities The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] STILLWATER Regents who govern Oklahoma State University have approved a settlement allowing OSU to return lease money it was given from the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for a new mental hospital that never was built. Meeting at OSU on Friday, Dec. 5, OSU/A&M regents authorized OSUs Oklahoma City branch campus to pay the state agency $4,822,671, after the state agencys plans to build the hospital on the OSU-OKC campus fell through due to funding issues. The state agency since has pivoted and purchased a former hospital in southwest Oklahoma City, with plans to renovate it to serve as a mental health facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As plans for the Donahue Behavioral Health Campus were developed, a budget of $147 million was set and work began on the OSU-OKC campus located near the junction of Interstate 40 and Interstate 44 to prepare for the mental health facility. OSU President Jim Hess says the university will return lease money it was given from Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for a new mental hospital that never was built. In December 2023, OSU and the state agency entered into a lease agreement, through which the agency leased property from OSU-OKC on which to build. The state agency eventually paid $10 million of the $13 million it owed to OSU under the lease, money OSU used to vacate facilities that would have needed to be razed before construction began and to relocate programs, staff, furnishings, equipment and renovations for the displaced programs. OSU President Jim Hess told The Oklahoman on Friday that OSU had spent about $5.2 million of the $10 million and was under no obligation to return the remainder of the money. But we felt that it was in the interests of the state to return the amount of money that had not been spent, Hess said. There was about $4.8 million still remaining to be spent, but when the project wasn't going to come to fruition, we just wanted to be good partners and citizens and stewards of the public's money, so we thought it's in the best interest for that money to return to ODMH. Facility intended to replace aging Norman hospital The goal of the Donahue facility was to replace the aging Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman, which has been in use for more than a century. But as the days waned in the 2025 session of the Oklahoma Legislature, it became clear funding for the Donahue facility wouldnt be available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Issues surrounding the leadership of the mental health agency didnt help, as legislators amid a shortfall in the agencys budget fired its commissioner, Allie Friesen, in the final hours of the session, a move bitterly disputed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, who had appointed Friesen. Stitt then appointed retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic as the agencys interim director. Under Slavonic, the agency purchased the former SSM Health hospital at SW 59th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Oklahoma City, for $18.5 million and will spend another $41.5 million for upgrades and renovations. The $60 million comes from American Rescue Plan Act funds originally set aside for the Donahue facility at OSU-OKC. The agencys communications office didnt immediately respond to an email sent Friday morning seeking comment on the action by OSU regents. One of the things that happened along the way, just to be totally transparent, is when ODMH paid us the $10 million, they went out and raised money from private sources to pay that, Hess said. But we were not aware of that. We just received the money from the ODMH. I think it's ODMHs intent, with the $4.8 million thats being returned, to return that money to some of the foundations that donated. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU returning money after mental health hospital project falls through This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Preliminary results from two trials of the gene therapy exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel) suggest the therapy offers an effective cure for beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease in children younger than 12. Researchers say the therapy's potential to offer a cure at an early agebefore organ damage accumulatescould make exa-cel even more beneficial in children than adults. The study was presented at the 67th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition held 69 December, in Orlando, Florida. "All younger patients with sufficient follow-up met the primary endpoint of being transfusion independent in those with beta thalassemia and free of vaso-occlusive crises for those with sickle cell disease," said lead study author Haydar Frangoul, MD, medical director of pediatric hematology/oncology at Sarah Cannon Research Institute at TriStar Centennial Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. "A 100% success rate is rare in anything that we do." Exa-cel is approved for patients 12 years and older who have transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia or sickle cell disease with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (when blood cells become lodged in the vessels, causing severe pain and tissue damage). Both conditions are caused by genetic abnormalities that affect the ability for blood to carry oxygen throughout the body; exa-cel works by genetically modifying a patient's own blood stem cells to correct this abnormality. How exa-cel gene therapy works For the treatment, patients undergo a procedure to harvest their blood stem cells, which are then genetically edited in the lab using CRISPR/Cas9. The patient then undergoes a chemotherapy-based conditioning regimen to clear the bone marrow before the genetically edited stem cells are implanted back into the body, where they begin making healthy blood cells. Researchers report preliminary results from two trials of exa-cel that are underway in children 511 years old. To date, the CLIMB THAL-141 trial has dosed 13 patients with beta-thalassemia, and the CLIMB SCD-151 trial has dosed 11 patients with sickle cell disease. Results from pediatric clinical trials In CLIMB THAL-141, six of 13 patients to date have been evaluated for the primary endpoint of transfusion independence for 12 consecutive months, meaning that they maintained a weighted average hemoglobin of 9 g/dL or higher without a red blood cell infusion. All six met this endpoint. In addition, participants showed increases in hemoglobin and fetal hemoglobin production. In CLIMB SCD-151, four of 11 patients to date have been evaluated for the primary endpoint of freedom from severe vaso-occlusive crises and the secondary endpoint of freedom from inpatient treatment for severe vaso-occlusive crises for 12 consecutive months. All four met these endpoints. No study participants have experienced a vaso-occlusive crisis after their exa-cel infusion to date. Increases in fetal hemoglobin production have been similar to the levels in teens and adults in previous studies, with mean total hemoglobin reaching a normal level by month six and remaining stable thereafter. According to researchers, the results not only provide evidence that the gene therapy works in younger patients, but suggest it could be even more beneficial in this age group. "We think treating them at an earlier age may be better because you could potentially prevent some irreversible complications that lead to chronic issues," said Dr. Frangoul. Safety profile and ongoing research Based on experiences to date, the safety profile of the therapy in these pediatric trials also appears to be consistent with trials in adolescents and adults and with the known side effects and complications associated with autologous stem cell transplantation and busulfan conditioning. One study participant in CLIMB THAL-141 developed severe veno-occlusive disease, related to busulfan, with fatal multi-organ failure. Veno-occlusive disease is a known risk of busulfan that occurs more frequently in children. Despite several decades of research on busulfan and alternative conditioning regimens in the context of stem cell transplantation, there is no known strategy to completely eliminate this risk. The CLIMB THAL-141 and CLIMB SCD-151 trials will continue to accrue participants and track outcomes to assess the safety and efficacy of the therapy over a longer period of time and in a larger patient group. Dr. Frangoul notes that a future study could test the therapy in children two to four years old. More information: First results of exagamglogene autotemcel in pediatric patients aged 511 years with transfusion-dependent -thalassemia or sickle cell disease with recurrent severe vaso-occlusive crises. submit.hematology.org/program/presentation/672425 A University of Oklahoma lecturer is now on administrative leave pending an investigation due to allegations of viewpoint discrimination and selectively excusing absences for certain students to attend a protest. A memo from the university states the alleged discrimination occurred when students were allowed to attend a protest in support of a graduate professor who had recently been placed on leave, but the instructor didn't extend the same option to those looking to attend a counter-protest. The memo states any student, regardless of their beliefs, would receive an excused absence if they chose to attend a protest. More: How an OU student's failing grade turned into a viral online debate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the memo states that upon learning about the situation, the Director of First Year Composition told students in person and through email that the lecturers actions were "inappropriate and wrong. Marches pass by the clock tower at the Bizzell Memorial Library during a protest and march supporting the graduate assistant that graded Samantha Fulnecky's essay on the University of Oklahoma (OU) campus, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. The lecturer has been replaced for the remainder of the semester, according to the university statement, which goes on to express support for the directors decision. Classroom instructors have a special obligation to ensure that the classroom is never used to grant preferential treatment based on personal political beliefs, nor to pressure students to adopt particular political or ideological views, the statement reads. Hundreds of students, along with faculty and alumni, attended a rally Friday afternoon to support the graduate assistant who was suspended in November after a student claimed she received a failing grade on an essay due to religious discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The universitys investigation of the claims made by Samantha Fulnecky, a junior psychology major, is still ongoing. Samantha Fulnecky during a interview in the office of The Oklahoman, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Fulnecky received a zero on the essay that referred to the Bible to support her view on traditional gender roles. The instructor called parts of her essay offensive, and said she didnt use empirical evidence. Fulnecky told The Oklahoman that it wasnt her intention to be offensive. More: OU reacts to essay controversy, puts teacher on administrative leave Students at the protest Friday said they were disappointed by the response from the university and state officials, including Gov. Kevin Stitt and several GOP lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation has sparked a national debate surrounding academic freedom, free speech, and religious discrimination on public university campuses. Defenders of the instructor say the failing grade was justified due to the essays poor academic merit and a failure to meet course requirements rather than religious discrimination. Supporters of the student say Fulnecky was unduly penalized for her conservative Christian views. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU places second teacher on leave over Samantha Fulnecky protest complaint Just-pardoned Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar is encouraging his Republican colleagues to investigate the prosecutors who charged him and his wife with bribery. I really think what they did was wrong, Cuellar said in an interview Friday, adding that he has spoken to people in the House who are investigating prosecutors under former President Joe Biden. He said he plans to share information with them about his case. Any such probe would represent a remarkable scrambling of partisan battle lines over the Justice Department. But it would be just the latest such jumble involving Cuellar, a self-proclaimed conservative Democrat who was an outlier in his party even before he faced corruption charges and was suddenly pardoned Wednesday by President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation Cuellar referred to appears to be an ongoing probe of DOJ "weaponization" led by House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Cuellar ran into Jordan shortly after Trump announced the pardon of Cuellar and his wife Wednesday, according to a person granted anonymity to describe the private conversation. Cuellar encouraged Jordan to request records from the Justice Department on his prosecution, and Jordan expressed openness to the idea, the person said. Based on whats there, I definitely feel that there was misconduct by the prosecutors," Cuellar said Friday. "So well get more in details later on, but I certainly am convinced that this was weaponization. Jordan spokesperson Russell Dye declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuellar and his wife were charged in 2024 with accepting $600,000 in bribes from foreign entities, including an oil and gas company owned by the government of Azerbaijan. Cuellar has said he and his wife were innocent of the charges. In the Truth Social post announcing the pardon Wednesday, Trump blamed Biden for using the FBI and DOJ to take out a member of his own party after Cuellar criticized Bidens immigration policies. Jordan has spearheaded investigations of Biden-era probes of Trump, leading a select subcommittee on the "Weaponization of the Federal Government." He has recently ramped up the efforts, most recently subpoenaing former special counsel Jack Smith and accusing Smiths team of "prosecutorial misconduct and constitutional abuses" in their investigations of Trump. Cuellar reiterated in the interview that despite his criticism for his own party and his willingness to cooperate with a polarizing GOP probe, he has no plans to switch parties. He filed for reelection as a Democrat soon after he was pardoned Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was a Democrat, and I'm still a Democrat," he said. Cuellar also said in the interview that neither he nor his family members had hired representatives to speak to the White House on his behalf even as former lawyers and advisers to Trump have reported receiving significant sums to seek pardons on behalf of accused and convicted criminals. Trump in Wednesday's Truth Social post included a letter Cuellar's daughters wrote to the president criticizing the prosecution as politically motivated and pleading for clemency. Cuellar said he found out about the pardon Wednesday when asked by a reporter about Trumps announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My daughters ... saw their mom and dad go through a very difficult time and, on their own, they wrote a letter to the president, he said. Apparently the president read it and made a decision. Hailey Fuchs contributed to this report. While most employees work on a full-time schedule, part-time jobs are becoming more common as staff look for greater flexibility and a better work-life balance. Businesses may also be keen to hire part-time to limit costs and handle shifting workloads. According to Eurostat, 17.1% of employed people in the EU worked part-time in 2024. The agency defines a part-time worker as someone whose usual working hours are lower than those of a comparable full-time worker in their main job. The OECD notes that this usually means working fewer than 30 hours per week, and this applies to both employees and the self-employed. Rates across Europe Across 33 European countries, the part-time employment rate ranges from 1.5% in Bulgaria to 40.5% in Switzerland, closely followed by the Netherlands at 38.9% Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rate is also very high in Austria and Germany, where roughly three in ten people work part-time. At the other end of the ranking, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Croatia, Slovakia, and Hungary all see rates below 5%. The figures paint a regional pattern across Europe, showing that part-time work is generally much less common in the Balkans and Eastern Europe than in Western and Northern Europe. Women, young people, and older workers Women, young people, older workers, and those with reduced work capacity are more likely to prefer part-time employment. Therefore, countries where these groups have high employment rates tend to exhibit higher levels of part-time work, Rasa Mieziene and Sandra Krutuliene from Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences told Euronews Business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, they explained that in 2024, the Netherlands had the highest employment rate of women in the EU, 12.7 percentage points above the EU average. Youth employment (1524) in the Netherlands was more than 40 points higher, and the employment rate of older workers (6064) was over 15 points higher. All of these indicators were well above the EU-27 averages. By contrast, in countries where these groups are less active in the labour market, part-time employment levels tend to be lower, they said. For example, in Bulgaria, the youth employment rate was less than half of the EU average. Part-time jobs are also more common in service-oriented sectors such as retail, health, education, and hospitality where staffing needs vary throughout the day or week, Mieziene and Krutuliene said. Services vs. manufacturing The researchers also noted that employers use part-time contracts to achieve staffing flexibility, reduce labour costs, and adapt to fluctuating demand. For instance, mini-jobs constitute a significant segment of the German labour market and generate a large number of part-time positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to 2023 ILO statistics, employment in the services sector accounted for over 80% of total employment in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, whereas it was significantly lower in South Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Romania) or Central European countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary). Related Most Eastern European economies are more manufacturing-oriented, where full-time jobs are the norm, they added. Wage level is another driver. Mieziene and Krutuliene pointed out that in higher-wage economies, part-time work can still provide adequate income, while in lower-wage economies, it may not be financially viable reducing both worker interest and employer offerings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This helps explain why part-time employment remains relatively low in many Eastern European countries, they said. Dramatic gender gap There is also a strong gender pattern. Part-time employment is much higher among women than men, totalling 27.8% compared to 7.7%. In Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Austria, more than half of women in employment work part-time. Germany is also very close to that level. Romania is the only exception where the rate is slightly higher among men, and in Bulgaria there is no gap. If the part-time employment rate is low, the gender gap is smaller in absolute numbers but can still be large in relative terms. A key reason (for the gap) is historical differences in both the position of women in the labour market and more general labour market developments, Prof Mara Yerkes from Utrecht University told Euronews Business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted that in the Netherlands, the historical development of part-time work was initially driven by the need for more workers during labour shortages in the 1960s. In 1957, the Netherlands repealed its 'marriage bar' law that required women to leave certain jobs upon marrying. Slowly, part-time work became viewed as a way for women to combine care tasks with paid work as they were and generally still are viewed as the person responsible for most care and household tasks, she said. Mara Yerkes stated that in various countries, part-time work was solidified by other labour market developments, for example the desire for a collective reduction of working hours in exchange for moderation in wage growth in the early 1980s. As a result, part-time jobs have become very common, accepted and protected, leading to their ongoing popularity, particularly among women. Stan De Spiegelaere of Ghent University also identifies several factors influencing part-time employment rates. These include shifting cultural norms surrounding womens work and stagnant wages that make full-time employment insufficient as a family wage', forcing people to find side jobs. He additionally points to inadequate infrastructure that limits mothers ability to work full-time, as well as the increasing flexibilisation of labour regulations in countries such as Germany. A cruel scam known as pig butchering has struck yet another Bay Area resident. This time, an elderly widow in San Jose thought she found new love online. Instead, she was targeted by crypto scammers who took nearly $1 million of her money. It left her with almost nothing to live on. It's a brutal wake-up call for victims. They are lured into what seems like a loving relationship -- only to find out they'd been trapped into handing over their money. I told you earlier about a Brentwood widower who lost his life savings. Now this Bay Area woman realized she wired her entire portfolio to scammers overseas -- and now in her 70s, she could even lose her house. RELATED: Bay Area widower lured to fake romance, loses $1 million in 'wrong number' crypto scam Margaret Loke is busy in the kitchen of her San Jose home -- but the only food is in pictures on the wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hardly cook because I'm alone," she said. Her kitchen is overtaken instead with paperwork, bank statements, and wire transfer documents -- the remains of a heartless scam that took more than a million dollars of her money, leaving Loke with almost nothing to live on. "Why am I so stupid. I let him scam me!" she said. "I was really, really depressed." Loke looks out over the balcony of the two-bedroom condo she bought for retirement, fearing she will lose that too. "I try to save the house, that's the only thing I have," Loke said tearfully. "All my money is gone to the scam." Her quiet life was upended last May when a friend connected her with a man on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She says, 'Oh this is a nice guy... you just say hi to him, that's it'... I say, 'We are from San Jose,' and then he said, 'Oh I like to, you know, meet people from San Jose and I'm from Texas,'" Loke recounted. His name was Ed, a businessman also of Chinese descent. They began chatting online, then on the WhatsApp message service "He was really nice to me, greet me every morning. He send me every day the message 'good morning.' He say he likes me and I'm, we are Chinese..." Loke said. RELATED: Woman describes being kidnapped, forced to work as cryptocurrency scammer abroad Every day, they shared details of their daily life... what they ate, where they went, their common heritage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon, he was calling her "honey." She called him "love." Loke texted: "When I think of someone special, it's you that comes to my mind... it touches my heart so deep." And Ed wrote: "The feelings between us are real and I miss you every day... I hope our love can last forever." "Every day he's saying sweet talk to me... so I say maybe, you know, I'm lonely too right?" Loke said. Yet he would never meet her in person, and insisted they keep their romance a secret. "And then he start asking me, what investment do you have? And I say, I'm very simple person, I don't have any investment," she said. "He's telling me he's rich and all that, you know," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ed told Loke she could be rich, too. "He says, do you know anything about investing in this crypto thing?" she said. "'Why don't I give you $15,000 to invest...' so I said no, I have my own money." RELATED: Inside the 'crypto con' costing victims billions in losses: ABC News Investigates He guided her to wire her money into an online account, and then log in to a crypto investment site. "I went into the platform to trade $15,000, I make about $24,000," she said. The app showed she earned a big profit in seconds. Ed told Loke to invest more. "Just trust me I will make a million, over, for you..." Loke recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so she wired $120,000 from her IRA account, into Discover Bank, and then to the online account Ed had set up. Again, the app showed big profits. "Then he said, 'Oh no, now you have to put in $490,000. So then I say, why so much?" she said. Ed told her she had to keep investing to reach their $5 million goal. Reluctantly, she wired another $490,000 from her IRA account. Again, her money seemed to grow. Ed told her she could make even more "I'm a simple person, I don't know how to trade so I follow him, whatever he tell me," she said. RELATED: Woman loses nearly $1 million life savings in 'pig butchering' scam She wired him the last $62,000 from her IRA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Ed didn't stop there. "He wants me to put in another $1 million, so I don't have the money," Loke said. Now Ed was not so loving. "He was on the phone with me, constantly pushing me and say, you have to borrow," she said. She searched for a lender, obtained a $300,000 second mortgage, then wired all that money too. It seemed like her crypto account now totaled $2.4 million -- and Loke needed to cash out. But then came the shock. "He freeze it. The money was frozen," she said. Ed said she had to come up with a million dollars to unfreeze the account, or lose everything. "'You have to do it, you have to borrow from your friend'... but I say my friend would not loan me any money..." she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He began threatening legal action. He also left a chilling voice message: "I don't want we be enemies... my lawyers contact with you." Desperate, Loke consulted ChatGPT. "ChatGPT told me no, this is a scam, you better go to police station... so I panicked at that time, I panicked and I call him. I say, you are scamming me!" Loke said. Turns out that all along, Loke had been wiring her money directly to a bank in Malaysia, where scammers picked it up. It was all a part of a growing scheme known as "pig butchering" with large organizations overseas. The butchers start fake romantic relationships to lure victims into buying phony crypto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It shattered Loke's life. "I'm trying to help myself to save this house. I don't know where am I going to stay right?" she said. Loke lost not only her savings, but she also faces a huge tax bill for withdrawing all the money from her IRA account at once. 7 On Your Side has heard from several other victims of pig butchering. Be warned. Don't invest with someone you've never met in person. Take a look at more stories and videos by 7 On Your Side. 7OYS's consumer hotline is a free consumer mediation service for those in the San Francisco Bay Area. We assist individuals with consumer-related issues; we cannot assist on cases between businesses, or cases involving family law, criminal matters, landlord/tenant disputes, labor issues, or medical issues. Please review our FAQ here. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. If you do not wish us to contact them, please let us know right away, as it will affect our ability to work on your case. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 7 to 10 business days for a response. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live A crash Thursday morning hospitalized several people in Elkhart. According to Elkhart County deputies, at 7:55 a.m., Maria Lowry, 43, of Elkhart, was traveling north on C.R. 1 south of C.R. 12 in a 2016 Ford Escape. At the same time, Tyri Lane, 38, of Osceola, was traveling east on C.R. 12 west of C.R. 1. Police said Lowry was traveling at speeds too fast for the weather conditions and was unable to stop in time for the stop sign, entering the intersection. Lane was also unable to stop due to the icy roadway and her 2015 Jeep Cherokee struck the other vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lowry and two juvenile passengers in Lanes vehicle were hospitalized for injuries. Three-car pileup injures Elkhart driver A three-car crash outside Elkhart injured one of the drivers Thursday morning. At 5:50 a.m., Elkhart County deputies reported that Perry Collins, 39, of Elkhart, was traveling west on C.R. 4 east of C.R. 11 in a 2011 Dodge Durango and Atehaia Hairopoulos, 45, of Elkhart, in a 2012 Ford Expedition and Dylan Clift, 20, of Elkhart, in a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado, were both traveling east. Collins failed to yield the right of way and turned left to C.R. 11, the report reads. Hairopoulos was unable to in time and struck the Durango. Hairopoulos Expedition spun out and was then struck by Clifts Colorado, as was the Durango. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins was transported to the hospital for injury. HIT-AND-RUN A 19-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday that someone driving a black SUV pulled out in front of her on Ind. 15 west of the Gallops Gas Station exit in Goshen, causing her to crash into it. The black SUV fled the scene. A 52-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies at 9:15 a.m. Thursday that someone driving a red Chevrolet Silverado on C.R. 15 north of U.S. 6 in Nappanee lost control of their vehicle and crashed into a utility pole and fled the scene. ARRESTS An 18-year-old man was arrested and jailed by Goshen police at 11:55 p.m. Thursday on charges of leaving the scene of a crash, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and illegal consumption of alcohol after police were called to the 900 block of Michigan Avenue for a crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BURGLARY A 62-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies that between noon and 4 p.m. Wednesday someone entered his home in the 21000 block of Ind. 120 in Elkhart and stole instruments valued around $17,000. ANIMAL NEGLECT A 21-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies at 9:50 a.m. Thursday that her child was bitten by a dog that was not immunized in the 57000 block of C.R. 29. The two owners were cited for harboring a non-immunized dog. THEFT A woman reported to Elkhart County deputies that her blue Kia Sportage was stolen by two people at 12:41 a.m. Nov. 25 in the 28000 block of of Illinois Street in Elkhart. FRAUD A 73-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday that someone committed fraud against her. A suspect is in custody after a hit-and-run crash involving a police officer during a traffic stop Friday in North Philadelphia. The incident began around 2:10 p.m. when officers stopped a red 2007 Chrysler Sebring driven by a 20-year-old woman. Police say the woman reversed and made "light contact" with the officer's vehicle before allegedly speeding off and striking an officer on the driver's side. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chrysler was later found on the 2800 block of North 8th Street after being involved in another crash, according to police. The woman fled on foot but was arrested shortly afterward. Police say she faces assault charges. A phone, video surveillance, and ballistics linked a 21-year-old man to two fatal north Phoenix shootings in which each victim was shot at least nine times, according to authorities. Adalberto Pablo Cordova Torres, of Phoenix, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Marcus Adams, 45, and Andreas Samual Olguin, 29, according to court records. He also faces a felony 2 charge for firing a weapon at a residence, the court documents state. Shortly after 2 a.m. on Nov. 11, officers were called to the area of First Drive and Greenway Parkway after a resident awoke to discover multiple bullet strikes on their home, police said. Investigators found 10 spent shell casings at the scene, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next shooting in the case turned out to be fatal. Police said officers discovered Adams suffering from gunshot wounds about 3:15 a.m. on Nov. 24 near 19th Avenue and Greenway Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed he had been shot nine times, and investigators recovered 14 spent shell casings, according to court documents. About 1:28 a.m. Nov. 29, officers found a bloodied shooting victim at a bus stop in the area of 19th Avenue and Thunderbird Road, according to court documents. Olguin was pronounced dead at the scene, court documents said. An autopsy found Olguin had 11 gunshot wounds, according to court documents. There were 15 spent shell casings at the crime scene, the court documents mentioned. All 3 shootings were carried out with the same handgun Ballistics collected at all three shootings found they were fired from the same 9mm handgun, according to charging documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance video footage from the Nov. 24 and Nov. 29 shootings revealed someone approaching the victims and firing at them, court documents said. Video from the first shooting showed a suspect wearing a top and carrying a backpack similar to those later found in Cordova Torres possession, according to court documents. A second video captured the suspect riding an electric bike that resembled Cordova Torres e-bike, the court documents state. Cell phone data placed a specific device in the general area of each shooting and in the location where the shooting suspect was last seen on surveillance footage. Charging documents identify Cordova Torres as the subscriber associated with that device. According to Google Maps, the location of Cordova Torres workplace, as noted in charging documents, is between 2 and 8 miles from each of the shooting sites. Court records indicate that his employer confirmed he had been working until nearly midnight the night before the early-morning shootings that claimed the lives of Adams and Olguin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police took Cordova Torres into custody Dec. 4, court documents said. Preliminary ballistics results concluded the firearm found in Cordova Torres' backpack while in custody was the firearm used in the three shootings, according to court documents. Cordova Torres admitted the handgun was his, the phone linked to the locations of the shootings was only used by him and that he was the only one in his household who rode the e-bike, charging documents said. There was no suspected motive mentioned in the probable cause statement by police. Cordova Torres had a preliminary court hearing set for Dec. 15 and a $3 million bond imposed, according to court records. What we know: Man dead in central Phoenix shooting This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Police say phone links Phoenix man to 2 deadly shootings A new poll published on Thursday found an overwhelming number of Utah voters dont want a judge to decide their congressional districts. But a majority also dont want the Legislature to do it without an advisory body. The poll, commissioned by conservative think tank Sutherland Institute, found that Utahns have nuanced views about the states redistricting saga over who should have the final say in approving new electoral boundaries. When asked who should decide the boundaries for congressional districts, 71% of respondents opted for bodies elected by the people, state-level elected officials or county-level elected officials. Just 8% said judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utahns have made it clear: they overwhelmingly want their elected representatives not the courts leading the redistricting process, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz told the Deseret News in a statement. This poll shows strong support for keeping the Legislature in the drivers seat, where accountability and transparency guide the work. Were committed to honoring that trust and ensuring Utahs maps reflect the people we serve. A preference for allowing elected policymakers to determine new congressional maps was shared by members of both parties. Only 3% of Republicans and 17% of Democrats thought a judge should decide the boundaries. This question was asked without any context about the yearslong legal battle that resulted in 3rd District Court Judge Dianna Gibson selecting a map drawn by nonprofit plaintiffs on Nov. 10 to replace the states current one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson acted on prior rulings that found the Legislatures 2020 decision to amend the Proposition 4 initiative passed by voters in 2018 was unconstitutional, and that the 2021 map they drew themselves did not meet Prop 4 standards. Prop 4 created a redistricting commission composed of members appointed by elected officials. The body recommended maps based on anti-gerrymandering criteria. Groups could sue if they didnt believe the maps complied. When given this context, 40% of voters said the Legislature should have no role in redrawing district maps at all. The remaining 60% said the Legislature should have some role, but were split on whether lawmakers should act alone. Of those who thought the Legislature should have some role, 40% said lawmakers should draw maps with the help of an advisory committee, and 45% said lawmakers should pick a map drawn by the independent commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another 15% of that group or 9% of all respondents said the Legislature should act alone in drawing congressional maps, compared to 85% of that group or 51% of all respondents who want a commission involved. The poll was conducted in October among 623 registered Utah voters by Y2 Analytics, which often partners with Utah candidates, as well as local governments. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points. What does this mean for Utahs redistricting fight? These results are not a clear win for critics or advocates of Prop 4, said Derek Monson, the chief growth officer at Sutherland Institute. It reveals Utahns are skeptical of the Legislature having sole redistricting power, and even more so of judges taking on that role. While this may be read as support for lawmakers plans to appeal Gibsons decision, it could also be a sign of caution to the Utah Republican Party, who have launched an initiative campaign of their own for voters to eliminate the language of Prop 4 entirely, according to Monson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public opinion does seem to be pushing back on what either side is offering them in the debate, Monson told the Deseret News. And that kind of creates potential challenges for the ballot proposition on repealing Prop 4 if its just Go back to kind of how it was before. Monson interprets the poll as saying voters want congressional maps to be decided by individuals that they can hold accountable, and do not support processes that can lead to courts making the final call because of lawsuits calling into question Prop 4 compliance. A majority of Utah voters want a third way, according to Monson, where the Legislature selects congressional district boundaries with the assistance of a commission like Prop 4 originally called for but without the legal precedent that allows judges to weigh in every time. The balance Utahns appear to be looking for is a policy that creates a commission, which people do generally support, Monson said, but that isnt so clearly designed to move towards lawsuits to adjudicate the outcomes if theres difference between what the Legislature decides and what the commission advises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But according to Elizabeth Rasmussen, the executive director of Better Boundaries, instead of showing support for Republicans efforts to reverse Gibsons decision and repeal Prop 4, Sutherlands poll reveals most Utahns support keeping the ballot initiative they passed in 2018. Lets be clear about what this poll actually shows: an overwhelming majority of Utah voters support independent redistricting commissions, which is precisely what Prop 4 created, Rasmussen told the Deseret News in a statement. Utah voters dont want politicians drawing their own districts; they want independent oversight, Rasmussen said about her view of the poll. Thats what they voted for in 2018, and this poll confirms thats still what they want today. The solution isnt to repeal voter-approved redistricting reform. The solution is for the Legislature to finally follow the law voters passed. Department of Homeland Security police, along with other federal police, push protesters at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility south of downtown Portland on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. The top local prosecutor in the Portland area is cautioning against unreasonable expectations for charging federal agents under state law. (Photo by Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle) The top local prosecutor in the Portland area is cautioning against unreasonable expectations for his ability to charge federal agents using state law, after signing onto a statement last week warning the Trump administration that its officers could be held accountable for excessive force. The district attorneys in Oregons three most populated counties and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield stood in unison last week when they signed onto a letter warning the Trump administration that they were monitoring reports of excessive force by federal agents with the goal of potentially bringing charges forward should the issue persist. Rayfield, alongside Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton and Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth, requested cooperation from the federal government in Oregons investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys pointed to instances of disproportionate use of force through tear gas and nonlethal munitions by agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during protests outside the Portland waterfront Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility. They also referred to federal agents from an unmarked van in October holding teenagers at gunpoint by a Hillsboro Dutch Bros coffee stand and the November arrest of a 17-year-old U.S. citizen during his lunch off-grounds from McMinnville High School. Under normal circumstances, state officials would defer the investigatory process of the federal government for actions by its agents and employees, the letter reads. But the excessive actions DHS agents are taking against residents of Oregon, including local law enforcement officials, indicate these times are not normal circumstances. For Vasquez, however, the letter marked a turning point in his public comments on the issue. Citing the U.S. Constitutions supremacy clause, which allows for federal law to supersede conflicting state laws, he told the Capital Chronicle in late October that federal agent prosecutions are not a tool available to do so even as I strongly disagree with what I see and hear about the impact of their action. The letter Vasquez signed onto last week, though, asserts that the supremacy clause only allows for federal officers to be immune from state criminal prosecutions in the reasonable discharge of their duties and not beyond. Rayfield told the Capital Chronicle that he is currently reviewing incidents and considering referrals to send to local prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal authority is not absolute. Immunity exists in some circumstances, yet the law is clear that it does not bar prosecution in every situation, Rayfield said in a statement. When there is credible evidence that someone has abused their power, it is our responsibility to investigate. Thats what our team is doing carefully, thoroughly, and within the bounds of the law investigating. Unlikely to lead to probable cause The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, however, was less enthusiastic. Pat Dooris, a spokesperson for the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, declined an interview request on behalf of Vasquez. He provided a statement and said that the district attorney has not changed his position and that the change is the attorney generals office announcing they would investigate cases. No cases have been formally referred to the office, Vasquez wrote. My office, and those of the other metro-area district attorneys, have committed to evaluating any completed investigations referred to us by the attorney general for prosecution, Vasquez said in a statement. I do not wish to set unreasonable expectations; criminal investigations of federal officers for on-duty conduct are unlikely to lead to probable cause that an identifiable individual committed a crime. Its not entirely unprecedented for a state to attempt to bring charges against an employee or agent of the federal government. In Idaho, for instance, a full court of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2001 that an FBI agent could not avoid an evidentiary hearing over manslaughter charges for fatally shooting an unarmed woman 200 yards away during the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff. The lead prosecutor eventually dropped the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But aside from that case, there are few recent examples of success by local or state prosecutors. In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that truck drivers working for the U.S. Postal Service could face state criminal charges over traffic violations. Historically, much of the issue involving state charges against federal employees traced back to disputes during desegregation, slavery and prohibition. Adam Gibbs, general counsel for the Multnomah County District Attorneys office, told the Capital Chronicle that it was never our intent to suggest that the agency would not review investigations submitted by law enforcement for prosecution. The technical legal standard under the supremacy clause for immunity is, was the conduct necessary and proper conduct of a federal officer? Gibbs said. And the really unfortunate thing about that phrase is it suggests to the layperson a very different thing than what the legal standard actually is. He pointed to a recent case in Salem involving a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who ran a stop sign with his truck, striking a cyclist who had the right of way and died from her injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge in January granted the DEA agent immunity because of the supremacy clause and dismissed the case. Rayfields office has since argued against the dismissal on appeal in front of a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel, though two judges in October expressed skepticism about the state of Oregons arguments. Is unmasking unlikely? Charging federal agents has other complicating factors, such as identifying individual agents, who often wear masks and may not always live in Oregon. It was a significant barrier to a 2020 case in which the Multnomah County District Attorneys office sought to investigate the shooting of a protester who is now permanently disabled in the head, said former Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt. While the U.S. Department of Justice agreed to a settlement with the injured protester in February 2025, the agency did not name the agent with the U.S. Marshals Service who shot the less-lethal munition. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmidt told the Capital Chronicle that he believes Oregon law enforcement can do more to deter the federal agents use of force, adding that the Multnomah County District Attorneys office has investigators who could look into such cases. Activists online have already tapped into artificial intelligence technology to identify the names of ICE agents nationwide, and he said that even opening an investigation or telling the public about a refusal to cooperate could make a difference. Writing a letter and saying it to ICE and DHS, I guarantee you, does not have them shaking in their boots. It is not changing the behavior of ICE agents on our streets. Its not changing the practices that are happening in our community on a daily basis, said Schmidt, a progressive prosecutor who lost to Vasquez in May 2024 by a seven-point margin. The only thing that is actually going to change those things is if they bring a case. ICE and DHS have not responded to the Capital Chronicles requests for comment about potential prosecutions. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Oregon said in an email that it had no comment on Rayfields letter. In a previous warning to California officials, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche called attempts to arrest federal agents futile and illegal. He cited federal laws against harboring individuals without legal immigration status, assaulting or impeding federal officers and the Supremacy clause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Justice will investigate and prosecute any state or local official who violates these federal statues or directs or conspires with others to violate them, he wrote. Rayfield, on the other hand, has projected confidence in his abilities to deliver a case. In his statement, he said that the issue poses real legal questions and identifying individual federal officers will be challenging, but not impossible. Responding to a question about what would happen should he disagree with a local prosecutors decision, he wrote that the effort would be collaborative and that we have a strong partnership and can all work together to come to the right solution for Oregonians. The questions raised about the supremacy clause, immunity, and federal-state conflict are real legal questions. They can present significant legal obstacles, he said. Every case is unique, and we will handle it as such. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) An Oregon man made his first appearance in federal court on Friday after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges. Portland resident Tyler Matthew Mandera, 25, pleaded not guilty to two counts of sex trafficking of a child. PGE, Tillamook Creamery accused of massive groundwater pollution He allegedly recruited and enticed a minor victim to engage in commercial sex acts between Oct. 11 and Oct. 14, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mandera faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, a life-term of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 if convicted. He is scheduled for a five-day jury trial beginning Feb. 3, and is currently in custody pending further hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain For years, the search for a stem cell donor has felt like a quest for a rare keyone that fits a lock with eight intricate tumblers, each representing a genetic marker. For many patients with blood cancers, especially those from diverse backgrounds, the right key simply didn't exist. The door to a cure remained closed. But a new study, led by a national, multicenter team including Antonio Jimenez Jimenez, M.D., associate professor of medicine in the division of transplantation and cellular therapy at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, suggests the lock itself is changing. Thanks to a protective regimen and a fresh look at donor compatibility, the door to life-saving transplants may be swinging open for nearly everyone. Jimenez Jimenez is no stranger to this frontier. As a senior author and physicianscientist at Sylvester, he has been at the forefront of research on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis for years. In fact, he and other investigators demonstrated the feasibility of this strategy using bone marrow grafts in a large multicenter trial, and he presented early findings from the current study at the 2024 annual meeting of the European Hematology Association (EHA), helping to lay the groundwork for this newest advance. "We're rewriting the rules of what's possible for stem cell transplantation," said Jimenez Jimenez. "For patients who once faced impossible odds, this research opens the door to hope." Breaking the match barrier Imagine the immune system as a strict security team checking IDs at the entrance of the body. For decades, only donors with a nearly perfect genetic matchan eight-out-of-eight "ID badge"were allowed through. This worked for some, but excluded many others, particularly individuals of non-European ancestry. Today, only about 29% of Black patients can find a fully matched donor in the registry, compared with 89% of non-Hispanic white patients. The ACCESS study, sponsored by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), may rewrite the rules. The research team's newest findings will be presented by Jimenez Jimenez on Dec. 8 at the 2025 American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in Orlando. The study will also be highlighted in a special ASH press briefing on Dec. 6 at 8:30AM EST. Jimenez Jimenez and collaborators found that with a protective regimen using post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy), patients can safely receive stem cell transplants from unrelated donors who are mismatched at two or more HLA markers. In other words, the "key" is no longer so rare. "By expanding the criteria for donor matching, we're making transplants accessible to nearly everyone, regardless of their ethnic background," Jimenez Jimenez said. "This could be a major step forward for cancer care." What the study found The ACCESS trial enrolled 268 adults with blood cancers. Participants received peripheral blood stem cell grafts from unrelated donors aged 35 or younger, with either seven of eight HLA markers matched (183 patients) or as few as four to six matches (85 patients). At one year, survival rates were nearly neck and neck: 86% for those with four to six matched markers 79% for those with seven matched markers Rates of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)the immune system's version of friendly firewere also comparable and relatively low. Acute, grade IIIV GVHD occurred in 34% of the more mismatched group and 39% of the less mismatched group at six months. Chronic, moderate-to-severe GVHD at one year was 8% and 11%, respectively. Importantly, of the more mismatched group, 61% identify as other than non-Hispanic white. This research is more than a technical advanceit could be a lifeline. With PTCy-based GVHD prevention, doctors can consider donors with as few as four of eight HLA matches. The pool of potential donors becomes an ocean, not a pond. For patients who once faced impossible odds, hope may no longer be out of reach. "We're seeing outcomes that rival those of fully matched donors, even in patients who previously had little chance of finding a match," Jimenez Jimenez said. "That's transformative for our field and for our patients." The findings also allow clinicians to prioritize other donor characteristics, such as younger age, which are known to improve transplant outcomes. The science is catching up to the needs of real people. Think of cyclophosphamide as a peacekeeper, stepping in after the transplant to calm the immune system's overzealous guards. By targeting the cells most likely to cause trouble, this drug prevents GVHD and helps the new cells settle in as part of the team. The ACCESS study confirms that this approach works even when the donor's "ID" isn't a perfect match. "Cyclophosphamide has changed the landscape of transplantation and donor utilization trends," Jimenez Jimenez said. "It allows us to safely use donors who would have been considered unsuitable just a few years ago." While the results are positive, the study authors note that further research is needed. The ACCESS trial was not randomized, and ongoing studies are exploring optimal dosing and strategies for pediatric patients. Still, the data suggest that nearly 99% of patients could now have access to a suitable donor on international registries. "We're committed to refining these strategies and ensuring that every patientregardless of backgroundhas a chance at a cure," Jimenez Jimenez said. PORTSMOUTH Police are calling on state legislators to help them address a yearslong issue by making it a crime for firearms owners to leave their guns in unlocked vehicles. Included in Portsmouths legislative wish list approved last month is a request from local police for state legislators to create a class 2 misdemeanor charge when firearms are left in an unlocked vehicle. A class 2 misdemeanor charge carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Other examples of class 2 misdemeanors in Virginia include aggressive driving or driving without a valid license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the proposal is taken up next session and passed, Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins said it wont fully address gun violence concerns, but it could help. Between November 2022 and mid-November 2025, Portsmouth police say 416 firearms have been reported stolen from vehicles. The number is presumed to be higher as not everyone reports a stolen gun, Jenkins said. Of the firearms that were recovered, 17 crimes involved firearms stolen from vehicles without attached destruction, meaning the vehicle was assumed to have been unlocked. Related Articles The spirit of it is we want people to be more responsible. (The) goal here is not to prosecute law-abiding citizens and make owning the firearm a criminal offense, Jenkins said. We got to make things a little bit more difficult than just leaving something as dangerous as a firearm in a vehicle, and folks just being able to go and check your door. The idea isnt new similar attempts have previously failed but it could be successful in the 2026 legislative session when Democrats will hold control of the legislature and governors office. In 2024, both the Virginia House and Senate passed a bill to issue a $500 civil penalty for gun owners who leave handguns on a car seat or other visible areas. The bill did not differentiate between locked or unlocked vehicles. Votes were along party lines with Democrats in support. Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, vetoed the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his veto message, Youngkin said the legislation would have penalized law-abiding Virginians who were crime victims. The culpability is on the criminal who stole the firearm, Youngkin wrote. The Commonwealth should prioritize prosecution and severe punishment for individuals who commit crimes. Portsmouths request for legislation follows years of public awareness campaigns from the department urging residents to securely lock their firearms and consider using lockboxes. Jenkins said the department has reminded residents of the concern over the years in his quarterly forums, through social media and other public venues. Jenkins said stolen guns flow in and out of surrounding cities, but sometimes across state lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do have instances throughout Hampton Roads and here in Portsmouth where juveniles, young kids, just go through neighborhoods checking doors, he said. We have that situation happen a whole lot more than we have juveniles just running down the street breaking windows. Though the new legislation could help deter the issue, police worry it could also lead to fewer people reporting stolen firearms. What would be most helpful in aiding an already declining crime rate in Portsmouth is for folks to secure their guns, slow down, and lock their vehicles as soon as they exit, the department said in a statement. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com Students, teachers and other community members gather in Portland on Dec. 3, 2025, to protest the detention of two high schoolers and their family. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) Over the last few days, President Trump launched a vicious, brazen, and hate-filled attack on Somali immigrants and by extension, on a fundamental ideal of America itself. In a White House Cabinet meeting, he repeatedly referred to Somalis as garbage and demanded they be expelled. Ilhan Omar is garbage. Shes garbage. Her friends are garbage, he said. These are people who do nothing but complainWhen they come from hell and they complain and do nothing but bitch, we dont want them in our country. Let em go back to where they came from and fix it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then: Their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks, and we dont want them in our country. He doubled down later: We could go one way or the other and were going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country. These arent misremembered paraphrases. These are disregarded human beings, stripped of dignity, reduced to garbage in front of the world. Why this attack is not about policy but about hate Trumps tirade is not a reasoned critique of immigration policy. It is a naked display of bigotry, racism, and dehumanization. By singling out an entire ethnic and religious group immigrants from Somalia, including a U.S. citizen elected to Congress, Ilhan Omar he broadcasts a dangerous message: that people of certain backgrounds are disposable, undeserving of the rights and dignity that define America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It aligns with his broader ideological agenda white-nativism, exclusion, and an effort to mobilize his political base through fear, hatred, and division. This isnt about integration or assimilation; its about erecting walls physical, social, and moral around whiteness and Christian-majority America, while casting people of color, Muslims, and immigrants as threats to the nations identity. Its no coincidence that such contempt comes amid aggressive crackdowns: reports suggest his administration is preparing Immigration and Customs Enforcement strike teams for mass deportations targeting Somali communities in Minnesota. By dehumanizing Somalis, Trump lays ideological and rhetorical groundwork for systematic repression, erasing the line between immigration law enforcement and ethnic cleansing of whole communities. A cruel irony: Trumps own familys immigrant roots Its an ugly hypocrisy that the man leading this crusade against immigrants descends himself through marriage, naturalization, and private business from immigrants. His wives, too, were not part of some ancient American founding class. Yet here he stands, calling other immigrants garbage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That bitter irony exposes the argument for what it really is: not about law or national security, but about ideology white nativist ideology, which sees immigrants of color as inferior, unwelcome, un-American. Maines Somali community: real people, real contributions The state I call home, Maine, is itself home to a growing Somali community, centered in cities like Portland and Lewiston, Maine. According to the most recent census data, there are roughly 3,000 Somali-born residents in Maine, many of them living in Portland or Lewiston. In these cities, Somali immigrants and their families have worked tirelessly to build lives, businesses, and communities. They established community centers, helped one another navigate social services, found jobs, paid taxes and despite hateful myths and scapegoating, they have contributed concretely to the states social and economic life. Take Safiya Khalid, who came to America as a seven-year-old refugee from Somalia, grew up in Lewiston, and in 2019 became the first Somali American elected to the Lewiston City Council and the youngest ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or consider Deqa Dhalac, born in Mogadishu, Somalia, she immigrated in the early 1990s, moved to Maine, worked as an interpreter and community organizer, and eventually became the first Somali-American mayor in U.S. history when she was elected mayor of South Portland in 2021. Today she serves in the Maine House of Representatives. These are not political tokens. They are mothers, workers, organizers, people whose lives reflect the best of what America can be: a home for refugees, an opportunity for immigrants, a chance to rebuild, contribute, and belong. Yet Trumps words treat them like trash. Why this scorched public rebuke matters Because when a leader of a nation mocks entire communities as garbage, it emboldens racists, bigots, and xenophobes to act. His words are not benign, they are poisonous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the presidents rhetoric attempts to strip Somali Americans, and all immigrants of color, of their identity, agency, and humanity, reducing them to stereotypes for political gain. Because Maines Somali community and communities like them across the country deserve to be honored for their resilience, their contributions, and their humanity. Because America was built on immigration. On hope. On the idea that people seeking refuge, safety, dignity should be welcomed, not vilified. If Trump does not immediately retract his words, if the administration proceeds with raids, deportations, or policies targeting entire communities, it will be complicit in a moral atrocity. We cannot stay silent. We cannot treat this as just politics. This is a moral crisis. And we citizens, neighbors, voters must speak out, demand accountability, and insist: immigrants are not garbage. Immigrants are America. ROME (AP) Two groups of pro-Palestinian activists were prevented by authorities from coming into contact with the opening stages of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay, Italian police said on Saturday. Both groups one of them with about 15 people were removed before they reached the relay route in Rome, police said. A third group of about 10 people that was monitored by police waved Palestinian flags when the relay passed by the citys biggest university, La Sapienza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were also three people carrying signs in support of Venezuela near the American embassy. In October, more than two million demonstrators marched through more than 100 Italian cities to protest the war in Gaza. Olympic champion swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri began the relay in the statue-lined Stadio dei Marmi and the torch was carried for 33 kilometers (20 miles) before ending the day in Piazza del Popolo. The relay will cover 12,000 kilometers (nearly 7,500 miles) and wind its way through all 110 Italian provinces before reaching Milans San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony on Feb. 6. In all, there will be 10,001 torch bearers. The next stops on the torch relay are Viterbo on Sunday and Terni on Monday. ___ AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics The former CEO of a Lindsay bank is facing a grand jury indictment charging him over allegations he conspired to commit bank fraud that included issuing loans to friends and neighbors without paying back the debt. The Dec. 3 indictment issued in the Western District of Oklahoma against Danny Seibel, 54, alleged he made false book entries and did not implement an anti-money laundering program while he was CEO of First National Bank of Lindsay. Seibel could not be reached for comment. Citing false and deceptive bank records and other information suggesting fraud, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) closed the bank on Oct. 18, 2024, and then reopened it the following week under the control of First Bank & Trust Co. of Duncan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bank failures in Oklahoma, common in the 1980s, are increasingly rare, and the last one prior to the closing in Lindsay occurred in 2014 at Freedom State Bank in Freedom. The failed bank dated back to the founding of Lindsay, a town of 2,900, in 1902. The failed First National Bank of Lindsay reopened as a branch of First Bank & Trust Co. of Duncan Monday, Oct. 21 2024, in Lindsay. An FDIC press release at the time of the Lindsay bank failure reported the institution had insured deposits totaling $43 million while another $7.1 million was not insured. The indictment secured by Robert Troester with the U.S. Department of Justice reports Seibel served as president and CEO of the First National Bank of Lindsay in or about February 2007 until his termination in September 2024. The indictment alleges Seibel caused the bank to issue loans to certain customers, many of whom were his personal friends and neighbors, that the borrowers never repaid. Seibel is accused of then manipulating the banks records and falsifying bank reports to overstate the performance of the loans, including by using new loans or transfers of the banks own funds to cover overdrafts of outstanding loans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charging documents show borrowers included a trucking company owner whose account was frequently overdrawn, was a friend of Seibel, and owned several automotive businesses and sold T-shirts and signs in Lindsay. Another unnamed borrower reported by prosecutors owned a car business and was a frequent gambler. Yet another customer described by prosecutors as a friend of Siebel owned and operated an air conditioning and heating business that often serviced marijuana grow houses. The charging documents allege at least three of the account overdraws were over $300,000 and one was over $700,000, Seibel also is accused of frequently modifying bank records to conceal the transactions from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which was the banks federal regulator, as well as from the banks board of directors and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment reports that during the summer of 2024, when the OCC was conducting an onsite examination at the bank, Seibel allegedly provided OCC staff with a false document that concealed hundreds of changes that Seibel had made to loan data. The alleged failure to implement an anti-money laundering program, as required by the Bank Secrecy Act, included Seibel not filing suspicious activity reports on his own fraudulent scheme, and advising bank customers to make cash deposits below $10,000 to avoid relevant reporting requirements. If convicted, the Department of Justice reports that Seibel faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, and a fine of up to $1 million. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Prosecutors allege former Lindsay banker manipulated books Even with North Carolinas strong reputation for hospital safety, some facilities didnt fare as well in the fall 2025 Hospital Safety Grades . The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog, reviewed 93 hospitals across the state, assigning each an A-F letter grade. Heres a look at which Triangle-area hospitals landed at the bottom and what those scores really mean. What makes a hospital safe? The Hospital Safety Grade list assigns a letter grade to general hospitals in the U.S. based on how well they prevent medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections that kill or harm patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 30 measures are used to determine these safety grades. The Leapfrog Group also utilized these five patient experience measures that have a direct relationship with safety outcomes to come up with grades: Nurse communication Doctor communication Staff responsiveness Communication about medicines Discharge communication Grades are assigned using publicly available data, and measures scores are calculated using patient responses to a national and standardized survey following a hospital visit, Leapfrog said. In recent years, Leapfrog ranked North Carolina hospitals: Doctors at Duke University performing an adult heart transplant on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Duke University Hospital received a B grade from Leapfrog in the fall 2025 report. Duke Regional Hospital received an A. Leapfrog: Worst hospitals in the Triangle Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford was the only hospital in the Triangle to earn a C grade. Here are some of the areas where the hospital could improve, according to Leapfrog: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prevalence of harmful events following a surgery, procedure or birth Patients developing dangerous bed sores Prevalence of patient falls and injuries , resulting in broken hips Prevalence of collapsed lungs , when air leaks out of the lung and goes into the area between the lungs and the chest wall Improve communication between patients and hospital staff, and about medicine to patients How are hospital safety grades calculated? Leapfrogs Hospital Safety Grades are assigned biannually once in the spring and once in the fall. The Hospital Safety Grade program was established in 2012. Grades are assigned using letters, with A as the best possible grade and F as the worst. The overall grades are based on about 30 evidence-based measures of the basics of patient safety, including handwashing, entering prescriptions through a computer and the availability of highly trained nurses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grades are assigned using data from various public sources, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grades are generally assigned to nearly 3,000 hospitals. Any general, acute-care hospital in the U.S. for which there is enough publicly available data is included in the grading list. Individual scores that contribute to a hospitals overall letter grade fall into five categories: Infections , including how often patients at the hospital contract MRSA, urinary tract infections, blood infections and more. Problems with surgery , including how often dangerous items are left in a patients body after surgery, how often surgical wounds split open and accidental cuts and tears. Safety problems , including patient falls and dangerous bed sores. Practices to prevent errors , including handwashing and safe medication administration. Doctors, nurses and hospital staff, including having enough qualified nurses and performing patient bedside care. Leapfrog: Best hospitals in the Triangle The following Triangle-area hospitals received A grades in Leapfrogs Fall 2025 Hospital Safety Grades report: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duke Regional Hospital (Durham) Johnston Health (Smithfield) Johnston Health (Clayton) Rex Hospital, Inc. (Raleigh) WakeMed Cary Hospital (Cary) WakeMed North Hospital (Raleigh) WakeMed Raleigh Campus (Raleigh) University of North Carolina Hospitals (Chapel Hill) Duke University Hospital. These received B grades: Duke Raleigh Hospital (Raleigh) Duke University Hospital (Durham) REX Holly Springs Hospital (Holly Springs) How should you use Leapfrogs hospital safety scores? In a video explaining how to use the hospital safety grades, Leapfrog recommends using them to inform your decision when choosing a hospital or to learn more about hospitals in your area. Using Leapfrogs search tool on the homepage at hospitalsafetygrade.org , you can search for hospitals by hospital name, city and state, just state, or by ZIP code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you get to your results page, Leapfrog recommends looking for hospitals with the highest grade. If there is more than one hospital with a good grade, consider other things that are important to you when seeking care, such as the hospitals location and proximity to you. If a hospital doesnt have a good grade, Leapfrog recommends searching for another location or talking with your doctor about what you can do to stay safe in the hospital. The overall letter grade for a hospital gives you the big picture, Leapfrog says. However, you can also see the individual scores that make up the hospitals grade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If there are certain issues or risks youre concerned about, make sure to check the hospitals score on that measure. Leapfrog recommends always checking a hospitals scores on handwashing, blood infections and patient falls. Each score the hospital receives is also listed with the best and worst score on that measure by any hospital and the average score for hospitals on that measure. More information on how to use the Hospital Safety Grades can be found at hospitalsafetygrade.org/your-hospitals-safety-grade/how-to-use-the-grade. How to stay safe during a hospital visit Regardless of a hospitals safety grade, Leapfrog recommends the following tips to stay safe if you need to receive care at a hospital: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bring someone with you when you arrive and when youre discharged. If possible, also try to have someone visit every day of your stay. The extra person can ensure that even when youre groggy or tired, theres someone there to be alert, ask questions, and advocate for your care. Hospitals might have patient advocates on staff who can also provide these resources. Be alert and say something. During your stay, you or your companion should take notes to keep track of whats happening, including if hospital staff and your care team are washing their hands. Know your medications. Leapfrog recommends keeping track of which medications youre taking during your stay and why youre taking them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont be afraid to ask your care team for this information. You can also request that your care team cross-check your name with your medications before giving them to you to prevent possible mix-ups. Kimberly Cataudella Tutuskas reporting contributed to this story Ask the North Carolina Service Journalism Team Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea youd like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you. You can submit your question by filling out this form. These are the best hospitals in the Triangle, report says. See the full list 3 Triangle companies landed on Forbes Dream Employers list. Heres why Ran's sister, Shira, asked that Phase 2 of the US-brokered hostage-ceasefire deal not be implemented until the return of her brother's remains. Demonstrators gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv in a collective call for the return of Ran Gvili, the only hostage whose remains are still held in the Gaza Strip. "This is the first Shabbat that Rani has remained alone there, said the slain hostages sister, Shira, using her brothers nickname. I ask again to reiterate the demand not to proceed to Phase 2 until Rani is home. To compel Hamas to return Rani to the country he loved so much. Continue to stand with us, think of my Rani; 254 hostages have been returned from Gaza, and our Rani is still there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shira said Gvili is the last hostage remaining in Gaza, but he was always the first to answer the call. Hes always been first. First to help, first to assist, first to save. Rani was the first to put on the blue uniform and run straight into hell, she said at the rally on Friday. Weve done everything we could over these two years. Gone to countless meetings, given interviews, shouted, asked, pleaded, and prayed. Our faith in you, in our people, in the army, in the police, in good people, alongside faith itself, keeps us above water. Faith gives us air to breathe. Ziv and Keren Zioni, uncle and aunt of Ran Gvili. (credit: Uriel Even Sapir) Also in attendance at the rally were Ziv and Keren Zioni, the uncle and aunt of Ran Gvili. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, the Gvili family had called for weekly rallies demanding his return to be moved to Fridays from Saturdays, ahead of Shabbat services, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. 'Nothing like sibling love' Theres nothing like sibling love, theres nothing like the little moments of connection at home, and each of you knows what brotherly or sisterly love is, Gvilis sister said. "I ask that you continue to be by our side, and when you sit down at the Shabbat table tonight, raise a toast to him. When you open the book in the synagogue, send a prayer for him, when you open a door, or go for a run, play the guitar, or laugh with your siblings, think about him for one moment. Until the last hostage. Bobby LaPin, who plans to challenge Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) spoke in favor of mid-decade redistricting during a Dec. 5 meeting of the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Commission. (Screenshot from GRAC video) Supporters of mid-decade redistricting in Maryland showed up in force for a virtual meeting of a state advisory commission Friday, calling on state leaders to redo congressional maps to oppose President Donald Trump (R). It was the third hearing of the Governors Redistricting Advisory Commission and the third different outcome: Redistricting opponents dominated the first hearing and the second was nearly evenly split. Redistricting proponents dominated Fridays meeting, thanks to a slew of climate and civil rights advocates, union leaders, a few retired federal employees and even a high school student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also joining the chorus was Bobby LaPin, the Maryland social media personality who has announced his intention to run against Senate President Bill Ferguson (D- Baltimore City), a commission member who opposes mid-cycle redistricting. The commission will meet at least once more, on Dec. 12, to hear public comment. The redistricting saga began with Trump urging Republican-led states to redistrict for partisan gain before the 2026 elections, to pick up GOP seats in Congress. Red states that have passed new maps so far include Texas, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina. Democrats in California and Virginia have fired back with maps of their own. The clock is ticking for Maryland to decide whether it will join the redistricting fray, with the filing deadline for the 2026 election on Feb. 24. The General Assembly convenes on Jan. 14, but it remains unclear whether Gov. Wes Moore (D) will call a special legislative session to address the matter sooner. The opposition of Ferguson, and by extension his chamber, is a significant barrier for the governors effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LaPin, who has not yet filed to run against Ferguson, seems to be making the issue a centerpiece for his campaign. During his remarks, the Baltimore charter sailboat captain held up a copy of Project 2025, a roadmap that he believes Trump is following to concentrate power in the executive branch. We have witnessed where this got us: asked police taking away our neighbors, the U.S. military occupying American cities, science being overridden, civil servants being threatened basically rights stripped away with just the stroke of a pen, LaPin said. We have the power in Maryland to be one of the states that answers back, he said. That view was echoed by more than two dozen other speakers Friday. Though many said they would oppose gerrymandering under normal circumstances, they viewed Trumps effort as an extraordinary assault on voting rights requiring an extraordinary response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in a fight, and we have to fight back, said Jim Schmitz, a resident of Riverdale Park. Doing nothing in the hope that other states will notice and do nothing is only a wish. The moral high ground will not protect us. Ellen Hornstein, a retired attorney for the U.S. Forest Service, agreed. Hornstein said she left federal service on Trumps inauguration date. I retired because I believed I could no longer uphold the rule of law in the United States. And that has proven true, and Im doing everything I can now to fight for democracy, Hornstein said. Third Act Maryland, a climate advocacy group for seniors, threw its support behind the idea, and several members spoke during Fridays meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In normal times, I would oppose any redistricting for partisan purposes, but these are far from normal times, said Cynthia Miller, a Third Act member from Huntingtown in Calvert CountySouthern. The dangers to our democracy, our communities and our civil liberties are real and present. Redistricting opponents, however, expressed concern about the implications of redrawing districts. Democrats control seven of Marylands eight House districts. Only District 1, which covers the Eastern Shore and sweeps westward to include portions of Baltimore and Harford counties, is held by a Republican. Teris Pantazes, who said he lives in Baltimore County close to the Harford County line, said District 1 should stay as-is, because those Western Shore communities are similar to Eastern Shore communities. Pantazes said that if voters from Annapolis were drawn into District 1 one potential idea he would feel it an effort to minimize my voice. Ive heard some people say that Annapolis has the water economy, and its a lot like people on the Eastern Shore. Annapolis is nothing like it has no similarities to places like Federalsburg, Pantazes said. Those who claim it are severely misguided. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) Many of the voices were frantic and desperate. A few were steady and calm amid mounting, frightening danger, and in some cases, inescapable doom. They came from families huddled on rooftops to escape rising, swirling waters, mothers panicked for the wellbeing of their children and onlookers who heard people yell for help through the dark as they clung to treetops. One man, stuck high in a tree as it began to break under the pressure of the floodwaters, asked emergency dispatchers for a helicopter rescue that never came. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their pleas were among more than 400 calls for help across Kerr County last summer when devastating floods hit during the overnight hours on the July Fourth holiday. The recordings of the 911 calls were released Friday. The sheer volume of calls would overwhelm two county emergency dispatchers on duty in the Texas Hill Country as catastrophic flooding inundated cabins and youth camps along the Guadalupe River. Theres water filling up super fast, we cant get out of our cabin, a camp counselor told a dispatcher above the screams of campers in the background. We cant get out of our cabin, so how do we get to the boats? Amazingly, everyone in the cabin and the rest of campers at Camp La Junta were rescued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flooding killed at least 136 people statewide during the holiday weekend, including at least 117 in Kerr County alone. Most were from Texas, but others came from Alabama, California and Florida, according to a list released by county officials. One woman called for help as the water closed in on her house near Camp Mystic, a century-old summer camp for girls, where 25 campers and two teenage counselors died. Were OK, but we live a mile down the road from Camp Mystic and we had two little girls come down the river. And weve gotten to them, but Im not sure how many others are out there, she said in a shaky voice. A spokesperson for the parents of the children and counselors who died at Camp Mystic declined to comment on the release of the recordings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calls came from people on rooftops and in trees Many residents in the hard-hit Texas Hill Country have said they were caught off guard and didnt receive any warning when the floods overtopped the Guadalupe River. Kerr County leaders have faced scrutiny about whether they did enough right away. Two officials told Texas legislators this summer that they were asleep during the initial hours of the flooding, and a third was out of town. Using recordings of first responder communications, weather service warnings, survivor videos and official testimony, The Associated Press assembled a chronology of the chaotic rescue effort. The AP was one of the media outlets that filed public information requests for recordings of the 911 calls to be released. Many people were rescued by boats and emergency vehicles. A few desperate pleas came from people floating away in RVs. Some survivors were found in trees and on rooftops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some of the calls released Friday came from people who did not survive, said Kerrville Police Chief Chris McCall, who warned that the audio is unsettling. The tree Im in is starting to lean and its going to fall. Is there a helicopter close? Bradley Perry, a firefighter, calmy told a dispatcher, adding that he saw his wife, Tina, and their RV wash away. Ive probably got maybe five minutes left, he said. Bradley Perry did not survive. His wife was later found clinging to a tree, still alive. Moving higher and higher to survive In another heartbreaking call, a woman staying in a community of riverside cabins told a dispatcher the water was inundating their building Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are flooding, and we have people in cabins we cant get to," she said. "We are flooding almost all the way to the top. The caller speaks slowly and deliberately. The faint voices of what sounds like children can be heard in the background. Some people called back multiple times, climbing higher and higher in houses to let rescuers know where they were and that their situations were getting more dire. Families called from second floors, then attics, then roofs sometimes in the course of 30 or 40 minutes, revealing how fast and how high the waters rose. As daylight began to break, the call volume increased, with people reporting survivors in trees or stuck on roofs, or cars floating down the river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britt Eastland, the co-director of Camp Mystic, asked for search and rescue and the National Guard to be called, saying as many as 40 people there were missing. Were out of power. We hardly have any cell service, he said. The 911 recordings show that relatives and friends outside of the unfolding disaster and those who had made it to safety had called to get help for loved ones trapped in the flooding. One woman said a friend, an elderly man, was trapped in his home with water up to his head. She had realized his phone cut out as she was trying to relay instructions from a 911 operator. Dispatchers gave advice and comfort Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overwhelmed by the endless calls, dispatchers tried to comfort the panic-stricken callers yet were forced to move on to the next one. They advised many of those who were trapped to get to their rooftops or run to higher ground. In some calls, children could be heard screaming in the background. There is water everywhere, we cannot move. We are upstairs in a room and the water is rising, said a woman who called from Camp Mystic. The same woman called back later. How do we get to the roof if the water is so high? she asked. Can you already send someone here? With the boats? She asked the dispatcher when help would arrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know," the dispatcher said. I don't know. ___ Associated Press reporters Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia; Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas; Ed White in Detroit; Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; and Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, contributed. Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pushed and pepper-sprayed Rep. Adelita Grijalva during an immigration enforcement action outside a Tucson restaurant on Friday, she alleges. Grijalva, D-Ariz., said she identified herself and was "asking for clarification" after finding about 40 ICE agents and their vehicles in the street outside a restaurant that she frequents, NBC News reported. The recently elected Congresswoman in a social media post said she was "sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent [and] pushed around by others." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grijalva said she was "afraid they were taking people without due process." "I literally was not being aggressive," she added. "I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of Congress." A video posted by The Washington Post shows Grijalva telling ICE agents, "Don't push me," that they "better get out" and repeatedly yelling, "Let her go." The video shows protesters physically engaging with ICE agents, who deployed tear gas and pepper spray. Some pepper balls are seen landing near Grijalva's feet. Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin denied Grijalva's version of events in a post on X on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel, but they're not true," McLaughlin said, as reported by CNN. "She wasn't pepper-sprayed," she continued. "She was in the vicinity of someone who was pepper-sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement." McLaughlin said two law enforcement officers "were seriously injured by this mob" that Grijalva had joined. "Presenting one's self as a member of Congress doesn't give you the right to obstruct law enforcement," she added. Grijalva later told CNN's Laura Coates, "It's convenient to them to make it seem as if I was doing anything other than inquiring about what was happening." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She accused the Trump administration of denying due process for those arrested while "literally disappearing people from the streets." She said ICE agents arrested two people, and "We have no idea where they're going." EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A recently published report by a national non-profit organization the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) argues that many local government entities and school districts across the country have become increasingly dependent on Amazon to supply them with basic supplies and routine goods over local suppliers. The report drew from purchasing records of 128 cities, counties, and school districts in 2023. Among those entities were the City of El Paso and the Ysleta Independent School District, which according to the report spent almost a combined $2 million in purchases with Amazon. ILSR-AmazonProcurementReportDownload Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The table below, obtained from the report, shows that the City of El Pasos Amazon purchases totaled $758,314. Meanwhile YISDs totaled just over $1 million. Based on the purchasing figures of El Paso, YISD, and the other entities cited in the report, the report argues that the reliance on Amazon hurts local businesses and competition, and thereby hurts local economies. There are many reasons that communities give for contracting with Amazon. But when they do that, what theyre doing is theyre basically taking money that they would ordinarily spend with a local or regional supplier and basically giving it to Jeff Bezos, said Kennedy Smith, a senior researcher for the ILSR and a co-author of the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The money leaves the community and not just those businesses are hurt, not just the office supply dealers and the sporting equipment stores and all of those different suppliers that supply public entities and schools, but the whole network of businesses that they support, because those independently owned businesses also hire accountants and attorneys and ad agencies and janitorial services and printers, and they use local banks, Smith added. The report also argued that local entities who use Amazon end up paying a higher cost for their supplies. According to the report, Amazon uses algorithm-driven pricing that fluctuates, unlike the standard public contracts that are reached with local suppliers to lock in fixed prices. Amazon does not do that. They basically let their prices fluctuate, and they say that they do it so that you get the lowest price. But in reality, what happens is that theyre responding to competitors in the market who will say, Oh, Amazon is charging this. So Im going to adjust my price like this. And Amazon kind of keeps ratcheting it up, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report concludes that local suppliers offer more value in the service, while providing higher-quality and better-vetted products. Smith, however, said that it is up to local elected officials to take a step back and note where those changes can be made. Every local government can do that. And I think the first step is doing the same kind of analysis that we did. And just looking at, What did we spend last year with Amazon? Do we really need to do that? Or are there things that we can buy locally that would be less expensive, higher quality, that have a better guarantee, and that are really going to support the local economy, Smith said. An Amazon spokesperson responded to KTSMs request for comment on the reports conclusions. They offered the following statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This flawed and misleading report based on data from 2023 misrepresents the facts and does not reflect the significant cost savings Amazon Business provides customers by offering everyday low prices that meet or beat other online providers and powerful tools to lower their spending. Pricing research is notoriously difficult to conduct accurately and typically lacks reliable methodology, including cherry-picked product selections, mismatched product comparisons, and comparing in-stock items with products out-of-stock at competitors. Amazon Business offers customers price ceilings that ensure they dont pay above an agreed price, while automatically capturing savings when prices are lower. Regarding the reports argument that Amazon negatively impacts local economies, the spokesperson offered the following separate statement. Amazon Business makes it easy for customers to search for and purchase supplies from certified local businesses and diverse sellers in their area to drive local growth, foster connections, and create a positive impact in the community. The City of El Paso and YISD were contacted for comment on this story, but did not provide a response by the time of writing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Wear and tear, injury, certain medical conditions, and age can take a toll on shoulder function. Oftentimes, surgery can be avoided, with many people responding well to nonoperative treatments, such as physical therapy or injections, to decrease their pain and improve the use of their shoulder. Sometimes, surgery to repair the torn tendons may be necessary. But other times, the condition of the shoulder has advanced beyond those options. In the past, this may have resulted in chronic pain and debility. Now, there are new treatments designed especially for more advanced shoulder issues. Inserting a balloon or patch for stabilization When a rotator cuff tear is so severe that it can't be repaired, an orthopedic surgeon may use a subacromial balloon spacer. This small device is inserted into the space where the damaged rotator cuff lies using minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical techniques. Once in place, the device is inflated with saline to cushion and stabilize the joint. The balloon typically dissolves within six to 12 months. Alternatively, a surgeon may implant a special donated tissue graft to cover or "patch" the top of the ball part of the shoulder joint. This procedure, called tuberoplasty, acts similarly to the balloon to provide a cushion in place of the rotator cuff. After surgery, a physical therapist will help a patient retrain muscles to move the shoulder using more optimal mechanics. Recovery from these procedures tends to be faster since the tendons don't need to heal as they would in traditional rotator cuff surgery. Using 3D printing for shoulder replacement Reverse shoulder replacement is another surgical option for treating patients with severe arthritis, irreparable rotator cuff tears or other shoulder damage. By using specially designed implants, a surgeon can change the mechanics of the shoulder to allow other muscles to move it. Since no shoulder is the same, how closely the replacement implant fits the shoulder's anatomy and how the implant is placed play key roles in the success of a reverse shoulder replacement. The surgeon is able to choose from metal and plastic implants that are available in a few different shapes and a range of sizes. A 3D-printed model of the shoulder can help the orthopedic surgeon precisely place the implant. The process begins with a CT scan before surgery to create a 3D model of the shoulder on a computer. This allows the surgeon to see how the implant should be placed, how to preserve as much bone as possible and how to identify the best way to secure the implant. A 3D guide is printed that duplicates the template from the computer. During surgery, the surgeon places the 3D guide on the bone so the implant can be placed precisely as planned. 3D modeling also helps the surgeon determine if a patient needs a customized implant. Creating a customized implant In most cases, the surgeon can choose a standard implant that will give the patient the shoulder function they need. But for some patients, their anatomy or bone damage won't allow a standard implant to fit appropriately. An implant that doesn't fit well can fail, leading to more surgery. In these cases, an implant can be created to precisely fit a patient. Using a computer-generated 3D model, the custom implant designed for the patient is printed using the same materials as a standard implant. While this is only used in special cases, it may become the standard in time. Robotic surgery While robotics has been used in many other surgeries, including hip and knee replacements, for some time, the use of robotic surgery in the shoulder is just beginning. The technology is new and specialized. As mentioned before, putting the implants in the right position is important, and the robot helps the surgeon do this exactly as planned. During a shoulder replacement, the surgeon can use a robot to help reshape the socket precisely to get the best placement and position of the implant to help provide the optimal outcome. Although this technology is new, it may become the future of shoulder replacement. Stem cells and biological treatments Stem cells and other therapies such as platelet-rich plasma are new and promising treatment options known as regenerative medicine. These are often called orthobiologics as they are made from the patient's body. Stem cells are cells that have the potential to heal and transform into more specialized cells such as muscle, tendon or bone cells. They are harvested from tissues in the body such as blood or fat. Platelet-rich plasma takes blood from the arm and separates out the red blood cells, keeping healing and anti-inflammatory factors. When injected, these therapies try to stimulate the body's cells to promote a healing response in the tissue. They have shown potential benefit in treating pain from arthritis, helping heal and recover from tendinopathies or muscle strains, and improving healing after surgery. While both treatments show promise in helping to decrease pain and potentially improve healing, they unfortunately will not regrow cartilage or tendons, and they will not "cure" arthritis. Though promising, the data are still inconclusive, and further studies are needed to determine the best uses for them. Additionally, since they are considered experimental, they are rarely covered by insurance and can be very costly. 2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran launched massive missiles in the Sea of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz during the second day of a naval drill, state TV reported Friday. The report said the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched the missiles from the depth of Irans mainland, hitting targets in the Oman Sea and neighboring area near Strait of Hormuz in a drill that began on Thursday. It identified the missiles as cruise Qadr-110, Qadr-380 and Ghadir that have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles.) It said the Guard also launch a ballistic missile identified as 303, without elaborating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TV footage showed the missiles' launch and hitting their targets. The drill is the second one following the Israel-Iran war in June that killed nearly 1,100 people in Iran, including military commanders and nuclear scientists. Missile attacks by Iran killed 28 in Israel. Since the end of the war, Iran has increasingly insisted that it is ready to counter any future Israeli attack. Iran launched its first naval drill in the area in August. Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is mainly in charge of operations in the Persian Gulf and its narrow mouth, the Strait of Hormuz. The national navy is in charge of Sea of Oman and beyond. Iran long has threatened to close off the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all global oil traded passes. The U.S. Navy has long patrolled the Mideast through its Bahrain-based 5th Fleet to keep the waterways open. An 88-year-old army veteran received the surprise of a lifetime from strangers around the world thanks to a viral TikTok video that raised $1.8 million for him. The video was recorded and shared by Australian positivity influencer Sam Wetenhoeffer, who was on what he called a US Kindness Tour through the Christmas holiday. Wetenhoeffer met Ed Bambas from Michigan, who was working the checkout line at a Meijer supermarket. When asked why Bambas was still working at 88 years old, he said he had no choice but to work full-time as a cashier to make ends meet after losing his pension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two struck up a rapport, with Ed explaining that his wife died seven years ago and he was still trying to pick up the pieces. I work five days a week, eight hours a day, Bambas said, because I dont have enough income. When Weidenhofer asked Bambas, Whats your dream? the octogenarian answered, Live a little of somewhat the life I was hoping for. Wetenhoeffer posted the video to TikTok, who said it was viewed more than 10 million times. The influencer then set up a GoFundMe page for Bambas. I want to introduce you all to Ed Bambas, a man I met recently in a Detroit supermarket who completely humbled me, he wrote on the GoFundMe page. Ed is 88 years old, an Army veteran, and he still works five days a week, eight hours a day. He has never received the pension he earned after a lifetime of hard work, and he lost his wife years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wetenhoeffer reported that the donations came pouring in, to the tune of nearly $1.8 million, making it one of the largest individual fundraisers in GoFundMe history. If you want, you will be able to retire, Wetenhoeffer said when presenting the check to a stunned Bambas. I wish my wife were here, but its something that dreams are made out of, trust me, from my beginnings to here, he said. Watch above via CNN. The post Retirement Now Possible For 88-Year-Old Army Vet After Influencer Surprises Him With Huge Check first appeared on Mediaite. By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The city of San Diego has agreed to pay $30 million to the family of a 16-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a city police officer as the youth was fleeing another teenager who had opened fire on him, U.S. media reported on Friday. The settlement by the California city ranks as one of the largest in a wrongful death civil case arising from a killing by U.S. law enforcement, the San Diego Union-Tribune and the New York Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sum for the family of Konoa Wilson, killed on the night of January 28, surpasses the $27 million payout received in 2021 by the family of George Floyd, whose death at the hands of a Minneapolis policeman had sparked a summer of nationwide protests for racial justice in 2020. At that time, the Floyd settlement was believed to be the largest of its kind. "I've never seen a city take responsibility so quickly," said Nicholas Rowley, an attorney for Wilson's family, according to the Union-Tribune. "It's really noble. ... It was an officer out there trying to keep people safe. It was a mistake." Neither Rowley nor the San Diego City Attorney's Office responded to queries from Reuters seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The payment, most of which will come from a public liability fund shared by several municipalities, covers the city and Officer Daniel Gold II, who shot Wilson, according to the reports. As part of the agreement, the city stipulates the settlement was a "business decision" and was "not an admission of liability by any party," the reports said. Gold, who had been on the police force for two years at the time of the shooting, has remained on the department in an administrative capacity, the Union-Tribune reported. Rowley had warned in a legal brief that he intended to seek $100 million in damages if the case went to trial, according to the Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The January incident began with a teenager drawing a gun and firing at Wilson on a platform of a train station as Wilson ran away, as seen in video captured by a surveillance camera. Moments later the body-camera worn by Gold, who was running toward the sound of gunfire, captured his encounter with Wilson as the fleeing teenager emerged from a corridor of the station. The video shows Wilson bolting past the officer and Gold immediately shooting the youth without warning from behind as Wilson screams in pain. Officers tending to the fatally wounded teenager afterward are then seen finding a handgun concealed in Wilson's clothing. The youth died a short time later at a hospital. The City Council, which tentatively approved the settlement in September, was expected to vote on Tuesday to formally authorize the payment, the Times and Union-Tribune said. (Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by William Mallard) SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) Bulgarian maritime authorities on Saturday launched efforts to evacuate the crew of the oil tanker Kairos stranded off the Black Sea port of Ahtopol and believed to be part of the shadow fleet used by Russia to evade international sanctions linked to its war in Ukraine. Last week, the Gambian-flagged 274-meter Kairos caught fire after an alleged attack with Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea near the Turkish coast. It was sailing empty from Egypt toward the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The 149,000-ton Kairos, formerly flagged as Panamanian, Greek and Liberian, was built in 2002. It was sanctioned by the EU in July this year, followed by the U.K. and Switzerland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ship entered Bulgarias territorial waters on Friday under tow by a Turkish vessel, but the mission was abruptly abandoned, leaving the tanker to drift across the sea without power like a ghost ship before stranding less than a nautical mile off the shore. On Saturday, Rumen Nikolov, in charge of rescue operations at the Bulgarian Maritime Agency, said that it must be established through diplomatic channels why the tanker was brought into Bulgarias territorial waters. Nikolov explained that the empty tanker is stable despite the bad weather, adding that there is no danger to either the crew or the environment. He said that all 10 crew members, of different nationalities, are in good condition and have enough food and water for about three days. When the weather calms down, the ship will be towed to a safe place, he added. The head of border police, Anton Zlatanov, told the Nova TV channel, that communication was established with the crew, who had complied with orders and dropped anchor, and the ship is currently stable in a position off Ahtopol. The crew expressed their desire to be evacuated, but this must be done in the safest way possible, Zlatanov added. Zlatanov noted that the tanker is being monitored by a radio communication system, thermal cameras from the shore, and a radar system, while communication with the crew is being maintained. A lifestyle app backed by Sarah Ferguson was handed 1m in taxpayer money before it collapsed without ever launching. vVoosh was founded by Manuel Fernandez, a close friend of Ms Ferguson, who claimed it would be a revolutionary service allowing users the power to Find, Plan, Share, Live, and Remember all the things you love to do and those youre yet to try. In 2016, Ms Ferguson described herself as an ambassador for the app and lent 50,000 to the venture through her La Luna Investments company. La Luna also held just under one per cent of the companys shares. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Founded 15 years ago, the app never launched and has gone into administration. A report filed this week by the firm overseeing the companys administration said the app was backed by 9m of funding including 1m of UK government research and development tax credits. The firm employed teams in London and India to work on the app but ran out of money to continue its development, the report stated. It also noted there had been a breakdown in communication between the current directors/major creditors and the founder [Mr Fernandez], who had ceased communication following resignation as a director earlier in the year. Sarah Ferguson had previously denied rumours that she and Manuel Fernandez were a couple - David M Benett/Getty Images This is the latest blow for Ms Ferguson, who lost the title of duchess after her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was stripped of his Duke of York title because of his links to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, several charities dropped her as a patron after an email emerged where she described Mr Epstein as her supreme friend. Ms Ferguson and Mr Fernandez were once pictured regularly together at high-profile events, including Sir Bob Geldofs wedding and the Cannes film festival. She has previously denied rumours they were a couple, telling the Daily Mail they were just friends friends and business partners. Mr Fernandez resigned from the company in March this year. The report says the company is owed 324,609 by a former director, believed to be Mr Fernandez. He is understood to have left the country after selling his 1.3m house in north London last year. Earlier this month, Mr Fernandez denied taking money out of the firm, according to The Times. He told the newspaper that the allegation would be disproven in the course of legal proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The companys charitable arm has not filed any financial reports. The Charity Commission is now looking into removing it from its register. A source told The Times: We have now instigated the formal removal of the charity from the Register of Charities on the basis that it does not operate. Mr Fernandez was a soldier with the Royal Anglian Regiment for four years before moving into the business world, according to his LinkedIn profile. The Telegraph has contacted Ms Ferguson and Mr Fernandez for comment. Dec. 6MOUNT VERNON, S.D. South Dakota has long had a strong tradition of homegrown dairy products, but until now, the state had never produced its own French-style creamline yogurt. That changed this fall at Scheetz Mercantile, a family-run micro-dairy near Mount Vernon, where Kelly and Sam Scheetz have created what they say is the first cup-set French-style yogurt made commercially in South Dakota. The product is a labor of patience, tradition, and simplicity intentionally crafted as a contrast to the factory-made yogurt most Americans buy, according to Kelly Scheetz. At Scheetz Mercantile, the milk isn't homogenized, which allows the cream to rise naturally to the top of the cup. The result is a silky creamline layer above a soft, custard-like yogurt body that forms during fermentation. Unlike commercial yogurt, which is fermented in large vats, stirred, chilled, and pumped into containers, Scheetz's yogurt cultures and sets directly in the cup the consumer opens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Most yogurt in the U.S. is factory made," said co-owner Kelly Scheetz. "It's homogenized, stabilized, blended, pumped through lines. We don't do any of that." The ingredient list is intentionally short: whole milk from their own cows, Madagascar vanilla sourced through a South Dakota supplier, and pure Vermont maple syrup. No gums, starches, preservatives, or artificial flavorings are used. Scheetz said the goal was to create yogurt in its truest form, allowing the flavors and textures to speak for themselves. The product exists thanks to a partnership with Farm Life Creamery in Ethan, owned by Laura Klock and Chad Blase. Farm Life originally purchased a specialized filler with plans to launch its own yogurt line, but as the creamery expanded with cheese, bottled milk and ice cream, Klock realized she didn't have the capacity to take on a short-shelf-life product. Rather than letting the equipment sit unused, Klock offered it to a neighbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Kelly and I were talking one day and I told her, 'Maybe you should do yogurt. We need yogurt,'" Klock said. "Why hoard equipment when somebody else can use it? We're all stronger when we work together." Scheetz took the suggestion seriously. The family needed a new direction after their previous milk buyer had stopped paying them for months while raising hauling fees. Creating a value-added product was a way forward, but Scheetz wanted to avoid competing with Farm Life by making cheese or ice cream. Yogurt fit perfectly a product Farm Life wasn't already producing. The partnership benefits both sides. Scheetz Mercantile uses Farm Life's equipment and facility, and in exchange provides labor-intensive deep cleaning after each production run. They produce a 40-gallon batch every two to three weeks a process that takes nearly a full day, from early-morning milking to packaging and several hours of incubation. "This is an amazing local collaboration," Klock said. "It's equipment sharing, it's supporting each other, it's bringing more local products to the table." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defining feature of Scheetz yogurt is its cup-set fermentation. Milk, culture, and flavorings are combined, pumped into individual cups, and then placed in an incubator for four to six hours. Because the yogurt never moves after this step, it develops a firm, pillowy texture that retains the whey proteins and probiotics, unlike strained Greek yogurt. The creamline forms naturally because the milk is pasteurized but not homogenized. Scheetz describes the flavor as mild and tangy, sweetened with pure Vermont maple syrup rather than honey, which can interfere with the bacterial cultures. "You scoop it, not stir it," Scheetz said. "If you stir it, you break it down like a stirred yogurt. We wanted people to experience the difference." Because it is a fresh, minimally processed product, Scheetz yogurt has a short shelf life. The packaging carries a sell-by date of about three weeks, but the yogurt remains good for roughly 31 days, ensuring customers enjoy it at peak freshness. To manage this, the team intentionally produces small batches so the yogurt moves off shelves quickly and is always fresh. The yogurt is available in 8-ounce and 32-ounce containers at grocery stores in Parkston and Armour, at Makers Exchange in Tea, and at Farm Life Creamery in Ethan. Vanilla is the only flavor available, but Scheetz plans to experiment with additional flavors once smaller test batches are feasible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The partnership between the families will grow further this winter when Farm Life opens its second location at County Fair in Mitchell. Klock plans to use Scheetz yogurt as the exclusive base for a new line of real-fruit smoothies, made with fresh frozen fruit, the Scheetz yogurt, and local raw honey. Construction delays have pushed the opening toward a soft launch around Christmas, with potential expansions possibly including coffee drinks made from beans roasted by Scheetz Mercantile. For both families, the yogurt represents more than a product. It embodies a philosophy that small rural businesses thrive by lifting each other up. "None of this would have been possible without such wonderful friendship with Farm Life," Scheetz said. "Laura didn't have to share her research or her equipment. But she did." "There's plenty of competition and nastiness in the world," Klock added. "We'd rather choose community." Now, South Dakota has its first French-style creamline yogurt on store shelves a product made the old-fashioned way, one cup at a time, from local milk, with care, patience, and a distinctly French touch. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A gallery of 51 debris disks captured by ESO's SPHERE instrument, visible from the starlight they reflect with the central star blocked out, reveals dusty rings and belts around young stars, offering a glimpse into the formation and evolution of distant planetary systems. | Credit: N. Engler et al./SPHERE Consortium/ESO Astronomers have unveiled a stunning new gallery of dusty rings encircling young stars, revealing the intricate architecture of developing planetary systems. Using observations from the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope , astronomers documented 51 budding exoplanetary systems after studying 161 nearby stars, offering an unprecedented glimpse at debris disks around stars beyond our solar system. These debris disks are formed by collisions between asteroids or comets that generate large amounts of dust and resemble our own solar system where asteroids collect in the inner belt and comets populate the distant Kuiper Belt, according to a statement . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This data set is an astronomical treasure," Gael Chauvin, co-author of the study and SPHERE project scientist, said in the statement. "It provides exceptional insights into the properties of debris disks, and allows for deductions of smaller bodies like asteroids and comets in these systems, which are impossible to observe directly." Scientists study debris disks because they offer a snapshot of what young solar systems look like after planets begin to form. Young stars form within collapsing clouds of gas and dust, which flatten into broad protoplanetary disks where material gradually clumps into larger bodies. As these systems mature, collisions between leftover asteroids and comets produce fine dust creating the debris disks we see today. By examining how this dust reflects starlight, astronomers can piece together how planets grow and how systems like our own take shape over time. However, debris disks fade as collisions become less frequent and dust is gradually removed either because it's blown out by stellar radiation, swept up by planets or remaining planetesimals or has fallen into the central star . Our solar system is an example of the end state of this process, with just the asteroid belt, the Kuiper Belt and faint zodiacal dust remaining. Using advanced instruments like SPHERE allows astronomers to study the dust in younger systems roughly the first 50 million years that can still be detected. Most importantly, SPHERE blocks starlight using a coronagraph , a small disk that physically masks the star to reveal faint surrounding objects. The telescope's adaptive optics system corrects for atmospheric distortions in real time, and optional polarization filters enhance sensitivity to light reflected by dust, making debris disks easier to detect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new survey reveals remarkable variety, from narrow rings to wide diffuse belts, lopsided disks and disks viewed both edge-on and face-on. In fact, four of the disks were imaged in this detail for the first time, the researchers said. Striking views of HD 197481 and HD 39060 capture sharp streams of material darting out from either side of its central star (representing an edge-on view), while incredible views of systems like HD 109573 and 181327 capture a nearly perfect circular debris ring (representing a face-on view). In many systems, dust congregates in sharply defined rings, hinting at unseen planets shaping the debris, much like Neptune molds the Kuiper Belt in our solar system. On the other hand, the dust distribution in younger systems like HD 145560 and HD 156623 is more chaotic and billowy, where less defined structures suggest material hasn't yet been fully sculpted by planets or cleared by collisions. Comparing the different structures within the disks revealed clear trends, like more massive stars tend to host more massive disks, and disks with material concentrated farther from the star also generally contain more mass, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of these belt structures appear to be associated with the presence of planets, specifically of giant planets , clearing their neighborhoods of smaller bodies," researchers said in the statement. "In some of the SPHERE images, features like sharp inner edges or disk asymmetries give tantalizing hints of as-yet unobserved planets." While some giant exoplanets have already been detected in these systems, the SPHERE survey offers a guide post for new targets to be studied in greater detail by instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope and ESO's Extremely Large Telescope, which could reveal the exoplanets responsible for sculpting these spectacular disks. A new study found that it took only weeks for microplastics to make their way into the brain tissues of mice, raising concerns about what that could mean for human health. What's happening? As detailed by Newsweek, researchers exposed a set of mice to microplastics in drinking water, and they found that the tiny particles had migrated from their guts into liver, kidney, and brain tissues in as little as four weeks. "We could detect microplastics in certain tissues after the exposure," University of New Mexico associate professor Eliseo Castillo, one of the study's authors, told the outlet. "That tells us it can cross the intestinal barrier and infiltrate into other tissues." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The findings, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, also revealed that researchers discovered "metabolic differences" in the colons, livers, and brains of the animals. Why is this concerning? Mice typically live for only a few years, so the fact that differences were evident after such a short period of time set off alarm bells. According to Newsweek, the lab mice were exposed to equivalent concentrations that humans experience in their drinking water on a daily basis. "Think about how that equates to humans, if we're exposed from birth to old age," Castillo told the news outlet. Researchers haven't drawn definite conclusions about the impacts of microplastics on our health, but they have been linked to a range of problems, including cancer, dementia, reproductive issues, and anxiety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These tiny particles, which are less than five millimeters in length, have been found just about everywhere even in the air we breathe. What can be done about harmful microplastics? Researchers believe that their latest findings could provide a roadmap to understanding the impact of exposure to mixed microplastics. In turn, this could lead to valuable insights to identify potential risks to our health. "At the end of the day, the research we are trying to do aims to find out how this is impacting gut health," Castillo told Newsweek. "If you don't have a healthy gut, it affects the brain, it affects the liver and so many other tissues. that chronic exposure could lead to systemic effects." Scientists are also developing ways to remove microplastics from drinking water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A team at Tarleton State University found that molecules in certain plants show promise as a solution, while researchers at the Indian Institute of Science created a hydrogel to eliminate more than 90% of polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene particles. Switching to plastic-free alternatives for common household products can also help limit your exposure to toxins. This year, Tide released a laundry detergent that doesn't come in plastic packaging. Silicone food storage containers and metal razors are other options as well. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Police have arrested a suspect and issued a warrant for a third person in connection with a shooting that happened at a convenience store in Washington County. On Friday, the City of Washington Police Department said arrest warrants were filed against Christian Zavier Patrene, 19, of Washington and Christopher Ellis-Valperga, 18, of Washington. Detectives and SWAT units and the Washington County District Attorneys Office issued a search warrant at a house on Hayes Avenue on Friday afternoon and found evidence in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While neither suspect was home at that time, police did capture Eliis-Valperga shortly after the charges were filed. Patrene is still on the run. Police say he is armed and dangerous. Christian Patrene Anyone with information on his location is asked to call 911. Tips can be left anonymously. Police can also be contacted via email at tips@washingtonpa.us. The charges were filed after a woman was shot multiple times at the Washington Food Mart on Chestnut Street over the weekend. Police said the shots were fired as she was being robbed. PHOTOS: Police investigate after person shot in Washington Ellis-Valperga faces attempted homicide, robbery, aggravated assault and firearm charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrene is charged with conspiracy to commit homicide, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and multiple misdemeanor charges. Julian Asbury, 17, of Washington, was arrested in connection with the crimes on Monday. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Teen arrested in connection with shooting, robbery at Washington County store He will be tried as an adult on charges that include conspiracy to homicide, robbery and aggravated assault. The woman who was shot was last listed in stable condition. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TUCSON Sen. Mark Kelly scoffed at the possibility of facing a court martial as he ridiculed President Donald Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth as unserious people. Just days before the Dec. 10 deadline for the Navys secretary to report to Hegseth on any military case against Kelly for taking part in a video Trump has labeled seditious, the Arizona Democrat said he hasnt heard from the Pentagon, and nothing substantive from the FBI. We got something from the FBI. We got one thing. It didnt even have a point of contact on it, he said Dec. 5 after a town hall event in Tucson. Thats how unprofessional this (Justice Department) has become. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI is pressing its domestic terrorism investigators to open a probe against the Democrats who took part in a Nov. 18 video that urged members of the military to refuse illegal orders, Bloomberg Law reported. The FBI did not respond to a request for comment. Kelly went on to say that if the threats of legal fallout directed at him and the other Democrats didnt involve Trump, they would be seen as "crazy." Its certainly unconstitutional. Its also in violation of the separation of powers of me as a United States senator. But also, they havent been serious enough about this to even notify me other than on Twitter. Theyre not serious people and Im not backing down. Kelly told the 200 people on hand for his town hall that he expects Hegseth is just going to take a hike. Thats what I ultimately expect him to do, or he can try to prosecute me. But Im not going away. Sen. Mark Kelly discusses an array of issues with Democratic congressional candidate JoAnna Mendoza during a town hall in Tucson's Second Sky, a community social club, on Dec. 5, 2025. Kelly has struck a defiant tone in national television appearances and at home back in Tucson in the days since Trump first reacted angrily to the Democrats video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! Trump wrote Nov. 20. Kelly repeatedly has said the video grew out of his concerns that Trump has for years called for illegal actions, such as his desire for the military to kill the families of terrorists and to have them shoot the legs of protesters in America. We know you are under enormous pressure right now, the video message said. It did not specify what exactly the military might view as illegal orders. It also featured Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, and Reps. Jason Crow, D-Colorado; Chris Deluzio, D-Pennsylvania; Maggie Goodlander, D-New Hampshire; and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders, Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said. The Pentagon already is weighing a possible court martial of Kelly, who is a former Navy combat pilot, for serious allegations of misconduct. Hegseth asked the secretary of the Navy for a brief on the outcome of your review by no later than Dec. 10. While Kelly was unsparing in his criticism of Trump and Hegseth, he was more measured about the consequences of the Sept. 2 military strikes on a boat in international waters. Kelly, who has not yet seen complete video of the Caribbean strikes, remained reluctant to say whether that action may have constituted a war crime that killed two apparent survivors of the first attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive talked to some of the folks who have seen it, and theyre very concerned. They think we should all have the opportunity to view the video and ask questions and get the Execute Order and other documentation and be able to question witnesses, including the secretary of Defense. I dont want to prejudge what the outcome of that investigation will be but from what I know, it is rather concerning. The top Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees reviewed video of the strikes in a classified briefing on Dec. 4. Kelly sits on both committees but was not among those briefed. After the briefing, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the strikes highly lawful and lethal. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Connecticut, who is the leading Democrat in the House Intelligence Committee, called it one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the House and Senate have indicated plans to review the 22 known strikes in international waters that have killed at least 87 people since September. Kelly said he has been concerned about the legality of the strikes since he has seen Hegseth running around a stage like an idiot talking about hunting and killing people and not following the rules of engagement. (This story was updated to add a video.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sen. Mark Kelly predicts Hegseth will 'take a hike' on court martial A US senator has condemned the Trump administration after she alleged that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attack dog mauled one of her constituents. Democratic senator Patty Murray of Washington state said Wilmer Toledo-Martinez suffered horrific injuries while ICE agents detained him in November. An ICE agent lured Wilmer out of his home under false pretenses, posing as a construction worker who claimed to have hit Wilmers car and needed him to step outside to verify, Murray said in a statement. Another agent, accompanied by a dog, was hiding nearby and released the dog on Wilmer shortly after he stepped outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Arizona congresswoman says she was pepper sprayed at protest against ICE Murray said Toledo-Martinez, who was brought to the US at age 15 and is undocumented, was not resisting arrest or attempting to flee when the dog attacked. He is being held at the Northwest ICE processing center, Murray said. She said Toledo-Martinez was detained in front of his wife and two young children, who are all US citizens and she called for his immediate release. Following the attack, Wilmer was left shaking and dizzy, and at one point his vision went black, yet he was denied medical care for hours, Murray said. He was eventually taken to a hospital, where he received stitches for his injuries. He was prescribed antibiotics and additional medication, but the antibiotics were not provided immediately, and the other medication was never provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos provided by Murray showed deep cuts to Toledo-Martinezs side. This should shock the conscience of every one of us, Murray said. I do not want to live in an America where federal agents can sic attack dogs on peaceful residents with impunity and face no consequences. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. News of the attack came as police in Vancouver, Washington, said they were investigating an incident during which an ICE agent appeared to run over a mans foot during an arrest. Oregon Live reported that an ICE agent struck Jose Guadalupe Paniagua Calderon, 27, with his own vehicle during an arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, US congresswoman Adelita Grijalva of Arizona said she was sprayed in the face by a chemical agent during a protest against a federal immigration raid at a Mexican restaurant in Tucson. In a joint statement, Tucsons mayor, Regina Romero, and its vice-mayor, Lane Santa Cruz, both Democrats, said the enforcement operation in their city had rapidly escalated into violence against the public. Esther was sleeping on the streets of Lagos when a woman approached her with the promise of a route out of Nigeria to a job and a home in Europe. She had dreamt of a new life, especially in the UK. Thrown out of a violent and abusive foster home, she had little to stay for. But when she left Lagos in 2016, crossing the desert to Libya, she had little idea of her traumatic journey ahead, forced into sex work and years of asylum claims in country after country. The majority of irregular migrants and asylum seekers are men - 70% according to the European Agency for Asylum - but the number of women like Esther, who have come to Europe to seek asylum is on the rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are seeing an increase in women travelling alone, both on the Mediterranean and the Balkan routes," says Irini Contogiannis from the International Rescue Committee in Italy. Its 2024 report highlighted a 250% annual rise in the number of single adult women arriving in Italy on the Balkan route, while families grew by 52%. Migrant routes are notoriously treacherous. Last year 3,419 migrant deaths or disappearances in Europe were recorded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - the deadliest year on record. But for women, there is the added threat of sexual violence and exploitation, which happened to Esther after she was betrayed by the woman who had promised her a better life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She locked me up in a room and brought in a man. He had sex with me, with force. I was still a virgin," Esther says. "That's what they do travel to different villages in Nigeria to pick young girls, and bring them to Libya to become sex slaves." "Their experiences are different and often riskier," Ugochi Daniels of the IOM told the BBC. "Even women travelling in groups often lack consistent protection, exposing them to abuse by smugglers, traffickers, or other migrants." Many women are aware of the risks but go anyway, packing condoms, or even getting contraceptive devices fitted in case they are raped on the way. "All migrants have to pay a smuggler," says Hermine Gbedo of the anti-trafficking network Stella Polare. "But women are often expected to offer sex as part of the payment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Gbedo supports women migrants in Trieste, a port city in north-east Italy which has long been a crossroads of cultures and serves as a major entry point to the European Union for those crossing from the Balkans. From here, they continue to countries like Germany, France, and the UK. Most migrants who arrive in Trieste via the Balkan route are male [Barbara Zanon/Getty Image] After four months of being exploited in Libya, Esther escaped and crossed the Mediterranean in a rubber dinghy from which she was rescued by the Italian coast guard and taken to the island of Lampedusa. She claimed asylum three times before she was granted refugee status. Asylum seekers from countries viewed as safe are often rejected. At the time Italy viewed Nigeria as unsafe, but two years ago it changed that assessment as governments across Europe began tightening their rules in response to the big migrant influx into Europe of 2015-16. Voices calling for further restrictions on asylum claims have only grown louder since. [BBC] "It's impossible to sustain mass migration -- there is no way," says Nicola Procaccini, an MP in Giorgia Meloni's right wing government. "We can guarantee a safe life to those women who are really in danger, but not to all of them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have to be hard-headed," warns Rakib Ehsan at the right-leaning think tank Policy Exchange. "We need to prioritise women and girls who are at immediate risk within conflict-affected territories, where rape is being used as a weapon of war." Currently this is not happening consistently, he argues, and while he sympathises with the plight of women facing hazardous routes into Europe "the key is controlled compassion". However, many women arriving from countries considered safe claim that the abuse they suffered on account of being a woman has meant that life in their home countries has become impossible. This was the case for Nina, a 28-year-old from Kosovo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People think everything is well in Kosovo, but that's not true," she says. "Things are terrible for women." Nina says she and her sister were sexually abused by their boyfriends who forced them into sex work. A 2019 report by Europe's OSCE security organisation suggested that 54% of women in Kosovo had experienced psychological, physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15. Women who face persecution on the grounds of gender-based violence are entitled to asylum under the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention, and that was backed up by a landmark ruling by the EU's top court last year. The Convention details gender-based violence as psychological, physical and sexual - and includes female genital mutilation (FGM). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, its terms are not yet applied consistently, according to charity groups. "A lot of asylum officials in the field are men who are insufficiently trained to deal with such a delicate issue [as female genital mutilation] - both medically and psychologically," says Marianne Nguena Kana, Director of End FGM European Network. Many women have their asylum claims denied, she says, on the mistaken assumption that, because they have already undergone FGM, they face no further risk. "We've had judges saying: 'You've already been mutilated, so it's not dangerous for you to go back to your country, because it's not like they can do it to you again," Nguena Kana says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to sexual violence, Carenza Arnold from UK charity Women for Refugee Women says it is often harder to prove, as it does not leave the same scars as physical torture - and the taboos and cultural sensitivities for women make the process even harder. "Women are frequently rushed through the process and may not disclose the sexual violence they have suffered to an immigration officer they have just met," Arnold explains. Much of the violence faced by women takes place during their journey, the International Organization for Migration has told the BBC. "Women usually escape sexual violence from their partners in their country of origin, and then during the journey, they experience the same again," says Ugochi Daniels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was the case for Nina and her sister on their journey away from their abusive partners in Kosovo to a new life in Italy. Travelling with other women, they trekked through the forests of Eastern Europe trying to avoid the authorities. There, they said they were attacked by male migrants and smugglers. "Even though we were up in the mountains, in the dark, you could hear the screams," Nina recalls. "The men would come up to us with a torch, shine it in our faces, pick who they wanted, and take them further into the forest. "At night, I could hear my sister crying, begging for help." Nina and her sister told Italian authorities that if they returned home they would be killed by their ex-boyfriends. They were eventually granted asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Esther's fight for refugee status took much longer. She first claimed asylum in Italy in 2016, but after a long wait there she moved to France and then Germany, where her asylum claims were rejected as according to the EU's Dublin regulation an asylum seeker is usually expected to apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter. She was finally awarded refugee status in Italy in 2019. Almost a decade on from leaving Nigeria, she wonders if her current existence in Italy was worth the pain she endured to get there: "I don't even know the reason why I came to this place." PEORIA The greater Peoria area is in for another round of snow this weekend. There is a 70 percent chance of 1-3 inches of snow on Saturday night and Sunday morning, according to The National Weather Service in Lincoln. NWS meteorologist Alex Erwin said northwest Illinois will likely get the most precipitation, with between 2-4 inches of snow expected for the Galesburg area. The snow in central Illinois will be focused north of Interstate 72 and will include the Peoria area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will it snow on Christmas in Illinois? An extended holiday forecast Dylan Grosnet of Peoria flings a shovelful of icy snow out of his driveway Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 along Glen Avenue in Peoria. NWS has the system currently tracking north of the Peoria area. Erwin said a shift to the south could bring colder conditions and more than 4 inches of snow to central Illinois. Theres about a 30 percent chance of that, he said. Erwin expects the system to enter central Illinois late Saturday evening. The bulk of the snowfall should occur between midnight and noon Sunday. Folks traveling on Sunday morning should keep in mind that they might encounter snow-covered roadways, Erwin said. A projected Sunday high temperature of 28 for the Peoria area and an expected Monday high of 23 indicate that the new snow will remain on the ground until Tuesdays high temperature of 36 thaw a portion of it. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Snow in the forecast for Peoria, Illinois for Dec. 6-7 CHICAGO Another round of snow has fallen across Chicagoland on Sunday morning, and it could continue to fall into the afternoon for some areas. After the region found itself covered in a blanket of snow last weekend and then flurries continued into the work week, another system moved in late Saturday night, bringing even more snow. Sunday forecast: Widespread morning snow in Chicagoland, then falling temps later Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the system, the National Weather Service issued Winter Weather Advisories for the majority of Chicagoland. The advisory expired for most of the area at 9 a.m. However, it was extended to 11 a.m. in southern Cook County and eastern Will County in Illinois and for Lake County and Porter County in Northwest Indiana, as lake-effect snow moves through late Sunday morning and into the afternoon. Lake-effect snow lingers As of 6 a.m. Sunday, snow totals had reached 4 inches at OHare International Airport and were increasing, with light to moderate snow expected to fall across Chicagoland through the morning. After that, some areas could see additional lake-effect snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latest warnings and watches from the National Weather Service The timeline for that, as seen on the radar below, looks to be late morning for the city, then early afternoon along the Illinois-Indiana state line, and then finally into the afternoon for Northwest Indiana. Winds will then turn easterly off Lake Michigan overnight, bringing yet another chance for lake-effect snow, with some very isolated snow chances lingering into the Monday morning commute. And another clipper system is forecast to move in late Monday night, as the active weather pattern continues for our area. Climate and Environment news: WGN Weather Center blog Warming Centers The City of Chicago coordinates a network of more than 190 public facilities available for warming. This includes participating Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department and City Colleges of Chicago facilities during business or designated hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Family & Support Services: The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services activates warming areas at the citys six community service centers when temps are 32 degrees or below. The warming areas are open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with reduced locations on holidays. Under extreme cold conditions, as defined by the National Weather Service and communicated by OEMC, warming center hours of operation at 10 S. Kedzie may be extended. Seniors are welcome at any of DFSSs 21 senior centers. DFSS partners with OEMC to use robocalls to inform seniors of key information regarding how to stay safe during extreme weather. Visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for senior center locations and hours. Those seeking a warm place to go after hours can also call 3-1-1 to be connected with available services. Individuals requiring emergency overnight shelter should also call 3-1-1. DFSS Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) teams and street outreach partners work proactively with unhoused individuals to connect with warming options, shelter and well-being checks. Residents are also encouraged to check on relatives, neighbors and friends during a winter weather emergency. All Community Service Centers (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) Englewood Community Service Center 1140 West 79th Street. Garfield Community Service Center 10 South Kedzie Avenue. Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center 4314 South Cottage Grove. North Area Community Service Center 845 West Wilson Avenue. South Chicago Community Service Center 8650 South Commercial Avenue. Trina Davila Community Service Center 4312 West North Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior Centers (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for locations. Chicago Public Library locations, visit chipublib.org for hours and locations. Information about Cook County warming centers outside the City of Chicago area is available on the county government website at CookCountyIL.gov. 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 WGN-TV. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission has approved the modification to the Three Basin Rule that will allow the under-construction wastewater treatment plant in Mill City to operate when its completed in 2026. Marion County petitioned the state in August 2024 to change the Three Basin Rule to allow a new publicly owned wastewater treatment plant in the basin to discharge treated water into the ground if it meets requirements for water treatment. The wastewater treatment facility is being built on the south side of the North Santiam River in Mill City. It is intended to replace a facility that was built in 1994, serves only Mill City and is operating beyond its expected life span. Marion County's wastewater treatment plant is under construction on Southeast Fairview Street in Mill City. It is expected to be completed in 2026. State commission adopts changes to the Three Basin Rule The rule adopted Dec. 2 by a 4-0 vote by the commission requires the wastewater treatment to filter the water to have no measurable lowering of water quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means it cant increase the temperature of the river or change the dissolved oxygen in the water body to have adverse effects on aquatic life. It also says the Department of Environmental Quality can issue a new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit as long as it meets the states groundwater quality rules and wont lower water quality unless it is necessary to accommodate important economic or social development. DEQ staff said the modification of the rule has potential to impact about six cities, including Sandy, Stayton, Estacada and Lyons. Oregon Legislature puts $50 million into wastewater treatment plant The Oregon Legislature in 2021 allocated $50 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the wastewater system after the 2020 wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those funds have to be spent by Dec. 31, 2026, which is why Marion County started construction without a permit to operate the plant. In April 2025, the state Legislature passed Senate Bill 1189, which allowed construction to start despite not having the permits to operate. It was signed into law by Gov. Tina Kotek in May. Marion County broke ground on the treatment plant in June. A state commission changed the rules so that a wastewater treatment plant in Mill City could be allowed to operate when it is completed in 2026. Three Basin Rule regulates new wastewater permits The Three Basin Rule, which was adopted in 1976 and revised in 1995, prohibits new and increased discharges to surface waters in the Clackamas, North Santiam and McKenzie River basins. Thats because of the high number of people who receive drinking water from the rivers in those basins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That rule prevented the state from issuing the NPDES permit. These facilities would have to find a way to do so that is not functionally equivalent, which could be much more expensive or unfeasible," said Aron Borok, the water quality standards specialist for Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Permitting was further constrained by a 2021 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund. That ruling required a wastewater treatment plant to obtain a more strict permit if the treated water it discharges eventually reaches a body of water, even if it goes in the ground. That meant Marion County had to have a NPDES permit to operate the facility, not the Water Pollution Control Facility permit the city has for its current facility. Marion County is constructing a $50 million wastewater treatment plant in Mill City with the money coming through an allocation from the state legislature. Marion County on track to complete treatment plant in 2026 Marion County Public Works Director Brian Nicholas said construction of the treatment plant is about 15% complete and is on track to finish by the end of 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicholas said Marion County submitted its NPDES application to DEQ in advance of the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission decision. Theres a limited amount DEQ can do with it, he said. They have about 90% of it in their hands. Marion County has tentatively received another $26 million in affordable housing funds through Oregon Housing and Community Services to put toward extending the wastewater system into Gates. Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Three Basin Rule adjustment helps Santiam Canyon wastewater project Shelves are stacked with boxes of food on Nov. 3, 2025, at Feeding South Dakota's Rapid City distribution center. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight) Maybe there are lessons to be learned from the federal government shutdown. One of those lessons might be the way the sudden lack of federal funding shines a light on the hidden problems of society that we dont think about or dont want to think about. One of those problems is hunger. As the shutdown progressed, the deadline approached for funding to run out for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The federal SNAP program offers food assistance to 42 million low-income Americans. In South Dakota, it provides food assistance to 75,000 citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That 75,000 number may be hard to quantify. Think of it this way: The combined populations of three of South Dakotas largest communities totals about 75,000. If you live in Brookings, Aberdeen or Watertown, take a look around at your family, your neighbors, your co-workers. Now imagine them all hungry as the federal SNAP funds dry up. Its hard to believe so many people in South Dakota are dependent on the federal government for food. Another lesson that emerged from the shutdown is the way that state government reacts to a problem. In the case of the SNAP fund, it was met with a shrug, excuses and an admonishment to be generous. A cynic would say that politics played a role here. With President Donald Trump working overtime to make sure that SNAP funds were withheld from the people who need them, there was no sign that the states Republican leadership was going to make waves. Theres no telling that Trump is even aware that theres a Republican gubernatorial primary brewing for June of next year in South Dakota. Still, the safest precaution for candidates hoping for his endorsement is to follow the big mans lead for fear of incurring his wrath. Gov. Larry Rhoden wrote a column about the impending SNAP crisis, blaming Democrats for the shutdown and asking South Dakotans to make donations to local food banks. He also repeated the oft-debunked claim that Democrats were holding government funding hostage in hopes of securing medical benefits for illegal immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SNAP benefits in South Dakota total $15 million a month, Rhoden explained, bemoaning the logistics of finding a way to replace the federal funds. In an interview with South Dakota Searchlight, the governor said that any money the state invested in replacing SNAP funds wouldnt be reimbursed by the federal government. The precedent for investing in an emergency without any hope of reimbursement was set by Rhodens predecessor. The National Guard deployments that Kristi Noem ordered to the southern border were made with the full knowledge that Texas wasnt going to reimburse the state for costs that exceeded $1 million. Since the states hands were tied, Rhoden used his column to encourage South Dakotans to be generous, dig deeper and give to their local food pantries. Thats big talk from someone sitting on $413 million in reserve funds. The reserves are often referred to as money that the state has set aside for a rainy day. Yet with a veritable monsoon of hunger bearing down on 75,000 South Dakotans, the states umbrellas and slickers remained safely tucked away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The uncertainty of a federal government shutdown touches all citizens. Imagine how much better the states SNAP recipients would have felt if they knew that their government was doing something, anything, to recognize their plight. No one would expect the state to reinvent the federal SNAP infrastructure that puts funds on payment cards that recipients can use to buy food. However, it wouldnt take that much effort to pull together a loose coalition of state, local and tribal officials along with grocers and the people who run food pantries. No one would expect the state to drop $15 million a month to replace the federal funds. However, someone in the coalition may have a million-dollar idea that makes it easier for grocers to give extra food to their local food banks. With the prospect of the state investing some money, it may be easier for food banks to ease their restrictions on how often someone can go to them for food. Fortunately, the shutdown ended and federal funds flowed to SNAP accounts once again. However, as so many South Dakotans faced an uncertain future about how they were going to feed their families, it would have been comforting to know that their state government was doing something more substantial than just asking them to rely on the kindness of strangers. The New Hampshire Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of a homeless man on a charge of second-degree murder for stabbing another man and leaving him to die on a street in Hooksett in July 2022. Dillon Sleeper Dillon Sleeper Dillon Sleeper, 29, was convicted of second-degree murder for recklessly causing the death of Jason Wirtz after a two-week trial in October 2023. Sleeper was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years and maximum of life in state prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sleeper, who previously lived in Franklin, was walking with Wirtz, of Manchester, in the area of 66 Main St. at the time of the stabbing, according to the Attorney Generals Office. Wirtz, 45, was found lying partially in the road, unresponsive and bleeding from his neck. He was brought to Elliot Hospital in Manchester, where he was pronounced dead. On appeal, Sleeper argued the trial court erred when it denied in part his motion to suppress, finding that he voluntarily made post-Miranda statements to police, and admitted into evidence at trial statements he made in recorded jail calls. After Wirtz was found in the road, police initially thought they were investigating a hit-and-run crash and were searching for a vehicle with heavy front-end damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sleeper told a responding Bow police officer, We were waiting for a ride and got into a fight and I punched and kicked him. He also said the fight broke out over a little argument. About 20 minutes into an interrogation, Sleeper invoked his right to remain silent. Public defenders Jeremy Clemans and Emily Jessep said a state trooper did not review Sleepers Miranda rights in trying for a third time to get Sleeper to speak. Sleeper told police he and Wirtz had gotten into an argument about which way to walk. In a ruling issued Friday, the trial court denied Sleepers request to suppress statements he made during the 4:29 a.m. interrogation in the interview room at the police station. It determined that, despite the prior roadside Miranda violation, the state had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant made the interview room statements voluntarily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The record supports the trial courts characterization of the initial unwarned roadside questioning as non-accusatory and open-ended, Fridays ruling states. The officer was under the impression that he was investigating a vehicle collision, not a stabbing. Consequently, his inquiries were limited to discovering what had transpired, whether the defendant needed medical attention, and his identity. The officer was not aware of the status of the victim and did not press the defendant for further details when he mentioned that he had been in a fight. Sleeper also argued the trial court erred when it admitted into evidence at trial excerpts of his recorded jail calls. While incarcerated pending trial, the defendant had recorded conversations with family and other individuals in which he made statements about his conduct on the night of the victims death and the charges and evidence against him. For example, he discussed the evidence of blood on his belongings, saying that if none of the four blood spots was a hit he would be (scot free), the ruling states. The Supreme Court said it agrees with a lower court ruling that even if the trial court erred in admitting some or all of the challenged evidence, that error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. pfeely@unionleader.com Dec. 5A Sterling man has pleaded not guilty to multiple weapons charges filed in connection with an Oct. 30 shooting that damaged a residence in the city. Robert Bellows Jr., 36, is being held in the Whiteside County Jail on one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, one count of burglary, one count of reckless discharge of a firearm and one count of criminal trespass to vehicles in connection with the Oct. 30 shooting. Two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm were filed against him after a search warrant was served at his home Nov. 12. He pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday at a preliminary hearing in Whiteside County Circuit Court in Morrison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from a report of gunshots in the 500 block of East Avenue in Sterling. Sterling police were dispatched at 10:22 p.m. Oct. 30. When officers arrived, they found a residence was hit by bullets, and an investigation was initiated by Sterling detectives, according to a news release. As a result of that investigation, Sterling police, Illinois State Police Criminal Investigation Division agents, Whiteside County Sheriff's Office deputies, and the ISP SWAT Team executed a search warrant on Nov. 12 at Bellows' residence on Second Avenue in Sterling, and Bellows was taken into custody. At issue at Wednesday's preliminary hearing was whether the three guns found in the home Nov. 12 belonged to Bellows. During the hearing, Sterling police officer Tanner Wilhelm testified that three guns were found in the home's master bedroom two of them were in the dresser, and the third was found in a hospital bed in that room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bellows is a felon, has no firearm owner's identification card, his identification shows he lives at the home, and the guns were found in his bedroom, Wilhelm said under questioning by Whiteside County Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Homan. But defense attorney James Mertes had questions about whether Bellows actually possessed any of the three guns found in the home when the search was carried out. While Wilhelm said Bellows told officers during a police interview that anything illegal they found in the home was his, Mertes countered that Bellows never specifically said the guns were his. Wilhelm, under questioning by Mertes, said that of the three guns, an eTrace report indicates one is registered to an adult woman who lives in the home, while another one of the three is registered to a Rochelle man. The registration information on the third gun had not yet been determined, Wilhelm testified. Wilhem also acknowledged that the guns have not yet been tested for either fingerprint or DNA evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In trying to establish that Bellows might not own or possess any of the three guns, Mertes questioned whether anyone else had access to the house and could have brought the guns in. Wilhelm said the home had been under surveillance on and off for about a week before the day the search warrant was served. Mertes said the on-and-off surveillance doesn't rule out another person bringing a gun into the residence. Mertes asked for Bellows to be released on detention, which Whiteside County Judge Hany G. Khoury denied. Bellows will next appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 17 for a pretrial conference. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office in Salt Lake City is pictured on Dec. 5, 2025. (Annie Knox/Utah News Dispatch) A 28-year-old Utah father applying for a green card arrived at a federal office in Salt Lake City on Tuesday planning to answer questions about his marriage and finances. Instead, he was arrested by immigration agents and brought to a detention center in Las Vegas, his lawyer said. Attorney Adam Crayk said Friday his client is among the first in Utah to be detained during an appointment with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which handles applications for green cards, citizenship and work authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, he said, theyve never been the enforcement arm. Similar arrests at the agencys offices have been documented for months in other states like California and Florida. But Crayk said they didnt start in Utah until roughly two weeks ago, with three of his clients detained there since. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The apparent escalation in enforcement follows a change in leadership at Salt Lake Citys U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office, with a U.S. Border Patrol official now assigned to oversee its operations, Crayk said. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not answer a request for comment sent via email Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crayk and fellow immigration attorney Nicholle Pitt White agree that those with upcoming appointments at the office face an incredibly difficult reality. Pitt White worries that ICE operations ramping up at the field office in Salt Lake City will create even more fear and drive immigrants further into the shadows rather than incentivize them to pursue legal status. Theres no safe way to do anything anymore, she said As people try to follow the law and secure a legal status, Pitt White said many now feel really stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you dont show up, then they can send you to immigration court and ICE can arrest you anyway, Crayk added. For those who go to their check-ins, he said, if theres some sort of thing theyve determined youre arrestable on, theyre going to arrest you. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, homeland security agents noted the young father overstayed a visa after being brought to the United States as a child. They also said they considered a mark on his juvenile record to be a criminal conviction, though the case has since been expunged, the attorney said. And while his legal team expects he will eventually get a green card, theyre working to get him out of detention first. Before the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration, authorities did not cite juvenile matters as a basis for detaining someone, Crayk said. They have not recognized expungements in the adult system since the 1990s. Another of his clients completed the first step in a process waiving an earlier deportation order and allowing her to stay in the United States while she applies for a green card, according to copies of documents from her case with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she went to the office Nov.19 to get her fingerprints taken as part of the process, the 54-year-old woman was detained and later brought to Mexico, where shes originally from, Crayk said. She had lived in the United States for 28 years, Crayk said. She has traffic tickets but no criminal history, he added. A third client detained at the office has a prior criminal conviction, he said. Pitt White is a liaison for the Utah Immigration Advocacy Coalition, which issued a community alert Thursday warning of the situation. She told Utah News Dispatch she worries that this tactic is meant to create fear, create panic and encourage undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to just leave, so that they dont have to do any work to get them to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From California, Pitt White said shes heard of instances of mothers having their babies ripped out of their arms and being arrested by (ICE) at these interviews. She added shes thankful she hasnt seen that happening in Utah, but shes worried it could. Pitt White said so far none of her own clients have been impacted, but shes nervous for at least one client who had an interview at the field office scheduled for Friday. For immigrants who have an upcoming appointment with USCIS in Salt Lake City who arent already represented by an attorney, Pitt White encouraged them to have a consultation with an attorney before going. Im not saying they need to hire an attorney to go with them or anything like that, but I think that an attorney is going to be the best person to give them that risk assessment, so they can have that information and be prepared, she said. She also noted there are nonprofits like the Wasatch Immigration Project based in Park City that does pro-bono work. This Sunday, four Greenville homes will greet visitors and share their Christmas decor and traditions as part of Altrusas annual Tour of Homes. For more than 25 years, the Greenville chapter of the womens community service organization has held a tour of homes during the Christmas season as a fundraiser for a chosen local nonprofit. Altrusa Greenvilles chosen recipient this year is CASA for Hunt County. Volunteers with CASA for Hunt County work with children who have been removed from abusive living situations by the courts and advocate for those children while theyre in foster care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As in years past, Altrusas members hope to raise $10,000 through this years Tour of Homes. If they manage to raise more than that, CASA will receive the $10,000 and Altrusa will put any remaining funds toward its other community projects. In addition to CASA, other organizations that have benefited from the fundraiser in recent years include Friends of W. Walworth Harrison Library, Senior Center Resources and Public Transit (SCRPT), Hunt County Kids, Hunt County Shared Ministries (FISH)/Meals for At Risk Kids, Hope Center of Greenville, Northeast Texas Childrens Museum in Commerce and Hunt County Special Olympics. In addition to being this years beneficiary of Altrusas Tour of Homes, CASA for Hunt Countys new building will be featured on the tour, alongside the four family homes. Tickets purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/y3sjbesx in advance are $15 each and the price for a single ticket at the door is $20. Regardless of whether people buy their tickets online or at the door, the tickets will be available for pickup this Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at New Beginnings Church at 6407 Sayle St. in Greenville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours for the tour will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with a reception at New Beginnings Church. Addresses for the homes included in the tour will be given to tour-goers at the reception. Below, are Altrusas descriptions of each stop on this years tour: McShane Home The McShanes three-bedroom, three-bath home is more than just a place to live, its where memories are made year-round. The McShanes love transforming each room with festive decor for every holiday, filling their space with warmth and cheer. Whether its a summer pool party, a cozy holiday gathering or a lively cookout with friends, the home is always ready to welcome loved ones and celebrate lifes moments together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodgers Home Enjoy the down home feel of this 2006 home. Its newly remodeled kitchen and thoughtful decor is an inviting escape from the busy life outside. The family enjoys music, watching movies together and laughter around the kitchen table. Come on in and feel the warmth of the family and know that you are always welcome. CASA for Hunt County After a year of renovations, CASA for Hunt County has moved into its new 3,600-square-foot office at 2701 Washington St. in Greenville. The space provides a permanent home for CASA volunteer advocates, who work to secure safe, stable homes for local children in foster care. A special visitation area soon to become the Happy Place (with help from Altrusa of Greenville) will offer a warm, child-friendly environment for visits and bonding. The larger facility also supports CASAs ongoing efforts to recruit, train and support volunteers serving Hunt Countys most vulnerable children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fulenwider Home Built in 1980 and purchased in 1981, this lovely home has been part of the New Beginnings Church family for more than four decades. It has served faithfully as the parsonage for New Beginnings throughout that time. Inside, youll find warmth, history and a personal touch that reflects years of love and care. The current resident has a special affection for snowmen. Be sure to check out all the beautifully decorated trees, each one unique and full of charm. Bolinger Home This beautiful home is small, but it has everything needed. It feels like a bigger home because of its perfect arrangement. Its definitely filled with charm and personality especially during the Christmas season. Be sure to look for the Grinch room and other Christmas surprises. As the chaos and passenger frustration across Indian airports touched boiling point on Black Friday with nearly 600 flights cancelled, multiple pilots and cabin crew that Mumbai Mirror spoke to confirmed that they were available to fly but were not assigned duty by airlines. With this, they debunked the narrative of pilots not being available and claimed that the crisis was deliberately precipitated by airline authorities to arm-twist the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into relaxing the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) that have come into effect. These regulations have turned into a bone of contention between Indigo and DGCA. The airline staffers most of whom are from IndiGo and a few from Air India (they refused to be named) gave a disturbing picture of the backend of airline operations that were a combination of roster manipulation, vanished communication, unpaid allowances, pilot fatigue, violations of safety norms. It all added up to an industry dominated by a near-duopoly IndiGo and Air India resulting in the workforce getting allegedly squeezed, while the outside world was given a false picture of a pilot shortage. Your cancelled and delayed flight is NOT our fault, a senior IndiGo captain said. People and media are blaming us. We are sitting ready, available, legal to fly and still flights are cancelled. We are not being assigned. The public has no idea what is happening. Another senior pilot echoed him, saying, False narratives are being created saying pilots are on strike. There is no strike. We are available and are not refusing duty. We are waiting for instructions that never come. Here are some of the experiences from the past four days that frustrated pilots shared with Mirror: A DubaiMumbai flight that never took off An IndiGo captain flying international routes narrated a shocking experience on a round trip flight from Mumbai to Dubai. After the mandated rest, we had a return flight to Mumbai. But the airline didnt provide us a cab in Dubai. We lost almost two hours. Then they told us to take our own cab another 1.5 hours gone. Over six hours were lost and then we were told the flight got cancelled. Three flights were open. I volunteered. They cancelled all three A Delhi-based first officer from IndiGo on standby shared his frustration, I checked our internal roster and saw three flights open: DelhiHyderabad, DelhiAhmedabad, and DelhiMumbai. I messaged on our internal 6E Sky app saying I was available and reply came Immediately: Standby. I told them these flights have no pilots assigned. Again the same reply: Standby. Moments later all three flights were cancelled. They even deleted the chats from the 6E app. And outside, the company is telling people flights were cancelled because pilots didnt show up. Why give blank days during a national crisis? A senior female pilot narrates something she calls beyond bizarre. I have a blank day tomorrow. And its been maintained. How can a company that claims to have a pilot shortage maintain blank days? This proves something else is happening. This is not a shortage. Another pilot said, With the so-called scarcity, Im still sitting on standby today. Does that make sense? Cabin crew stranded without hotels, money or instructions An IndiGo cabin crew member returning from a Pune-Raipur flight spoke about the horror they faced on landing. We had no information, no hotel booking, no PNR, and no response from anyone. We were left to figure out for ourselves how to return to our base. Another crew member said, It almost seems like HR is on strike! Nobody responds to emails for hotels or deadhead bookings (pilots flying as passengers for future assignment at another airport). But the media blames pilots. One hour inside cockpit, no crew assigned I sat in the cockpit for an hour waiting for crew that was never assigned, says an IndiGo first officer, descibing the experience as surreal. We are here. But dispatch is telling passengers we called sick. It is a lie. A ground staffer openly told him, We are telling passengers pilots are on strike what else can we do? Passengers Fighting Inside Flights A captain from IndiGo narrates, When the cancellation for my flight was announced, the passengers refused to get off. A fight started and they blamed us. We are scared now hotel me bach jayenge, airport me bach jayenge, flight pe to pakde hi jayenge. No hotels, no logistics, no communication A senior first officer spoke out strongly against the way airline staffers were being treated. I landed at 02:15 hours in Chennai. Even after an earlier intimation by mail, no hotel had been booked. Tce crew had to wait for over four hours. I asked OCC (Operations Control Centre, which is the central coordinating hub of an airline) to let me operate the Chennai-Delhi flight, since the captain was stuck in Pune. We had full crew and aircraft ready. I was legal till 07:30 hours. They said no and no reason was provided. Disruptions an arm-twisting ploy? Multiple pilots claimed that the present crisis was a deliberate move to create pressure on DGCA to roll back the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) that were implemented in November. FDTL regulations control the on- and off-duty hours for flight crew and are crucial to ensure pilots and other staff are not fatigued. They want to show regulators and media that the new FDTL regulations are impossible. They are okay with cancelling flights and suffering losses because the bigger gain is weakening FDTL, said an Indigo pilot. Another pilot echoes this: There is no shortage or crisis. This is engineered. According to the pilot, operations continued smoothly for a full month after new duty rules for flight crew came into effect on 1 November. He pointed out that things suddenly changed after a meeting between the airline and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on December 1. When the new rules were implemented on 1 November, operations were stable for an entire month. Why did the chaos start now? Because on December 1, DGCA told IndiGo during a meeting that there would be no exemptions and relaxations allowed anymore, the pilot stated. IndiGo was allegedly opposed to the new rules and once DGCA tightened the screws, the airline responded by creating operational chaos to put pressure on the regulator, the pilot alleged. During the meeting, IndiGo believed DGCA would negotiate, but that didnt happen. IndiGo planned the chaos deliberately to pressure the DGCA, something they do regularly, he claimed, adding that the airline shifted blame on to pilots by portraying the disruptions as staffing shortages. In reality, many pilots were sitting at home. Several pilots reportedly contacted their departure control teams to ask why they had not received rosters for upcoming flights. According to the pilot, they were told that the departure teams themselves had received no scheduling instructions from IndiGo headquarters. Pilots reached departure only to be told that no schedules had been shared. Many returned home. The airline simply withheld schedules to create pressure on the DGCA, he alleged. He noted that the strategy appeared to work, as IndiGo has now received a two-month extension for implementing the new rules it had opposed. He further warned that with the newly granted extension, the airline could devise fresh tactics and eventually revert to previous practices. BOX: Concerns Over Pilot Fatigue Warning about working conditions, one pilot described flight crew as being overworked and fatigued. Pilots are treated like work dogs, made to fly consecutive nights with foggy brains and sleepless nights, he said. Working under tremendous pressure, many prefer to opt for foreign airline jobs. They point out huge discrepancies in pay while an Indian captain with around 20 years experience gets Rs 5 lakh in hand, Gulf and other Asian carriers are happy to pay Rs 1214 lakh for the same person. A cabin crew member spells it out, Emirates is doing open interviews in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru. Their packages are Rs 1.52 lakh. Here we get Rs 5060,000. Why will we not go? BOX 2: December 5: Meltdown in Indias skies Flight Cancellations in a single day: Delhi 225 Hyderabad 92 Bengaluru 102 Mumbai 104 Chennai 31 Pune 22 Srinagar 10 Total cancellations: Nearly 600 flights The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to take up a case on President Donald Trumps executive order restricting birthright citizenship. The justices will hear Trumps appeal of a lower-court ruling that stopped him from implementing the order, which said children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens. The case, which was partially presented before the justices earlier this year, will be argued sometime in the spring and a decision in the case will be issued before the end of the courts term in June 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump signed the order on his second day back in office in January. The executive order sought to reinterpret the constitutional language that gives citizenship to nearly every child that is born in the U.S., regardless of their parents legal status. The order sparked concern among immigration advocates and constitutional organizations, particularly over what it could mean for expecting parents and those who had already been granted citizenship under the long-standing right. Several lawsuits challenged the constitutionality of the presidents order and the Trump administration brought the case to the Supreme Court earlier this year through the emergency docket process. The multiple lawsuits, filed by expectant mothers, immigrant rights groups and several states, were consolidated for Supreme Court review. After Trumps order, lower courts issued nationwide injunctions, which prevented the administration from implementing the order. The federal judges said Trump would have a hard time proving that his order was constitutional. The administration then took the matter to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to limit lower-court judges ability to implement nationwide injunctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision in June, ruled that the federal judges in the case exceeded their power by issuing the injunctions and pausing Trumps order. The majority opinion was delivered by Justice Amy Coney Barrett and was celebrated by the president and his allies, including Attorney General Pam Bondi. When a court concludes that the Executive Branch has acted unlawfully, the answer is not for the court to exceed its power, too, Barrett wrote. Shortly after the Supreme Court decision, a federal judge again banned Trump from enforcing the order through a class action lawsuit. The Department of Justice appealed the class action suit which has landed the case before the justices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling was seen as a win for the president, but sparked concerns about what other issues outside of birthright citizenship a president could issue orders on. Bondi was asked about what the future of Trumps executive order would look like, and she expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would take up the case in the next term. Fridays decision confirms Bondi was correct. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented from the June 2025 ruling. She argued that the Trump administration brought a case about injunctions because they know they will have a more difficult path proving the constitutionality of the birthright citizenship executive order. Experts have pointed to Sotomayors argument that the administration may have an uphill battle to prove its case to the justices. Still, the makeup of the court has shifted more to the ideological right in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the justices side with Trump in the matter, it would upend more than 125 years of interpretation of the Constitutions 14th Amendment, that citizenship is guaranteed for almost anyone born in the United States. Recent polling from the Brigham Young Universitys Wheatley Institute, BYUs Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy and Deseret News found that even as Trump pushes forward with ending birthright citizenship, many Americans support the long-standing rule. The American Family Survey found more than two-thirds of people (70%) say they recognize birthright citizenship as a constitutional right and just 15% say they dont believe the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship. The Supreme Courts endorsement of how Texas Republicans redrew the states congressional map is offering hope to California Democrats as they prepare to defend their map in court this month and emboldening other states to move ahead. The high court allowed Texas to use a congressional map giving Republicans a better chance at five additional US House seats, staying a district courts ruling that the new boundaries were likely unconstitutional because they were drawn based on race. Texas Republicans argued that partisan gain, not race, drove their decisions. In a short order issued Thursday, the Supreme Courts majority wrote that the lower court failed to honor the presumption of legislative good faith in blocking the map. And in a concurrence, conservative Justice Samuel Alito explicitly linked Texas redistricting to what California Democrats did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was indisputable, Alito wrote, that the impetus for the adoption of the Texas map (like the map subsequently adopted in California) was partisan advantage pure and simple. He wrote for himself and two other conservatives, Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch. The courts statements could give Democratic- and Republican-led states the green light to try to create as many seats friendly to their side as possible ahead of next years midterms. It also undercuts the US Department of Justices push to throw out Californias map producing up to five new Democratic-friendly seats, legal experts said. Its going to be an uphill battle for the Department of Justice in California after this decision, said Derek Muller, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame, who specializes in election law. The court went out of its way to mention California a case thats not before them to put it in symmetry with Texas. California Gov. Gavin Newsoms office and Justice Department officials tussled on social media after the Supreme Courts action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Pam Bondi celebrated the high courts decision, writing on X that it demonstrated that federal courts have no right to interfere with a States decision to redraw legislative maps for partisan reasons. Newsoms press office responded: So you gonna drop your lawsuit against us right, Pam? Not a chance, Gavin we will stop your DEI districts for 2026, retorted the DOJs official account. A district court hearing in the California case is set for December 15. Despite the online bravado, the Justice Departments case in California has a bunch of new roadblocks in its way after the Supreme Courts action, said Justin Levitt, a Loyola Law School professor who has worked on election issues in Democratic administrations. You cant actually win a case through marketing. The courts arent doing TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The debate over the Texas and California maps is part of an ever-widening battle between the political parties to gain an upper hand ahead of next years midterm elections. Republicans hold a paper-thin majority in the US House, and the presidents party typically loses ground in the midterm elections. To help protect the GOPs majority, Texas redrew its maps at Trumps behest in an effort to gain five more seats that are favorable to Republicans. California responded with its map redraw, which voters endorsed by a wide margin last month. Other states also have enacted new maps with new Republican-friendly districts now in place in North Carolina, Ohio and Missouri. (Opponents of the Missouri redraw are slated to deliver petitions to state officials next week, aimed at blocking the map and putting it to voters to decide. But months of political and legal wrangling are still expected.) The Republican-controlled Indiana House on Friday approved a map pushed by Trump that would give the party an advantage in all nine of its congressional districts, although its fate is uncertain in the state Senate. Democrats currently control two US House seats from Indiana, and Republicans hold seven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Democratic leaders continue to press for new maps in deep-blue Illinois and Maryland. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries argued this week that Democratic incumbents such as Rep. Henry Cuellar, recently pardoned by Trump, still could win reelection in Texas districts that have been redrawn to favor Republicans. The biggest gains for Democrats could come in Virginia, where the party next year will control the governors office and both legislative chambers. Democrats currently hold six of 11 US House seats. Virginia House Speaker Don Scott recently argued that a map giving Democrats an edge in 10 of 11 districts is not out of the realm. Virginia Senate Pro Tem Louise Lucas responded to Thursdays ruling clearing Texas map with two posts on her X account. I got something waiting for Texas, she wrote, followed by: I will give a follow back to every person who I see tweet 10-1 tonight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, said the Supreme Courts decision upholding the Texas map demonstrates that her party cant rely on the court to stop redistricting efforts targeting Democrats. Its clear that no one else is coming to save us, Jenkins said. No cavalry is coming. If we are going to fight for our democracy, we have to do it ourselves. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Monday in Trump v. Slaughter, and the question at hand is whether or not legal safeguards for members of the Federal Trade Commission violate the separation of powers. The FTC is an independent federal agency established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act. Its mission is to protect American consumers from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education. The agency is headed by five commissioners, nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, who then serve seven-year terms, and no more than three can be from the same political party. To separate the FTCs goals from executive political pressure, the Act limited the presidents ability to remove a commissioner to inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Background of Slaughter v. Trump On March 18, 2025, President Donald Trump fired FTC Commissioner Melissa Slaughter under none of those circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Slaughters termination email, a statement from Trump read, Your continued service on the FTC is inconsistent with my Administrations priorities. Accordingly, I am removing you from office pursuant to my authority under Article II of the Constitution. Slaughter then sued the President and the remaining sitting FTC commissioners for firing her without statutory cause. The lower courts sided with Slaughter. U.S. District Judge Loren Alikhan deemed Slaughters termination unlawful and ordered the Trump administration to reinstate her. The Trump administration then appealed Alikhans order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, but the 3-judge panel voted 2-1 against the administration. To grant a stay would be to defy the Supreme Courts decisions that bind our judgments. That we will not do, the order stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lower courts contended that their decision was constrained by the 1935 Supreme Court ruling in Humphreys Executor v. United States, which addressed this issue. In the 1935 ruling, the justices ruled that the Constitution doesnt give the president the same removal power over every federal officer. Some roles must be fully under presidential control; others can be protected from political firing in this case, FTC commissioners. But in a dissenting opinion, Circuit Judge Neomi Rao said she would have granted the administrations request for a stay. Even assuming that Slaughters removal was unlawful, the district court nonetheless lacked the power to issue the injunction, Rao argued. The injunction interferes with the Presidents exclusive powers. The district court nominally ordered the remaining FTC Commissioners and their subordinates and agents not to remove Slaughter, but these officials have no power to remove her. By statute, only the President may remove an FTC commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the D.C. Circuits denial of a pause, the Trump administration took the matter to the Supreme Court, requesting that Alikhans order be put on hold while the governments appeal continues. The lower courts have once again ordered the reinstatement of a high-level officer wielding substantial executive authority whom the President has determined should not exercise any executive power, let alone significant rulemaking and enforcement powers, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued to the justices. He also argued that the FTC is a different agency than it was 90 years ago, when the Supreme Court ruled in Humphreys Executor, having now amassed considerable executive power ... Humphreys Executor aside, district courts cannot compel reinstatement of agency heads and allow them to purport to exercise executive power when the President has determined they should exercise none. An administrative stay was granted on September 8 by Chief Justice John Roberts. The Supreme Court then granted the stay and granted certiorari on September 22, 2025. How is SCOTUS expected to rule? During a Friday panel discussion hosted by the Federalist Society on Slaughter v. Trump, Georgetown University law professor Stephanie Barclay said the courts emergency 6-3 stay overturning the lower courts rulings gives a really strong indication that we know how the story ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just going to be most interesting to see on what basis the court is going to rule and what sort of guidance they give (going) forward with respect to other agencies, she added. Both Barclay and fellow panelist Joel Alicea, a law professor at Catholic University of America, noted that Trumps actions are not unique to his administration. Barclay argued the Biden administration removed officials who are traditionally viewed as independent agencies, which the Trump administration is pointing out in their case to show this isnt a partisan issue, she said. The executive needs to be able to remove people that are exercising executive power, Barclay continued. If those people arent doing it consistent with the preferences of the voting American people, they have to be accountable to someone, and if not the president, then who? And Biden recognized that, and Trump recognizes that now, and other presidents in the past have recognized that, and this is just sort of a bipartisan need to make sure that we can faithfully execute the laws. Alicea added that though some might view this case as an aggressive use of executive power by Trump, he would argue thats not the case. In fact, the majority of presidents would side with Trump, he said, and though Humphreys Executor is a widely respected decision, neither agreeing or disagreeing with it is a radical decision. If the Supreme Court vindicates the Presidents view here, all it will be doing is restoring the state of constitutional law to what it was before Humphreys executor and had been since the founding, Alicea said. So I dont think that this case should be viewed as a kind of exercise of aggressive or groundbreaking or novel executive power by this President, and I dont think that the court vindicating that should be viewed as something radical, either. It really is just a restoration of what had been the constitutional default rule for a very long time." Doha, Qatar Syrias President Ahmed al-Sharaa has accused Israel of stoking regional tensions to divert attention from the horrifying massacres it has committed in Gaza. Speaking to CNNs Christiane Amanpour on Saturday during the Newsmaker Interview at the Doha Forum, al-Sharaa said Israeli leaders often exports crises to other countries as they increasingly invoke security pretexts to expand military action. They justify everything, using their security concerns, and they take October 7 and extrapolate it to everything that is happening around them, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has become a country that is in a fight against ghosts. Since the Bashar al-Assad regime fell in December 2024, Israel has carried out frequent air strikes across Syria, killing hundreds of people, while also conducting ground operations in the south. Last month, Israeli forces killed at least 13 people in the Damascus countryside town of Beit Jinn. In addition, it has advanced deeper into Syrian territory and established numerous checkpoints, while illegally detaining Syrian citizens and holding them inside Israel. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, right, speaks during the opening day of the Doha Forum [AFP] Al-Sharaa said his administration had worked to de-escalate tensions with Israel since he assumed office, emphasising that we sent positive messages regarding regional peace and stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve said very frankly that Syria will be a country of stability, and we are not concerned with being a country that exports conflict, including to Israel, he said. However, in return, Israel has met us with extreme violence, and Syria has suffered massive violations of our airspace. Syria attacked by Israel, not the opposite Al-Sharaa said Israel must withdraw to where they were before the fall of al-Assad, and preserve the 1974 Disengagement Accord. The accord established a ceasefire following the October 1973 war, creating a United Nations-monitored buffer zone on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. This agreement has held on for over 50 years, al-Sharaa said, cautioning that efforts to replace it with new arrangements, such as a buffer or demilitarised zone, could push the region into a serious and dangerous place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who will protect that zone? Israel often says that they are afraid of coming under attack from southern Syria, so who will be protecting this buffer zone or this demilitarised zone, if the Syrian army or the Syrian forces are going to be there? he asked. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a deal with Syria was within reach, but that he expected Syrian government forces to create a demilitarised buffer zone extending from the capital, Damascus, to Jabal al-Sheikh in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights. It is Syria that is being attacked by Israel and not the opposite, he said. Therefore, who has more right to claim a buffer zone and a pullout? Unity in Syria On the question of unity, al-Sharaa said there was progress and ongoing challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe Syria is living through its best days. We are talking about a country thats aware, thats conscious, he said, while stressing that no country can achieve total unanimity. This doesnt occur even in advanced countries that are living through relative stability. According to al-Sharaa, people in Syria simply did not know each other well due to issues inherited from the al-Assad regime. We actually resorted to pardoning a large number of people and a large number of factions so that we can build a sustainable, safe and secure future for the Syrian people, he added. Moreover, he rejected the notion the uprising against al-Assad was a Sunni revolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the components of Syrian society were part of the revolution, he said. Even the Alawites had to pay the price of them being used by the former regime. So I do not agree with the definition or with saying that all the Alawites were supporting the regime. Some of them were living in fear. Syria witnessed an outbreak of sectarian violence earlier this year, including in the coastal areas in March, where hundreds of people from the Alawite religious minority were killed, with members of the new governments security forces among the perpetrators. Fighting also broke out between government forces and their allies with Bedouin tribes in Suwayda in July, in which more than 1,400 people, mainly civilians, were killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that there are some crimes that were perpetrated this is a negative thing, he said. I insist that we do not accept what happened. But I say that Syria is a state of law, and the law rules in Syria, and the law is the only way to preserve everybodys rights. Many rights groups are concerned that women will be particularly at risk under the new government led by the former al-Qaeda operative, as al-Sharaas Hayat al-Tahrir group severely restricted womens freedoms, including public participation and dress code, during their rule over Idlib in northwest Syria. On what the role of women looks like in Syria today, al-Sharaa said they were empowered under his rule. Their rights are protected and guaranteed, and we constantly strive to ensure that women are fully participating in our government and our parliament as well, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe you should not fear for Syrian women, fear for Syrian men, Sharaa joked. Elections to be held within five years Al-Sharaa stressed that Syrias path forward lies in strengthening institutions rather than consolidating individual power, and that he was committed to conducting elections after the ongoing transition period ends. Syria is not a tribe. Syria is a country, a country with rich ideas I do not believe we are ready right now to undertake parliamentary elections, he said. Nevertheless, al-Sharaa said parliamentary elections will take place within five years of when the temporary Constitutional Declaration was signed back in March, giving him the mandate to lead Syria through a five-year transition period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The principle of people choosing their leaders is a basic principle it is even part of our religion in Islam, he stressed. Rulers have to gain the satisfaction of the majority of people in order to rule properly, so this is what we believe in, and I think that this is the suitable path for Syria. DOHA, Qatar (AP) Syrias interim president on Saturday accused Israel of fighting ghosts and searching for enemies following the war in Gaza. President Ahmad al-Sharaa told an international conference that since he took power a year ago, he has been sending positive messages regarding regional peace and stability. He said Israel has rejected his overtures, extrapolating its conflict with Hamas militants and justifying what he called aggression in the name of security. He promised Syria would not behave in that way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are not concerned in being a country that exports conflict, including to Israel, he told the Doha Forum. Al-Sharaa, who was once detained by the U.S. for joining al-Qaida in Iraq, called on Israel to withdraw its forces from his country and to recommit to a 1974 truce agreement. He called on the international community to put pressure on Israel and expressed hope a formula could be reached to meet reasonable security demands. There are currently negotiations, and the United States is participating and engaged in those negotiations, he said. Since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israel has held a slice of southern Syria that was previously a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone under a 1974 disengagement agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel says it seized the 400-square-kilometer (155-square-mile) demilitarized buffer zone in southern Syria in a pre-emptive move to prevent militants from moving into the area after Islamist insurgents toppled Assad. Israeli troops have regularly carried out operations in villages and towns inside and outside the zone, including raids snatching people it says are suspected militants. At least 13 people were killed in an Israeli operation against suspected militants last month. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said he was satisfied with al-Sharaa's performance, and urged Israel not to interfere in Syria's affairs. 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 wrote on his Truth Social platform. Israel has also launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military sites and pushed for a demilitarized zone south of Damascus. TAIPEI, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Taiwan's opposition leader decried as censorship on Friday a government plan to suspend access for a year to Chinese social media platform Rednote, while the island's presidential office backed the plan. Taiwan's interior ministry cited security risks and accusations that the Instagram-like app, known as Xiaohongshu in Chinese, had figured in more than 1,700 fraud cases since 2024 when it unveiled the plan the previous day. The company, which has about 3 million users in Taiwan, has not yet responded to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Many people online are already asking 'how to climb over the firewall to access Xiaohongshu,'" Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, wrote on her Facebook page. Employing an expression from China about use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to skirt the country's pervasive online censorship, Cheng, whose party favours close ties with Beijing, said banning the app was a major restriction of internet freedom. This "only makes us lament that Taiwan's long-prized internet freedom and freedom of speech have already been restricted and strangled by the Democratic Progressive Party in the name of national security," Cheng added, referring to Taiwan's ruling party. Rednote saw a surge of U.S. users in January as expectations grew that the similarly-Chinese owned TikTok could be banned, a risk averted by a subsequent divestiture plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TAIWAN HAS WARNED AGAINST CHINESE APPS While China bans popular Western social media platforms like Facebook, X, YouTube and Google, democratically-governed Taiwan typically has no such curbs and prides itself on its openness. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has repeatedly warned people of the dangers of using Chinese apps, mostly due to the risk of disinformation coming from Beijing. The interior ministry said it did not get a response from Rednote when the government contacted it asking for concrete measures to ensure data safety. Karen Kuo, spokesperson for Taiwan's presidential office, said the island's interior ministry had offered a prompt explanation about the fraud and security risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We respect the ministry's decision and express our support," she told reporters. Taiwan has also complained that China has targeted Taiwanese to spread disinformation and undermine public trust by using Western social media it has banned domestically. In October, China's Taiwan Affairs Office launched a Facebook page using the traditional Chinese characters used in Taiwan but not in China. It was quickly spammed by Taiwan internet users who posted Taiwan flags and poked fun at China's official censorship. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying that only the island's people can decide their future. Neither government officially recognises the other. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) When police questioned her on suspicion of drunken driving in June 2022, Madison Williams gave a number of reasons why she shouldnt be arrested: her race, wealth and connections. Lets end this right now, Williams tells Officer Singh of the Bakersfield Police Department, according to a transcript . How? Singh asks. Number one, Im white, so lets stop, Williams says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch 17 News, After Sunrise and more local news free on your smart TV. Click to learn more about KGET+ That has nothing to do with it, Singh responds. During their interaction, recorded by body-worn camera, Williams offers Singh $15,000, tells him shes really good friends with all the judges and threatens to sue. Singh didnt budge. A breath test measured Williams blood-alcohol content at 0.19% more than twice the legal limit. She refuses further tests, and Singh tells her hell get a warrant to draw her blood. Then hes booking her. Now youre just trying to have power, thats ridiculous, Williams says. Thats all right. Thank God Im white. Thats hilarious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams, 29, was booked into jail and charged with two counts of misdemeanor DUI. Three months later, shed find herself in considerably more trouble. On Sept. 14, 2022, her Mercedes-Benz C300 ran a stop sign and crashed into a home at Old River Road and Taft Highway, catching fire. The occupants of the home were injured but managed to escape. Madison Williams sentencing postponed, judge says shes eligible for probation Williams was again arrested for driving under the influence, and a jury in October convicted her on felony DUI charges. She faces anywhere from probation to 16 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled Dec. 12. I own like half of Bakersfield Prosecutor William Mord attached the transcript from Williams June, 17, 2022, arrest to a document provided to the court ahead of her sentencing for the September crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He argues Williams learned nothing from her first arrest, and deserves the maximum sentence. The 47-page transcript starts when Officer Singh first contacts Williams and lasts until he reads her the Watson advisal, which warns motorists arrested on suspicion of drunken driving that they could face charges up to murder if they drive drunk and someone dies as a result. The encounter starts politely enough, with Singh telling Williams hes conducting an investigation and her answering standard questions about her health, medications and any issues with her car. She says she last had a drink a Moscow Mule around 1 p.m. at Luigis Restaurant and Delicatessen. That was about five hours earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Singh has her perform field sobriety tests. Williams complains This is exhausting she says of one test and after a few tests refuses to perform more. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 17 News Alerts The officer then gives her a preliminary breath test. When it shows shes over the limit, Williams refuses to either provide an evidentiary breath sample or have her blood drawn for testing as required by state law. Singh tells her hell get a warrant to obtain a blood sample. How do I get outta this? Williams asks. Un- unfortunately, maam you cannot, Singh says. She continues to argue, saying he cant legally get a warrant for her blood if she doesnt agree. Plus, she says, there will be no alcohol in her system by the time shes tested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like I said, maam, if you do not authorize, Ill get a warrant, Singh tells her. Then get a f warrant, babe, she responds. I will, maam, Singh says. There you go, she says. By the time you get a warrant, therell be nothing. Okay. There already is nothing. When told she might be in custody between eight to 10 hours, Williams tries to make a deal. She offers Singh $15,000. He declines, telling her shell need that money to handle the DUI. Madison Williams guilty of DUI in crash that injured family inside home Williams continues to try to wriggle out of an arrest, asking Singh to give her a ride to her mothers house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you want me to lose my job? Singh asks. I will f pay for your job, Williams says. I make way more than that. Williams owns multiple businesses in town. She brags about her wealth when Singh asks about her work. I own like half of Bakersfield, she says. Her remark about being white, so lets stop it, follows soon after, and she becomes increasingly argumentative. She threatens to sue, and drops the names of a couple attorneys. No judge will approve a warrant to draw her blood at night, she says. And if they do, I will f sue their asses and you, and you will f owe a lot of money, she tells Singh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continues, I donate thousands of dollars. You are so much better than that. Why, why would you wanna do that? Do you just dont give a s? F this. Whatever, youre a f Boomer. My best friends are lawyers After insulting the officer, Williams asks him to call her mother. She offers to give him a bracelet worth $600. Then she goes back to saying shell be below the legal limit by the time Singh gets a warrant. Honey, by the time you get a warrant, like, through t- theres no way that my BAC is going to be over 0.08%. So, can you stop? Theres absolutely no way. Its not gonna happen. My best friends are lawyers. So, can you undo this and can we stop? I will give you someone to actually arrest if that makes a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage She adds, Theres no way a judge is gonna (sic) to approve it right now, theres just no way . . . especially because Im really good friends with all of the judges. A warrant to draw her blood was authorized after Singh took her to Kern Medical. Williams again references her race Thank God Im white when Singh refuses to tell her which judge authorized the warrant. He says it will be included in the paperwork shell receive after shes released. She continues to insult him, saying hes acting like an idiot and being stupid. You are honestly the dumbest person Ive ever met in my life, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For all the criticisms and insults Williams threw at Singh, she made a comment that may provide insight into her own behavior. She says, I, I literally am the most spoiled brat that youve ever met in your life. 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 KGET 17 News. Perhaps more than any other town in the county, San Miguel has gone through wide-ranging cycles. Drought, agricultural downturns and fires took a toll on San Miguel, a California mission town dating back to 1797, while other county towns grew at a faster rate. Being at the fringe of county economic centers limited growth. Boom time came when the first Southern Pacific rails first came to the county in 1886. Southern Pacific caboose in San Miguel on Sept. 19, 1980. The railroad brought their first rails to the county arriving in San Miguel in 1886. The most recent boom would come when Camp Roberts became a major U.S. Army training facility during both World War II and the Korean War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1945, 45,000 troops were quartered at the camp. Almost 10 times that number came through the camp during the course of World War II. Longtime resident and Tribune reporter Phil Dirkx was stationed at the camp from 1952-53. He said of San Miguel in a story Jan. 1, 2006, It was very lively. There were people on the street and it was lit up at night. In a bit of horseplay outside San Miguel's Elkhorn bar, Dave Cantrell holds Maxine Conner, while Joe Ledbetter, left to right, Fred Vaca, bartender Pat French, bar owner Jack Stringham and Jim Sunigan look on in San Miguel on Sept. 24, 1980. For parts of San Miguel, that was the high watermark. When the Korean War fighting ended, the camp drastically scaled back and eventually came under the administration of California National Guard. When I started as a photographer at the then Telegram-Tribune in the early 1980s a visitor could see a town caught in a bubble from the 1950s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shady Rest Motel cottages advertised that all rooms had a radio. The Shady Rest Motel featured cottages with radios. Scenes from San Miguel, CA on Sept. 19, 1980. The closed Sims hotel carried a sign advertising $3-a-night rooms. It was clear that money for fancy neon signs downtown was thirty years earlier. The town that was once busy enough to have their own jail and constable now featured many boarded up buildings. Most of the still open old-highway businesses were founded before the freeway passed them by. History buffs on the freeway would stop at the Mission on the south end of town, but that could be done without going through the old business district. Gas stations closed along the old highway and moved to the freeway exits on the west of town. Gas stations on the old highway, Mission St in San Miguel were closing as new stations opened near the freeway that bypassed downtown. This photo is from Sept. 19, 1980. Meanwhile, dogs waited patiently for their owners outside the Elkhorn Bar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shoppers bought groceries walking down aisles on the uneven wooden floors at Witcoskys Market. Greyhound bus to Salinas stops in front of Witcosky's Market in San Miguel on Sept. 19, 1980. Recently the true crime podcast, Crime Junkie retold the story of a tragedy from 1980 that was visited on the town. Teresa Lynn Terry Flores, 5, and Martha Jo Ann Marty Mezo, 4, disappeared shortly after 11 a.m. on May 17, 1980. They were later found murdered, a crime that is still under investigation. Occasionally the newspaper has done personality profiles on San Miguel. The following was from Sept. 9, 1980, by Ted Jackovics. Tony Hertz recorded a series of evocative photos, many of which are published here for first time. It was common to see dogs waiting for owners on the sidewalks of San Miguel, CA on Sept. 19, 1980. San Miguel: Old worries persist Tiny town with dusty image San Miguel is about 7 miles and 30 years from the nearest town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How to keep it that way while dealing with the towns 20% longstanding headaches, rowdies and speculators is what postmaster Sharon Rose says is on her customers minds these days. Across the street from the tiny post office was a 20-year-old, shirtless man, who was leaning on the open tailgate of a blue Dodge rental car. He was holding a sweating red and white can of Budweiser. Neon signs dating to the 1940-50s boom-era lined Mission Street in San Miguel on Sept. 19, 1980. Raymond RockNRoll Robustelli of Oakland and more recently, Folsom State Penitentiary had been in San Miguel for only 20 minutes, he said, hardly long enough to personify the towns reputation as a lawless, anything-goes place. But RockNRoll had a good start on developing a headache of his own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looks OK, looks OK to me, he said to two new acquaintances who live in San Miguel as he looked up and down Mission Street. He could see three blocks of storefronts, many of which were boarded up. Mission Street was the old highway and featured the long time business district of San Miguel on Sept. 19, 1980. His companions, a muscular man in his mid-20s who was also shirtless in the noonday sun and his wife, a slender woman with long brown hair, knew others in the town who had spent time in state prison. About 15 percent of the 750 people around here are ex-cons, but see, theyre making it, working in the fields and on construction, the woman said. Oh they get rowdy, the whiskey drinkers, but when they get into scuffles, its only among their own, she said taking RockNRoll on his offer of the last can of the six-pack of beer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RockNRoll grabbed a t-shirt from the back seat of the car for himself and a terry cloth shirt from the trunk for the other man so the three could finish their conversation in the Elkhorn bar across the street. Its one of only two places in town that serves hard liquor, and the other is definitely not a hangout, the woman said, referring to the Park Garage and Saloon, the towns only restaurant. The Park Garage opened almost a year ago in a carefully restored building that glows in the sunlight peeking through new, etched windows. Park Garage was a newly renovated restaurant and saloon in San Miguel on Sept. 19, 1980. Within a half hour, the new friendships at the Elkhorn were sewn up over some beer and whiskey, and RockNRoll convinced his two new friends to ride to Mexico with him. Meanwhile, several blocks away in his restaurant, Vincent Sullivan sat with two customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its obvious the towns problem is negative publicity just because of lack of police protection, Sullivan said, oblivious to the noise down the streets. San Miguel is pretty much a wide-open town and has been for years. A group organized in the mid-70s to ask the county for increased sheriffs patrols, but to no avail. Mission Street in San Miguel was the former downtown before the freeway bypassed it. The town described as quiet and dusty in a picture caption had a population 750 on Sept. 19, 1980. Some residents think a resident deputy sheriff would deter the rowdy element and burglars that have broken into more than residences. They point to the way Al Bryant held the town in check, before his job as town constable was phased out. Sheriff George S. Whiting said the cost for 24-hour protection in San Miguel would be prohibitive, because of todays salary and training costs. He said Thursday he would check the state law for possibilities of establishing private police service without creating a special police district. Sims Hotel was closed but still sported neon sign advertising rooms $3 and up in San Miguel on Sept. 19, 1980. Law enforcement problems are only one of the towns perennial headaches. Speculators and their possible role in giving the town its boarded-up image are the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Townfolk define speculators as those who buy property for its long-term resale potential but dont fix it up. Such speculators own about 50 percent of the property in the town, said San Miguel real estate agent Emajon Smith. The speculators label is not pinned on local real estate agent Richard Jones, who is building a 16-unit motel, or on Sullivan, the Templeton landscape-engineering contractor who bought a crumbling building and polished it into the swank Park Garage restaurant. A boarded up store at the corner of 13th and Mission streets in San Miguel on Sept. 19, 1980. Sullivan, who said he was attracted to San Miguel because it has the lowest real estate prices in the county, said hes planning to refurbish and reopen six of the main drags boarded-up store buildings. One of those may become a coffee house for teenagers. Sullivans great, said Smith, who earlier this year was selling two-and three-bedroom homes in San Miguel for $32,000 to $40,000. The estates of a Kenmore grandmother and her grandson have filed suit against a pair of railroads, railroad employees, five Western New York municipalities and their law enforcement agencies, and even a family friend, accusing them of committing a tortious act in connection with a grinding triple fatal truck and train crash. Executors of the estates of Olive Geldart and her grandson, RaMari J.B. Geldart, filed their suit in New York State Supreme Court this summer. A preliminary hearing for the suit is set for early January before Justice Frank Caruso. The crash between an Amtrak passenger train and a Dodge pickup truck, driven by a friend of the elder Geldart, David McMinn, happened in the early evening of May 17, 2024, at a CSX Railroad crossing at Felton Street and River Road in North Tonawanda. McMinns truck was left wedged underneath the engine of the Amtrak train. The force of the crash killed McMinn, 69, Geldart, 66, and her grandson, 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses at the crash site told police that at around 7:56 p.m., the pickup truck, which had been traveling north on River Road, made a right-hand turn onto Felton Street. At that time, North Tonawanda police confirmed that a special saturation law enforcement patrol was underway in the city. North Tonawanda Police Chief Keith Glass said some of his officers were working in tandem with other local law enforcement agencies at the time, including the Lewiston and Lockport Police departments, the Niagara County Sheriffs Office and the Niagara County Drug Task Force. NT police said a Town of Lewiston police officer, who was paired with North Tonawanda officer, were conducting a traffic stop on Felton Avenue on the east side of the CSX train tracks. Glass said at the time that the stop did not take place on the (train) tracks, but he was unsure of the reason for the traffic stop. Witnesses said that the driver of the pickup truck, after making the turn onto Felton Street, appeared to stop on the first of two sets of train tracks, behind a Lewiston Police patrol car. While the truck was stopped, the Amtrak passenger train, #281, heading north from New York City to Niagara Falls, began approaching the Felton Street crossing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses said that as the train got closer to the Felton Street crossing, the lights on the safety gates there began flashing and started to lower. As the gates lowered, witnesses said the pickup truck appeared to become trapped between the gates on the east and westbound sides of the tracks. At least one witness reportedly told police that the driver of the pickup truck, McMinn, appeared to attempt to back off the tracks, but stopped before hitting a safety gate. Other witnesses said the westbound lane of Felton Street may have been blocked at the time by a tow truck. Police have not revealed how fast the Amtrak train was traveling, but one law enforcement source said, It was moving at a pretty good clip. The train engine slammed into McMinns pickup, driving it almost 100 yards down the track before coming to a stop. McMinn and the Geldarts were trapped in the truck when first responders arrived. All three victims were declared dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amtrak officials said there were no injuries to any of the 21 passengers and crew on board the train. The railroad has said that they have worked with local law enforcement to investigate the crash. The lawsuit charges that police officers involved in the traffic stop engaged in negligent, careless, willful and wanton conduct, gross negligence and reckless disregard for the safety of (the victims) by conducting a traffic stop far too close to the train crossing. The suit says the traffic stop was a violation of police emergency operations training and fundamental policies and procedures for safe traffic stops. In the lawsuit, attorneys also claim that additional responding police vehicles and a tow truck further endangered the victims by blocking their route down Felston Street. The lawsuit claims that as the train approached McMinns pickup on the tracks, its engineer did not attempt to stop and, instead, accelerated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The engineer) not only failed to stop, but accelerated without engaging the engine brakes or emergency brakes, the lawsuit charges. The suit even claims that McMinn was negligent, reckless and careless in operating his truck with the Geldarts as passengers. The named defendants in the lawsuit are Amtrak and its train engineer, CSX, the cities of North Tonawanda, Lockport, and the Town of Lewiston, Niagara County, the Niagara County Sheriffs Office, the North Tonawanda, Lewiston and Lockport Police Departments, a Niagara Falls tow truck company and a truck operator and McMinn. All of the parties to the suit have filed responses with the court denying any responsibility or liability for the crash and the deaths of the Geldarts. Glacier National Park, widely regarded as one of America's most spectacular natural destinations, has been placed on Fodor's prestigious "No List" for 2026, a stark warning to travelers that the Montana park can no longer handle the crushing weight of mass tourism driven by climate change fears. Known as last-chance tourism, this relatively new trend sees people visiting many of the world's natural wonders in increasingly unsustainable numbers, with visitors often ending up damaging the environments they're so desperate to see, speeding up their deterioration. Climate Crisis Fuels Tourism Rush Glacier National Park is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average. Of the estimated 150 glaciers ringing its peaks in the early 20th century, only 27 remain, with experts predicting their complete disappearance by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts from Fodor's Travel highlighted that Glacier National Park has become a destination of urgency due to the looming disappearance of over 100 glaciers by 2030, driven by climate change. This impending loss has triggered what researchers call "last-chance tourism," as visitors race to witness the glaciers before they vanish forever. Record Visitor Numbers Strain Infrastructure Already one of the country's most visited national parks, Glacier saw around 300,000 more visitors in 2024 than 2023, more than half of which came in just the months of July and August. Those coming in September and October went up by 60%. Glacier National Park's inclusion on the latest version of Fodor's No List comes as it's seeing its highest year-to-date visitor numbers in 2025. The surge has created serious operational challenges for park management. Environmental and Infrastructure Impacts These large and growing numbers have various impacts on the park, including increased traffic congestion on Glacier's iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, a narrow, snaking artery carved into the steep mountain slopes, the faster accumulation of garbage, and a greater risk of wildlife disturbance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park officials have implemented various measures to manage the crowds, but timed reservations for visitors during peak seasons and the use of solar and hydro power have helped slightly. Spreading visitors out has led to fewer road closures and less traffic congestion at times, but it hasn't dropped the overall numbers. Fodor's Annual "No List" Warning The infamous No List has been a yearly occurrence since 2017, highlighting places around the world suffering from overtourism while also persuading people to stop visiting them. The complete "No List 2026" includes eight destinations: Antarctica, Canary Islands, Glacier National Park, Isola Sacra, Jungfrau region, Mexico City, Mombasa, and Montmartre. The designation represents a significant concern for what many consider America's most beautiful national park. Glacier's popularity landed it on the rare "No List" for 2026, which warns travelers to reconsider travel to destinations suffering from overtourism, curated by travel experts at Fodor's Travel, a travel guidebook company. Cultural and Historical Context The park's current crisis carries historical weight. When Glacier National Park opened in 1910, it ignited a scramble of "last chance tourism." The U.S. government had decimated and displaced the Blackfeet tribe, and there was a general expectation that they were nearing extinction. More than 100 years later, it is not the Blackfeet, the resilient Indigenous guardians of Montana's Northern Rockies, who have vanishedit's the glaciers themselves. Water Resources Under Pressure The park experienced a notable water shortage this summer due to high consumption, and skipping Glacier National Park in 2026 could help alleviate pressures on its natural resources, such as its water supply. Fee Increases Fail to Deter Visitors In an effort to address overcrowding, Glacier National Park is implementing a fee increase for international visitors starting in 2026. Under the "America-First" campaign, international tourists will pay more than three times the fee charged to U.S. residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, experts say the hiked fees have minimal impact on controlling visitor numbers, suggesting that economic measures alone cannot solve the overtourism crisis. Alternative Destinations Recommended Travel experts encourage visitors to explore alternatives that can better handle tourism pressure. The National Park Service recommends visiting Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta instead, an uncrowded paradise of shimmering lakes. The NPS also highlights a range of other sites of natural beauty in Montana near Glacier National Park, which are worthwhile alternatives. Expert Assessment of the Crisis Park officials acknowledge the unprecedented nature of current challenges. "The challenges absolutely are unprecedented," says one park spokesperson. "At no point in the history of Glacier Park have so many existential threats intersected all at once". Call for Responsible Tourism Experts argue that "tourism management" through education and regulation is key to preserving these fragile environments for future generations, with sustainability and responsible tourism practices prioritized across the board. The inclusion of Glacier National Park on Fodor's No List represents more than a travel advisory, it's a clarion call for the tourism industry and travelers alike to reconsider the true cost of our wanderlust. As climate change accelerates the loss of these natural wonders, the very urgency to see them threatens to hasten their destruction, creating a devastating paradox that demands immediate attention and action. Indiana state House Republicans passed a new state congressional map Friday at the behest of President Donald Trump, advancing the legislation to the state Senate, where it is unclear if enough lawmakers will support its final passage. Lawmakers in the Republican-majority House voted 57-41 in favor of the map, which splits the city of Indianapolis into four districts to help the GOP potentially win all nine Indiana congressional seats. While Trump and many other Republicans are celebrating the passage, the map faces its true test in the Senate, where many GOP lawmakers have opposed mid-decade redistricting. Democrats in the House minority decried the new map, with many criticizing the swift timeline of the past week. The map was introduced on Monday. By contrast, when the current congressional district map was passed in 2021, lawmakers held multiple public hearings around the state over several months beforehand. Democratic state Rep. Greg Porter, who represents Indianapolis, railed against the proposal on the House floor, saying it would dilute the power of Black Hoosiers. U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, who has represented Indianapolis for the past 17 years and stands to lose his seat, is the states only Black member of Congress. What were doing today with this proposed legislation is taking away the rights of Black and brown people in Indiana, Porter said. It cracks Marion County! State under pressure from White House While redistricting is typically done at the beginning of a new decade with the census, Trump has pushed Republican-led states to redistrict this year to give the GOP an easier path to maintaining its majority in the U.S. House. Democrats only need to flip a handful of seats next November to overcome the GOPs current margin, and midterm elections typically favor the party opposite the one in power. Indiana lawmakers have been under increasing pressure from the White House to follow the lead of Republicans in Texas, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina, which have all passed new maps in recent months ahead of next years midterms. To offset the GOP gains, Democrats in California and Virginia have moved to do the same. Republicans currently hold seven of Indianas nine U.S. House seats. The author of Indianas legislation, Republican state Rep. Ben Smaltz, said on the floor Wednesday that the map and bill language were provided by the National Republican Redistricting Trust, the GOPs primary redistricting entity that was also involved in drawing Texas new map this year. Smaltz said the trust gave Indiana Republicans one option for the statewide map. Smaltz said Friday the tit-for-tat mid-decade redistricting between Democratic and Republican states may continue for the next several cycles and may be the new normal. Republican Todd Huston, Indianas House speaker, took to the floor Friday to defend the redistricting proposal in light of the partisan power balance across the country, saying we dont operate in a vacuum. The Indiana House vote ups the pressure on Senate Republicans to approve the new map for final passage. Gov. Mike Braun, a first-term Republican and ally of Trump, praised the House vote Friday. I urge the Senate to move quickly next week and adopt this map so Indiana can move forward with confidence, he said. Trump pushed senators to pass the proposal AS IS, in a social media post Friday evening. He also named nine individual senators he described as needing encouragement to make the right decision. Let your voice be heard loud and clear in support of these Senators doing the right thing, Trump wrote. Map advances to state Senate The immediate next hurdle for the new map will come in a Senate committee, which is scheduled to meet Monday afternoon. The top Republican of the state Senate, Rodric Bray, has previously said there were not enough votes to support redistricting, but it is unknown where the vote count stands now. In the 50-member Senate, Republicans need at least 25 votes to pass the legislation. A 26th tiebreaking vote could come from Republican Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith. The issue has sharply divided Republicans in the Hoosier state. Senators on both sides of the issue have been subject to threats and swatting attempts in recent weeks. Trump has also said he will back primary opponents against any GOP senator who opposes redistricting. But half the chamber, including Bray, is not up for reelection until 2028. The map approved by House Republicans splits the Democratic city of Indianapolis which currently makes up the entirety of the 7th Congressional District into four quadrants divided among four rural districts. The new map also groups the cities of East Chicago and Gary with several Republican counties in northern Indiana, potentially ousting Democratic U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, who represents the current district in the states northwest corner near Chicago. In the ballooning redistricting battle, the U.S. Supreme Court handed a win to Texas Republicans on Thursday by allowing the state to conduct next years elections under the new congressional map that favors the GOP and could give the party five more seats. By ISABELLA VOLMERT Associated Press WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps attempt to increase his power by taking control of independent agencies comes before the Supreme Court on Dec. 8 in the second of at least four major cases on Trumps expansive view of presidential authority the justices are considering this term. Trump wants the court to overturn a 1935 decision limiting presidents ability to remove leaders of multi-member administrative agencies that could include the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission. He may get his wish because the court has been chipping away at the decision since 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Supreme Court to take on controversial Trump policy on birthright citizenship And even if the courts conservative supermajority doesnt completely repeal the ruling, theyre expected to further curtail its reach, reshaping the balance of power between the president, independent federal agencies and Congress. The justices could at least allow Trump to control the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces a variety of antitrust and consumer protection laws affecting virtually every area of commerce. Many other agencies could be affected, including the Federal Reserve and agencies that enforce campaign finance laws, protect workers, stop fraudulent business practices, regulate broadcasting and broadband services, investigate air and road accidents and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case marks a pivotal moment for the separation of powers, with the potential to redefine how dozens of government agencies operate, said Varu Chilakamarri, a former Justice Department attorney now with the law firm K&L Gates. Conservatives push 'unitary executive theory' The agencies were set up by Congress to be led by politically balanced boards of experts serving fixed terms. But under the unitary executive theory that conservatives have advanced for years, the Constitution gives presidents complete control over executive functions, which must include the power to remove commission members. Otherwise, conservatives contend, agencies arent sufficiently accountable to the public, a defect that has led to what critics refer to as the administrative state. Congress has the power to create a vast and varied executive bureaucracy, but it cannot place that bureaucracy outside of the president's responsibility, said Oliver Dunford, an attorney with the libertarian Pacific Legal Foundation. The headquarters of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in Washington, DC, November 18, 2024. Trump has tried to remove multiple agency leaders After taking office, Trump declared that all federal agencies are under his control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Trump fired the two Democratic members of the five-member Federal Trade Commission board, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya. Relying on the Supreme Courts 1935 decision in Humphreys Executor v. United States, lower courts said Trump can only remove FTC members for wrongdoing which Trump hasnt alleged. Courts made similar rulings about the presidents firing of Democratic members from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and from two federal labor boards. Top takeaways Justices question Trump tariffs as Supreme Court weighs keeping them U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an announcement of new fuel economy standards, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 3, 2025. But the Supreme Court intervened, allowing those firings to proceed as theyre being challenged. The court also agreed to decide on an expedited basis whether the removal protections Congress created for FTC commissioners are consistent with the Constitutions division of authority among the three branches of government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court separately agreed to hear arguments in January about Trumps ability to fire a member of the Federal Reserve if he thinks shes done something wrong. In still another case about presidential power, the court is deciding whether Trump can impose sweeping tariffs on imports even though the Constitution gives Congress the power to raise revenue. And on Friday, Dec. 5, the court agreed to decide if Trump's interpretation of the Constitution means he can deny citizenship to some babies born in the United States. Trump argues the ability to fire is 'indispensable' In the case the high court will hear Dec. 8, Trump v. Slaughter, the administration will argue that the presidents ability to remove a leader of an agency is indispensable to his responsibility under the Constitution to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1935, however, the Supreme Court said the Federal Trade Commissions duties were neither political nor executive, but predominantly quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative. Like the Interstate Commerce Commission, its members are called upon to exercise the trained judgment of a body of experts 'appointed by law and informed by experience, Justice George Sutherland wrote for the court. Such a body cannot in any proper sense be characterized as an arm or an eye of the executive." Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter testifies before the U.S. Senate Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security Subcommittee on Nov. 27, 2018. The Justice Department argues that even if that was a correct interpretation of the FTC in 1935 which it disputes its not now. The modern-day FTC, like its many independent-agency counterparts and its 1935 predecessor, exercises executive power indeed, quite a bit of it, Solicitor General John Sauer said in a written filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FTC can seek court orders and civil penalties against businesses, write rules businesses must follow and investigate potential violations of the law, he said. This Court should overrule anything that remains of Humphreys Executor, he wrote. Can the president treat the FTC 'like his little lapdog'? Alvaro Bedoya, one of the two FTC commissioners fired by Trump, said if the Supreme Court agrees with the president, he wil be able to treat FTC and other agencies like his little lapdog. In September, the FTC settled with Amazon over the agencys allegations that the online retail giant tricked customers into signing up for its Prime memberships and made it difficult to unsubscribe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FTC called that $2.5 billion settlement historic. But Bedoya doesnt think it was tough enough on the Amazon executives involved. And he said the FTC wont be taken seriously if the public sees such deals months after Amazon contributed $1 million to Trumps inauguration. It calls into question the ability to police all sorts of industries that are really basic to our lives, he said of the presidents desire to fire agency leaders at will. But the justices may not be receptive to that argument. When the court, in July, allowed Trump to fire three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Justice Elena Kagan one of the courts three liberals said her conservative colleagues had all but overturned Humpheys Executor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Brett Kavanaugh, one of the six conservative justices, said theres at least a fair prospect that the court will overrule it. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump bid to expand power goes to Supreme Court President Donald Trump ripped Democratic politicians on Saturday afternoon, saying they are destroying American cities like Charlotte by going easy on criminals and illegal immigrants. The presidents barb, made in a Truth Social post, came just hours after an illegal immigrant was charged with stabbing a man on a Charlotte train the night before. The suspect, 33-year-old Oscar Solarzano, had been previously deported from the U.S. before reentering and carrying out the attack, according to court documents, NBC affiliate WCNC 36 reported. Trump posted: Another stabbing by an Illegal Migrant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Whats going on in Charlotte? Democrats are destroying it, like everything else, piece by piece!!! President DJT The Trump Administration sent ICE and Border Patrol agents to Charlotte last month as part of its push to deport illegal immigrants. Those efforts, like similar operations in Los Angeles and Chicago, were met with some anti-ICE protestors, as well as thousands of kids skipping school to avoid potentially being nabbed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WCNC reported: Court records indicate Solarzano was intoxicated in the light rail train and challenged the victim to a fight, and was shouting at others prior to the stabbing. His address was listed as an address matching the Roof Above shelter. Court documents noted that no bond was set for him, saying he is in the country illegally and has been deported previously. Beyond the recent immigration crackdown, Charlotte has also been on Trumps mind in recent months, following the savage murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a train in August. Trump said the animal who stabbed Zarutska to death, 34-year-old career criminal Decarlos Brown Jr., should be executed for the attack. Brown had been arrested 14 times prior to the murder, which was caught on security footage, including for robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault. He was charged with first-degree murder; a trial date has not been set for Brown. Spectrum News 1 in Charlotte reported the victim of Fridays attack remains in the hospital in critical condition. The channel reported Solarzano got on the train without paying and drunkenly challenged the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch above via Spectrum News 1. The post Trump Fumes Democrats Are Destroying Cities Like Charlotte After Previously-Deported Illegal Immigrant Charged in Stabbing Attack first appeared on Mediaite. Somali American Salman Fiqy told CNN on Saturday that hes withdrawn his support for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party over the presidents garbage comment about Somalis. Fiqy joined Victor Blackwell on CNNs First of All and called Trumps comments about Somalis racist and dehumanizing. It was very dehumanizing and its very unpresidential coming from the commander in chief of the United States to dehumanize and to you to dehumanize a whole entire community by calling them garbage and this is not acceptable by any means, Fiqy, who campaigned for Trump in Minnesota, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a televised Cabinet meeting this week, the president said, They contribute nothing. I dont want them in our country, Ill be honest with you. Some will say that is not politically correct. I dont care. Their country is no good for a reason. The comments followed a New York Times report that some Somalis living in Minnesota took part in a fraud scheme that cost more than $1 billion in taxpayers money. Fiqy said hes ending his connection to the Republican Party and the Minnesota GOP for not standing up for the Somali community after the presidents remarks. He told Blackwell he has had other issues with Trump since hes taken office and the Somali comments were simply the last straw. He said: The reason why this decision came about is because it was long simmering, it was dragging from ever since the president got elected. I was monitoring his performance in many fronts and he seems not delivering on the promises that he promised the country or the the people that actually voted for him. So and the last [thing] that broke the camel back was when he called when he called Somali community as a garbage. Watch above via CNN. The post Trump Voter Goes On CNN To Trash Presidents Racist and Dehumanizing Somali Garbage Comment first appeared on Mediaite. Trump's administration is proposing new student-loan borrowing caps for graduate and professional degrees. Advocates said the new caps would limit aid for nurses and exacerbate the medical worker shortage. Data shows that most students in advanced nursing programs borrow within the new proposed caps. Nurses took the spotlight in a key student-loan repayment change. The Department of Education has moved forward with President Donald Trump's plan to overhaul student-loan repayment in his "big beautiful" spending legislation, including new caps on student-loan borrowing for graduate and professional students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A big point of contention was a new definition for the programs that qualify as "professional" and allow students to borrow more under the caps. Ten programs, including law and medicine, meet the department's professional designation and qualify for the higher $200,000 lifetime borrowing cap, while other programs, including nursing, are subject to the lower $100,000 cap. The caps particularly angered the healthcare industry. During negotiations with the Department of Education on the proposed caps, some stakeholders argued that healthcare workers, such as nurses, might choose to leave the industry because they lack sufficient funding for their programs, thereby putting Americans who rely on healthcare services at risk. While data from the department showed that most advanced nursing programs would not be impacted by the caps, advocates still worry about the implications. An analysis of data from the Department of Education's College Scorecard found that most students in post-graduate nursing programs borrow within the new caps. Preston Cooper, a senior fellow at the conservative think-tank the American Enterprise Institute, wrote in a blog post that "the new caps will affect only a small number of programs charging exorbitant prices." Cooper said 115 of the 140 advanced nursing programs had a median debt below $100,000, based on classes of 2019 and 2020 available data. Only a handful of programs had debt loads of at least $180,000, well in excess of the new caps. Georgetown University's advanced nursing degree had a median debt load of $212,494. Still, the new borrowing caps coupled with Trump's elimination of the Grad PLUS program, which allowed graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance for their programs could weigh on the healthcare industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Association of American Medical Colleges found that the median cost for four years of public medical school in 2025 was $286,454, with about half of medical students taking out Grad PLUS loans. Education policy experts told Business Insider that it's likely the caps could lead more students to forgo their advanced degrees or seek additional financing through the riskier private lending market. The Department of Education said in a recent press release that 95% of nursing students borrow below the new caps, based on department data, and it emphasized that the limits do not impact undergraduate nursing programs. The department also said that changing the definition of a "professional" degree is "not a value judgement about the importance of programs." "It has no bearing on whether a program is professional in nature or not," the department said. The department's changes to student-loan repayment, including the new borrowing caps, could still change. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposal early next year before the final rule is implemented in July 2026. How the new borrowing caps could affect the medical worker shortage Healthcare advocates said the caps could exacerbate the already-existing doctor and nurse shortage, especially alongside planned Medicaid changes: "It feels like we're being attacked on all sides and really limiting what we can get from a funding perspective," Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, president of the American Nurses Association, told Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mensik Kennedy added that removing professional designations from nursing degrees could make it more difficult to train and retain faculty at nursing schools, a job that requires more advanced and expensive education. "It's going to be a really bad revolving issue where we don't have enough faculty to produce enough nurses to replace the nurses who are retiring," she said. The trend will have an "immediate impact" on the number of nurses in the US healthcare system, which will shape patient care for years to come. NerdWallet lending expert Kate Wood also said increased limitations on student loans could further disparities in the nursing field. She told Business Insider that "Healthcare professionals already skew whiter and wealthier than the general population" and loan caps "may push students from groups that have historically had limited access to higher education, like people from underrepresented minority groups, lower-income families or people in rural areas, away from these fields." Read the original article on Business Insider President Donald Trump isnt dropping his quest to eliminate the filibuster. Thats going to get complicated for Senate Republicans in an election year. The presidents fixation with undoing the Senate precedent in order to get out of legislative jams such as another government funding battle could test the good working relationship he has enjoyed with the Senate GOP. I know this has been an important priority for the president, but I think he has too many people telling him that this is achievable when it doesnt strike me as achievable, Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) said in an interview. I dont think were close to having the votes, just to be candid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Senate Republicans and Majority Leader John Thune swiftly rejected Trumps demands to repeal the filibuster to end the record-long government shutdown. But Trumps continuing crusade promises to be a thorn in Thunes side, acting as a vise around rank-and-file members who dont want to get on Trumps bad side or find themselves pressured by their right flank to embrace repeal. There is little reason to think the filibuster is going away soon as the rule has strong support among many Republicans. Despite Trump's insistence, so far less than a quarter of the Senate GOP has signaled they are open to ending or modifying the filibuster, which has a 60-vote threshold. But Trumps effort this year successfully moved a small number of Republicans in his direction. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said during the shutdown that Trump is right to want to eliminate the filibuster, reversing his stance on the issue, and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said he is open to nixing Senate traditions as he faces a three-way primary. Congress will have to fund the government to avoid another shutdown on Jan. 30 and lawmakers of both parties are eager to address spiking health costs. Congress will also likely have to tackle early next year finishing the farm bill, renewing key government surveillance powers and potentially addressing a permitting overhaul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if Trump will continue his push into next year, a White House official referred to his Truth Social post on Monday whenhe warned that Democrats want to pack the Supreme Court unless we TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, which will lead to an easy WIN of the Midterms, and an even easier WIN in the Presidential Election of 2028. The fight has become a defining test of Thune's leadership, trying to navigate a president demanding change his caucus has no appetite for. I think the biggest thing is going to be the filibuster fight, said a person close to the White House, granted anonymity to discuss dynamics. Every Republican prior to two months ago has been adamantly against getting right of the filibuster and because Trump wants to get rid of the filibuster, John Thune either has to swallow another red pill or wean himself off. Republicans in the upper chamber gave Trump plenty of wins this year, from approving his Cabinet to enacting the GOP megabill. The filibuster divide appears to be one that the president can live with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recognized last month that the senators who immediately ruled out his idea to do away with the rule were very smart people worth listening to and has consistently praised Thune. They both clearly understand each other's position on it, said a person close to Senate leadership. This isnt a relationship dealbreaker. In the presidents first term, Trump pleaded for then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to end the filibuster. McConnellsquashed the ask, also pointing to the lack of votes. There could be continued pressure from Trump on the filibuster, or to fire the parliamentarian if there is a second reconciliation bill. But I dont see Thune capitulating on either, said a former McConnell leadership aide, granted anonymity on sensitive topics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several rank-and-file Republicans who have overwhelmingly voted with the White House are unwilling to give Trumps filibuster demand much time of day. I dont know to what extent the president is going to continue to be insistent about getting rid of the filibuster, but I think regardless of how you feel about the merits, or lack thereof, its a moot issue. Were just not going to get rid of the filibuster, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.). Trump has paid little regard to Senate rules in order to move his agenda quickly. So far, Thune and the majority of Senate Republicans have shut down the presidents demands in his first year back in office. Trump allies in the Senate called for the firing of the chambers parliamentarian the nonpartisan official who determines whether bills can pass through the Senates reconciliation rules during the debate on Trumps big, beautiful bill in June. Thune refused to overrule her nor fire her and may have another fight on his hands because the White House hassuggested reconciliation could be used for a health care bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and his allies argue the filibuster must go because Democrats will immediately eliminate it when a candidate of their party is elected so Republicans should enjoy the benefits of governing without it while they can. Trump has talked to all of us about the filibuster, said Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). If [Democrats] could prove to me that they would not bust the filibuster when they take over, whenever, which they eventually will, Id say, Okay, lets stay where were at. I just got a feeling, just listening to all of them talk, its just a matter of time that theyre going to vote and get rid of it whenever they take over the majority next time, Tuberville said. And then, well have huge problems. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who also supports nixing the filibuster, explained the move as a way to get more done for voters ahead of the critical 2026 midterms. Trump is the one whos right now pushing Congress to act. This is what the discussion of the filibuster is about. Its him saying, You guys need to do stuff. And hes right. We need to deliver more, he said. Fidan said a credible Palestinian civil administration and a vetted, trained police force needed to be in place to allow Hamas to disarm. Not advancing the US-backed Gaza ceasefire plan to its next stage would be a "huge failure" for the world and Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters on Saturday, noting that President Donald Trump had personally led the push. In an interview on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, Fidan said a credible Palestinian civil administration and a vetted, trained police force needed to be in place to allow Hamas to disarm, and that the group was prepared to hand over control of the Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "First of all, we need to see that the Palestinian committee of technical people are taking over the administration of Gaza, then we need to see that the police force is being formed to police Gaza - again, by the Palestinians, not Hamas." NATO member Turkey has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel's assault on Gaza. It played a key role in brokering the ceasefire deal, signing the agreement as a guarantor. It has repeatedly expressed its willingness to join efforts to monitor the accord's implementation, a move Israel strongly opposes. Talks to advance the next phase of President Trumps plan to end the two-year conflict in Gaza are continuing. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during an interview with Reuters at the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum, in Doha, Qatar, December 6, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA) The plan envisages an interim technocratic Palestinian administration in the enclave, overseen by an international board of peace and supported by a multinational security force. Negotiations over the composition and mandate of that force have proven particularly difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fidan said the Gaza police force would be backed by the international stabilization force. He added that Washington was pressing Israel over Turkey's bid to join the force, to which it has voiced readiness to deploy troops if needed. Fidan says Kurdish SDF in Syria not willing to integrate Asked about a landmark deal in March in which the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and Damascus agreed that the SDF would be integrated into Syria's state structures, Fidan said signals from the SDF showed it had "no intention" of honoring the accord, and was instead seeking to sidestep it. Ankara, which considers the SDF a terrorist organization, has threatened military action if it does not comply, setting a deadline of the end of the year. "I think they (SDF) should understand that the command and control should come from one place," Fidan added. "There can be no two armies in any given country. So there can only be one army, one command structure ... But in local administration, they can reach a different settlement and different understandings." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost a year after the fall of president Bashar al-Assad, Fidan said some issues of minority rights were unresolved, insisting that Turkeys backing of the new Syrian government was not a "blank check" to oppress any groups. He said Damascus was taking steps toward national unity, but that Israeli"destabilisation policies"were the chief obstacle. Israel has frequently struck southwestern Syria this year, citing threats from militant groups and the need to protect the Druze community near the frontier. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he expected Syria to establish a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the border. Turkey: US could remove sanctions very soon Fidan also said Washington's initial 28-point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war was just a "starting point," and that it was now evolving in a new format. He said mediation by US officials was "on the right path." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just hope that nobody leaves the table and the Americans are not frustrated, because sometimes the mediators can be frustrated if they don't see enough encouragement from both sides." Asked about efforts to lift US sanctions imposed in 2020 over Ankaras purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, he said both sides were working on it, adding: "I believe well soon find a way to remove that obstacle." Two Florida teens have been arrested on murder charges in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl. Investigators found Danika Troy, 14, dead in the community of Pace, not far from the Alabama border, on Tuesday after a passerby reported her body to police, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office. Troys family last saw her on Sunday, and she was reported missing on Monday. Now, authorities say that 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins and 16-year-old Gabriel Williams are responsible for her murder. The teens were arrested on first-degree premeditated murder charges and are being held by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, according to the sheriffs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Bob Johnson alleged the teens shot Troy multiple times before setting her on fire. Investigators believe the weapon used in the brutal murder was stolen by Williams from his own mother. Kimahri Blevins, 14, was arrested this week in connection with the murder of Danika Troy (Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office) Theres not a clear motive, but I can tell you this: we're going to be hopefully working with the State Attorney's office to get these individuals charged as adults, Johnson said Thursday at a press conference. You do an adult crime, you need to do adult time. So that's going to be the next effort we're putting forth. The Independent has contacted the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice for comment. Attorneys for Blevins and Williams could not be identified for comment. Investigators believe Blevins and Williams lured Troy into the woods and planned to murder her, the Pensacola News Journal reports. Gabriel Williams, 16, is accused of stealing his mother's handgun and shooting Danika Troy (Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office) A cooperating witness said that Blevins told him the initial plan was to shoot Danika once, but Gabriel continued to shoot, according to a police report obtained by the Pensacola News Journal. Blevins then reportedly told the witness they burned Danika's body and left the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blevins told investigators he last talked to Troy during Thanksgiving break. They "had a falling out and he blocked her on social media," and Blevins said he hadnt seen or talked to her since, according to police documents. Williams also reportedly told police that "Danika has made hurtful comments to Gabriel about being worthless and a gang-banger, which upset him." Two former military members from Lacey are set to appear in federal court in Tacoma, facing charges related to an alleged violent assault at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Charles Ethan Fields and Levi Austin Frakes, both 27, have been in custody since their arrest on June 2, 2025. They are charged with robbery, assault, and theft of government property, according to a release from the Department of Justice. Fields and Frakes entered JBLM on the evening of June 1, 2025, according to the criminal complaint. A member of the Army then found the masked men in the Ranger compound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When confronted, the men allegedly attacked the Army member, striking him with a hammer. The victim managed to gain control of the hammer, but one of the men then brandished a knife before fleeing the scene, officials said. Investigators say that the men attempted to steal around $14,000 in government property. A search of their residence in Lacey revealed weapons, military property, and $24,000 in cash. The items found included night vision devices, ballistic plates, plate carriers, helmets, military munitions, and explosives, the release said. If convicted, Fields and Frakes face up to 25 years in prison, with robbery punishable by up to 15 years and assault and theft of government property each carrying potential sentences of up to 10 years. Three days of talks between Ukrainian and US officials produced no apparent breakthrough Saturday, with President Volodymyr Zelensky committing to further negotiations toward "real peace," even as Russia launched another series of drone and missile strikes on its neighbor. Zelensky said he joined his negotiators for a "very substantive and constructive" call with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as part of the third day of meetings in Florida. "Ukraine is committed to continuing to work honestly with the American side to bring about real peace," Zelensky said on Telegram, adding that the parties agreed "on the next steps and the format of the talks with America." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said he will meet Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Monday to "take stock" of the negotiations on the US-drafted plan on how to end the almost four-year war. Ahead of Saturday's talks, Russia launched over 700 drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight, targeting critical infrastructure, such as energy sites and railways, and triggering heating and water outages for thousands of households. "The main targets of these strikes, once again, were energy facilities," Zelensky said earlier in the day on social media. "Russia's aim is to inflict suffering on millions of Ukrainians." As with previous waves of attacks, the Russian defense ministry said they had targeted "Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises and the energy facilities that support them," and added that "all designated targets were hit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Paris slams Moscow's 'escalatory path' - The talks come after Witkoff and Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday, with Moscow rejecting parts of the US proposal. "Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia's readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings," said a readout of the Miami talks posted Friday by Witkoff on X. Also on Friday, US and Ukrainian officials "also agreed on the framework of security arrangements and discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Macron announced he would travel to London on Monday to meet with Zelensky together with the German and British leaders, slamming what he called Russia's "escalatory path." "We will continue these efforts with the Americans to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, without which no robust and lasting peace will be possible," the French president wrote on X. He added: "We must continue to exert pressure on Russia to compel it to choose peace." - Uncertain security guarantees - Washington's initial plan to bring an end to the conflict involved Ukraine surrendering land that Russia has not been able to win on the battlefield in return for security promises that fall short of Kyiv's aspirations to join NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the nature of the security guarantees that Ukraine could get have so far been shrouded in uncertainty, beyond an initial plan saying that jets to defend Kyiv could be based in Poland. The US plan has been through several drafts since it first emerged last month, amid criticism it was too soft on Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Witkoff, Trump's former business partner-turned-roving global ambassador, and investor Kushner had hoped to persuade Putin to play ball but came away from Moscow without a deal. - 'Strong impression' - Trump said Wednesday that Witkoff and Kushner had a "reasonably good meeting" with Putin, insisting they had the "strong impression" he would like to end the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has blown hot and cold on Ukraine since returning to office in January, initially embracing Putin and chastising Zelensky for not being grateful for US support. But he has also grown frustrated that his efforts to persuade Putin to end the war, including a summit in Alaska, have failed to produce results and he recently slapped sanctions on Russian oil firms. Putin, who was in India this week meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the talks were "complex" but that he wanted to engage with Trump's plan "rather than obstruct it." Russian troops have been grinding forward across the front line against outgunned and outnumbered Ukrainian forces. burs-mmp/md/sst The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) is calling for a renewed emphasis on fundamental flying skills as automation becomes more common in air carrier operations. In a recent interview at the Skift Aviation Forum in Fort Worth, Texas, ALPA first vice president Wendy Morse, a Boeing 787 captain, said the union is advocating for pilots to "go back to our roots" by maintaining strong manual-flying proficiency throughout their careers. The union represents over 80,000 airline pilots at 43 carriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So the biggest thing is [getting] back to basicsWe have to maintain a basic level of flying, a basic level of flying skills, and we have to continue to maintain those basics," Morse said. "This business about positive rate, gear up, [and] put on the autopilot is not a good idea. We have to keep flying the airplane so that we're good at it." Morse added that she routinely hand-flies the aircraft to cruise altitude. "People are like, Oh, my gosh, all the way to 37,000 feet?' Yep," she said. "That's what I do because I like to fly." Losing Their Skills' She said the industry recognized the need for more manual flying through safety data that showed pilots' hands-on skills were beginning to erode. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The data was saying that pilots are losing their skills," Morse said. "So we need to start [suggesting] to them and recommend that we think you should be flying planes-hand-flying the airplane." ALPA first vice president Wendy Morse [Credit: ALPA] Addressing cockpit staffing, Morse referenced ALPA's "Safety Starts With Two" campaign opposing single-pilot airline operations. She criticized past proposals from Airbus and others to reduce cockpit crews. "They decided one pilot in the cockpit was a good idea because it would cost less money," she said, describing scenarios in which the sole pilot might need to leave the controls. "Who's at the controls? Oh, nobody's at the controls." She said efforts to advance reduced-crew operations are "paused and not over." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morse emphasized that technology is valuable when it supports pilot decision making, citing terrain-avoidance systems and real-time turbulence tools on flight decks. She said artificial intelligence will likely assist with learning and data analysis but stressed that it must be monitored. "We have to be very careful to not let AI give us bad data," she added, noting that data-sharing programs have been the "game changer" in improving safety over the past two decades. A federal law enforcement operation at an Arizona taco shop resulted in a fracas on Friday, with agents deploying pepper spray as a group of protesters tried to stop authorities. Two agents were injured, and U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva was in the vicinity as protesters were sprayed. The Democratic congresswoman from Arizona took to social media, claiming she was sprayed in the face and accused immigration enforcement officers of operating without transparency or accountability. While I am fine, if that is the way they treat me, how are they treating other community members who do not have the same privileges and protections that I do? she said in a statement. It was less than a month ago that Grijalva was sworn in as the newest member of Congress. She won special election in September to fill the House seat last held by her late father. In a video posted to social media, Grijalva said she, two members of her staff and members of the media were harassed and sprayed by agents during what residents thoughts was a federal immigration raid, so interrupted because they were afraid that they were taking people without due process, without any kind of notice. The video shows a staffer stepping in front of Grijalva, raising his arm and turning the congresswoman away as a federal agent sprays nearby protesters. Later in the video, as Grijalva continues walking in the street, a projectile is seen landing near her foot. She said she did not know what substance she was sprayed with, but it was still affecting her with a cough. Federal officials said Grijalva was not pepper sprayed and that agents with Homeland Security Investigations were targeting multiple Tucson restaurants as part of a years-long investigation into immigration and tax violations. Several search warrants were served across southern Arizona on Friday as part of the operation. In a statement, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the group gathered in Tucson as a mob. She said two agents were seriously injured during the clash and took issue with Grijalvas account of what happened. If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel. But theyre not true. She wasnt pepper sprayed. She was in the vicinity of someone who (asterisk)was(asterisk) pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement, McLaughlin wrote. Presenting ones self as a Member of Congress doesnt give you the right to obstruct law enforcement. Authorities used yellow tape to cordon off the restaurant and its parking lot as agents removed boxes from the building early Friday. By mid-morning, protesters had gathered outside with signs and whistles. Video shows Grijalva approaching the agents and asking where they were taking people. She told them to stop being aggressive. Some in the group were hit with pepper spray as they tried to keep federal vehicles from leaving the area. Tucson police said federal tactical agents responded to extract investigative special agents from the area where the protesters were gathered. After deploying chemical munitions, police said federal agents then requested emergency support from local authorities to help with exiting the area. Grijalvas experience is the latest incident this year of members of Congress being stonewalled by federal law enforcement officers or getting into physical altercations while appearing at federal immigration facilities or at immigration raids. U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey Democrat, is in an ongoing legal dispute with the Trump administration after a May altercation at a Newark immigration facility in her district. And Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, was thrown to the ground and detained by federal agents in June after appearing at a press conference for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. ___ Associated Press writer Matt Brown contributed to this report from Washington, D.C. By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press The US National Park Service (NPS) is removing Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth from its list of fee-free entrance days. The move is part of President Donald Trump's "modernisation" of the park service, which, beginning in 2026, also includes changing the parks' cost structure to favour American citizens over foreign visitors, following a July executive order from Trump. In addition to removing the two holidays that celebrate civil rights leader MLK Jr and the end of slavery in the US, the agency is adding Flag Day, which is also Trump's birthday, as a "patriotic" fee-free day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who are not US citizens will still have to pay fees on the fee-free dates, the NPS said. For the 2026 calendar year, US residents will be granted free access to national parks on President's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/President Trump's birthday, Independence Day weekend, 110th Birthday of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday and Veteran's Day. Previously, Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth were both deemed fee-free entry days by the Biden administration. Under the Trump administration's new rules, US residents will continue to pay $80 (60) for an annual park service pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for non-residents, the cost will rise from $80 to to $250, the Department of the Interior, which oversees the park service, announced last month. Those without a pass will now pay $100 per person, in addition to the standard entrance fee, at 11 of the most visited parks. "President Trump's leadership always puts American families first," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "These policies ensure that US taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations," Burgum's statement continued. In May, the department estimated in its budget proposal for 2026 fiscal year that surcharges for foreign visitors would bring in more than $90 million per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted Juneteenth and MLK Jr Day. On his first day in office this year, Trump issued an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes from federal agencies, which led many agencies to bar celebrations of holidays seen as DEI-related, including MLK Jr Day and Juneteenth. However, the two dates remain national holidays. In June, the Trump administration held a military parade in Washington DC to celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary, which also happened to fall on both Flag Day and Trump's birthday. The BBC has contacted the White House for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Increasing national security, the United States Navy is looking to upgrade some of its fighter jets. The Navy is currently preparing an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, as they plan to transition Seven FA-18E/F squadrons to F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadrons. "The F-35C is the most advanced aircraft currently flown by the Navy. The Air Force has their variant, the F-35A, and the Marine Corps has their variant, the F-35B, and all of these aircraft are basically being deployed all over the world right now," says Installations and Environmental Public Affairs Officer, Ted Brown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown explains the goal of the EIS is to analyze the effects the change might have on the environment. The 7 new squadrons, which would total 70 jets, would be based out of the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach or Lemoore, which is already home to some of the Navy's top air-craft, including some F-35C's. If Lemoore is chosen, Brown says, "The F-A-18 Super Hornet aircraft that are at NAS Lemoore now will transition over to NAS Oceana, and NAS Lemoore will host all of the F-35C aircraft. If not, they will be based on both coasts." The home basing process would take about ten years, starting in 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project would require upgrades to whichever facility is chosen. Eventually, the F/A-18 Super Hornets will be phased out and replaced with the F-35Cs which are harder to detect. "This is very important to our national security, to have modern, very, advanced aircraft on our aircraft carriers, deploying all over the world to protect the U.S. national interests," explains Brown. In a statement, NAS Lemoore Joint Strike Fighter Wing Commodore, Captain Barrett Smith shared, ""Regardless of the outcome of the EIS study, NAS Lemoore is proud to serve as the home of the Navy's F-35C community. The men and women who fly, maintain, and support this aircraft stand at the forefront of America's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and a secure global maritime domain. The F-35C is more than an aircraft - it is the cornerstone of the Navy's 5th-generation air power and a critical investment in the security of our nation and its allies for decades to come." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Environmental Impact Statement should be complete by 2027. In the meantime, public comment is open for the next 30 days and will be open through January 4th, 2026. Ultimately, the final decision will be made by the U.S. Navy Secretary. To leave a comment or learn more about the project you can click here. For South Valley news updates, follow Kassandra Gutierrez on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. An advisory panel appointed by President Donald Trump's vaccine-skeptic health secretary voted Friday to stop recommending that all newborns in the United States receive a hepatitis B vaccine. The move to end the decades-old recommendation is the panel's latest contentious about-face on vaccine policy since its overhaul by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this year. US health authorities previously recommended that all babies, not just those born to mothers believed to have hepatitis B, receive the first of three vaccine doses just after birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The approach aimed, in part, to prevent transfers from mothers who unknowingly had hepatitis B or had falsely tested negative, and had virtually eradicated infections of the potentially deadly liver disease among young people in the country. After delaying the vote by a day, the panel on Friday passed its new recommendation for "individual-based decision-making," in consultation with a health care provider, when children are born to mothers testing negatively for the disease. The decision to vaccinate at birth should "consider vaccine benefits, vaccine risks, and infection risks." Trump hailed the move as "a very good decision" on his Truth Social platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the new recommendation was immediately condemned by several medical groups who noted widespread shortcomings in US maternal health screening as well as the possibility of infections from others. "This irresponsible and purposely misleading guidance will lead to more hepatitis B infections in infants and children," American Academy of Pediatrics President Susan J. Kressly said in a statement. The vote was 8-3. Trump-appointed officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are expected to formally adopt the recommendations at a later date. The panel also voted to recommend that babies who are not vaccinated at birth wait at least two months to get the initial dose, and that blood tests be done to measure antibodies before a second dose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Panel overhaul - After becoming health secretary, Kennedy sacked every member of the once-staid Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), replacing them with figures whose vaccine-skeptic views track more closely with his own. It has since set to work on reviewing prior recommendations -- already tweaking advice on Covid-19 and measles shots. Medical experts fear the push could further contribute to declining vaccination rates in the United States. The panel on Friday also began a broader review of the childhood vaccination schedule, and sparked further controversy by allowing testimony from lawyer Aaron Siri, a close Kennedy associate known for spreading unfounded theories on the subject. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump vocally supports Kennedy's policies, some in the Republican Party have pushed back, notably Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy. Cassidy, a medical doctor, condemned the ACIP decision, noting the original recommendation was never "a mandate" to get the jab. CDC officials "should not sign these new recommendations and instead retain the current, evidence-based approach," he said on X. Cassidy's expression of alarm, like his prior statements against Kennedy, provoked criticism after he provided the key vote to confirm the health secretary in February. - 'Do no harm' - Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States had urged universal vaccination at birth against hepatitis B since 1991, advice also recommended by China, Australia and the World Health Organization. But several ACIP members argued that Friday's decision would align the United States with other economically developed countries such as France and Britain. The repercussions of the ACIP's vaccine recommendations are broad because federal guidelines often dictate whether vaccines are paid for by health insurance companies in the United States, where a vaccine can cost hundreds of dollars. But the committee's influence is waning amid withering criticism from the US scientific and medical community, with Democratic-led states announcing they will no longer follow its recommendations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the vote, Cody Meissner, one of the few dissenting voices on the advisory committee, urged his colleagues not to change the current recommendations. "Do no harm is a moral imperative. We are doing harm by changing this wording," he warned. cha-des/sst/iv Russia has launched a major aerial bombardment against Ukrainian infrastructure targets as talks between the US and Ukraine in Florida are set to enter a third day. Overnight Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles, most of which were downed, authorities said. One strike hit a railway hub at the town of Fastiv southwest of Kyiv, destroying the main station building and damaging rolling stock. Russia says it targeted military-industrial sites, and energy and port infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Condemning the new attacks, French President Emmanuel Macron announced he would go to London on Monday for a meeting with Ukrainian, British and German leaders aimed at putting pressure on Moscow. "We must continue to put pressure on Russia to force it towards peace," Macron posted on X. He said he would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London to take stock of the ongoing negotiations being mediated by the US. Earlier US and Ukrainian negotiators urged Russia to show a "serious commitment to long-term peace" after talks in Moscow failed to produce a breakthrough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy sector and infrastructure in recent weeks. On Saturday Ukraine's energy ministry said Russian attacks had hit energy facilities in eight regions, causing blackouts. Zelensky said the attack on the rail hub had been "meaningless from a military point of view, and the Russians could not have been unaware of this". Meanwhile the UN's nuclear watchdog said the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant had temporarily lost all external power overnight - the 11th time this has happened since Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it is not currently producing electricity, it needs power to keep the nuclear material cool and avoid a meltdown. In Florida, a statement posted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff said two days of talks with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's national security council, had been "constructive". Witkoff and Umerov "agreed on the framework of security arrangements" that could such an agreement and "discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace", their statement said without giving details. The prospect of ending the war depended on Russia's readiness to take "steps towards de-escalation and cessation of killing", the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The negotiations, which are also attended by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, will continue for a third day on Saturday. The Florida talks saw Ukraine's team briefed on a recent meeting between Witkoff, Trump's most senior overseas envoy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The strike in Fastiv damaged locomotives [Reuters] Witkoff spent almost five hours with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, after which the Kremlin said "no compromise" had been reached on a draft US peace plan. The Kremlin said Putin was ready to continue meeting the Americans "as many times as needed", but Ukraine and its allies in Europe have called into question the Russian leader's commitment to ending the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Zelensky said he wanted to "obtain full information about what was said in Moscow and what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war". Kyiv pushed for revisions to the initial US peace plan, which was widely seen as favourable to Moscow when an initial version leaked to the media. An updated version has not been shared publicly. Major points of contention remain between the two sides, including security guarantees for Ukraine post-war and territorial concessions. Russia currently controls roughly one-fifth of Ukraine's territory, including swathes of the Donbas area in the east made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with India Today on Friday, Putin warned Ukrainian troops to withdraw fully from the region this week, saying Russia would otherwise "liberate these [Donbas] territories by force". Kyiv and its European allies believe the most effective way to deter Russia from attacking again in the future would be to grant Ukraine membership of Nato, or to provide comprehensive security guarantees. Russia is staunchly opposed, while Trump too has repeatedly signalled he has no intention of letting Ukraine join the military alliance. The prospect of Ukraine joining Nato was a "key question" that was tackled in Moscow, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said those talks were "reasonably good", but it was too soon to say what would happen as "it does take two to tango". Dec 6 (Reuters) - The Trump administration said Saturday it will waive an $11 million fine imposed on Southwest Airlines as part of a $140 million settlement over the carrier's meltdown in December 2022 during a busy holiday travel period. Southwest in December 2023 agreed to provide over three years to pay a $35 million cash fine and provide $90 million in travel vouchers of $75 or more to passengers delayed at least three hours getting to final destinations because of an airline-caused issue or cancellation over the airline's handling of the meltdown that stranded more than 2 million passengers. The U.S. Transportation Department in a written order cited Southwest's decision to invest over $1 billion in its operations to improve performance and reliability since the 2022 meltdown in explaining its decision to waiver the remaining $11 million of the fine that was due by the end of January. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama ) The USS ORLECK, a museum warship moored in Jacksonville, Florida, will commemorate Pearl Harbor Day on Saturday, December 6, with a series of special events. The events will include an hourly cannon salute and a formal Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony starting at 10 a.m., featuring remarks by retired Navy Captain Dan Bean, CEO of K9s for Warriors and President of the USS ORLECK/Florida Historic Naval Ship Association. Our vision is to make the USS Orleck a must-see destination for naval history, said Dan Bean, emphasizing the ships role in education and remembrance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 11 a.m., a Prisoner of War (POW) Flag Presentation and POW/MIA Missing Man Cable Ceremony will take place on the USS ORLECKs fantail, honoring those who were captured or went missing during wartime. The days events will culminate at noon with sailors sounding two bells, followed by a moment of silence, an honor guard rifle salute, and the playing of Taps to honor those who perished during the attack on Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the United States at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 Americans and injuring 1,178 others, leading to the U.S. entering World War II. Commissioned in 1945, the USS ORLECK earned multiple battle stars for her service during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, standing as a testament to naval history and the brave men who served aboard. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] This sounds like a solution looking for a problem. Bakersfield City Council committee members, who are proposing to crack down on short-term rentals, admit they have received few citizen complaints about the rentals. But that hasnt stopped them from instructing city staff to draft an ordinance to create a focused regulatory program. Allowing that regulating short-term rentals is not a pressing problem, Councilman Bob Smith told The Californian, We believe, its a better way to police the situation and that there is tax revenue from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Head-scratcher Police a situation that seems to exist without seeming to need more policing? Short-term rentals are dwellings rented out for a day, week, etc., in much the same way as a hotel room is rented out. Often renting is coordinated by firms, such as Airbnb, Vacation Rentals By Owners, etc. Sometimes, individual property owners do their own thing rent out rooms or houses without management company help. Short-term rentals are in high demand in tourist destinations, but not so much in Bakersfield, which is not generally considered a tourist magnet. City staff estimates there may be about 500 short-term rentals operating in Bakersfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some cities, short-term rentals have caused friction between neighbors and rental property owners. Complaints have included noise, parking, trash and general disruptions. Smith acknowledges this is not the case in Bakersfield. The short-term rental industry is highly regulated throughout the state even in Bakersfield. State law defines short-term rentals as any residential property rented to an individual or group for 30 consecutive days or less. All short-term rental operators in California must register with the state Department of Tax and Fee Administration and collect Transient Occupancy Tax from guests. That tax is 12% in Bakersfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Short-term rental operators in Bakersfield already are subject to local regulations that include registering with the city, having a city business license, obtaining a fire safety permit, proving property ownership, maintaining adequate insurance, providing contact information and guest registries, complying with occupancy limits and parking plans, and registering to collect and remit to the city Transient Occupancy Tax. Among the city departments overseeing compliance are Development Services, Finance and Fire. The Police Department and Code Enforcement respond to complaints. BnbCalc.com, an online service that advises property owners, points out Bakersfields short-term rental market is governed by a complex web of local ordinances and zoning codes designed to balance the interests of property owners, residents and the community at large. But BnbCalc.com reports that based on feedback from Reddit and the real estate investing forum BiggerPockets, Bakersfield appears to have a relatively moderate approach to enforcing short-term regulations, compared to other California cities. While the city does have regulations in place, the enforcement levels seem to be less stringent than in some more tourist-heavy locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the council decides to change this moderate approach creating a program focused on identifying every short-term rental, collecting taxes owed, and assuring every permit is obtained city staff estimates that it would cost between $200,000 and $400,000 to hire staff to run it. Instead, they estimate a firm could be contracted for less than $50,000 a year to oversee the program. Just what would that money buy? Merely processing paperwork and collecting taxes, or actually seeking out compliance from permitted operators and identifying unlicensed operators? The Kern County Treasurer/Tax Collector contracts with a firm to collect the countys Transient Occupancy Tax for short-term rentals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ironically, as the citys program gets more aggressive and more short-term rental operators are identified, more city staff code enforcement, police, fire, etc. will be required to force permitting compliance. The existing system that spreads responsibility among various city departments needs to increase oversight, rather than a new program be created. According to a city memo, if the full council decides to pursue the committees proposal to create a focused short-term rental program, adopting an ordinance will require significant staff research and community outreach before it can be adopted. WAKARUSA Downtown Wakarusa will be the place to be tonight as the annual Christmas Around the Tree celebration gets underway at 5:30 p.m., with the appearance of local choirs, followed by the lighting of the tree at 6 p.m. Afterward, check out the Christmas Market at Doc Abel Pavilion from 7-9 p.m. The following day, on Saturday, the market will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Little ones can also leave letters to Santa at The Garage Coffee Shop, and the whole family can enjoy a cookie decorating event at the Shortstop Family Inn. Santa will also be paying a visit, so come down and support local business in the heart of Wakarusa. OTHER NEWS The Wakarusa Dime Store will be welcoming a special holiday guest at the shop tonight. Come and meet the Grinch between 6-7 p.m. at 103 E. Waterford St. During his visit, he will host a meet and greet, have photo ops, and even share a bit of holiday sweetness as well. This is a free event, and people of all ages are invited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The annual Christmas Jubilee event is just around the corner at The Center, and there are collection boxes at the Wakarusa Public Library, the Shortstop Inn, and Seiferts Pharmacy. Donations of new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for older children are being accepted until today. This event helps low-income families have the opportunity to shop for their children, wrap their gifts, and give them the joy of having presents to open for the holidays. The goal this year is to serve over 300 children. All of the toys received will be given to youngsters in the Wa-Nee community, and will be distributed on Dec. 13 during the Christmas Jubilee. For more details, call The Center at 574-773-2149. The Food Bank of Northern Indiana and Clayton Homes will be sponsoring a Mobile Food Pantry today from 1-3 p.m. at Clayton Homes, located at 66920 Ind. 19. This event will be held rain or shine, with 200 boxes available on a first-come, first served distribution. The entrance will be situated at Ind. 19 and C.R. 42, so guests will need to follow the signs to get in line. Need to stock up on treats and sweets for the holidays? Head on over to Wakarusa United Methodist Church for their annual Christmas Cookie Walk on Saturday at 9 a.m. The event will continue until the items are sold out. There will be cookies available for $7 a pound, and cheese spreads will also be available for $7 each. The church is located at 309 S. Elkhart St., and the proceeds raised will remain in the Wakarusa community to support local mission projects. Saturday will be an exciting day for one of Wakarusas newest businesses, The Roost by Homesteaders. The new establishment is the host site for a full day of activities to ring in the holiday season, starting with a soup dinner at 4:30-6:30 p.m. Ten percent of the proceeds will A Republican state lawmaker who is hoping to dethrone Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in next year's gubernatorial election charges that on the Democratic governor's watch, Minnesotans have "had billions of our tax dollars stolen by people who are criminals." And state Rep. Kristin Robbins, in an interview with Fox News Digital, argued that Walz "has been an absolute failure" in combating fraud during his two terms as governor. Walz in recent weeks has been facing plenty of political pressure from state and national Republicans, including President Donald Trump, as authorities investigate a series of multimillion-dollar alleged fraud schemes, including the governor's handling of a massive relief program that federal prosecutors say devolved into the "largest pandemic fraud in the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robbins, the chair of the Minnesota Houses Fraud Prevention and Oversight Committee, has made the issue a top priority of her GOP campaign for governor. She's one of a handful of leading contenders in a crowded field of Republicans hoping to face off with Walz next November as the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee bids for a third term as governor. Walz Bears 'Full Responsibility' For $1B Fraud Scandal, Gop Challenger Demuth Declares State Rep. Kristen Robbins is running for Minnesota's Republican gubernatorial nomination. "I've been chair of the fraud committee since last January, and this has really been my main focus over the last year of the legislature," she said. "And even though we're out of session, I've continued to keep the fraud committee having hearings monthly, because this issue is so enormous, we still don't have our arms around it. So we're continuing to dig in." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first federal charges against alleged fraudsters in the case were filed three years ago. Fast-forward to today and there are now upwards of 75 defendants in the $250 million scheme. The case revolves around a nonprofit named Feeding our Future, which partnered with the Minnesota Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture to distribute meals to children. Omar Allies Tied To Massive Minnesota Covid Meal Fraud Scheme Involving Somali Community Prosecutors charged that Feeding our Future and affiliated food distribution sites raked in millions of dollars by submitting fake meal counts and invoices to trick state and federal officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the people charged are of Somali descent. Minnesota has the largest Somali population of any state in the country. The U.S. Treasury says its investigating whether tax dollars from Minnesota's public assistance programs made their way to Al-Shabab, a Somali-based affiliate of al Qaeda, which the U.S. has designated a foreign terrorist organization. And the Republican-controlled U.S. House, through the Oversight Committee, has opened a probe into Walz's handling of the relief program. Robbins argued that under Walz's watch, "we've had billions of our tax dollars stolen by people who are criminals, and Minnesotans don't have the services they need, and Minnesotans work hard for their money and to see all this money being shipped overseas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emmer Slams Walz, Demands Accountability Over Alleged Retaliation Tied To Minnesota Fraud "Minnesotans now own a resort in Kenya. They own an apartment in Nairobi. They own a culinary school in Ohio," she said. "It's ridiculous, the things our money has been wasted on, and so I'm grateful to our federal partners who are prosecuting these cases, but we have to have a new governor who's going to have a no fraud, no excuses culture." Walz, speaking to reporters on Thursday, pledged to "tackle the issue of fraud, of people defrauding the people of Minnesota and the state of Minnesota. We know now that those programs have been paused. We have an independent auditor from the outside. We've enacted new powers that we have to stop payments and to be able to make sure that that snapshot of what's there is. The people who did it will go to prison." "My goal is to make sure that those going forward have much better tools, much more safeguards around programs," the governor added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Robbins charged that Walz and his administration "are very late to this. They have stepped up recently, but the things that they've done, they already had the authority to stop payment when there were credible allegations of fraud. They already had authority to do prepayment reviews and close down some of these programs." Ilhan Omar Gives Blistering Response To Trump After He Calls Her And Other Somali Migrants Garbage "They haven't been doing it until we really have been holding their feet to the fire and exposing all the fraud," she emphasized. Trump has repeatedly blamed Minnesota's Somali population for the fraud. On Tuesday, he called immigrants from Somalia "garbage" and claimed they "destroyed Minnesota." President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after speaking to troops via video from his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. Last month, the president announced he was ending temporary deportation protections for Somali immigrants in Minnesota and claimed that "Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz on Thursday called Trump's comments "vile racial racist lies" and "slander towards our fellow Minnesotans." Asked about the president's comments, Robbins said, "the bulk of the fraud that we've uncovered so far is in the Somali community. And one of the reasons the fraud has perpetuated based on whistleblowers who reach out to me is that they were afraid to say that out loud, because they were afraid of having political retribution or being called racist." "So we do have to say that. Say it out loud. Most of the fraud is in the Somali community," she added. But Robbins also emphasized that "most of the best whistleblowers are also in the Somali community. Both things are true. So certainly, that's where most of the fraud is. But also there's a lot of people in the Somali community who want to clean it up." Republican gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota state Rep. Kristin Robbins spotlights her anti-fraud efforts during a campaign news conference. Robbins told Fox News Digital that her efforts taking aim at the fraud may boost her bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I certainly know where all the problems are and how this massive fraud scandal has been allowed to flourish under Tim Walz," she said. "I think I can speak directly to it and take him on, directly on the debate and on the details. I think I'm most qualified." And Robbins added, "I'm also most qualified to solve it when I'm governor. So I've already rolled up my fraud plan of how we were going to standardize internal controls, how we're going to have an Office of Inspector General, how we are going to hold employees in the state accountable. So I think I will be the one who can solve the problem for Minnesota." Robbins, who was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2018, represents a purple district in the Minneapolis suburbs. She has touted that in the crowded field of GOP gubernatorial contenders, she's the "only conservative Republican whos a proven winner in the suburbs." Robbins served as Minnesota state chair of former U.S. ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's 2024 Republican presidential campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click Here To Download The Fox News App And on Thursday, Haley praised Robbins in a fundraising email to supporters. "We have to stop Tim Walz and elect a leader who will fight to end this corruption!" Haley wrote. "Kristin Robbins has spent her career fighting fraud and shell do the same as governor." Original article source: Walz 'has been an absolute failure' in combating fraud, says GOP gubernatorial challenger Robbins Several police agencies in the metro Atlanta are planning sting operations to catch package thieves as the holiday season approaches. We are planning on doing some operations this season where we are going to put some bait packages out, with tracking devices in them, to see if we can can catch some of these thieves who are doing this, said Oakwood Police Lt. Stewart Webb. Greater Atlanta ranks sixth in the nation for porch package theft with more than 1 million packages stolen last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oakwood resident Glenn Weekley told Channel 2s Tom Regan he spotted someone snatching a package off his porch as he arrived home, but the thief got scared. I said, Stop, I have a gun. Actually he didnt stop. He just dropped the package and ran, said Weekley. Police recommend several strategies to avoid becoming a porch pirate victim, including closely tracking the delivery time of your package. If you cant be home, ask if a neighbor can pick it up. Some delivery services will follow specific instructions to drop packages in less visible location from the street. Amazon also has drop lockers where packages can be picked up using a security code sent by an app or email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several years ago, Georgia passed a law to crack down on porch package theft. Someone convicted of three thefts in three different locations can be charged with a felony and receive a fine and jail time. Police recommend that porch package victims file a police report to expedite refunds or credits for stolen items. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] RELATED STORY: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] JALALABAD, Afghanistan (AP) An overnight exchange of fire between Afghan forces and Pakistani troops along the two countries tense border killed five Afghan civilians and wounded five others, while three civilians were also wounded on the Pakistani side, officials from the two countries said Saturday. Each side has blamed the other for triggering the clash in violation of a tenuous two-month ceasefire. Those killed in the border area near the Afghan city of Spin Boldak, in southern Afghanistans Kandahar province, included three children and one woman, said Ali Mohammad Haqmal, the head of information of Spin Boldak District. Pakistani police and a hospital official in the Pakistani city of Chaman, Mohammad Awais, said three people, including a woman, were wounded in the shooting and shelling that came from the Afghan side. The clashes lasted until dawn Saturday, police said. Tension between the two countries has been high since October, when deadly border clashes killed dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants, and wounded hundreds 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 has been the worst between the neighbors in recent years. A Qatar-mediated ceasefire began in October and has largely held, but peace talks have so far failed to produce an agreement. Pakistan has suffered several militant attacks inside its country, and has blamed most of them on the Pakistani Taliban, known as 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. Pakistan and Afghanistan have both blamed each other for the cross-border exchange of fire that broke out Friday night. Haqmal said the Afghan side didnt respond for 10-15 minutes after Pakistani forces began shooting, and that once the Afghan side responded, it stopped firing within an hour. The shooting by the Pakistani side continued until Saturday morning, he said. However, 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. 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. Abidullah Farooqi, a spokesman for the Afghan border police, said Friday night that Pakistani forces first threw 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. Separately, Pakistans military said Saturday that its security forces had killed nine Pakistani Taliban militants during two intelligence-based operations Friday in Pakistans northwestern districts of Tank and Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. ___ Ahmed reported from Islamabad, Pakistan. Elena Becatoros in Athens, Greece, contributed to this report. By ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN and MUNIR AHMED Associated Press December 6, 2025 marks four years since 5-year-old Grays Harbor County girl Oakley Carlson was reported missing. She would be nine years old today. Her case garnered national attention, as her biological parents were and are considered people of interest in her disappearance. No one outside of Oakleys biological parents had seen her since February 10, 2021-- 10 months before she was reported missing. What happened? The search for Oakley began on Dec. 6, 2021 after her school principal requested a welfare check on the child. The reason? Court documents state the principal hadnt seen the girl for a while and heard some troubling statements from her then-six-year-old sister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Carlson family had just been displaced from their home after a fire in November 2021. The principal said in court documents that she had near-daily contact with the family at the time of the fire, but did not physically see Oakley. She told investigators that there was always some excuse when she visited as to why Oakley was not there. According to court documents filed at the time, the principal heard Oakleys older sister say things her mother (Jordan Bowers) had told her not to talk about Oakley and that Oakley was no more. The sister also allegedly told a child advocate during an interview that she was told that Oakley had gone out into the woods and was eaten by wolves, according to court documents. The sister and Oakleys brother also told interviewers of instances of physical abuse against Oakley by her parents in the past, according to court documents filed in 2021. At the time of her disappearance, Oakley was living with her biological parents-- Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had previously been removed from their home by the Department of Children, Youth and Family Services (DCYF) and was placed into the care of foster parents Jamie Jo Hiles and Erik Hiles. Oakley was with the Hiles from seven months old to just shy of her third birthday, according to the Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project. At the time of her disappearance, neither Jordan nor Andrew could account for where she was or point detectives to a trusted adult who may have had her. When contacted, Oakleys parents, Andrew Carlson and Jordan Bowers, gave conflicting and ultimately false statements about her whereabouts, the Grays Harbor County Sheriffs Office wrote on Facebook in September of 2025. Looking at Andrew and Jordan During the welfare check, Andrew and Jordan were taken into custody for manslaughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since she was reported missing, the Grays Harbor County Sheriffs Office said the circumstances of her disappearance were suspicious and that her parents were persons of interest. However, there was insufficient evidence to charge them for anything connected to Oakley. According to the Grays Harbor County Sheriffs Office in 2021, Jordan and Andrew The pair was charged and later sentenced for endangerment of a child. These charges also were not related to Oakley. Jordan and Andrew pleaded guilty to withholding necessary medication from their other daughter for over a year. There were also allegations that possibly both parents used meth around the kids, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Jordan was released from prison, she was arrested again for a different crime-- identity theft and fraud-- and sentenced for that. Both have since served their time and have been released. Where does the case stand? In a Facebook post from September, the Grays Harbor County Sheriffs Office wrote: We want to remind the public that Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson (Oakleys mother and father) remain persons of interest in Oakleys disappearance. In July of this year, Oakley was legally declared deceased by a Washington court. ALSO READ: Oakley Carlsons foster mother speaks out after daughter declared legally dead We are working with the Grays Harbor County Prosecutors Office into potentially looking into a no-body homicide prosecution, Jeremy Holmes, Chief of Special Services for the Grays Harbor Sheriffs Office, told KIRO Newsradio in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A $100,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the location and recovery of Oakley. If you have any information, call the Grays Harbor County Sheriffs Office at 360-964-1770 or email sodetectives@grayshabor.us. According to Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project, if the reward is not claimed or extended, the funds will be used at the discretion of Jamie Jo and Erik Hiles. Potential uses include a service and headstone (if necessary), a college fund, a scholarship in Oakleys name, or a trust fund for Oakleys siblings, Light the Way wrote on its website. Immigration hardliners across Washington are using last weeks shooting of two National Guard members to push the Trump administration to further limit who can enter the U.S., well beyond restrictions the White House has taken in the immediate aftermath of the attack. A number of lawmakers and Trump administration officials view the shooting by an Afghan man whod been granted asylum as an opportunity for an aggressive effort to load on new layers of screening of would-be migrants and asylum seekers across the world. Proposals range from mandatory in-person interviews for asylum applicants to deporting millions of people the administration says entered the U.S. without adequate vetting from the Biden administration. Other suggestions include a variety of additional checks to reveal any connections to terror groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An administration official said to expect a full overhaul of all adjudications, adding: We are at a critical moment of vetting foreign nationals, not just those from typical countries of concern. The official, like others, was granted anonymity to speak freely about the evolving plans within the U.S. government to respond to the shooting of two members of the West Virginia National Guard that killed one soldier and left another in critical condition. We need to screen and screen and screen some more because really and truly this is a tragedy beyond belief, said West Virginia Republican Sen. Jim Justice. If I were President Trump, I would say, If you think there's a better way, then fix it. Since the shooting, the Trump administration has moved to freeze visa and asylum applications from Afghan nationals, and said it will audit green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries. Trump has also said the U.S. must reexamine all Afghans who came to the U.S. under Biden, and vowed to permanently pause immigration from all third world countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears eager to go further. She posted on X on Monday that she has recommended the president expand travel bans on every damn country thats been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies. There were some plans already afoot to find ways to revisit some of these cases. It was kind of tinkering around the edges, said one person close to the administration. But now, its going to be much more systematic, and I suspect theyre going to have to devote more resources to it. I would call it an inflection point, the person added. Some of the proposals add procedural barriers. Immigration hawks on Capitol Hill are arguing for U.S. officials to restore standards a government commission convened after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to root out potential security threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who has pushed for legislation restoring those strict screening requirements, argued that chief among those steps would be the resumption in-person interviews for asylum applicants and more rigorous reviews to determine if an applicant has any ties to terrorist organizations. Does that take time? Of course it does, which is the point. I mean, the point is to zero in and make a judgment about each person you're letting in because who knows how long they'll be here, Hawley said in an interview. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was an Afghan national who entered the country in 2021 on humanitarian parole. His application for asylum was approved in 2025 under the Trump administration. While Trump and other Cabinet officials alleged shortly after the shooting that the Biden administration did zero vetting of him, administration officials later said the vetting was insufficient. It's unclear what inspired Lakanwal, who worked with a CIA-backed paramilitary force in Afghanistan, to carry out the shooting but reports have documented mental health concerns. Noem had said shortly after his arrest that Lakanwal was radicalized in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the plans under consideration would be unprecedented in scope. Two senior intelligence officials said that people who work in the National Counterterrorism Center are actively pushing the White House on a hardline plan to deport some 2 million people from mostly Muslim countries who entered the U.S. under Biden and force them to reapply from abroad if they want to return. The first intelligence official declined to explain how the NCTC arrived at the figure of 2 million. Joe Kent, the head of the NCTC, has already floated the idea in public, advocating for retroactively vetting recent arrivals to the U.S. and deporting those illegally admitted under Biden on his social media account. Olivia Coleman, a spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said NCTC fully supports the mission to undo the damage caused by the previous administrations lax vetting standards and get these monsters out of our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coleman also pledged that NCTC will continue our efforts to identify individuals with terrorist ties, rigorously vet them, and equip DHS with the intelligence needed to remove these criminals from our country." The calls for more action are being amplified by long-time advocates for restricting legal pathways for migrants to enter the United States. They argue that the Biden administration conducted meager screening of visa applicants. Many of them were, at best, very, very superficially vetted. Many probably weren't vetted at all, and weve been paying the price for it. Not just with this attack on the National Guard, but in terms of criminal gangs moving in, said Ira Mehlman of the Federation for American Immigration Reform think tank in Washington, which favors restrictions on legal pathways to emigrate to the United States. Under multiple administrations, including under Biden, migrants and asylum seekers have been generally screened for ties to terrorist groups and potential threats they may pose to U.S. national security based on information available in federal databases. Afghan nationals who worked with the U.S. in Afghanistan and therefore qualified to apply for a special visa were typically initially vetted by military personnel at bases overseas. And not all Afghan refugees were offered humanitarian parole. Many still wait at U.S. military bases and refugee camps around the world for a small number of Special Immigrant Visas that would allow them to enter the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the Biden administrations process was criticized in a 2022 Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report, which found that federal officials did not always have critical data to properly vet Afghan refugees. In a letter Friday, all eight Republicans on the Senate Intelligence panel urged acting national security adviser Marco Rubio to fully implement the recommendations of the OIG report and to remove Afghan evacuees deemed a security risk. Not all of the White Houses allies are pushing for immediate and dramatic action. Some Republicans are voicing caution, wanting to learn more about the shooter before pushing for major changes. Secretary Noem says that he was radicalized after he came to the United States, and that may be, but we just don't have the facts yet, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who in the past has supported visa programs for Afghans who helped the U.S. in its two-decade war. We don't have the facts about the extent to which, if any, President Bidens administration vetted the folks. We were told they would all be vetted, but we dont know if that was the case or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is working to implement the most rigorous screening and vetting protocols in agency history as a way to correct damage from the Biden administrations reckless approach to refugee settlement. McLaughlin added that the Trump administration is reviewing all immigration benefits granted by the Biden administration to aliens from countries of concern. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Trump is fulfilling his promise every day and any policy changes needed to more effectively achieve his goal to put America first and carry out the largest mass deportation operation in history. Much of what the administration has carried out in recent days has built on its gradual steps to increase scrutiny of applications and reduce pathways to legally enter the United States, said Kathleen Bush-Joseph, an immigration lawyer who works as an analyst at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. Its an escalation, but its building on these already extraordinary measures that they had been taking or trying to take, Bush-Joseph said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the changes, Bush-Joseph said, could be the reintroduction of rules around asylum introduced during the first Trump presidency. Many of those rules were blocked in the courts during Trumps first term, but the administration has already shown a willingness to revamp other immigration policies that were hampered by litigation back then, such as changes to the diversity visa lottery. Ken Cuccinelli, who served as acting deputy DHS secretary during the first Trump administration and wrote the chapter of a 2024 Heritage Foundation report that previewed many of the immigration policy changes Trump has since made, said that the administration should pursue a three-pronged policy of blocking new applicants from countries where vetting is impossible, re-vetting all applicants in the U.S. from those nations and deporting anyone who cannot be properly screened. How far the efforts will go to re-screen foreign nationals is unclear. The first senior intelligence official said that senior White House officials have been briefed on the plan to deport the 2 million migrants from counterterrorism officials. The second senior intelligence official cautioned that a lot of things are floating around right now in response to the shooting, but confirmed this idea was one of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interim, the political pressure is bubbling to the surface, as even lawmakers who have historically backed programs that grant Afghans and others who supported the U.S. military entry to the United States are acknowledging a need for more vetting. I am all about allowing those that assisted our military passage into the United States. I am very firm on that, said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). But they must be properly vetted and we know that this was not done. KANSAS CITY, Mo. When you hear Kansas City, whats the first thing that pops into your mind? Is it the Chiefs? The barbecue? The hundreds of fountains scattered around the city? Maybe its all of the above. But for many history buffs around the world, the first thought might have been a little more crooked, a little more corrupt and a little more captivating thats the story we are about to unpack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barstools Dave Portnoy spotlights North KC pizzeria in hit One Bite review series You may have heard of the Italian mafia a notorious group that once dominated the political, economic and cultural life of cities across America during the 20th century. Many associate the mafia with New York Citys five crime families Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Colombo and Bonanno or with the Las Vegas gambling scene. But others may know the true history of the Heartlands ties to organized crime, especially in Kansas City. Mafia expert Gary Jenkins, a documentary filmmaker and host of the Gangland Wire podcast says those ties go way back to the early 20th century and halfway across the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What was once known as just a tiny island off the toe of the Italian boot, Sicily is now referred to as the birthplace of the Cosa Nostra, or the Sicilian Mafia, which has since been popularized in mainstream culture through films like Goodfellas, Casino, and The Godfather. Jenkins told FOX4 the mafia emerged as a protective mechanism to combat an unstable northern Italian government. However, it later evolved after the Great Sicilian Immigration, when at least 4 million Italian immigrants landed in the U.S. by 1920. From there, the new arrivals planted their feet in different American cities, expanding westward as the years went by for greater economic opportunities. But each city, including Kansas City, brought challenges that forced many of these newcomers to take matters into their own hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youve got a large group of immigrants like that, theyre looking for opportunity, they dont speak the languages, theyre a little bit darker, and they come to Kansas City, and theyre scuffling for jobs, and the Irish and the English my people and your people weve got all the jobs sewed up and were not letting these newcomers in, Jenkins said. So, they start scuffling, and they have eddy joints, and they have restaurants, and all the family works there. The same things happening today. And they bring this group with them called the mafia. Historic 250-year-old oak tree to be cut down in Kansas City this weekend Jenkins further explained how these Italian-owned, brick-and-mortar businesses in places like the River Quay (now known as the River Market) eventually shifted their business models once they began recruiting outside members, usually other Sicilians. From there, power would become more alluring, and underground deals would emerge as equally successful means of commerce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prohibition was one of the catalysts of organized crime in Kansas City, and from it originated some of the metros most well-known mobsters, including one of the citys first mob bosses John Lazia (born Lazzio). From there, and with the help of Lazias political ties, Tom Pendergast entered the picture, ushering in the infamous Pendergast political machine era laced with corruption, collusion and conspiracy. [Lazia] got in with Pendergast; Pendergast ran the whole city, Jenkins said. And they took over their own political destiny and became a political powerhouse, too. They were able to influence who was going to be a judge, and who was on the city council, and those kinds of things. So, it kept rolling. However, after many years of being the puppet master to Kansas Citys political strings, Lazia was assassinated. This led to one of Kansas Citys most well-known mob eras, an era in which its organized crime ties stretched beyond the boundaries of the metro and established itself in a nationwide gambling scheme that would ultimately lead to its demise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The era in question was the 1970s and 1980s. A period when long-time mob boss Nick Civella was leading the metros local and national mob affairs. His reign involved numerous illegal and corrupt activities, including the infiltration and influence of the Teamsters Union, which had control over the Central States Pension Fund (CSPF). This fund would later be called the most abused, misused pension fund in America, according to an article published in Forbes in 1980. The CSPF was often delegated by and used for mob families, offering its members a direct source of illegal income and power in Midwestern cities, specifically Kansas City. [The mafia} had a say so in things that were happening, depending on how many votes they could bring and who they could intimidate, and they got in with the Teamsters Union, and you know, union racketeering, Jenkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Roy Lee Wiliams got in bed with Nick Civella and, you know, one hand watches the other, and if they needed some heavy lifting done by mafia guys, Roy Lee Williams could go to them. Jenkins went on to say that the Teamsters Union was a powerful political animal in any city because it carried a top-down approach to corruption. This means, the boss could issue an order and tell his guys to vote a certain way, as well as their families, and they would do just that. They had their niche, Jenkins concluded. Probably the relationship between Roy Lee Williams and Nick Civella was the most important thing that gave them the most power. Despite the mobs influence on Kansas Citys infrastructure over the early-to-late 1900s, Jenkins said they never entirely had their thumb on the scales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travis Kelce says he and fiancee Taylor Swift have never done what? And after years of Civellas illegal gambling schemes and union racketeering, his crimes were uncovered through the famous FBI-led operation Strawman. From there, Civella was arrested, charged, convicted and imprisoned, kickstarting the demise of the metros organized crime ties. By the early 2000s, the words Italian mob and Kansas City were less of a fear and more of a fascination, reeling in true crime junkies with pieces of gripping local and national history that shaped the landscape of politics, public services, public figures and public consciousness. Now, all thats left are the stories people share and the creators, like Jenkins, who do what they can to uphold said history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local filmmaker is set to debut his latest film, Gangland Wire at the Glenwood Arts Theater for the KC Mafia and True Crime Film Festival. The festival runs from Dec. 4-13, and Jenkins 82-minute documentary is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. For more information about the film festival, click here. To learn more about Jenkins and Kansas City mafia history, go to ganglandwire.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Right-wing podcaster Tim Pool has claimed someone opened fire while approaching his property. In a post on X, Pool said a car approached his property on Friday night and opened fire. There were no injuries, Pool added. His security team is now reviewing the incident and will make a report to law enforcement. In a second post, Pool said his first thought was that someone was trying to scare him. But we have a security gate and armed guards, and it's possible this deterred something more serious, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pool, who hosts The Culture War Podcast, has millions of followers across YouTube, Instagram, and X. He rose to prominence during the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011 and during his time as a reporter with Vice. Pool did not specify where his property is located, but his X profile lists his location as Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The Independent has contacted Pool for comment. Right-wing podcaster Tim Pool said someone opened fire on his property on Friday night (Getty Images) The Harpers Ferry Police Department said the incident did not occur within the agency's boundaries and directed The Independent to the West Virginia State Police and the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office. A spokesperson for the West Virginia State Police said they have no information about the incident. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office could not be reached for comment outside of business hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several major figures were quick to respond to Pools post, including conservative commentator Megyn Kelly. This is awful, Tim, she wrote on X. Im so sorry this happened. Things are getting out of control and its happening more frequently. Praying for your safety. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, called the incident terrifying. Im glad everyone is ok, she wrote on X. Everyone must stand together against this type of political violence and intimidation. No matter who it happens to. Whether you like them or not. Last year, Pool made headlines after the Justice Department criminally charged two employees of Russias state-controlled media outlet Russia Today over an alleged $10 million propaganda scheme that enlisted right-wing media personalities. The company, which was not named in the indictment but was later identified as Tenet Media, had ties to multiple conservative influencers, including Pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a September 2024 statement, Pool said that if the allegations were true, he and the other media personalities were deceived and are victims. He also noted that his podcast was licensed by Tenet Media, but that he never produced any content for the company. In April, he went on to claim the Justice Department has shown no actual proof to back up its allegations. The indictment includes out-of-context messages that are in dispute, no actual proof of said messages, in fact, and claims without any corroborating hard evidence for everything else, Pool said. Pool also drew national attention after he bought an improvised skatepark in West Virginias eastern panhandle after feuding with the skateboarders who frequented the area, The Washington Post reports. Pool dismissed the criticism at the time, telling the Post that the issue seemed to be solely with a few people who dont like me personally. When a company like Coca-Cola has existed for well over a century, there are bound to be many notable events throughout its history. Whether they're mishaps, like the spectacular failure that was New Coke or the time Coke attempted to create a soda that oddly targeted Gen Xers, or feats, like the fact that Coca-Cola was the world's most popular soft drink in 2025, there have been plenty of memorable moments. Of course, in that same vein, certain facts have gone overlooked, particularly when it comes to Fanta, one of Coca-Cola's subsidiaries. As it turns out, the carbonated fruit-flavored beverage's origins are tied to World War II and Nazi Germany. With it being among the most prominent controversies in soda history, Fanta's chapter in Coca-Cola's story deserves discussion. The history behind Fanta's birth is complex, so it's simplest to focus on the key moments that led to it. During World War II, after Coca-Cola had established itself as a global brand, the United States imposed a total trade embargo on Nazi Germany following the attack on Pearl Harbor through the 1917 Trading with the Enemy Act. Among other things, the Trading with the Enemy Act blocked exports like Coke's formulated syrup base. As this meant that the American-based company would have to pause the soda's production, Max Keith, then head of Coca-Cola's German operations, acted swiftly to keep the factory operational. Using what was available in Germany, Keith had his team create a new soda made from whey, a byproduct of cheese, apple fibers, and whatever seasonal fruits were obtainable. The resulting beverage, which appeared similar in color to ginger ale, marked Fanta's initial phase. Read more: The 12 Most Controversial Foods Banned All Over The World Fanta's controversy lies in Coke's indifference toward Nazi Germany Fanta cans - Veja/Shutterstock Although Coca-Cola had ceased exporting products from the United States to Germany during the war, Max Keith did what he needed to keep his end of the business profitable. Keith's alleged connections within the Third Reich allowed him to maintain control over Coca-Cola GmbH, the company's German branch, and avoid certain measures like sugar rationing. This allowed for Fanta's appealingly sweet flavor, helping the drink became popular in Germany, not only as a beverage but also as a cooking additive. It's worth noting that while Keith never officially joined the Nazi Party, he found ways to appeal to its cause and leader, such as by providing rationed Coca-Cola to its military and even adopting a mustache similar to Adolf Hitler's. This was in addition to Coca-Cola GmbH honoring Hitler's 50th birthday with a mass Sieg Heil salute at a party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What's interesting is Coca-Cola's indifference toward its associated business practices with the Nazi Party during this time, even attempting to disregard them to this day. Perhaps this was simply a moment when a company trusted an employee to maintain its operations during the war. However, Coca-Cola is aware of the controversy at some level, having pulled and issued an apology for a German Fanta commercial in 2015. Most notably, the Fanta ad referred to its early days in the 1940s as the "good old times" (via CBS News). In an apology, a Coca-Cola spokesperson said the ad "was meant to evoke a sense of childhood," and that "the brand had no association with Hitler or the Nazi Party" (via the Daily Express). Fanta evolved into an international sensation Various flavors of Fanta cans lined up in a row - DenisMArt/Shutterstock Max Keith's loyalty to Coca-Cola was solidified after World War II when the company regained control of its German operations and continued Fanta's production until 1949. The reasons behind it being discontinued are unknown, but Coke did reintroduce Fanta in 1955 when PepsiCo released several new flavored beverages to the masses. Today, Fanta has moved on from its original taste, which is said to have varied greatly but was mostly apple-centric, to Fanta Orange, which is considered the modern flagship flavor. Following its return to market in 1955, Fanta gained international fame around the world, prompting the brand to create a variety of regional flavors. Although it's not stated, it's interesting how many are representative of the countries each hails from, as if paying homage to Keith cobbling together Germany's resources. For instance, Fanta Orange was created in Italy where the fruit is a major natural resource. While this may not be the same for all of Fanta's regional flavors, others are representative of the areas where they are often found, either by their ingredients' production or popularity. For example, Fanta Guarana in Brazil features guarana seeds, a beloved energizing ingredient that's primarily sourced in the Amazon; Yogurt Rush Melon Mix originated in Japan where both of its inspirational flavors, melon and pineapple, are widely popular; and Fanta Shokata infuses the original Orange flavor with Romanian socata, an infusion of lemon and elderflower that's popular in Eastern Europe. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Chowhound. (From left) Nicola Persico, Northwestern University managerial economics and decision sciences professor, University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom Interim Director Luciano de Castro, Concordia University professor Zachary Patterson and Texas A&M University engineering professor John Criscione speak during a panel discussion on Dec. 5, 2025. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The first day of the University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedoms two-day inaugural event sought to answer two questions what is wrong with higher education, and what caused these problems with discussion from academics and activists involved with the center or invited by its interim director. There wasnt much debate among panelists and audience members, with the group seeming to agree that the root of the problems facing higher education comes from liberals and the ideas they bring with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The critical thing here to understand is what has actually gone wrong? Well, a lot of things have gone wrong, said panelist and American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Joshua Katz. Whos responsible? Well, a lot of people are responsible. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Created by a law passed in the last legislative session, the UI Center for Intellectual Freedom is an entity governed by the Iowa Board of Regents with the goal of expanding intellectual diversity and civics education at the university. The centers 26-person advisory council is in charge of finding a permanent director to replace de Castro and will advise on academic and other matters. Kicking off the affair was the Centers Strategy Colloquium, which will continue Saturday with discussion of past efforts to create centers similar to the UIs and the work going on now within the center. While the event was public, only panelists and those invited to attend were allowed to ask questions during the sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Reforming Universities Summit will take place Saturday afternoon with remarks from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, former regent and current U.S. Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education David Barker and others. Sessions will cover the question of whether universities can be reformed and possible actions and next steps, with a Capstone Session ending the event. Center Interim Director Luciano de Castro said in a previous interview the center, and the events it holds, are the democratic process in action, as Iowa voters made their opinions clear in electing the lawmakers who voted to create the center and shape its mission. Ideas and thoughts brought up during the inaugural event will be extremely valuable to orient what we do in the center, de Castro said. What is wrong with universities? Main problems identified by panelists related to the actions faculty do or do not take when it comes to fostering debate not only among students, but among their colleagues and in higher education as well, and what universities base their work and priorities on. Nicola Persico, a managerial economics and decision sciences professor at Northwestern University, provided the context that liberals outweigh conservatives in both faculty and administration and that faculty are more likely to say a liberal person would fit in their department than a conservative one. The only problem he identified stems from these facts, that faculty are self-censoring in the classroom, in research discussions and online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas A&M University engineering professor John Criscione said faculty need to be guardians at the gate to protect higher educations mission of supporting the exchanging and debate of ideas and the pursuit of truth, especially as propagandists seek to take control of powerful institutions at the junction of youth teaching and adult beliefs. Universities are prioritizing productivity above anything else, he said, when they should be prioritizing the search for truth. I think universities really need to change society for the better. Theres no question on that , Criscione said. Our mechanism, our approach to doing that, I think, is pursuing the truth, discovering knowledge, disseminating knowledge, that will change society, that will improve it. If we pick a particular approach, we decide society needs to change in this way, I dont think we can have credibility. How did we end up here? Panelists had plenty of people, and the ideas they introduced to higher education, to blame for where the industry is now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katz separated those responsible for higher educations issues into two categories sheep and crazies. The sheep are almost everybody, he said, with the crazies at the fringes of both ends of the political and ideological spectrums. Nearly all university faculty fall into the sheep category, and if they follow a bad idea things can, and have, gone very wrong. Crazies used to be a small minority of academic units, Katz said, but now there are more of them and they are malevolent. Dont hire crazies, dont be a sheep, and lets hope that the Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa can fix whatever problems there are, Katz said. Its not just the people that have caused problems in higher education, said Texas A&M University finance professor Adam Kolasinski, but the belief they bring with them that the very fabric of society is biased against certain people and groups and the moral crusade they want to undertake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far left ideology has been present in U.S. higher education for a very long time, Kolasinski said, but one touchstone moment in the movement was the rise of critical race theory in law schools in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He said the liberal left had continuing frustration that results of the Civil Rights Movement werent followed with as big of changes for minority communities as was hoped, which led to crackdowns on speech they did not approve of and over-discrimination against whites. Left liberals also have the fundamental misunderstanding of human nature in the post-war era that poverty is mostly, or solely, caused by external factors rather than internal ones, he said. This belief led to race-conscious hiring practices, censoring of voices who did not disagree and a hierarchy of oppression that brought forward diversity, equity and inclusion programming. Academics have been pushed out or silenced for going against these ideas, Kolasinski said. He provided the example of former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who stepped down from his Harvard University presidency after suggesting women were less represented in STEM fields because of intrinsic aptitude. Summers, who was teaching at Harvard and held the position of director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, has stepped away from the university again due to his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked how to deal with faculty pushing critical study and ideologies, Katz said more discussions need to be had around tenure. He added that the only way to fix anything, at least within two generations, is to get rid of the employees who shouldnt have been hired in the first place. Kolasinksi agreed and said if universities can get university leaders who would stand up against these faculty members, then the kooks will be marginalized. Some panelists pointed to decades and centuries of past philosophical changes that have led to this point, with Ivan Marinovic, associate professor of accounting at Stanford University, suggesting that much of higher education rejects reason as traditionally understood and is skeptical and suspicious of western values. The traditional aim of inquiry has been replaced by a commitment to political activism and a very narrow vision of social justice, Marinovic said. The world is interpreted through a rigid oppressor, oppressed framework, reducing persons primarily to their race, gender and sexual orientation. The way to fix this problem, he said, is to once again open higher education to the whole breadth of reason, including moral, religious and metaphysical inquiry and the approach to deep questions with intellectual honesty and hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clara Reynen, a University of Iowa graduate student and Unity Chair in the Campaign to Organize Graduate Students, said she was concerned about what she heard during the panel discussions and thought speakers didnt provide any sort of solid, consistent argument to support the creation of the center. Contrary to some of the panelists, Reynen said, she does believe in self-censoring in her role as an instructor unless a student asks directly, as she is teaching course materials and not her personal feelings. Other students shes spoken to have expressed disappointment in the centers structure, as its director will have near-total control of hiring professors, inviting guest speakers and other actions. I think that its very clear that folks here are not actually interested in freedom of expression, Reynen said. If they were, they would be doing things to make sure that our university did have more equitable access for everybody, and werent just appointing from within. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Castro ended the event for the evening with a note of optimism about the truth and those seeking it. Truth has quality that only the truth has, which is the correspondence to reality, and just because of that, you can have for a long time things that are wrong, things that go in the wrong direction, but truth remains, and eventually will prevail, de Castro said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Earlier this month, YouTube TV subscribers were the victims of a lengthy carriage dispute between the streaming service and Disney, resulting in Disney-owned channels like ESPN and ABC being temporarily removed from the platform for several weeks. However, that was not the only carriage dispute YouTube TV has been involved in recently. YouTube TV had also been in a standoff with the public affairs network C-SPAN over its three channels. However, it seems that the dispute is now over, bringing all three of those channels to YouTube TV's live streaming service. What is C-SPAN? C-SPAN, which is an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is a non-profit American media company that provides unfiltered coverage of United States government proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coverage focuses primarily on the House and Senate in Washington D.C., along with other public affairs programming like speeches and political events. The network provides direct access to the political process and, unlike cable news networks, offers no commentary or opinion. At its peak a decade ago, C-SPAN was available to around 100 million homes with television across the country, according to the Associated Press. With many families and individuals moving away from cable and satellite and embracing cord-cutting, that number had dropped to around 70 million, and Congress wanted to fix that. This spring, Congress made a direct push to add C-SPAN coverage to streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu. In September, they finally got their wish, striking a deal with YouTube TV and Hulu. However, it took some time for YouTube TV to officially add the C-SPAN channels to its platform. C-SPAN Comes to YouTube TV Though YouTube TV reached a deal to bring C-SPAN channels to its platform back in September, those channels had still remained off the platform's lineup. As 9to5Google pointed out, however, that officially changed this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beginning on Thursday, all three C-SPAN channels officially began streaming on YouTube TV for all customers. "C-SPAN along with C-SPAN2 and C-SPAN3 are now streaming on YouTube TV, providing subscribers with its trademark gavel-to-gavel coverage of ongoing events happening inside the US Congress," 9to5Google reported this week. The new channels are not expected to lead to an increase in YouTube TV's subscription price, as C-SPANs fee is just 87 cents per year per subscriber. A Win For Customers When the deal was announced back in September, it was met with plenty of celebration. C-SPAN has long been a vital resource for civic engagement, and we look forward to partnering with them to both expand their footprint on YouTube and to celebrate America 250 together, said Mary Ellen Coe, YouTubes chief business officer, via the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are proud that this agreement will give millions more Americans access to our unfiltered coverage of the nations political process, said Sam Feist, C-SPANs CEO. Really glad to see that after I pressed streaming platforms for months to carry C-SPAN, YouTube and Hulu have decided to do so, said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, on social media. This kind of unfiltered coverage about whats going on in the halls of Congress is key to staying informed in such a biased media environment. Now, YouTube TV customers can continue to stay informed. This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Dec 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday again accused Moscow of attacking Ukraine's civilian infrastructure after more than 650 drones and 51 missiles caused injuries and destruction overnight. "The main targets of these strikes, once again, were energy facilities," Zelensky wrote on social media. "Russia's aim is to inflict suffering on millions of Ukrainians, and they stoop so low as to launch missiles at peaceful cities on St. Nicholas Day," he said, referring to the December 6 start of the Christmas period. The date also marks Ukraine's Armed Forces Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky reiterated his call for more pressure on Russia to halt the war it started in February 2022 with a full-scale invasion of its neighbour. The main building of the railway station in the town of Fastiv near Kiev had been burned down, the president continued. "The attack was meaningless from a military point of view," Zelensky said. The Dnipro, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhya, Odessa, Lviv, Volyn and Mykolaiv regions were also affected by the strikes, Zelensky said. Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to the latest Russian strikes on Ukraine. Air defence systems were also put on standby, the country's Armed Forces High Command posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote on Telegram that there were at least eight casualties in Ukraine, three each in the Kiev and Dnipropetrovsk regions and two more in Lviv in western Ukraine. Emergency power cuts are being carried out across several regions due to heavy Russian missile and drone attacks, utility company Ukrenergo said. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the latest attacks targeted Ukraine's military-industrial sector and energy facilities in response to alleged Ukrainian strikes against civilian targets in Russia. Ukraine has significantly expanded its attacks on the Russian hinterland this year. Oil and gas facilities have been targeted in particular. Support Local News Reporting Journalists at the Yakima Herald-Republic bring you timely, in-depth and credible local news. Your generous donation supports their work. Individuals named Aelfdene are often characterized by a deep connection to nature and a contemplative, spiritual disposition. They tend to be thoughtful observers who appreciate beauty in both natural and intellectual realms, often displaying a quiet wisdom that draws others to seek their counsel. Their personality typically combines practical sensibility with creative imagination, allowing them to navigate both concrete realities and abstract concepts with equal facility. Aelfdenes are usually patient, methodical workers who approach challenges with careful consideration rather than impulsive action. They value tradition and continuity but are not resistant to innovation when it serves a meaningful purpose. Their strong sense of integrity and loyalty makes them reliable friends and colleagues, though they may sometimes appear reserved or distant to those who don't know them well. This combination of earthy practicality and spiritual depth gives them a unique perspective that bridges mundane concerns with higher ideals. Women named Aghadreena are often perceived as having a strong connection to nature and tradition, reflecting the name's agricultural origins. They tend to be grounded, practical individuals with a deep appreciation for their heritage and the natural world. Their personality often combines the resilience of the sloe bushable to thrive in challenging conditionswith the hidden sweetness of the sloe berry that only emerges after patience and processing. This duality makes them complex individuals who may seem reserved at first but reveal depth and warmth to those who earn their trust. Aghadreenas are typically seen as protective of their loved ones and values, much like the protective hedgerows their name references. They often possess a quiet strength and determination, with an ability to persevere through difficulties while maintaining their core identity. Their connection to the land and tradition gives them a wisdom that others frequently seek out, and they're often the keepers of family stories and cultural knowledge. While they may appear traditional, they usually balance this with a practical adaptability that allows them to navigate modern life while honoring their roots. Nearly 190 crore belonging to around five lakh citizens has been lying unclaimed in banks for years, prompting the government to launch a major recovery initiative. The new UDGAM portal allows people to trace forgotten deposits across all banks and reclaim their money easily. Individuals named Ardell are often perceived as calm, grounded, and deeply connected to nature and tradition. They typically exhibit a quiet strength and reliability that makes them excellent friends and community members. Their association with the 'hare's dell' suggests someone who is both observant and quick-thinking when necessary, much like the hare that inhabits the peaceful valley. Ardells are often practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with patience and wisdom. They tend to be family-oriented individuals who value stability and continuity, often serving as the steady foundation in their social circles. While not typically seeking the spotlight, they possess a quiet confidence that draws others to them for guidance and support. Their connection to natural imagery suggests an individual who finds peace in routine and comfort in familiar surroundings, yet maintains the adaptability to navigate life's changes gracefully. Those bearing the name Argante are typically associated with qualities of profound wisdom, natural leadership, and an enigmatic presence that inspires both respect and curiosity. They often possess a deep, intuitive understanding of people and situations, combined with a strong sense of personal sovereignty that makes them natural rulers or guides. Their personality tends to be contemplative and perceptive, with an ability to see beyond immediate circumstances to broader patterns and truths. There's frequently a sense of timeless knowledge about them, as if they carry insights from ancient traditions or collective wisdom. Argantes are usually independent and self-possessed individuals who value their autonomy while maintaining a protective, nurturing attitude toward those in their care. They may appear reserved or mysterious to outsiders, but this often conceals a deeply compassionate nature and strong protective instincts. Their strength lies in balancing practical leadership with spiritual insight, making them effective both in worldly matters and as sources of wisdom or healing. While they can be formidable when their authority is challenged, their primary motivation is typically the preservation and wellbeing of what they consider sacredwhether people, traditions, knowledge, or ideals they've sworn to protect. Women named Athdara are typically perceived as grounded, resilient individuals with deep inner strength, much like the oak tree in their name's meaning. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with practical wisdom, able to navigate challenging situations with the same reliability that a ford provides safe passage across turbulent waters. Their connection to nature often manifests in environmental awareness and a preference for authenticity in relationships and endeavors. Athdara's tend to be deeply rooted in their principles and heritage while remaining adaptable to changing circumstances. They possess the oak's enduring strength during difficult times and the ford's ability to connect different perspectives. This combination makes them excellent mediators and community builders who honor tradition while embracing progress. Their personality often reflects the Scottish values of perseverance, loyalty, and quiet dignity, with a strong sense of place and history informing their worldview. These individuals typically demonstrate a balanced approach to life, combining the steadfastness of ancient oaks with the fluid adaptability of river crossings. They are often seen as pillars of their communitiesreliable, wise, and capable of guiding others through transitions while maintaining their own strong ethical foundation. This unique blend of characteristics makes Athdara's particularly effective in roles that require both stability and the ability to facilitate change. Cultural & Historical Significance Ayala holds deep significance in Jewish and Israeli culture as a name that connects to both biblical imagery and modern Israeli identity. In the Hebrew Bible, deer are frequently used as symbols of grace, beauty, and longing for God, with references in Psalms and Song of Songs. The name gained particular prominence in modern Israel as part of the Zionist movement's effort to revive Hebrew names and connect with the natural landscape of the Holy Land. During the early 20th century, as Hebrew was being revitalized as a spoken language, names like Ayala became popular choices that reflected both traditional Jewish values and the new Israeli connection to nature. The name embodies the cultural shift from diaspora Jewish naming conventions to distinctly Israeli identities, while maintaining spiritual and poetic resonance from Jewish textual traditions. The name's cultural significance extends beyond religious contexts to represent Israeli national identity and connection to the land. In contemporary Israeli society, Ayala symbolizes the blend of traditional Jewish values with modern Israeli pioneering spirit. It represents the ideal of the 'sabra'native-born Israelis who are said to be tough on the outside but sweet on the inside, much like the prickly pear fruit. This cultural symbolism has made Ayala an enduringly popular name that bridges generations and reflects the ongoing evolution of Jewish and Israeli identity. Cultural & Historical Significance Berdy has roots in Germanic naming traditions, particularly deriving from names like Berthold, which combines 'beraht' (bright) and 'wald' (ruler). The name carries connotations of leadership and intelligence, reflecting the Germanic cultural emphasis on strong, capable leadership. Throughout Central Europe, variations of this name have been used among nobility and common folk alike, symbolizing both intellectual capacity and governing ability. In more recent centuries, Berdy has seen particular usage in Central Asian cultures, especially among Turkic peoples, where it was adopted and adapted while maintaining its core meaning of brightness and leadership. The name represents a cultural bridge between European and Asian naming traditions, embodying values of wisdom and authority across different societies. Its persistence across diverse cultures demonstrates the universal appeal of names suggesting intelligence and capable leadership. Women named Bettine are often perceived as deeply spiritual yet intellectually curious individuals who balance tradition with progressive thinking. They typically exhibit strong moral convictions and a sense of purpose derived from their spiritual beliefs, combined with a practical approach to life's challenges. Bettines are frequently described as loyal friends and dedicated family members who maintain their principles while showing compassion toward others. Their intellectual nature often manifests in artistic or literary interests, and they tend to be excellent communicators who value meaningful conversations. While grounded in their values, they also demonstrate adaptability and openness to new ideas, making them both stable and evolving personalities who inspire trust and respect in their social circles. This combination of spiritual depth and intellectual flexibility allows Bettines to navigate complex social situations with grace and wisdom, often serving as mediators or advisors in their communities. Women named Birte are often perceived as possessing a natural radiance and inner strength that aligns with the name's meaning of 'splendid.' They typically exhibit creative intelligence, combining practical wisdom with artistic sensitivity. Their personality often reflects the Celtic ideal of balanced feminine powerboth nurturing and fiercely independent. Birte's tend to be natural leaders who inspire others through their authenticity and vision. They often demonstrate resilience in facing challenges, drawing from deep inner resources and a strong connection to their cultural roots. Their communication style is typically both eloquent and grounded, making them effective in both personal relationships and professional settings, while maintaining the graceful strength that the name symbolizes. People named Blaisdell typically exhibit a distinctive blend of intellectual intensity and quiet contemplation. They are often perceived as deep thinkers who approach problems with both analytical precision and philosophical insight, reflecting the dual legacy of scientific rigor and spiritual inquiry associated with Blaise Pascal. Their minds work systematically, breaking down complex issues into manageable components while maintaining awareness of broader implications and ethical considerations. This makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both technical expertise and human understanding. In social settings, Blaisdells tend to be selective about their relationships, preferring quality over quantity in their connections. They may appear reserved initially, but this often stems from their thoughtful nature rather than shyness. Once comfortable, they reveal a dry wit and keen observational skills that make them engaging companions. Their communication style is typically measured and precise, with a tendency to think carefully before speakinga trait that ironically echoes the name's original meaning of 'stutterer' in the sense of deliberate, considered speech rather than hesitation. They value authenticity intensely and have little patience for superficiality, which can sometimes make them seem aloof but ensures that their friendships are deep and enduring. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Bourke has deep roots in Irish and Anglo-Norman history, originating from the powerful de Burgh family who arrived in Ireland during the Norman invasion of the 12th century. The name became particularly prominent in Connacht, where the Bourkes established themselves as one of the leading Gaelic aristocratic families, eventually becoming the Mac William Iochtar and ruling much of what is now County Mayo. Throughout centuries, the Bourke name has been associated with leadership, resilience, and the complex interplay between Norman and Gaelic cultures in Ireland. The family produced numerous chieftains, bishops, and military leaders who played significant roles in Irish politics and society, particularly during the tumultuous periods of English colonization and the various Irish rebellions. Their legacy continues in place names throughout Ireland, most notably the town of Bourke in New South Wales, Australia, named after Governor Richard Bourke. The name's journey from Norman aristocracy to Gaelic chieftainship to global diaspora reflects the complex history of Ireland itself, making Bourke a name that carries centuries of cultural memory and adaptation. Individuals named Bradburn are often perceived as steady, reliable, and deeply principled people. They tend to possess a calm, flowing demeanor reminiscent of the brooks and streams that inspired their name's origin. This stability makes them excellent anchors in relationships and communities, often serving as the moral compass or steady hand during turbulent times. Their thoughtful nature and methodical approach to problem-solving make them trusted advisors and loyal friends. Bradburns typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with a servant's heart, reflecting the Christian heritage associated with the name. They are often drawn to careers that involve helping others or maintaining order and structure. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess deep emotional currents and strong convictions. Their combination of practical wisdom and spiritual depth makes them effective in roles that require both compassion and firm principles. The name suggests someone who moves through life with purpose and consistency, much like a steady stream carving its path through the landscape. They are often patient listeners and careful decision-makers, preferring to build lasting foundations rather than seeking quick solutions. This measured approach, combined with their inherent reliability, makes Bradburns particularly valued in long-term relationships, professional settings requiring trustworthiness, and community roles where consistency and integrity are essential qualities. Individuals named Butrus are typically characterized by their steadfast nature and reliable character, reflecting the name's foundational meaning. They tend to be practical, grounded people who approach life with determination and consistency. These individuals often serve as pillars in their communitiespeople others turn to for wise counsel and stable support during challenging times. Their strength is not necessarily loud or flashy, but rather manifests as quiet resilience and enduring commitment to their principles and relationships. Butrus often exhibits intellectual curiosity combined with traditional values, creating a balanced personality that respects heritage while engaging with modern ideas. They are frequently perceived as natural mediators who can bridge different perspectives with diplomacy and understanding. The name suggests someone who builds slowly but surely, whether in career, family, or personal development, prioritizing quality and longevity over quick success. This combination of stability, intelligence, and diplomatic skill makes Butrus particularly effective in leadership roles where trust and long-term vision are essential. Women named Calinda are often perceived as creative, graceful individuals with a strong sense of individuality. They typically exhibit a blend of artistic sensitivity and practical intelligence, combining the lark's symbolic association with dawn and new beginnings with Linda's connotations of beauty and gentleness. Calindas are frequently described as innovative thinkers who approach challenges with both optimism and determination, often serving as sources of inspiration in their communities. Their personality often reflects a balance between traditional values and modern perspectives, making them adaptable in various social situations. They tend to be excellent communicators with a natural elegance that draws people to them, while maintaining a core of inner strength and resilience that helps them navigate life's complexities with poise and confidence. This combination of traits makes Calindas particularly effective in leadership roles that require both creativity and emotional intelligence, often excelling in fields that allow them to express their unique vision while serving others. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Carney has deep roots in Irish history, originating from the Gaelic surname O Cearnaigh, meaning 'descendant of Cearnach.' The original Cearnach was likely a warrior or chieftain, as the name translates to 'victorious' or 'triumphant.' During the period of English colonization in Ireland, many Gaelic names were anglicized, and O Cearnaigh became Carney, particularly in counties like Monaghan and Armagh where the clan was prominent. The Carney family was part of the ancient Gaelic nobility system, and the name carries the legacy of Irish resistance and cultural preservation during times of political upheaval. Throughout Irish diaspora, the name traveled to America, Canada, and Australia with immigrants, maintaining its connection to Irish identity while adapting to new cultural contexts. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many Carneys emigrated during the Great Famine and subsequent economic hardships, establishing Irish communities abroad. The name became a symbol of Irish resilience and the ability to succeed in new lands, living up to its meaning of 'victorious' through survival and prosperity in challenging circumstances. Today, Carney represents both the preservation of Irish heritage and the successful integration of Irish culture into global society. Individuals bearing the name Chatima typically exhibit personality traits aligned with their name's meaning of 'the caller' or summoner. They often demonstrate natural leadership qualities combined with exceptional communication skills, making them effective at bringing people together and facilitating group activities. Chatimas tend to be organized, responsible individuals who understand the importance of proper protocols and timing in both social and professional contexts. Their ability to listen attentively while also expressing themselves clearly makes them valuable mediators and community organizers. Beyond their communicative strengths, Chatimas often display a deep sense of spiritual awareness and cultural responsibility. They may feel a calling to preserve traditions and maintain connections between past and present. This can manifest as a thoughtful, contemplative nature balanced with practical action. While they can be assertive when necessary, they typically lead through consensus-building rather than authoritarian methods. Their strength lies in understanding group dynamics and knowing when and how to bring people together for common purposes. Many Chatimas find fulfillment in roles that allow them to serve as bridgesbetween generations, between different community factions, or between traditional and modern ways of life. Guangming Science City Forum 2025 held in S China's Shenzhen People's Daily Online) 17:25, December 05, 2025 Trial operation of the National Industrial Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing is launched at the Guangming Science City Forum 2025. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online) The Guangming Science City Forum 2025 was held in Guangming district of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, from Dec. 4-5, 2025. The forum marked the launch of the trial operation of the National Industrial Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing. As China's only national-level biomanufacturing innovation platform, the center focuses on green and low-carbon technologies, bio-agriculture and health care. It is developing six specialized platforms, including automated biomanufacturing, large-scale vector production, and quality-control facilities. At the forum, the Shenzhen Guangming Sci-Tech Innovation Fund of Funds was launched, with an initial capital commitment of approximately 1 billion yuan ($140 million). The forum also marked the inauguration of the National University Regional Technology Transfer and Transformation Center (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) High-end Scientific Instrument Shenzhen Branch Center. Top scientists and industry leaders from China and abroad delivered keynote talks at the main forum. Charles M. Lieber, a professor at the Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, SMART Investigator and founding director of i-BRAIN at the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation, delivered a speech on the latest development of brain-computer interfaces. Seven high-level parallel sessions were held during the forum, sparking ideas, bringing together resources and promoting win-win cooperation. Guangming Science City, a key hub within the Greater Bay Area Comprehensive National Science Center pilot zone, is rapidly attracting innovation resources from around the world. It hosts major scientific facilities, two leading research universities, two provincial laboratories, and 11 research institutes, collectively supporting over 3,000 top-tier professionals. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) Cultural & Historical Significance The name Churchill carries profound cultural significance rooted in English history and Christian tradition. Originating as a locational surname for families living near church hills, it evolved into a symbol of British resilience and leadership through figures like Winston Churchill. The name embodies a connection to both spiritual elevation through its church association and geographical prominence through the hill reference, creating a powerful combination of religious and strategic importance. Throughout British history, the Churchill family has been associated with military prowess, political leadership, and aristocratic tradition, making the name synonymous with strength, determination, and national pride. The name's Christian origins reflect the deep historical ties between English society and the Church, while its political associations highlight the intersection of faith and governance in Western civilization. The Churchill legacy represents a continuum of service, from medieval times through the modern era, making the name a living artifact of English cultural and political development. Cultural & Historical Significance Cliftun is a name with deep roots in English topography and Christian naming traditions. Originating from Old English elements meaning 'cliff' and 'farm settlement,' it reflects the medieval practice of naming individuals after geographical features near their homes. This practice was common among early Christian communities in England, where names often described physical surroundings while maintaining connection to Christian identity through baptismal naming conventions. The name gained prominence during the Norman period and became associated with various English towns and villages named Clifton. In Christian contexts, Cliftun represents the integration of local English culture with Christian faith, symbolizing how faith can be grounded in one's immediate environment and heritage. The name carries echoes of English landscape and settlement patterns while maintaining its Christian identity through centuries of usage in predominantly Christian societies. In contemporary usage, Connolly maintains its status as a respected and recognizable Irish surname across the globe. While primarily functioning as a family name, it has seen increased use as a first name, particularly in Irish-American and other diaspora communities seeking to honor their heritage. The name enjoys steady popularity without being overly common, preserving its distinctive character. In Ireland, it remains one of the more frequent surnames, especially in its traditional strongholds like Monaghan. Internationally, Connolly appears frequently in professional, academic, and political contexts, often associated with individuals of Irish descent who maintain strong cultural connections. Recent years have seen a renewed interest in Irish names generally, with Connolly benefiting from this trend while avoiding becoming overly trendy or diluted. The name continues to carry connotations of Irish identity, historical significance, and cultural pride in modern contexts. The name Cynewulf suggests a personality characterized by strategic leadership, protective loyalty, and cultural depth. Individuals with this name are often perceived as natural leaders who combine intellectual acuity with practical effectiveness. The 'royal' component implies someone with inherent authority and dignity, while the 'wolf' element suggests fierce protectiveness toward their community or family. They tend to be methodical planners who consider long-term consequences rather than acting impulsively. Historically associated with both kingship and poetry, the name implies a balance of action and reflectionsomeone who can lead in battle while appreciating art and learning. Cynewulfs are typically seen as guardians of tradition who respect established institutions while being innovative within those frameworks. Their strength lies in their ability to inspire loyalty through both competence and character, making them effective in positions of responsibility where trust and reliability are paramount. Women named Desarae are often perceived as charismatic and emotionally intuitive individuals who possess a natural ability to connect with others. They tend to be creative problem-solvers with a strong sense of empathy, making them excellent mediators and supportive friends. Many Desaraes exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern independence, often displaying determination in pursuing their goals while maintaining warm, nurturing relationships with those they care about. Their name's meaning of 'desired one' often translates into a personality that seeks meaningful connections and leaves lasting impressions on those they encounter. They typically balance practicality with imagination, making them both grounded and visionary in their approach to life's challenges. Desaraes are frequently described as having a magnetic quality that draws people to them, combined with a thoughtful nature that ensures they use this influence positively. While they may face expectations due to their name's romantic connotations, most develop a strong sense of self that allows them to define their own path rather than conforming to others' desires. Women named Ecaterina are typically perceived as possessing a blend of intellectual depth and emotional strength. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with a compassionate nature, making them both respected and beloved in their social circles. Ecaterinas are known for their sharp intellect, curiosity, and love of learning, frequently excelling in academic or professional environments. Their innate sense of justice and moral clarity often leads them to champion causes they believe in, while their diplomatic nature helps them navigate complex social situations with grace. Many Ecaterinas display a quiet confidence that inspires trust in others, and they tend to be loyal friends and dedicated family members who value deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections. Their combination of intelligence, integrity, and emotional intelligence makes them natural problem-solvers and trusted advisors. The name suggests someone who approaches life with thoughtful consideration and maintains their principles even under pressure, embodying the concept of strength through wisdom rather than force. Women named Elisavet are often perceived as strong-willed, intelligent, and deeply principled individuals. They tend to possess a natural leadership quality combined with a compassionate nature, making them both respected and beloved by those around them. Elisavets are typically known for their loyalty and devotion to family and friends, often serving as the emotional anchor in their social circles. Their strong moral compass and sense of responsibility frequently lead them to careers where they can make a positive impact on others' lives, such as education, healthcare, or social services. While they may appear reserved initially, Elisavets reveal a warm, engaging personality with a sharp intellect and quick wit once comfortable. They value tradition and stability but also possess the courage to stand up for their beliefs when necessary. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both empathy and decisive action. Elisavets are often excellent problem-solvers who approach challenges with both logical analysis and emotional intelligence. They tend to be lifelong learners with a curiosity about the world and a respect for knowledge and wisdom. Their name's meaning of 'devoted to God' often manifests as a deep sense of purpose and commitment in whatever they undertake, whether in personal relationships, professional endeavors, or community involvement. Cultural & Historical Significance Eorland has deep roots in Anglo-Saxon and Norse cultures, where it originally denoted someone from a nobleman's estate or lands. The name combines elements meaning 'nobleman' (eorl) and 'land,' reflecting the importance of land ownership and social status in medieval European societies. During the Christianization of England and Scandinavia, the name gained religious significance as many noble families converted and became patrons of the church, with Eorlands often serving as local leaders who balanced secular authority with Christian devotion. The name appears in historical records from the 8th to 11th centuries, particularly in regions where Anglo-Saxon and Norse cultures intersected, making it a bridge between pagan and Christian traditions in Northern Europe. As Christianity spread, the concept of nobility evolved to include spiritual leadership, and Eorlands were often among the first to establish churches and monasteries on their lands. This dual heritage gives the name unique cultural resonance, representing both earthly authority and spiritual responsibility in the Christian tradition. Cultural & Historical Significance Fibh is deeply rooted in Scottish heritage, specifically connected to the historic county of Fife in eastern Scotland. The name represents a strong regional identity tied to the Kingdom of Fife, which maintained considerable autonomy throughout Scottish history. As a masculine name, Fibh carries the legacy of ancient Pictish tribes who originally inhabited the region, later evolving through Gaelic and Scots linguistic influences. The name embodies the rugged coastal landscapes, fishing traditions, and agricultural heritage characteristic of Fife. During the medieval period, bearers of this name were often associated with land stewardship and clan leadership, reflecting the region's importance as a center of Scottish royal power and cultural preservation. The name maintains connections to traditional Scottish values of resilience, regional pride, and connection to ancestral lands. In contemporary Scottish culture, Fibh serves as a living link to specific geographic and historical identity, particularly meaningful for families with documented Fife ancestry or strong regional connections. Women named Filia typically exhibit a remarkable balance of emotional intelligence and practical wisdom that makes them natural relationship builders. Their personality is characterized by a genuine interest in others' wellbeing and an ability to create harmonious social environments. They often possess what ancient Greeks called 'phronesis' - practical wisdom that allows them to navigate complex social situations with grace and effectiveness. Filia's tend to be excellent judges of character, able to discern genuine friendship from superficial acquaintance. They approach relationships with the Aristotelian ideal of wanting good things for friends for the friends' own sake, rather than personal gain. This authentic approach to human connection often makes them sought-after confidantes and trusted advisors. While generally diplomatic and accommodating, they can demonstrate surprising strength when defending important relationships or principles. Their friendship, once earned, tends to be deep, loyal, and enduring - reflecting the ancient understanding of philia as a virtue that develops and strengthens over time through shared experiences and mutual respect. Individuals named Fyfa are often perceived as possessing a strong connection to tradition while maintaining modern sensibilities. They typically exhibit qualities of resilience and independence, reflecting the rugged Scottish landscape from which the name originates. Fyfas are often described as creative and artistic, with a deep appreciation for heritage and history that manifests in their personal interests and professional pursuits. Their personality combines practical wisdom with imaginative thinking, making them both grounded and innovative. Many Fyfas demonstrate strong community ties and family values, often serving as keepers of family stories and traditions. They tend to be determined and persistent, characteristics that align with the enduring nature of Scottish cultural identity, yet they balance this strength with warmth and approachability that makes them valued friends and community members. This blend of traditional values and contemporary adaptability allows Fyfas to navigate modern life while maintaining their cultural roots and personal integrity. Women named Gadwa are often perceived as naturally generous, compassionate, and nurturing individuals who embody the giving spirit suggested by their name's meaning. They tend to be emotionally intelligent and possess a strong sense of empathy, making them excellent listeners and reliable friends who others frequently turn to for support and guidance. Their personality typically combines practical wisdom with a warm, welcoming presence that makes people feel valued and appreciated. Gadwas often demonstrate resilience and inner strength, balancing their gentle nature with determination when pursuing their goals or standing up for what they believe is right. They usually excel in roles that allow them to help others and create positive change in their communities, driven by an innate desire to be a 'gift' to those around them through their actions and presence. This combination of kindness and strength makes them particularly effective in caregiving professions, education, and community leadership roles where they can manifest their name's meaning through daily interactions. Women named Gaetana are often perceived as intelligent, sophisticated, and culturally aware individuals. They typically exhibit strong analytical abilities and a natural curiosity about the world, combined with traditional values and emotional depth. Gaetanas are known for their perseverance and dedication to their pursuits, whether academic, professional, or personal. They often possess a quiet confidence and elegance that draws respect from others. While they may appear reserved initially, they reveal warm, loyal natures to those they trust. Their combination of intellectual rigor and emotional intelligence makes them excellent problem-solvers and trusted advisors. Gaetanas tend to be methodical in their approach to challenges, preferring careful analysis over impulsive decisions. They value deep, meaningful relationships and often serve as pillars of strength within their families and communities. Their name's historical connection to academic achievement often inspires them to pursue excellence in their chosen fields while maintaining the grace and poise associated with their Mediterranean heritage. This balance of intellectual pursuit and emotional wisdom creates individuals who are both respected and beloved by those around them. Individuals named Garadin are typically perceived as grounded, reliable, and deeply principled. The name's connection to hills and stable formations suggests a personality that is both strong-willed and patient, capable of weathering life's challenges with resilience. Garadins often exhibit a natural leadership quality that comes from their inherent stability rather than aggressive ambition, making them trusted figures in their communities. They tend to be the 'rock' that others rely on during difficult times. These individuals tend to be methodical thinkers who approach problems from multiple angles, reflecting the 'three-cornered' aspect of their name's meaning. They often possess strong moral compasses and are drawn to roles that allow them to build, protect, or guide others. While they can be somewhat traditional in their outlook, Garadins typically combine this with practical wisdom and a quiet determination that earns them respect across different social contexts. Their steadfast nature makes them excellent in careers requiring patience and long-term vision. In relationships, Garadins are known for their loyalty and consistency. They may not be the most emotionally expressive individuals, but they demonstrate care through reliable action and steadfast support. Their three-cornered nature often manifests as a balanced approach to life, considering practical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions in their decisions. This comprehensive perspective makes them valuable counselors and trusted advisors in both personal and professional settings. Individuals named Graycen often exhibit a unique blend of wisdom beyond their years and gentle strength. The 'gray' element in their name suggests maturity, stability, and thoughtful judgment, while the 'grace' component points toward elegance, compassion, and spiritual depth. Graycens tend to be natural peacemakers who approach challenges with calm deliberation and emotional intelligence. They often possess an old soul quality that makes them excellent listeners and trusted advisors among their peers. These individuals typically demonstrate remarkable adaptability, able to navigate both traditional and modern contexts with equal ease. Their combination of practical wisdom and spiritual sensitivity makes them effective in leadership roles where both empathy and sound judgment are required. Graycens often have a strong sense of responsibility toward their communities and families, reflecting the name's origins in stewardship and divine grace. They tend to value authenticity and depth in relationships, preferring meaningful connections over superficial interactions, and often serve as stabilizing influences in their social circles. Women named Gwenelda are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of grace and determination. They typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with artistic sensitivity, making them natural in roles that require both creative vision and practical execution. Their name suggests someone who is both grounded and imaginative, capable of navigating complex social situations with poise while maintaining their individual identity. Gweneldas are frequently described as having a magnetic presence that commands respect without being overbearing. They tend to be excellent communicators who can articulate their thoughts clearly and persuasively. The name implies a person who values tradition but isn't bound by it, someone who respects history while looking toward the future. This balance often makes them effective bridge-builders between different generations and cultural perspectives. The combination of elements in the name suggests someone comfortable with both introspection and action, capable of deep thought while also being decisive when circumstances require. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Hanly has deep roots in Irish Christian heritage, originating as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname O hAinle, meaning 'descendant of Ainle.' In Christian contexts, the name gained significance through its association with high meadows, which in biblical symbolism often represent places of spiritual revelation and closeness to God. Throughout medieval Ireland, families bearing the Hanly name were often associated with land stewardship and agricultural communities, reflecting the name's pastoral origins. The name spread through Christian missionary work and Irish emigration, particularly during the 19th century when many Hanly families brought their Catholic faith and naming traditions to North America, Australia, and other regions. This diaspora helped establish Hanly as both a given name and surname within Christian communities worldwide, maintaining its connection to Irish Christian heritage while adapting to new cultural contexts. The name's endurance through centuries of social change demonstrates its lasting appeal and the way it embodies both cultural identity and spiritual values. Cultural & Historical Significance Harimilla represents a fascinating example of cultural syncretism during the Roman occupation of Britain. As a Tungrian goddess worshipped by auxiliary troops from modern-day Belgium and Germany, she embodies the blending of Germanic tribal traditions with Roman military culture. Her worship primarily occurred among the Tungrian cohorts stationed along Hadrian's Wall and other northern frontier posts, where she served as a protective deity for soldiers far from their homeland. The archaeological evidence, primarily consisting of votive inscriptions and altars, suggests she was particularly venerated for safeguarding military installations and ensuring the well-being of troops. This makes her not just a religious figure but also a historical marker of the diverse ethnic composition of the Roman army in Britain and the complex religious landscape of the frontier zones. Her cult demonstrates how immigrant communities maintained their religious identity while serving in the Roman imperial system. Women named Harrietta are often perceived as natural leaders within their social and family circles, possessing a quiet authority that commands respect without being overbearing. They typically exhibit strong organizational skills and a nurturing disposition, creating warm, well-ordered environments where others feel cared for and supported. Harriettas tend to be practical yet creative problem-solvers who balance traditional values with progressive thinking, making them excellent mediators and community builders. Their strength lies in their ability to maintain harmony while gently steering situations toward positive outcomes, often serving as the emotional anchor for those around them. This combination of domestic competence and leadership qualities makes Harriettas particularly effective in roles that require both compassion and decisive action. They are often described as having an innate sense of responsibility toward their loved ones and communities, coupled with the wisdom to know when to provide guidance and when to allow others autonomy. The name suggests a personality that values stability and tradition but remains adaptable to changing circumstances. Cultural & Historical Significance Hewitt originated as a medieval English patronymic surname derived from the personal name Hugh, which has Germanic roots in the name 'Hugo' meaning 'heart, mind, or spirit.' The name emerged during the Norman Conquest period when surnames became necessary for taxation purposes. As a patronymic, it literally meant 'son of Hugh' and was particularly common in northern England and Scotland. The name reflects the medieval practice of creating surnames from father's names with the '-itt' suffix, similar to other names like Bennett or Elliott. Throughout history, Hewitt has been associated with English and Scottish families who often held positions of local authority and land ownership. During the 18th and 19th centuries, many Hewitts emigrated to North America, Australia, and other British colonies, where the name became established as both a surname and given name. The name carries connotations of English heritage and medieval ancestry, often associated with families of yeoman or gentry status who maintained traditions of leadership and community service. In modern times, the name represents a connection to English cultural traditions while adapting to contemporary naming practices. Individuals named Joleigh are often characterized by their vibrant, cheerful dispositions and natural charm. They tend to be optimistic and positive, with an ability to brighten any room they enter. Their 'pretty' meaning often manifests not just in physical appearance but in their approach to lifethey appreciate beauty in all forms, from art and nature to human relationships. Joleighs are typically creative, expressive, and socially adept, with a natural grace that draws others to them. These individuals possess strong emotional intelligence and are often skilled at understanding and responding to the feelings of those around them. While they may appear lighthearted, many Joleighs demonstrate surprising depth and resilience when faced with challenges, combining their cheerful nature with inner strength and determination. Their positivity is typically genuine rather than superficial, rooted in a deep appreciation for life's beauty and possibilities. They often excel in creative fields, education, or helping professions where their natural warmth and aesthetic sensibilities can shine. Individuals named Kamal are often perceived as possessing a natural inclination toward perfectionism and excellence in their endeavors. They tend to be methodical, detail-oriented, and have high standards for themselves and others. This pursuit of perfection often manifests as strong leadership qualities, as they inspire others through their dedication and commitment to quality. Kamals are typically analytical thinkers who approach problems with thoroughness and precision, making them excellent problem-solvers in professional and personal contexts. Emotionally, they often present as composed and balanced individuals, though they may have a sensitive side that appreciates beauty and harmony in their surroundings. Their name's association with beauty often translates into an aesthetic sensibility and appreciation for art, music, and refined environments. While they can be critical when standards aren't met, they're equally quick to recognize and appreciate excellence in others, creating relationships built on mutual respect and shared values of quality and integrity. This combination of intellectual rigor and aesthetic appreciation makes Kamals well-rounded individuals who value both substance and form. Individuals named Kody are often perceived as natural helpers with warm, comforting personalities that make others feel supported and secure. They typically exhibit strong protective instincts and take pride in being reliable providers for those they care about, whether emotionally or materially. These personalities tend to be approachable and down-to-earth, often serving as the 'cushion' in social circlesthe person others turn to for comfort during difficult times. Their possession-oriented nature doesn't necessarily indicate materialism but rather a desire to create stable, comfortable environments where loved ones can thrive. Kodys often demonstrate practical problem-solving skills and enjoy being useful, frequently taking on supportive roles in both personal and professional settings where their nurturing qualities can shine. While generally easygoing, they can be fiercely protective of their 'possessions' in the broadest senseincluding relationships, family, and personal valuesdisplaying steadfast loyalty once commitments are made. This combination of supportive nature and protective instinct makes them valued friends and family members who create safe spaces for others to grow and flourish. Discover the origin, meaning, and cultural significance of the name KOENRAAD. Delve into its historical roots and explore the lasting impact it has had on communities and traditions. Cultural & Historical Significance Koenraad holds significant cultural weight in German-speaking regions as a name borne by medieval kings and emperors who shaped European history. The name's association with royal leadership and wise counsel made it particularly prestigious among nobility during the Holy Roman Empire period. Its continued use reflects a connection to Germanic heritage and traditional values of strength, wisdom, and reliable leadership. In Dutch and Flemish cultures, Koenraad maintains a strong presence as a classic, respectable name that conveys reliability and intelligence. The name carries connotations of historical importance while remaining accessible for modern use. Throughout Germanic history, individuals named Koenraad have often been associated with governance, diplomacy, and intellectual pursuits, reinforcing the name's cultural standing as one denoting capability and trustworthiness. Individuals named Ladbroc are typically perceived as grounded, practical people with a strong connection to tradition and nature. They often exhibit a calm, steady demeanor reminiscent of the flowing brook referenced in their name's meaning, showing resilience and adaptability in facing life's challenges. These individuals tend to be methodical in their approach to problems, preferring well-trodden paths rather than risky shortcuts, which makes them reliable and trustworthy companions. Their connection to both 'path' and 'brook' in the name's meaning suggests a personality that balances direction (the path) with emotional depth (the brook), creating individuals who are both goal-oriented and emotionally intelligent. Ladbrocs are often seen as mediators and peacemakers, able to navigate complex social situations with the same ease that water finds its way around obstacles. They typically value stability and continuity, making them excellent at maintaining traditions and family bonds, while their inherent connection to nature often manifests in environmental awareness or outdoor pursuits. Cultural & Historical Significance In Chamoru culture, the name Maho carries deep significance related to both literal and metaphorical thirst. Historically, fresh water sources were precious in the Mariana Islands, making the concept of thirst central to survival. The name reflects the Chamoru people's connection to nature and their environment, particularly the importance of water in island life. It symbolizes not just physical thirst but also spiritual and cultural yearning for preservation and continuity. The name Maho also connects to traditional Chamoru values of resourcefulness and appreciation for natural elements. In ancient Chamoru society, water sources were considered sacred, and the name embodies this reverence. During Spanish colonization, many traditional names were suppressed, making the survival of names like Maho particularly meaningful as they represent cultural resistance and identity preservation. Today, the name serves as a reminder of the Chamoru people's resilience and their ongoing 'thirst' for cultural revitalization and self-determination in the modern era. Cultural & Historical Significance Manzo is a traditional Japanese male name with deep cultural roots in Japan's naming traditions. The name carries significant weight in Japanese culture as it follows the traditional pattern of naming third sons with specific characters that denote their birth order and desired attributes. The 'man' () character meaning 'ten thousand' symbolizes abundance and longevity, while 'zo' () meaning 'to build' or 'to create' reflects strength and constructive power. This combination was particularly favored during the Edo period and Meiji era for third sons, who were often expected to establish their own households or businesses rather than inherit family estates. Historically, names like Manzo were chosen to imbue the bearer with qualities of resilience and prosperity, as third sons typically had to forge their own paths in life. The name reflects the Japanese cultural values of perseverance, family honor, and the importance of establishing one's own legacy. In samurai families particularly, such names conveyed expectations of strength and the ability to build something substantial from modest beginnings, making it a name that carries both historical weight and aspirational qualities. The name represents a bridge between traditional Japanese values and the modern emphasis on self-made success. Individuals named Merestun typically exhibit a balanced personality that combines practical wisdom with spiritual depth. They often demonstrate strong nurturing qualities, much like the agricultural origins of their name, showing patience and dedication in their relationships and endeavors. Their connection to water symbolism often manifests as emotional intelligence and adaptability, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience. These individuals tend to be community-oriented, valuing stability and tradition while remaining open to spiritual growth. Merestuns are often described as grounded yet reflective, possessing the practical mindset of a farmer combined with the contemplative nature of someone drawn to water's tranquility. They excel in roles that require both hands-on problem-solving and emotional sensitivity, making them effective leaders, counselors, and community builders. Their personality often reflects the name's Christian heritage through strong moral principles, compassion for others, and a deep sense of purpose that guides their life decisions and relationships. This combination of earthly practicality and spiritual awareness makes them particularly effective in bridging different perspectives and building harmonious communities. Cultural & Historical Significance Mogens has deep roots in Scandinavian and Dutch culture, originating as a vernacular form of the Latin name Magnus, meaning 'great' or 'powerful'. The name gained prominence through historical figures and royal connections, particularly in Denmark where it became a traditional masculine name. In Dutch contexts, Mogens represents the cultural exchange between Scandinavian and Low Countries regions, often associated with strength and leadership qualities. The name carries a sense of historical continuity, bridging ancient Norse traditions with modern European identity while maintaining its distinctive Northern European character. Throughout history, Mogens has been particularly significant in Danish political and cultural life, with numerous prominent figures bearing the name in government, arts, and academia. This has reinforced its association with authority and intellectual leadership. The name's persistence across centuries demonstrates its cultural resilience and the value placed on traditional naming practices in Scandinavian societies, where family heritage and historical connections remain important considerations in name selection. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Nexeu carries significant weight in Egyptian cultural history, though its exact origins remain shrouded in mystery. Archaeological evidence suggests it was used primarily among educated classes and temple officials during the New Kingdom and Late Period. The name appears in several temple inscriptions and papyrus records, indicating it was associated with individuals of importance in religious and administrative circles. Its rarity in common records suggests it may have been reserved for families with specific temple connections or scholarly backgrounds. In Egyptian society, names were believed to hold power and influence over one's destiny. The structure of Nexeu, with its strong consonants and unique phonetic pattern, suggests it may have been derived from older linguistic roots or possibly represented a title that evolved into a personal name. The name's appearance across different dynasties indicates it maintained cultural relevance despite political changes, possibly representing continuity of certain priestly lineages or scholarly traditions that persisted through various periods of Egyptian history. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Odwolf carries significant cultural weight in Christian Germanic traditions, representing the ideal of combining material prosperity with spiritual strength. In medieval Christian communities, the name was often given to sons of wealthy families who were expected to become community leaders and protectors. The 'wolf' element was reinterpreted through a Christian lens to symbolize the guardian role of the faithful - much like the Good Shepherd protecting his flock, but with the added connotation of strength and vigilance. Throughout the Middle Ages, bearers of this name were frequently found among merchant classes and minor nobility who balanced commercial success with religious devotion, serving as patrons to churches and monasteries while maintaining their positions as community pillars. The name embodies the Christian ideal of using wealth and power responsibly while maintaining spiritual integrity, reflecting the biblical principle that to whom much is given, much is expected. This dual significance made Odwolf a name associated with both worldly success and spiritual responsibility in Christian Germanic societies. Individuals named Ord are typically perceived as direct, focused, and determined, reflecting the spear's symbolic qualities of precision and purpose. They often exhibit natural leadership abilities and a straightforward approach to problem-solving, preferring action over deliberation. Their strong sense of direction and clarity in goals makes them effective in positions requiring decisive action and clear vision. They tend to be practical rather than emotional in their decision-making, with an innate understanding of strategy and timing. Beneath this direct exterior, Ords often possess deep loyalty and protective instincts toward those they care about, much like a spear serves as both weapon and guardian. While sometimes perceived as reserved or intense, they form strong, lasting bonds with those who earn their trust and respect. Their combination of strategic thinking and protective nature makes them reliable in crises, though they may struggle with more subtle social nuances. The name suggests someone who values honesty and direct communication over diplomacy and ambiguity. The name Pendragon evokes personality traits of natural leadership, charisma, and a profound sense of destiny. Those associated with this name typically exhibit strong moral convictions, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire loyalty in others. They often carry themselves with an air of authority that feels both earned and innate, much like the legendary kings who bore this name. There's usually a combination of warrior spirit and diplomatic skill, enabling them to navigate complex political landscapes while maintaining their principles. Pendragon personalities tend to be visionary, seeing possibilities where others see obstacles, and they possess the determination to turn their visions into reality. However, this strong sense of purpose can sometimes manifest as stubbornness or an unwillingness to compromise when they believe their course is morally right. They typically bear responsibility gracefully but may struggle with the isolation that often accompanies leadership positions. Their greatest strength lies in unifying diverse groups under a common cause, while their challenge is balancing absolute conviction with the flexibility needed for effective governance. The name suggests someone destined for significant impact, whether in their immediate community or on a larger stage. Cultural & Historical Significance The cultural significance of Talbott spans centuries, beginning with its emergence as a prominent Norman-English surname after the 1066 Conquest. The Talbot family's rise to power under William the Conqueror established the name in English aristocracy, with their distinctive talbot dog emblem becoming a symbol of nobility and hunting tradition. During the Middle Ages, the name gained military prestige through figures like John Talbot, whose battlefield exploits became legendary. The cultural impact extended to Ireland, where the Talbots became influential landowners and political figures. In the 19th century, as surnames began transitioning to given names, Talbott maintained its aristocratic connotations while becoming accessible to broader society. The name's evolution reflects broader social changes in naming conventions while preserving its historical gravitas. The name's cultural journey mirrors England's own transformation from feudal society to modern nation. As a given name, Talbott represents the democratization of aristocratic surnames while maintaining their historical prestige. In American context, the name carried connotations of Old World sophistication while fitting into the pattern of surname-based first names popular among various immigrant communities. The continued use of Talbott, though rare, demonstrates the enduring appeal of names with deep historical roots and distinctive character in an era of increasingly homogenized naming trends. Symbolically, Tangerina represents the beautiful synthesis of faith and cultural diversity, embodying the concept of maintaining strong religious identity while embracing the richness of different traditions. The name evokes imagery of Mediterranean warmth and spiritual illumination, suggesting a personality that brings light and vitality to others. It symbolizes the bridge between Christian heritage and North African influences, representing the harmony that can exist between different cultural worlds and the unique beauty that emerges from such synthesis. The name carries deeper metaphorical meanings of cultural exchange, spiritual journey, and the fruitful merging of traditions into a cohesive identity. It suggests someone who can navigate multiple cultural contexts while maintaining core values, making it a powerful symbol for modern global citizenship grounded in faith tradition. The golden hues associated with both the fruit and the Moroccan city contribute to its symbolic resonance with warmth, richness, and spiritual abundance. Individuals named Tempeste are typically perceived as passionate, intense, and emotionally expressive personalities. They often possess a magnetic charisma that draws others to them, combined with a strong sense of independence and determination. Like the storm for which they're named, Tempestes tend to be dynamic individuals who bring energy and transformation to any situation they encounter. Their emotional depth can manifest as both creative inspiration and occasional volatility, making them unforgettable presences in social and professional circles. Tempestes often demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability, able to weather personal challenges with grace and emerge stronger from difficult circumstances. They tend to be natural leaders who aren't afraid to challenge conventions or speak their minds, though this directness can sometimes be misinterpreted as aggression. Their passionate nature makes them fiercely loyal to loved ones and deeply committed to causes they believe in, while their creative energy often finds expression in artistic pursuits or innovative problem-solving approaches. The name suggests someone with deep emotional currents and the capacity for both dramatic intensity and profound calm, much like the natural phenomenon it represents. Individuals named Toltecatl are typically characterized by exceptional creativity, patience, and attention to detail. They possess a natural inclination toward craftsmanship and often demonstrate remarkable manual dexterity combined with artistic vision. These individuals tend to be methodical in their approach to projects, showing the same dedication to perfection that the original Toltec artisans were famous for. They often exhibit strong observational skills and the ability to see potential beauty in ordinary materials. Toltecatl personalities are usually calm and contemplative, preferring to work steadily toward their goals rather than seeking quick results. They value tradition and mastery, often spending years honing their skills in their chosen field. Their creative expression is typically balanced with practical sensibility, making them both dreamers and doers who can bring their artistic visions to tangible reality. They tend to be respected for their expertise and often become mentors to younger generations, continuing the tradition of knowledge transmission that the name historically represents. Symbolically, Trip represents the universal human experience of journeyingboth literally and metaphorically. It embodies the concept of life as a continuous voyage of discovery, transformation, and growth. The name carries deep metaphorical significance, representing not just physical travel but the inner journey of self-discovery, learning, and spiritual development. It symbolizes courage in facing the unknown, adaptability in navigating change, and the wisdom gained through experience. Trip represents the idea that our paths are not just about reaching destinations but about the transformation that occurs along the way. It signifies the human spirit's innate desire to explore, understand, and connect with the world and with others. The name also carries connotations of pilgrimage in the spiritual sensethe journey toward greater understanding, purpose, and connection with the divine. Ultimately, Trip symbolizes the beautiful truth that the journey itself shapes us, teaching us about resilience, compassion, and the interconnectedness of all our travels through life. Individuals named Urika are typically perceived as community-oriented, reliable, and nurturing. They often demonstrate strong organizational skills and a natural inclination toward helping others, making them excellent team players and community leaders. Their inherent desire to be useful manifests in practical problem-solving abilities and a willingness to take on responsibilities that benefit the greater good. Urika's tend to be empathetic listeners who genuinely care about the wellbeing of those around them. They possess a balanced temperament that allows them to remain calm in challenging situations while maintaining their focus on constructive solutions. Their strength lies in their ability to connect with diverse groups of people and find ways to make meaningful contributions that uplift their communities. These individuals often become the backbone of their social circles, valued for their consistency and genuine concern for others. They typically exhibit patience and perseverance, understanding that meaningful change often requires sustained effort. While they may not seek the spotlight, Urika's often find themselves in leadership positions because others naturally trust their judgment and appreciate their selfless approach to problem-solving. Individuals named Wanjohi are often perceived as having personality traits that reflect their name's meaning and cultural heritage. They tend to be creative problem-solvers who can transform basic ingredients into something valuable and appreciated by their community. Like the careful process of brewing, Wanjohis are typically patient, methodical, and attentive to detail, understanding that quality results require time and proper technique. They often possess strong social intelligence, recognizing that their 'brew'whether literal or metaphoricalserves to bring people together, foster community bonds, and celebrate important moments. This makes them natural community builders who understand the importance of timing, proportion, and the subtle art of creating harmony in social situations. Their approach to challenges is often gradual and transformative rather than immediate, reflecting the slow, careful process of traditional brewing methods. Wanjohis are generally seen as reliable and consistent individuals who value tradition while understanding the need for adaptation. They typically exhibit a balanced temperament, knowing when to act and when to wait, much like understanding the precise moment when fermentation has reached its peak. These personality characteristics make them well-suited for roles that require both technical skill and social awareness. archives 7 Dec - 14 Dec (2) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (2) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (1) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (2) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (2) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (4) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (1) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (7) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (2) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (1) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (1) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (3) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (2) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (2) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (1) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (3) 3 Aug - 10 Aug (1) 27 Jul - 3 Aug (1) 20 Jul - 27 Jul (2) 13 Jul - 20 Jul (4) 6 Jul - 13 Jul (2) 29 Jun - 6 Jul (2) 22 Jun - 29 Jun (4) 15 Jun - 22 Jun (1) 8 Jun - 15 Jun (3) 1 Jun - 8 Jun (4) 25 May - 1 Jun (5) 18 May - 25 May (2) 11 May - 18 May (3) 4 May - 11 May (2) 27 Apr - 4 May (5) 20 Apr - 27 Apr (1) 13 Apr - 20 Apr (2) 30 Mar - 6 Apr (5) 23 Mar - 30 Mar (2) 9 Mar - 16 Mar (1) 2 Mar - 9 Mar (2) 16 Feb - 23 Feb (3) 9 Feb - 16 Feb (1) 2 Feb - 9 Feb (3) 26 Jan - 2 Feb (2) 12 Jan - 19 Jan (1) 5 Jan - 12 Jan (1) 22 Dec - 29 Dec (1) 15 Dec - 22 Dec (2) 8 Dec - 15 Dec (1) 24 Nov - 1 Dec (1) 17 Nov - 24 Nov (4) 10 Nov - 17 Nov (2) 3 Nov - 10 Nov (1) 27 Oct - 3 Nov (4) 20 Oct - 27 Oct (4) 13 Oct - 20 Oct (1) 6 Oct - 13 Oct (1) 29 Sep - 6 Oct (1) 22 Sep - 29 Sep (1) 15 Sep - 22 Sep (1) 18 Aug - 25 Aug (5) 4 Aug - 11 Aug (2) 21 Jul - 28 Jul (6) 7 Jul - 14 Jul (3) 30 Jun - 7 Jul (2) 23 Jun - 30 Jun (5) 16 Jun - 23 Jun (2) 9 Jun - 16 Jun (3) 2 Jun - 9 Jun (2) 26 May - 2 Jun (3) 19 May - 26 May (2) 12 May - 19 May (3) 5 May - 12 May (3) 28 Apr - 5 May (1) 14 Apr - 21 Apr (1) 7 Apr - 14 Apr (3) 17 Mar - 24 Mar (1) 10 Mar - 17 Mar (1) 3 Mar - 10 Mar (1) 11 Feb - 18 Feb (2) 4 Feb - 11 Feb (1) 21 Jan - 28 Jan (1) 14 Jan - 21 Jan (1) 7 Jan - 14 Jan (3) 10 Dec - 17 Dec (1) 26 Nov - 3 Dec (1) 29 Oct - 5 Nov (1) 3 Sep - 10 Sep (1) 27 Aug - 3 Sep (2) 6 Aug - 13 Aug (1) 30 Jul - 6 Aug (6) 9 Jul - 16 Jul (1) 2 Jul - 9 Jul (6) 18 Jun - 25 Jun (4) 4 Jun - 11 Jun (5) 21 May - 28 May (4) 14 May - 21 May (1) 7 May - 14 May (4) 23 Apr - 30 Apr (2) 26 Mar - 2 Apr (1) 19 Mar - 26 Mar (1) 19 Feb - 26 Feb (3) 12 Feb - 19 Feb (1) 22 Jan - 29 Jan (2) 15 Jan - 22 Jan (1) 25 Dec - 1 Jan (2) 20 Nov - 27 Nov (1) 11 Sep - 18 Sep (1) 14 Aug - 21 Aug (3) 7 Aug - 14 Aug (3) 17 Jul - 24 Jul (3) 10 Jul - 17 Jul (3) 19 Jun - 26 Jun (2) 12 Jun - 19 Jun (4) 22 May - 29 May (1) 15 May - 22 May (5) 1 May - 8 May (2) 17 Apr - 24 Apr (3) 27 Feb - 6 Mar (3) 13 Feb - 20 Feb (1) 30 Jan - 6 Feb (3) 2 Jan - 9 Jan (4) 26 Dec - 2 Jan (1) 5 Dec - 12 Dec (3) 28 Nov - 5 Dec (2) 14 Nov - 21 Nov (1) 7 Nov - 14 Nov (1) 10 Oct - 17 Oct (1) 22 Aug - 29 Aug (3) 15 Aug - 22 Aug (1) 8 Aug - 15 Aug (3) 1 Aug - 8 Aug (1) 25 Jul - 1 Aug (3) 18 Jul - 25 Jul (1) 11 Jul - 18 Jul (1) 27 Jun - 4 Jul (4) 20 Jun - 27 Jun (3) 13 Jun - 20 Jun (1) 30 May - 6 Jun (2) 23 May - 30 May (4) 2 May - 9 May (3) 25 Apr - 2 May (4) 4 Apr - 11 Apr (2) 28 Mar - 4 Apr (4) 28 Feb - 7 Mar (1) 7 Feb - 14 Feb (2) 10 Jan - 17 Jan (2) 27 Dec - 3 Jan (2) 13 Dec - 20 Dec (3) 6 Dec - 13 Dec (1) 29 Nov - 6 Dec (1) 15 Nov - 22 Nov (6) 8 Nov - 15 Nov (1) 25 Oct - 1 Nov (1) 18 Oct - 25 Oct (3) 4 Oct - 11 Oct (1) 27 Sep - 4 Oct (1) 20 Sep - 27 Sep (2) 13 Sep - 20 Sep (4) 6 Sep - 13 Sep (3) 30 Aug - 6 Sep (1) 23 Aug - 30 Aug (1) 16 Aug - 23 Aug (4) 9 Aug - 16 Aug (1) 2 Aug - 9 Aug (3) 26 Jul - 2 Aug (4) 19 Jul - 26 Jul (5) 12 Jul - 19 Jul (2) 5 Jul - 12 Jul (7) 28 Jun - 5 Jul (2) 21 Jun - 28 Jun (7) 14 Jun - 21 Jun (4) 7 Jun - 14 Jun (4) 31 May - 7 Jun (3) 24 May - 31 May (2) 17 May - 24 May (1) 10 May - 17 May (1) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (1) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (1) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (1) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (3) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (2) 23 Feb - 1 Mar (2) 9 Feb - 16 Feb (3) 26 Jan - 2 Feb (1) 19 Jan - 26 Jan (2) 12 Jan - 19 Jan (2) 5 Jan - 12 Jan (1) 29 Dec - 5 Jan (1) 8 Dec - 15 Dec (1) 24 Nov - 1 Dec (2) 17 Nov - 24 Nov (1) 27 Oct - 3 Nov (1) 6 Oct - 13 Oct (1) 1 Sep - 8 Sep (2) 25 Aug - 1 Sep (4) 18 Aug - 25 Aug (1) 11 Aug - 18 Aug (2) 4 Aug - 11 Aug (8) 28 Jul - 4 Aug (5) 14 Jul - 21 Jul (3) 7 Jul - 14 Jul (3) 30 Jun - 7 Jul (4) 23 Jun - 30 Jun (2) 16 Jun - 23 Jun (4) 9 Jun - 16 Jun (1) 2 Jun - 9 Jun (5) 26 May - 2 Jun (1) 19 May - 26 May (6) 12 May - 19 May (1) 21 Apr - 28 Apr (3) 14 Apr - 21 Apr (1) 31 Mar - 7 Apr (3) 24 Mar - 31 Mar (6) 17 Mar - 24 Mar (5) 10 Mar - 17 Mar (1) 3 Mar - 10 Mar (3) 24 Feb - 3 Mar (2) 17 Feb - 24 Feb (5) 10 Feb - 17 Feb (3) 3 Feb - 10 Feb (2) 20 Jan - 27 Jan (3) 13 Jan - 20 Jan (1) 23 Dec - 30 Dec (3) 2 Dec - 9 Dec (1) 25 Nov - 2 Dec (2) 18 Nov - 25 Nov (2) 11 Nov - 18 Nov (2) 4 Nov - 11 Nov (1) 21 Oct - 28 Oct (4) 14 Oct - 21 Oct (5) 7 Oct - 14 Oct (2) 30 Sep - 7 Oct (1) 23 Sep - 30 Sep (1) 9 Sep - 16 Sep (4) 2 Sep - 9 Sep (1) 19 Aug - 26 Aug (1) 12 Aug - 19 Aug (4) 5 Aug - 12 Aug (6) 29 Jul - 5 Aug (2) 22 Jul - 29 Jul (1) 15 Jul - 22 Jul (3) 8 Jul - 15 Jul (4) 1 Jul - 8 Jul (1) 24 Jun - 1 Jul (1) 17 Jun - 24 Jun (3) 10 Jun - 17 Jun (5) 3 Jun - 10 Jun (3) 27 May - 3 Jun (5) 20 May - 27 May (6) 13 May - 20 May (6) 6 May - 13 May (1) 29 Apr - 6 May (5) 22 Apr - 29 Apr (4) 15 Apr - 22 Apr (6) 8 Apr - 15 Apr (4) 1 Apr - 8 Apr (4) 25 Mar - 1 Apr (3) 18 Mar - 25 Mar (3) 11 Mar - 18 Mar (3) 4 Mar - 11 Mar (4) 25 Feb - 4 Mar (3) 18 Feb - 25 Feb (1) 11 Feb - 18 Feb (4) 4 Feb - 11 Feb (5) 28 Jan - 4 Feb (6) 21 Jan - 28 Jan (1) 14 Jan - 21 Jan (4) 7 Jan - 14 Jan (2) 31 Dec - 7 Jan (7) 24 Dec - 31 Dec (2) 17 Dec - 24 Dec (3) 10 Dec - 17 Dec (1) 3 Dec - 10 Dec (4) 26 Nov - 3 Dec (3) 19 Nov - 26 Nov (2) 12 Nov - 19 Nov (1) 5 Nov - 12 Nov (4) 22 Oct - 29 Oct (3) 15 Oct - 22 Oct (4) 8 Oct - 15 Oct (4) 1 Oct - 8 Oct (1) 10 Sep - 17 Sep (2) 3 Sep - 10 Sep (2) 27 Aug - 3 Sep (1) 20 Aug - 27 Aug (6) 6 Aug - 13 Aug (4) 30 Jul - 6 Aug (1) 23 Jul - 30 Jul (5) 16 Jul - 23 Jul (3) 9 Jul - 16 Jul (5) 25 Jun - 2 Jul (5) 18 Jun - 25 Jun (2) 11 Jun - 18 Jun (6) 4 Jun - 11 Jun (1) 28 May - 4 Jun (5) 21 May - 28 May (2) 14 May - 21 May (4) 7 May - 14 May (4) 30 Apr - 7 May (4) 23 Apr - 30 Apr (3) 16 Apr - 23 Apr (3) 9 Apr - 16 Apr (1) 2 Apr - 9 Apr (3) 26 Mar - 2 Apr (2) 19 Mar - 26 Mar (3) 12 Mar - 19 Mar (3) 5 Mar - 12 Mar (2) 26 Feb - 5 Mar (3) 19 Feb - 26 Feb (2) 12 Feb - 19 Feb (2) 5 Feb - 12 Feb (6) 29 Jan - 5 Feb (5) 22 Jan - 29 Jan (1) 15 Jan - 22 Jan (8) 8 Jan - 15 Jan (7) 1 Jan - 8 Jan (4) 25 Dec - 1 Jan (3) 11 Dec - 18 Dec (3) 13 Nov - 20 Nov (4) 6 Nov - 13 Nov (2) 30 Oct - 6 Nov (1) 23 Oct - 30 Oct (1) 16 Oct - 23 Oct (1) 9 Oct - 16 Oct (1) 2 Oct - 9 Oct (2) 25 Sep - 2 Oct (1) 18 Sep - 25 Sep (4) 11 Sep - 18 Sep (2) 4 Sep - 11 Sep (1) 28 Aug - 4 Sep (4) 21 Aug - 28 Aug (1) 14 Aug - 21 Aug (2) 7 Aug - 14 Aug (4) 31 Jul - 7 Aug (6) 24 Jul - 31 Jul (3) 17 Jul - 24 Jul (6) 10 Jul - 17 Jul (3) 3 Jul - 10 Jul (6) 26 Jun - 3 Jul (3) 19 Jun - 26 Jun (4) 5 Jun - 12 Jun (5) 29 May - 5 Jun (1) 22 May - 29 May (1) 15 May - 22 May (1) 8 May - 15 May (5) 1 May - 8 May (5) 24 Apr - 1 May (1) 17 Apr - 24 Apr (2) 10 Apr - 17 Apr (3) 3 Apr - 10 Apr (2) 20 Mar - 27 Mar (2) 13 Mar - 20 Mar (4) 6 Mar - 13 Mar (1) 28 Feb - 6 Mar (2) 21 Feb - 28 Feb (1) 14 Feb - 21 Feb (1) 7 Feb - 14 Feb (3) 24 Jan - 31 Jan (2) 17 Jan - 24 Jan (3) 10 Jan - 17 Jan (2) 3 Jan - 10 Jan (1) 27 Dec - 3 Jan (1) 20 Dec - 27 Dec (1) 13 Dec - 20 Dec (3) 6 Dec - 13 Dec (2) 29 Nov - 6 Dec (2) 22 Nov - 29 Nov (2) 15 Nov - 22 Nov (1) 8 Nov - 15 Nov (5) 1 Nov - 8 Nov (2) 25 Oct - 1 Nov (2) 18 Oct - 25 Oct (1) 11 Oct - 18 Oct (4) 4 Oct - 11 Oct (1) 27 Sep - 4 Oct (3) 20 Sep - 27 Sep (2) 13 Sep - 20 Sep (1) 6 Sep - 13 Sep (3) 30 Aug - 6 Sep (5) 23 Aug - 30 Aug (6) 16 Aug - 23 Aug (1) 9 Aug - 16 Aug (1) 2 Aug - 9 Aug (3) 26 Jul - 2 Aug (2) 19 Jul - 26 Jul (1) 12 Jul - 19 Jul (5) 5 Jul - 12 Jul (6) 28 Jun - 5 Jul (4) 21 Jun - 28 Jun (7) 14 Jun - 21 Jun (5) 7 Jun - 14 Jun (2) 31 May - 7 Jun (5) 24 May - 31 May (3) 17 May - 24 May (5) 10 May - 17 May (3) 3 May - 10 May (1) 26 Apr - 3 May (1) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (5) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (5) 5 Apr - 12 Apr (2) 29 Mar - 5 Apr (1) 22 Mar - 29 Mar (5) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (9) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (6) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (10) 22 Feb - 1 Mar (5) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (5) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (2) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (1) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (4) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (1) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (3) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (3) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (3) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (4) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (2) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (3) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (3) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (3) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (5) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (3) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (8) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (6) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (3) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (5) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (4) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (1) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (4) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (1) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (2) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (2) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (7) 3 Aug - 10 Aug (3) 27 Jul - 3 Aug (3) 20 Jul - 27 Jul (3) 13 Jul - 20 Jul (4) 6 Jul - 13 Jul (1) 29 Jun - 6 Jul (5) 22 Jun - 29 Jun (2) 15 Jun - 22 Jun (4) 8 Jun - 15 Jun (2) 1 Jun - 8 Jun (2) 25 May - 1 Jun (8) 18 May - 25 May (4) 11 May - 18 May (1) 4 May - 11 May (3) 27 Apr - 4 May (4) 20 Apr - 27 Apr (2) 13 Apr - 20 Apr (6) 6 Apr - 13 Apr (2) 23 Mar - 30 Mar (4) 16 Mar - 23 Mar (2) 9 Mar - 16 Mar (2) 2 Mar - 9 Mar (2) 23 Feb - 2 Mar (2) 16 Feb - 23 Feb (1) 9 Feb - 16 Feb (6) 2 Feb - 9 Feb (1) 26 Jan - 2 Feb (2) 19 Jan - 26 Jan (1) 12 Jan - 19 Jan (1) 29 Dec - 5 Jan (1) 22 Dec - 29 Dec (2) 8 Dec - 15 Dec (2) 1 Dec - 8 Dec (1) 24 Nov - 1 Dec (4) 17 Nov - 24 Nov (4) 10 Nov - 17 Nov (1) 3 Nov - 10 Nov (4) 20 Oct - 27 Oct (2) 13 Oct - 20 Oct (4) 29 Sep - 6 Oct (1) 22 Sep - 29 Sep (2) 15 Sep - 22 Sep (3) 8 Sep - 15 Sep (1) 1 Sep - 8 Sep (6) 25 Aug - 1 Sep (7) 18 Aug - 25 Aug (9) 11 Aug - 18 Aug (6) 4 Aug - 11 Aug (4) 28 Jul - 4 Aug (3) 21 Jul - 28 Jul (8) 14 Jul - 21 Jul (4) 7 Jul - 14 Jul (5) 30 Jun - 7 Jul (8) 23 Jun - 30 Jun (8) 16 Jun - 23 Jun (4) 9 Jun - 16 Jun (7) 2 Jun - 9 Jun (7) 26 May - 2 Jun (8) 19 May - 26 May (7) 12 May - 19 May (5) 5 May - 12 May (5) 28 Apr - 5 May (11) 21 Apr - 28 Apr (6) 14 Apr - 21 Apr (5) 7 Apr - 14 Apr (6) 31 Mar - 7 Apr (7) 24 Mar - 31 Mar (4) 17 Mar - 24 Mar (4) 3 Mar - 10 Mar (6) 24 Feb - 3 Mar (3) 17 Feb - 24 Feb (3) 10 Feb - 17 Feb (5) 3 Feb - 10 Feb (3) 27 Jan - 3 Feb (6) 20 Jan - 27 Jan (1) 13 Jan - 20 Jan (6) 6 Jan - 13 Jan (2) 30 Dec - 6 Jan (2) 23 Dec - 30 Dec (1) 16 Dec - 23 Dec (3) 9 Dec - 16 Dec (2) 2 Dec - 9 Dec (1) 25 Nov - 2 Dec (1) 18 Nov - 25 Nov (3) 11 Nov - 18 Nov (5) 4 Nov - 11 Nov (2) 28 Oct - 4 Nov (6) 21 Oct - 28 Oct (9) 14 Oct - 21 Oct (9) 30 Sep - 7 Oct (4) 23 Sep - 30 Sep (2) 16 Sep - 23 Sep (2) 9 Sep - 16 Sep (6) 2 Sep - 9 Sep (3) 26 Aug - 2 Sep (3) 19 Aug - 26 Aug (3) 12 Aug - 19 Aug (7) 5 Aug - 12 Aug (4) 29 Jul - 5 Aug (8) 22 Jul - 29 Jul (7) 15 Jul - 22 Jul (7) 8 Jul - 15 Jul (7) 1 Jul - 8 Jul (7) 24 Jun - 1 Jul (9) 17 Jun - 24 Jun (10) 10 Jun - 17 Jun (7) 3 Jun - 10 Jun (10) 27 May - 3 Jun (6) 20 May - 27 May (8) 13 May - 20 May (8) 6 May - 13 May (11) 29 Apr - 6 May (6) 22 Apr - 29 Apr (8) 15 Apr - 22 Apr (5) 8 Apr - 15 Apr (11) 1 Apr - 8 Apr (5) 25 Mar - 1 Apr (9) 18 Mar - 25 Mar (9) 11 Mar - 18 Mar (8) 4 Mar - 11 Mar (8) 19 Feb - 26 Feb (7) 12 Feb - 19 Feb (7) 5 Feb - 12 Feb (5) 29 Jan - 5 Feb (7) 22 Jan - 29 Jan (4) 15 Jan - 22 Jan (2) 8 Jan - 15 Jan (5) 1 Jan - 8 Jan (5) 25 Dec - 1 Jan (6) 18 Dec - 25 Dec (4) 11 Dec - 18 Dec (5) 4 Dec - 11 Dec (7) 27 Nov - 4 Dec (7) 20 Nov - 27 Nov (7) 13 Nov - 20 Nov (3) 6 Nov - 13 Nov (4) 30 Oct - 6 Nov (5) 23 Oct - 30 Oct (9) 16 Oct - 23 Oct (3) 9 Oct - 16 Oct (8) 2 Oct - 9 Oct (5) 25 Sep - 2 Oct (11) 18 Sep - 25 Sep (4) 11 Sep - 18 Sep (6) 4 Sep - 11 Sep (6) 28 Aug - 4 Sep (7) 21 Aug - 28 Aug (3) 14 Aug - 21 Aug (9) 7 Aug - 14 Aug (4) 31 Jul - 7 Aug (8) 24 Jul - 31 Jul (11) 17 Jul - 24 Jul (8) 10 Jul - 17 Jul (9) 3 Jul - 10 Jul (11) 26 Jun - 3 Jul (9) 19 Jun - 26 Jun (9) 12 Jun - 19 Jun (7) 5 Jun - 12 Jun (9) 29 May - 5 Jun (5) 22 May - 29 May (8) 15 May - 22 May (9) 8 May - 15 May (4) 1 May - 8 May (6) 24 Apr - 1 May (6) 17 Apr - 24 Apr (10) 10 Apr - 17 Apr (8) 3 Apr - 10 Apr (8) 27 Mar - 3 Apr (8) 20 Mar - 27 Mar (8) 13 Mar - 20 Mar (12) 6 Mar - 13 Mar (7) 27 Feb - 6 Mar (7) 20 Feb - 27 Feb (11) 13 Feb - 20 Feb (7) 6 Feb - 13 Feb (5) 30 Jan - 6 Feb (8) 23 Jan - 30 Jan (10) 16 Jan - 23 Jan (10) 9 Jan - 16 Jan (9) 2 Jan - 9 Jan (11) 26 Dec - 2 Jan (6) 19 Dec - 26 Dec (7) 12 Dec - 19 Dec (6) 5 Dec - 12 Dec (7) 28 Nov - 5 Dec (5) 21 Nov - 28 Nov (4) 14 Nov - 21 Nov (7) 7 Nov - 14 Nov (6) 31 Oct - 7 Nov (6) 24 Oct - 31 Oct (5) 17 Oct - 24 Oct (5) 10 Oct - 17 Oct (7) 3 Oct - 10 Oct (2) 26 Sep - 3 Oct (4) 19 Sep - 26 Sep (6) 12 Sep - 19 Sep (7) 5 Sep - 12 Sep (10) 29 Aug - 5 Sep (8) 22 Aug - 29 Aug (5) 15 Aug - 22 Aug (6) 8 Aug - 15 Aug (6) 1 Aug - 8 Aug (4) 25 Jul - 1 Aug (13) 18 Jul - 25 Jul (9) 11 Jul - 18 Jul (9) 4 Jul - 11 Jul (8) 27 Jun - 4 Jul (9) 20 Jun - 27 Jun (11) 13 Jun - 20 Jun (11) 6 Jun - 13 Jun (11) 30 May - 6 Jun (9) 23 May - 30 May (23) 16 May - 23 May (12) 9 May - 16 May (12) 2 May - 9 May (10) 25 Apr - 2 May (7) 18 Apr - 25 Apr (9) 11 Apr - 18 Apr (10) 4 Apr - 11 Apr (11) 28 Mar - 4 Apr (9) 21 Mar - 28 Mar (6) 14 Mar - 21 Mar (9) 7 Mar - 14 Mar (2) 28 Feb - 7 Mar (9) 21 Feb - 28 Feb (7) 14 Feb - 21 Feb (9) 7 Feb - 14 Feb (9) 31 Jan - 7 Feb (6) 24 Jan - 31 Jan (14) 17 Jan - 24 Jan (9) 10 Jan - 17 Jan (11) 3 Jan - 10 Jan (10) 27 Dec - 3 Jan (10) 20 Dec - 27 Dec (8) 13 Dec - 20 Dec (6) 6 Dec - 13 Dec (9) 29 Nov - 6 Dec (13) 22 Nov - 29 Nov (10) 15 Nov - 22 Nov (14) 8 Nov - 15 Nov (11) 1 Nov - 8 Nov (16) 25 Oct - 1 Nov (13) 18 Oct - 25 Oct (12) 11 Oct - 18 Oct (9) 4 Oct - 11 Oct (11) 27 Sep - 4 Oct (14) 20 Sep - 27 Sep (19) 13 Sep - 20 Sep (13) 6 Sep - 13 Sep (12) 30 Aug - 6 Sep (15) 23 Aug - 30 Aug (15) 16 Aug - 23 Aug (16) 9 Aug - 16 Aug (14) 2 Aug - 9 Aug (15) 26 Jul - 2 Aug (20) 19 Jul - 26 Jul (10) 12 Jul - 19 Jul (13) 5 Jul - 12 Jul (21) 28 Jun - 5 Jul (15) 21 Jun - 28 Jun (20) 14 Jun - 21 Jun (10) 7 Jun - 14 Jun (13) 31 May - 7 Jun (13) 24 May - 31 May (13) 17 May - 24 May (15) 10 May - 17 May (16) 3 May - 10 May (11) 26 Apr - 3 May (21) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (17) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (20) 5 Apr - 12 Apr (16) 29 Mar - 5 Apr (19) 22 Mar - 29 Mar (17) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (23) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (22) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (21) 22 Feb - 1 Mar (22) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (25) 8 Feb - 15 Feb (25) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (21) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (23) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (19) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (35) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (23) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (27) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (28) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (23) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (22) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (19) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (22) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (19) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (15) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (17) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) Individuals named Zia are often perceived as intelligent, insightful, and spiritually inclined. They tend to possess a natural luminosity in their personality that draws others to them, often serving as sources of guidance and inspiration. Zias are typically known for their wisdom beyond their years, analytical thinking, and ability to illuminate complex situations with clarity and understanding. Their presence often brings comfort and enlightenment to those around them, much like their name's meaning suggests. In social settings, Zias are often diplomatic and thoughtful communicators who prefer meaningful conversations over superficial interactions. They may exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with a gentle, guiding approach rather than authoritarian tendencies. Many Zias demonstrate a natural curiosity about the world and a desire to understand deeper truths, whether in academic, spiritual, or personal contexts. Their combination of intellectual depth and emotional intelligence makes them valued advisors and trusted friends who can see solutions where others see only problems. Against the backdrop of shifting geopolitical currents and rapidly evolving global trade dynamics, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) hosted a conclave at its Delhi campus, centred on the theme "India in the New Economic Order: Adapting to Macroeconomic Uncertainties and Global Trade Shocks." The Conclave, held on Friday, brought together some of India's most respected economists and policymakers for a day of rich, forward-looking discussions on the country's position in an increasingly complex world economy. Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of IIFT emphasized the significance of this year's theme against the backdrop of global uncertainties, shifting trade alignments, and geopolitical transitions. He highlighted that India is not only navigating these global challenges with determination but is also converting them into strategic opportunities for long-term growth and global integration. A keynote address by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress and former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, offered a comprehensive analysis of India's macroeconomic evolution, the country's resilience amid global disruptions, and the structural reforms essential for sustaining long-term growth. His keynote set the intellectual tone for the event, grounding the conversations in decades of policy experience. In his remarks, Prof. Basanta K. Sahu, Convenor of the Conclave and Head of the Economics Division (Delhi), expanded on the objectives of the event and highlighted the multiple sources of uncertainty shaping growth and macroeconomic stability. Prof. Sahu pointed out the source of fluctuations and in output growth mainly labour supply shocks, protectionism with prolonged uncertainty. Similarly, the major key factors for growing instability are fiscal vulnerability, financial markets correction and erosion of institutions. The Conclave featured an eminent roster of speakers, including Prof. Chetan Ghate, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Prof. Ashima Goyal, former Member, Monetary Policy Committee, Reserve Bank of India; Prof. Biswajit Dhar, former Head, Centre for WTO Studies; Prof. S. Mahendra Dev, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Prof. Pami Dua, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Prof. Sudipto Mundle, Chairman, Board of Governors, Centre for Development Studies; Prof. M. Govinda Rao, former Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Prof. Manoj Pant, former Vice Chancellor, IIFT; Prof. Dibyendu Maiti, Professor, Delhi School of Economics; and Prof. C. Veeramani, Director, Centre for Development Studies. Across two thematic sessions, speakers examined India's exposure to global trade shocks, the challenges posed by new protectionist measures, and the macroeconomic strategies required to strengthen the country's economic resilience. Discussions highlighted the urgency of policy agility, diversification of trade partnerships, and proactive participation in shaping global economic governance. Established in 1963, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade is a premier institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, advancing excellence in research, training, and education across its campuses in Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada, and GIFT City. (ANI) AAP Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha has spoken about the "pain and misery" of India's gig workers who work under tremendous pressure and at times harsh weather conditions. AAP MP Raghav Chadha demanded regulations on quick commerce and other app-based delivery and service businesses, especially emphasising the need for the benefits of gig workers. "We press a button, a notification comes that your order is on its way, order delivered, your ride has arrived. There is always a human being behind this notification, whom we never acknowledge. I am speaking about Zomato and Swiggy delivery boys, Ola and Uber drivers, Blinkit and Zepto riders, and Urban Company's plumbers and beauticians. In government parlance, they are called gig workers. But I will call them invisible wheels of the Indian economy. I want to put forth their pain before the Parliament. Quick and instant commerce have changed our lives, but behind this super-fast service is a silent workforce who work all seasons, risking their lives for our orders," he said in his intervention, speaking in Hindi. In a post on X sharing his Parliament intervention, the MP from Punjab called for dignity, protection, and fair pay for gig workers. "Companies are earning in billions because of these workers, and many upped their valuations and became unicorns. But the conditions of the gig workers are worse off than daily wage labours," he added. "...I want to tell you that these people are not robots. They are also someone's father, husband, brother, or son. The House should think about them and end this cruelty of 10-minute delivery." For the first time, the definition of 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and provisions related to the same have been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020 which has come into force on November 21, 2025. The Code provides for framing of suitable social security measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. The Code provides for the establishment of a Social Security Fund to finance welfare schemes. The Code also provides for the establishment of a National Social Security Board for the welfare of gig workers and platform workers. The Ministry of Labour and Employment had launched the e-Shram portal on 26.08.2021 for the creation of a Comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers, including platform workers, migrant workers, etc. The e-Shram portal is meant to register and support the unorganised workers by providing them a Universal Account Number (UAN) on a self-declaration basis. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has also launched the e-Shram- 'One-Stop-Solution' on 21.10.2024 that entails integration of different social security/welfare schemes at single portal i.e., e-Shram. This is envisaged to enable unorganised workers registered on e-Shram to access social security schemes and see the benefits availed by them so far, through e-Shram. As per an estimation by NITI Aayog vide its report titled "India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy" published in June, 2022, the number of gig workers and platform workers, in the country was 7.7 million in 2020-21, which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by 2029-30. Earlier this week, in Parliament, the AAP MP also raised the pain that the common Indian family has to endure, which he termed 'dealing with insurance companies'. "Sometimes cashless treatment is denied, sometimes claims are rejected, sometimes the patient runs after the insurance company for months for their reimbursement. This is exploitation. Health Insurance should not be a gamble, it must be a guarantee," the AAP MP had said. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], December 6: Integrated Industries Limited (BSE: 531889), is pleased to announce the proposed issuance of 4,06,00,000 Warrants on a preferential basis to both promoter and non-promoter investors. Each warrant is priced at 25 per share, resulting in a total potential fund infusion of 101.5 crore upon full conversion. Participation from Notable Investors Demonstrating clear confidence in the Company's strategy and future direction, the following prominent investors have committed significant participation: * Choice Strategic Advisors LLP - Investing 25 Crore (Subscribing to 1,00,00,000 warrants) * Accufolio Risers LLP - Investing 25 Crore (Subscribing to 1,00,00,000 warrants) Their involvement reflects a strong belief in the Company's potential and long-term growth pathway. Use of Proceeds The 101.5 crore fundraise at 25 per share will be utilised for: * CAPEX for subsidiary-level capacity expansion * Strengthening working capital to enhance operational efficiency of subsidiaries * Enhancing financial flexibility to pursue emerging opportunities Management Perspective Commenting on the results, Mr. Saurabh Goyal, Managing Director of Integrated Industries Limited, said: "The strong participation from marquee investors, along with the Promoter committing to nearly half of the total warrants, reflects deep confidence in our strategy. The 101.5 crore fund raise will significantly strengthen our subsidiaries - CAPEX and working capital needs, enabling us to scale up the operations, enhance efficiencies, and pursue new growth opportunities. This positions us well to create sustained value for all stakeholders." About Integrated Industries Limited Incorporated in 1995, Integrated Industries Limited (IIL) a company engaged in the manufacturing of organic and inorganic food products and bakery items through its subsidiaries. With a strong legacy in the FMCG sector, IIL has progressively expanded its footprint through its subsidiaries into high-growth food categories, with a continued focus on quality, innovation, and scale. As part of its strategic growth initiative, IIL has been successfully running biscuit manufacturing facility through its subsidiary, M/s Nurture Well Foods Limited. Nurture Well Foods Ltd. Established in 2023, Nurture Well Foods Ltd. manufactures premium biscuits and cookies for domestic and international markets under the brands RICHLITE, FUNTREAT, and CRAZY CRUNCH. Its Neemrana (Rajasthan) facility, with a capacity of 3,400 MT per month, features modern automated technology and adheres to strict quality standards. Using premium ingredients, the company offers butter-rich cookies, center-filled biscuits, and Indian-inspired flavors that combine nutrition with indulgence Disclaimer This document contains forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as government actions, local developments, and technological risks. The Company is not responsible for any actions taken based on these statements and does not commit to publicly updating them to reflect future events or circumstances. Corporate Communication Advisors ORIM CONNECT +(91) 83693 82388 letsconnect@orim.in www.orim.in/orim-connect/ (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.) Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], December 6: TechD Cyber Security Ltd., a leading Gujarat-based cybersecurity company, has announced the creation of its ambitious "Techdefence Cyber Valley" in Ahmedabad. The company is commencing the project with a groundbreaking ceremony on December 6, marking the beginning of a state-of-the-art cybersecurity ecosystem spread across a 60,000 sq. ft. facility on Science City Road. A Major Step Toward Building an Ecosystem to Combat Global Cybercrime; India's Most Advanced Global SOC to Rise at the New Campus Ahmedabad. The upcoming Techdefence Cyber Valley will house India's most advanced Global Security Operations Center (Global SOC), positioning it as a pioneering national platform for next-generation cyber defense. The world-class campus will include a Global SOC, Cyber Capability Center, Innovation Lab, Training Academy, and multiple high-tech security units, all designed to counter rapidly escalating cybersecurity threats worldwide. TechD Cyber Security Ltd., which recently launched its highly successful SME IPO on the National Stock Exchange, is expanding its operational strength through this strategic infrastructure initiative. Speaking about the announcement, Sunny Vaghela, Founder, Managing Director & CEO of TechD Cyber Security Ltd., said: "Techdefence Cyber Valley will be equipped with India's most advanced IT SOC, OT SOC, Vehicle SOC, a dedicated Threat Hunting Unit, and Tier-III grade infrastructure. This facility will position TechD as a national powerhouse in cybersecurity innovation. The new campus reflects our commitment to future-proofing global enterprises through AI-driven security, advanced threat intelligence, and sophisticated cyber-range labs."He further added: "Techdefence Cyber Valley is built on a simple yet ambitious vision -- to make India not only digitally advanced but digitally secure. Cybersecurity is now a national priority, and this campus is a crucial step toward a self-reliant, cyber-resilient future. By 2030, our aim is to establish TechdefenceCyber Valley as a globally recognized cybersecurity institution where India leads with talent, innovation, and cyber excellence." TechD Cyber Security Ltd. affirms that the TechdefenceCyber Valley initiative will strengthen India's digital defence capabilities, empower industries, and shape the future of cybersecurity both within the nation and on the global stage. For more details, please visit their website: https://techdefencelabs.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) Samsung Electronics has entered the final stage of certifying its sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory, HBM4, with industry watchers now looking to Nvidia for a year-end approval, as per a report by The Korea Herald. Citing industry sources on Thursday, the news report noted that Samsung has completed production readiness approval for its HBM4 chips, considered the final internal hurdle before mass production. As the company is currently supplying HBM4 samples to major customers for quality testing, analysts expect the chips could clear final verification as early as this month. "Samsung has already provided HBM4 samples using 1c DRAM technology and a 4-nanometer logic die to major tech companies, and no quality issues have been identified so far," Kim Dong-won, head of Research at KB Securities, said, as per the report. "Samsung appears capable of meeting both the higher specifications and volume requirements from Google and Nvidia, raising the likelihood of approval within this year." The analyst also said HBM4's market share will surpass HBM3E in the second half of next year, once the next-generation chip is fully adopted in Google's eighth-generation TPU and Nvidia's next-generation GPU chips in 2026. The approval window is closely tied to Nvidia's next-generation GPU lineup. Nvidia's next-generation AI processor Rubin is scheduled for mass production in the second half of next year. The chip will use eight HBM4 units, and the model coming after that in 2027, Rubin Ultra, will use 12 units of the HBM4 chips, the news report added. Given the complexity of the HBM4 technology, some remain cautious, expecting the approval could slip into next year, the report added. "Delays are possible given the higher process complexity of HBM4. Samsung had initially projected approval for early next year," an industry official said. SK hynix has already secured supply contracts with Nvidia. If Samsung wins approval this year and begins shipment in early 2026, analysts say it could narrow the gap created from HBM3E more quickly. As the market is expected to shift rapidly from fifth-generation HBM3E chips to the sixth-generation HBM4 in the second half of next year, Samsung's success in HBM4 is expected to drive earnings. Analysts estimate that the company's operating profit in 2026 could approach 100 trillion won ($75 billion), marking the highest level in its history. The tech giant's operating profit for this year is projected at around 40 trillion won to 42 trillion won, but forecasts for next year range from 84 trillion won to as high as 105 trillion won, the news report noted. Consensus outlook for Samsung's 2026 results stands at 384 trillion won in sales and 80 trillion won in operating profit. The company's semiconductor division alone is expected to deliver between 77 trillion won and 93 trillion won in operating profit. Park Yu-ak, analyst at Kiwoom Securities, offered one of the most aggressive forecasts, raising his estimate for Samsung's operating profit next year to 100 trillion won, citing a visible increase in the company's HBM4 market share and a sharp rebound in the broader DRAM market, where prices are projected to jump 56 percent. "With PRA approval confirming its manufacturing capability, if Samsung joins HBM4 mass production next year, it could validate its technology and use its scale to capture profitability," an industry official said. Sharpening its edge in the HBM market, Samsung has reorganized parts of its memory operations. In a recent restructure, the company created a new organization overseeing both DRAM and NAND flash development, and folded its dedicated HBM team into the unit. The HBM team was established in July 2024 to bolster competitiveness in the fast-growing high-performance memory market. Samsung has also resumed construction of the Pyeongtaek Campus P5 production plant, which had been on hold. The company plans to produce cutting-edge chips for high performance computing at the facility, the news report concluded. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], December 6: In today's rapidly evolving business landscape--where AI disruption, digital acceleration, and global expansion define competitive advantage--one leader is delivering the clarity and direction organizations urgently need: Dr. Narendra Tomar, the visionary Founder & Managing Director of Marshall Ridge Consulting Ltd (UK). With over 20 years of global experience across consulting, strategy, technology, and CXO advisory, Dr. Tomar is reshaping how companies build capability, scale operations, and adopt AI-driven models. His firm operates with a powerful philosophy: Perspective | Precision | Performance. A Mission to Build Future-Ready Companies Founded in the United Kingdom, Marshall Ridge Consulting Ltd is built to help enterprises achieve excellence through specialized expertise in: * Global Capability Center (GCC) Advisory * Digital Transformation & Technology Modernization * AI Strategy & Responsible AI Adoption * Leadership Hiring & CXO Advisory * M&A Support & Operating Model Redesign The firm's mission is clear -- to create a future-ready, AI-enabled consulting ecosystem that delivers real results, not just boardroom presentations. Dr. Tomar believes in blending strategic thinking with technology, leadership, and execution excellence to help organizations scale efficiently, ethically, and globally. A Leader Shaped by Two Decades of Transformation Dr. Narendra Tomar's professional journey spans leading consulting firms, large-scale digital transformation mandates, and senior enterprise roles across the UK, India, and the Middle East. His experience across BFSI, Retail, Consumer Goods, and Technology has given him deep insight into the complexities organizations face during transformation. A defining realization shaped his entrepreneurial path: Companies don't need traditional consultants--they need strategic partners who deliver clarity, speed, and measurable outcomes. This belief led to the creation of Marshall Ridge Consulting, a firm designed to provide senior-level expertise without the limitations and inefficiencies of legacy consulting models. Overcoming Challenges to Build a Global Brand Building an international consulting company from scratch--without external funding--was far from easy. The journey demanded resilience in overcoming challenges such as: * Managing client portfolios across the UK, India, and the GCC * Establishing credibility as a first-generation founder * Competing with established global consulting powerhouses * Delivering seamlessly across multiple verticals * Breaking biases and earning trust in new markets Despite these obstacles, Marshall Ridge Consulting rapidly emerged as a dependable partner for GCCs, large enterprises, global conglomerates, and scaling startups. Achievements That Reflect Influence and Impact Today, Dr. Tomar is widely recognized across the international consulting and digital transformation landscape for his strategic expertise, leadership, and industry-shaping insights. His key achievements include: * Founder & Managing Director - Marshall Ridge Consulting Ltd (UK) * Advisor to Fortune 500 companies, GCCs & global conglomerates * Led major transformation programs across industries * Author of Digital Renaissance and The Life Capitalist * Speaker & Advisor in global GCC & AI transformation forums * Certified Independent Director (IICA) * Global CXO Certification - CXO Hive * Honorary Doctorate (WHRPC) His work continues to guide CEOs, CTOs, CHROs, and transformation leaders around the world. The Road Ahead: Building the Next Generation of Consulting Dr. Tomar's long-term vision is to position Marshall Ridge Consulting as a top global strategy and transformation powerhouse specializing in GCC setup, AI adoption, and organizational scaling. Upcoming ambitions include: * Expansion across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States * Developing CXO Factory, a leadership excellence community for next-generation CXOs * Driving adoption of ethical and responsible AI * Designing faster, scalable, future-ready operating models * Establishing MRC as a global benchmark for clarity, precision, and performance A Global Firm with a Strong UK Presence Marshall Ridge Consulting Ltd (UK) 17 Office, 27-37 Station Road, Hayes, UB3 4DX, England UK Office: +44 20 3432 2011 Official Links: Website: www.marshallridgeconsulting.com LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/company/marshallridgeconsulting A Consulting Partner Built for the Future In a world defined by AI, automation, and global talent ecosystems, Marshall Ridge Consulting stands out for delivering true transformation, rapid execution, and measurable outcomes. Under the leadership of Dr. Narendra Tomar, the firm is redefining what it means to be a modern consulting partner--one that combines intelligence, integrity, and innovation to shape the future of global business. (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.) Adani University hosted its 2nd Convocation Ceremony on Saturday at the University Auditorium in Shantigram, celebrating the achievements of 87 graduating students, including three distinguished university medallists. The event brought together families, faculty, governing body members, industry leaders and invited guests. Degrees were awarded to 79 MBA (Infrastructure Management) graduates and 8 M.Tech (Construction Engineering & Management) graduates. The ceremony was presided over by Dr Priti G Adani, President of Adani University and Chairperson of the Adani Foundation. In her presidential address, Dr Adani drew attention to the profound shifts redefining India's infrastructure and development landscape--where digital transformation, sustainability and people-centric systems are becoming central to national progress. Emphasising that infrastructure must ultimately serve society, she said: "Beyond connectivity and convenience lies a more demanding responsibility - that we create systems which allow people to benefit from improved health, safety and opportunity. Progress will no longer be measured only by speed, scale or efficiency but also by how well our citizens live." She added that the next decade of infrastructure "is not about building more; it is about building better." Invoking India's civilisational depth as a source of strength and inspiration, Dr Adani urged students to see themselves as contributors to a rising India--an idea that aligns deeply with the Adani Group's Indology mission and its commitment to nation-building. "You are inheritors of a civilisation that has imagined deeply, built boldly and led morally. Carry that legacy into your careers -- not as nostalgia or history, but as a responsibility." She encouraged graduates to pursue application-oriented research, embrace interdisciplinary thinking and advance India's development with innovation rooted in purpose and ethics. Dr Adani also reiterated the University's plans for a new, future-ready campus designed to expand research, collaboration and industry-engaged learning. The Convocation Address was delivered by Savi S Soin, President, Qualcomm India, who congratulated the students and medallists and highlighted India's accelerating leadership in advanced technologies--from semiconductors and mobility to AI, connectivity and digital infrastructure. "As India accelerates its leadership in semiconductors, AI, mobility and digital infrastructure, the partnership between industry and academia becomes more vital than ever. Adani University's multidisciplinary approach prepares graduates not just to participate in this transformation, but to lead it--with innovation, adaptability and a global outlook rooted in solving India's real-world challenges." Soin encouraged students to cultivate continuous learning, systems thinking, ethical leadership and sustainability awareness--skills essential for building a modern, resilient India. The ceremony concluded with a commemorative group photograph, marking a proud milestone for the graduating class and celebrating the achievements of all 87 students and the 3 medallists. Established in 2022, Adani University is emerging as a hub for future-ready education, integrating technology, research and industry engagement to shape leaders for a rapidly transforming world. (ANI) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Saturday said that the next 25 years would be a defining era in which the youth will play a crucial role. Speaking at the Convocation of Amity University, the Commerce Minister urged students to push the boundaries of their chosen fields and take them to the next level. He further stated that there can be no greater contribution by a university than encouraging talented minds to return, nurturing their abilities, and providing them a platform that recognises and respects their potential. Congratulating the graduating batch of nearly 29,000 students, including online and on-campus learners, the Minister said the achievements of the students and awardees were the true focus of the ceremony. Goyal highlighted the wide range of opportunities offered to students and lauded the university's commitment to merit through scholarships that enable need-blind admissions. He expressed satisfaction that half the student population comprises young women and praised the university's strong innovation culture, with over 450 patents held by students. He also took note of the fact that 50 faculty members are Ramalingam Swami Fellows who have returned to serve the nation. Recalling Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's legacy on Mahaparinirvan Diwas, the Minister reiterated the constitutional values of equality, social harmony, and opportunities for all. He emphasised that education remains the foundation for uplifting underprivileged sections and reminded students of their duties towards society and the nation. The Minister described the graduating cohort as an important part of India's journey towards a developed nation by 2047, noting that the next 25 years will be the defining era for Viksit Bharat. He urged students to take their chosen fields to the next level, push boundaries, and contribute meaningfully to national progress. He highlighted that the Prime Minister, in his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, had appealed to one lakh young men and women to consider public life and politics as a vocation. He said that politics needs committed individuals who are willing to work for the nation, uphold integrity in public life, and inspire the 140 crore citizens of the country to recognise their responsibilities and duties--first to their families, then to society, and ultimately to the nation. He expressed hope that more universities would encourage students to understand public life and politics more deeply, noting that Amity University offers political science as a subject. He suggested that institutions could even consider sending students to intern with elected representatives to understand governance and public service firsthand, and how they can one day do it even better. He remarked that, as he was taught in his early computer lessons, "garbage in, garbage out," and said Indian politics needs more good people and strong public leaders. He expressed confidence that if more well-meaning young boys and girls join public life, India would become a superpower faster than anyone can imagine. He quoted the Prime Minister who has repeatedly said that India's future rests in the hands of the "can-do generation," and added that the youth will build a new India. He reminded the students that they carry the responsibility of leading India in this Amrit Kaal and reflected on the guiding principles needed for this journey. He said that the Prime Minister's Independence Day address is a sacred guiding light for every citizen, and recalled the speech of 15 August 2022 when India celebrated 75 years of independence. He noted that the Prime Minister had articulated five guiding principles meant to take the country from 2022 to 2047, from a USD 4 trillion economy to a USD 35 trillion economy, and from a USD 2,500 per-capita income to $20,000. He said that if 140 crore Indians adopt these principles in their lives, India's future will be very successful, and urged the students to reflect on these principles and take forward whatever resonates with them as responsible citizens of the nation. The first pran he highlighted was the resolve for a developed India. He said the next 25 years would be a defining era in which the youth will play a crucial role, and urged students to push the boundaries of their chosen fields and take them to the next level. The second pran he emphasised was the need to free India from a colonial mindset. He urged students to overcome mental barriers, outdated thought processes and limiting beliefs. He also suggested that universities could consider adopting traditional Indian convocation attire instead of Western gowns, reflecting national pride. He encouraged students not to let anyone dictate how they should think, act or dream. The third pran he referred to was pride in India's heritage. He said that even as the nation modernises rapidly, its strength lies in its values, diversity and ancient wisdom, and encouraged students to carry this pride into every aspect of their lives and careers. The fourth pran he underscored was India's unity in diversity, which he described as the heartbeat of Bharat. He urged students not to confine themselves to their own circles but to reach out, collaborate widely and build bridges across communities. The fifth pran he stressed was the spirit of duty. He said education is not just for the individual but for the family, community and nation. He reminded graduates that they are duty-bound to use their skills and knowledge to serve India and contribute towards Viksit Bharat 2047 by giving back to society. Shri Goyal praised the contribution of teachers and parents, acknowledging their sacrifices and dedication in shaping the graduating cohort. He encouraged the students to remain connected with their alma mater and extend appreciation to their mentors. As the graduates step into the real world, the Minister reminded them that challenges and struggles are part of the journey but expressed confidence that the education and values imparted by Amity University have equipped them to face these with strength, confidence and focus. He urged them to contribute actively to nation-building and play a meaningful role in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation. (ANI) Dr Saha said the Corporation plays a significant role in ensuring self-reliance and advancement of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. Noting that these corporations were not properly utilised in the past, he said the present government aims to operate them with transparency and efficiency. Addressing officials on Friday, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to strengthen the Corporation's development initiatives through proper planning, modern management, and a humane approach. He was briefed on the Corporation's programs and current status during the meeting. At the start of the meeting, Managing Director of the SC Corporation, Jayanta Dey, presented an illustrated report highlighting the Corporation's past and present. He noted that a Board of Directors has now been formed, consisting of eight members and three official members, who were previously absent. The review meeting was attended by Chairman Pinaki Das Choudhury, Chief Minister's Secretary P K Chakraborty, Finance Secretary Apurba Roy, and SC Welfare Secretary Deepa D Nair, who participated in the discussions. Saha reiterated the government's commitment to improving the quality of life of the SC community in Tripura through focused and transparent governance. (ANI) The West Talks About Protecting Christians But Collaborates With Islamists A Christian man hold his daughter as they light candles at the altar in Saint Takla Greek Orthodox Church in Darayya on the outskirts of Damascus on October 28, 2025. Metin Rhawi is a Swedish-Assyrian political and human rights advocate committed to advancing democracy, coexistence, and justice for persecuted minorities in the Middle East. As a leading representative of the European Syriac Union, he has long worked on international advocacy for Assyrian Christians and other vulnerable communities. The persecution of Christians is a global crisis, from Nigeria to Syria, but unfortunately it does not seem to receive the attention it deserves from governments and the media. What do you think is the reason for this? Because much of what is said is just that--words. In practice, economic deals, energy projects, military agreements, and strategic partnerships carry far more weight than human rights. And the rights of minorities are always the first to be sacrificed. There is also a fear among Western powers of speaking openly about religiously motivated extremism. They do not want to 'offend' partners they need for economic or geopolitical interests. And let me state an uncomfortable truth: Many conservative parties in the West claim to defend Christians in the Middle East--while simultaneously seeking political partners among hardline, sometimes almost jihadist, Muslim groups. This happens because they apply a European left--right ideology to the Middle East. It is a fundamental misunderstanding of the region. In the Middle East, the actors they perceive as 'conservative allies' are often the very forces persecuting Christians, Assyrians, Yazidis, and others. So instead of protecting us, they legitimize those who threaten our existence. It is a dangerous naivete. And let me add this, because it matters: If Europe continues on this path, European Christians will soon face the same threats. Not necessarily through violence--but through the slow erosion of democratic values, freedoms, and pluralism. When you support forces that destroy democracy abroad, those forces ultimately influence democracy at home. What is the situation of Christians in the Middle East and in Syria in particular? We are witnessing a historic collapse of our communities. Threats, hatred, and persecution happen openly--while the authorities that should protect their citizens turn a blind eye or invent excuses. Cities like Qamishli, Hassake, Homs, and Aleppo--where Christians have lived for over 2,000 years--are being emptied. The threats come from several directions: jihadist groups such as ISIS, repressive regimes, and Turkish military operations and demographic engineering. At the same time, many external actors claim to 'protect' us--but their actions undermine the very possibility of staying in our homeland. In northeastern Syria, together with other minorities, we have built schools, security forces, local administrations, and education in our own languages. Even there, the great powers treat our survival as a bargaining chip. You compare the policy of persecution against Christians with that perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire. Yes, not because the events are identical--but because the logic is the same. The methods have changed, but the intention and the outcome are familiar: we are killed, pushed out, silenced, and over time made fewer. I reject the term 'minority.' We are not a minority--we are the indigenous people of this region. But yes, in numbers, we have become fewer in our historical homelands. Seyfo 1915 [the Assyrian genocide perpetrated during World War I, primarily between 1915 and 1920, within the Ottoman Empire] was an attempt to erase the Suryoye, but today the strategy is done with confiscations, militias, forced displacement, and systematic pressure. And all this happens in a world that claims to defend human rights--yet principles collapse the moment they collide with interest. Your own family carries this history. Why is it important to pass it on? Because otherwise we disappear. Almost every Suryoye family carries memories of persecution--from Seyfo 1915, from Tur Abdin, from Mosul, from Homs, from Aleppo, from Khabur. These stories are not just family tragedies--they are political testimonies. My grandmother, Sikke, told me how her two brothers--17 and 19--were slaughtered. Their bodies were identified only by their severed heads. She told my siblings, and she told me when I was five years old. We are hundreds of thousands carrying these stories. This is not 'collateral damage.' It is the result of political decisions--regional and international. When Donald Trump or European leaders receive Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian president who previously had a $10 million bounty on his head, what does that mean for Christians in the region? It depends entirely on whether symbolism is followed by demands and conditions. Handshakes and photo opportunities mean nothing without religious freedom, protection of minorities, rule of law, and real security guarantees. Otherwise, we are used as decorative symbols while others decide our fate. Our questions remain: Will this improve our security? Will we have real influence over our future? Will our children preserve their language, culture, and history? Many follow the logic of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.' Is this way of thinking the great mistake of the West? Yes, because it is a formula for disaster. Western parties look for 'partners' in the Middle East. But due to their own ideological blindness, they end up empowering fundamentalists, forces hostile to women's rights, groups aligned with jihadist ideologies, or even actors actively persecuting Christians and Yazidis. This has already cost countless lives. And again--this has consequences for Europe itself: When Europe empowers anti-democratic actors abroad, the result is the weakening of democratic values at home. The crisis will not remain 'far away.' History teaches us that it always returns. What must the West do differently to truly help Christians in the Middle East? First: stop lying--to themselves and to us. One cannot say "we protect Christians" while supporting those who persecute us. And about concrete actions, we need internationally guaranteed security zones for minorities, support for local security forces that genuinely protect civilians, the recognition of Seyfo 1915--because historical justice is necessary for future stability--investment in reconstruction of Christian and minority areas, a complete halt to funding extremist groups, even when they are called partners, and a demand for secular law and real pluralism in every diplomatic agreement. And critically, it is fundamental to stop applying Western political categories to the Middle East and build alliances with actors who defend democracy--not those who destroy it. Because--and this is vital--if democracy collapses in the Middle East, it will collapse in Europe as well. The fate of Christians in the Middle East and the fate of Christians in Europe are not separate. They are deeply connected. If the world truly intends to protect the Christians of the Middle East, then it must act based on principles--not economic interests. Otherwise, our communities will be sacrificed again. And Europe should know, what happens to us today can happen to them tomorrow if democratic forces are not strengthened now. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he would resign if he had lied about his watches and challenged if MLC Narayanaswamy would resign if he had lied. "I have provided correct information about my watches to Lokayukta and all authorities concerned. I will resign today if I have given false information on this. If not, will Narayanaswamy resign?" the DCM asked while speaking to reporters on Friday Asked about Narayanaswamy's statement on whether the watch was purchased or stolen, he said, "Narayanaswamy doesn't have experience yet. There must be basic common sense to talk about anything. He should not speak for the sake of publicity. He has to be responsible in his statements. I have given all the details to Lokayukta; he can go and verify." When reporters asked him about Narayanaswamy raising questions about not disclosing his watches in the affidavits of 2018 and 2023, he said, "What does he know? I have mentioned it even in the 2025 affidavit." When pointed to his plan of discussing this in the upcoming Assembly session, Shivakumar said, "Let him debate this in the Assembly or across the country. I don't have to show any document to him, but I did as he accused me of stealing." In a reply to Narayanaswamy on the social media platform X, the DCM had posted the affidavit that he had submitted to the Lokayukta. "Everyone, including myself and Siddaramaiah have the right to wear the watch of their choice. Your behaviour has to befit the position you hold." Earlier on Thursday, reiterating that he had clearly and transparently stated everything about the expensive watches he owns, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the BJP knows nothing about it. He was replying to a question on BJP MLC Narayanaswamy's statement that Shivakumar had not disclosed an expensive watch in the affidavit. Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said, "What does he know? I know about my affidavit. I am the one who paid the money for the watches, and I have disclosed all the details transparently. I have also disclosed ownership ofa Rolex watch. I have nothing to learn from Narayanaswamy." Asked about Narayanaswamy's statement that his watch was stolen, the DCM quipped, "Yes, I stole from his house!"(ANI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed the recent amendment to the State Panchayati Raj (Election) Rules, 1994, and ordered fresh delimitation of wards for the Shimla Zila Parishad, holding that the changes were arbitrary and violated constitutional provisions regarding equal representation. A Division Bench of Justices Vivek Singh Thakur and Romesh Verma on Friday struck down the amended Rule 9(2), noting that the modification, which replaced the Gram Sabha area with the Panchayat Samiti area as the unit of delimitation, created vast disparities in population among wards. The court observed that the amended delimitation orders resulted in constituencies ranging from around 6,300 population in Dodra Kawar to more than 37,000 in Kotkhai, causing an imbalance and infringing upon the principle of fair representation mandated under Article 243C of the Constitution. The Bench held that the amendment prioritised administrative convenience over constitutional compliance and had not been laid before the State Legislature as required under Section 214 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, making it unenforceable. The ruling came on a petition filed by Devinder Singh Negi, who challenged the delimitation of territorial constituencies for the Shimla Zila Parishad. The court also set aside the Divisional Commissioner's order upholding the delimitation. Rejecting the State's contention that judicial review was barred in matters relating to delimitation once the election process had begun, the Bench said courts could intervene where constitutional mandates and statutory provisions were violated. The verdict is likely to impact the upcoming Panchayat elections in the state, as the government may now be required to revise and reissue the delimitation notifications in accordance with the earlier rule based on the Gram Sabha population. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Friday granted 21 days' Furlough to Balwan Khokhar, 1984 Anti Sikh riots Convict. He has been granted Furlough to strengthen his social ties. He is serving a life sentence and has been in custody for 11 years and 10 months. In this case,e former MP Sajjan Kumar is also serving a life sentence. Justice Ravinder Dudeja granted Furlough to Balwan Khokhar, subject to furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 20000 and one surety in the like amount. The high court has also imposed conditions, including that he shall not leave the jurisdiction of Police Station Delhi Cantt without prior intimation and shall mark his presence at Police Station on every Tuesday at 10 AM. While granting Furlough, the bench said that it is well settled that furlough is an established facet of reformation, aimed at enabling a convict to maintain family and social ties and todischarge essential obligations. " The Court is mindful of the fact that the offence committed by the petitioner is of a grave nature, but to deny furlough to him would amount to a mechanical application of the Rules, defeating the very objective underlying furlough jurisprudence," Justice Dudeja said on December 5. Advocate Vignaraj Pasayat, alongwith Advocate Naman Agarwal and Uday Chauhan. The high court also noted the submissions that the petitioner has been in judicial custody for about 11 years and 10 months. His conduct in jail, as per Nominal Roll, has been "Satisfactory". The counsel also submitted that he has been working as a Sahayak at OPD. The Nominal Roll also reflects that the petitioner had been previously released on multiple spells of interim bail, parole and furlough on various occasions and had duly surrendered and not misused the liberty granted to him. The Delhi government dismissed Khokhar's application. Thereafter, he challenged the order before the High Court. Khokhar moved a petition through advocate Uday Chauhan. It was stated that the petitioner is a convict and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He is serving a life sentence and has been in custody since 2013. He sought a Furlough for a period of 21 days to re-establish social ties with Society and Family members, the plea said. (ANI) With the ongoing disruption in flight schedules, particularly those of IndiGo, the Ministry of Civil Aviation took urgent and proactive measures on Friday. The Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) orders of the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) have been placed in abeyance with immediate effect. According to the Ministry, this decision has been taken without compromising air safety solely in the interest of passengers, especially senior citizens, students, patients, and others who rely on timely air travel for essential needs. In addition, several operational measures have been implemented to restore regular airline services at the earliest and significantly reduce the inconvenience to travellers. According to the Ministry, based on the immediate implementation of these directives, they expect flight schedules to begin stabilising and returning to normal by tomorrow. They anticipate that complete restoration of services will be achieved within the next three days. To support passengers during this period, airlines have been instructed to provide regular, accurate updates through enhanced online information systems, enabling passengers to monitor real-time flight status from home. According to the Ministry, in the event of any flight cancellations, airlines will automatically issue full refunds, without passengers needing to request them. Passengers who are stranded due to prolonged delays will be provided with hotel accommodation arranged directly by the airlines. Special priority is being accorded to senior citizens and the differently abled. According to the Ministry, they will be provided with lounge access and every possible assistance to ensure that their travel experience remains comfortable. Furthermore, refreshments and essential services will be provided to all passengers affected by delayed flights. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has established a 24x7 Control Room (011-24610843, 011-24693963, 096503-91859) that monitors the situation in real time to ensure swift corrective action, effective coordination, and immediate resolution of issues as they arise. The Government of India has decided to institute a high-level inquiry into this disruption. The investigation will examine what went wrong at Indigo, determine accountability where required to ensure appropriate action, and recommend measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future, ensuring that passengers do not face such hardships again. According to the Ministry, the Central Government is fully aware of the difficulties faced by air passengers and remains in continuous consultation with airlines and all relevant stakeholders. Every necessary measure, including regulatory relaxations as permitted by DGCA, is being taken to stabilise airline operations and alleviate public inconvenience at the earliest possible time. The government of India has made passenger care, safety, and convenience its highest priority. (ANI) Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Hyderabad and extended an invitation to him for the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, scheduled to be held on December 8 and 9 in Hyderabad. https://x.com/UttamINC/status/1996953935949537526?s=20 In a post on X, Telangana minister Uttam Kumar Reddy wrote, "Met Shri @OmarAbdullah,Hon'ble CM of Jammu and Kashmir in Delhi today and invited him for Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025 on 8 and 9 December in Hyderabad." 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. Earlier, Telangana Chief Minister met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and formally invited him to attend the Telangana Rising 2047 Global Summit. The high-level interaction took place in the Parliament premises and was also attended by Bhatti Vikramarka. 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. Revanth Reddy briefed the Prime Minister on the state's long-term development roadmap and emphasised that Telangana is preparing to transition into a three-trillion-dollar economy by 2047. He noted that the growth vision aligns with the Centre's Viksit Bharat 2047 mission, which aims for comprehensive national transformation across sectors. The Chief Minister explained to PM Modi that the Telangana Rising 2047 Vision Document, crafted with inputs from NITI Aayog and refined through extensive consultations with leading domain experts, lays out sector-wise growth trajectories, strategic targets, and policy interventions required to achieve the State's future goals. He added that the Vision Document would be officially unveiled at the upcoming Global Summit, which will bring together global leaders, investors, policymakers, and innovators. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today confirmed his meeting with Minister Satish Jarkiholi at a wedding yesterday. Speaking to reporters at Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB)'s new office building, he said, "It is true that Satish Jarkiholi and I met at a wedding last evening. We discussed the state and the party. We are colleagues. Why do you paint us as enemies?" Asked about the meeting, he said, "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." "I spoke to M B Patil for about an hour. We discussed several aspects of 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 the state's progress," Shivakumar explained. Speaking about KKRDB's new office, he said, "We need to respect those who do business in Karnataka. The new KKRDB building has been built to help clear files quickly. They were in a rented building, and it has been moved to its own building now." Asked about R Ashok's statement on the corruption report by Upa Lokayukta, Shivakumar said, "Ashok doesn't seem to know whose report it is. Let him first understand when that report was released and then raise it in the Assembly. We will reply to him." When reporters asked if a date has been finalised for the all-party meet at Delhi, he said, "It is yet to be finalised. Union Ministers are saying they are tied up with the Parliament session; hence, we have postponed the meeting scheduled for December 8. We will figure out a suitable time." (ANI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday paid homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Parliament on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas, marking the 70th death anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, and reiterated that safeguarding Ambedkar's ideas and the Constitution remains a shared national responsibility. Speaking to reporters after the tribute ceremony, Rahul Gandhi described Babasaheb Ambedkar as a towering national figure whose ideas continue to guide India's democratic and social framework. "Ambedkar ji is an icon. He showed a path to the entire country, he gave us the Constitution. So, we remember him and protect his ideas and the Constitution...The Constitution of every Indian is under threat. We protect it, the citizens protect it," Rahul Gandhi told reporters. Later, in a post on X, the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his commitment to defending constitutional values. https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1997135945863406002?s=20 "Humble tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His timeless legacy of equality, justice and human dignity strengthens my resolve to defend the Constitution and inspires our collective struggle for a more inclusive, compassionate India," he wrote. The 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas was commemorated by Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, at Prerna sthal, Parliament House Campus, on December 06, 2025, near the statue of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. In the course of time, the entire event was opened up to the public to pay their obeisance at the feet of the life-size statue of Babasaheb Dr B.R. Ambedkar at the Parliament House Lawn. During the event, the Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) also maintained a stall to assist with the storage of followers' belongings. At the same time, they paid their floral tribute to Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in a befitting manner with the confluence of Buddhist chants performed by 25 Buddhist Monks. The establishment of the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) aimed to propagate the ideals of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The autonomous organisation was formed on March 24, 1992, and functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The DAF was tasked with implementing programs and initiatives to promote the vision and philosophy of Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar on a national scale. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas at the Parliament in New Delhi, marking the 70th death anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution. In a post shared on X, PM Modi wrote, "Remembering Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to justice, equality and constitutionalism continue to guide our national journey. He inspired generations to uphold human dignity and strengthen democratic values. May his ideals keep lighting our path as we work towards building a Viksit Bharat." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1997137541632577924 The commemoration of the 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas began with a floral tribute from President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, PM Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Parliamentarians, and many other dignitaries who attended the VIP session in the early hours of the day. Sharing a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Humble tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His timeless legacy of equality, justice and human dignity strengthens my resolve to defend the Constitution and inspires our collective struggle for a more inclusive, compassionate India." https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1997135945863406002 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also paid floral tribute to Dr B.R. Ambedkar on his death anniversary. The 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas was commemorated by Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, at Prerna sthal, Parliament House Campus, on December 06, 2025, near the statue of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. In the course of time, the entire event was opened up to the public to pay their obeisance at the feet of the life-size statue of Babasaheb Dr B.R. Ambedkar at the Parliament House Lawn. During the event, the Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) also maintained a stall to assist with the storage of followers' belongings. At the same time, they paid their floral tribute to Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in a befitting manner with the confluence of Buddhist chants performed by 25 Buddhist Monks. The establishment of the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) aimed to propagate the ideals of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The autonomous organisation was formed on March 24, 1992, and functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The DAF was tasked with implementing programs and initiatives to promote the vision and philosophy of Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar on a national scale. (ANI) On a day where the nation pays tribute to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar on his death anniversary, the opposition parties are sending a message to the ruling front by targeting them in their tributes to Ambedkar. On Saturday, Lok Sabha DMK MP Kanmozhi claimed that the DMK and its allies would continue to protect the nation from clutches of communal forces. "By shattering the caste structure that divides our people by birth, and by giving us the great charter of this nation, the Constitution, which made us embrace the principle that all are equal, stands the revolutionary Dr. Ambedkar. We will stand against and fight casteism, which perpetuates inequality, the very thing he opposed and battled throughout his life. We will protect the diverse India from the clutches of communal forces," she posted. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday also took a subtle dig at his opponents in his post offering homage to Ambedkar saying that the group that sought to suppress him now pretends to praise him. "Ambedkar Remembrance Day, the revolutionary who challenged the oppressions. It is Dr. Ambedkar who rose above, shattering everything with the weapon of education, from within a system that suppressed and oppressed him in every way. The same dominant group that sought to suppress him back then now pretends to praise him, that is his true victory. His life itself is a lesson. His struggles are an inspiration to us on the journey towards an egalitarian society. Let us continue to progress in the light of the great luminary," he posted on X. Earlier, leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi paid homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Parliament on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas, marking the 70th death anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, and reiterated that safeguarding Ambedkar''s ideas and the Constitution remains a shared national responsibility. Speaking to reporters after the tribute ceremony, Rahul Gandhi described Babasaheb Ambedkar as a towering national figure whose ideas continue to guide India''s democratic and social framework. "Ambedkar ji is an icon. He showed a path to the entire country, he gave us the Constitution. So, we remember him and protect his ideas and the Constitution...The Constitution of every Indian is under threat. We protect it, the citizens protect it," Rahul Gandhi told reporters. Later, in a post on X, the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his commitment to defending constitutional values. "Humble tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His timeless legacy of equality, justice and human dignity strengthens my resolve to defend the Constitution and inspires our collective struggle for a more inclusive, compassionate India," he wrote. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that today it was needed to uphold Babsaheb''s values. "On Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar''s 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas, we offer our profound gratitude to the architect of our Constitution and an unflinching voice for social justice. Throughout his life, Babasaheb stood firmly for the Democratic principles of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice. Today, more than ever, we are called upon to uphold, preserve and defend the values he lived for and his greatest gift to the nation, the Constitution of India," the Congress President said. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed his shock at the notice issued by the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) regarding the National Herald case on Saturday. He stated that the situation was unexpected for him, especially since he had already provided all the necessary details to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and had served the notice on them. The Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister further stated that once the Enforcement Directorate had already filed a chargesheet, there was no need for the police to register a separate case. Additionally, Shivakumar said he would take up the matter and fight it in court. "It is very shocking to me. I had given all the details to the ED. ED had also summoned my brother and me. We had given all the notice. There is nothing wrong. It is our institution. We, as congressmen, have also supported the institution... There is nothing like hide and seek. Everything is in black and white. I don't know why, even after the ED also filed a charge sheet, there was no need for the police to register a case. We will take up this case and fight it in the court of law," Shivakumar told reporters. DK Shivakumar further alleged harassment in the National Herald case investigation and claimed that attempts were being made to allegedly create confusion just to target Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and their supporters. "This is harassment... It is our money. We can give to anyone who may like it when we pay taxes. There is nothing involved. Already, the PMLA case is over... They have already filed the charge sheet, so what more can they do? Just to harass Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and all the supporters, they are trying to create confusion..." added Shivakumar. Earlier, Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) issued a notice to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, directing him to furnish financial and transactional details. The notice, dated November 29, requires him to submit the requested documents and information to the EOW office by December 19. Additionally, investigators have also sought complete details regarding his personal background and association with the Congress party. "On whose instance/instructions were you or your associated entities made above said payments in the name of donation? Were you knowledgeable about the end use of the funds, which were transferred to M/s Young Indian (YI)? If yes, provide the complete details, " reads the notice. The National Herald case originated from a complaint filed by former MP Subramanian Swamy, alleging misuse of funds by Congress leaders and companies linked to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL). (ANI) The Destruction of Assyrian Graves in Iraq: Causes, Motives, and Future Risks Cemeteries are sacred spaces of peace and dignity -- places meant to preserve and honor a human being after death. Yet the recurring violations against and desecrations of Christian graves in various parts of Iraq -- from Mosul to Najaf and even Armota in the Kurdistan Region -- have reopened a deep wound regarding the status of Christians, their rights, and the level of social tolerance toward religious minorities in the country. This phenomenon is not merely an attack on silent stones; it is an assault on the memory of a nation and on the existence of an indigenous community whose roots stretch back thousands of years. First: Historical and Social Roots of the Phenomenon Following the fall of the former regime, Iraq witnessed a security collapse and a surge in extremist ideology, particularly in Mosul and the wider Nineveh region. Even after the terrorist organization ISIS was militarily defeated, remnants of this mindset continued to linger -- a mindset that rejects religious diversity and readily targets its symbols, including cemeteries. When those who vandalize, exhume, and desecrate graves face no accountability -- when such incidents pass without firm legal action -- the message conveyed to society is that these violations are permissible or at least unimportant. The lack of serious criminal follow-up has emboldened certain actors to commit these acts. In Mosul, Najaf, and parts of the Kurdistan Region, demographic changes have introduced new groups unfamiliar with the Christian community's history or the significance of its burial grounds. Meanwhile, the presence of influential local factions or informal groups often affects control over public spaces and may be linked to some of these transgressions. Some extremist individuals or groups draw on distorted religious interpretations that consider the graves of non-Muslims as "not sacred," leading them to disrespect or exhume them without recognizing that such actions violate human dignity and universal human rights. Second: Why Now? Understanding the Timing and the Broader Context As the number of Christians continues to fall -- with families scattered between displacement and emigration -- certain groups find it easier to target them. Cemeteries that were once regularly visited and maintained have become relatively neglected, leaving them vulnerable and exposed. In some cases, the motive behind exhuming graves is to clear the cemetery and convert the land into private property or an investment project. This has occurred in more than one city, where some have claimed that "Christians are now few," and therefore their lands can be seized. Are certain actors seeking to send a message that Christians are no longer welcome? Is this a form of psychological pressure aimed at completing the process of displacement These questions are being raised with high urgency -- especially after the Aramota incident, which shocked the Christian community due to its occurrence in an area considered safe and stable. Third: Why Was the Aramota Incident So Shocking? Because Aramota is neither an extremist city nor a troubled region -- it is a small village in a part of the Kurdistan Region known for coexistence. This indicates that the phenomenon is no longer confined to areas of security tension; it has entered a broader and more dangerous social sphere. The incident also raised an important question: Has a culture of disrespecting Christian sacred sites begun to infiltrate even the regions that once stood as models of tolerance? Fourth: The Devastating Consequences of This Phenomenon An attack on cemeteries is an attack on the identity and privacy of the "other," and it is one of the clearest signs of fragile coexistence. These incidents sow fear and deepen the divide between communities. When a Christian realizes that even the deceased are not spared violation, how can he trust in his present or his future? This phenomenon pushes many to consider emigrating or selling their property. At a time when Iraq is striving to restore its international reputation, such incidents deliver a painful blow in the eyes of the world, as they openly contradict human-rights standards. People are asking: Where is the law? Where is the state? Where are the entities that boast of protecting minorities? There is often a public perception that the authorities respond slowly or indifferently, which only heightens frustration and resentment. Fifth: What Next? And What Must Be Done? Enacting a Law to Protect Cemeteries and Religious Sites of All Communities. A clear legal framework with strong deterrent penalties that ensures no violator escapes accountability. Establishinga Special Protection Force for Historic Cemeteries. Particularly in mixed areas and villages where the Christian population is small. Registering Christian Cemeteries as Heritage Sites. This would place them under formal state protection and require official monitoring. Launching Awareness Campaigns to correct misconceptions and promote respect for the burial sites of all religions. Church and International Organizations must document these attacks by submitting official files to the government and parliament, documenting every incident with photographs and reports and advocating for international oversight on the protection of minorities. Conclusion The phenomenon of exhuming Christian graves is not merely an attack on stones -- it is a resounding cry that exposes the deep flaws in respecting religious diversity in Iraq. The causes range from extremism to weak law enforcement to struggles over land, but they all lead to the same outcome: The weakening of the Christian presence and the erosion of trust in the environment of coexistence. To prevent this behavior from turning into a normalized culture, Iraq urgently needs: Rule of Law. Awareness. Accountability. Before we reach a stage where the memory of an entire people is erased -- both above the ground and beneath it. Ablahad Hanna Saka is a member of the Bethnahrin National Council in Iraq. This supplementary charge sheet has been filed in a money laundering case linked with arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. Special Judge Sushant Changotra listed the matter for consideration on January 24. The court has also allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file a consolidated list of documents as a fresh supplementary charge sheet. The Enforcement Directorate last month filed its second supplementary prosecution complaint in the money-laundering case linked to UK-based defence dealer Sanjay Bhandari, formally naming businessman Robert Vadra as an accused. Vadra was granted anticipatory bail in the case by the Delhi Court in 2019. During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor Naveen Kumar Matta, along with Advocate Mohd. Faizan for ED. According to reports, Vadra's role has come under scrutiny as part of the larger investigation into Bhandari, who is alleged to have facilitated questionable financial transactions and benefited through dealings. Vadra had appeared before the agency in July this year, where his statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The businessman is under ED investigation in three separate money laundering cases, two of which relate to alleged irregularities in land transactions. The agency has been probing whether funds generated through these deals were routed through offshore entities linked to Bhandari. Sanjay Bhandari, considered a known to Vadra, fled to London in 2016 shortly after the Income-Tax Department conducted searches at his premises in Delhi. He was recently declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) by a Delhi trial court. However, Bhandari challenged the order before the Delhi High Court. In August, the High Court reserved its verdict on his plea contesting the trial court's decision under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his death anniversary and said that the "government will now establish a system to protect Baba Saheb statues" from miscreants' malicious attempts to damage them. CM Yogi announced a series of measures to protect Ambedkar statues and strengthen welfare initiatives for marginalised communities. Speaking at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Mahasabha office complex in Hazratganj, CM Yogi said, "Today, our government is taking another important decision. Wherever statues of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar are installed in Uttar Pradesh, miscreants frequently come and tamper with them, making malicious attempts to damage them. Our government will now establish a system to protect these statues. This will include building a boundary wall and, where the statue lacks a roof, installing a canopy over it. These measures will ensure the safe and respectful protection of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's statues. Additionally, we will complete the program to equip every slum, Dalit settlement, Scheduled Caste settlement, and tribal settlement with proper connectivity." Launching a scathing attack on a senior Congress leader, serving as Congress President, who refused to sing 'Vande Mataram' in 1923, Yogi asserted that parties advocating for appeasement policies are "not only damaging India but also insulting Baba Saheb". "We feel proud of our Constitution. We feel proud of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Even then, he warned us about all those dangers... In 1923, a senior Congress leader, serving as Congress President, refused to sing 'Vande Mataram.' As he faced his final moments, he expressed a desire to die in Jerusalem. Baba Saheb remarked that someone who, despite being born in India and enjoying its benefits, does not regard Indian soil as sacred cannot truly serve the interests of Indians. Sadly, parties advocating for appeasement policies are not only damaging India but also insulting Baba Saheb Ambedkar and engaging in a disgraceful effort to strip citizens of their rights. Under the leadership of PM Modi, the new India feels proud of its great men and honours them," CM Yogi said. CM Yogi also announced measures to improve livelihoods for government and sanitation workers, adding that the "double-engine government is working to provide them with all kinds of facilities". "A corporation has been established, and within the next 1-2 months, the government will guarantee a minimum honorarium for all Class IV employees, sanitation workers, and contract workers. Our 'Zero Poverty' campaign is also part of this. We are nearing completion in identifying all the marginalised groups - Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Most Backward Classes - who remain deprived and have yet to access these services' benefits. This double-engine government is working to provide them with all kinds of facilities and will continue to advance that campaign," he added. Emphasising inclusive development, the Chief Minister said that PM Modi, with the spirit of everyone's support and development, ensured that the benefits of schemes, without discrimination, reached every poor. He said, "It is our good fortune that, inspired by the teachings of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, such campaigns are underway across the country today under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When Baba Saheb drafted the Constitution of India, fulfilling his responsibility as its architect, he included three important words in its preamble: Justice, equality, and fraternity. If we examine these three words, PM Modi, with the spirit of everyone's support and development, ensured that the benefits of schemes, without discrimination, reached every poor, deprived, Dalit, backwards, woman, and youth. This is part of the same ideals of equality, justice, and fraternity that Baba Saheb presented to the people of India in the preamble to the Constitution." Earlier today, the commemoration of the 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas began with a floral tribute from President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, PM Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Parliamentarians, and many other dignitaries who attended the VIP session in the early hours of the day at Parliament. Dr Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a pioneering advocate of social empowerment, passed away on December 6, 1956. Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed annually to commemorate his contributions to nation-building, social justice and empowerment of marginalised communities. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday reiterated his government's commitment to delivering on pre-poll promises. Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Dhami said his administration had worked "with full sincerity and responsibility" to implement assurances given to the public, including the rollout of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. He also reviewed preparations for the winter Char Dham Yatra, stating that arrangements were undertaken much earlier this year to ensure a smooth pilgrimage season. "Under the guidance of PM Modi, our government fulfils every promise made to the people... Before the elections, we had promised the public about UCC, and we have fulfilled that promise... This time, we started preparations for the winter Char Dham Yatra much in advance, and all arrangements have been made to ensure that pilgrims face no inconvenience. In the coming times, the number of pilgrims will increase further, and for this, we have enhanced the facilities," the Chief Minister said. Highlighting measures for the agricultural sector, Chief Minister Dhami assured sugarcane growers that the government will fully support the upcoming harvest and procurement cycle. "We assure the farmers that they should cultivate their full sugarcane crop, and the government will make complete arrangements for its procurement," he added. Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Dhami, while addressing the Herbal Advisory Committee meeting held at the Secretariat, directed officials to work systematically in the herbal sector by creating village-level clusters. He emphasised that special focus should be placed on the promotion and development of herbal and medicinal products from the higher Himalayan regions. The Chief Minister instructed that a team of subject experts from the state be sent to study the best practices of the two leading states in the herbal and aroma sectors, so that these innovations can also be implemented in Uttarakhand. He said that to increase turnover in the herbal industry, coordinated efforts should be made in research, innovation, production, marketing, and branding. (ANI) Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule has introduced a private member's Bill in the Lower House to promote work-life balance for workers and employees in India. The Bill, "The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025", seeks to impose sanctions at a rate of 1 per cent of the total remuneration of its employees on entities (companies or societies) for any non-compliance with the provisions of the Bill. The Bill, as introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday, provides every employee the right to disconnect from work-related electronic communications. "It aims to foster a better quality of life and a healthier work-life balance by reducing the "burnout caused by today's digital culture," she wrote on X. While digital and communication technology offer benefits in terms of work flexibility, it also carries a significant risk of eroding the boundaries between professional and personal life, she argued in the private member's Bill. "Studies have found that if an employee is expected to be available round the clock, they tend to exhibit risks of over-work like sleep deprivation, developing stress and being emotionally exhausted. This persistent urge to respond to calls and emails (termed as 'telepressure'), constant checking of emails throughout the day, and even on weekends and holidays, is reported to have destroyed the work-life balance of employees," the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill read. "According to a study, the constant monitoring of work related messages and emails, may overtax employees' brains leading to a condition called 'info-obesity'." The Bill argued that there is a need to respect the personal space of the employees by recognising their right to disconnect and not respond to their employer's calls, emails etc., during out-of-work hours. "The need is also to recognise the rights of the employees, it also takes into consideration the competitive needs of the companies and their diverse work cultures. Flexibility in the right to disconnect rules and leaves it to the individual companies to negotiate terms of service with their employees is need of the hour," the Bill further read. The digital transformation has direct impact on conditions in the employment contract, like the time and the place of work. Hence if an employee agrees to works during out-of-work hours, overtime pay at the same rate as his wage rate is also necessary to check the surge in unpaid overtime work, brought about by digital transformation, she argued in the Bill. The Bill also provides for counselling services to increase awareness among employees and citizens, on reasonable use of digital and communication tools, for professional and personal use. To free an employee from digital distractions and enable him to truly connect with the people around him, the Bill provides for digital detox centres. "The Bill thus champions for the rights and welfare of employees, by mandating individual entities to negotiate out-of-hour service conditions with their employees, and upholding the right of employee to disconnect. The Bill seeks to recognise right to disconnect as a way to reduce stress and ease tension between an employees' personal and professional life," the Bill concluded. She introduced all together what she termed forward-looking Private Member Bills in the Parliament - the other two were The Paternity and Paternal Benefits Bill, 2025. It introduces paid paternal leave to ensure fathers have the legal right to take part in their child's early development. It breaks the traditional model, supports the new mother's well-being, and promotes flexible parenting. The other one is the Code on Social Security (Amendment) Bill, 2025, that recognises platform-based gig workers as a distinct category, ensuring minimum wages, regulated hours, social security, fair conditions, and equitable contracts to ensure a fairer, more sustainable environment and economy for them. Several other members of the Lok Sabha also introduced their Private Member Bills in the House. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of deliberately fuelling religious polarisation in the state by allowing suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir to polarise Muslims. This comes after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) suspended West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir on Thursday over his remarks, in which he claimed he would inaugurate a Babri Masjid in the state's Murshidabad district today. The BJP questioned the delay in Kabir's suspension, pointing out that he had earlier made statements threatening Hindus, saying Muslims constitute 70 per cent and Hindus merely 30 per cent in the district. They alleged that the move was politically motivated rather than a religious initiative, and warned that Mamata Banerjee's inaction could risk instability in the state. Sharing a video on X, the West Bengal BJP cited the Bengali proverb "Dhori Machh Naa Chhui Paani", which refers to "getting something done without getting your hands dirty". "Mamata Banerjee has decided to polarise Muslims in West Bengal through her MLA Humayun Kabir, while distancing herself from him. In this video, we see Muslims carrying bricks to build the BABRI MASJID in Beldanga. This is a project started by now suspended @AitcOfficial MLA Humayun Kabir," the post read. https://x.com/BJP4Bengal/status/1997184050394702239 "Why did she not suspend him earlier when he threatened Hindus by saying Muslims are 70 per cent and Hindus merely 30 per cent in Murshidabad?" the party asked in its post. Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya also criticised the Chief Minister, saying she was "playing with fire" in a region known for its delicate communal balance. In a post on X, he wrote, "West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is playing with fire. Reports emerging from Beldanga in Murshidabad have triggered serious concern, with Mamata Banerjee using 'suspended' TMC MLA Humayun Kabir to polarise Muslim sentiment for political gain. According to local accounts, groups of Kabir's Muslim supporters have been seen carrying bricks to construct what he claims will be a Babri Masjid, and he has further claimed that the West Bengal Police are backing him and have provided security for the activity." Emphasising the sensitivity of the area, he said Beldanga has a fraught record of clashes and warned that unrest there could escalate rapidly. "Any organised disturbance could lead to a blockade of NH-12, which connects North Bengal to the rest of the state. Such a scenario would have grave implications for law and order and may even impact national security," he said. https://x.com/amitmalviya/status/1997182688437088573 Malviya said the construction claim was not a religious initiative but a political strategy intended to inflame sentiments and strengthen electoral constituencies and warned that such moves risked destabilising West Bengal's social fabric and deepening communal divisions. "This so-called mosque project is not a religious effort but a political one, designed to inflame emotions and consolidate vote banks. Far from serving the community, they warn it poses a serious threat to Bengal's stability, risking heightened tensions and even the fragmentation of the state's social fabric," he wrote. The BJP leader alleged that Mamata Banerjee's approach to the issue reflected calculated political intent rather than a commitment to preserving harmony in the state. "But she will not stop at anything, even if it means pushing West Bengal towards turmoil," the party added. (ANI) Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha on Saturday took a dig at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his "Constitution under threat" remarks, saying that the Constitution came under threat "just once, when Emergency was invoked" during the Congress rule. Speaking to ANI, the JD(U) National Working President said, "He said the same even during 2024 elections. He was spreading lies. PM Modi has been the Prime Minister for 11 years now...Which Constitution came under threat? He came to Bihar for Yatra on SIR. Did even one complain come from Bihar when such a large election was done here. Spreading lies is his job...Constitution came under threat just once, when Emergency was invoked during Congress rule." This came after Rahul Gandhi said that the "Constitution of every Indian is under threat" after paying tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas. Speaking to reporters, the Congress leader said, "Ambedkar ji is an icon. He showed a path to the entire country, he gave us the Constitution. So, we remember him and protect his ideas and the Constitution...The Constitution of every Indian is under threat. We protect it, the citizens protect it." Later, in a post on X, the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his commitment to defending constitutional values. "Humble tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His timeless legacy of equality, justice and human dignity strengthens my resolve to defend the Constitution and inspires our collective struggle for a more inclusive, compassionate India," he wrote. The 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas was commemorated by Dr Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, at Prerna sthal, Parliament House Campus, on December 06, 2025, near the statue of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Victory Party (TVK) leader K.A. Sengottaiyan on Saturday predicted that Vijay will be crowned with victory by the people in 2026, while addressing a memorial service for jurist B.R. Ambedkar in Gopichettipalayam, Erode district. Speaking to ANI, Sengottaiyan said the services were held across Tamil Nadu on the orders of the youth's rising hero."On the orders of the youth's rising hero, a memorial service for the jurist Ambedkar was held across Tamil Nadu today. Arrogance hides the truth. The youth's rising hero, who should crown Tamil Nadu by the people, said that the future of Tamil Nadu is going to be crowned with victory by the people in 2026," he said. Earlier, TVK chief Vijay welcomed KA Sengottaiyan, former MLA and expelled AIADMK leader into the party fold, saying that the former Gobichettipalayam MLA's political experience and decades of field work will be a great strength to the party. "After having remained in the same movement for 50 years, I warmly welcome brother Sengottaiyan along with everyone who has joined him to work with us, with the confidence that his political experience and decades of field work will be a great strength to our Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam," the TVK chief said in a self-made video. "Sengottaiyan joined with MGR's at the age of 20, having earned his trust. At that young age, he took on the significant responsibility of becoming an MLA. Within that movement, he was someone trusted by both the great leaders MGR and Jayalalithaa in the political arena," he added. Expelled AIADMK leader and nine time MLA KA Sengottaiyan joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) along with his supporters on November 27, a day after he resigned as Gobichettipalayam MLA. Sengottaiyan holds sway in Erode district, having being elected from his home constituency around nine times. With just over 7 months left for the Assembly elections set to happen in 2026, him joining the TVK could sway the winds in favour of TVK in Erode. KA Sengottaiyan hails from Kullampalayam village near Gobichettipalayam in Erode district, first elected in 1977 and has been a nine-time AIADMK MLA. (ANI) Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Dr. Ambedkar was a visionary statesman and a pioneering social reformer who dedicated his life to upholding equality, justice, and the rights of marginalized communities. He added that while drafting the Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar ensured equal rights for all citizens and made an invaluable contribution to strengthening democratic values in the country. The Chief Minister stated that Dr. Ambedkar's legacy continues to inspire and guide the nation in building a progressive and inclusive India. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, PCC President Vinay Kumar, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Advocate General Anoop Rattan, former Speaker Gangu Ram Musafir, Councillors, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his death anniversary and said that the "government will now establish a system to protect Baba Saheb statues" from miscreants' malicious attempts to damage them. Earlier today, the commemoration of the 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas began with a floral tribute from President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, PM Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Parliamentarians, and many other dignitaries who attended the VIP session in the early hours of the day at Parliament. Dr Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a pioneering advocate of social empowerment, passed away on December 6, 1956. Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed annually to commemorate his contributions to nation-building, social justice and empowerment of marginalised communities. (ANI) Amid chaos over the Leader of Oppositions (LoPs) in Parliament not being invited for the President's banquet hosted for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Saturday advised Rashtrapati Bhawan to rise above "partisan preferences and biases". He said that President Droupadi Murmu, as the constitutional head of state, must ensure that traditions of bipartisan engagement are upheld. He said that the President of India has "departed" from the democratic tradition of inviting LoPs to the official dinner organised for foreign state heads. "Departing from long standing democratic tradition, the President of India has not invited Leaders of Opposition in Parliament, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to the state banquet for Russian President Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan. As the constitutional head of state and host of the visit, President of India is expected to rise above partisan preferences and biases, and ensure that traditions of bipartisan engagement are upheld," Hussain posted on X. "Deliberately excluding the Opposition from such interactions weakens India's institutional credibility and turns foreign affairs into yet another partisan battleground," he added. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi 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. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who represents Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, was invited to a dinner hosted by President Putin, while Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have not received invitations. (ANI) After suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the construction of Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged that it is the reflection of Mamata's "communal politics over the past 15 years. Majumdar accused the West Bengal police of fully supporting the act and held West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responsible for the laying of the mosque's foundation stone. The Union Minister said, "What we are seeing today is a reflection of Mamata Banerjee's appeasement and communal politics over the past 15 years. Mamata Banerjee has full support for this. Even today, Humayun Kabir has stated that we are receiving full cooperation from the police. If Mamata Banerjee honestly does not want the Babri Masjid to be built, she should have arrested Humayun Kabir. When the BJP holds any program, the police dismantle the stage, so why hasn't that happened here? There is a passive understanding, and Mamata Banerjee is fully supporting it. That's why the police are supporting him." He said that the Bengali Hindus need to think about their future, as Mamata Banerjee had suspended Humayun Kabir just to deceive them, while fully supporting him from behind. He said, "No one can do communal politics like Mamata Banerjee. Even other leaders, including Mulayam Singh Yadav (former UP chief minister), were not that capable. Mulayam Singh had so much Muslim support that he was called 'Mulla Mulayam', but even he did not cross the boundary. Mamata Banerjee has suspended him (Humayun Kabir) only for show, to deceive Hindus. The Hindus of West Bengal should think about this. If today Babri Masjid has been established in Murshidabad, remember Babur used to torture Hindus, and this can begin to happen again with this establishment. Actually, it has already started; there were riots in Murshidabad and even in Beldanga. The homes and temples of Hindus were broken down. The Hindus had to escape from their own land in Murshidabad and took shelter in the Malda district. Now, it is for Hindus to think that if they are forced to leave Bengal, where they will go." Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the construction of Babri Masjid in Murshidabad and said that no one can move a single brick, as the 37 per cent Muslim population of Bengal will build it at any cost. He drew attention to the constitutional right to build places of worship and said that he is not doing anything unconstitutional, "as anyone can make a temple or church, so can I". Addressing the gathering, Kabir said, "I am not doing anything unconstitutional. Anyone can build a temple, anyone can build a church; I will build a mosque. It is being said that we cannot build the Babri Masjid. It is not written anywhere. The Supreme Court gave a judgment which stated that the Hindu people had demolished the Babri Masjid. Considering the sentiments of Hindus, the decision was taken to build a temple here. Now we see someone laying the foundation stone for a Ram Temple in Sagardighi. But the Constitution allows us to build a mosque." Kabir asserted that legal challenges would not deter the mosque's construction. "Five cases have been filed against me, but no one can stop someone with whom Allah is. The court has also clearly stated that it is written in the Constitution of India that one can build a mosque; it is a right," he said. He referred to the demolished Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, calling it a historically controversial site. "There are four crore Muslims in Bengal. Don't they have the right to build the Babri Masjid? Threats have been made against me, including by the former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. If anyone has the courage, let them come here to Murshidabad and show it," he said. Kabir added that a 300-crore budget has been allocated for the mosque, which will also include a hospital, guesthouse, and meeting hall. He reiterated his commitment to the project and said, "It is a promise of the Muslims: The Babri Masjid will be built, it will be built, it will be built." (ANI) Simon Cowell is a lot softer since becoming a father. Simon Cowell's life has been transformed by fatherhood The 66-year-old star has revealed that he decided to tone down his acerbic TV judging style after welcoming son Eric, 11, with his partner Lauren Silverman. Cowell told Us Weekly: "From the minute I saw Eric's scan, I was a different person. "I was obsessed, literally obsessed. I still am, by the way. He just changed my life. I know it sounds corny, but it gave me meaning for what I do. What happened was I started to see kids on stage, and I was thinking, 'That could be Eric'. It definitely changed something inside me." Simon has been in a relationship with Lauren since 2012 and explained that he and his fiancee - who appears in his new Netflix series The Next Act - have "a very close bond". The music mogul explained: "She was a bit reluctant (to be on camera) in the beginning, and then she get more used to it. "The funny thing about her is that she is identical on the show as she is in real life. When I was watching the show back, I was absolutely cracking up at some of the scenes. "We have a very, very close bond. I adore her. We are a very happy family, genuinely. When we decide to (wed), it will be private, but obviously the fact that she talks about changing her name, it's quite obvious where all this is leading to." Simon helped put the boy band One Direction together on the British version of The X Factor in 2010 and compared the sadness he felt at the death of band member Liam Payne - who tragically fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina - last year to the grief he went through following the loss of his parents. He said: "It's difficult to put into words how I felt. It was not far from how I felt when I lost my mum and dad. "I've lost friends before, but Liam hit me hard because I really had a close bond with him. He came on my show when he was very young. "I'd seen him a year before he passed, and we'd spent an afternoon together. We just had the best conversation and talked about being dads. He didn't leave with me going, 'I'm worried about him'. If anything, I thought he looked amazing. He seemed happier in himself." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that in an atmosphere of geopolitical uncertainty, India is emerging in a league of its own and moving ahead with deep self-confidence. Addressing the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here, PM Modi said the transformation taking place in India is not merely about possibilities, it is the real story of changing lives and evolving mindsets. PM Modi paid tributes to Baba Saheb BR Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. "The transformation taking place in India is not merely about possibilities. It is the real story of changing lives, evolving mindsets and a nation moving in a new direction. Today is also the Mahaparinirvan Diwas of Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution. I offer my tributes to him on behalf of all Indians," he said. "Today we stand at a moment when one fourth of the twenty-first century has already passed. In these twenty five years, the world has witnessed many ups and downs. It has seen financial crises. It has faced a global pandemic. Each of these situations has challenged the global community in some form. Amid an atmosphere of uncertainty, our nation is emerging in a league of its own. India is moving ahead with deep self-confidence," he added. PM Modi referred to India's Q2 GDP growth of 8.2 per cent and said India is emerging as a pillar of trust. "When the world speaks of slowdown, India continues to write a story of growth. When the world faces a crisis of trust, India is emerging as a pillar of trust. When the world moves towards fragmentation, India is becoming a bridge builder. The second quarter GDP figures for Bharat show growth of more than eight percent, reflecting a new momentum in our progress," he said. "These are not just numbers. They are strong macroeconomic signals. They convey that India is rising as a key growth driver of the global economy today. Today, as we discuss transforming tomorrow, it is clear that the change we aspire to create is firmly rooted in the strong foundation being built through the work of the present. The reforms we undertake today and the performance we deliver today are shaping the path for the transformation of our tomorrow," he added. (ANI) The Citizen Action Party-Sikkim (CAP-Sikkim) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to incorporate key identity documents unique to the state into the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. A party delegation met the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) at the Election Office in Balwakhani, Gangtok, on December 4 to put forth the demand. The delegation included CAP-Sikkim Vice Presidents Bhushan Adhikari, Deepndra Rai and Kiran Zimba, along with District President Jorbu Tsh. Lepcha. They sought a detailed briefing on the progress, procedures and implementation status of the SIR being carried out across Sikkim. The party has issued a press release appealing to the Commission to officially include the Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) and Certificate of Identification (COI) as accepted documents during the review process. The party stresses that adding these documents is crucial for ensuring the electoral rolls' accuracy and transparency, describing the Special Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) as a vital exercise. The leaders said both documents carry special legal and historical weight in Sikkim and should be treated on par with other documents already recognised by the ECI. The delegation also appealed to the Election Commission to exercise "special care and sensitivity" while conducting the SIR in the state, citing the unique constitutional protections granted to Sikkim under Article 371F. These safeguards, they said, are integral to preserving the rights and identity of the indigenous population. Calling for a more participatory process, CAP-Sikkim requested the CEO's office to roll out widespread public awareness campaigns across the state. Such outreach, they said, would help citizens better understand the objectives of the Special Intensive Revision, the documentation required, and the steps involved in enrolment and verification. Following the meeting, the party expressed confidence that the Commission would consider the concerns raised and ensure that the SIR is conducted in a manner that respects constitutional provisions and the sentiments of Sikkim's people. (ANI) The incident was reported at Ghatigaon police station in the district on December 4. The accused has been identified as Madhuraj Jatav, a resident of Bhind district and currently serving as a police constable in Datia. The accused is a friend of the woman's husband, the police added. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jairaj Kuber told ANI, "A 45-year-old woman filed a complaint at Ghatigaon police station that on December 4 at around 7 pm, her husband's friend came to visit her house and raped her. Her husband was not at home during the time of the incident. Based on the complaint, a case was registered into the matter, and the accused was arrested." "During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused is a constable and currently posted in Datia district. The accused claims that he frequently visited her house and he shared friendship (with the woman's husband)," the officer said. Further investigation into the matter is underway, he added. (ANI) The Union Minister, who was on an official visit to Meghalaya, was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita and Meghalaya Textiles Minister Metbah Lyngdoh. He also interacted with artisans and weavers, as well as state officials and dignitaries. A flagship initiative of the Department of Textiles, Meghalaya, the ITTC aims to promote the state's rich textile heritage while advancing sustainable tourism. It is designed as an immersive cultural hub to highlight Meghalaya's unique textile 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. "By showcasing the farm-to-fabric journey, the complex aims to strengthen the entire value chain of Meghalaya's textile sector and position the state as a leader in ethical, eco-friendly silk production," stated the Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles. Speaking on the occasion, Meghalaya Textiles Minister Metbah Lyngdoh told ANI, "This is a first-of-its-kind that the state government has set up the Integrated Textile & Tourism Centre (ITTC) to unite both the elements that go hand-in-hand." Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, while reflecting on the significance of the initiative, added, "It is an important day for the textile sector of the Northeast and Meghalaya. Our Honourable Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh inaugurated ITTC near Nongpoh in the presence of textile ministers and members of the textile fraternity. The centre will provide service to the local artisans and our handloom weavers. It is also a demonstration of our textile heritage, emerging as a state-of-the-art and a centre of tourism." (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, alongwith BJP State President Madan Rathore, held the party's division-wise meetings in Jaipur on Saturday. Meetings for the Kota, Jaipur, and Jodhpur divisions were held at the Chief Minister's residence. In his official X post, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said, "Today, attending the meeting of the Kota division of @BJP4Rajasthan in Jaipur, I experienced a completely different kind of energy among the workers. The dedication and passion visible on every worker's face is the true strength of this organization." "On this occasion, the workers were urged to take the government's achievements of the last 2 years to every individual. When the workers are strong, the nation itself becomes strong. On this occasion, the presence of the state president Shri @madanrrathore ji and senior office-bearers was there.", he said. https://x.com/BhajanlalBjp/status/1997248278203924753 CM Bhajanlal Sharma directly interacted with party workers above the level of Mandal Presidents. Former Rajasthan BJP State President Ashok Parnami and Chairman of the Finance Commission of Rajasthan, Dr. Arun Chaturvedi, were also present in the meeting. Before the start of the divisional meetings, the Chief Minister and all the leaders offered flowers and paid tribute to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's portrait on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas. On Tuesday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, during his visit to Delhi. Speaking on his meeting with PM Modi, he wrote on X, "Today, in New Delhi, I met the world's most popular leader, the symbol of the Nation First resolve, the accomplished Prime Minister @narendramodi ji and received his guidance." He assured continued efforts towards development in the state, underlining that the government has completed two successful years in Rajasthan. "Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the BJP's double-engine government in Rajasthan has completed two successful years of public welfare and good governance. On this occasion, I also requested him to visit Rajasthan...The state will continue to move forward steadfastly on his footsteps and actively contribute to the construction of a 'Developed India'," he added. Meanwhile, CM Sharma also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He provided information on the innovations being made toward development and good governance in Rajasthan on the completion of 2 years of the double-engine government, public welfare schemes, and the works being done in the field of cooperation. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday condemned the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) pertaining to his donations to National Herald and Young India. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, he said, "ED has issued summons for donating to National Herald and Young India. ED is torturing us. It is not correct, and I condemn it." Replying to questions on ED summons, Shivakumar said, "We have been cooperating with the investigation from the beginning, and there is nothing to hide. I don't understand why ED has chargesheeted us. There was no need to register a police complaint in this case. We will fight this legally in the court of law." The Deputy CM said that the Delhi police have instructed him and his brother, DK Suresh, to provide information by December 19. "ED has issued a summons to me and my brother, DK Suresh. We had replied to the summons some time back. It is shocking that they have issued the summons once again. The Delhi police have instructed us to provide information by December 19," he informed. Shivakumar said that the only objective was to "torture" supporters of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. "We are paying our taxes, and we are free to give our money to anyone we want. They had even registered a PMLA case in order to torture us. What happened after that? The only objective seems to be to torture supporters of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and create confusion," he said. The Deputy CM said that he donated money to the National Herald and Young India when both Congress organisations were in difficult times as a Congressman. "National Herald and Young India are the Congress party's organisations. We are Congressmen, and hence we had donated money from our Trusts when these organisations were in difficult times. Many other people also helped during that time," he explained. "The notice was issued on Friday. My brother had donated some money when he was the MP. We will go through the notice and take necessary legal steps," he added. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with her entire Cabinet, will visit Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar on Monday, December 8, to offer 'shukrana' (thanksgiving) for the grand and historic success of the three-day 'Gurmat Samagam' organised at the historic Red Fort on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, CMO said. According to the CMO, the Chief Minister said that it was only through the blessings of Darbar Sahib that such a large-scale religious event could be successfully concluded in the national capital. Nearly six lakh devotees participated over the three days to seek the Guru's blessings, a record in itself. The Chief Minister described the extraordinary success of the 'Gurmat Samagam' at the Red Fort as the grace of Guru Sahib. She said, "Despite an atmosphere of fear caused by a terror incident just days before the event, more than six lakh devotees attended without disruption, clear evidence that the power of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's sacrifice continues to unite society even today." The Chief Minister added that her visit to Harmandir Sahib with her entire Cabinet is not merely a formal gesture, but a symbol of deep faith and gratitude towards the Guru tradition. In Sikh history, Harmandir Sahib is a sacred place where devotees from around the world come not only for darshan, but also to find spiritual peace, courage, and the spirit of service. She said that offering 'shukrana' at the holy shrine is also a mark of the Delhi Government's respect for the Sikh community and a salute to Delhi's shared heritage, reaffirming that even in difficult times, the Guru's light continues to guide and bind everyone together. The Chief Minister shared that the three-day 'Gurmat Samagam', held from November 23 to 25 at the Red Fort, emerged as one of the most magnificent and historic religious events in independent India. The samagam was jointly organised by the Delhi Government and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, and witnessed the participation of six lakh devotees, a record. Devotees from Delhi, various states across India, and from abroad paid homage to the Ninth Guru and remembered his supreme sacrifice. The event's significance grew further when President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other dignitaries visited the Red Fort to offer their respects to Guru Sahib. In their messages, the dignitaries described Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's sacrifice as a moral pillar of Indian civilisation. The Chief Minister also highlighted the key features of the Gurmat Samagam, the grand kirtan darbar, the historic 'Shaheedi Yatra', the exhibition displayed at the museum, and the light and sound show. The melodious rendition of Gurbani by raagi jathas from India and abroad filled the atmosphere with spiritual energy during the mega kirtan darbar. Devotees participated with great devotion in the Akhand Paths and collectively recited Gurbani upon the completion of the Sukhmani Sahib Prayer series. During the event, the sacred form of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was ceremoniously brought from Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib to the historic Red Fort in a palanquin. The Chief Minister added that, in response to the overwhelming demand from devotees, the Delhi Government extended the exhibition and the light and sound show at the museum until November 30, so that more people could experience this historic presentation, CMO read. (ANI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that politics based on spreading confusion, creating division, and inciting communalism will never be fruitful, and that the BJP-led government is working for the overall development of the Janajati community. CM Saha said this while participating in an organisational function at Barakathal Bazar under the Simna Assembly constituency on Saturday. CM Saha welcomed 107 families comprising 312 dedicated voters who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. While addressing the gathering organised by Simna Mandal, CM Saha said that a few days ago, it was stated that national political parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party would not be allowed to enter the TTAADC area. "We often hear threats. So I am saying one thing--that the more threats are given, the stronger we will become. What I have heard is that here, in Barakathal Bazar, no activities will be allowed, the Chief Minister will not be allowed to come, the Janajati Welfare Minister will not be allowed to come, and no one from the BJP will be allowed to come. But this place is not anyone's personal property. This property belongs to everyone. Any party can go anywhere. But the BJP will never tolerate intimidation through force or different forms of pressure," said CM Saha. The Chief Minister said that Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sacrificed his life in Jammu and Kashmir to protect the integrity of the country, and Pandit Deen Dayal was also killed in Mughalsarai. "BJP is one of the best parties in the whole of India. We have no conflict with regional parties. They will do whatever they want to do. But politics that spreads confusion or division in various ways and provokes communal sentiments will never be fruitful. This has been proven in the past as well. Development cannot happen through such politics. So I will again say that the doors of the BJP are still open for those who think like this but are being misled by others through misinterpretation. I urge all of them to join the banner of the BJP, because the graph of the BJP is gradually rising," said CM Saha. Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Minister also said that peace has now been established in the North East under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Earlier, many people were inclined towards extremism, especially some people from the Janajati section. Because they did not understand who their real guardian was. Some people misled them for their personal interests. Today, about 11-12 agreements have been signed in the North East, bringing peace. But still, efforts are being made to weaken the country," said CM Saha. The Chief Minister stated that due to the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 7 prominent personalities from the Janajati section of the state have been awarded the Padma Shri consecutively. "After our government came to power, Agartala Airport has been dedicated in the name of Maharaj Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, the architect of modern Tripura. The day of Saangramma Puja has been declared a restricted holiday. The government holiday for Gariya Puja has been increased from one day to two days," he said. The program was attended by Janajati Welfare Minister Bikas Debbarma, BJP General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, West District Sadar Grameen President Gauranga Bhowmik, Janajati Morcha Vice President Mangal Debbarma, Lefunga RD Block BAC Chairman Ranbir Debbarma, and other top leaders and workers. (ANI) The Himachal Pradesh government has intensified its crackdown on illegal Sheesha (Hukkah) service across Shimla as part of the ongoing Tobacco Free Youth Campaign (TFYC) 3.0, launched by the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on October 13. A coordinated, multi-department enforcement drive was carried out by the State Flying Squad on Saturday, targeting prominent cafes and restaurants allegedly flouting the law. Teams from the Health Department, Health Safety & Regulation, Food and Drug Administration, Excise & Taxation Department and the Police jointly inspected several establishments. Officials found that many venues were discreetly offering Sheesha (Hukkah), often under the guise of flavoured molasses or so-called herbal and nicotine-free variants. However, authorities seized multiple packets that explicitly mentioned tobacco and nicotine content but lacked the mandatory statutory health warnings, constituting a violation of Section 7 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. Cases have been registered under relevant COTPA provisions, and all confiscated materials have been submitted to the court for further proceedings, officials said. Highlighting the health risks, Dr. Ravinder Kumar, State Programme Officer of the National Tobacco Control Programme, said scientific evidence shows that a single 45-minute Sheesha session can equal the smoke exposure of nearly 100 cigarettes. He added that hookah use delivers high levels of carbon monoxide and carcinogenic tar, up to 25 times that of a cigarette. At the same time, the deep, prolonged inhalation pattern increases vulnerability to severe health conditions. The shared use of Sheesha pipes also raises the risk of contracting communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis and herpes, he warned. Mission Director of the National Health Mission, Himachal Pradesh, Pradeep Kumar Thakur, IAS, said the enforcement drive is part of a wider strategy to curb the rising trend of Sheesha use among youth, particularly in hotspots such as Kasol, Manali, Shimla, Dharamshala and Solan. He stressed that so-called herbal or no-nicotine variants are misleading and harmful, and that all Sheesha products fall squarely under COTPA regulations regardless of how they are marketed. Thakur said the state will further strengthen monitoring through a three-tier Flying Squad system at the State, District and Block levels to ensure continuous enforcement and protect communities from tobacco-related harms. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said that during the 2027 Kumbh Mela, which is to be held in Haridwar, elaborate arrangements will be ensured for the ceremonial bathing and grand procession of Uttarakhand's Devdolis, folk deities, and their symbolic idols. The Chief Minister said that the Kumbh Mela is a great festival that reflects India's rich religious and cultural heritage. "Through the divine bathing rituals and magnificent processions of the state's Devdolis at the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, devotees coming from across the country and the world will have the opportunity to witness the spiritual grandeur and vibrant folk traditions of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand," Dhami said A delegation from the Devbhoomi Folk Culture Heritage Procession Committee met Chief Minister Dhami at his camp office and requested necessary arrangements for the Devdoli procession during the Kumbh Mela, according to an official release. The delegation included the committee's acting president, Harshmani Vyas, along with other office bearers. Last Friday, Dhami held a meeting in Haridwar with the Acharyas and saints of all 13 Akharas on the banks of the Ganga to review and discuss preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela. This was the first time such a meeting was organised at the Ganga riverfront. During the interaction, the Chief Minister also formally announced the major bathing dates for the 2027 Kumbh. He announced the following dates for the year 2027: Makar Sankranti on January 14 (2027), Mauni Amavasya on February 6, Vasant Panchami on February 11, Magh Purnima on February 20, Mahashivratri (Amrit Snan) on March 6, Phalgun Amavasya (Amrit Snan) on March 8, Nav Samvatsar (New Year) on April 7, Mesh Sankranti (Amrit Snan) on April 14, Shri Ram Navami on April 15 and Chaitra Purnima on April 20. The Chief Minister sought suggestions and guidance from the Acharyas of the Akharas to ensure the successful organisation of the Kumbh Mela. He said that the traditions, needs and convenience of the saints would be accorded top priority in all decisions related to the Kumbh. He added that it was his privilege to receive the blessings and guidance of the saint community for the smooth and grand execution of the event. Without the inspiration, suggestions and blessings of the saints, he said, it would be impossible to envision the completion of such a massive undertaking. (ANI) Tara Reid feels judged and bullied after police said there is no video evidence her drink was drugged at a hotel last month. Tara Reid feels 'judged and bullied' after drink spiking allegations The 50-year-old actress had alleged she was drugged by a stranger after having just one drink at a hotel in Rosemont, near Chicago, on November 23, before being taken out on a stretcher and brought to hospital but police have insisted there is no video evidence of anyone tampering with or adding something to [Reids] drink". Tara told Us Weekly: Ive been honest about the fact that I dont remember anything after my first drink. All I said was that I felt something was wrong and that I felt I may have been drugged, because I have no other explanation for why I woke up in a hospital gown with no memory of how I got there. Seeing the media twist my words and attack me for not remembering has been incredibly painful and is severely affecting my mental health. I feel bullied and judged for something I cannot recall. Im trying to heal, but the public scrutiny is making that very difficult, and Ive been afraid to even leave my house. No one ends up in the hospital for around eleven hours from drinking wine alone. I hadnt taken any medication that day, and I know something wasnt right. Whether I had additional drinks after that doesnt matter, the fact is I dont remember anything. Tara went on to ask for privacy, compassion and space to heal. She added: Ive shared the only truth I have, what I remember, and what I felt. In footage obtained by TMZ from the night, Reid was speaking incoherently and seemed to slip off a wheelchair in the lobby, and was helped back into the chair, before paramedics led her away on a stretcher. In a police report filed at the time, Reid said she was in the lobby with "a bunch of" YouTubers, and "the whole thing felt suspicious" as most of them had "their phones out". In the report, she alleged that after stepping outside with one of the men, she returned to find "a napkin over my drink". She told officers: "Then the last thing I remember was drinking that drink and seeing a couple sitting next to us. "The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital around eight hours or more later not knowing where I was or anything that happened. "I completely blacked out with no recollection of anything." The Rosemont Public Safety Department previously told PEOPLE that surveillance footage didn't "show anyone tampering with or adding something to [Reids] drink". They did confirm "that a bartender covered her drink when she left the bar which is standard practice for bartenders to do". The authorities added: "At this time there is no criminal act that has been committed and there is no one we are currently investigating". Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday said that a target has been set to make 1 per cent of the total population Civil Defence volunteers in the coming days. He said that, in addition to humanitarian work, Civil Defence and Home Guard volunteers play a significant role in dealing with disasters. Chief Minister Saha said this at the 63rd All India Civil Defence and Home Guard Day programme organised at the Manoranjan Debbarma Smriti Stadium in AD Nagar, Agartala, today. Speaking at the programme, CM Saha said that this year the parade of Civil Defence, Home Guard, Apda Mitra and other volunteers has increased significantly compared to the previous year. "We thank them for this. Every year, Civil Defence and Home Guards Day is celebrated on December 6. This year, we are celebrating it as the 63rd All India Civil Defence and Home Guards Day. This day is observed as a symbol of the selfless work and sacrifice of Civil Defence and Home Guards volunteers in dealing with disasters, along with upholding humanity. Your bright presence beside the helpless and distressed undoubtedly creates hope in their minds, which is a great example of service," said Saha. He said that while the Civil Defence Act was enacted in India in 1968, Civil Defence was recognised in Tripura in 1971. "Our Civil Defence was under the control of the District Magistrate of West Tripura district. Then in 2019, it was handed over to the Home Department of the State Government and later, in 2020, to the Revenue Department. After coming under the Revenue Department, Civil Defence activities in Tripura were expanded to all districts of the state in July 2021," said Saha. The chief minister informed that there are 8 districts with Civil Defence. ADMs and Collectors have been nominated as Civil Defence Controllers of the respective districts. Saha also informed that the Director of the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation and Disaster Management has been nominated as the Director of Civil Defence in the state. Currently, there are about 5,000 trained Civil Defence volunteers deployed across the state. Regular training programmes are being conducted at the Central Training Institute and training centres identified at the district level. The Chief Minister said that, as per the decision of the state government, a target has been set to train Civil Defence volunteers equivalent to 1 per cent of the total population in the coming days. "In addition to the state government's target for training Civil Defence volunteers, this year the Government of India is implementing a project to enhance the skills of Civil Defence volunteers. About 3,000 Civil Defence volunteers will be trained by March 31, 2026," he said. Saha, who is also the Home Minister of the state, said that currently there are about 2,500 trained Apada Mitra volunteers in the state. "Other volunteers, including the state Home Guard, are also actively involved in disaster management. Civil Defence and Apada Mitra volunteers are now regularly engaged in control room duties, rescue and relief operations during disasters, awareness creation among the general public, skill development, and other relevant administrative activities. The state is currently receiving financial assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs to enhance the skills of these volunteers. Civil Defence and Apada Mitra volunteers have a significant role in making Tripura a disaster-resilient state," said Saha. Chief Secretary JK Sinha, Director General of Police Anurag, and other high-ranking officials were present as distinguished guests at the event. (ANI) Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia participated in the globally renowned Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, celebrating the state's extraordinary cultural heritage and the rich traditions of its 17 tribes, as part of his 3-day tour to Nagaland. Echoing the deep personal bond he shares with the region, the Minister said, "My relationship with Nagaland and its 17 tribes is one I feel from the heart. I bring with me the hopes, aspirations and unwavering commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Act East vision is transforming the Northeast into India's first frontier to the world." Held at the iconic Kisama Heritage Village, Hornbill has grown exponentially under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focused thrust on the Northeast. The PM's emphasis on cultural diplomacy, connectivity and tourism has brought the festival global recognition, culminating this year in Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom joining as official Partner Countries, a significant step in positioning the Northeast on the international cultural map. The festival continues to be a vibrant confluence of tradition and contemporary creativity, with tribal dances, handloom showcases, indigenous games, village walks, culinary exhibitions, evening concerts and the celebrated Hornbill International Rock Contest, all while ensuring that cultural narratives remain authentic and community-led. During his visit, the Minister engaged deeply with artisans, entrepreneurs and cultural practitioners. At the Regional Craft and Resource Centre in Touphema Village, he interacted with women artisans and designer Margherita, participated in Naga Khu (basket) weaving and observed the crafting of the Naga Dao. He also played the TaTi, an indigenous string instrument, alongside Angami artists. Later, at a local coffee farm, he sampled freshly roasted Naga dal and handmade muffins prepared by Meyievino, Tolibo and Vitouzhuneo, with coffee brewed by Vitoswu. He joined Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for a traditional coffee-making session and interacted with young coffee entrepreneurs. In the evening, he visited the Angami, Chakhesang and Konyak morungs, and concluded the day by meeting women weavers and craftswomen at the Hornbill handicraft market. Earlier in the day, the Minister also took part in the revered Angami stone-pulling ceremony in Tuophema Village. Calling it a symbol of unity and collective spirit, he emphasised the enduring cultural strength of Naga society. In the afternoon, he unveiled a nearly Rs 650 crore development package under the Ministry of DoNER and the Government of India's 'Act East, Act Fast, Act First' vision championed by Prime Minister Modi. This included inaugurations worth over Rs 202 crore and foundation stones for over Rs 443 crore of new projects spanning healthcare, sports, power, education, innovation and key road corridors, a comprehensive push to accelerate growth, deepen connectivity and unlock economic opportunities across Nagaland. Highlighting the transformational outcomes of PM Modi's leadership, the Minister noted the unprecedented momentum in the region's growth trajectory, stating, "From airports and highways to telecom and cross-border connectivity, infrastructure in the Northeast is advancing at unprecedented speed. With nearly Rs 650 crore worth of new projects in Nagaland alone, we are working closely with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to build a future worthy of our people's aspirations." The Minister reaffirmed that the Northeast, revered by the Prime Minister as the Ashta Lakshmi of India, is now among the fastest-growing regions of the country, powered by a young, ambitious and enterprising population. Close coordination between DoNER and the State Government will continue to advance the next set of projects already in the pipeline, he asserted. (ANI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party-led (BJP) Delhi government and said that the state government has failed to provide even basic night shelter arrangements for the city's poorest, leaving them to survive on the streets. During a late-night inspection in Delhi Cantt on Friday, AAP MLAs Sanjeev Jha and Kuldeep Kumar found vulnerable families sleeping in the open despite the plunging temperatures, according to a release of the Aam Aadmi Party. Sharing the inspection video on social media, AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the poor are being forced onto the streets in extreme cold. "The poor are being forced onto the streets in extreme cold while the 'Phulera-style BJP administration' remains preoccupied with misconduct. The responsibility of inspecting night shelters lies with ministers, yet AAP MLAs are the ones doing the work the government has neglected," he said, as per the release. Sharing what they witnessed, Sanjeev Jha said that the government made tall claims, but the ground reality is that there are no night shelters at all. "In the biting cold at 11:30 at night, there is not a single arrangement by the government visible here. Hundreds of people are being forced to sleep on the pavement. The government made tall claims, but the ground reality is that a night shelter recently caught fire, and in many places there are no night shelters at all," he added. The AAP MLA noted, "It seems the government is waiting for people to die from the cold and for the statistics to come out, only then they will rush to make preparations. This is exactly like when pollution reached lethal levels, and people began leaving Delhi, only then, BJP Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa started water sprinkling." Recalling how arrangements were handled earlier, Sanjeev Jha said, "When the AAP Government was in power, we identified locations and built night shelters. Ministers and their representatives supervised the arrangements. But today's government sought votes in the name of Lord Ram and has left the public completely on their own." Sanjeev Jha stated, "The poor are not a priority because this is a Government of the rich. They take votes from the poor, and after winning, they stand with the rich because their earnings come from them. Schemes like the Arvind Kejriwal Government's Mohalla Clinics, meant for the poor, have been shut down, leaving people in jhuggis without basic healthcare. If this government has even a shred of shame left, they should pay attention to these poor citizens; otherwise, their curses will fall on this government." During the inspection, MLA Kuldeep Kumar underlined the scale of the crisis. He said, "This is not just the condition of Delhi Cantt. In major areas like Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar ISBT, we are witnessing the same situation. The cold is so severe that we ourselves were struggling to speak, so how do these people survive the entire night? Some people were warming their hands over small fires. Those who once claimed they would distribute heaters should at least ensure night shelter facilities reach the poor." Calling out the administration's neglect, he said, "This four-engine Government seems determined to ruin Delhi. Near Kashmere Gate ISBT, where a night shelter once existed, there is now only a photograph of CM Rekha Gupta, while the actual arrangements are zero. Earlier, people were taken to night shelters with dignity, but now they are left on the streets." Kuldeep Kumar said, "We call upon CM Rekha Gupta to wake up and provide shelter for the poor. The AAP will raise the voice of the poor from the streets to the Assembly and will not allow the BJP Government to sleep peacefully. It is deeply shameful that the government sleeps comfortably with heaters in their homes while Delhi's poorest are forced to shiver on the streets." (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has said that all government buildings like schools, colleges, hospitals, offices, godowns should be equipped with rooftop solar systems to accelerate the state's transition towards clean and green energy. The Chief Minister was chairing a high-level review meeting on the Budget announcements of the Power (Energy) sector at the Civil Secretariat. During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the PM Suryaghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and instructed officials to expedite rooftop solar installations across households in the state. He also examined the month-wise achievements under the scheme and emphasised strict monitoring and accountability. In addition, the Chief Minister directed the creation of solar parks across the State to harness Haryana's renewable energy potential at scale. He also ordered the immediate removal of old and defunct electricity poles from major State roads and highways to enhance public safety and improve road aesthetics, acccording to a release. Chairman, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL), Shyamal Misra, informed that 42,486 rooftop solar installations have already been completed as of November 20 in the state. A target has been set to install 2,22,000 rooftop solar systems in the state by March 31, 2027. He said DISCOMs have also formulated a new scheme, 'Saur Urja Protsahan Yojana', aimed primarily at State Government employees and regular electricity bill-paying consumers. The scheme has been submitted to the State Government for approval and is currently under consideration. Once implemented, this initiative is expected to substantially accelerate rooftop solar adoption and help the State achieve and potentially surpass the assigned RTS targets. The Chief Minister said all power sector targets must be met within stipulated timelines to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to every household in the State. "Energy security is crucial for economic growth. Every pending project must move forward without delay," he said. The department also outlined its long-term energy strategy, which focuses on building a robust and self-sustaining energy ecosystem. Haryana aims to achieve 24,000 MW of power availability within the next seven years to guarantee 100 per cent power supply to every consumer. A major component of the State's capacity expansion is thermal power augmentation. The Chief Minister was informed that work on the 1x800 MW ultra-supercritical thermal unit in Yamunanagar will commence shortly with the assistance of BHEL. The Chief Minister instructed the department to fast-track all clearances to begin construction at the earliest. (ANI) Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu attended a program organised by the Scheduled Castes (SC) Welfare Department of the Government of Tripura at Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala to mark the 70th death anniversary of BR Ambedkar. On the occasion, the Governor paid floral tributes at the statue of Ambedkar. In his speech, Governor Nallu highlighted the rich legacy of BR Ambedkar and stated that the Constitution of India was drafted under his chairmanship. He gave us a Constitution which grants equal status, rights, and opportunities to every citizen of the country. The provision of a reservation policy was established in the Constitution to uplift the status of backward and downtrodden communities. The right to adult franchise for women and to contest elections was another important feature of the Indian Constitution. The Governor said that following the principles and policies framed by the Constitution would be the best tribute to Ambedkar. SC Welfare Minister Sudhangshu Das also spoke on the occasion, detailing the rich contributions of Ambedkar to India and his work for uplifting the downtrodden. During the program, the welcome speech was delivered by Deepa D Nair, Secretary of the Scheduled Caste Department, Government of Tripura. The vote of thanks was delivered by Biswajit Shil, Sabhadipati in charge of Pashchim Tripura Zilla Parishad. Other dignitaries present included Deepak Majumdar, Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation; MLA Mina Rani Sarkar; and Pinaki Das Chowdhury. Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed every year on December 6 to mark the death anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a key figure in the country's social justice movement. Leaders across the political spectrum and citizens nationwide remember his role in shaping India's democratic framework and advocating for the rights of marginalised communities. Dr Ambedkar, who served as India's first Law Minister, played a central role in drafting the Constitution, emphasising equality before law, protection of fundamental rights, and the creation of institutions to safeguard social and economic justice. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas at the Parliament in New Delhi. (ANI) The CJI also launched a month-long Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign across Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, aimed at combating escalating substance abuse through coordinated community outreach. Speaking at the event, Justice Surya Kant emphasised that reintegration must be a structured, planned process rather than a matter of chance. He proposed district-level reintegration boards comprising probation officers, industry partners, civil society and mental health professionals to guide inmates transitioning back into society. Highlighting the vulnerabilities of migrant workers, he called for simplified bail procedures, multilingual legal support and better documentation assistance. The CJI underlined the need for psychological rehabilitation alongside vocational skills, stressing the importance of trauma-informed counselling, addiction treatment and emotional support systems within prisons. He urged aligning training with future economic demands, encouraging partnerships in which industries adopt prisoners, provide apprenticeships, and hire trained inmates. Innovative concepts such as monitored open-jail models, similar to those piloted abroad, were cited as examples of humane reform. Supreme Court Judges Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Augustine George Masih, along with Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, also addressed the gathering, a Haryana government release said. They collectively underscored the acceptance of reformed individuals, the humanisation of incarceration, and the creation of employment pathways as pillars of sustainable reform. Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi assured full implementation of the recommendations, noting that skill development in prisons and drug-prevention programmes together form a comprehensive public safety strategy. Senior officials from the judiciary, the administration, and the prison department were present at the ceremony. With ITI courses in trades such as computer operations, welding, plumbing, and dressmaking, and a three-year Polytechnic Diploma in Computer Engineering, Haryana aims to equip inmates with employable skills and reduce recidivism, recasting prisons as centres of learning, dignity, and second chances. (ANI) Bhubaneswar police seized eleven firearms, including a carbine rifle and ten semi-automatic pistols, on Saturday and arrested two individuals in connection with the case. Bhubaneswar police seized eleven firearms, including a carbine rifle and ten semi-automatic pistols, on Saturday and arrested two Police Commissioner Dr S. Dev Datta Singh stated that these operations were significant milestones in disrupting and dismantling illegal arms syndicates operating in the city and on the National Highway. The police are working to trace the entire network and uncover all inter-state connections, with the weapons reportedly sourced from Munger, Bihar, a known hub for illicit gun manufacturing. The Police Commissioner provided specific details about the size and type of eleven firearms seized today and in some other inter-state arms trafficking busts in late 2025. The eleven seized firearms mentioned across these incidents include a carbine rifle and ten semi-automatic pistols. The police arrested two people connected with the seizure. Further details awaited. In November, a woman in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, orchestrated fake incidents of bombing and firing outside her own house in a bid to obtain an arms license by projecting a threat to her life. The police had arrested three people whom she had hired to stage the attacks, while a search for Misra is currently underway. Police Commissioner of Bhubaneshwar, Dr. Suresh Devadutta, revealed that the alleged complainant, Ghunguru Mishra of Bharatpur, actually wanted to obtain an Arms Licence by projecting specific grounds of life threats. To substantiate such claims, she devised a plan. She involved her own driver, accused Nandu Chandan Nayak (27) (having previous C/A), Santosh Mahakud alias Santu (25) of Bharatpur, and Debasis Mohapatra alias Deba (24) of Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar. The police had arrested all of the accomplices. The conspiracy unfolded as the abovementioned accused carried out the incidents as planned. Afterwards, the woman lodged the complaint based on false reports at Bharatpur Police Station, resulting in the registration of two cases. In a complaint dated September 11, 2025, Ghunguru Mishra reported at Bharatpur Police Station about two bombs being planted by some unknown persons outside her house, at around 11 pm on September 10. In another complaint, dated October 4, 2025, Ghunguru reported that unidentified individuals fired rounds at the boundary wall of her own house using two autos. This complaint was also filed at Bharatpur Police Station. The incidents were deliberately captured on the CCTV system of the complainant's premises, and all involved persons made concerted efforts to mislead and divert the investigation. Further inquiry revealed that the accused Deba arranged the firearms, while five rounds of ammunition were provided by the complainant Ghunguru Mishra herself. Accused Santu and Nandu placed the explosives (bombs) used in the incident.Police had registered two cases regarding this fake incident. As per the police press release, the Bharatpur police station registered Case No-624, Dtd-5.10.2025, U/s-109(1)/3(5) BNS / r/w sec-25(1-B) (a)/27(1) Arms Act and Bharatapur PS Case No - 542 Dtd 11.09.2025 U/s - 3/4 E.S Act. During the investigation, one 7.65 MM semi-automatic pistol, one round of 7.65 mm live ammunition, one motorcycle and one Auto have been seized from them. They admitted that, as per the instructions of the Ghunguru, they had created this fake firing and bombing. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini paid floral tribute to the portrait of Constitution Maker and architect of modern India Dr B R Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas on Saturday. According to a release, the Chief Minister said that Baba Saheb's thoughts, principles and struggle are a source of inspiration not only for Indian society, but for all of humanity. Every chapter of his life teaches us that even in difficult circumstances, strong willpower, education and dedication towards equality can bring positive change in society. The Chief Minister said, "Dr. Ambedkar not only established democratic values in the Constitution of India but also laid the foundation for ensuring equal rights and justice for every section of society. He continuously fought against social discrimination and described education as the most effective medium for social upliftment." "Baba Saheb's teachings and his ideas will continue to inspire society forever. His unwavering commitment towards equality, justice and human rights will continue to illuminate our path," he added. Saini said that the Haryana Government, following the ideals of Dr. Ambedkar, is committed to connecting the deprived, economically weak and backward sections of society with the mainstream. Several welfare policies are being implemented in the State to ensure quality education, employment, social security and equality of opportunities. The Chief Minister called upon citizens to draw inspiration from the life of Dr. Ambedkar and contribute towards strengthening mutual brotherhood, social harmony and democratic values. (ANI) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said that it would have been a "nice thing" if opposition leaders were present at the President's banquet hosted for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was on a two-day state visit to India. He said he attended the program in his capacity as chair of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. "I don't want to get into controversies. I certainly do feel that in a democracy like ours, the opposition leaders could have been there. It would have been a nice thing. I was there more in my capacity as the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, and I must say I had some interesting conversations," Tharoor told reporters here. "The fact is that this is a courtesy we extend to visiting heads of state and government to have a banquet for them. The President made a very gracious speech, and President Putin, in turn, was very warm in his reply. A large number of Russian delegates were present, along with several senior Indian officials," he added. Responding to remarks made by his party colleagues, Tharoor said that he doesn't wish to get into a controversy and regretted the absence of some Congress leaders. "I think they've spoken, and I don't want to wade into a controversy. I do regret that some of them were not invited. It's a shame that that happened. But as far as I'm concerned, I did not think it would be appropriate to reject an invitation from my Rashtrapati to attend a banquet in honour of a foreign president when I have a job that entails my involvement in foreign affairs issues," he added. Tharoor, who represents Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, was invited to a dinner hosted by President Putin, while Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have not received invitations. Meanwhile, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain advised Rashtrapati Bhawan to rise above "partisan preferences and biases". He said that President Droupadi Murmu, as the constitutional head of state, must ensure that traditions of bipartisan engagement are upheld. He said that the President of India has "departed" from the democratic tradition of inviting LoPs to the official dinner organised for foreign state heads. "Departing from long standing democratic tradition, the President of India has not invited Leaders of Opposition in Parliament, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to the state banquet for Russian President Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan. As the constitutional head of state and host of the visit, President of India is expected to rise above partisan preferences and biases, and ensure that traditions of bipartisan engagement are upheld," Hussain posted on X. "Deliberately excluding the Opposition from such interactions weakens India's institutional credibility and turns foreign affairs into yet another partisan battleground," he added. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi 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. (ANI) On the first day of his two-day district tour, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday interacted with intellectuals, statehood movement activists, women from self-help groups (SHGs) and representatives of various organisations during a 'Manthan and Samvad' programme held in Garud-Baijnath. The Chief Minister described the participants' suggestions as extremely important for the state's development and assured that they would be incorporated into upcoming plans and policies. He said that various organisations and associations play a vital role in giving society a new direction and can serve as a strong bridge between the government and the public. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the government is continuously working to generate employment. Appreciating the initiatives of SHGs, he stated that lakhs of women in the state have now become "Lakhpati Didis", and the demand for their products is increasing both nationally and internationally. He praised the efforts of the women of the state who are working tirelessly, even in adverse circumstances. Expressing satisfaction over the progress of the Apple Mission, subsidies under the mission, the Homestay Scheme, and the Kiwi & Apple Mission, he said these initiatives are playing a significant role in generating employment and self-employment opportunities. He added that the government aims to connect key locations of every district through helicopter services and further strengthen health facilities. He highlighted the coordination of Ecology-Economy-Technology as the foundation for accelerating the state's development. He expressed confidence that the coming decade would belong to Uttarakhand, with women (Matra Shakti) playing a decisive role. The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister has consistently promoted Uttarakhand's attire and culture on global platforms. The renovation of all religious sites, including Manaskhand and Kedarkhand, has opened new avenues for tourism in the state. At the 'Manthan and Samvad' programme organised at the Baijnath tourist rest house, Chief Minister Dhami also held discussions with office-bearers of various organisations. He said the state, under the guidance of the central government, is moving rapidly toward realising the vision of a developed India. (ANI) China urges Japan to meet its obligations as WWII defeated country Xinhua) 09:29, December 06, 2025 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. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) Toyota plans to debut solid-state batteries (SSB) in a production vehicle by 2027, starting with a high-performance electric car. Toyota testing new improved batteries The technology is expected to deliver significantly higher energy density, longer range, and increased durability compared with current lithium-ion batteries. Toyota is one of several major automakers investing in SSBs, which are seen as a crucial step for EV development. SSBs can reduce battery size and weight while increasing power output, potentially transforming vehicle design. The company unveiled a prototype pack capable of up to 745 miles of range. Keiji Kaita, president of Toyota's Carbon Neutral Engineering Development Centre, told a publication at the Tokyo Motor Show: "For the all-solid-state battery, the characteristic is high power, compact and long range. The cars will leverage these attributes." He added that solid-state technology remains "very important in the future" and that Toyota is "sticking on the schedule" to put its first SSB in a production car in 2027 or 2028, while also exploring commercial vehicle applications. Toyota says SSBs can double the power of current-generation batteries, triple their range, and last four times longer. Kaita emphasised the environmental benefits: We will try to reduce the carbon footprint and the key here is reducing the CO2 output in the process of manufacturing the material. But the most important thing is producing a battery whose life is longer." He added that extending battery life could reduce a vehicle's total carbon footprint by up to 75%. The likely debut model is the upcoming Lexus supercar, a radical successor to the LFA. Kaita declined to confirm the first model, he said: "Whether it will be a Lexus or Toyota, we will leave that to your imagination." Hiroki Nakajima, Toyota's chief technology officer, said SSBs could be integrated into current EV platforms, offering the same range in half the space, but the technology is primarily intended for new dedicated architectures. For existing models, Toyota is developing lower-height lithium-ion batteries to maximise interior space and reduce rooflines, as seen in the low-slung Corolla concept. by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Saturday announced that a grand Honour Run will be organised in Jaipur on December 7, with the flag-off taking place from the historic Albert Hall. The event is dedicated to the brave veterans who have devoted their lives to protecting the nation. The Rajasthan CM Sharma said, "Veterans are our nation's invaluable heritage, bringing decades of experience, leadership, discipline, and positive thinking to society. As a conscious and grateful society, it is our moral responsibility to express our gratitude to our veterans and give them the respect they truly deserve." He urged citizens, especially the younger generation, to participate in the Honour Run and show solidarity with the nation's soldiers. "Your participation will assure our veterans that their sacrifice and dedication are remembered, and that they continue to command immense pride and respect from the people of Rajasthan," he added. The Chief Minister said the event is also aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraged everyone to unite and dedicate the day to the state's veterans. On Tuesday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, during his visit to Delhi. Speaking on his meeting with PM Modi, he wrote on X, "Today, in New Delhi, I met the world's most popular leader, the symbol of the Nation First resolve, the accomplished Prime Minister @narendramodi ji and received his guidance." He assured continued efforts towards development in the state, underlining that the government has completed two successful years in Rajasthan. "Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the BJP's double-engine government in Rajasthan has completed two successful years of public welfare and good governance. On this occasion, I also requested him to visit Rajasthan... The state will continue to move forward steadfastly in his footsteps and actively contribute to the construction of a 'Developed India'," he added. Meanwhile, CM Sharma also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He provided information on the innovations being made toward development and good governance in Rajasthan on the completion of 2 years of the double-engine government, public welfare schemes, and the works being done in the field of cooperation. (ANI) Claiming "no strategic logic" for the United States embracing Islamabad, former Pentagon official Michael Rubin said Pakistan should be designated as a "state sponsor of terrorism." He also objected to Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's visit to White House in June and said Munir "should be arrested rather than honoured" if he comes to the US "There is no strategic logic for the United States embracing Pakistan. It should not be a major non-NATO ally. It should be designated a state sponsor of terrorism, period. If Asim Munir comes to the United States, he should be arrested rather than honoured," he said. Michael Rubin further said that the US need to offer a "vocal apology" to India for their actions, such as the imposition of additional 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports in August due to its purchase of Russian oil. He added that even though US President Trump "doesn't like to apologise," the interest of the US surmounts "one man's ego." "What we need is quiet diplomacy behind the scenes, and perhaps, at some point, a more vocal apology from the United States for the way we have treated India over the past year...President Donald Trump doesn't like to apologise, but the interests of the United States, world democracies are much more important than one man's ego, no matter how inflated it is," he said. Trade tensions have surfaced, with the US imposing 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports compared to 19 per cent for Pakistan, as well as signing agreements with Islamabad on mineral mining and oil exploration. Pakistan had welcomed Trump's claims, even nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize. In May, following India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), which came in retaliation to Pakistan's sponsored terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people in the name of religion, both countries had agreed to halt the full-scale military action, after the Pakistan Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called their Indian counterpart for cessation of hostilities. (ANI) India and Russia moved to strengthen the 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' by broadening cooperation in several sectors, including trade, nuclear energy, defence, and science and technology. The Ministry of External Affairs released a joint statement on Friday outlining the key outcomes of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. PM Modi and Putin noted the importance of further discussion on the second site in India for a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), with Russia also assuring to make the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant completely operational. According to the joint statement, the India will strive to finalise the formal allotment of the second site in accordance with earlier signed agreements. Both leaders agreed to broaden cooperation in nuclear energy, including fuel cycle, life cycle support for operating Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) and non-power applications. During the joint press briefing with PM Modi, Putin reaffirmed Russia's support to make the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) completely operational. Two of the six reactors at the nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu are already operational. "We're conducting a flagship project to build the largest Indian nuclear power plant, Kudankulam. Two out of six reactor units have already been connected to the energy network, and four are still under construction. Getting this nuclear power plant to full power output will make an impressive contribution to the energy requirements of India," Putin said Along with it, both leaders decided to elaborate a new agenda of interaction in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy and related high technologies. According to the joint statement, both sides noted the importance of cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy as a significant component of the strategic partnership, taking into account the plans of the Government of India to increase India's nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by 2047. The Sides agreed to accelerate technical and commercial discussions on Russia's VVER (Veda-Vodyanoi Energetichesky Reaktor--water cooled power reactor), research and joint development of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), localisation and joint manufacturing of nuclear equipment and fuel assemblies for Russian-designed large capacity NPPs, subject to terms and conditions as mutually agreeable. Noting the importance of cooperation in Space, the two Sides welcomed the enhanced partnership between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Russian State Space Corporation "Roscosmos" in the use of outer space for peaceful purposes, including in the human spaceflight programs, satellite navigation and planetary exploration. They noted the progress in mutually beneficial cooperation in rocket engine development, production and use. Additionally, both sides welcomed steps to ensure the long-term supply of fertilisers to India and discussed the potential establishment of joint ventures in this area. In this effort, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed among JSC UralChem, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited, National Fertilisers Limited, and Indian Potash Limited. Further to enhance cooperation in building stable and efficient transport corridors, an MoU on the Training of Specialists for Ships Operating in Polar Waters was signed with the focus on expanding logistics links for improving connectivity and enhancing infrastructure capacity to support the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai-Vladivostok (Eastern Maritime) Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route. The two Sides confirmed their readiness to intensify trade and investment cooperation in the Far East and the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The Program of India-Russia Cooperation in Trade, Economic and Investment Spheres in the Russian Far East for the period from 2024 to 2029 provides the necessary framework for further cooperation between India and the Russian Far East region, especially in the sectors of agriculture, energy, mining, manpower, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, maritime transport, etc. Both Sides underscored the importance of holding regular bilateral consultations on Arctic-related issues and welcomed the progress made in multifaceted bilateral cooperation on the Northern Sea Route. The Russian Side appreciated the participation of the Indian delegation in the 6th International Arctic Forum held in Murmansk in March 2025. The Indian Side expressed its readiness to play an active role as an Observer in the Arctic Council, according to the joint statement. Now in the most watched military and military technical cooperation, 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 program through 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. The leaders also expressed satisfaction with regular military contacts, including the meeting of Defence Ministers in Qingdao in June 2025 on the sidelines of the SCO Member-States' Defence Ministers' Meeting. Both Sides appreciated the Joint Military Exercises INDRA of the Armed Forces and reaffirmed their commitment to maintain the momentum of joint military cooperation activities and expand military delegation exchanges. Additionally, Russia and India agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral settlements through the use of 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, and central bank digital currency platforms. Russian President Putin concluded his two-day visit to Delhi on Friday night. (ANI) Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India is seen as US President Trump's "gross incompetence" by the majority of the US people, who dislike Trump, which he claimed is around 65 per cent according to recent polls. "It is being perceived in two different ways. If you're Donald Trump, it's being perceived through the lens of "I told you so" that this embrace of India towards Russia is affirming what Donald Trump wants his spin to be. Because Donald Trump isn't going to admit that he is the one at fault. If you're the 65 % of Americans who dislike Donald Trump, according to the recent polls, then what we are seeing now is the result of Donald Trump's gross incompetence," he said. Michael Rubin further said that the US is being "hypocritical" by "lecturing" India on its purchase of discounted oil from Russia, as Washington itself is involved in trade with Moscow, and justified New Delhi's position to prioritise its needs. Michael Rubin's harsh criticism of the US came when asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin's comment during his New Delhi visit that Moscow is "ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the growing Indian economy". The Former Pentagon official noted that India is soon to become the world's third-largest economy and has its own energy needs, criticising the US's imposition of an additional 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports in August due to its purchase of Russian oil, which Washington claims fuels Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine. Speaking with ANI, Michael Rubin said, "What Americans don't understand is that Indians elected Prime Minister Modi to represent Indian interests. India is the most populous country. It's soon going to become the World's third-largest economy, and for that, it needs energy. The US is being hypocritical because we purchase from Russia. We purchase goods and materials for which we don't have alternative markets. We are being hypocritical when we lecture India," "At the same time, if we do not want India to purchase Russian fuel, what are we going to do to provide fuel to India at a cheaper price and in the quantities India needs? If we don't have an answer for that, our best approach is simply to shut up because India needs to take care of Indian security first," he added. Russian President, during his two-day visit, declared that Moscow will remain a steady, uninterrupted supplier for the country's fast-growing economy. "Russia is a reliable supply of oil, gas, coal and everything that is required for the development of India's energy. We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy," Putin said, while addressing joint press address with Prime Minister Narendra Modi He further stated that US citizens are "flabbergasted" over Trump's actions that have reversed US-India ties, questioning whether it was "Pakistan's flattery or bribery." "A lot of us are still flabbergasted at how Donald Trump has reversed US-India ties. Many people question what motivates Donald Trump. Perhaps it was the flattery of the Pakistanis. More likely, it was bribery on the part of the Pakistanis or their backers in Turkey and Qatar towards Donald Trump...This is one disastrous bribe that is going to saddle America with a strategic deficit for decades to come," he said. President Putin concluded his visit to Delhi on Friday night. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar accompanied him to the airport to see him off. During his two-day visit, Putin co-hosted the 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. (ANI) US Supreme Court agreed to examine the constitutionality of President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship, reopening a debate widely considered settled since the late 19th century, CNN reported. By taking up the appeal, the top court has moved beyond the procedural questions it addressed earlier this year--when it sided with Trump on technical grounds related to how lower courts handled the challenges and will now directly consider the policy's legality. Cecillia Wang, National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, welcomed the development, saying the organisation looks forward to the Supreme Court "putting this issue to rest once and for all." "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," she said. The Trump administration's arguments--long viewed as fringe interpretations even among some conservative legal scholars--are expected to draw intense public scrutiny as the court's term progresses. The case marks another test of the court's readiness to evaluate an aggressive legal position advanced by the White House. A ruling in Trump's favour could overturn a fundamental principle of US constitutional and immigration law, potentially affecting how American parents document the citizenship of newborns. The court is set to hear the matter next year and will likely deliver its verdict by the end of June. CNN Supreme Court analyst and Georgetown University Law Center professor Steve Vladeck criticised the administration's stance, calling its attempt to restrict birthright citizenship by executive order "wrong.""Whether because it violates the relevant statutes; the Fourteenth Amendment itself; or the Supreme Court's authoritative 1898 interpretation of that constitutional provision, the bottom line is the same," he said. The 1898 ruling in US v. Wong Kim Ark established that individuals born on US soil are citizens, barring a few narrow exceptions. The Trump administration, however, argued before the Supreme Court that this precedent has been misread for over a century. In its filings, the administration asserted that the understanding of the citizenship clause "was mistaken" and had "destructive consequences." Ending birthright citizenship has been a central element of Trump's immigration platform. Solicitor General D. John Sauer told the court that the Fourteenth Amendment's citizenship clause was intended to cover formerly enslaved individuals and their descendants, "not the children of temporary visitors or illegal aliens." Earlier this year, the Supreme Court issued a key ruling related to Trump's policy, though that case focused on a procedural question concerning the scope of lower courts' authority to block presidential actions. In a 6-3 decision, the court curtailed but did not entirely remove the ability of lower courts to halt such policies. (ANI) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Saturday recorded an increase of Chinese military activities around its territory since Friday, with 29 sorties by PLA aircraft and six PLAN vessels operating around its territory as of 6 am today. Sharing the details in a post on X, the Taiwanese MND said that 19 out of 29 sorties by the Chinese aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ). "29 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 19 out of 29 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded," the MND stated in its post on X. Earlier on Friday, the MND stated that it recorded 14 sorties by PLA aircraft and five PLAN vessels operating around its territory. It stated that eight out of 14 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZs. "14 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 out of 14 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded," it stated. Meanwhile, a former US defence official from the Joe Biden administration has expressed support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi following her remarks indicating that Japan might assist in defending Taiwan, labelling Beijing's reaction as "inappropriate", reported the Taipei Times. Ely Ratner, who was the assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific security affairs from 2021 to this year, stated that Takaichi's comments about Taiwan merely echoed Japan's official stance on the matter. On November 7, the Japanese prime minister mentioned during a parliamentary meeting that a Chinese assault on Taiwan could be considered "a situation threatening Japan's survival", potentially leading to military action, according to the Taipei Times. Takaichi is believed to be the first Japanese leader in decades to openly propose that a crisis in the Taiwan Strait could lead to Japan's military involvement. Her statement provoked anger in China, which has implemented a range of retaliatory measures aimed at damaging Japan's economy, including issuing warnings against travel to and study in Japan and halting the resumption of Japanese seafood imports. Xue Jian, the Chinese consul general in Osaka, remarked in a now-deleted social media post that Takaichi should be "decapitated". (ANI) The United States Embassy in India has called for New Delhi's cooperation in tracking down and arresting Hameed Nazeer, a fugitive listed on the FBI's Most Wanted roster and "known to be living in India", according to the FBI. In a post on X, the US Embassy stated that the FBI will be awarding USD 50,000 for any information or intelligence leading to the arrest or conviction of Nazeer, who is at large and is facing the charges of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon in the US state of New Jersey. "The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nazeer Hameed. He remains at large, and we welcome our collaboration with Indian authorities to bring him to justice," the embassy said in its post on X on Friday. The FBI also reiterated the reward and described the charges against Nazeer in its post on Tuesday. According to the FBI, Nazeer is wanted by local law enforcement authorities in New Jersey for his alleged involvement in the murder of Sasikala Narra and her six-year-old son, Anish Narra, inside an apartment in Maple Shade in New Jersey on the evening of March 23, 2017. In the FBI's wanted poster, the intelligence agency stated that "Hameed is known to be living in India" and that its Newark Field Office is assisting the local New Jersey authorities in the ongoing search. It further stated that on February 6, 2025, Nazeer was formally charged in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Burlington County, and a state warrant was issued for his arrest. The FBI also cautioned that Nazeer "should be considered armed and dangerous" and called upon relevant authorities to appeal for public assistance, with any information on Nazeer's whereabouts to be directed to their nearest FBI office or any American Embassy or Consulate. (ANI) According to Tolo News, the casualties occurred due to mortar attacks in the Afghan Maazal Gali and Luqman village areas, as clashes broke out on Friday evening. A woman and a man are among the wounded in critical condition and are currently receiving treatment at Aino Mina Hospital. Afghanistan's official spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed the attacks by Pakistani forces in a post on X, claiming that the Pakistani troops on the Afghan territory initiated the attacks. "Unfortunately, this evening the Pakistani side once again launched attacks towards Afghanistan in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, prompting the Islamic Emirate forces to respond," Mujahid stated in his post on X on Saturday. Meanwhile, according to Dawn, the heavy exchange of fire erupted between Pakistani and Afghan forces along the Chaman border late Friday night, with officials from both sides blaming each other for triggering the confrontation. Pakistani authorities claimed that Afghan forces fired mortar shells at the Badani area, as reported by Dawn. According to Dawn, citing official sources, Pakistani forces retaliated against what they described as Afghan aggression. A senior Quetta official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Dawn that the firefight began around 10 pm on Friday and continued into the late hours on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Medical Superintendent of Pakistan's Chaman district hospital, Muhammad Owais, reported that three people, including a woman, were brought to the hospital with injuries following the clash. There were still no official statements from Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) or the Foreign Office after the clashes, Dawn reported. Tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have frequently escalated in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of violations along their border region. (ANI) The UK has imposed sanctions to disrupt the funding of Pro-Khalistan terror group Babbar Khalsa. This is the first time these sanctions have been imposed on the group. The UK announced an asset freeze and director disqualification against Gurpreet Singh Rehal who is suspected of belonging to organisations involved in terrorism in India. An asset freeze against Babbar Akali Lehar, for promoting and supporting the same terrorist group, has also been announced. According to the Treasuty Department of the UK, Rehal is involved in Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar's terrorist activities, including promoting and encouraging, carrying out recruitment activities for, providing financial services to as well as supporting and assisting those organisations, including through purchasing weapons and other military materiel. The governmanet also said that Babbar Akali Lehar is associated with, and involved in, Babbar Khalsa's terrorist activities by promoting and encouraging and carrying out recruitment activities for the group and itself. All funds and economic resources in the UK owned, held or controlled by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar are now subject to an asset freeze. Rehal is also subject to director disqualification sanctions which prohibit him from acting as a director of a company or directly or indirectly taking part in or being concerned in the promotion, formation or management of a company. Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby said, " We will not stand by while terrorists exploit Britain's financial system. This landmark action shows we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to choke off funding for terrorism, wherever it occurs and whoever is responsible. The UK stands firmly with peaceful communities against those who promote violence and hatred. The Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) allow the Treasury department in the UK to freeze assets and impose restrictions on individuals and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism. Babbar Khalsa is a proscribed terrorist organisation. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Abdul Samad Yaqoob has denounced the appointment of General Syed Asim Munir as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for another five-year term, calling it an "undemocratic, unconstitutional, and dictatorial manoeuvre" aimed at tightening the army's grip over the country's political and civilian institutions. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Yaqoob argued that the creation of the CDF post itself was a "constitutional overreach" that PTI plans to challenge in court. "This is not just an administrative reshuffle," he said. "It represents the concentration of unchecked power in one man's hands. By giving absolute authority to General Asim Munir, the government has effectively endorsed a military dictatorship under constitutional disguise." Yaqoob described the amendment that established the CDF position as "a threat to Pakistan's fragile democracy," insisting that it undermines civilian governance and further narrows political space. "The post was designed to legitimise the de facto control of the army chief over Pakistan's democratic framework," he stated. "This move erases the line between civil and military power, leaving no room for genuine democratic practice." Responding to questions about Imran Khan's continued imprisonment since 2023, the PTI leader directly blamed the military establishment rather than the civilian government. "In Pakistan's current system, the Prime Minister is merely a puppet," he said. "The real authority rests with the army chief, and it is the military leadership that fears Imran Khan's popularity." Yaqoob accused General Munir of using state machinery to suppress political opposition. "Every dictator fears a popular civilian leader, and this is no different," he added. "The establishment is terrified of Imran Khan's mass appeal and democratic influence." Labelling Asim Munir's reappointment as "the most controversial decision in recent political history", Yaqoob warned that Pakistan is heading toward a one-man rule masked by legality. (ANI) Lorraine Kelly feels she is getting a second chance at motherhood after becoming a grandmother. Lorraine Kelly's second chance at motherhood The TV stars daughter Rosie welcomed her first child with fiance Steve White in August 2024 and Lorraine says it has given her the chance to make up for missing out as she tried to combine her career with raising Rosie. Speaking to The Daily Mail as part of EE broadband's Christmas Campaign, Lorraine, 66, said: It's great. To be honest with you, I'm getting a chance to be a mum again in a way. I'm not being a mum again because [Rosie's] her mum and she's got her mum, but I'm getting a chance to do it again and hopefully to do it better. Because when I had Rosie I was in my 30s, I think I was 34 and I was working and it's always harder if you're the mother. Speaking about the difficulties of juggling her career and motherhood, Lorraine explained: Back then that would have been 1993/94 when I was pregnant, it still was quite unusual for pregnant women to be on television, especially every day and especially live television. It wasn't as frowned upon as it was in the 80s. I mean, I do remember the real trailblazer was Anne Diamond, because Anne was sitting on the sofa pregnant and she made it easier for all the rest of us to follow behind her. And, Lorraine went on to praise her daughter, telling Rosie: I think you're amazing. She's incredible, absolutely incredible. I don't know how you do everything that you do, but it's lovely when it's your grandchild because you read those books that you read yourself. It's just lovely, and she's a wee lamb. She's a credit to you. She's an absolute angel. In a sharp critique of Pakistan's current military and foreign policies, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Abdul Samad Yaqoob has warned that the country's worsening ties with Afghanistan and its flawed internal strategies are pushing Pakistan toward greater regional isolation and economic collapse. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Yaqoob stated the PTI founder's concerns, following Imran Khan's recent caution to Army Chief General Asim Munir, accusing the military establishment of pursuing "disastrous policies" that serve "personal or foreign interests" rather than Pakistan's national priorities. Yaqoob highlighted the growing insecurity along the western border, a situation he said marks a drastic shift from Pakistan's traditional focus on the eastern frontier. "In the past, we faced tensions with India on our eastern border. But today, even our western border with Afghanistan has turned insecure, something that was never expected," he said, adding that Pakistan's confrontational stance has turned a once "brotherly" nation into a hostile neighbour. The PTI leader criticised the government's decision to seal trade routes and restrict cross-border movement, calling it a self-inflicted wound that undermines both regional diplomacy and economic stability. "Instead of fostering trade and cooperation, they are seizing even the space for commerce. This is isolating Pakistan further in the international community," he stated. On the economic front, Yaqoob dismissed government claims of revival, describing initiatives like the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as "futile exercises". He noted that despite numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and high-level visits, "no real investment has materialised." According to him, Pakistan remains trapped in a "multifaceted crisis" that is deepening with every misstep in policy and governance. "Investors are being driven away instead of being attracted," Yaqoob said, warning that ongoing border tensions, trade disruptions at Torkham, and the lack of political stability could push the economy into an irreversible decline. (ANI) Major medical facilities, including Mayo, Jinnah, and Services hospitals, are among those hit hardest by the disruption, as reported by The Express Tribune. According to The Express Tribune, dozens of anaesthetists employed on short-term contracts were abruptly dismissed after their extended six-month agreements expired, leaving operating theatres severely understaffed. The sudden removal of these essential medical professionals has crippled surgical operations, restricting hospitals to performing only life-saving procedures. Administrators revealed that they had repeatedly warned the Punjab Health Department about the impending staff crisis, urging authorities not to release locum doctors until permanent appointments were made. However, their requests were ignored, resulting in a near collapse of routine surgical services. Surgeons stated that elective surgeries had been suspended across the province, with emergency departments operating under extreme strain. Patients who had been waiting months, some even over a year, for planned operations now face indefinite uncertainty. One 62-year-old woman at Mayo Hospital, awaiting gallbladder surgery, was informed that her operation could not proceed due to the lack of an anaesthetist. Families of patients expressed anger and helplessness, saying that many admitted individuals were left idle in hospital wards for days without any updates. Doctors described a chaotic situation where operating theatre lists were being reshuffled daily, warning that the absence of trained anaesthetists posed serious risks to patient safety. Hospital management stated that repeated pleas to the provincial health department over the past several months had gone unanswered. No emergency appointments or contract renewals were made to prevent the crisis, as cited by The Express Tribune. Punjab Health Department spokesperson Syed Hammad Raza said the government had launched a large-scale recruitment campaign for medical staff, including anaesthesia specialists. He maintained that the administration had hired doctors during its tenure and insisted that "doctor shortages are no longer an issue," as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI) During the discussions, the delegations reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including political, economic, capacity building, health, education, renewable energy, culture and people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs The two sides also exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest. Emphasising the importance of human resource development through Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation and ICCR scholarships, both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthen and deepen this partnership. Both sides looked forward to continuing these exchanges as well as regular meetings of institutional mechanisms, MEA stated. During the visit, Suresh Kumar also called on Osman Saleh Mohammad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Yemane Gebremeskel, Minister of Information of Eritrea. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations at a mutually convenient date in New Delhi. MEA also noted that the Indian community in Eritrea--comprising around 200 professionals, school teachers, college professors and construction workers--mainly resides in Asmara, Keren and Adi Keyh. The Embassy of India regularly organises Pravasi Bharatiya Divas for the community. Economic engagement between the two countries remains steady. India's exports to Eritrea stood at USD 17.95 million in 2022-23, consisting largely of sugar, pharmaceutical products, rubber, rice, apparel and clothing accessories. Eritrea also qualifies for India's unilateral Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme for export of goods and services to India. India has extended multiple rounds of food assistance to Eritrea over the years. In 2003, India donated 50 metric tonnes of wheat, in addition to an earlier supply of 150 MT of wheat and 20 MT of sugar. In November 2020, India provided 50 MT of food aid--including white wheat flour, rice and sugar--to support Eritrea's requirements. (ANI) The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has released its weekly brief, highlighting a series of events across Asia, Europe, and North America to expose China's ongoing atrocities against the Uyghur people and to demand stronger international accountability for the genocide unfolding in Xinjiang. On November 30, the Uyghur community in Japan, under the initiative of the WUC, held a public awareness action outside Tokyo's Nakano Station to highlight the persecution of Uyghurs in China. The group distributed nearly 300 informational leaflets in just two hours, engaging with residents and commuters about Beijing's brutal policies of mass detention, forced labour, and religious repression. The WUC expressed gratitude to Nakano Ward Assembly member Yoshida for his presence and encouragement. Two days later, on December 2, WUC Executive Committee Chair Rushan Abbas delivered a compelling lecture at Stanford University during a program hosted by the Hoover Institute and the Stanford Centre for Human Rights and International Justice. Joined by Glenn Tiffert, Abbas dissected the Chinese Communist Party's use of surveillance, digital monitoring, and coercive labour systems as mechanisms of genocide and global economic manipulation. She warned that China's growing influence poses a threat to democratic societies and urged Americans to remain vigilant against CCP infiltration, stressing that holding Beijing accountable is both a moral duty and a matter of national security. In recognition of leadership within the Uyghur movement, WUC celebrated former President Dolkun Isa's inclusion in The China Table's list of the "Top 10 NGO Figures" influencing global China discourse. The platform praised Isa's unwavering dedication to human rights and his tireless campaign for Uyghur freedom. On December 4, WUC Vice President Zumretay Arkin addressed the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights, shedding light on the CCP's transnational repression tactics. She revealed how Chinese consulates systematically deny passports to Uyghurs abroad, exposing families to retaliation and obstructing their access to education and legal status. Meanwhile, Thailand's National Human Rights Commission ruled that Bangkok's February 2025 deportation of 40 Uyghur refugees to China violated international law, a decision the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) hailed as a vital step toward justice. (ANI) India and the United States have unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and renewed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in the field of countering terrorism, including in the UN, Quad and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The two countries held the 21st Meeting of the India-USA Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism (CT) and the 7th Designations Dialogue here on December 3. The two sides called for additional designations of ISIS and al-Qa'ida affiliates, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and their proxy groups, supporters, sponsors, financiers and backers, under the UN 1267 sanctions regime, ensuring their members face a global asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo. India and the United States strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and the recent heinous terror incident near the Red Fort, New Delhi, on November 10 and stressed that those responsible for terrorism should be held accountable. The meetings underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism, reflecting the spirit and breadth of the India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, a Ministry of External Affairs release said. "Both sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They expressed concern over the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and AI for terrorist purposes," the release said. India faces cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. India had carried out Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK. The release said the two sides reviewed a wide range of traditional and emerging threats and challenges such as terrorist recruitment, abuse of technology for terrorist purposes, and financing of terrorism. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation against challenges, including through training, cybersecurity, exchange of best practices, and information sharing through continued bilateral and multilateral efforts. Participants from India and the United States discussed strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation, including through information sharing and cooperation on mutual legal assistance requests. "Both sides emphasised that confronting terrorism requires concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner. Against this backdrop, the two sides renewed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in the field of countering terrorism including in the UN, Quad and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)," the release said. Underscoring the growing convergence between India and the United States on counterterrorism, the Indian side thanked the US Department of State for designating The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of LeT, as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). Both sides decided to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Designations Dialogue in the United States on a mutually convenient date. Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) in the Ministry of External Affairs of India, and Ms. Monica Jacobsen, Senior Bureau Official in the Bureau of Counterterrorism in the United States Department of State, led their respective delegations during the JWG meeting. (ANI) Evans Afedi expressed his deep respect for the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who united more than 562 princely states of India and ensured India's unbroken national unity. Paying tribute to Sardar Saheb, he said that the Iron Man Sardar Patel "is an inspiration not only for India but also for the entire world." The youth gathered in today's ceremony, with slogans of unity, displays of Indian culture and unwavering patriotism, are realising the concept of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.' Evans Afedi said that the Unity March organised by the Ministry of Sports, Government of India, "is not just a memorial procession of Sardar Vallabhbhai, but a unique pilgrimage that ignites the flame of patriotism in the hearts of the youth." He further added that this "enthusiasm of the youth gives strength to the future of India, and this campaign bequeaths the values of unity, discipline and nationalism to the new generation. The ideas of Sardar Patel are also relevant in the present time for the unity and peace of the world." The Sardar@150 Unity March is a nationwide initiative honouring the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It symbolises his unparalleled role in unifying India, as part of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, it aligns with the mission of Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat of the Hon'ble Prime Minister. Alongside the padyatra, developmental activities will be organised across districts, including cleanliness drives at water bodies, tree plantation under the "Sardar Upvan" initiative, women's welfare camps, yoga and health camps, and "Vocal for Local" campaigns. These activities aim to mobilise citizens, celebrate local innovation, and channel youth energy into nation-building. The Unity March 2025 follows a well-defined multi-stage structure, bringing together district mobilisations and a national padyatra to honour Sardar Patel's legacy. (ANI) The third Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) meeting between India, Japan, Australia, and the United States was held in New Delhi on December 4 and 5 here with Quad partners unequivocally condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They also expressed their condolences for the heinous terror incident on November 10 near the Red Fort in Delhi. They called for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice and urged all UN Member States to cooperate in doing so. The CTWG meeting was held as part of India's rotation hosting the next Quad Summit. The Quad CTWG was established during the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi in March 2023. Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, delivered the keynote address, underscoring the need for forging a common resolve within the Quad to combat the scourge of terrorism, and urged all Quad members to take necessary steps to make the Quad CTWG a more resilient, robust, and action-oriented Working Group. He thanked Quad member countries for showing solidarity and extending support to India following the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, Ministry of External Affairs said in a release. The meeting was led by senior officials in charge of counterterrorism. "Quad partners unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They also expressed their condolences for the heinous terror incident on 10 November 2025 near the Red Fort in Delhi. They called for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice and urged all UN Member States to cooperate in doing so," the release said. Fifteen people were killed and over two dozen others injured in the blast that occurred near Red Fort in Delhi around 7 pm on November 10. National Investigation Agency is probing the case. During the meeting, the Quad member countries exchanged assessments on the terrorism threat landscape, including developments in the Indo-Pacific region. They discussed the full spectrum of counterterrorism cooperation and measures that could be used to address existing and emerging challenges. They underscored the importance of ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains open and free from the threats of terrorism. During the meeting, a Tabletop Exercise (TTx) on "Counter Terrorism Operations in the Urban Environment" was conducted. The TTx provided an opportunity for CT experts to share their best practices and identify potential opportunities for joint operational preparedness to respond to complex terrorist scenarios. Quad partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in multilateral fora. They also emphasised the value of continued information sharing on terrorists, terrorist organisations, and their proxies. Dr. Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism, Ministry of External Affairs of India; Gemma Huggins, Ambassador for Counter Terrorism, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia; MINAMI Hiroyuki, Ambassador in-charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organized Crime, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; and Monica Ager Jacobsen, Senior Bureau Official for the United States Department of State Counterterrorism Bureau, led their respective delegations. In September 2025, India hosted two Quad CTWG workshops on countering the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for terrorist purposes and on preventing terrorist exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terror financing. These workshops were organized by the National Security Guard and the National Investigation Agency respectively in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs. Quad partners committed to further deepen counterterrorism cooperation within the Quad framework and to convene the next meeting of Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group in 2026. (ANI) India's relief operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu continued, with another aircraft carrying key support equipment arriving in Colombo to assist ongoing humanitarian efforts in the country. In a post on X, Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, wrote, "#OperationSagarBandhu: Relief operations continue! The 4th C17 aircraft, third one carrying Bailey Bridge units arrived in Colombo today. It had about 55 tonnes of Bailey Bridge stores, a JCB and 13 personnel from Engineer corps." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1997307932879556775?s=20 As India continues to deploy critical support equipment, its medical assistance on the ground has also expanded. India's ongoing humanitarian relief mission has made significant progress as an Indian medical team set up a fully operational field hospital in Mahiyanganaya, near Kandy, to support communities hit hard by Cyclone Ditwah, one of the most devastating tropical storms to impact Sri Lanka in recent years. In a post on X on Friday, the High Commission of India in Colombo said the facility is being established to deliver urgent, life-saving medical assistance to affected residents. "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. These operations are part of India's sustained humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka through coordinated rescue, medical, and relief efforts under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Earlier, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster landed in Colombo on Thursday carrying Bailey bridge units to help restore road connectivity. A team of 25 personnel, including engineers and medical experts, also arrived on the aircraft, 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 wrote. The broader relief effort comes as Sri Lanka continues to struggle with the aftermath of severe weather. According to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death toll from the severe weather across the country has climbed to 481 as of 6:00 pm on Thursday, the Daily Mirror Online reported. The latest update also noted that 345 people remain missing, as search, rescue, and relief operations 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 parts of the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the districts of Galle and Matara, valid until 11:00 pm today, according to the Daily Mirror Online. Seven districts are currently under red alerts, while eight others are under amber alerts due to heightened lightning risk. (ANI) The main barrier constructed to contain radioactive material at the Chernobyl nuclear accident site can no longer fully perform its task after a drone strike earlier this year, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said. The agency noted that the New Safe Confinement (NSC) was "severely damaged" during a February attack and has "lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability." Ukraine alleged that Russian forces were responsible for the February 14 incident, while the Kremlin rejected the charge. The strike triggered a blaze and damaged exterior panels of the structure, originally installed to stabilise conditions at the site decades after the world's worst nuclear power plant disaster. The IAEA has called for extensive repairs to the steel enclosure, which was built to support clean-up operations and maintain safety almost 40 years after the 1986 reactor explosion. "Limited temporary repairs have been carried out on the roof, but timely and comprehensive restoration remains essential to prevent further degradation and ensure long-term nuclear safety," IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. Grossi stated there had been no lasting impact on support elements or monitoring equipment at the facility. The IAEA, which has personnel based at Chernobyl, will "continue to do everything it can to support efforts to fully restore nuclear safety and security," he added. Chernobyl has remained a flashpoint during Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian troops entered the exclusion zone in the opening days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, holding workers for several weeks before withdrawing and handing control back to Ukrainian staff. The NSC is a large arch-shaped installation covering the damaged No. 4 reactor to contain hazardous material. Work commenced in 2010 and concluded in 2019. Designed to remain functional for a century, the structure is considered the world's biggest movable land-based construction and has been vital to securing the site. The project cost about 2.1 billion in European currency and was funded by more than 45 international donors through the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, which development banks described as one of the most significant joint nuclear safety initiatives ever undertaken. The April 26, 1986 explosion in the No. 4 reactor, then part of the Soviet Union, sent radioactive material across large areas of Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and beyond. Over 30 people died in the nearby city of Pripyat, and many more have suffered long-term health effects due to radiation exposure, with elevated rates of cancer and birth defects still reported in affected regions, according to global health organisations. (ANI) Lawyers and civil society members have hailed three judges who resigned after the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, commending their decision to "preserve their constitutional oath and honour over office and privilege," Dawn reported. Supreme Court judges Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah resigned on November 13, shortly after the amendment was signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari. Shah called the move "a grave assault on the Constitution of Pakistan", while Minallah said he had sworn to protect not "a constitution" but "the Constitution". Lahore High Court judge Shams Mehmood Mirza stepped down two days later, saying, "After the 27th Amendment in the Constitution, I am not inclined as a matter of principle and in good conscience to continue as a judge." According to Dawn, a joint statement from 60 citizens and lawyers said, "We mourn presently, not at the resignations of Justices Shah, Minallah and Mirza--they have permanently etched their names on the short list of national heroes who prized principles over expediency--but at the demise of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the high courts of Pakistan, and the extinguishment of the last embers of an independent judiciary." Among the signatories were Abid S. Zuberi, Jibran Nasir, Imaan Mazari, Asad Rahim, Sardar Latif Khosa, Salman Akram Raja, Zainab Janjua, Faisal Siddiqui, Salahuddin Ahmed and Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar. The statement, printed in Dawn, said Mansoor "undisputedly ranks among the finest jurists ever produced by Pakistan." It added, "He stood entirely peerless in his zeal for judicial reform and his vision to drag the creaking edifice of the Pakistan judiciary into the 21st century and transform it into an instrument for speedy justice for the common litigant." "It is our judiciary's and our nation's misfortune that we have chosen to sacrifice him at the altar of short-term political expediency and the desire for personal advancement of others," the statement said. Speaking on Minallah, the statement said he consistently raised his voice for missing persons' families, journalists "muzzled by the state", the opposition "tormented by the government of the day", and judges "hounded by intelligence agencies". It noted his role in shaping the Islamabad High Court into a "citadel of judicial independence". On Mirza, the statement said he embodied a judge who "refused to let fundamental rights become casualties of turbulent times and became an anchor of constitutional steadiness." It added, "By choosing judicial defiance over judicial silence, he ensured that when history is written, his name will stand firmly on the side of constitutional courage as the only high court judge who resigned in protest against the pseudo 27th Constitutional Amendment." The statement said the judges were criticised by the "wielders of power, not for their own sin but for earlier sins of those whom they resisted," and added, "Their fault lay in the steadfastness of their 'no' when others were willing to say 'yes'." "Their decision to preserve their constitutional oath and honour over office and privilege: to speak out instead of silently acquiescing to regression masquerading as reform; to stand instead of kneeling -- is a spark to the conscience of a nation," the statement said, Dawn noted. (ANI) The cosmos has delivered a truly exceptional surprise, a visitor from another star systema cosmic anomaly screaming through the periphery of our own neighbourhood. Astronomers across the globe are currently involved in a frantic, high-stakes observational race to capture as much data as possible on this interstellar object, officially designated 3I/ATLAS. Widely believed to be a comet, this incredibly rare traveller is not merely passing by; it is providing a fleeting, once-in-a-lifetime window into the deep black of space far beyond our Sun's influence. The object's trajectory will see it make its closest approach to Earth sometime in December, before swinging out towards the giant of our solar system for its closest encounter with Jupiter next March. Despite the flurry of direct observations being logged by both ground and space-based telescopes, the most fundamental mysteries surrounding 3I/ATLAS remain tantalisingly unsolved: what is its fundamental composition, what is its true size, and how did it manage to make its journey here? The Unprecedented Journey of Interstellar Visitor 3I/ATLAS The urgency to understand the mechanics of 3I/ATLAS is palpable because it is only the third object from a different star system ever spotted cutting through our solar system. Discovered on July 1, 2025, by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Chile, it follows its famous predecessors, 1I/'Oumuamua (detected in 2017) and 2I/Borisov (detected in 2019). An opportunity this significant demands the very best resources, which is why the European Space Agency (ESA) leveraged its advanced Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft for a crucial inspection. Its extreme speed, measured at around 58 km/s (or 12.24 astronomical units per year) relative to the Sun, and its hyperbolic trajectory with an eccentricity of 6.139, are what mathematically confirm its interstellar originit is simply moving too fast to be bound by our star's gravity. Last month, the ESA pointed five of JUICE's sophisticated science instruments towards the interloper, hoping to gain a better sense of its composition and behaviour. The probe is currently engaged in a decade-long journey to Jupiter's icy moons, having completed a speed-boosting flyby of Venus in August. The preliminary visual data from the spacecraft's navigational camera, the NavCam, has already yielded startling results. Just two days before the probe's closest approach to the object, when it came within a distance of just 41 million miles, and three days after 3I/ATLAS reached its perihelionits closest point to the Sunthe NavCam snapped a picture on November 2. ESA scientists were 'surprised' by the image, finding the visitor to be 'surrounded by signs of activity' as it was being heated up by the Sun, according to an official statement. Observations have also estimated the diameter of the comet's nucleus to be between 440 metres and 5.6 kilometres. Decoding the Dust and Plasma: The Delayed Insight into 3I/ATLAS While the NavCam is not designed for high-resolution cosmic photographyits primary job is to help JUICE navigate the treacherous environment around Jupiter's icy moons in 2031even its basic imagery proved invaluable. Scientists were only able to download a quarter of a single image's data, yet it was enough to clearly observe 3I/ATLAS' coma, the glowing halo of gas and dust surrounding its nucleus. More intriguingly, the image also showed a 'hint of two tails', as described by the ESA. This includes the more visible plasma tail, which is made up of electrically charged gas, and the harder-to-spot dust tail. In solar system comets, the dust tail is composed of tiny specks similar in size to smoke particles. The plasma tail characteristically points away from the Sun, while the dust tail curves slightly into the comet's orbital path. As 3I/ATLAS approached its perihelion in October, astronomers noted the more visible plasma tail growing considerably. This is generally expected for a natural comet, where exposure to increased solar radiation causes ices to sublimate, leaving a noticeable trail in its wake. Spectroscopic analysis, including data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), has revealed that 3I/ATLAS is unusually rich in carbon dioxide (CO) relative to water ice (HO), suggesting it formed in a very cold, distant region of its parent star system. This hyperactivity in an object from outside our star system only deepens the mystery and underscores the importance of the data collected. Fortunately, the suite of five instruments attached to JUICE will provide an unprecedented look when the full data arrives. This includes high-resolution multispectral and hyperspectral images, ultraviolet and submillimeter wave readings, and particle spectrometer analysis. However, there is a significant wait. The data is not expected to arrive on Earth until late February 2026. This lengthy delay is a consequence of JUICE being forced to use its main high-gain antenna as a heat shield to protect it from the Sun, leaving its smaller, medium-gain antenna to send the invaluable information back to Earth at a much lower, more painstaking rate. This patience is a necessity of deep space exploration. When the results finally do reach us, they will provide the richest, most detailed picture yet of a true interstellar vagabond, offering profound insight into the material that forms other stellar nurseries across the galaxy. The unique composition of 3I/ATLAS, especially its high CO ratio, gives us direct chemical clues about conditions far different from those that shaped our own comets, providing a tangible sample of matter from beyond the solar system. The fleeting pass of 3I/ATLAS is more than an astronomical curiosity; it is a profound lesson in cosmic chemistry. The finding that this visitor from another star system is unusually rich in carbon dioxide, a composition distinct from the comets of our own solar system, provides a tangible sample of matter born under alien conditions. While we must wait until early 2026 for the bulk of the high-resolution data from the JUICE probe, the early revelations have already reshaped our understanding of planetary formation across the galaxy. This is a scientific gift that will resonate for decades. Originally published on IBTimes UK TOKYO, Dec 06 (News On Japan) - The Japanese government is preparing to release a new damage projection for a major earthquake striking directly beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area by the end of the year, and interviews with officials familiar with the assessment indicate that in the worst-case scenario the death toll could reach 18,000, while economic losses are estimated at 83 trillion yen. The previous plan compiled in 2015 set a goal of cutting the number of fatalities in half over a ten-year period, but the latest projection suggests the government is unlikely to achieve that target. Source: TBS HOKKAIDO, Dec 06 (News On Japan) - A large-scale solar project planned near the Kushiro Wetland in Hokkaido is facing renewed backlash after the developer offered local residents what it described as a beautification cooperation payment, prompting accusations that the company is trying to buy consent for the construction. The project is one of several megasolar installations planned in Kushiro by Japan Ecology, an Osaka-based developer that was recently issued administrative guidance by the Hokkaido government for insufficient surveys at a separate construction site in the citys Hokuto district. The latest plan targets an area in the Showa district on the southern side of the wetland, adjacent to a residential neighborhood, where the company intends to install roughly 2,000 solar panels. Residents say they are concerned about the impact on the environment, including rare species that inhabit the Kushiro Wetland, as well as potential risks to their living conditions. One neighborhood association representative said an endangered white-tailed eagle pair had been perched on a tree scheduled for removal, adding that the initial plan called for no shading panels, only solar panels and fencing, which could pose a fire hazard from reflected light. As opposition intensified, the neighborhood association received an email from Japan Ecology offering to pay the group 2 million yen in exchange for signing an agreement to support the project. The funds were described as a beautification cooperation payment that would be transferred to the associations bank account. Association members have rejected the proposal outright. One representative said the offer amounted to using money to silence opposition, adding that accepting it would give the company grounds to demand cooperation. Another expressed concern that taking the payment would undermine the communitys ability to voice objections later. Experts on megasolar development say such payments are effectively compensation for inconvenience. According to Takeyasu Suzuki, professor emeritus at the University of Yamanashi, developers often offer these payments to secure local approval, with around 1 million yen per district per year considered typical. He cautioned that accepting the money could make further opposition difficult. The neighborhood association has made clear that it will continue to oppose the construction and sees no option but to rely on municipal or national authorities to intervene. Japan Ecology aims to begin construction as early as December. Source: UHB After several years of stagnation in Mexicos renewable energy sector, the introduction of more favourable reforms alongside several new solar energy agreements suggests that the Latin American country is pursuing a more diversified energy mix. After several years of energy policy that focused on greater nationalisation, the door is once again open for private participation, which is expected to include the development of several green energy projects and attract investment from various firms worldwide. Under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO), who led the Morena party from 2018 to 2024, Mexicos energy sector underwent a significant nationalisation, during which time it became harder for private companies to participate in the industry. AMLO decided to nationalise Mexicos energy sector, citing over-greedy international energy companies, sectoral corruption, and the need for enhanced national energy security. During his presidency, AMLO supported fossil fuel expansion, bailing out the state-owned oil and gas company PEMEX several times, as well as investing heavily in the construction of major new refineries. Meanwhile, investments in green energy stagnated as AMLO did not prioritise renewable energy development at the national level or allow for investment from private companies. Since President Claudia Sheinbaum came into office in 2024, Mexicos energy sector has begun to undergo a transformation, following the introduction of a new energy reform in March 2025. Sheinbaum followed in AMLOs footsteps by maintaining the national majority ownership of the electricity sector, meaning the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) must provide at least 54 percent of the countrys electricity. The reform also disbanded the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), replacing them with a centralised National Energy Commission (CNE). While Mexicos energy sector will continue to be dominated by state-owned companies, Sheinbaum has reopened opportunities for foreign investment in the sector. In her national economic development strategy, Plan Mexico, Sheinbaum introduced the aim of adding almost 23 GW of new power generation capacity by 2030, as well as establishing 100 transmission and distribution projects. During her electoral campaign, Sheinbaum stated her commitment to renewable energy, emphasising the potential to develop Mexicos abundant solar and wind resources. We are going to propel renewable energy in Mexico, Sheinbaum said during her inauguration. The objective is that by 2030, 45 percent of the countrys energy will be powered by renewable sources. The government plans to invest over $22 billion by 2030 to expand CFEs electricity generation and distribution. Meanwhile, Mexico aims to attract between $6 and $9 billion in private investment to establish between 6.4 GW and 9.5 GW of new clean-energy capacity by 2030. The new energy reform allows both CFE and Pemex to enter mixed contracts with private companies, so long as they hold a majority share of the project. In October, Mexicos Energy Ministry invited private companies to participate in the construction of 34 new power plants to accelerate the expansion of the countrys electricity capacity. The projects include 23 solar photovoltaic and 11 wind power plants across 20 states. Operations are scheduled to commence between 2027 and 2030. Once completed, the facilities are expected to add 5.97 GW of installed capacity. The call is part of specific mechanisms to develop strategic and priority projects aligned with binding planning, ensuring an orderly and coherent approach to meeting the National Electric Systems capacity needs, the Ministrys announcement stated. In late October, the Spanish clean energy firm The Cox Group announced an investment of $4.2 billion for new solar and wind farms in Mexicos border state of Nuevo Leon. The projects will be developed in the state capital of Monterrey, as well as other municipalities, and are expected to support the creation of 4,000 temporary jobs and 250 permanent positions. The Cox Group and the state government are developing a comprehensive strategy that includes water treatment and reuse, gas cogeneration, and energy efficiency. In November, the German utility RWE announced plans to launch solar projects in Mexico. RWEs subsidiary Oyamel Recursos Ambientales is developing a 120 MW PV plant in Veracruz, while its Biznaga subsidiary aims to build the 90 MW Cerro Pelon PV plant in Jalisco. Meanwhile, Canadian Solars Recurrent Energy hopes to get approval for a $63 million solar plant in Zacatecas. Spains Global Dominion Access and Canadian Solar also submitted environmental permit requests to develop solar operations, while Iberdrola announced plans to develop two solar projects totalling 535 MW in Mexico. A recent report by the energy think tank Ember forecast that private investment and energy storage in Mexico could grow to as much as 36 GW of solar power and 30 GWh of battery storage in the coming years, owing to a greater openness to private participation in Mexicos energy sector. As much as 46 percent of the countrys electricity generation could come from private projects, suggesting the beginning of a shift away from nationalisation. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Chinas trade with Central Asian states grew significantly during the first 10 months of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024, according to Chinese government statistics. Trade turnover with Kyrgyzstan saw the largest spike, rising from $17.4 billion to $23.6 billion. What also makes Kyrgyzstan noteworthy is that, according to Kyrgyz government statistics, the nations GDP in the first 10 months of 2025 amounted to about $16.3 billion, meaning that trade with China alone was larger than all the goods and services produced in Kyrgyzstan so far this year. The wide discrepancy in data can be explained by large-scale smuggling and sanctions-busting operations, where billions of dollars worth of goods cross the border from China to Kyrgyzstan, without being registered in Kyrgyz official statistics. Meanwhile, the numbers for Kazakhstan grew from $36.5 billion to $39.8 billion; Uzbekistan from $11.1 billion to $12.9 billion; and Tajikistan from $3.3 billion to $3.5 billion, according to Chinese official data. Turkmenistan is a regional outlier in terms of overall trade turnover: its trade with China shrank from $8.9 billion to $8.3 billion during the first 10 months of 2025, compared with the previous year. But the good news for Turkmenistan is that it remains the only Central Asian state with a positive balance of trade with the PRC: in 2025, China imported over $8.1 billion worth of goods from Turkmenistan, while exports were limited to $784 million. The PRCs trade with other Central Asian countries is lopsided in Chinas favor. Meanwhile, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey agreed to coordinate measures to streamline rail transit along the southern branch of the Middle Corridor by applying unified and competitive tariffs, shortening travel times for container trains, cutting auxiliary and customs-related costs, and upgrading rail infrastructure across the corridor, the Tehran Times reported. This agreement, if fully implemented, could redirect a large portion of transit volume through Iran. Railway officials convened the inaugural meeting of the Eurasian Transport Route Association in Baku in late November, the Trend news agency reported. Representatives from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated. The Eurasian Transport Route is a southern branch of the Middle Corridor, connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Shipments began in November from the Chinese city of Kashgar to Azerbaijan via the southern branch. Kazakhstan A new, $300 million seaport will be constructed in Aktau, a city on the Caspian Sea, with Chinas Zhongyun International confirmed as the strategic partner, Mangistau Region Governor Nurdaulet Kilybay announced. Aktau is a major hub of the Middle Corridor. A delegation from the North Kazakhstan Region traveled to China to strengthen economic, scientific, and technical ties with Chinese corporations. The visit yielded seven strategic memoranda of cooperation, including for scientific, educational and business cooperation in the field of agriculture, as well as for a wind energy project and a cardboard production factory. Kazakhstan is working with China to amend the intergovernmental agreement on the Khorgos dry port, which straddles the two nations shared border. According to Kazakh Deputy Minister of Industry Iran Sharkhan, the planned changes will provide for the expansion of the territory, the opening of an additional checkpoint, and the transition to round-the-clock operations. Khorgos has experienced logistical problems since its establishment in 2012, but during the first half of 2025, it facilitated 22.3 million tons of cargo, the Kazinform news agency reported. The Chinese Embassy in Astana hosted a seminar in late November in conjunction with UN Women in Kazakhstan aimed at enhancing cooperation on the promotion of gender equality. Kyrgyzstan Anti-Chinese sentiment has experienced a spike in recent weeks following a brawl between Chinese and Kyrgyz construction workers in mid-November. A court has ordered 16 individuals involved in the incident, including Chinese citizens, to remain in custody until January 15, pending further investigation. Helping to fuel tension is a widespread public perception that Chinese-run infrastructure projects create few jobs for Kyrgyz citizens, as most workers involved are brought in from China. Kyrgyz officials have sought to tamp down public anger. Kamchybek Tashiev, the head of Kyrgyzstans powerful State Committee for National Security, disputed the notion of a Chinese invasion in comments in late November, insisting that the Chinese guest workers were subject to strict state regulation. He added that the Chinese infrastructure projects, including a railway connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, would generate significant revenue for the country, going on to admit that Chinese workers possessed skills that Kyrgyz workers lacked. We must admit that our citizens are not yet ready to build very high-quality buildings in a short period of time, he said, going on to assure that Chinese citizens will work, build and leave. In a separate development, a Chinese citizen, the director of a company involved in mining operations at Kyrgyzstans Dolpran gold field, was arrested for alleged environmental violations, the 24.kg news service reported. Tajikistan As reported earlier by Eurasianet, the Tajik government is denying a report it is seeking Russias help to contain raids by Islamic militants operating out of Afghanistan. Two recent attacks have left five Chinese nationals working in Tajik border areas dead. The Reuters news agency reported December 2 that Tajik officials were negotiating with their Russian counterparts on mounting joint patrols along the almost 850-mile-long frontier with Afghanistan, under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The following day the Tajik Foreign Ministry assailed the Reuters report, asserting it does not correspond to reality. Uzbekistan An Uzbek delegation led by Minister of Internal Affairs Aziz Tashpulatov visited China with the aim of studying advanced Chinese experience concerning public order and security. Uzbek officials have expressed interest in adopting technologies developed by Beijing to build what many observers call a digital police state. Uzbekistans space agency Uzcosmos has contracted Chinese space technology company Star.Vision to launch a satellite in 2026 that will be used by Uzbekistan to monitor crops and climate conditions. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Uzbekistan skyrocketed to nearly 218,000 during the first 10 months of 2025, up from about 58,000 in the same period of 2024, according to Uzbek official statistics. Uzbekistan and China introduced mutual visa-free travel for up to 30 days starting in June. The first cargo flight between Chinas Wenzhou and Uzbekistans capital Tashkent took place on November 24. The flight left Wenzhou Longwan International Airport carrying 50 tons of goods linked to cross-border e-commerce. Turkmenistan Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhamedov in late November ratified the Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation signed by China and the five Central Asian states during last summers second China-Central Asia summit in Astana. The treaty provides a framework for deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation among signatory states. By Eurasianet More Top Reads From Oilprice.com By Jason Williams Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com Conservatives cried foul when Hillary Clinton called Trump supporters deplorables. Conservatives cried foul when President Biden called Trump supporters garbage. Now, what to make of when Trump appears to call Somalis migrants garbage. Its bad. Its wrong. All three are wrong. In this assassination-age America (Trump, Kirk, ICE agents, Minnesota lawmakers, CEOs, etc.) we need to drop the dehumanizing language. This is a lesson for everybody. Sadly, this Somali comment came on the heels of a mind-blowing monumental Medicaid scandal in Minnesota. Instead of having a moment to debate the scandal and how people cheat and abuse government programs, the topic switched to labeling migrants. We need to go back to the key point because tens of billions of fraud is occurring with our government hand-outs. As someone who has served refugees around the world, from war-zone areas to natural disasters, I care about their plight and their future. It is both unfair to America and to migrants themselves for America to take large populations out of a country in crisis and put them into a community that does not have people and resources to assimilate and mentor them, while at the same time, government unloads billions with no accountability and while criminals openly exploit the system (I say openly because the $1 billion Somali community scandals were exposed by whistleblowers). In Oregon, people report welfare fraud and the State of Oregon does not respond. In Oregon, the State refuses to share the data on who is receiving Food Stamps with the Federal government which is blocking them from auditing the program for waste, fraud and abuse. Do not be surprised at who shows up to take advantage of free government money. Just consider the COVID hand-outs which were routinely abused by all types of Americans, and of all nationalities, to the tune of tens of billions of dollars. We need to have our national debate on fraud but instead it was too easily sidetracked by the same old name-calling. I use this example as a cultural moment to bring unity from all political sides (which includes conservatives speaking one-on-one with other conservatives) to share common boundaries and human respect in the political sphere. I have filled this blog with countless articles condemning liberals for for their dehumanizing words against police, ICE agents, Jews, Christians, Republicans, CEOs and Trump himself. As an equal-opportunity critic I apply it to my side as well. Civility was among the very first articles I wrote on this website some 20 years ago when it was created. I still care about it today. Support our journalism. Make a donation at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). 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: Some hanging coffins. Credit: Xiao-Ming Zhang In a recent study, researcher Dr. Hui Zhou and his colleagues conducted a genetic analysis of the genomes of individuals associated with the ancient Hanging Coffin tradition in Southeast and Southern Asia. In addition, they sequenced the genomes of modern-day Bo people to determine their genetic relationship to the ancient Hanging Coffin practitioners. Their work is published in the journal Nature Communications. The Hanging Coffin practitioners Some of the earliest Hanging Coffins have been found in southeastern China in the Wuyi mountains of Fujian Province. Radiocarbon dated to around 3445 150 and 3370 80 BP, their timing coincides with the arrival of the first farmers within the region. From here, it is believed the practice spread to surrounding regions, including Yunnan, Sichuan, Hunan, Thailand, and Taiwan. The practice involved carrying wooden coffins with the remains of the deceased up onto steep cliff sides, caves, and rock crevices typically located near riverbanks, mountains, or coastlines. The Bo people were among the practitioners of this practice, also referred to in regional folklore as the "Subjugators of the Sky" and "Sons of the Cliffs," with some stories even claiming they had the ability to fly. According to Dr. Xiaming Zhan, one of the authors of the study, how the Bo managed to place their coffins in these precarious locations remains uncertain. "Based on syntheses from Chinese archaeological reports and regional museum displays, scholars generally accept three main hypotheses for how coffins were placed on cliff faces: a) Scaffolding method. [Here] Temporary wooden scaffolds were likely erected using logs and crossbeams. This method would allow individuals to carry and insert the coffins or beams into pre-carved notches or holes in the cliff. b) Rope-lowering or raising system. [Here] Large hemp or rattan ropes, possibly with pulley systems, could have been used to lower coffins from the top of the cliff or raise them from below, depending on geography. This is more feasible on steep overhanging cliffs or vertical faces where scaffolding is impractical. c) Rock ledge or trail access. In some locations (e.g., Yunnan and Guangxi), natural ledges or man-made trails may have allowed access to shelf-like recesses, especially where the cliff is not vertical. Coffins could be dragged or carried along these paths and slid into place horizontally." However, the Bo people and the practice of hanging coffins largely disappeared from historical records during the Late Ming Dynasty due to persecution, forcing the remaining Bo to flee to neighboring regions, where they likely integrated into local cultures. Ancient Hanging Coffin practitioner DNA Today, Bo descendants are known to live in the Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, represented by 42 natural villages. For the study, the DNA of 32 modern Bo were analyzed, though nine needed to be excluded due to close kinship, leaving 21 for comparison. In addition, the study analyzed 14 ancient Hanging Coffin genome samples from multiple archaeological sites across Southeast China and northern Thailand. Population structure of Hanging Coffin and Bo individuals. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65264-3 The analysis revealed that the ancient Hanging Coffin populations, especially from the Yunnan and Guangxi sites, were genetically very similar to one another and to ancient coastal populations of southeastern China. The results reinforce the idea that the earliest Hanging Coffin tradition likely originated in the southeastern coastal regions of China, such as Mount Wuyi, before spreading into southern China and mainland Southeast Asia. This spread may have been facilitated by male migration. The researchers observed that the genomes of the Thailand Log Coffin people had very little mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) passed on from the Hanging Coffin populations. As mtDNA is only passed down through the maternal line, this suggests that the Hanging Coffin ancestry was spread by men who migrated from southern China into Southeast Asia. Here, they married local women, while also allowing for the spread of the Hanging Coffin tradition. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Modern Bo and future research Additionally, the genome of the modern-day Bo indicated they inherited their primary ancestry from these ancient Hanging Coffin practitioners. This was supported by the large number of drift alleles (random fluctuations in the number of gene variants in a population) these modern populations shared with the Hanging Coffin practitioners of Yunnan. Many future avenues of research are being explored to better understand the Bo and the wider practice of hanging coffins, explains Dr. Zhang. "We envision a comprehensive multi-omics program combining isotope geochemistry, ancient proteomics, high-resolution dating, and deeper genomic inference to reconstruct not just where Hanging Coffin populations came from, but how they lived, moved, ate, interacted, and remembered their dead. Such work promises to refine models of ethnic continuity, migration, and ritual behavior in ancient East and Southeast Asia." Written for you by our author Sandee Oster, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you. More information: Hui Zhou et al, Exploration of hanging coffin customs and the bo people in China through comparative genomics, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65264-3 Journal information: Nature Communications 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" 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% of citations among studies on glyphosatethe 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. 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." "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." 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 shirts 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 useespecially after Monsanto introduced glyphosate-tolerant seeds that allowed it to be sprayed widely over cropsdrew 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. Legal interest In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. 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. 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. 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: Stephanie Klepacki/Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The story lines of every episode of legal TV dramas, from Law & Order to Perry Mason, revolve around five key narrative moments: the crime, the arrest, the plea, the verdict, and the offender's emotional response to what they've done. While the verdict provides the audience with its emotional pay-off, it's the fifth moment that determines how they will remember the character. Did they apologize and seek forgiveness, or did they refuse to accept responsibility? Or worse still, appear to revel in the chaos they had caused? This American pop culture illustration reflects a larger truth. The courts, the media and the public are all watching for the same thing: whether the accused is genuinely sorry. Are they remorseful? The legalities of remorse In all Australian jurisdictions, remorse is recognized as a mitigating factor in sentencing. While a lack of remorse will not aggravate (increase) a sentence, a sincere expression of remorse can reduce a sentence, especially if accompanied by an early guilty plea. Two recent manslaughter cases before the Supreme Court of New South Wales highlight how remorse affects sentencing. Zachary Fraser was found guilty of the manslaughter of Darcy Schafer-Turner in 2023. In his ruling, Justice Nicholas Chen found Fraser to be "genuinely remorseful." A further sign of Fraser's remorse was his early guilty plea, which resulted in a 25% reduction in his sentence. As a result, he was handed a backdated four-year sentence and will be eligible for parole in July 2027. Contrast this with the Robert Huber case, another NSW offender, charged with the manslaughter of Lindy Lucena in 2023. Justice Stephen Rothman concluded in his ruling, "I do not consider that he has genuine remorse for his actions." While sentencing is complicated and isn't decided by any single factor, and in NSW the law prohibits the lack of remorse from being used as an aggravating factor, a 12-year prison sentence was imposed. But how do we know who's remorseful? Since the first sentencing report I wrote as a probation officer, and throughout my subsequent work as a criminal lawyer, remorse and how to identify whether someone is remorseful have remained intriguing puzzles for me. My latest research project investigates the role of sentencing report writers in assessing remorse. Through detailed surveys and interviews, I'm examining how they construct and evaluate remorse during the sentencing process. Even with these new data, remorse remains resistant to a clear definition. As one of my interviewees stated, remorse is "more of a gut feeling or intuition." Sentencing report writers also emphasized the importance of body language as an indicator of remorse, noting that the accused may perform remorse rather than genuinely feel it. Very few, however, can consistently perform their non-verbal cues. Still, the idea that body language can be accurately interpreted is not supported by the evidence, except possibly for eye contact. Even judges, traditionally the barometers of remorse, cannot agree on what it looks like. While supporting an approach grounded in legal doctrine, many describe it as a "feeling" and express varied views on the indicators of remorse. Expressions of remorse also require a certain type of verbal performance, which may have a strong class component. There is also evidence that race can play a role in how people judge the emotions of others. Black people are more likely to be judged as being angry while showing the same facial expressions as white people. Yet, despite evidence of cultural, class, and gender differences in the expression and detection of emotions, there has been a surprising lack of focus on developing strategies to address them. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. An inexact science Over recent decades, sentencing has become more complex and time-consuming for judges. Sentencing is now highly visible, contentious and politicized. Increased time constraints on judicial officers may lead them to seek assistance from experts in tasks once solely within the province of the sentencing judge, including the assessment of remorse. As reports and sentencing decisions continue throughout an offender's sentence and life, the information within them is repeated and shared. This can influence how all subsequent decisionssuch as sentencing, risk assessment, classification, access to programs, and ultimately paroleare made. But people are complicated. There are a lot of things that can affect our demeanor, communication styles and expressions. These include cultural norms, maturity, socioeconomic factors, disabilities, neurodivergence, or congenital cognitive disorders like Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. It's therefore crucial to develop a deeper understanding of how remorse is interpreted and judged to safeguard fairness and human rights. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Aeromexico returns to the Mexican and New York Stock Exchange Mexico City, Mexico Aeromexico says it has returned to the Mexican Stock Exchange. The airline reaffirms its financial recovery after completing a global public offering for 5.8 billion pesos. That money will finance the expansion of its fleet and investments in customer infrastructure. On Thursday, the airline held the traditional bell-ringing ceremony to celebrate its return to the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) and New York Stock Exchange. The December 4 ceremony was led by Aeromexico CEO Andres Conesa Labastida. The December return to the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV) and NYSE was made after their announcement in early November that they would be returning to the stock market, both in Mexico and in New York. Aeromexicos return to the Mexican Stock Exchange reflects our recovery and strength in the airline market. We are very grateful for the trust our partners and investors placed in us, as well as for the hard work of every employee, because thanks to them, achieving this goal has been possible, said Conesa Labastida. The operator returned to the BMV on November 6 under the ticker symbol AERO after launching a global mixed public offering of 27,463,590 shares at a price of 35.34 pesos per share in Mexico, and 11,727,325 American Depositary Shares (ADS) at a price of $19 dollars per ADS in the United States. Marcos Martinez Gavica, President of the BMV Board of Directors, stated that this historic placement reaffirms confidence in the Mexican stock market and in the strength of the infrastructure of the Mexican Stock Exchange. Aeromexico demonstrates that Mexico has companies capable of attracting global investment. We will continue to promote a competitive, deep ecosystem prepared to support large-scale projects. Conesa Labastida said we are closing out 2025 by writing a new chapter in the history of our beloved airline, ready to take off towards a future full of opportunities, he added in the company of his management team, partners, employees, strategic allies and board members. Elderly father of criminal leader gunned down outside Cozumel mini super Cozumel, Q.R. A man executed in Cozumel Friday night has been identified as the father of a criminal leader. The elderly man was gunned down outside a mini-super convenience store around 9:00 p.m. According to authorities, the deceased is the father of Jose C, alias Cotorro, the alleged leader of an island criminal group. The targeted shooting happened outside a mini-super store on Adolfo Rosado Salas Street between 75th and 80th Avenues in the Flores Magon neighborhood. Police arrived to find 61 year old Jose Miguel C dead on the sidewalk. He had been shot several times. State police arrived as first responders along with soldiers from the Military Garrison who cordoned off the area. Four bullet casings found on the ground were collected as evidence. So far, no arrests have been reported. U.S. inspectors certify Quintana Roo cattle herds for export Riviera Maya, Q.R. With the goal of maintaining the capacity to export cattle to the United States, state officials conducted sanitary inspections. The certification inspections were carried out on cattle herd across Quintana Roo from December 1 to 5. Jorge Aguilar Osorio, the Secretariat of Agricultural, Rural and Fisheries Development (SEDARPE), says their visits were conducted in coordination with federal and international authorities from the U.S. The goal was to ensure safety and legal criteria, generating certainty for producers and consumers regarding the sanitary conditions of the states cattle herd. Aguilar Osorio explained that Quintana Roos livestock industry is in a key process to guarantee its international competitiveness. During December 1st to 5th, certification visits were carried out by the United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS-USDA) to the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program in the Yucatan Peninsula with the participation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Agriculture) and SENASICA, he said. Inspectors met from December 1-5 to conduct their certification reviews. Aguilar Osorio pointed out that together with the states of Campeche and Yucatan, they are working to control and eradicate cases of bovine tuberculosis in the region. This effort seeks to consolidate the zoosanitary status of the peninsula, an essential condition for sustaining livestock exports. This monitoring process represents an important step for agri-food health and reaffirms the commitment to building a safer, more competitive and healthier countryside for the producing families of Quintana Roo and the peninsula region. U.S. officials visited cattle herds across the state APHIS-USDA, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, is responsible for the sanitary inspection of animals and plants. Its mission is to protect animal and plant health, ensure agricultural welfare and food security, as well as regulate genetically modified organisms and manage wildlife. Visitax tourist money collected for beach maintenance will not see an increase next year Riviera Maya, Q.R. The Quintana Roo government is analyzing the operating rules of the Visitax tax created in 2021. The government says the goal is to maintain the competitiveness of Quintana Roos tourist destinations through the efficient management of the right of the Visitax. This right, implemented since 2021, is an essential contribution that foreign visitors make once during their stay in the state. The contribution is a stable rate of 285 pesos, and is one that will not undergo an increase next year. In a statement, the state said since its creation under the previous administration, Visitax has lacked a clearly defined toll system. For this reason, the current government is working diligently, and in partnership with the private sector, to develop an efficient toll collection mechanism that ensures the optimal use of these resources. The funds raised are intended to support beach maintenance, sargassum collection, infrastructure development and tourism promotion, all of which are essential to preserving and enhancing the states tourist destinations. The tax is collected from international tourists visiting the state and is used for beach maintenance. The Government of Quintana Roo says the Visitax is aimed exclusively at foreign visitors, exempting Mexican citizens and local residents from this contribution. Therefore, it is important to point out that it is a right that has existed since 2021. For its implementation, the Quintana Roo government is in talks and working with the hotel sector to find the ideal mechanism, always hand-in-hand as we have been doing with all sectors. The proceeds of this right benefit the destinations and all those who directly and indirectly depend on them, especially for the maintenance of the beaches. Visitax is aimed exclusively at foreign visitors arriving in the states destinations. The funds raised will be transferred to a public trust without a defined structure. This trust will have three essential funds. They will include the Tourism Promotion and Crisis Management Fund, which will receive 10% of the funds. The Sargassum Control, Beach Cleaning and Recovery and Ecosystem Conservation Fund, which will receive 40% and the Fund for the Development and Strengthening of Strategic Projects with an Impact on Tourism, which will receive 50%. With the announcement of no increase for 2026, this means tourists visiting the state of Quintana Roo will not pay more. Texas Tech fans and alumni now have a new place to shop for Red Raider gear just in time for those last-minute holiday gift. On Dec. 5, the university dropped a curated, designer-crafted lifestyle merch collection called Evermore Exclusives named after the university's award-winning magazine. Others are reading: Texas Tech Chancellor Creighton talks about future of academics, research and enrollment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collection is unlike anything Texas Tech has offered before, said Matt Dewey, vice president for Marketing & Communications. We set out to create premium merchandise that feels elevated, distinctive and authentic to our story. These pieces are produced with great attention to detail, making them special keepsakes for anyone who loves Texas Tech. From sweatshirts, hats and T-shirts to YETI tumblers and a one-of-a-kind letter jacket, according to the university, Evermore Exclusives offers premium, distinctive merchandise fans wont find anywhere else with each piece featuring elevated design, exclusive detailing and craftsmanship that reflects the pride and spirit of Texas Tech. Texas Techs history and traditions are deeply meaningful to our community, and this collection provides a new way for Red Raiders to express that connection, said Lawrence Schovanec, president of Texas Tech. Evermore Exclusives reflects the quality, character and pride that define our students, alumni and supporters, and were proud to introduce it. Some items within the collection include exclusive collaboration with Settlemiers Award Jackets on a letter jacket available in red or gray adorned with custom Texas Tech patches, logos and iconic phrases such as Fight Raiders Fight from the school fight song. Other exclusive collaborations include Oxford Pennant, YETI, Blackwing and Daniel Luu hats with Daniel Luu hats being relased in multiple styles and produced in limited, individually numbered production runs of /100, /200 and /300. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those interested can either stop by the merch shop on the second floor of the Administration Building, or at the Texas Tech DFW site, or visit online at EvermoreExclusives.com. Mateo Rosiles is a reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and USA TODAY Network in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech unveils exclusive lifestyle merch collection for fans Antognoni S was the fastest of the round two winners in the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series on Friday, Dec. 5 at MGM Yonkers Raceway while Take All Comers and Sir Pinocchio doubled up in the event. In the first of three $69,444 divisions, opening-round victor Ari Ferrari J (Jason Bartlett) fired out from the outside post seven but made a break in the first turn. With Ari Ferrari J no longer in contention, that put Antognoni S and driver Yannick Gingras on the point and they carved out fractions of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:25.4. Antognoni S gained separation from the rest of the field going to three-quarters and continued to pour it on through a :28.1 final panel en route to a 10-length triumph in 1:54. Dribbling Bi (Daniel Dube) won the race for place ahead of first-over Amigo Volo (George Brennan) and Mississippi Storm (Brent Holland) with Security Protected (Jordan Stratton) rounding out the top five. Gingras also co-owns the Ron Burke-trained Antognoni S with partners Burke Racing Stable of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, Weaver Bruscemi of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and FAC Racing of Scarsdale, New York. Antognoni S, a five-year-old Father Patrick-Bouncing Bax gelding, improved his career summary to 20-5-6 from 42 starts and lifted his bankroll to $538,937, with the majority of his earnings accumulated from 14 wins this year in his first North American campaign. Antognoni S, who missed by just a head in his opening leg division won by Sir Pinocchio, paid $2.22 to win as the 1-9 favourite here. He led a $9.60 exacta and a $19.80 trifecta. Take All Comers, the defending champion of this series, showed speed from the outside post seven in the second split and was able to work his way past Cecil Hanover (Yannick Gingras) beyond the :27.2 quarter for driver Todd McCarthy. Take All Comers remained on the engine through middle-half stations of :56.1 and 1:24.4, and his :29.4 final kicker was enough to hold off a first-over Asteroid (Colin Kelly) by half a length in 1:54.3. Southwind Coors (Jason Bartlett), the 1-2 favourite, edged out Keg Stand (Matt Kakaley) for third, with Blackhawk Zette (George Brennan) fifth. Jim Campbell sent out Take All Comers, a seven-year-old gelded son of Creatine out of Nantab, for owner Runthetable Stables of Montvale, New Jersey. Take All Comers now has 24 wins, 14 seconds and 11 thirds from 78 starts, with earnings topping $1.35 million. He returned $28.04 to win as a 13-1 offering and keyed a $124.92 exacta and a $262.86 trifecta. Sir Pinocchio won the final division in 1:54.1 with Jason Bartlett between the wheels. Sir Pinocchio, who put up a track record mile for four-year-old trotting geldings in winning his grouping in the opening round, had command at the :27.4 quarter, :57.1 half and 1:25.3 three-quarters as even-money second choice Periculum (Scott Zeron) made a first-over move out of third as they raced in the backstretch for the final time. Unfortunately, just as he did two weeks ago, Periculum went off stride on the final bend, which allowed Sir Pinocchio to cruise to a 2-1/2-length decision over pocket-sitter Ultion Face S (Tyler Buter). Khaosan Road (Dube) was next, followed by Benny J (Jim Marohn Jr.) and Escaper (Brent Holland). Sir Pinocchio is trained by Ed Hart for owner Carolyn Atherton of Scarsdale, New York. The Mets Hall-Lady Cromwell gelding recorded his 20th career victory and has now pocketed more than $1.23 million. He paid $3.62 to win as the 4-5 choice. The exacta was worth $12.90 and the trifecta payout was $41.70. The MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series prelims conclude on Friday, Dec. 12. Points for the series are earned on a 50-25-12-8-5 scale (winner gets 50 points, runner-up gets 25, etc.). The top 10 point earners get a spot in the $250,000 USD 1-1/4-mile final on Friday, Dec. 19, while the next 10 point earners go in the $75,000 USD 1-1/4-mile consolation on the same card. A horse must race in all three legs to be eligible for the final and the consolation for both the MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series and the companion MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series. MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series action resumes on Monday, Dec. 8 at Yonkers with four $50,000 USD divisions of the third and final preliminary round in races two, four, five and eight. Captain Albano will look to complete a three-for-three run through the series when he lines up from post two in the opening split. Through the end of the meet on Dec. 19, Yonkers is operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time each night at 6:45 p.m. (With files from Yonkers Raceway; photo of Antognoni S winning on Dec. 5) Masseto, despite a tough two-move trip in sub-freezing temperatures, proved the best in the featured $16,667 conditioned trot at Harrahs Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, Dec. 5. Driver Corey Callahan left well with the sophomore gelding, tucking in third, then pulled out midway down the backstretch and grinded the rest of the way without cover. The five-year-old mare, Foxy Joyce (James Kennedy), was right on his back and moving well late, but Masseto, successful now in two of his last three trips behind the gate, showed grit and won by half a length in 1:59.2 for trainer/owner Mike Watson, who along with Dylan George were the only conditioners to have a pair of victories on the card. Three-year-old filly Thelastlioness As (Tim Tetrick) settled for third as the odds-on favourite after leading most of the mile. Masseto, a son of Walner out of Top Expectations, is now three-for-12 this year after only making a pair of qualifying starts as a two-year-old. In the co-featured $15,278 fast-class handicap for pacing mares, five horses were across the track at the finish, with the widest one, the In The Arsenal-Symphony In Motion three-year-old filly Neils Diamond, closing from last to defeat the competitive group in 1:54.4. Simon Allard followed the flow of cover with the winner of four of her last seven, and over a track not noted for successful closers, she had the most speed late to defeat favoured Odds On Aces Full (Tim Tetrick) right in front of her in the two-wide tier, by a half-length in a race where the top quintet were separated by less than two lengths. Jeffery Smith conditions the sharp sophomore for Joseph Jannuzzelli and Steven and Joseph Williams. Tim Tetrick and George Napolitano Jr., who are first and second in driving wins here this year and, between them, the dash champion in 18 of the Chester, Pennsylvania track's 19 years (Cat Manzi won the inaugural title) -- were Friday's top winning drivers. Tetrick got home first five times while Napolitano drove three winners on the 15-race program. Racing resumes at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sunday with a 12:40 p.m. post time. (With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia) Harness Racing British Columbia (HRBC) has launched a provide-wide MLA letter-writing campaign, urging members of the harness racing industry to inform their Member of the Legislative Assembly of the devastating impacts of the Government of British Columbia's decision to end all slot-machine revenue for horse racing effective Jan. 31, 2026. In a letter penned to the horse racing industry in B.C. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, the provincial government revealed that the support racing received from expanded gaming will cease in 2026. On Friday, Dec. 5, Hastings Racecourse announced the end of live thoroughbred racing at the Vancouver oval effective immediately. Details on HRBC's letter-writing campaign are available below. Provide-wide MLA Letter Writing Campaign We are reaching out today with urgency and a united purpose. As many of you are aware, the province has announced its intention to end all slot-machine revenue for horse racing effective January 31, 2026. This decision places the future of British Columbias racing industry and equine sector in immediate jeopardy. Thousands of workers, families, farms, breeders, trainers, veterinarians and related agricultural businesses stand to be directly affected. To ensure our voices are heard, we are launching a province-wide MLA Letter-Writing Campaign, and we need your help. Please take a few minutes to contact your MLA and share how this decision impacts you, your horses, your livelihood and your community. Below are the steps and template to make this process quick and effective: STEP 1 Find Your MLA Visit the B.C. Legislative Assembly website: https://www.leg.bc.ca/members STEP 2 Locate Their Contact Information Use the postal code lookup tool on the page. Enter your postal code; your MLAs name, riding and email address will appear. STEP 3 Draft And Send Your Email Copy and personalize the template below. Be sure to CC all elected officials listed at the end of the letter. MLA LETTER TEMPLATE [DATE] [Your MLA] [Address] (if mailing) or simply paste directly into your email Subject Line: Urgent: Request for Your Support to Protect Horse Racing in British Columbia Dear [MLA Name], [Choose one opening line] I am writing as a constituent and as someone whose work and livelihood is directly tied to British Columbias horse racing and equine sector. OR I am writing as a constituent and as an avid fan whose connection to and support for British Columbias horse racing and equine sector run deep. The recent decision by the Province to end all slot-machine revenue for horse racing as of January 31, 2026, has sent shockwaves through our industry and our community. Horse racing in B.C. is a 133-year-old industry, and this two-month notice effectively pulls the rug out from under thousands of workers, owners, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, feed suppliers, agricultural businesses and rural communities that rely on this sector. Many have built their lives and family businesses around this work. The slot-revenue commitment was originally created by the Province when it expanded gaming to ensure the horse racing industry would remain viable. It was not a subsidy; it was a structural commitment that people in this industry reasonably relied on in good faith. To see it withdrawn with virtually no warning is devastating. Multi-year breeding investments made in 2023, 2024 and 2025 are now at risk. Many workers in this sector are self-employed and will not qualify for Employment Insurance if racing collapses. In my case: [Insert a short personal note: your role, your horses, your farm, your family involvement, how long youve participated or recent investments youve made.] Beyond Thoroughbred racing at Hastings in Vancouver, the Standardbred sector has been working in good faith to relocate racing to the Southern Interior, engaging with municipal partners and agricultural operators. This announcement has blindsided those partners, casting serious doubt on whether B.C. can sustain any form of racing at all. The consequences of this decision are far-reaching: Loss of hundreds of B.C. agricultural jobs Significant impacts on rural economies and small businesses Uncertainty for breeders committed to multi-year cycles Loss of an iconic sport and cultural tradition in our province I am asking for your support in urging government to begin discussions toward a responsible transition plan that reflects the scale and importance of a 133-year-old industry. This request does not require new or additional funding only a reasonable alignment of timing to avoid unnecessary harm. B.C.s horse racing industry deserves a fair and responsible solution, not a sudden, destabilizing decision that leaves workers and families behind. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Sincerely, [Your Name] [City / Address] [Phone] [Email] cc: Hon. Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Service & Solicitor General Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food Hon. Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance Hon. David Eby, Premier of British Columbia MLA Ian Paton, Opposition Agriculture Critic (With files from HRBC) On Friday, Dec. 5, the Quebec Jockey Club (CJQ) announced the appointment of Mr. Guillaume Cayer-Richard as its general manager, a decisive step in the modernization, transparency and revitalization of the harness racing industry in Quebec. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am extremely pleased to welcome Guillaume as general manager of the CJQ," said Sylvain Deschenaux, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CJQ. "His background, vision, and in-depth knowledge of the harness racing industry make him the ideal person to guide our organization into a new era of rigor, stability, and transparency. "The CJQ is embarking on a significant transformation, and Guillaume possesses not only the experience, but also the integrity, listening skills, and leadership necessary to unite the industry around a common project. We have full confidence in his ability to modernize our practices, streamline our processes, and rebuild a constructive relationship with the entire Standardbred community. On behalf of the Board, I welcome him and offer him our full support in this essential mandate for the future of our sport. Active in the harness racing industry since the late 1990s, Cayer-Richard began as a young owner at the Blue Bonnets Racetrack. After a break in the early 2000s to pursue professional commitments in the United States, he returned to the sport in 2015 as a Standardbred breeder, an activity he continues to this day. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most dedicated figures in the Quebec industry. For the past six years, he has served as Director/Representative of Quebec Breeders on the Board of Directors of Standardbred Canada, where he also served as National Vice President in 2023-2024. He was president of the ATAQ (Quebec Trotting and Pacing Association) and began as race secretary at Hippodrome 3R at the end of the 2024 season, before assuming the role for the entire 2025 season. Guillaume also plans to combine the duties of general manager and a portion of the race secretary responsibilities in 2026, with the addition of administrative and technical support to ensure a smooth transition. With extensive experience in non-profit management, Guillaume also serves as general manager of Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt, one of the country's largest winter events. His seasonal schedule allows this role to remain perfectly compatible with his mandate at the CJQ. It is with humility, but also with great determination, that I accept the role of general manager of the Quebec Jockey Club," said Cayer-Richard. "My involvement in the industry spans more than 20 years, with a journey that began at Blue Bonnets, paused for a few years in the early 2000s, and then resumed with passion when I returned as a breeder in 2015. I have an in-depth knowledge of the Standardbred industry: its strengths, its challenges, its urgent needs, but above all, its immense potential. "My objective is clear: to restore trust, modernize our practices, improve governance, and work hand in hand with owners, trainers, drivers, breeders, and partners to build a sustainable, transparent, and forward-looking model. I am committed to working with rigor, openness, and transparency, and to building, with the support of the Board of Directors, a solid organization of which the entire industry can be proud," Cayer-Richard continued. "I look forward to collaborating with the Hippodrome team, the RACJ, our partners, and all the horsemen and women involved in horse racing to write the next chapters of our shared history. The Quebec Jockey Club (CJQ) is a non-profit organization responsible for the operation and development of harness racing in Quebec. Owner of the Trois-Rivieres Hippodrome, the CJQ has been working to support and promote the Standardbred industry since 2012. (Quebec Jockey Club) The Ohio Standardbred Development Fund will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Scioto Downs in the Three Diamonds Room. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and horsemen are encouraged to attend. (Ohio Harness Horsemens Association) TTI-owned Milwaukee has a reputation for making high-quality power tools, but that quality comes at a cost literally. The brand's tools don't come cheap, and can set you back hundreds of dollars. A great example is the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge Impact Driver, which currently retails for $199 on its own. Thankfully, there are many cheaper alternatives to the big names. One of these is Walmart's Hyper Tough brand, which sells the $65 Hyper Tough 20V Brushless Hydraulic Impact Driver. Given the price gap, you'd expect the Milwaukee to outclass the Hyper Tough. And, while the Milwaukee does perform better, the cheaper impact driver gave a good account of itself when YouTuber Torque Test Channel put the Hyper Tough up against two generations of Milwaukee's hydraulic impact driver. Advertisement Advertisement In a 5-second working torque test, the second-gen Milwaukee made 53 lb-ft of torque compared to the Hyper Tough's 35 lb-ft which, it's worth noting, compares favorably to the first-gen Milwaukee driver's 39 lb-ft. In reverse, the Hyper Tough managed 43 lb-ft, lower than the first and second generations of the Milwaukee, which posted numbers of 71 and 61 lb-ft, respectively. Not as good as the pricey Milwaukee, but still decent numbers, especially considering the price. Read more: 13 Milwaukee Tools Even Haters Of The Brand Will Love Other tests paint a better picture for the Hyper Tough Hands holding Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge and Hyper Tough hydraulic impact drivers side by side - Torque Test Channel/YouTube So the Hyper Tough can't quite compete with the Milwaukee in normal torque tests; that's not a huge surprise, given the Hyper Tough's price and the fact that Milwaukee is among the best impact driver brands currently on the market. However, Torque Test Channel also performed other tests, including a 10-second maximum-torque run, some of which were more favorable for the cheap upstart. In the maximum-torque test, the Hyper Tough impact driver's 55 lb-ft of torque was better than the first-gen Milwaukee Surge's 49 lb-ft and came reasonably close to the newer Milwaukee Surge's 67 lb-ft. Walmart's Hyper Tough impact driver's best performance likely came in the channel's nut driving test, which it completed in 13.9 seconds. The cheap tool was only 0.9 seconds behind the second-gen Milwaukee Surge and significantly faster than the 20.7 seconds that the first version took. Advertisement Advertisement Overall, then, the Hyper Tough cordless impact driver seems like a decent enough product, trailing in some tests but almost equaling the Milwaukee in others. While Torque Test Channel did note some build-quality concerns, such as a somewhat wobbly collet, the Hyper Tough driver has all the makings of another great budget-friendly tool worth buying from Walmart. Warranty and extras Person using Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge impact driver - Milwaukee Despite being a very cheap tool, Walmart backs the Hyper Tough hydraulic impact driver with a decent 2-year limited warranty. It also comes as a kit, with a single 2.0Ah battery and a charger, so you're ready to go out of the box. Milwaukee, for its part, offers a 5-year warranty for its M18 Surge impact driver, which is a welcome increase to go along with the higher price. On the flip side, the $199 we mentioned is only for the tool, without battery or charger. You do get some extras, sure, but they're just a -inch hex driver and a belt clip. In reality, then, if you're not already invested in Milwaukee's M18 tool system, the price difference between the two products is even larger than the $130 or so that the basic numbers suggest. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge impact driver kit, for example, which includes two 5.0Ah batteries and a charger, costs $349. Now, while you are getting a better product with the Milwaukee, the test doesn't necessarily indicate that it's $285 better. Thus, we wouldn't fault anyone for going for the Hyper Tough impact driver and saving a decent chunk of change. Advertisement Advertisement Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. If you ask the average American about a company called Techtronic Industries (TTI), chances are they'll give you a bewildered look and walk away. The reaction wouldn't be surprising, given that outside of industry analysts and people with deep insights about the tool industry, not many people have heard of TTI. Now, if you flip the question around a bit and ask the same average citizen if they have heard of either Ryobi Tools or Milwaukee Tools, there is a good chance they'll nod their head in agreement. There's no denying this. Ryobi and Milwaukee are two of the most popular major tool brands in the U.S. They have been around for decades and have become familiar household names over time. While Milwaukee is a known player in the professional-grade tool space, Ryobi is a name people associate with smaller projects and is particularly popular among DIY enthusiasts. Plus, you need to go to a Home Depot to buy Ryobi products. Now, in case you haven't already guessed, both Ryobi and Milwaukee are owned by the same little-known company we talked about earlier TTI. So, technically, it wouldn't be entirely wrong to say that Ryobi chainsaws are, indeed, made by the same company that also makes Milwaukee tools. What makes this revelation even more unusual is that Milwaukee is known as a traditional American company, tracing its origins back to the 1920s. Ryobi, on the other hand, was founded in 1943, nearly 20 years after Milwaukee. However, for the initial years of its life, Ryobi had nothing to do with the U.S., given that it was headquartered in Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 12 Ryobi Tools Even Haters Of The Brand Will Love How the connection between Ryobi and Milwaukee happened Person using a Milwaukee wood drilling tool - Milwaukee Tools Until the early 2000s, Milwaukee and Ryobi Tools had virtually nothing to do with each other and operated in their own silos. Both of these companies underwent multiple ownership changes in the years preceding. In the case of Ryobi, it started life in Japan as Ryobi Seisakusho Co., Ltd. in 1943, founded by Yutaka Urakami. The company's initial focus was on die-cast products and printing presses before entering the power tools market in the 1960s. Ryobi also dabbled with several other product categories, ranging from the assembly of offset printing presses and door closers to fishing tackle. The Japanese economic crisis in the 90s eventually led Ryobi to shutter several of its loss-making ventures, including its overseas power tools business, which was purchased by Ryobi Tools' current owners. Note that Ryobi remains a major player in the die casting space even today. As for Milwaukee Tools, its origins date back to 1918, when A.H. Petersen, a young fabricator, was signed up by Henry Ford to produce a new power drill. Petersen would later partner with Albert F. Siebert, culminating in the formation of the A.H. Petersen Company. This company wouldn't last long, as the very next year 1923 the manufacturing facility was destroyed in a fire. Siebert would eventually purchase what was left of the A.H. Petersen Company and renamed it the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation in 1924. The company was purchased by Amstar in 1975, which then sold it to Merrill Lynch in 1986, which then sold it to Atlas Copco in 1995. A decade later, Milwaukee's current owner, Techtronic Industries, would purchase it, thereby bringing Ryobi and Milwaukee under a single ownership, with some of their products even sharing the same factory. Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, complete the final integration of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's major components on Nov. 25, joining the spacecraft and telescope assemblies in the facility's largest clean room. | Credit: NASA/Jolearra Tshiteya NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is now fully assembled and ready to begin launch preparations this summer. The final integration of the telescope's major observatory components took place on Nov. 25 inside NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, where engineers brought together the spacecraft and telescope assemblies in the facility's largest clean room, according to a statement from NASA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Completing the Roman observatory brings us to a defining moment for the agency," Amit Kshatriya, NASA Associate Administrator, said in the statement. "Transformative science depends on disciplined engineering, and this team has delivered piece by piece, test by test an observatory that will expand our understanding of the universe. As Roman moves into its final stage of testing following integration, we are focused on executing with precision and preparing for a successful launch on behalf of the global scientific community." Roman is designed to survey the universe with unprecedented efficiency using two primary instruments: the Wide Field Instrument (WFI) a powerful infrared camera with a field of view larger than that of the Hubble Space Telescope at comparable resolution and a next-generation Coronagraph Instrument that will image exoplanets by blocking light from distant stars, making it easier to see the planets in orbit around them. Together, these instruments will map cosmic structures on grand scales, probe dark energy, measure the distribution of dark matter, detect isolated black holes through microlensing and identify potentially tens of thousands of distant exoplanets, according to the statement. With physical construction complete, Roman now shifts into a lengthy campaign of environmental and performance testing under simulated space conditions designed to verify that the spacecraft can survive the stresses of launch and operate as intended once in space. After that, the telescope will be shipped to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida this summer for final processing and integration with its launch vehicle. While the mission is slated to launch by May 2027, it could be ready as early as fall 2026, NASA officials said. If all goes as planned, Roman will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to a gravitationally stable orbit around the sun nearly a million miles from Earth. During its planned five-year primary mission, Roman is expected to observe billions of galaxies and hundreds of millions of stars , providing new clues about the accelerating expansion of the universe. Mission scientists also expect the telescope to detect more than 100,000 exoplanets by monitoring subtle gravitational lensing events, whereby a larger foreground object magnifies the light from a more distant source that cannot otherwise be observed directly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With Roman's construction complete, we are poised at the brink of unfathomable scientific discovery," Julie McEnery, Roman's senior project scientist at NASA Goddard, said in the statement. "We stand to learn a tremendous amount of new information about the universe very rapidly after Roman launches." Follow Samantha Mathewson @Sam_Ashley13. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. 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: A BNSF locomotive pulls an automated track inspection railcar down the tracks in Valencia County, New Mexico, July 31, 2018. Credit: BNSF Railway via AP The nation's freight railroads are going to be able to try relying more on technology and inspect their tracks in person less often after the federal government approved their waiver request on Friday. The Association of American Railroads trade group asked for the relief from inspection requirements that were written back in 1971 because railroads believe the automated track inspection technology they use today is so good at spotting problems early that human inspections aren't needed as frequently. They say that extended tests that BNSF and Norfolk Southern ran show that safety actually improved even when human inspections were reduced from twice a week to twice a month. The Federal Railroad Administration didn't go quite that far in its decision, but the agency said railroads will be able to cut inspections down to only once a week under the approved waiver. The railroads had also asked for permission to have up to three days to repair defects identified by the automated inspections. But the Federal Railroad Administration said any serious defects in the tracks must be repaired immediately and all defects should be addressed within 24 hours. Union says technology can miss problems These automated inspection systems use an array of cameras and lasers installed either on a locomotive or on a railcar that can be pulled as part of a train to assess whether the tracks are moving out of alignment or shifting. But the union that represents track inspectors says the technology can't detect things like the rock underneath the track shifting, vegetation growing into the path of the trains, a crack in the rail or railroad ties rotting out. Plus, inspectors can spot a combination of small defects that might together derail a train where the machine might not register a problem, the union says. A BNSF locomotive pulls an automated track inspection railcar down the tracks in Valencia County, New Mexico, July 31, 2018. Credit: BNSF Railway via AP "This is everyday defects across the entire country that we find through visual inspections that cannot be detected by this machinery," Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union President Tony Cardwell said. "And that technology is not there. It has been here for 30 years. It hasn't really advanced much at all. It's a glorified tape measure." The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union that represents track inspectors acknowledges that this technology does help spot problems. But the union says that this automated inspection equipment should supplementnot replacehuman inspections because reducing track inspections would increase the risk of derailments. The railroads counter that even if these systems can't see the ballast shifting under the tracks or the ties starting to rot, the system will notice the symptoms of those problems because the track geometrybasically the alignment of the trackswill be affected when those things happen. "What it is looking at is the ultimate performance. If those components are doing their job, then the track geometry is being maintained. If they're not doing their job, the track geometry is not being maintained," said Mike Rush, the Association of American Railroads' senior vice president of safety and operations. Companies say technology is more effective BNSF railroad said when it was arguing with the Federal Railroad Administration about whether their test should be extended that the "technology has proven to be far more sensitive and effective at detecting geometry defects on BNSF's network than the regime of manual visual inspections mandated by the historic regulations." Over two years of testing, manual inspections detected only 0.01 defects per 100 miles, compared with the section of the railroad where the test was being run where the combination of the technology and reduced inspections found 4.54 defects per 100 miles. The Federal Railroad Administration agreed that tracks don't need to be inspected visually as frequently when these automated track inspection systems are used regularly. Cardwell and the union's safety director, Roy Morrison, think that's a bad idea. They said that one of the benefits of frequent inspections is that the inspectors become intimately familiar with their territories, which helps them spot subtle changes. If they aren't out on the tracks as often, it may be harder to spot problems, they said. "A track inspector who's out on his mainline track twice a week, he knows that track inside out, and a lot of times he'll spot a defect without even knowing what he's looking at yet," Morrison said. "He'll get out of the truck and say, hey, there's something wrong here. Take some measurements and go, OK, this is what's going on." But the railroads say that freeing up inspectors from some of these mandated track inspections will allow them to focus more on switches and other equipment that must be inspected manually. Plus, Norfolk Southern noted in its comments on the request that even if regular inspections aren't being done as often, special inspections will still be done regularly anytime there is a major storm or flooding in a certain area to make sure the tracks weren't affected. Norfolk Southern said that during its 18-month test of reducing inspections while using the technology, the railroad saw improvements in areas that the automated system can't find because inspectors were free to spend more time focused on those areas. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. ThaiBev urged to participate more deeply in Vietnam's sustainable value chains By Minh Hue Sat, December 6, 2025 | 4:13 pm GMT+7 ThaiBev, the largest beverage maker in Thailand, should engage more deeply in the sustainable value chains in Vietnam instead of merely considering the country a consumption market, said Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. We hope ThaiBev will not view Vietnam merely as a consumption market but as a strategic source of raw materials and a strategic production base. This will allow the firm to participate more deeply in the value chains and leverage existing advantages, the minister told company chairman Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi at a meeting in Hanoi on Thursday. We also respectfully acknowledge the group's contributions to Vietnam's economy and society in recent times, added Dien. Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien speaks at a working session with ThaiBev chairman Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi in Hanoi on December 5, 2025. Photo courtesy of Cong thuong (Industry and Trade) newspaper. The ThaiBev leader said his company is committed to doing long-term business in Vietnam, given the countrys favourable investment environment. He also vowed continued investment in technology, improving production quality, elevating consumer experience, and contributing to better living standards for Vietnamese people. ThaiBev chairman Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi at a working session with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien in Hanoi on December 5, 2025. Photo courtesy of Cong thuong (Industry and Trade) newspaper. ThaiBev has become one of Vietnams largest foreign investors following its acquisition of a 53.59% stake in Ho Chi Minh City-based brewer Sabeco (HoSE: SAB) in late 2017 for a record $4.8 billion. After eight years, although SABs shares have seen fluctuations, now trading around VND49,000 ($1.86) per share, resulting in a significantly reduced market capitalization, ThaiBev continues to receive stable cash flows from dividends. In the upcoming payout, the total dividends ThaiBev has collected from Sabeco are estimated at roughly VND15.47 trillion ($586.88 million), equivalent to about 14% of its initial investment. If cockroach have no business in fowl party, politicians should also stay out of police acti December 6, 2025 is the 70th birthday of a truly singular voice in comedy. Steven Wright began performing stand-up in the late 1970s and became a hit overnight after an incredible first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1982. Since then, his brilliantly-written one-liners have had a huge impact on the comedy world, serving as a source of laughs for the general public and a deep source of inspiration for countless comedians and comedy writers. To celebrate a true genius on his birthday, here are 15 tidbits about the man. Advertisement 15 Wrights Beginning Steven Wright began performing stand-up comedy at age 23 in Boston in 1978. Advertisement 14 Wrights Method For the first six months as a comedian, Wright said he would look at a newspaper to try to come up with material for jokes. He stopped when he switched to simply observing the world around him and deriving material from that. Its all based on what you notice. All the comedy is just noticing, Wright said. Wright also said that doing realistic drawings helped inform his joke writing. 13 Johnny Carson Loved Him Wright first appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson August 6, 1982. That was a Friday, and Carson was so impressed by him that he had him back on for another set the following Thursday. 9 Three Years Worth Wright used up three years worth of material Across those first two performances on The Tonight Show. When he relayed that to Tonight Show producer Jim McCauley, McCauley replied Well youre going to have to write new stuff anyway. Advertisement Advertisement 12 His Oscar Steven Wright is an Oscar winner for his 30-minute short film The Appointments of Dennis Jennings in 1989. Recounting the experience to Cracked back in 2023, Wright said, We didnt think we were going to win. I know people just say that, but for us, it was true. We took two different limousines to get to the awards ceremony. No one did my hair or anything. For a tuxedo, I think I rented it in New York and brought it to L.A.. Wright also didnt write anything in advance in case he did win, though he did come up with a joke while sitting in the audience. When his name was announced, he and fellow producer Dean Parisot went up and accepted the award, then Wright said This was for the short film category, and were really glad we cut out the other 60 minutes. 11 Not So Laid-Back In an interview with Conan OBrien, Wright insisted that hes not quite as laid back as people think.The sound of his voice gives that impression. Advertisement 10 It Just Fell Together Wright attributes much of his success in comedy to happenstance, saying to Conan OBrien, This is how I think. Thats how I write. This is how I speak. It just fell together. There was no plan. Advertisement 8 Being Discovered He was discovered in a half comedy club, half Chinese restaurant named Deng Ho Comedy Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Advertisement 7 Not a Storytelling Comedian While explaining why his comedy style is all punchlines and non-sequiturs, Wright once explained I didnt want (to be) saying, I was walking down the street na na na na and then this happened and na na na na and a guy came in and asked why are you doing that na na na na na and then say the funny part. I didnt want to say all of I didnt want to talk for that long. 6 Viral Jokes Many of Wrights jokes circulated as viral emails in the early days of the internet. Wright said to Boston Magazine in 2012, When the Internet first came out, there were pages of my jokes, and I had written all of them. Now if you look, half of them I didnt even write. The Internet is like the Wild West. Its like they broke into Barnes & Noble and went over to Oliver Twist, and they ripped out Chapter 7 and instead wrote their own chapter and jammed it in. Now, all of a sudden, Olivers in Miami, building boats, dating a prostitute. Advertisement 5 Fenway Faithful Steven Wright is a die-hard fan of the Boston Red Sox. Advertisement 4 He Rarely Rewrites His Jokes Wright discussed one of his famous jokes in a recent conversation with Conan OBrien: I went into a restaurant that said they served breakfast anytime, so I ordered French toast during the Renaissance. Speaking about this joke, Wright said it was one of the very few jokes he ever adjusted, as most of his jokes never change. Wright said the French toast Renaissance joke originally mentioned some other time period, But then I thought Id change it to the Renaissance (because) it connects more by linking the French with the Renaissance. @deadpanhumorhaven Advertisement 3 Wright on Katz Wright was an especially memorable guest star on the Comedy Central animated series Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. Wright said of the experience in Crackeds oral history of the series: I remember I could just make up what I was going to say and talk to Jonathan Katz in the booth. He agreed to that, and it was fun because Jonathan Katz is so funny. Jonathan also has such a fun, casual demeanor, and that affected the whole experience. There was no pressure. It was like hanging out with a friend. 2 Wrights Other Talents Besides being a comedian, Wright is a musician, novelist and an abstract artist. Advertisement Advertisement It's just another dirt lot in one of Tucson's older neighborhoods. People park cars there occasionally, to go to nearby Davis Bilingual Elementary Magnet School, or to Oury Recreation Center. The patch of land collects the usual desert debris when the wind blows. Now it also serves as a symbol of the challenges the city of Tucson and developers may face as they try to build the local housing stock and keep prices within reach for locals. City officials foresee the need for 35,000 units of additional housing in the next 10 years and are pushing to get units built on city-owned land. The city owns that 1.73-acre lot in Barrio Anita, a small neighborhood north of downtown. But in 2019, they promised the neighbors that they would turn it into a parking lot with green infrastructure, like trees and stormwater basins. Now the city wants to put affordable housing there about 50 townhomes. That has some neighbors pushing back, reflecting a pattern that is familiar around Tucson wherever new housing or other changes are proposed. In the same areas where residents have long fought so-called "gentrification" soaring housing prices as outsiders move in, sometimes displacing longtime residents they also have viewed city-proposed affordable housing with suspicion, although it intends to limit prices. Barrio Anita Neighborhood Association President Gracie Soto has helped lead opposition to the housing plan, raising fears that the affordable housing there could bring safety issues to the school and park. "They're not talking about the safety," she said in an interview Thursday. "They're talking about the colors and the way it's going to look in the models. But it's like, what about the safety?" Soto was even allowed to bring that concern to a student assembly at Davis school in October. Rene Bernal-Mejia was one of a small number of parents also in the all-school assembly when Soto got the microphone and painted a scary picture of the proposed housing in the lot next door. "I was wondering why she was saying it was dangerous and not good for the city," Bernal-Mejia said. "Im like, 'Why are you trying to scare kids with this nonsense about dangerousness?' I think she was trying to direct it toward parents and teachers, but students also heard it." Affordable housing championed New housing could hardly have a stronger booster than the City Council member who represents Ward 1, the west-side district that Barrio Anita is in. When I interviewed her Thursday, Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz was wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "Legalize housing" across the front. "I want any city-owned property in Ward 1 to be prioritized for affordable housing," she said. That includes not just the Barrio Anita property, but also land in Menlo Park, Barrio Sin Nombre and Barrio Santa Rita Park-West Ochoa, among other places. To an extent, Santa Cruz's predecessor in Ward 1, Mayor Regina Romero, stuck her with the Barrio Anita conflict. Romero was running for the Democratic nomination for mayor on July 1, 2019, when she sent a letter to then-City Manager Mike Ortega saying she would like the property to be a parking lot, at least temporarily. It would cost the city a couple of hundred thousand dollars to build up the green infrastructure and make the lot what residents wanted. "When I came into office I was kind of frustrated," Santa Cruz said of her predecessor. "I'm like, 'Why are you making that commitment as you're on your way out?' But when I came in, I was like, I do not want to spend that kind of money on a parking lot." Instead, she and city housing officials, through their El Pueblo Housing Development arm, are seeking federal low-income housing tax credits and a developer as a partner to build on the site. An additional, smaller site, across the street at 450 N. Main Ave., would be part of the federal proposal and host 17 units of housing. Last week, Mayor Romero revised her 2019 position in a new letter about the Barrio Anita site: "While this lot has served as temporary parking, I now support moving forward with this housing development. At a time when thousands of Tucson families are struggling to find an affordable place to live, leaving this land underused is simply not an option." And while they have encountered some significant pushback from the residents of the small neighborhood between the railroad tracks and Interstate 10, they've also found some support at the school. "Im actually really excited about the idea that there wil be affordable housing in Barrio Anita," said Brieanne Buttner, a member of the Davis school PTA and site council. She foresees the area being "more accessible to working class and middle class families that have been marginalized from that housing." Suspicion of housing proposals It's not just Barrio Anita where city housing proposals have met with suspicion. A large plot of land next to the Caterpillar office, known as the Nearmont site, has raised some fears that too much housing will be placed in the tiny neighborhood, Barrio Sin Nombre, south of the Mercado District. In Barrio Santa Rita Park-West Ochoa, the city is planning hundreds of possible apartment units in a large parcel across South 10th Avenue from Southside Presbyterian Church. Brian Flagg, who is vice president of that neighborhood association, has campaigned ceaselessly against housing unaffordability in neighboring South Tucson, where he is on the city council. But he is suspicious of the city's plans in the Tucson neighborhood. "God knows we need housing, but we dont need housing that would alter the makeup of the neighborhood drastically," Flagg said. "'Affordable' has got to be really well defined, or it will be used against you." Indeed, in both Barrio Anita and Flagg's neighborhood, residents have likened the city's attempt to create affordable housing to "gentrification" or even "urban renewal" the hated concept behind the destruction of much of Barrio Viejo in the 1970s. But those are confusing ideas to apply to projects intended to make increasingly unaffordable neighborhoods more affordable. "For me, it's just fear of change," Santa Cruz said. "It's pretty consistent. Anytime there's gonna be a housing development, people are like, 'We're gonna have more crime, we're gonna have more traffic.'" Slow, limited housing ineffective For some residents who resist new housing, the issue isn't housing in general, but density. That's the case in Barrio Santa Rita Park-West Ochoa, where the city has proposed 300 or so apartments. It's the case in Barrio Sin Nombre, and it's the case in Barrio Anita. In nearby Menlo Park, just west of downtown, neighbors talked the city down from the idea of apartments on city-owned property along North Westmoreland Avenue. Townhomes are the current plan. "As the Menlo Park neighborhood president whos lived here for 15 years, I've watched housing prices skyrocket, and people being pushed out," said Kylie Walzak of that neighborhood association. "We are actively encouraging the city to develop affordable housing on there as fast possible." But of course, fast isn't always possible, even when neighbors agree. And sometimes neighbors' terms are so limiting that the allowed projects won't make much of a dent. In Barrio Anita, Gracie Soto pointed out, the Pima County Community Land Trust is building six affordable homes intended for older people. "They did their due diligence for what fits in our neighborhood," Soto said. "Anita already has affordable housing." But what the city is recognizing in these efforts is that all these neighborhoods the whole city needs much more. I get why people are suspicious of the city, but it strikes me as unfair for those who own homes to insist that change be so slow and limited that it will have no impact on the problem at all. PHOENIX One of the defendants in the "fake electors'' prosecution is asking the Arizona Supreme Court to reject a last-ditch bid by Attorney General Kris Mayes to salvage her case. Defendant Tyler Bowyer's attorney Andrew Pacheco is telling the justices that a Maricopa County judge was on firm legal ground earlier this year when he tossed the indictment against the 11 Republicans who signed paperwork inaccurately declaring Donald Trump won the 2020 election, as well as others close to the president who were accused of creating a scheme to deny the state's 11 electoral votes to Democratic victor Joe Biden. Since that time, the state Court of Appeals has refused Mayes' request to review that ruling. She now wants the state's high court to weigh in. Bowyer was one of the 11 "fake electors." If the justices side with him, that will end the current case against all remaining defendants. The only way for Mayes to proceed at that point would be to either convene a new grand jury and get a new indictment this time with the evidence Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers said was missing or file a direct complaint and conduct a preliminary hearing. The justices have not set a date to consider the issue. Bowyer, like the other electors, is charged with conspiracy, fraud and forgery over the preparation of the document declaring that they, pledged to vote for Trump, were the rightful electors despite the fact that Trump lost Arizona by 10,457 votes. The charges against others, including aides and attorneys for Trump, are based on allegations they were the ones who came up with the plan for Arizona and other battleground states to deny Biden the necessary 270 electoral votes, a move that could have let Congress decide the outcome of the race. But Myers said the grand jurors were never given a copy of an 1887 federal law that directed Congress how to handle it when they get multiple slates of electors from any state. That failure is significant, Pacheco is telling the justices, because prosecutors knew when they were presenting the case to the grand jury that some of the defendants claimed their actions were authorized by what is known as the Electoral Count Act. He said that, at the time the Republicans prepared their documents claiming to be the rightful electors, there were pending lawsuits "which, if successful, could have changed the Arizona election results.'' He is arguing that Myers was right to say the grand jurors, while being told about the law, never got the actual text, which might have caused them not to hand up an indictment. Mayes contends that omission is irrelevant. "The primary function of the grand jury is to determine whether probable cause exists to believe that a crime has been committed and that the individual being investigated was the one who committed it,'' the Democratic attorney general said in her own filing with the Supreme Court. Mayes said it's irrelevant to the indictment whether those indicted believed their actions were in accordance with, and protected by, the Electoral Count Act. That's something they can claim at their trial as an "affirmative defense'' that they never intended to break the state laws they are charged with violating, she said. "The grand jury's role was to determine whether probable cause existed that defendants had intent to defraud when they submitted the false ballots and then strived for a month to have them accepted as the true ballots,'' Mayes told the justices. "That determination does not turn on whether various provisions of the Electoral Count Act, cobbled together, permitted contingent ballots,'' she continued. "Rather, it turns on whether defendants' mistaken view of the law affected their intent, which the state instructed the grand jury to consider.'' Pacheco, in his new filing, does not view the failure to give the grand jurors the law the same way. "The Electoral Count Act is central to defendants' defense that they were acting lawfully and without an intent to defraud,'' he wrote. He said the key is that the federal law "directly allows for multiple ballots from the same state.'' He said he law specifically addresses the actions the president of the Senate the vice president must take if Congress receives competing elector ballots from the same state. "In this instance, there is no crime,'' Pacheco said. "Instead, Congress splits into separate sessions and decides which slate to honor.'' Under that law, if the House and Senate can't agree, at that point Congress counts the electoral votes that have been certified by the governor of that state. In this case, that was the slate of Democratic electors for Biden, with the formal results signed by Republican then-Gov. Doug Ducey. Pacheco also told the justices there was no reason for the Attorney General's Office to deny the grand jurors the full law rather than just a discussion. "Given that the grand jury heard 13 days of testimony, requiring the state to read a 20-page statute to the grand jurors is hardly an arbitrary or capriciously burdensome requirement or an abuse of discretion, especially when the statute is central to the defense,'' he said. Mayes contends the failure to provide the full text of the Electoral Count Act law was "harmless error.'' She said even if the state had a duty to instruct the jurors on the federal law a point the state is not conceding it did not matter as the jurors had "either the substance or actual text of the relevant portions'' of the law. Pacheco is urging the justices to reject those arguments. "The denial of a substantial procedural fight cannot be harmless error,'' he said. Even if the Supreme Court sides with Mayes, that doesn't automatically put her case back on track. All it would do is direct the Court of Appeals to review the legality of Myers' decision to toss the indictment. And then whatever the appellate court ruled would be subject to Supreme Court review. A total of 16 of the original 18 defendants remain in the case. Jenna Ellis, one of Trump's attorneys, entered into a deal to have the charges against her dismissed based on a promise to cooperate with prosecutors. Hanoi Peoples Council has approved a Resolution to implement a low-emission zone in the city under the Capital Law 2024. This zone will not only restrict vehicles that cause environmental pollution but also prioritize clean-energy vehicles. According to the Resolution, the city will apply measures to limit fossil-fuel vehicles. In the low-emission zone, gasoline motorcycles will be banned from circulating during certain time frames; app-based commercial motorbikes will not be allowed to operate in this zone; and cars that do not meet emission standard level 4 will be restricted and eventually banned from entering the low-emission zone based on timelines or routes regulated by the citys Peoples Committee. This means personal ride hailing services using gasoline motorbikes such as Grab, Gojek and Be will have to stop operating within the 9 wards of Belt Road 1 from July 1, 2026, and 14 wards within Belt Road 2 from January 1, 2028. Hanoi has also set a green-transition roadmap for business transport vehicles: motorbikes used to provide transport services must fully shift to electric before 2030; from July 1, 2026, taxis must be electric or green-energy models; from January 1, 2035, the city will decide the scope and timing for restricting road vehicles depending on actual conditions. This is considered one of the strongest roadmaps ever proposed to reduce traffic-related pollution in Hanoi, a city with one of the highest density of personal vehicles in the country. Hanois residents have expressed support for low-emission zones. Many believe this is a necessary solution, aligned with international trends, and will bring long-term benefits to public health. Regularly booking app-based rides to take her child to school, Hong Hanh from Cua Nam ward, said: During rush hours, traffic is always jammed, and the exhaust fumes are suffocating. If vehicles meeting standards and electric vehicles are prioritized, the streets will be quieter and less polluted. Minh Quan, 35, office worker in Ba Dinh, said: I support this because fine dust levels in Hanoi have remained high for years. Reducing gasoline motorbikes and non-standard vehicles will definitely improve air quality. Quan added that banning vehicles by time and area following the oil-spill mode is reasonable, avoiding shock and giving people time to adjust before stronger measures are applied. Ride-hailing drivers concerns Alongside the support, many concerns have arisen, especially from app-based drivers who will be directly affected when gasoline motorbikes are banned in the low-emission zone. Tran Duc Long, an app-based driver in Ba Dinh, said his income largely depends on short but frequent trips in the center. If banned from this area, drivers will have to take much longer routes or lose their main source of income. "If gasoline vehicles are banned in the center, drivers like us will lose a lot of customers. To maintain our livelihood, we will have to switch to electric vehicles, but the vehicle price is still high, not to mention issues with batteries, charging, and the wiring systems in our rental rooms not meeting the demand for overnight charging. We need to think carefully about the near future," Long said. Tran Van Son, a shipper specializing in delivery in Hanoi's Old Quarter area, said: "I just bought a gasoline motorbike on an installment plan, and I haven't finished paying for it yet. Now, if they tell me to switch from a gasoline vehicle to an electric one, where will I get money? The city hasn't finalized any support policy for people converting their vehicles. Not only drivers, but customers who use ride-hailing services also have certain concerns. Pham Thu Trang, an office worker in the Hai Ba Trung area, shared that she orders 35 rides every day, mainly for quick movement between appointments in the inner city. "What if gasoline motorbikes are banned from the center, and I urgently need to go somewhere but there are no electric vehicle drivers nearby? During peak hours or on rainy days, there are few motorbikes; adding this regulation will likely lead to long wait times," she said. Hoang Hiep Hanoi Vice Chair Truong Viet Dung Dung spoke at the Techfest 2025 press conference on December 3 in Hanoi to announce the Techfest startup festival, themed nationwide creative startups new growth engine. Organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology in coordination with the Hanoi Peoples Committee, it will take place at the Hoan Kiem walking street from December 12 to 14. Leaders of Hanoi and the Ministry of Science and Technology said the festival this year will be held in an open space that allows all walks of life to access the newest technologies and innovative ideas. All activities will take place at Hoan Kiem Lake walking street, using spaces from cafes and restaurants to the Nhan Dan Newspaper auditorium. Dung said that the city will inaugurate the network on December 22 to create a connection space for the startup community. Hanoi will launch a venture capital fund with an initial scale of VND600 billion, excluding contributions from strategic enterprises. The city is also applying a new management approach: any innovation hub of an enterprise, if meeting required conditions, will enjoy preferential mechanisms like public centers, forming a wide network of shared resources. Regarding human resources, Hanoi is developing a project to produce 1,000 PhDs and 50,000 digital workers. The city has committed to becoming the first customer of tech startups by using the budget to purchase research products for commercialization and public service, such as health screening kits in the medical sector. Truong Viet Dung said that Hanoi has collected about VND635,000 billion in budget revenue. Each year, the city spends VND400500 billion on science and technology and digital transformation, of which about 95 percent is recurrent expenditure. In the coming time, the budget for this field may increase to several thousand billion. Solving shortage of deep tech, high-tech startups Earlier, at a venture capital fund seminar in October, Pham Tuan Hiep, incubation director of BK Holdings, noted that most Vietnamese startups operate in information technology, while there is a lack of high-tech and deep-tech startups such as new materials, cell technology, nano technology. At the same time, the number of incubators and investment funds focusing on these areas is also very limited. This situation has been acknowledged by managers and experts. Pham Hong Quat, director general of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises (Ministry of Science and Technology), said universities and research institutions in Vietnam hold a wealth of core technologies, but the biggest barrier is that we previously had no mechanism to unlock those resources and transfer them out for commercialization. Further explaining the mismatch in the domestic startup ecosystem, Tran Anh Tuan pointed out two core reasons: Vietnams R&D spending is among the lowest, below 1 percent of GDP, while infrastructure, research centers, and laboratories remain small and fragmented. To break this iceberg, the Government has introduced many breakthrough mechanisms and policies, including transferring all research outcomes to institutes and universities free of charge, serving as a foundation for forming spin-off enterprises based on core technologies. According to Tuan, Vietnam aims to increase R&D spending during 20262030, creating resources for deep research groups such as gene technology and stem cells, thereby generating high-tech products. Regarding infrastructure, according to the director of the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology, the city will soon establish three international-standard laboratories of very large scale. Importantly, these labs will operate under the three-party model: institutes and universities enterprises Hanoi. These laboratories will be responsible for researching and developing new and cutting-edge technologies. Combined with legal frameworks such as Decree 271 on spin-off enterprises, venture capital funds, and science and technology development and innovation funds, the improved mechanisms will nurture and strengthen high-tech ideas, gradually removing long-standing bottlenecks. Dung said Hanoi places great expectations on the ecosystem of startups and researchers to absorb ideas and connect experts to solve the capitals issues such as environmental pollution, traffic, and healthcare. He also affirmed that to achieve the 11 percent growth target committed to the Government, Hanoi has no other path but to rely on science and technology, digital transformation, and innovation. Du Lam This Christmas season, the cathedral has been adorned with over 1,000 LED lights - double the number used last year. A dense lighting system blankets the cathedrals entire facade, creating a breathtaking visual that stands out in the cityscape. Alongside the dazzling lights, cheerful elements like bells, stars, and Christmas trees add color and vibrancy to the setting. According to Father Ho Van Xuan, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, the lights will be turned on daily from 6:45 PM to 11:00 PM and are scheduled to remain until January 5, 2026. This year is a Holy Year for the Universal Catholic Church, so the decorations at the cathedral have been invested in more thoroughly than in previous seasons, he shared. The glowing cathedral has quickly become a magnet for visitors. Some young people liken the scenery to Paris. Phan Trung Hieu and Le Nguyen Khanh Ngan, visiting for the second time, said they were drawn back by the festive ambiance. Even passersby find it hard to resist stopping for a quick snapshot. Motorbikes line the streets as people pause to check in. Pham Tan Phat, who brought his family from Binh Tri Dong Ward, said he saw the beautifully decorated cathedral on the news and social media. "I immediately invited the whole family for an evening stroll and some photos to mark the end of the year, he said. Foreign tourists staying nearby are also lured in by the spectacle. One traveler shared that they wanted to capture these unique moments of their holiday in Vietnam. Khuu Quang Sang from Binh Loi Trung Ward even brought his small dog along. I want to keep a memory with my boss, he joked, adjusting the pups collar before striking a pose. In front of the sea of lights, the marble statue of Our Lady of Peace becomes even more striking, standing as a peaceful sentinel before the cathedral. Notre-Dame Cathedral is not only a spiritual center for the Catholic community but also one of Ho Chi Minh Citys architectural icons. It attracts thousands of international visitors each year. Construction began in 1877 based on designs by architect J. Bourard. In 1959, the Vatican bestowed upon it the title of Minor Basilica. Standing 60.5 meters tall - with the twin bell towers accounting for more than half that height - the cathedral remains under scaffolding as part of a long-term restoration project. This extensive renovation began in 2017 and involves complex procedures with a significant budget. Completion is expected in 2027. Notre-Dame Cathedral glows in festive lights. Over 1,000 LED lights brighten the cathedral's facade. Locals compare the ambiance to Paris. Passersby pause to capture the festive scenery. Families visit to create year-end memories. Tourists record their holiday experience in Vietnam. Visitors bring pets for a memorable photo op. The statue of Our Lady of Peace stands out under the lights. A spiritual and architectural landmark of Ho Chi Minh City. Tuan Hung National Assembly deputies approve the North-South high-speed railway project The idea is that an economy targeting double-digit growth for 20262030 cannot continue relying on an outdated transport system with high logistics costs and dependence on road and aviation. A project 1,541 km long, crossing 20 provinces and cities with a total investment of VND1.7 million billion, cannot be viewed as a single transport work; it is a condition for building new national competitiveness. Along with that, the National Assembly passed the amended Railway Law in 2025, establishing the legal foundation for the entire implementation process. This law not only redefines management scope, technical safety, planning, operations, and maintenance, but importantly, opens the door for private and off-budget capital to flow into railway infrastructure. Thus, policy thinking has moved from orientation to legalization, from ideas to mechanisms for execution. But policy approval is just a necessary condition, not a sufficient one. The core issue of this project is not whether to build, but how to build and who is capable of doing it. On November 27, at a meeting at the Government Office, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh said: Assessment must be fair, objective, transparent, open, and no stealth. The phrase no stealth was repeated many times as a governing principle for this especially important project. The meeting clarified a key point: the investment model must come before choosing the investor. Public investment, PPP, or private investment is a matter of national interest. Only after determining the optimal model does evaluating investor capability make sense. Six companies registered to participate, and five attended. But capacities were uneven. Some companies had only VND2,0003,000 billion in capital, or less than 0.2 percent of the total project cost. Some submitted documents lacking financial evidence or had unverifiable business addresses, and could not answer basic questions about equity. Some had once claimed the ability to raise $100 billion but could not provide even minimal legal grounds. Capable investors entered the meeting with concrete plans. Truong Hai proposed a model of 20 percent equity 80 percent mobilized capital and loans. Vinspeed Vingroup presented an investment plan of over $61 billion (excluding land clearance), five years of construction after obtaining cleared land, a 30-year payback mechanism, and the goal of developing a high-speed rail industry in Vietnam. The crucial point was for the first time, investor selection was based on proven capability, not promises. If execution capability is not strictly assessed, a national-level project could fall into familiar tragedy: cost overruns, delays, incomplete construction, and huge economic and social costs. Conversely, if selection is correct, the high-speed railway will become a development lever: reducing costs, shortening travel time, expanding economic capacity, enabling regional connectivity, and raising competitiveness. Within just one year, from late 2024 to late 2025, a clear logic formed: the Party set the policy; the National Assembly provided the legal foundation; the Government is now testing capabilities. And the project has entered its hardest phase: choosing capable contractors. A shift in mindset is also clear: the State no longer negotiates with businesses through promises, but through concrete requirements - capital, schedule, technology, risk management, and responsibility. The first condition is choosing the optimal investment model. Between public investment, PPP, or private, the criterion must be national interest. After that, investors must be screened through clear metrics: true financial capacity, mobilization plan, construction organization, technology, schedule, and risk-management. The second condition is transparency. Publicize documents, methods, risks, and responsibilities. Without transparency, any project can fall to group interests. The third condition is execution discipline. A 1,541-km project cannot be implemented with a mindset of fix it as we go. It requires independent organizational and supervisory capacity, controlling everything from land clearance to operations and payback. The North-South high-speed railway is not an experiment or a test run. It is a strategic infrastructure component tied directly to the goals of double-digit growth and national competitiveness. This project cannot be allowed to fail. It demands an investor-selection mechanism based on criteria, not goodwill; on proven capability, not promises; and it requires placing national interest above all attractive proposals on paper. The era of billion-dollar declarations is over. This is the era of real capacity and real responsibility. The project can only succeed if the chosen party is not the one who speaks well, but the one who can build a national infrastructure backbone that operates sustainably and supports real growth. Tu Giang This afternoon, General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended a signing ceremony formalizing the working coordination mechanism among the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh witness the signing of the coordination mechanism among the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Ministry of Public Security On behalf of the three ministries, General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security, expressed his honor at the presence of the top Party and State leaders, including General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, at the signing event. Minister Quang emphasized that throughout different revolutionary stages, under the leadership of the Party and the administration of the State, the relationship between the public security, military, and diplomatic forces has evolved naturally and possesses a strategic symbiosis. This cooperation has been key to achieving the goals laid out by the Party. The minister highlighted that the tremendous victories in Vietnams struggle for national liberation and unification, as well as the significant achievements during the 40 years of renewal, bear the imprint of effective, close coordination among these three forces under the Partys wise and visionary leadership. In the current revolutionary phase, elevating the cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has become increasingly urgent. This partnership will generate momentum and new strengths to overcome challenges, turn those challenges into opportunities, and mobilize all domestic and international resources to successfully implement the 14th National Party Congresss resolution and the Partys three strategic objectives: peace, stability, and development. To advance this cooperation to a higher level - more cohesive, faster, deeper, stronger, and more effective - the three ministries have signed a comprehensive coordination regulation. The framework covers all areas of collaboration and notably establishes an annual meeting mechanism at the ministerial level to ensure that the trilateral cooperation achieves its highest goals. Guided by President Ho Chi Minhs teaching: Unity, Unity, Great Unity. Success, Success, Great Success, the signing of this cooperation framework represents a concrete and practical step. It affirms the high determination of the three ministries to contribute meaningfully to the successful implementation of the 14th National Party Congresss resolution and the Partys strategic goals. General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and other delegates at the ceremony. Photo: Ministry of Public Security The VAT Law was passed by the National Assembly on November 26, 2024 and took effect on July 1, 2025. However, due to recommendations from associations, businesses, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), authorized by the Prime Minister, has asked the National Assembly and its Standing Committee to consider amending several articles of the law. Complaints The MAE and associations have reported many obstacles and inconsistencies, and have said that current regulations are creating financial pressure on businesses, particularly in the trading of agricultural products. Businesses are required to prepay 5 percent input VAT for the commercial purchase of agricultural goods. This VAT amount is later refunded for products whose large production volumes are primarily exported (such as pangasius, pepper, coffee), leading to wasted time and capital immobilization. Meanwhile, credit institutions do not disburse loans for this tax component when providing working capital, creating financial pressure and reducing business efficiency. Estimated figures show the impact of the regulation in the last six months of 2025: VND5,000 billion for the Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association; around VND2,162 billion for the Pepper and Spice Association; and around VND2,016 billion for the Vietnam Food Association. In addition, current regulations create discriminatory treatment between domestically produced agricultural and aquaculture products and imported ones, as imported agricultural and aquatic products are not subject to VAT when entering Vietnam. Because animal feed is classified as non-taxable, input VAT cannot be credited or refunded, causing increased costs and selling prices for animal-feed producers and negatively affecting livestock farmers. This raises fairness concerns and may reduce competitiveness compared to imported products, which are also non-taxable. Moreover, the rule requiring buyers to receive VAT refunds only after sellers have declared and paid tax has caused delays for many exporters, who must wait for verification of the sellers tax obligations, thus creating obstacles and risks for businesses. 3 amendments proposed In response to business feedback and amid continued storms and floods impacting the economy, especially in agriculture and livestock, the MOF says this an urgent issue which needs timely amendment and supplementation in the VAT Law. The new draft reinstates the regulation that agricultural, forest, and aquatic products (unprocessed or only conventionally pre-processed) bought and sold at the commercial stage are not subject to declaration and payment of VAT but are eligible for input VAT deduction. Accordingly, businesses will not have to pay the 5 percent input VAT on agricultural goods in commercial trading stage. This resolves the situation where VAT is collected and then refunded for items mostly produced for export, easing financial pressure and increasing business efficiency for businesses. The draft also amends VAT policies for agricultural, forestry, livestock, and aquaculture products used as animal feed to align with existing animal-feed regulations. The MOF believes that by amending the regulation, businesses producing and trading animal feed will not have to pay the 5 percent VAT, thereby reducing production costs and increasing competitiveness against imported goods. The draft also removes the condition for VAT refund that the buyer is only eligible for a refund when the seller has declared and paid the tax. This helps shorten the tax refund time; exporting entities will receive refunds as regulated without having to wait for verification of the seller's declaration and payment. Prior to that, in late October, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) sent a document to the Prime Minister proposing solutions to the bottlenecks regarding VAT policy. In reality, agricultural products such as coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, shrimp, fish, and raw timber mostly undergo only preliminary processing stages such as shelling, drying, milling, or curing, which do not generate substantial added value. According to the VCCI, applying a 5 percent VAT to the aforementioned goods is inconsistent with the nature of VAT, which is meant to tax only the added value generated during the production and business process. The mechanism of "collect first - refund later" forces businesses to advance a large amount of capital to pay the tax, even though their profit margin is only 1-3 percent. For example, the coffee industry must temporarily pay nearly VND10,000 billion in VAT annually, and the pepper industry must front up to $85 million. This increases the cost of exports, causing Vietnamese goods to lose competitive advantage compared to countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and India, where raw agricultural products are either exempt or subject to a zero percent tax rate. Nguyen Le As global economies continue navigating paths to recovery, the trade flow between Vietnam and Hong Kong (China) has surged to unprecedented levels. With bilateral trade increasing by over 30% in the past year, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) sees Vietnam Expo 2025 as a pivotal opportunity to convert these record figures into tangible business outcomes. Super-connector: Turning potential into profit Recent data illustrates the momentum behind these ties. Hong Kong currently ranks as Vietnams fourth-largest foreign investor. In just the first nine months of 2025, Hong Kong registered USD 1.06 billion in new and adjusted investment, adding to the USD 2.17 billion recorded in 2024. Vietnam has now become Hong Kongs second-largest trading partner in ASEAN and its seventh-largest globally. A growing number of Hong Kong firms are outsourcing software development and IT services to Vietnam, citing cost savings of 3050% compared to operations in Hong Kong. Vietnams software outsourcing market is projected to reach USD 10 billion by the end of 2025. These trends are not random. They reflect Hong Kongs unique position as a super-connector - a role cemented by the historic visit of Chief Executive John Lee to Vietnam in July 2024, during which 30 cooperation agreements were signed across sectors. From macro potential to market impact While macroeconomic indicators highlight potential, it is on the ground - at trade promotion events - where that potential is realized. With Vietnams GDP forecast to grow by 8% in 2025, HKTDCs participation in Vietnam Expo (46 December 2025) is far more than a conventional trade exhibition. It is a strategic initiative aimed at sustaining double-digit growth in bilateral trade. To maintain the momentum of 30% annual trade growth, direct B2B engagement has become indispensable. Hong Kong continues to be a magnet for Vietnamese companies seeking access to international markets, especially as Asia remains the fastest-growing economic region globally over the next decade. Under the One Country, Two Systems framework, Hong Kong serves as Vietnams key gateway to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and broader Chinese market - home to one of the worlds most expansive industrial and technological supply chains. Hong Kongs edge in global commerce lies in its world-class logistics infrastructure and container port capacity, enabling Vietnamese products to reach global markets efficiently. Coupled with simple taxation, unrestricted capital flows, and a strong legal framework, Hong Kong presents an ideal base for Vietnamese companies looking to expand their global presence. A convergence of capital and commerce At the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), from 46 December 2025, a delegation of 15 Hong Kong enterprises will showcase a wide array of products across key sectors. The participation of major Hong Kong firms not only highlights the symbolic importance of the event but also reflects the growing depth of their commercial footprint in Vietnam. Vietnam Expo 2025, with robust support from HKTDC, transcends the boundaries of a traditional trade fair. It is a clear signal of a deepening economic partnership between Vietnam and Hong Kong - one that opens up transformative opportunities for investment and trade. Serving as a funnel for Vietnamese SMEs to tap directly into global supply chains via Hong Kong, the Expo helps eliminate unnecessary intermediaries, making international market entry more accessible and cost-effective. With multiple free trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral accords already in place, Vietnam Expo 2025 is the arena where businesses can turn signed commitments into action, ensuring that the current USD 32 billion trade flow not only continues but accelerates in the coming fiscal year. PV The investigation is part of an ongoing criminal case involving violations of Article 117 of the Penal Code. During the course of the investigation, authorities officially charged and issued wanted notices for Nguyen Van Dai, born May 6, 1969, in Hung Yen Province. Dai is a Vietnamese national and was issued passport number C5293267 on May 31, 2018. Prior to leaving the country, his permanent address was listed as Apartment 302, Z8, Bach Khoa Residential Complex, Bach Mai Ward, Hanoi. The Ministry of Public Security also released a photo showing both Nguyen Van Dai and Le Trung Khoa. Le Trung Khoa, born in 1971 in Thanh Hoa Province, is also a Vietnamese national of Kinh ethnicity. He holds passport number N1263389, issued by the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany on December 23, 2008. Both men have been charged under Clause 2, Article 117 of the Penal Code, which pertains to producing or disseminating materials aimed at opposing the state. The Ministry of Public Security has called on Nguyen Van Dai and Le Trung Khoa to surrender to assist with investigation, prosecution, and trial procedures. By doing so, they would be eligible for leniency as provided by law. Authorities also urge that anyone who locates Nguyen Van Dai or Le Trung Khoa has the legal right to apprehend them and deliver them immediately to the nearest police station, prosecutors office, or local Peoples Committee. Once arrested or received, officials are instructed to notify the Investigation Security Agency at the Ministry of Public Security, located at No. 10 Tran Kim Xuyen Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi. The contact numbers provided are 069.220.9109 or 069.220.9138. Dinh Hieu On the night of December 5, the Ho Guom Theatre in Hanoi became a global center of scientific celebration as hundreds of researchers gathered for the 2025 VinFuture Prize ceremony. In a moment watched closely by the global scientific community, the winners of the prestigious million-dollar prize were announced. Speaking at the event, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed Vietnams commitment to collaborating with the international scientific community in addressing humanitys shared challenges. This year marks the fifth edition of the VinFuture Prize, held under the theme Boundless Unity Thriving Together, calling for global progress rooted in solidarity, shared prosperity, and inclusive opportunity. According to NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, the prize has gone beyond honoring exceptional scientific work - it has created valuable platforms for dialogue among scientists, businesses, and policymakers. These interactions have sparked new ideas, collaborative models, and impactful innovation. He emphasized Vietnams desire to deepen academic exchange, cultivate high-quality human resources, enhance technology transfer, and advance sustainable and inclusive development through global cooperation. Citing General Secretary To Lam, he remarked: Scientific and technological advancement, innovation, and digital transformation are not merely options, but essential paths for survival. The $3 million grand prize of VinFuture 2025 was awarded to four American scientists: Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, Dr. John T. Schiller, Dr. Aimee R. Kreimer, and Professor Maura L. Gillison, for their groundbreaking work on HPV vaccines that prevent tumors caused by the human papillomavirus. Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man affirmed Vietnams desire to strengthen scientific collaboration with the global research community. Photo: TT Prof. Richard Friend, Chair of the VinFuture Prize Council, noted a record 1,705 nominations this year. Foundational research by Drs. Lowy and Schiller on HPVs capsid proteins led to the development of highly effective vaccines that have prevented millions of cervical cancer cases, particularly in developing countries. Building on their work, Dr. Kreimer's single-dose HPV vaccine regimen, now recommended by the World Health Organization, has dramatically improved vaccine accessibility. Simultaneously, research by Prof. Gillison and Dr. Kreimer established a link between HPV and head and neck cancers, underscoring the broader protective impact of HPV vaccination. Their achievements have saved and will continue to save countless lives in decades to come. In addition to the grand prize, VinFuture 2025 also presented three special awards of $500,000 each to outstanding scientists in emerging fields, women scientists, and scientists from developing countries. The special prize for a scientist from a developing country was awarded to Prof. Maria Esperanza Martinez-Romero from Mexico for her advancements in microbial ecology and symbiotic nitrogen fixation in tropical ecosystems. Her discovery of several new Rhizobium species has expanded understanding of microbial taxonomy and plant-microbe interactions in agriculture - contributing to sustainable farming amidst resource constraints. The special prize for a female scientist went to Prof. Mary-Claire King (USA) for her discovery of the BRCA1 gene, a breakthrough in identifying genetic risks for breast and ovarian cancer. Her work laid the foundation for genetic screening and personalized medicine. Locating the BRCA1 gene on chromosome 17q21 in 1990 - before the human genome was fully sequenced - marked a turning point in global cancer prevention and treatment strategies. The special prize for pioneers in emerging fields honored five scientists: Prof. Venkatesan Sundaresan (USA), Prof. Raphael Mercier (Germany), Dr. Emmanuel Guiderdoni (France), Dr. Imtiyaz Khanday (USA), and Dr. Delphine Mieulet (France) for their innovations in developing self-propagating hybrid rice. Hybrid crops typically yield better results than their parents, but producing hybrid rice seeds - the staple for over half the global population - is complex and costly, limiting access for many farmers. The groups research leveraged developmental biology and genetics to create rice seeds that inherit superior traits through self-pollination. This innovation enhances yields, reduces seed costs, and boosts global food security. Commenting on this years winners, Prof. Richard Friend, Chair of the VinFuture Prize Council, said: The VinFuture 2025 laureates have created scientific breakthroughs that tangibly improve human health and food security. From vaccines and genetic understanding to resilient crop development, their work demonstrates the transformative power of science driven by compassion and global collaboration. When knowledge serves humanity, it not only expands our understanding of the world - it sustains and protects life. After five successful editions, the VinFuture Prize has become one of the worlds most respected science and technology awards, with 6,132 nominations from nearly 110 countries and territories across five continents, honoring 48 exceptional scientists. Their recognized contributions - from clean energy and AI to biomedical technology and agricultural innovation - are creating profound changes that enhance lives and shape humanitys future. The award ceremony and VinFuture Science and Technology Week have become key platforms for global knowledge exchange, connecting scientists, policymakers, and business leaders in the pursuit of a more sustainable, humane, and prosperous future. Notably, over the past five years, the VinFuture Foundation and its Prize have persistently connected global scientific excellence with Vietnams research community - providing opportunity and inspiration for local science while positioning Vietnam as a trusted destination for international collaboration, where creativity is nurtured and shared for the benefit of humanity. Alicia Keys, winner of 17 Grammy Awards, performed at the 2025 VinFuture Prize ceremony. Photo: TT Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man presents the VinFuture 2025 Grand Prize to Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, Dr. John T. Schiller, Dr. Aimee R. Kreimer, and Prof. Maura L. Gillison. VinFuture 2025s Special Prize for a scientist from a developing country was awarded to Maria Esperanza Martinez-Romero. She said: In Mexico, we're facing agricultural losses due to humidity. We hope to find crops and bacteria that offer solutions for both now and the future. HO CHI MINH CITY In the era of booming 3D and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, the way people access information has gone beyond phone and computer screens, unlocking new, immersive learning experiences. Against this backdrop, MSD (known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA in the United States and Canada) officially launches the Minah Holobox Experience Tour, an interactive community education initiative that leverages 3D hologram and AI technology to raise awareness about HPV (Human papillomavirus) and related diseases. Patients and visitors can engage with verified educational content about HPV and the burden of disease, endorsed by the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine. They can also interact with AI Ambassador Minah, projected by 3D holographic technology powered by the Proto Hologram device, which delivers an engaging, human-like conversation experience. Participants can also take photos with Minah as a fun reminder to continue open conversations about HPV prevention. D.G.H (27), a patient visiting VNVC in Ho Chi Minh City, shared: At first, I was just curious to see how the hologram technology worked, but when interacting with it, I learned that HPV also affects men, not just women. The information was presented in a clear, memorable, and innovative way, which made me realise that I should be more proactive about prevention to protect myself and those around me. If more young people could experience something like this, they would feel less hesitant to talk about HPV and pay more attention to preventive measures. HPV infection is extremely common throughout the world. Although the majority of HPV infections resolve spontaneously, persistent infections can develop into related diseases and cancers in both women and men, such as anogenital warts, pre-cancers, and cervical/anogenital cancers. According to Globocan 2022, Viet Nam records approximately 6,200 new HPV-related cancer cases each year, with over 2,500 women dying from cervical cancer annually. Without timely intervention, it is estimated that by 2070, 200,000 Vietnamese women could lose their lives to cervical cancer. These alarming figures underscore the urgency of enhancing public education and implementing effective preventive measures. Katharina Geppert, Managing Director of MSD Vietnam, shared: Resolution No. 57 by the Politburo emphasises the importance of breakthroughs in science, technology, and digital transformation as foundations for sustainable development. In alignment with this direction, MSD brings the Holobox Experience Tour to Viet Nam to contribute to the healthcare sectors innovation journey and support meaningful initiatives that expand access to health education and community well-being. MSD is proud to be a partner accompanying the national communication campaign For a Viet Nam without the Burden of HPV, initiated by the Ministry of Health in March 2025. The campaign welcomed 25,000 visits and achieved over 23 million online impressions across platforms. The introduction of the Holobox Experience Tour in Viet Nam further reinforces MSDs long-term commitment to impactful public health collaborations and community health improvement, marking a meaningful milestone ahead of MSDs 30th anniversary in Viet Nam in 2026. The programme will be held at reputable healthcare institutions across the country as follows: VNVC Vaccination Centre: VNVC Cantavil (2nd Floor, Cantavil An Phu Shopping Centre, 01 Song Hanh Street, Binh Trung Ward) from November 24 to November 26, 2025 VNVC Hoang Van Thu (198 Hoang Van Thu Street, uc Nhuan Ward) from November 28 to November 30, 2025 VNVC Binh Thanh (L1-07,08 1st Floor, Block A&C, Richmond City Apartment Complex, 207C Nguyen Xi Street, Binh Thanh Ward) from December 2 to December 4, 2025 VNVC Quan 7 (Store No. 0.11A, 0.15 and 0.17 - Mixed-use Residential Area, Lot S6-1, Zone A, South Saigon New Urban Area, 89 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Tan My Ward) from December 6 to December 8, 2025 VNVC Thoi An (109 Le Thi Rieng Street, Thoi An Ward) from December 10 to December 12, 2025 VNVC ong Thanh - Hoc Mon (634 ang Thuc Vinh Street, ong Thanh Commune), from December 14 to December 16, 2025 VNVC Quan 10 (460 Ba Thang Hai Street, Hoa Hung Ward) from December 18 to December 20, 2025 VNVC Thanh LeBinh Duong (567 Binh Duong Boulevard, Thu Dau Mot Ward) from December 22 to December 24, 2025 Xuyen A General Hospital (42 Phan Van Khai Street, Cho Hamlet, Cu Chi Commune), expected from January 5 to January 11, 2026 Long Chau Vaccination Centre - Ba Thang Hai Branch (203205205A Ba Thang Hai Street, Vuon Lai Ward), expected from January 14 to January 25, 2026 For more details and updates on the Minah Holobox Experience Tour, please visit HERE. HA NOI Amazon will support Viet Nam in becoming a regional hub for exports via e-commerce in Southeast Asia, its Vice President for International Public Policy & Government Affairs Susan Pointer told Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long during their meeting in Ha Noi on December 5. The Deputy PM affirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to cooperation with leading global technology corporations, considering them a key driving force for digital transformation and the development of a knowledge-based economy. He called on Amazon to continue accompanying the country in its development journey, and encouraged the corporation to expand cooperation with Vietnamese technology enterprises to enhance production and product development within its ecosystem in the country. He stressed that the Vietnamese Government stands ready to create favourable conditions for Amazon to engage in long-term, effective cooperation and investment in the country, contributing to the growth of the local e-commerce market and sci-tech ecosystem. For her part, Pointer praised Viet Nams socio-economic achievements this year, particularly in administrative reform and digital transformation. She noted that Amazon has been actively supporting Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to go global. Over the past 12 months, the number of products sold worldwide by Vietnamese businesses via Amazon increased by 35 per cent. At present, thousands of Vietnamese enterprises are exporting and expanding their global presence through the platform. She affirmed Amazons commitment to long-term cooperation with Viet Nam and to elevating the profile of Made-in-Vietnam products. Pointer also highlighted the recent signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between Amazon Global Selling Vietnam and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency to implement the V-Brands Go Global with Amazon programme. The initiative aims to provide comprehensive online export training and certification for 1,000 Vietnamese businesses, while supporting national brands to strengthen their international market presence through e-commerce with Amazon. Amazon expressed its wish to increase localisation in its electronic components supply chain and encouraged Vietnamese businesses to engage more deeply in the corporations global value chains. It also proposed expanding cooperation in training high-quality human resources in digital technology, data and AI, which are fundamental to Viet Nams sustainable development in the digital era. Long said Viet Nam is completing its legal framework in science and technology, AI, digital transformation and high technology. The Government will continue to support businesses in enhancing technological capacity through flexible, transparent mechanisms that promote innovation and cooperation, helping to strengthen competitiveness in the digital economy. VNA/VNS HCM CITY HCM City is looking to the lifestyle economy as a fresh source of momentum as it pursues its goal of becoming a creative and liveable metropolis by 2030. The trend, which emphasises personalised consumption and experience-driven services, was highlighted at a seminar titled Lifestyle economy emerges as a new growth driver for HCM City held on December 5 by Tuoi Tre newspaper in collaboration with the citys Department of Industry and Trade. Speaking at the event, Tran Xuan Toan, deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper, said the lifestyle economy has gained ground globally and has begun to take shape in the city in recent years. As consumers increasingly embrace personalised experiences in dining, shopping and travel, an ecosystem of products and services has expanded to meet such expectations. Although the city still lags behind major international hubs such as those in the Republic of Korea or Singapore, it holds significant potential to develop a vibrant lifestyle economy capable of creating new growth momentum and opening opportunities for local enterprises. Associate Professor inh Tien Minh, senior lecturer and head of the Marketing Faculty at the University of Economics HCM City, said global consumption patterns are shifting from goods to services and experiences. The lifestyle economy, he noted, represents the next phase of this transition, as consumers now seek products and services that express personal identity. Offerings tailored to lifestyle values, aesthetics and experiential needs have become key differentiators. Capturing these shifts not only enhances business competitiveness but also contributes to broader economic expansion and improved social wellbeing. The lifestyle economy is also closely linked to efforts to shape a distinctive urban identity while meeting rising demand for cultural and experiential consumption. Viet Nams growing middle class, currently accounting for about 23.2 per cent of the population and expected to reach around 50 per cent by 2035, is seen as a strong driver for lifestyle-oriented industries. Gen Z is now the largest generation in Viet Nam and is gaining stronger purchasing power, Associate Professor inh Tien Minh said. They do not simply consume products; they consume experiences. Understanding their expectations and habits will allow firms to develop offerings with experiential and emotional value. For major cities like HCM City, the lifestyle economy is opening a promising direction for sustainable future growth. From an international viewpoint, Parke Sang Mo, head of Planning and Events at the Korean Cultural Centre in Viet Nam, said Viet Nam and HCM City in particular possesses strong potential for lifestyle-driven economic development, especially as the country moves towards greener and more sustainable growth models. He added that not only large enterprises but also small- and medium-sized firms in Viet Nam have begun aligning with green consumption and building product ecosystems that support lifestyle-based expansion. Le Tri Thong, CEO of PNJ, said his company has long invested in studying youth trends to create products that go beyond traditional jewellery and carry emotional value. He noted that although the concept may sound new, the lifestyle economy is already present in the city through products and services that resonate with young consumers. This presents a rare opportunity for the city to shift from a manufacturing hub to a regional centre of creativity, he said. Changing consumer behaviour, a talented young workforce and shifting global value chains are creating favourable conditions. But to transform the creative economy into a true growth driver, the city will need clear strategic direction, strong business participation and active leadership from local authorities. Experts at the seminar also highlighted the importance of shaping a unique urban lifestyle identity to distinguish the city within the region. A clear positioning, they said, would enable businesses to design products and experiences aligned with this identity, thereby enhancing the citys attractiveness for residents and visitors alike. From a policy standpoint, Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, deputy director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said unlocking the potential of the lifestyle economy requires balancing supply and demand. In recent years, the city has encouraged the development of consumer-oriented products and services to strengthen connections between markets and producers. With new perspectives emerging from the seminar, he said the city would explore more innovative and multidimensional approaches to maximise opportunities in the sector. These discussions offer valuable guidance as we work towards developing more personalised products and services that elevate the experience of HCM City residents, he said. We will continue to study and advise the city on appropriate measures to support enterprises and shape products suited to this promising market. As one of Viet Nams most dynamic and creative urban centres, the city has long been a magnet for consumption, innovation and cultural activity. Harnessing new economic models such as the lifestyle economy is expected to provide renewed impetus for the citys development, strengthen its identity and enhance its appeal as a distinctive destination for domestic and international visitors. VNS HA NOI The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday announced an emergency international assistance package worth US$2 million to help address the severe impacts of recent flooding in central Viet Nam. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep met with ADB Country Director for Viet Nam Shantanu Chakraborty and received the banks formal confirmation of the grant. The funding, drawn from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF), aims to support communities in the central region whose lives and livelihoods have been heavily affected by prolonged torrential rains and flooding. Chakraborty expressed his deep condolences over the losses suffered by residents in the flood-hit areas. He stressed that the emergency grant reflects ADBs strong commitment to assisting Viet Nam in disaster response and helping affected households overcome hardships. Hiep thanked ADB for its timely support, noting that the aid is significant, necessary and timely, helping affected communities quickly stabilise their lives. The grant is expected to be used to build and repair homes for families whose properties have collapsed or been severely damaged by the recent disasters. In the coming period, relevant Vietnamese agencies and ADB will complete the necessary procedures for approval of the grant, which will be disbursed over six months from the date of signing. On November 30, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued a dispatch launching a rapid campaign called 'Quang Trung Campaign' to rebuild and repair houses for disaster-hit families in the central provinces and cities. VNA HA NOI It is critical for Viet Nam to strengthen cooperation among the Government, scientists and businesses to promote innovation and build a knowledge-based economy, heard a submit held on Friday in Ha Noi. Jointly held by the National Agency for Startups and Technology Entrepreneurship and the Vietnam Science and Technology Business Association (VST), the first submit of science and technology intellectuals and businesses alliance even sought to bridge entrepreneurs and intellectuals to accelerate the commercialisation of research outcomes and create tangible socio-economic value. VST President Hoang uc Thao said breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, big data, digital technology and smart automation were reshaping the way the economy operates and intensifying global competition. Rapid global integration requires Viet Nam to upgrade innovation capacity and strengthen national competitiveness to actively participate in the global value chain, he said. Digitalisation and demand for online public services and e-commerce were placing strong pressure on both the public and private sectors to accelerate digital transformation. More than ever, businesses and intellectuals must join hands to foster technological self-reliance, invest in R&D and push commercialisation in both domestic and international markets, Thao said. Tran Xuan ich, deputy head of the Department of Startups and Technology Enterprises, said that the Government, scientists and businesses all share a common goal of promoting socio-economic development based on science, technology and innovation. When coorinated, the Government, scientists and businesses would form a solid development triangle for the innovation ecosystem, he said, adding that the Government plays role in developing facilitating institutions, scientists create knowledge and technology, and enterprises bring innovations into real life and production. Emphasising the importance of science and technology enterprises, ichsaid numerous policies have been proposed. However, policies would only matter when they truly benefit enterprises and researchers, ich said, adding the ministry would continue to refine regulatory sandboxes for new models and products, simplify procedures for accessing support funds and programmes, and work closely with the businessintellectual alliance. The focus would be on shortening the distance from laboratory to factory, from idea to product, and from policy to market, he said. VNS PARIS A total of 2,700 audience members from 23 countries attended the opening of the Viet Nam Film Week, titled 'Journey of Light' in Paris, France. Audiences had an opportunity to watch the international premiere screening of the film Tu Chien Tren Khong (Hijacked) with live performance of film soundtracks at Le Grand Rex, the largest cinema and a cultural landmark of Paris. The film week is co-organised by the Viet Nam Film Development Association (VFDA) and AVSE Global, under the patronage of the Embassy of Viet Nam in France. inh Toan Thang, ambassador of Viet Nam to France, said: "Viet Nam Film Week in Paris is a major event for the culture, arts and cinema of Viet Nam, and it has been very well received by the French public as well as French media." "We hope that this will become an unforgettable milestone for the journey of Viet Nam's cinema, as well as for cinematic and cultural exchanges between Viet Nam and France." Ngo Phuong Lan, chairwoman of VFDA, said: "This is the first time a major Vietnamese film event has been held in the City of Light, Paris, commemorating the 50th anniversary of national reunification and the 80th anniversary of the National Day." "It also takes place in December, the month the world commemorates 130 years since the Lumiere brothers gave birth to cinema, an art form that has helped change human history and enrich our inner worlds and everyday life," she added. Nguyen uc Khuong, president of AVSE Global, said: "Cinema, with its power to transcend borders, is a gateway for the world to understand Viet Nam." He revealed that this event in Paris is only the beginning, laying the foundation for a broader journey to bring Vietnamese cinema to more countries and expand global networks of cultural and artistic cooperation. Kaity Nguyen, who appears in the film Hijacked, could not hide her emotion and pride as the Vietnam Film Week was held at one of the most iconic cinemas in the world. "This is truly a special day, as I get to witness a significant leap forward for Vietnamese cinema. I hope the audience will experience spectacular action sequences and genuine emotions from the film," she said. French director Kim Chapiron said: "I'm eager to discover more Vietnamese filmmakers and actors and to deepen my curiosity about Viet Nam's culture." He added: "Vietnamese cinema truly deserves a strong presence in France, especially with the Vietnamese community here. Like many generations of Vietnamese who have made France their home, we hope to see more Vietnamese films screened in the future." The Viet Nam Film Week will continue until December 12, with an expected 5,000 visitors attending its showcase of outstanding Vietnamese films from the past 50 years. Besides Hijacked, sixteen notable Vietnamese films have been selected, including works recognised at major international film festivals, winners of Viet Nams top national awards and new films that have become cultural and social phenomena in the country. Classic Vietnamese films from the oi Moi (Renewal) period selected for screening include Canh ong Hoang (The Abandoned Field: Free Fire Zone) by Peoples Artist Nguyen Hong Sen, Bao Gio Cho en Thang Muoi (When the Tenth Month Comes) by Peoples Artist ang Nhat Minh and Tuong Ve Huu (The Retired General) by Peoples Artist Nguyen Khac Loi. Films by young independent filmmakers, expressing their individual and distinctive voices with a contemporary touch, include Bi, ung So (Bi, Dont Be Afraid), Cu Li Khong Bao Gio Khoc (Cu Li Never Cries) and Mua Tren Canh Buom (Dont Cry, Butterfly). The lineup, spanning feature films, documentaries and short films, from mainstream to arthouse cinema, offers audiences a journey into Viet Nams culture, history and people through the diverse languages of film. In addition to film screenings, the programme features a panoramic photography exhibition on Vietnamese cinema, meetings with Vietnamese film crews and meetings between young French and Vietnamese filmmakers. VNS The Ambassador of Thailand to Viet Nam, H.E. Urawadee Sriphiromya, wrote to Viet Nam News and Law on the country's National Day, December 5. December 5 holds profound significance for Thailand as the country commemorates the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, Thai National Day and Thai Fathers Day. These occasions honour His Majestys unwavering devotion to improving the well-being of all Thais throughout his seven-decade reign during which he became deeply revered as the Father of the Nation. His Majestys lifelong dedication and tireless work resulted in more than 4,000 Royal Projects, addressing challenges from poverty, unemployment and inequality to environmental degradation and unsustainable agricultural practices. The Royal Projects transformed lives across the Kingdom and continue to do so to this day. Among His Majestys most enduring and globally recognised legacies is the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). Thailand has advanced the SEP framework to promote sustainable development partnership with our neighbours and the international community. In Viet Nam, the SEP Projects are carried out in Thai Nguyen Province to promote agroforestry, environmental protection and in Vinh Long Province to achieve sustainable community-based tourism. Since ascending the throne, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has committed to preserving and building upon the legacy of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, initiating the Volunteer Project Doing Good Deeds for Country, Religion and the Monarchy. In Viet Nam, the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi has followed His Majestys wise guidance through a variety of Volunteer Project activities. This year, with the support of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (ThaiCham) and the Thai community here, the Royal Thai Embassy and the Thai community made donations to the Hanoi Centre for Care, Nurturing and Treatment of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, K Hospital, SOS Childrens Village Hanoi and Hanoi Pet Adoption, among others. The Royal Thai Embassy, in collaboration with the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) of Viet Nam, also held an annual blood donation drive with approximately 150 Thai and Vietnamese donors demonstrating the spirit of compassion and solidarity between Thailand and Viet Nam. The year 2025 is marked by profound sorrow for Thailand following Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mothers passing on October 24. Revered for her lifelong dedication to the Thai people for womens empowerment and the preservation of Thailands cultural heritage through countless Royal Initiatives, most notably the SUPPORT Foundation, which has uplifted many from poverty. Her Majesty was also celebrated as a global icon of elegance, renowned for her timeless grace, exquisite sense of style and regal beauty. Frequently described by international headlines as one of the most beautiful and best-dressed queens of her era, she captivated worldwide admiration and elevated Thailands cultural identity on the global stage through her artistry and fashion, always gracefully by the side of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. As Thailand commemorates National Day this year, the country also pays heartfelt tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mothers extraordinary legacy, which continues to inspire deep respect, affection and pride among Thais and friends of Thailand worldwide. For nearly 50 years, the friendship between Thailand and Viet Nam has flourished, grounded in political trust and expanding economic cooperation. Another historic milestone was reached in May 2025 when both countries elevated their relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during the official visit to Viet Nam by the Prime Minister of Thailand. This development reinforces cooperation across all areas and reaffirms shared commitments to peace, security and stability in the region. On this note, Thailand conveys her best wishes for continued peace, progress and prosperity on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification and the 80th anniversary of Vietnamese National Day. Bilateral trade remains robust, reaching over US$20.1 billion in 2024. Thailand is Viet Nams ninth-largest foreign investor with accumulated investments surpassing $15 billion. Moving forward, both countries are committed to advancing the Three Connects Strategy strengthening linkages across supply chains, local economies and sustainable development. The Royal Thai Embassy will continue to work closely with ThaiCham to further enhance trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges with Viet Nam. The Royal Thai Embassy remains firmly committed to fostering heartfelt people-to-people connections between Thailand and Viet Nam. This year the first-ever official Flagship Thai Festival in Ha Noi was held at the historic Imperial Citadel of Thang Long under the theme Creative Thailand: The Pulse of Tradition. Ha Noi was one of only six capitals worldwide chosen by the Royal Thai Government to host this flagship initiative reflecting Viet Nams special place in Thailands cultural bonds. As 2025 draws to a close, while we honour Royal legacies and timeless grace, we also look forward to commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Viet Nam in the coming year. May Thailand and Viet Nam continue to cherish the ever-close and cordial partnership for several decades to come. VNS Chinese vice premier holds video call with U.S. treasury secretary, trade representative Xinhua) 09:32, December 06, 2025 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. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) HA NOI The VinFuture Foundation officially announced the laureates of the VinFuture Prizes 2025 at a ceremony in Ha Noi on December 5. Four outstanding scientific and technological breakthroughs have been honoured, reflecting this years theme Rising and Thriving, and highlighting the role of cross-border scientific collaboration in addressing global challenges in health, environment, and human livelihood. The 2025 VinFuture Grand Prize valued at US$3 million has been awarded to four scientists, including Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, Dr. John T. Schiller, Dr. Aimee R. Kreimer and Prof. Maura L. Gillison (USA), for their discoveries and development of HPV vaccines for prevention of tumors caused by human papillomaviruses. Foundational studies on HPV capsid proteins by Drs. Douglas Lowy and John Schiller led to the development of highly effective HPV vaccines, preventing millions of cervical cancer cases, especially in developing countries. Furthermore, the single-dose vaccination regimen developed by Dr. Aimee Kreimer, now recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has significantly expanded vaccine access for populations worldwide. In parallel, laboratory and epidemiological studies by Prof. Maura Gillison and Dr. Aimee Kreimer established the link between HPV and head-and-neck cancers, which represent an emerging cancer threat expected to be mitigated by HPV vaccination efforts. The achievements of Dr. Douglas Lowy, Dr. John Schiller, Dr. Aimee Kreimer, and Prof. Maura Gillison have already saved millions of lives and will keep lowering the global cancer burden for decades to come. Speaking at the event, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasised that this year's award theme Rising And Thriving is a strong global call for development, in the spirit of solidarity, progress, sharing, creating opportunities for all people and all nations. The VinFuture Prize not only honours outstanding scientific works but also creates valuable dialogues and forums between scientists, businesses and policy makers, from there, new ideas, new approaches, new cooperation models would be opened up and widely spread, said the NA Chairmain. Viet Nam wishes to work with the world's scientific community to promote cooperation in researching common issues of humanity, promote academic exchanges, train high-quality human resources, cooperate in technology transfer and implement green and inclusive development models, added Chairman Man. Man added that Viet Nam will continue to be a reliable and attractive destination for scientists so that creative values can be shared and spread strongly to the international community. In addition to the Grand Prize, the 2025 VinFuture Prizes will also present three Special Prizes, each valued at $500,000, recognising Innovators from Developing Countries, Women Innovators, and Innovators with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields. The 2025 VinFuture Special Prize for Innovators from Developing Countries is awarded to Prof. Maria Esperanza Martinez-Romero (Mexico) for advances in microbial ecology and symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the tropics. Prof. Martinez-Romero has discovered and described numerous new Rhizobium species, significantly expanding scientific understanding of microbial taxonomy and plant-microbe interactions in agriculture. Her work has opened new directions in the study of bacterial-plant symbiosis, with profound implications for sustainable agriculture in resource-limited settings. The 2025 VinFuture Special Prize for Women Innovators is awarded to Prof. Mary-Claire King (USA) for identification of the breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1, laying the foundation for genetic testing, screening programs, and personalised treatment. Her landmark identification of the BRCA1 locus on chromosome 17q21 in 1990, before the human genome was sequenced, is considered a historic milestone, demonstrating the genetic basis of cancer risk and transforming prevention and treatment strategies worldwide. The 2025 VinFuture Special Prize for Innovators with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields has honoured Prof. Venkatesan Sundaresan (USA), Prof. Raphael Mercier (Germany), Dr. Emmanuel Guiderdoni (France), Dr. Imtiyaz Khanday (USA) and Dr. Delphine Mieulet (France) for their innovations in the development of clonal hybrid crops. Hybrid seed production for rice, the staple food for more than half of humankind, is a laborious and costly procedure resulting in a high seed cost. The teams work has enabled rice plants to produce seeds that retain all the superior traits of the parent plant through self-pollination, grounded in new insights into developmental biology and genetics. This groundbreaking research improves yields, reduces seed production costs, and advances sustainable global food security. Sharing his reflections on this years honoured works, Prof. Sir. Richard Friend, Chair of the VinFuture Prize Council, said: The 2025 VinFuture Prize Laureates have made big advances in science that have brought direct benefits to human health and to global sustainable food crop production. From new vaccines and new understanding of genetic susceptibility to disease to new approaches for plant breeding and new protocols for healthy crop growth, these achievements exemplify the power of science driven by compassion and cross-border collaboration - showing that when knowledge serves humanity, it not only deepens our understanding of the world but also strengthens and sustains the very foundations of life itself. The VinFuture Prize 2025 received 1,705 nominations from scientists, research institutions, and technology enterprises worldwide, representing an almost threefold increase relative to the inaugural year. These submissions highlight impactful cross-border research efforts focused on protecting public health, advancing next-generation intelligent materials, addressing climate change, accelerating novel energy solutions, and strengthening global food security frameworks. After five consecutive and widely acclaimed award cycles, the VinFuture Prize has been securing recognition among the worlds most prestigious science and technology awards, receiving 6,132 nominations from nearly 110 countries and territories across five continents and honouring 48 outstanding laureates. The awarded innovations spanning clean energy, artificial intelligence, biomedical technologies, and transformative advances in agriculture are elevating quality of life, strengthening human well-being, and shaping strategic pathways for the future of humanity. VNS HA NOI The Ha Noi-based ong o General Hospital, on December 5, launched its tissue bank on the occasion of its 15th establishment anniversary. This event marks an important step forward for the hospital in developing a tissue transplant network in Viet Nam and improving the quality of eye care, meeting the increasing treatment needs of patients in Ha Noi. Speaking at the event, ong o General Hospital CEO inh Thi Phuong Thuy said that the tissue banks with standardised storage systems and operating procedures and a data management platform will help ensure biosafety, maintain tissue integrity and traceability. This is an important foundation for ong o Hospital to deploy advanced transplantation techniques (including corneal transplantation), shorten waiting times, increase accessibility and improve the reliability of treatment results for patients, said Thuy. Not only corneas, Thuy said, the tissue bank also stores and preserves amniotic membranes from healthy postpartum mothers, a valuable tissue source for treating corneal surface diseases and many complex emergency situations. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Viet Nam currently has more than 300,000 people who are blind due to corneal diseases. Each year, the number of people blind due to corneal diseases increases by 15,000 people. The waiting list for transplants is about 1,000 patients. Although most can restore vision through standard corneal transplants, the tissue source is still limited, not meeting the need for widespread treatment. At the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health o Xuan Tuyen praised the hospital's contributions, especially in the fields of ophthalmology and assisted reproduction, to health care for the capital's people over the past years. ong o General Hospital has promoted and applied modern new science and technology not only to treat domestic patients but also to attract many foreign patients to come for treatment. This is the highlight of ong o Hospital and also a bright spot contributing to promoting the development of Viet Nam's medical tourism model, said Tuyen. The Ministry of Health encourages public and non-public health facilities to apply advanced and modern techniques to limit people from going abroad for medical treatment and attract foreigners to come for medical treatment. This is the first step in forming a model of health care that combines medical care and tourism, according to Tuyen. At the ceremony, ong o General Hospital was awarded the NIDEK Advanced Ophthalmic Technology Center Certificate by NIDEK Corporation (Japan) according to strict Japanese quality standards. ong o General Hospital and Nikko Academy also signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement on the fields of stem cells, corneal transplantation and hospital management. The two sides agreed on long-term cooperation in human resource development, technology transfer and application of advanced medical management models, towards the goal of establishing the first international standard Corneal Transplant Centre in Viet Nam. Over the past 15 years, ong o General Hospital has received and successfully treated hundreds of thousands of patients, from simple cases to complex cases requiring high techniques. ong o Eye Hospital also is a pioneer in Viet Nam in applying modern refractive surgery technologies such as CLEAR and SmartSight or leading technologies in global refractive treatment trends or bladeless cataract surgery such as Femto Cataract. More than 10,000 healthy IVF babies have been born at the hospital in the past 15 years. ong o IVF Centre marks its pioneering position and leading technology with an outstanding success rate when it is in the Top 10 famous brands in ASEAN. VNS HCM CITY HCM City Open University (HCMCOU) on December 6 held a graduation ceremony for 54 students completing the Professional Bachelors Programme in International Trade, a long-standing joint training initiative with the French University of Rouen Normandie. The degree awarded by the University of Rouen Normandie is an internationally recognised European-standard qualification, offering strong prospects for graduates seeking careers in global trade and logistics. Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr Nguyen Minh Ha, rector of HCM City Open University, said the ceremony marked not only an academic milestone but also the growth, resilience and confidence the graduates had gained. The success of this programme reflects the strong collaboration between our university and the University of Rouen Normandie in delivering high-quality international education, he said. Behind every diploma is a family that has believed, supported and walked alongside the students, and the university sincerely honours that contribution. As you step into the world, carry with you openness, integrity and lifelong learning the values that will guide you towards meaningful impact. Representing the University of Rouen Normandie, Alain Nguyen Pierson said the ceremony symbolised a new beginning shaped by the graduates talent and determination. Education, to us, is a bridge between France and Viet Nam, between cultures and generations, and today you stand as the living proof of that vision, he said. Students didnt just study international trade they lived it through real business cases, intercultural experiences and global perspectives. Be proud of your roots in both France and Viet ; they are not your limits but your strengths as you enter an international future. Dr Nguyen Hoang Sinh, acting dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, praised the graduates commitment and readiness for global careers. The students journey has been challenging and demanding, but also deeply enriching and transformative, and today their achievements are truly well-earned. Employability has always been at the heart of our programme, ensuring you are ready to thrive in a fast-changing global economy, he said. The trust in the RouenOU joint programme was not misplaced; it has equipped with the mindset and competencies needed for real-world success. As you step into the next chapter, carry forward the spirit, identity and values of this programme and make us proud. Established in 2018, the RouenHCMCOU joint programme has trained more than 150 graduates. With half of its teaching staff comprising international lecturers and industry experts, the programme emphasises hands-on learning through corporate projects, internships, field trips and case studies, helping students quickly adapt to international working environments. More than 90 per cent of graduates secure professional positions within six months, many at multinational companies in logistics and international trade. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Construction has completed a system of flood-resistant housing designs and proposed long-term infrastructure solutions for central Viet Nam, following the Prime Ministers directive that nearly 1,900 collapsed or swept-away homes must be rebuilt before Lunar New Year 2026. At the regular Government press conference on December 6, Chief of Office Nguyen Tri uc said that although only 60 days remain, the ministry has finalised model designs suitable for rapid reconstruction in disaster-affected areas. Flood-resistant housing guidance was first introduced in 2014 which supported poor households across 13 localities in the north central region and the south-central coastal zone. A circular in 2014 also required each locality to publish at least three model designs meeting structural and disaster-resilience standards, while allowing families flexibility to adjust them. Several localities issued six to eight models, all available on provincial construction department portals. The National Institute of Architecture has also developed 176 standardised safe-housing models from 2007 to 2023. These include designs for typhoon-, flood- and landslide-prone regions, rural housing types and climate-adaptive options suited to sea-level rise. uc said all models comply with technical standards, reflect regional characteristics and have already been used in housing support programmes in areas such as ak Lak, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri and Phu Yen. The ministry has instructed local authorities to work with the National Institute of Architecture to review regional terrain and select appropriate designs as part of the 'Quang Trung Campaign', ensuring reconstruction aligns with rural and regional planning for long-term safety. On infrastructure, uc said that in 2021 the Ministry of Transport now the Ministry of Construction prepared coordinated master plans for all five national transport subsectors: roads, maritime transport, inland waterways, railways and aviation. Climate change and sea-level-rise scenarios were incorporated to guide environmentally sustainable and disaster-resilient development. Under approved plans, central Viet Nam and the Central Highlands will have 11 expressways totalling nearly 1,500 kilometres, 24 major national highways exceeding 4,400 kilometres, 14 airports and 14 seaports with 208 wharves. Inland waterways span 27 routes, and the northsouth railway extends 1,332 kilometres through the region. Two additional airports are being studied to enhance emergency-response capacity. As of now, the region has completed 1,193 kilometres of expressway, with 1,466 kilometres expected by the end of 2025. Most ports, waterways and airports remain operational. While recent extreme weather has caused local landslides and road inundation, engineering standards have generally proved effective. The ministry has proposed updating climate-change scenarios and hydro-meteorological data used in planning and appraisal. It also recommends strengthened scientific research and closer coordination among ministries and localities to ensure synchronised, sustainable solutions that protect communities in an era of increasingly severe natural disasters. VNS Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh, CEO of KNI and Ben Figgis, head of Ardingly College UK Following the elevation of the UK-Vietnam relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, how does this development facilitate the cooperation between KNI and Ardingly College? Oanh: The recent elevation of Vietnam-UK relations has created better conditions for collaboration in many fields, particularly education. It signals strong bilateral trust and opens doors for private education investors like us to work with leading British institutions. We have been investing in education since 2009 with the goal of providing world-class learning environments in Vietnam. Our aim has been to help Vietnamese students access global-quality education without needing to leave the country. Figgis: Certainly, this presents a major opportunity for collaboration in education not only for Ardingly, but also for other British institutions seeking to enter the Vietnamese market. It paves the way for the export of high-quality British education to Vietnam and enables Vietnamese students to access international-standard, UK-based curricula right here at home. Could you please share the main areas of cooperation? Oanh: The cooperation agreement follows an MoU signed on October 30 in London. Under the new agreement, KNI and ACIL will jointly operate a British-standard boarding school in Lao Cai province. Starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, the Canadian International School Lao Cai will be rebranded as Ardingly College Vietnam. The school will cater for students aged 11 to 18, offering both international and bilingual pathways. Day school options will be available for local students, while the boarding programme will welcome students from Vietnam and abroad. Figgis: This agreement reflects a broader opportunity created by the UK-Vietnam strategic upgrade. British schools now have a pathway to expand in Vietnam and offer high-quality, globally recognised initiatives. Ardingly is excited to be part of this trend. Ardingly College Vietnam will become part of our global family, alongside campuses in Zhongshan in China and Astana in Kazakhstan. The school will reflect Ardinglys ethos, curriculum standards, and boarding practices. Why did Ardingly choose KNI as a partner for this venture? Figgis: We chose KNI because of their proven experience in education and their commitment to excellence. Their founders demonstrated genuine passion for education, and theyve built a solid ecosystem in healthcare and hospitality that complements their educational ventures. Moreover, they have strong connections with local authorities, which is critical for a smooth entry into Vietnam. Oanh: Before the pandemic, our team visited 10 British private schools. When we arrived at Ardingly College, we were deeply impressed by the schools holistic boarding model and its academic excellence. The school not only delivers strong academic results but also fosters intellectual, physical, and character development. We knew we had found the right model to bring home. That visit led to several more exchanges, and ultimately, the determination to introduce Ardinglys boarding model in Vietnam. Typically, large-scale boarding school investments are made in major cities. Why did KNI choose Lao Cai as the location? Oanh: We selected Lao Cai not just for its investment incentives, but because it aligns with the philosophy of top boarding schools in the UK. Like Ardinglys peaceful setting in West Sussex, Lao Cai offers fresh air and a calm environment ideal for learning. Our long-term vision is to turn Ardingly College Lao Cai into a regional hub that attracts students from China (especially Guangxi and Kunming), Laos, Cambodia, ASEAN, South Korea, India, and Japan. If the goal is to export education, what challenges do you foresee for Ardingly College Lao Cais boarding model? Oanh: While Vietnam already issues student visas for international university students, there are regulatory gaps for younger boarding students. For example, under-18 students require guardianship policies. We hope authorities will support new regulations to facilitate boarding programmes for international pupils in Vietnam. KNI is a private investment group, while Ardingly operates as a non-profit institution. But we found alignment in our long-term vision. In the UK, many elite private schools reinvest their earnings into improving education rather than profit-making. This principle resonates with KNIs belief that quality education is a lasting investment for the future. What is the greatest source of pride for students attending a British boarding school? Figgis: British boarding schools offer more than academics. They instil leadership, resilience, and a sense of belonging. In our model, older students mentor younger ones. It builds a unique culture of empathy, responsibility, and support. Ardingly also nurtures a spirit of elegance and self-discipline, traits often associated with the British aristocracy. Our goal is to mould well-rounded individuals who are not only academically strong but also socially responsible and emotionally mature. What is the development vision for Ardingly College Lao Cai? Oanh: This is KNIs most ambitious education undertaking to date. We aim to launch in early 2026 and by 2030, we hope Ardingly College Vietnam will be the leading international boarding school in Southeast Asia. Figgis: We believe Ardingly College Vietnam will set a new benchmark for international education in the region. Together with KNI, were planting the seeds for a transformative educational journey for generations to come. Khoi Nguyen Investment partners with Ardingly College to establish the first British boarding school in Vietnam On November 28, in West Sussex (The UK), Ardingly College International Limited (ACIL) the commercial company representing Ardingly College UK and Khoi Nguyen Investment (KNI) Group JSC officially signed a cooperation agreement to establish Ardingly College Vietnam in Lao Cai province. Oxford deepens Vietnam partnerships in healthcare, education, aviation The University of Oxford has strengthened ties with Vietnam through new partnerships in healthcare, education, and sustainable aviation. On December 4, the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee discussed a draft resolution on policies for implementing major projects in Hanoi. Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang presented the key contents of the draft resolution at the meeting. Regarding the authority to approve investment guidelines, the government proposes that Hanoi Peoples Council and chairman of Hanoi Peoples Committee be empowered to decide on or approve such guidelines for public projects, public-private partnership (PPP) ventures, and private-sector schemes without limitations on capital scale, land use, or resettlement requirements that would otherwise fall under the authority of the NA, the government, or the prime minister. When approving guidelines or specific projects that require special mechanisms differing from existing laws, NA resolutions, ordinances, or resolutions, Hanoi Peoples Committee shall, after receiving approval from the competent authorities, report to the government for submission to the NA Standing Committee to permit such mechanisms. The Standing Committee shall then report to the NA at its nearest session. The government proposes allowing the application of investor and contractor selection procedures for projects that must be implemented immediately under directives from competent authorities, undertakings of national importance, and projects intended to engage strategic investors. For ventures requiring immediate implementation under directives from competent authorities, investors may be selected before the competent authority decides or approves the guidelines. Planning procedures and ground-breaking construction activities may be carried out simultaneously, along with procedures for approving guidelines. According to the draft resolution, the city will prepare a single master planning for the capital, concretising national and regional planning and integrating the contents of the Hanois planning and Hanoi amended general planning. Once detailed planning is approved and Hanoi Peoples Council authorises project implementation, Hanoi Peoples Committee may use the citys budget to carry out compensation, support, and resettlement activities before approving investment guidelines as directed by competent authorities. For projects requiring immediate implementation as directed by competent authorities, the municipal Peoples Council may determine compensation, support, and resettlement rates up to twice the normal regulatory levels; for other cases, it may set rates higher than the regulations but not exceeding twice the standard level. To mobilise capital for implementation, Hanoi Peoples Committee is allowed to use the city-level budget surplus to allocate funding to the projects under the resolution. For undertakings requiring immediate implementation under directives from competent authorities, where the capacity of credit institutions or foreign bank branches to syndicate loans cannot meet client demand, these institutions may report to the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, who will decide on the maximum total credit exposure for a customer or a customer group in cases where credit exposure exceeds the statutory limit under credit regulations. New investment projects or renovation works addressing urgent issues such as traffic congestion, flooding, environmental pollution, and urban order may apply emergency public funding mechanisms and emergency construction orders as prescribed by laws on public investment and construction. Additionally, Hanoi Peoples Committee may decide measures for renovating, upgrading, and redeveloping urban areas, including demolition of apartment blocks or residential buildings where one or more structures have been assessed at dangerous levels. For instance, the authority may enforce compulsory demolition when more than 75 per cent of homeowners or land users representing at least 75 per cent of the total land area in the relevant zone express consent. During the discussion session, comments focused on reviewing the scope of application, ensuring consistency within the legal system, and assessing potential risks related to citizens rights, public order, and national finances. On behalf of the government and the drafting agency, Minister Thang stated that the drafting team would thoroughly study and incorporate the instructions of the NA top leaders as well as the opinions of NA Standing Committee members. VinSpeed plans to open Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed railway in 2028 VinSpeed plans to begin construction of the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed railway by the end of this year and start commercial operations in the first quarter of 2028. Hanoi workshop targets market access for women-owned firms A workshop aimed at boosting the competitiveness of female-led businesses was held in Hanoi through a collaboration between the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council and UN Women. The VLCA are an expanded version of the Vietnam Annual Report Awards, co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE), the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), and Vietnam Investment Review. The awards are exclusively sponsored each year by Dragon Capital, along with technical support from professional partners such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Vietnam Institute of Directors (VIOD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and leading auditing firms including PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, and EY, as well as information support from the State Securities Commission and the two stock exchanges. The year 2025 marks an important milestone as Vietnams stock market has been upgraded to emerging market status, opening opportunities to attract high-quality foreign investment flows and strengthening Vietnams position on the regional financial map. Along with this, the issuance of legal regulations in support of the market upgrade continues to improve, helping create a more transparent and professional investment environment aligned with international practices. In this context, the VLCA 2025 continue to affirm their role as an independent evaluation mechanism that encourage listed companies to raise governance standards, increase transparency, and pursue sustainable development. After nearly six months of evaluation and selection, covering more than 500 listed companies on both stock exchanges, the evaluation council selected 50 outstanding companies across three categories: annual report, corporate governance, and sustainability report. The results of VLCA 2025 reaffirm the accuracy and objectivity of the evaluation process. This marks the 18th year that the awards have accompanied Vietnams stock market and the community of listed enterprises. Vu Thi Thuy Nga, deputy general director in charge of the Hanoi Stock Exchange (centre), presented Best Annual Report Award 2025 for Top 10 Financial Group. Photo: Le Toan Nguyen Son, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation, and Nguyen Thi Viet Ha, acting chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (centre), presented the Top 20 Best Annual Reports in the Non-Financial Group. Photo: Le Toan Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi presented the Best Corporate Governance Award 2025 - Top 8 Large Cap. Photo: Le Toan Vu Thi Chan Phuong, chairman of the State Securities Commission (centre), presented the Best Corporate Governance Award 2025 - Top 10 Mid Cap. Photo: Le Toan Luong Hai Sinh, chairman of the Members Council of the Vietnam Stock Exchange (centre), presented the Best Corporate Governance Award 2025 - Top 4 Small Cap. Photo: Le Toan Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi (centre) presented first prize for Sustainable Development Reporting to Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank (HDBank) in the Financial Group category and first prize to Ca Mau Petroleum Fertiliser JSC in the Non-Financial Group category. Photo: Le Toan Dominic Scriven OBE, chairman of Dragon Capital Vietnam Fund Management JSC, presented the award for Best Greenhouse Gas Emissions Disclosure award to Vietnam Dairy Products JSC (Vinamilk). Photo: Le Toan LIST OF AWARD-WINNING COMPANIES IN THE 2025 LISTED COMPANIES SELECTION (Arranged in alphabetical order by stock code) BEST ANNUAL REPORT AWARD 2025 Stock code Name of company Stock Exchange TOP 10 FINANCIAL GROUP 1 ACB Asia Commercial Bank HSX 2 BID Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam HSX 3 CTG Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade HSX 4 MBB Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank HSX 5 MSB Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank HSX 6 PVI PVI Holdings HNX 7 SHB Saigon Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank HSX 8 SHS Saigon Hanoi Securities JSC HNX 9 SSB Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank HSX 10 VPB Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank HSX TOP 20 NON-FINANCIAL GROUP 1 ACG An Cuong Wood Working JSC HSX 2 BCM Becamex Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (Becamex IDC Corp) HSX 3 BFC Binh Dien Fertiliser JSC HSX 4 BMP Binh Minh Plastics JSC HSX 5 CNG CNG Vietnam JSC HSX 6 EVE Everpia JSC HSX 7 GEG Gia Lai Electricity JSC HSX 8 IMP Imexpharm Corporation HSX 9 KHP Khanh Hoa Power JSC HSX 10 NAF Nafoods Group JSC HSX 11 PAN PAN Group JSC HSX 12 PGS Southern Gas Trading JSC HNX 13 PGV Power Generation JSC 3 HSX 14 POW Vietnam Oil and Gas Power Corporation HSX 15 PVD PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Services Joint Stock Corporation HSX 16 STB Thanh Thanh Cong Bien Hoa JSC HSX 17 SMB Sai Gon Mien Trung Beer JSC. HSX 18 STK Century Synthetic Fiber Corporation HSX 19 TCM Thanh Cong Textile Investment Trading JSC HSX 20 VCS Vicostone JSC HNX OUTSTANDING PROGRESS AWARD PDN Dong Nai Port JSC BEST CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AWARD 2025 TOP 8 LARGE CAP 1 DCM Ca Mau Petrochemical Fertiliser JSC HSX 2 FPT FPT Corporation HSX 3 HBD Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank HSX 4 MWG Mobile World Investment Corporation HSX 5 PDV PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Services Joint Stock Corporation HSX 6 SAB Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corporation HSX 7 SSI SSI Securities Corporation HSX 8 VNM Vietnam Dairy Products JSC HSX TOP 10 MID CAP 1 BVH Bao Viet Holdings HSX 2 BSV Bao Viet Securities JSC HSX 3 CTD Coteccons Construction JSC HSX 4 DHG Hau Giang Pharmaceutical JSC HSX 5 IMP Imexpharm Pharmaceutical JSC HSX 6 PAN The Pan Group HSX 7 PVT PetroVietnam Transportation Corporation HSX 8 SBT Thanh Thanh Cong Bien Hoa JSC HSX 9 VDS Viet Dragon Securities Corporation HSX 10 VNR Vietnam National Reinsurance Corporation HNX TOP 4 SMALL CAP 1 EVE Everpia JSC HSX 2 GSP Gas Shipping JSC HSX 3 LBM Lam Dong Minerals and Building Join Stock Company HSX 4 NAF Nafoods Group HSX OUTSTANDING PROGRESS AWARD OCB Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank HSX BEST GENERAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING PAN The Pan Group HSX LIST OF COMPANIES WINING THE 2025 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORTING AWARDS Stock code Name of company Stock exchange Award Finance Group Non-financial Group HDB Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank HSX First Prize BVH Bao Viet Holdings HSX Second Prize VPB Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank HSX Third Prize DCM Ca Mau Petrochemical Fertilizer JSC HSX First Prize VNM Vietnam Dairy Products JSC HSX Second Prize GMD Gemadept Corporation HSX Third Prize VNM Vietnam Dairy Products JSC HSX Best Greenhouse Gas Emissions Disclosure VDS Viet Dragon Securities Corporation HSX Outstanding Progress Award NLG Nam Long Investment Corporation HSX Outstanding Progress Award VLCA 2024 honours corporate governance excellence as listed companies raise the bar The Corporate Governance Excellence Awards 2024, a part of Vietnam Listed Company Awards 2024 (VLCA), recognised 25 listed companies during a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 16. Memphis parents of elementary school students expressed their concerns about a proposed K-8 merger next year due to safety concerns. Interim Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Roderick Richmond recommended in September the transfer of the Lucy Elementary building. It would be moved to the neighboring Millington Municipal School District at the end of this school year. Memphis Parents Concerned Over School Merger The decision was made in order to comply with a 2023 state law and address chronic underenrollment at the school. Additionally, Richmond recommended closing four MSCS schools, a proposal that board members are expected to vote on in February. However, children currently attending Lucy would most likely not be able to transfer to Millington, as they are zoned for MSCS. Furthermore, district leaders said that merging students with Woodstock Middle School would fill empty classroom seats and offer new amenities, such as a renovated gym. Currently, roughly 30 percent of the seats at Lucy Elementary and Woodstock Middle School are in use. Merging the two schools would boost that number to more than 70 percent, according to Chalkbeat. During a Wednesday hearing, MSCS Regional Superintendent Debra Fox-Stanford said they currently have 12 K-8-grade structures. She said that they understand what they need to do to ensure that they get it right for the students. However, some parents are not supportive of the proposal, including Jeffery Porter, who has a daughter in second grade. The father said that last year, an older student gave her a THC-infused gummy candy while on the bus ride home. Other parents said they feel rushed by the proposal's timeline, particularly with open enrollment starting on Jan. 27. Lindsay Patterson said the decision was more about money than the kids, Fox13 Memphis reported. Following a 2023 State Law Several other families also expressed concerns about students' safety, especially with younger kids who share buses and hallways with middle school students. Others left the meeting without clear answers regarding extracurricular programs at Lucy and whether they would move with the students. Local authorities initially floated the idea of school closures in October, with former Superintendent Marie Feagins mentioning the possible consolidation of school buildings within her first week on the job. The law that Richmond referenced in the closure of Lucy required school systems to come to an agreement for the transfer of affected school buildings before January 2023. Both MSCS and Millington signed agreements for the transfer of the school in December 2022, as per Commercial Appeal. Coleg Cambria commended for transformative Tanzania Project Coleg Cambria has been commended for its transformative Tanzania project in a prestigious national awards. It is the second consecutive year that the college has been shortlisted in The British Council Award for Excellence in International Work category at the AoC (Association of Colleges) Beacon Awards 2025/26. Coleg Cambria which operates sites in Wrexham, Deeside, Llysfasi and Northop secured its finalist status thanks to the transformative outcomes of a recent international project in Arusha, Tanzania. The initiative put Health and Social Care students at the centre of a major community education programme supporting children across the region. Across nine intensive days, students delivered comprehensive health and social education to an incredible 4,000 learner attendances, often teaching classes of around 60 children. With two classes running simultaneously and four sessions daily, they reached every primary school year group. Lessons covered vital topics such as infection control, safety, and sexual health content essential to improving long-term public health within the community. Vicky Edwards, Vice Principal of Technical Studies, it was a tremendous honour for the college to make the shortlist. Being shortlisted again is a tremendous honour. Our students demonstrated incredible dedication, empathy, and professionalism throughout their time in Tanzania, said Vicky. Their impact on the community and the personal growth they achieved exemplifies the transformational power of international education. For the students, the project was a powerful learning experience. Many came from underrepresented backgrounds, including young carers, learners with additional needs, and those facing disadvantage. Applying their Level 3 Health and Social Care knowledge in a challenging real-world setting strengthened their resilience, broadened their perspectives, and helped develop essential professional skills. For many, it was their first time travelling abroad and confronting stark social inequalities. Students also raised more than double their fundraising target for the Future Sense Foundation, enabling the construction of seven new school toilets for female pupils at a supported Arusha school, a project tackling gender inequality in education. Lisa Radcliffe, Assistant Principal for Technical Studies at Deeside, added: The students embraced every challenge, stepping far beyond their comfort zones and proving just how capable, compassionate, and committed they are. Their hard work made a genuine difference, and we are immensely proud of everything they accomplished. This latest recognition follows last years success, when the college was shortlisted for impactful work in Vietnam, where students supported women at a social support centre and delivered activities in primary schools. Celebrating their 31st year, the AoC Beacon Awards showcase outstanding innovation and best practice across UK further education. Winners of the 2025/26 awards will be announced in early 2026. Cutting-edge lung cancer treatment now available at Glan Clwyd Hospital A hospital radiotherapy team in north Wales has become one of only three in Wales to deliver cutting-edge, targeted lung cancer treatment. Ysbyty Glan Clwyds North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre (NWCTC) is now providing Lung Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) to patients, a highly precise and targeted treatment that can hit extremely small areas of cancer cells in early-stage lung cancers, where surgery is declined or is not an option due to other health conditions. Previously, the treatment was only available to patients in North Wales if they could travel to Liverpool to receive it. NWCTC recently welcomed Eileen Gerrity, from Gronant, the first patient to be offered the treatment at the hospital. An early-stage lung cancer patient, Eileen was offered the treatment and jumped at the chance to receive it locally to her North Wales home. She is attending five sessions of radiotherapy across a two-week period. The fact I can have this treatment locally, rather than travelling to Liverpool is brilliant. Everyone is so nice here, she said. I have had no after effects at all. The staff are wonderful. They get you fixed up on this machine. Its nothing difficult. Its smashing. SABR is typically delivered as an outpatient appointment in a smaller number of treatments compared with conventional radiotherapy, to those patients who are suitable. The aim is to provide a high dose of radiation to the tumour whilst sparing as much healthy tissue as possible, to minimise side effects. With the addition of Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT), the North Wales team can precisely monitor the patients position, ensuring the treatment gets to the prescribed area. The service was developed through close collaboration between NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (NWJCC), Betsi Cadwaladr UHB, the Clinical Oncology Sub Committee, and SABR clinical leads from Swansea and Velindre. The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, in Liverpool, provided expert clinical advice and mentoring support for the new service. Dr Mazin Sirelkhatim, SABR programme lead and lung oncologist, said: I am delighted to be able to offer this treatment for patients with lung cancer. This is a team effort and I am very grateful to my clinicians, physics and radiographer colleagues for all their support in making this happen. I would also like to extend our thanks to our colleagues at Clatterbridge and South Wales for their ongoing support. I hope that we collaborate on more projects soon. Former stockbroker Eileen praised the overall care she has received from the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, which is celebrating 25 years of service this year. Im quite happy with coming here, she revealed. Ive seen some fantastic doctors, nurses and radiotherapists. When you first arrive, they will answer any questions or worries. That is fantastic, youve got that support. This is an important milestone with the centre opening 25 years ago, principally to provide radiotherapy for the North Wales population, said head of service Dr Christopher Scrase. I am looking forward to further expansion of the SABR programme in the next few years. Melanie Wilkey, NWJCCs director of commissioning specialised services said: Being able to offer SABR locally in North Wales is a significant achievement for cancer services in Wales, it improves access, supports equity and delivers better outcomes for patients. Prior to 2022, SABR treatment was only available at Velindre Cancer Centre. That year Swansea Bay UHB became the second provider. Now Betsi Cadwaladr UHB has joined as the third. This means all three tertiary cancer centres in Wales now deliver SABR. Survivor support charity warns of funding crisis as Wrexham MP calls for government action The Member of Parliament for Wrexham has paid tribute to the work of an organisation offering vital support to survivors of sexual abuse and violence and called for long-term government funding to safeguard its services. Andrew Ranger MP recently visited the King Street office of Stepping Stones North Wales and The Survivors Trust to meet with staff, counsellors and volunteers from the charity, along with the CEO of The Survivors Trust, the UK-wide umbrella organisation for specialist sexual violence support services. During the meeting, the charity highlighted the significant funding challenges currently facing organisations that support adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse across Wales and the wider UK. Stepping Stones North Wales, which provides counselling and support to adult survivors across the region, outlined how rising demand for specialist services is being met with decreasing financial stability, as charitable trusts and foundations increasingly withdraw from funding this critical and complex work. During the discussion, the organisations highlighted the need for multi-year, sustainable funding from both the UK and Welsh Governments to ensure survivors are not left waiting for vital counselling services. They warned that without long-term investment, specialist providers will struggle to provide job security and face the risk of reducing services or closing, leaving survivors without the support they urgently need. Phil Eastment, CEO of Stepping Stones North Wales, said: We were pleased to welcome Andrew Ranger MP to our Wrexham office and to discuss the very real pressures facing specialist services like ours. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse rely on expert, trauma-informed support, yet the funding landscape that sustains these services is increasingly volatile. Multi-year, secure funding is essential if we are to meet demand, retain skilled staff, and ensure survivors are not left without the help they deserve. We are grateful to Andrew for listening to the challenges faced by our sector and for recognising the importance of long-term investment. Following the meeting, Andrew Ranger MP commented: I am grateful to Stepping Stones North Wales and The Survivors Trust for sharing with me the vital nature of the work they do alongside the issues they face with funding every day. I will be seeking clarity from UK Government about long term funding to provide the certainty that these organisations need to ensure that the increasing demand, particularly for counselling, can be met. The Survivors Trust CEO Fay Maxted added: The impact of sexual abuse can last a lifetime and affect every aspect of someones health and wellbeing. Services like Stepping Stones North Wales offer truly life-changing and often life-saving counselling and support to counteract the trauma experienced and allow survivors to live lives free from fear and distress. The team at Stepping Stones North Wales provide an amazing service for survivors and knowing that funding is uncertain adds to the pressures and challenges of their work. Its crucial that secure, long-term funding is in place to ensure survivors can access the support and help they need and deserve. Stepping Stones North Wales and The Survivors Trust will continue working with partners and decision-makers to secure a more stable future for survivor support services across the region and beyond. More information about Stepping Stones North Wales and the support it offers can be found here. Further details about The Survivors Trust can be found here. Unpaid carers left to pick up the pieces of a broken system in Wales Unpaid carers are being left to pick up the pieces of a broken system due to a lack of respite, unsafe hospital discharges and carers assessments that result in nothing at all. The warning came as the Senedds health scrutiny committee began taking evidence for an inquiry on access to support for more than 310,000 unpaid carers across Wales. Chris Kemp-Philp, from Newport, who has been a carer for 33 years, gave up her career to become a full-time carer after her husband medically retired from the civil service in 1990. Ms Kemp-Philp, whose husband died in April, told todays (December 4) meeting: I thought hed been really badly treated The last four months of his life were dreadful for both of us. She was only offered an updated carers needs assessment a right under the 2014 Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act the day after her husband died. Its your problem now Ms Kemp-Philp did not realise she had become a carer at first. But, of course, having lost two incomes and to survive on a half civil service pension wasnt great, she said. She told the committee how the couple shielded during the pandemic, saying: For the past five years, basically, apart from going to a hospital or a medical facility I didnt leave the house because if Id have gone out, I could have brought something home. So, we spent five years literally avoiding people. The experience was unpleasant, I had two great-grandchildren born in that time and I only saw them on video. Ms Kemp-Philp said her husband was pingponged back and forth after unsafe discharges from hospitals in Gwent. He was put in a car by two nurses then she had to get him out on her own at the other end, with clinicians effectively telling her: its your problem now. Every time he was sent home, nobody came to help at all, she said, explaining how she struggled to cope and her husbands death brought a tragic sense of relief. Very, very little help Judith Russell, who moved back to Wales to care for her mother 23 years ago, told Senedd members the responsibility grew greater over the years. Ms Russell, whose mother died last Saturday on the eve of her 102nd birthday, told the committee: Its been my privilege to care for her but I wish other peopleI wish there had been more actual care for her. Thats it. Ms Russell also cares for her husband who has Alzheimers disease, acts as guardian for her disabled sister and cooks every week for her sister-in-law. Its quite a responsibility, she said. My life is taken up with caring. I didnt actually know I was a carer, I cared for my mother because she was my mother I looked after her, of course I did and it wasnt until about three years ago that I identified as a carer. Ms Russell warned: All through this last 23 years, Ive had to fight and struggle to find things out theres very, very little help out there. She said she was given a carers assessment earlier this year but there was nothing they could offer me, quite frankly nothing at all. Society is not there Ms Russell told Senedd members: We had a diagnosis [but] theres no offer of help, there are no directions to find help, somebody to point you you should be doing this, this is available, thats available nothing, youre on your own completely. She joined the Bridgend carers group which opened a door to other people grappling with the same weight of responsibility and helped navigate the system. Ms Kemp-Philp added that joining a similar peer support group saved her life. Ann Soley, who is originally from France and has been living in Wales for eight years, described how life was turned upside down when her British husband had a stroke. She said: We are stressed, we are lost. A lot of carers have lost their friends, that is just unbelievable for me because I realised society is not there there is no compassion. Kaye Williams, who works at Bridgend carers centre and is herself a carer, warned the witnesses experiences are commonplace across the country. Its just very wearing Sue Rendell, from Caernarfon, has cared for her husband who has vascular parkinsonism for nearly 14 years and was waiting for a doctor to call as she gave evidence remotely. She told the committee: You go in in the morning to see if hes still breathing to be honest. Were at the later stages of his disease and its physically demanding, its mentally demanding and its administratively difficult as well its just very wearing. Ms Rendell, who was shattered after a late night caring, said she has tried to get respite but has been told theres nothing available in Gwynedd nor Anglesey for her loved ones needs. She told the committee unpaid carers in Wales are expected to pick up the pieces but nothing much happens after an assessment. Fine words butter no parsnips, she said. Ms Russell added: As carers, we save the government millions and I asked for some help this week actually. Im 258th on the list for a hip replacement and I asked the doctor: as a carer, couldnt I possibly go up the list a little bit? No, were not allowed to do that. Its the only thing Ive ever asked for. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter 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. Patricia Roybal Caballero New Mexico residents who heat their homes with natural gas are being asked to trust the private equity firm Bernhard Capital Partners as it attempts to take over the New Mexico Gas Co. Families are told this buyout will bring investment and efficiency. Yet the public is being asked to rely on those claims without access to the history of the company that wants to control a monopoly utility that serves the majority of households in our state. The companys history was largely barred from evidence at the Public Regulation Commissions recently concluded hearing, leaving behind a seriously deficient case record upon which the PRC must base its decision. That is unacceptable. The PRC has a constitutional duty. It must carefully verify a proposed owners qualifications before New Mexico hands over control of critical services. Verification requires evidence. Evidence comes from testimony, documents and the track record of similar companies owned by the buyer. Known facts about past behavior determine what a company might do with our infrastructure and our wallets. Instead, relevant information has been blocked from public view. Testimony from a utility lawyer with firsthand experience reviewing complaints from ratepayers at a gas company owned by BCP was reduced from 19 pages to two pages. Key exhibits were excluded. Depositions were barred from the record. Even questions about lobbying contracts and political contributions linked to prior acquisitions were shut down. When the history of a company is kept off the record, the commission is left to evaluate the buyout without the most basic tool in public protection: proof of qualifications. Without a history of regulatory compliance, the commission cannot measure risk. Without risk, there is no way to determine whether customers benefit or whether service quality will be harmed. Any approval made under those conditions fails the public interest. That failure falls hardest on working families who cannot absorb higher bills and small businesses that require stable service. New Mexicans deserve an honest evaluation, not blind trust in a multibillion dollar private entity firm that argues that its record is not relevant. Independent investigations have shown that companies connected to BCPs founder, James Bernhard Jr., received no-bid contracts after Hurricane Katrina and after the BP Oil Spill. Audits later found waste, questionable billing and millions spent that did not serve the communities most harmed. None of this history is included in the case record. If the PRC does not act, it will make a decision in this important case without complete information. Transparency is not a burden. It is an obligation that the PRC must insist upon. Without it, regulatory oversight is rendered meaningless and New Mexicans will be left unprotected from utility greed and mismanagement at a time when the basic cost of living is already a burden for so many families in our state. An Alabama teen has pleaded guilty to shooting his mothers unarmed boyfriend earlier this year in Lamar County. Marquese Donshae Gunter, a 19-year-old with strong support from family and online bloggers, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was granted probation and court-ordered anger management treatment, 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Andy Hamlin announced Friday. The victim, Travis Smith, survived the shooting. Questions later arose regarding whether Mr. Gunter acted to protect his mother, Hamlin said. While investigators examined all possible scenarios, the evidence did not support that theory. The shooting happened shortly before 6 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2025. Gunter, Smith and Gunters mother all lived together in an apartment at the time. Sulligent police arrived to find Smith with gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen. He was taken to a hospital in Tupelo where he was treated for serious injuries. Gunter initially fled the scene but later returned with the gun, which he said was stolen. Hamlin said Gunter appeared in court Friday and admitted he shot Smith while Smith was seated on a couch, unarmed and posing no threat to anyone in the home. The admission, the district attorney said, was consistent with the physical evidence found at the scene and matched the video statement Gunter gave to Sulligent police just hours after the shooting. Gunter has been held on $750,000 since his arrest. A GiveSendGo launched to help Gunter and his family raise money for his defense stated, An innocent teenager in Lamar County, Alabama is sitting in jail for defending his mother from domestic violenceInstead of protecting Marquese, the system turned against him. At a bond hearing earlier this week, according to publish reports, the victim asked that the charges against his stepson be dropped. Hamlin said the plea agreement came at the request of Gunters attorneys, who contacted prosecutors following the bond hearing seeking a settlement offer. The district attorney said settlement discussion had previously been contemplated in the case, but were paused pending a court-ordered competency evaluation which stayed all proceedings except bond matters. Once the evaluation was finished and it was determined that Gunter was competent to stand trial, discussions resumed and reached an agreement. Hamlin said the district attorneys office was ready to move forward with a jury trial had a settlement not been reached. He said he was thankful for the officers who responded quickly to the shooting and to the investigators who worked thoroughly to uncover the truth about what happened that day. Hamlin said he was also thankful that the victim survived. This incident could have easily turned into a homicide, he said. I hope the probation and anger management treatment ordered by the court gives Mr. Gunter a real opportunity to move forward while ensuring the public remains safe, Hamlin said. He clearly has a lot of support, and I hope that they will encourage him to stay on a successful path. Harvest Church, shown Dec. 5, 2025, is battling the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church over ownership of the Dothan campus. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com) ggarrison@al.com A United Methodist official testified on Friday in Houston County court that Harvest Church in Dothan is subject to the denominations trust clause even if founding members of the church were unaware of the claim on the churchs property. The conference put on a key witness, the Rev. Jeff Wilson, a former district superintendent who supervised dozens of churches and now serves as a top assistant to United Methodist Bishop Jonathan Holston, who oversees all United Methodist churches in Alabama. Wilson spent most of the day Friday sitting on the witness stand, answering questions about the trust clause and its enforcement. Testimony started Monday, Dec. 1, and continued through Friday in the Houston County Courthouse, where founding members and Pastor Ralph Sigler, the only pastor in the history of Harvest Church, testified that there has never been a trust clause attached to the church that would mean the churchs $15 million campus is held in trust by the United Methodist Church. When Harvest Church in Dothan was founded by Sigler in 1996, he aligned it with the United Methodist Church. When the growing congregation bought a 10-acre campus and built a 1,200-seat worship center, church leadership did not include a trust clause that made the United Methodist Alabama-West Florida Conference an owner of the property. When Harvest Church voted to leave the denomination in November 2022, it didnt think it owed the denomination any money. The United Methodists claim on the property is now on trial. Harvest Church, which has weekly attendance of 1,600, sued the conference in 2022 in an effort to pre-empt claims that the church must pay the United Methodist Church to leave the denomination. Harvest Church left anyway, without paying, saying its connection to the denomination had been minimal for the past 28 years and that the churchs theology had drifted so far to the left that it felt compelled to leave. The case has already been to the Alabama Supreme Court. The United Methodist Church asked for a dismissal, saying it was an internal church matter that could not be ruled on by a secular court. Harvest Church argued it was a property issue subject to state law and could be ruled on by the courts. The State Supreme Court deemed it was a property case and sent it back to Houston County, where Judge Christopher Richardson has presided over the trial that could be the beginning of dozens of such trials across Alabama, as the conference has shown a willingness to fight each departing church for its property in court. Many of the churches who have sued say the conference stalled their departure before a deadline for churches to disaffiliate. More than 40 churches sued as a group. That case was dismissed by the Supreme Court as dealing too much with internal church law, but individual churches have been allowed to proceed based on state property law claims. Ryan French, an attorney for Harvest Church, noted that from 1998-2013, the church filled out reports to conference trustees in which the church checked a box saying there was no trust clause attached to the property. It does not appear anyone objected, French said. French pressed Wilson on why the conference did not challenge the churchs answers. There was a great deal of trust among our churches, Wilson said. French also noted that the Book of Discipline said at the time that churches shall have United Methodist Men and United Methodist Womens and Church School groups, but Harvest never had those. Theres no indication that the conference seems to be worried about it, French said. Wilson said he wasnt aware that it was mandatory, and leeway was given to those requirements depending on the churchs situation as long as it was trying to carry out ministries that served that purpose. Churches are encouraged, Wilson said. Programs are available at various levels of the church. District superintendents rely on senior pastors such as Sigler to know the Book of Discipline and inform their church about its requirements, Wilson said. Not all churches have an equal or exact way of fulfilling the mission. French noted that for 28 years, Harvest Church had never truly operated in compliance with the Book of Discipline in five or six significant ways, including a membership vow that included mention of the United Methodist Church, and asked if there had ever been a conference official who had ever informed the church it was in violation. I am not aware of any, Wilson said. The district superintendent would work with the senior pastor. Although legal documents refer to Harvest Church as United Methodist, the church never advertised itself as United Methodist, such as using the denominations cross and flame logo, French said. It is not my understanding that the cross and flame is required, Wilson said. French asked if the United Methodist Church considered a congregations property as held in trust by the denomination, even if no members of the church were aware that it was a United Methodist church. Held in trust, thats correct, Wilson said. French asked if mattered that people at the church didnt realize it was United Methodist-affiliated. Even if no one is aware? he said. No one other than the United Methodist Church, Wilson said. Even now, Harvest Church is considered still a member church by the denomination, and Sigler is still officially considered United Methodist clergy, part of the denominations pension and health insurance programs, Wilson said. The church pays for premiums, but when the church stopped contributing on Siglers pension plan a year ago, the conference began contributing because the conference is responsible for the payments if the church doesnt make them, Wilson said. We made contributions on his behalf, Wilson said. We continue to make those contributions on Rev. Siglers behalf. French asked that if Harvest Church took out a mortgage, and didnt pay it, would the conference be responsible for the payments. Wilson said that if the property was transferred to the conference trustees, the mortgage would accompany it. French pressed on if the church signing a mortgage made the conference liable for it as well. I dont know the answer to that question, Wilson said. Northcutt asked about Harvest Churchs participation in contributions to the conference budget. Harvest was very faithful with its apportionments for many years, Wilson said. Bob Northcutt, attorney for the conference, followed up by asking Wilson the background of the trust clause. United Methodist founder John Wesley instituted it to enforce his clergy appointment system, so that churches would have to abide by appointments. The trust clause is linked to right doctrine, Wilson said. Theres nothing about a local United Methodist church that is autonomous. The trust clause is inextricably intertwined with doctrine, Wilson said. Wilson was asked when he found out Sigler no longer considered himself clergy of the United Methodist Church. In the trial this week, when I heard he is no longer United Methodist, Wilson said. He had not previously surrendered his credentials, he said. He is clergy and an elder in good standing, Wilson said. When Northcutt mentioned a United Methodist Judicial Council ruling on enforcing the trust clause, French objected, saying the churchs doctrinal rulings were irrelevant in a state property case. Dont bring in hearsay opinion, French said. Since the case had teetered on the borderline of internal church law and state property law from the beginning, the lawyers tried to hash out guidelines. Theres other litigation, Northcutt noted, referring to the dozens of other churches with similar legal claims. The church is now independent, though Siegler said he has always considered it part of the Methodist Holiness movement, emphasizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It always has been on the conservative end of Methodist theology, he said. The Harvest case, a bench trial with no jury, will continue next week. Nationwide, over the past five years, more than 7,600 congregations left the denomination 5,600 in 2023. Thats about a fourth of all United Methodist churches. Many left under 2019 guidelines that made it possible for churches to negotiate to leave and take their property with them until the end of 2023. In Alabama, more than half of United Methodist congregations disaffiliated about 555 churches. Most of those departures have taken place since 2022. The United Methodist General Conference voted in May 2024 to reverse its longstanding bans on gay marriage and ordination of LGBTQ clergy, a change many of the departing churches anticipated and opposed. Hughes Drug Store was the site of the first Christmas Capers in Madison, a holiday tradition that continues today. Leada Gore Today, Madison, Alabama, is a booming city with almost 65,000 residents and seemingly three times that many vehicles. In the 1920s and 30s, however, the town was a small dot on the map of North Alabama with a population hovering around 430 people. Like much of Alabama at the time, the area was primarily agricultural, with farming being the most common way of earning a living. There were few businesses in town, so anyone needing something headed to the handful of stores that dotted downtown. One of the most popular destinations was the drug store - a combination hardware and grocery shop that served as a place for medical advice when needed. It was during this time that drugstore owner George Walton Doc Hughes had an idea albeit an unusual one. What if he climbed on top of his drugstore on Christmas Eve and dropped live guinea fowl to the shoppers below? Each of the birds would have a small prize or gift attached to its leg but, as the weekly newspaper Madison Record described it, the event took place amid the Great Depression, making the hen itself a prize. It was marketing of the most basic kind, although it didnt end well for most of the birds. The annual event, dubbed the Madison Christmas Capers, drew crowds to downtown, all ready to win a prize or catch their dinner. And it was quite a scene. The hens (turkeys were sometimes used), according to the accounts, had a way of flying every which way and theres even one story of over-eager attendees destroying a downtown fence as they scrambled after the birds. Hughes, who served as the small towns mayor from 1944-1949 and whose family gave their name to Hughes Road, continued the tradition for years until his death on Christmas Day 1976. The Christmas Capers became a part of Madison lore until it was revived in 2019 for the citys 150th birthday. That year, the live chickens were replaced with rubber ones and Hughes grandsons, Walt and Larry, climbed onto the old drug store to toss the chickens, coupons and prizes to the crowd below. Doc Hughes idea continues today and brings hundreds of people to downtown. This years Madison Christmas Capers, sponsored by the city and the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society, is Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. on Main Street. Adding to the fun will be Christmas carols by the Madison City Community Orchestra and hot chocolate and cookies from the Madison Rotary Club. Downtown itself is decorated for the holidays with oversized Christmas cards and a pathway of themed trees. Doc would have been proud. Other holiday events include: Madison Roundhouse Christmas Open House Sponsored by the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 3-4:30 p.m. Madison City Community Orchestra Christmas Concert on Sunday Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. at Madison Methodist Church on Church Street. Madison City Christmas Parade Christmas Cartoon Classics sponsored by the city of Madison on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. on Hughes Road. As 2025 comes to a close, AL.com is bringing you the stories that make us smile and warm our hearts. In the series 31 Days of Good News, youll hear about the helpers, community leaders and organizations making Alabama better. If you have an idea for a story, email us at news@al.com. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., attends a hearing on abducted Ukrainian children on Dec. 3, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag Alabama U.S. Sen. Katie Britt this week repeated her concerns about what Alabamians are paying for electricity, even as Alabama Power announced a two-year rate freeze. Im concerned that Alabama has the highest power rates in the Southeast,1819 News quoted Britt as saying this week. That was the same comment she made earlier in November. As we work diligently to roll back regulation and unleash energy dominance, I will continue to be focused on working with local and state partners to drive down energy costs for hardworking families across our state, Britt told 1819 News on Tuesday. Efforts by AL.com to reach Britts office for comment on the rates were not successful. Her comments came after the Alabama Public Service Commission approved a proposal by Alabama Power to keep in place certain rates related to fuel charges, and to delay until 2028 any adjustment to rates dealing with its acquisition of the 895-megawatt gas-fired Lindsay Hill Generating Station. This came after the utility announced a nearly two percent rate reduction in 2025. Providing stability for ratepayers is one of our highest priorities, and this proposal delivers exactly that, said APSC President Cynthia Lee Almond. In a statement following the PSC decision, Alabama Power Executive Vice President Moses Feagin said the company knows budgets are tight, and power bills are a real concern for many families and businesses. This commitment gives customers more certainty and predictability around electric rates at a time when many other household and business costs are rising, he said. Since 2017, Alabama Power has reduced operating expenses by about $100 million despite the cost of equipment, such as transformers, poles and wires, increasing significantly during this time. We will not waiver in our efforts to strengthen the energy grid and invest in smart, storm-resilient infrastructure, so customers receive the reliable service they deserve in communities across our state. Alabama Power declined commenting beyond this earlier statement. Britts Republican colleague, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, praised Alabama Power and said the state must focus on cutting regulations as it moves toward energy dominance. Britt used the same phrase in her statement but said she plans to work on costs for consumers. As we work diligently to roll back regulation and unleash energy dominance, I will continue to be focused on working with local and state partners to drive down energy costs for hardworking families across our state, she said. Its not the first time Britt has made such statements. In November, commenting on a proposed data center in Bessemer, she voiced similar concerns. Ive been told that its not going to raise rates and I want to know is that commitment for the long term. I want to make sure that we are making life more affordable for Alabamians, Britt said. We have the highest power rates in the Southeast. I think that is unacceptable. Britts comments then came in response to the rezoning of land for an 18-building hyperscale data center campus, known as Project Marvel, on mostly timber land off Rock Mountain Lake Road in Bessemer. At that time, Alabama Power said large-load customers like data centers will have to cover their own costs. This ensures those customers pay the full, fair cost to serve their needs and safeguards other Alabama Power customers from any negative impacts as a result, the company said. Full, fair cost to serve means large-load customers pay the costs they create such as dedicated facilities, delivery, and any customer-specific capacity obligations. Those agreements also include terms like minimum-bill provisions and minimum-term lengths that manage risk and maintain parity for all customers. A puppy in Prattville has a new nickname after surviving a Saturday morning car accident, then being temporarily adopted by first responders who rescued her owners. Prattville, Ala. Fire Department A puppy in Prattville has a new nickname after surviving a major auto accident on Saturday morning, then being temporarily adopted by the first responders who rescued her owners. Firefighters have added Lucky to little Lucys name after they brought her back to the station for safe shelter until her owners are well enough to reunite with their pet. PFD units responded and took good care of Lucys family who need our prayers as they have serious injuries, the fire department posted on its Facebook page. After Lucys family was transported, our firefighters brought her back to the station where shes been given a good bath, a meal, and a warm bed until her family can come pick her up. Firefighters urged continued thoughts and prayers for the family. The social media post and photos generated an outpouring of support, and praise for the fire department. Prayers for the family, and for a quick recovery!, one poster wrote. Thank YOU Prattville Fire Department for caring for Lucy! I know this means so much to her family. Prattville is so fortunate to have caring and compassionate firefighters! MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Dr Martin Luther King Jr speaking before crowd of 25,000 Selma To Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers, in front of Montgomery, Alabama state capital building. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images) Getty Images The Donald Trump administration has changed which holidays qualify for free entrance to national parks, removing two holidays celebrating Black people and adding the presidents birthday. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an annual federal holiday that happens on the third Monday of January, close to the civil rights leaders Jan. 15 birthday. Historically, its been the first fee-free day of the year for national parks, which waive entrance fees several days a year. Now, visitors to the 116 parks that charge entrance fees will no longer get in for free on MLK Day or on Juneteenth, a federal holiday on June 19 that celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. They will, however, on Trumps June 14 birthday, which was added to the list this year. Parks charge admission fees that range from $3 to $30, according to the National Park Service. This policy shift is deeply concerning, said Tyrhee Moore, the executive director of Soul Trak Outdoors, a nonprofit that connects urban communities of color to the outdoors. Removing free-entry days on MLK Day and Juneteenth sends a troubling message about who our national parks are for. These holidays hold profound cultural and historical significance for Black communities, and eliminating them as access points feels like a direct targeting of the very groups who already face systemic barriers to the outdoors. Moore said his organization works to push back against these kinds of systemic attempts that disguise exclusion as administrative or political decisions. Policies like this reinforce inequalities around access and visibly show how systems can create obstacles that keep communities of color from feeling welcomed in public spaces, he said. Other free entrance days in 2026 include Presidents Day (Washingtons Birthday), Memorial Day, Independence Day weekend, the 110th birthday of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelts birthday and Veterans Day. Along with MLK Day and Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day and the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act were also removed. The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service did not respond to questions about why MLK Day is no longer included. We condemn the omission of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday, Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day, and the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act as Free Entrance Days, said Olivia Juarez, the public land program director for the nonprofit GreenLatinos, in a statement. ... These observances are patriotic days that celebrate freedom and safety in the outdoors. They should be celebrated as such by removing a simple cost barrier that can make parks more accessible to low income households. In 1994, Congress designated MLK Day as a National Day of Service, encouraging Americans to do community service to honor King and his commitment to racial equity. In the past, the Park Service has hosted volunteer events on MLK Day in addition to providing free entrance to the parks. That has included volunteers weeding and pruning at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park; planting native plants at Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas; removing graffiti from an overlook at Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas; and picking up litter at Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. The Park Service has celebrated King in the past, with one agency website stating: The National Park Service preserves the stories of Dr. Kings life and its profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement in our national parks and in communities across the country through the work of our programs and partnerships. Why is MLK day not worthy of a fee free day anymore? wrote Kati Schmidt, the communications director for the National Parks Conservation Association, in an email. That has become a day of service through out the country as well as celebrating an American hero who has several park units celebrating his legacy. Park Service sites recognizing Kings contribution to American history and the Civil Rights Movement include the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, which offers ranger-led tours of where he was born and where he worked as a pastor. Georgia is also home to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama commemorates a famous voting rights march that King led in 1965. King is also honored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. (The nearby Lincoln Memorial, managed by the Park Service, is where King delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech.) The change comes at a time when the Trump administration has tried to police negative history in national parks. On May 20, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told park officials to display signs encouraging visitors to report information in parks that seemed negative about either past or living Americans. In June, such signs went up at Manzanar National Historic Site, a prison camp where more than 10,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. An exhibit that talked about colonial violence against the Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo peoples, the original stewards of the area, was removed from Muir Woods National Monument this summer. But acts of resistance are popping up, too. An online group of historians is archiving signs that may be at risk of removal before theyre gone. And hundreds of park visitors have used the QR codes intended for reporting negative history to instead submit comments in support of the Park Service. 2025 SFGate, San Francisco. Visit www.sfgate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. English News A closer look at China's 'appropriate forward planning' for new infrastructure development Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 3 Decembre 2025 "During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China must ensure that the supply of new infrastructure -- its capacity, regional distribution, technological sophistication, implementation schedule, and scale -- keeps pace with evolving development needs, creating a virtuous cycle of supply and demand," Xiang added. By Wang Junling China is home to the world's largest high-speed railway, expressway, and postal express delivery networks, as well as the world's biggest and most extensive digital infrastructure. This increasingly modernized infrastructure system has supported rapid economic and social development, improving public services and enhancing everyday life. Looking ahead to the next five years, how will China advance its infrastructure development? According to the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, new types of infrastructure will be built with appropriate forward planning; information and communication networks, the national integrated computing network, major science and technology infrastructure, and other key systems will be further developed and used intensively and efficiently; traditional infrastructure will be upgraded and retrofitted with digital and intelligent technologies. This marks the first time a Five-Year Plan recommendation explicitly incorporates the concept of "appropriate forward planning" for new infrastructure. What does this concept entail, and how will China implement it? As technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, 5G, and digital twin become deeply embedded in daily life and economic activity, China has made significant strides in developing information infrastructure, integrated infrastructure, and innovative infrastructure. These new foundations underpin the digital economy, accelerate the modernization of traditional infrastructure, and support scientific and technological innovation. According to Huang Qunhui, a research fellow at the Institute of Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, many sectors, including scientific research, transportation, energy, water conservancy, and communications, face strong demand for digital, intelligent and green upgrades amid a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. Among these, digital-intelligent infrastructure such as next-generation communication base stations, high-performance computing equipment, and ultra-large storage systems has become central priorities. Zhang Liqun, a research fellow at the Development Research Center of China's State Council, highlights the public good nature of infrastructure, in contrast to the exclusivity of ordinary commodities. In this context, "appropriate forward planning" implies that government investment in emerging infrastructure, such as communication networks, computing capabilities, and scientific research platforms, must stay ahead of evolving societal needs to ensure public services are both proactive and resilient. "For example, the growth of emerging industries and the upgrading of traditional industries rely on services like real-time communication and artificial intelligence enabled by traditional infrastructure," Zhang added. "Government-led investments must anticipate demand to close critical gaps in a timely manner." Infrastructure development is a complex undertaking that encompasses policy, funding, planning, and technology, requiring coordinated, well-designed implementation. According to Xiang Aibing, director of the transport integration and innovation research center at the Institute of Comprehensive Transportation of China's National Development and Reform Commission, despite tremendous progress, China still faces structural weaknesses in new infrastructure and in meeting the higher standards of quality development and public expectations. Challenges persist in central and western regions and in special zones, where full coverage of gas pipeline and mobile communication network is lacking. Rural areas still struggle with "last-mile" connectivity, and integration across transport, energy, and digital infrastructure remains insufficient. "The term 'appropriate' reflects the need for infrastructure development to align with the pace of economic and social development, while 'forward-looking' emphasizes its guiding and enabling function," Xiang noted. "During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China must ensure that the supply of new infrastructure -- its capacity, regional distribution, technological sophistication, implementation schedule, and scale -- keeps pace with evolving development needs, creating a virtuous cycle of supply and demand," Xiang added. The resulting improvements in public services and growing market opportunities are drawing increasing attention from enterprises. Li Qian, chairwoman of Net Zero, a tech firm based in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, said: "New infrastructure creates substantial opportunities for business expansion. We are making sustained investments, with appropriate forward planning, in computing power infrastructure to position ourselves for rising demand." Lunkr Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., the world's first commercial company supporting the IETF multilingual email standard, provides digital solutions for clients in Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Zambia, and other countries. Wu Xiucheng, executive vice president of the company, noted that advancing new infrastructure with appropriate forward planning during the 15th Five-Year Plan period is a strategic move that enables digital industry growth and fosters new technologies and business models. "Going forward, we will scale up our AI-driven products and services to better capitalize on emerging opportunities in email systems and cybersecurity," Wu added. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News World's first low-altitude wind tunnel launched in S China Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 3 Decembre 2025 Looking to the future, the Shensi Lab plans to develop an even larger low-altitude environmental simulation facility, with an outer chamber diameter of 65 meters and an inner chamber diameter of 45 meters. This facility will support studies, validation, and testing for medium- and large-sized low-altitude aircraft, including drone swarms, with wingspans of up to 17 meters. Once completed, it will complement the existing wind tunnel, forming a complete testing ecosystem for the development of low-altitude aircraft. By Lyu Shaogang, People's Daily For more than a century, humanity has pursued the dream of flight. Traditionally, aircraft have primarily operated in the stratosphere or over open areas, where airflow conditions are relatively straightforward. However, with the rise of the low-altitude economy, the troposphere below 1,000 meters above the ground is fast becoming a key arena for future transportation and industrial transformation. Recently, the world's first low-altitude wind tunnel facility was completed and inaugurated in Longhua district of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province. Inside the state-of-the-art facility, 81 high-powered fans generate powerful gusts while a quadcopter drone undergoes rigorous testing, shaking under simulated level-8 wind conditions. Real-time data from load sensors feed directly into monitoring screens, offering valuable insights. Developed by the Shensi Lab of the Shenzhen Institute for Advanced Study, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, the facility is being hailed as the "ultimate test field" for low-altitude aircraft. Low-altitude aircraft face significant engineering challenges due to the complex environmental conditions of the troposphere. According to Yang Jun, head of the Shensi Lab, "Commercial aircraft typically operate in the stratosphere, around 10,000 meters, where wind directions are more uniform. In contrast, the wind patterns in the troposphere are highly variable, with severe convective weather making flights below 1,000 meters particularly difficult." Despite these challenges, the troposphere is vital for emerging applications, including logistics delivery, emergency response, and urban transportation. The aviation industry has long adhered to the principle: "No wind tunnel, no flight." Since the Wright brothers built their first wind tunnel in 1901, wind tunnels have played an essential role in flight testing. Yet, among over 1,000 wind tunnels worldwide, few are capable of replicating the dynamic, complex atmospheric conditions of low-altitude urban environments. To evaluate the wind resistance and flight performance of low-altitude aircraft in turbulent, real-world conditions, engineers have often had to rely on chasing storms. To address this gap, the Shensi Lab developed the world's first low-altitude wind tunnel facility capable of precisely simulating urban wind conditions, including street-canyon winds, heat island effects, wind shear, and downbursts. This provides scientific support for defining safe operational boundaries for low-altitude aircraft. The facility consists of two chambers: an outer chamber with a diameter of 18 meters and an inner chamber measuring 10 meters. Aircraft with wingspans up to four meters can be tested for aerodynamic characteristics, flight-control performance, and safety across a range of scenarios including vertical takeoff and landing, cruising, and hovering. The wind tunnel features a "fan matrix" design, incorporating three fan arrays arranged in different directions, along with a bottom-flow array. It can generate wind speeds of up to 60 meters per second, with a response time of under two seconds. Additionally, the facility can control temperature and humidity and simulate rain, snow, and hail, offering a comprehensive reproduction of urban low-altitude weather for safety testing. Since its launch, the wind tunnel has supported the research and development of small and micro low-altitude aircraft for several companies. Looking ahead, low-altitude aviation holds vast development potential. Imagine booking a "custom flight" to travel 100 kilometers in just half an hour at speeds of 200 to 300 kilometers per hour. Envision commuting not by walking down to the street but by taking off from the rooftop. Point-to-point urban travel, once thought to be the stuff of science fiction, may soon be a reality. "The low-altitude economy is not about isolated technologies. It depends on the coordinated efforts of the entire industrial chain," Yang said. With no unified global standards yet established for urban low-altitude flight, original research is necessary to create independent scientific and industrial systems, positioning China to become a global leader and standard-setter in this field. Looking to the future, the Shensi Lab plans to develop an even larger low-altitude environmental simulation facility, with an outer chamber diameter of 65 meters and an inner chamber diameter of 45 meters. This facility will support studies, validation, and testing for medium- and large-sized low-altitude aircraft, including drone swarms, with wingspans of up to 17 meters. Once completed, it will complement the existing wind tunnel, forming a complete testing ecosystem for the development of low-altitude aircraft. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) SHANGHAI, Dec. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From December 4 to 7, Assembly Character Toys brand Blokees made its first debut at Brazil Comic Con Experience (CCXP). Blokees exhibited its two major categories "Blokees Model Kits" and "BLOKEES WHEELS", with nearly 60 products based on over 10 world-renowned IPs including Transformers, Jurassic World, Saint Seiya, EVANGELION. At CCXP, the Saint Seiya GALAXY VERSION 03 Gold Zodiac was officially announced for a world premiere, meeting the Brazilian market's anticipation. This new set included 9 characters with rich expressions and detailed Golden Cloths. It vividly recreated the classic original work, sparking fan recognition and enthusiasm for collecting all the twelve Golden Saints. Saint Seiya was commercialized by Blokees through HERO 10 and Champion series in 2024. At CCXP, three grey models, three painted models, and two already-released models from Blokees' Saint Seiya Champion series were officially first revealed. Leveraging its strong R&D capabilities and over 500 patents, Blokees has released 3 series for HERO 10 and nearly ten characters for Champion series, continuously providing Saint Seiya fans with diverse products and experience of assembly. Furthermore, globally renowned IPs such as Transformers also boasted a large and solid fan base in Brazil. At CCXP, nearly 10 new products from Blokees made their debuts, including Transformers HERO 5 for consumers aged 6 to 16 and Legend series for consumers aged over 16. At CCXP, Blokees also exhibited outstanding global works from THE 3RD BFC CREATION CONTEST 2025 FEARLESS SEASON, which was the first offline appearance of BFC works of this season, attracting the attention of the audience. Since 2025 FEARLESS SEASON, the BFC contest has officially expanded from China to the world, and has received hundreds of works submitted by enthusiasts from various countries including the US, the UK, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc, indicating the global influence of BFC culture. In the future, Blokees will continue to leverage its strong innovation and R&D capabilities, deliver the joy of assembling. SOURCE Blokees I used to believe that Democrats had limits. Recent events have forced me to accept a different reality. Democrats really have no limits. They happily accepted USAID money laundered through foreign agents. They yelled, but werent all that unhappy when USAID was eliminated. It was just one pathway to taxpayer money. They had Somali agents in Minnesota diverting billions (with a B) to terrorist organizations, most likely with a bit of backsheesh diverted to support local Democrat operations. It was so obvious and outrageous that even the New York Times has reported on it. And now several outlets are reporting that current Minnesota governor and former would-be V.P. Walz was in on the grift. At the same time, ordinary Americans have simply been working hard, trying to make ends meet, with no spare time to be concerned with this sort of corruption. After all, we have various law enforcement agencies to prosecute wrongdoers, and they will prevent this from getting out of hand. Wrong! Put bluntly, evil, like rust, never sleeps. Unless we work tirelessly to remove the options for evil to operate, we are doomed. The moment Democrats control all three branches of government, they will nuke the filibuster, pack the Supreme Court, and destroy our rights. Free speech will be limited to governmentally approved talking points, and all dissent will be hate speech. If you have any doubts about this, consider England. The English constitution supposedly protects free speech, but over 12,000 people have been arrested for simple online speech, and positions contrary to government policy land people in prison. The Second Amendment will become a guarantee that only the government can have guns, and no civilian will be allowed to have them. Jon Richelieu-Booth, an I.T. consultant from West Yorkshire, discovered that simply posting a photo of himself holding a firearm was enough to get arrested. It didnt matter that he was on holiday in the U.S. Every other part of our Bill of Rights will be eviscerated. Miranda rights will go away, and your phone will be tapped without a warrant if you oppose the government. If you havent been paying attention, recall that the left shouts Free Luigi Mangione!, supporting a feral animal who murdered an insurance executive in cold blood. Charlie Kirks assassination in front of the world is somehow a declaration of freedom from oppression and a cause for rejoicing. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) refuses to condemn the cold-blooded shooting of National Guard members in D.C. They dedicated their lives to protect us. Instead, she celebrates that she is representing Somalia instead of a district in the U.S. This list includes only a few cherry-picked items. It is virtually impossible to look at our uncivil discourse without finding dozens more. And Democrats egg them on. Even a $5-million theft of taxpayer money by U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) is ignored. The left thinks it has a divine right to do anything it wants while demanding that sane Americans pay homage. Leftists fully believe that there will never be any piper to pay. This brings us to a key point. Evil is not tolerated by the left; it is celebrated. The very concept of shame no longer exists for leftists. And if one of theirs falls, either by defensive gun use or judicial fiat, that person is either a martyr for the cause or expendable. It cant happen to me. They dont actually think its impossible, but they no longer have the intellectual capacity to comprehend that there might be personal consequences to their actions. Man-in-the-street interviews show they certainly lack the functional brain power to even identify the objects of their protests. Murdering conservatives has no import to leftists since they have no more respect for our humanity than a neighbors dog. If you have any doubt that Democrats dont think you are human, you arent listening to them. Their cat is more valuable than you are, and they told you so. Believe them! The left does not regard you as a citizen. You are a subject. As Barack Obamas consigliere Valerie Jarrett said, we will be ready to rule on day one. I know this sounds extreme, but we simply cannot ignore the truth. Charlie Kirk knew that some were savable and could be engaged. This was intolerable to the left, so he was killed. We should not give up hope for converting those few. For the rest, the moment they cross the line into criminality, we must be certain that their evil does not go unpunished. At the same time, we cannot wait for the evil to arrive. Delay will allow parts of it to become irreversible. We must be proactive. Leftists know that they must crush us by any means necessary before we act to protect freedom. This means that abolishing the filibuster is an absolute certainty the moment they gain control of the Senate and House. (They might wait for the Oval Office as well.) Once the filibuster is gone by Democrat hands, America is sunk, unless we act first. If we abolish the filibuster while we still have all three elected branches, then we can pass true election integrity laws. This will once for all time abolish the ability of the left to steal elections. True Americans dont support open borders, stealing my labor to support trans theater productions or promote vile sexual material in schools. But they have done it again and again, both by surreptitious computer manipulation and fraudulent mail-in ballots. Our fix must follow the Powell Rule. It must be done rapidly, with overwhelming force. All election offices must open their records to allow proper purging of phony registrations. Without phony registrations, the Democrats cant stuff ballot boxes with truckloads of phony ballots like they did in the Midwest in 2020. The elimination of astroturf voters will make some deep blue districts competitive, and some purple districts will turn red. Next, we must abolish mail-in voting for anyone able to come to the polls. And photo ID must be presented. State laws to the contrary will be nullified due to the Supremacy Clause. Other reforms are possible. But the only way to achieve a free and stable America is to abolish the filibuster so that we can abolish evil Democrat election fraud. Unfortunately, that takes Republicans with a spine, and Im not hopeful that enough exist. We cant be afraid that Democrats might nuke the filibuster and run roughshod over us. Given the chance, they will. But if we recognize that truth and use it for freedom, we have a chance to protect America for the foreseeable future. Failure is not an option. Ted Noel is retired physician who posts on social media as Doctor Ted. His occasional Doctor Teds Prescription podcast is available on multiple podcast channels. Image via Pexels. Yesterday (December 5), the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review on the merits one of the federal district court injunctions issued against President Trumps Executive Order ending Birthright Citizenship. This is an important constitutional case where our group, Gun Owners of America, has filed several amicus briefs this year opposing Birthright Citizenship, and some may not understand why gun owners have a strong interest in this case. For many decades, our federal government has assumed that anyone born in the country is a citizen based on a peculiar doctrine known as Birthright Citizenship. President Trump was the first President to challenge this assumption by issuing an Executive Order entitled Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship. Predictably, that Order drove the left crazy, and numerous open borders groups rushed into various federal district court and obtained injunctions from leftist judges against the Executive Order. Quite obviously, the courts where cases were filed were carefully chosen by the open-borders crowd to get favorable rulings. Over 100 such injunctions have been issued against President Trumpnot all in this case--during the first six months of his Administration, although the Supreme Court has stayed many of them. The issue that now will be decided by the Supreme Court is: should every person born on U.S. soil, even if born to parents from other countries who owe no allegiance to the United States, be automatically entitled to the full benefits of U.S. citizenship? What interest do Second Amendment rights organizations have in asking the Court to review a case that deals with immigration and birthright citizenship? The answer is simple, and goes to the heart of who, precisely, constitutes the People whose right to keep and bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment. Graphic: Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States. Wikimedia Commons. Howard Chandler Christy. Public Domain. A nation is defined by those who pledge loyalty to it, not by those who happen to be traveling through or are illegally present. It certainly does not include women who cross borders for the sole purpose of obtaining a different citizenship for their child. Citizenship must reflect genuine allegiance and lasting connection, or it becomes a benefit without a corresponding obligation. And the rights uniquely reserved by the framers of our Constitution for citizens particularly the Peoples right to keep and bear arms are weakened when they apply to aliens, particularly illegal aliens. The Trump Executive Order simply reaffirms a principle that was once widely understood but has been steadily obscured: citizenship is not an accident of geography, but a mutual relationship with benefits and burdens. It reflects a solemn bond of allegiance. The Executive Order directs federal agencies not to treat as U.S. citizens those born here to parents who are neither American citizens nor lawful permanent residents. This policy aligns precisely with the text and original understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Fourteenth Amendment states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States. That second phrase, subject to the jurisdiction thereof, is not a throwaway clause. It was deliberately inserted to exclude from automatic citizenship those who owe allegiance to another country. Opponents of the Executive Order assume that this phrase excludes only two narrow classes of persons children of foreign diplomats and children of invading armies. A reexamination of the Fourteenth Amendments text and its framers words shows that this assumption is false. When Congress debated the Fourteenth Amendment in 1866, Senator Jacob Howard explained it will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens but will include every other class of persons. Senator Lyman Trumbull explained that subject to the jurisdiction meant not owing allegiance to anybody else. Their intent was clear: the amendment was meant to ensure citizenship for the children of freed slaves, not to create a perpetual magnet for illegal immigration or birth tourism. And the relevant statute tracks the Fourteenth Amendment; it does not change it. Over the decades, that original understanding was gradually eroded by administrative habit and judicial drift. The lower courts, in their haste to enjoin anything President Trump tried to do, ignored that history. They relied almost exclusively on an old Supreme Court case, Wong Kim Ark (1898), involving the U.S.-born child of lawful, permanently domiciled Chinese immigrants. That case did not address, let alone decide, the status of children born to those here illegally or temporarily. Extending that decision to such situations is judicial invention, not interpretation. Birthright citizenship has become one of the greatest incentives for illegal immigration, effectively allowing foreign nationals to gain a foothold in the country through their children. Foreign nationals from across the world, including Turkey, China, Nigeria, and Mexico, pay thousands to travel here to give birth on U.S. soil, then securing American passports for their newborns, access to federal benefits, and later legal status and voting rights for the childs parents and extended family. Unlike the United States current practice, nearly all developed countries base citizenship on the principle that a child inherits the citizenship of their parents. That standard ensures citizenship is rooted in allegiance and belonging, not mere physical presence. Our Founders understood this distinction. The British system of jus soli, the law of the soil, treated everyone born on English soil as a subject of the Crown. Americans rejected that feudal concept in 1776. The Declaration of Independence declared Americans Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown. Citizenship in the Republic would rest on consent and mutual duty, not accident of birth. The Fourteenth Amendment reaffirmed that understanding. The phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof means full, undivided allegiance, not mere subjection to local laws. A foreign tourist, of course, must obey U.S. laws, and is likewise afforded certain protections, such as from crime. But that does not make them a citizen. The distinction is vital, especially when considering rights uniquely reserved for citizens, including the Second Amendment. As the GOA-supported brief makes clear, restoring the proper understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment is not about exclusion of or hostility to immigrants. It is about preserving the integrity of citizenship itself, which is the foundation of our national community and the context that sustains, among other rights, the Second Amendment. Citizenship is a mutual covenant: the citizen pledges loyalty and defense of the country, and the nation pledges protection and representation. That bond cannot exist without allegiance. For too long, Washington, D.C. has treated citizenship as a bureaucratic transaction rather than a sacred trust. The Supreme Court now has the opportunity to correct that mistake and reaffirm that being an American is not merely a matter of birth location but of belonging. In doing so, it will also strengthen the citizen-based protections that make the Second Amendment meaningful. President Trumps Executive Order does not change the Constitution; it revitalizes it. It honors the intent of the Fourteenth Amendments framers and restores clarity to our national identity. The Supreme Court should take the case, overturn the misguided lower-court rulings, and finally restore the true and historic meaning of the requirement subject to the jurisdiction thereof. John Velleco, is the Executive Vice President of Gun Owners of America. jvelleco@gunowners.org So, the J6 bomber has been caught, or at least someone who can be blamed has been caught. Conspiracy theorists have recently observed that a former female Capital Police Officer who is now working for the CIA was at one point the chief suspect. Todays conspiracy theory is tomorrows confirmed history and all that, but for the moment well go with Brian Cole, very much a 30-year-old black fellow who CNNs Jake Tapper called a 30-year-old white guy. Attorney General Pam Bondi noted: 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. FBI Director Kash Patel explained: Patel claimed at a Thursday press conference that Bidens FBI sat on the evidence for four years. There wasnt any production of new evidence from five years ago. We looked at three million lines of evidence, he went on. We went back and looked at the cell phone tower data dumps. We went back and looked at the providers and what information they provided pursuant to search warrants at the time and asked questions, such as Why werent all the phone numbers scrubbed? and Why werent they connected? and Why wasnt there any geolocational data done? Now that is either sheer incompetence or complete intentional negligence, neither of which is acceptable for this FBI. So, we changed that in the prior eight months, not on just this case, but everyone. And what that did was allow us to narrow the search down, he explained. Ive been covering this case at my home blog since the beginning, so lets take a moment to review some of the evidence about the January 6 bombs and bomber the FBI had for years. *1300, DNC Headquarters. A DC Metro police car and Secret Service vehicle are parked at the DNC, mere feet from the pipe bomb left there supposedly 17 hour earlier. Kamala Harris is inside the building. A man wearing a backpack is seen on video approaching each vehicle and speaking with those inside. He was later identified as a Capital police officer. They get out of their vehicles and stand there, chatting. Another Secret Service agent is standing within 10 feet of the very visible, Hollywood-issue pipe bomb, but ignores it even as he lets school children stroll by well within the probable blast radius. Another uniformed officer walks within a few feet of the bomb and takes photos of it. Standard protocol requires officers at a possible bomb scene to turn off their radios and cell phones, because transmissions could detonate a bomb. There is no sign this was done. The officersas many as fiveeventually drive away after calling others with a robot to remove the bomb. All were continually in what any sane cop would know could be the blast radius. *Kamala Harris was in the building through this entire Keystone Kops episode. Secret Service protocol requires a search of the interior and exterior of the buildingthe bomb, always in plain sight, was near the front doorwhich includes bomb dogs. How could they possibly have missed a comically stereotypical bomb in plain view? *Secret Service protocol also requires immediately removing any protectee from danger. This wasnt done. *How could no oneincluding DNC staffers walking within feet of the bomb in plain view as they entered the buildinghave seen or reported the bomb supposedly placed there 17 hours earlier? *The bomb was supposedly to be triggered by a cheap, one-hour kitchen timer. How could that have been possible if it was placed 17 hours earlier? No one has been able to explain this, or any other, discrepancy, though then-head of the FBI Washington Field Officer Steve DAntuono was eventually forced to admit under oath 60-minute timers could not have detonated the bombs 17 hours later. Who was backpack guy? What did he tell the officers at the DNC? Hey guys, its time to activate the bomb plot? Did everyone present know the bomb was there and know it was a fake, part of pre-planned J6 theater? If not, how can the inaction of every cop, local and federal, be explained? Why would they casually stand around in the blast radius of a bomb they could all see? Why would they let children walk through that blast radius? Why would they let the Vice President remain in a building also in the blast radius? The Wray FBI claimed the bombs were real and could have caused injury or death, yet never released any real details about them, and never explained the kitchen timer discrepancy. About three weeks later, I was able to add additional detail: Graphic: X Post *A bomb sniffing dog did work the exterior of the DNC, apparently before the arrival of Kamala Harris. Somehow, the dog missed the bomb, which was only a few feet away from where the dog was seen on video searching. The identity of the dog and its handler, or for which agency they worked, has apparently never been revealed. *Despite being in DNC Headquarters during the incident, Kamala Harris said she was in the Capital, apparently to make the case the rioters endangered her life. A supposed live bomb that could have killed her and innumerable others suddenly dropped off the radar. Why not use the potentially more deadly and immediate threat of the bomb at the DNC to emphasize the evil MAGA plot? *It kept getting worse for the FBI, which claimed the bomber placed both bombs between 1930 and 2030 on January 5th. A woman allegedly doing her laundry found the RNC bomb around 1240 on January 6. Therefore, the bombs should have gone off no later than 2130 on January 5th when presumably no one was at either building and there would have been no political value to either explosion. *The FBI eventually claimed the bombs were made with homemade black powder. Thats among the most bizarre claims about the bombs the FBI made. While its possible to look up the chemical composition of black powder and buy the readily available chemicals, black powder is inexpensive and available to muzzle-loading firearm and cannon hobbyists in virtually every gun store. Alternately, modern smokeless powder is equally easily available for reloading enthusiasts. Neither requires identification or a record of sale. *It gets weirder. Kyle Seraphin, who led FBI surveillance teams, told The Daily Wire that shortly after January 6, a counterintelligence team met him at a firehouse in Falls Church, Virginia to brief him on his next surveillance target: They had used security footage to follow the person into a Metro station after he planted the bombs, and identified the fare card that was used. That fare card then allowed them to determine that the person got off at a Metro stop in Northern Virginia, where surveillance footage showed the person entering a car. Both the car and the fare card were in the name of the same person a retired Air Force chief master sergeant who was now working as a contractor with a security clearance, they said. Seraphin and his team staked out the suspects home for days, but Seraphins request to interview the guy was denied and the team was called off to deal with low-priority leads about misdemeanor J6 participants. *Seraphin explained it was not surprising that the FBI would have traced the bomber, and, in fact, it would be more surprising if it hadnt. They can do telephonic capture and triangulate your phone in real-time The bureau is far too competent to fail this, he said. When they had the World Trade Center bombing in 93 they went under four stories of rubble and were able to find a partial VIN number that they used to track it down to the people responsible. And youre telling me you had a pristine, non-detonated bomb and they couldnt find anything on it? *Then-FBI Washington Field Officer head DAntuono, in congressional testimony, claimed Seraphin wouldnt know any of the details because he wasnt a case agent, but was forced to admit he didnt know any details because he was too high up in the chain of command. *There was even more reason for the FBI to disavow Seraphin: Seraphin said that when he was assigned to the case, he asked about the bombs, and his team was briefed by the FBI that they were not at risk of detonating. It was an officer safety question. Youre gonna work a case differently if theyre not real, you can get closer, he said. Seraphin said theres zero chance that the Secret Service would have missed a pipe bomb sitting in almost plain sight when preparing a site for the Vice President-elect. Theyre far too good for that, he said. Seraphin said of the video, Thats not how you react to a bomb, I dont care who you are, unless they had reason in advance to believe it wasnt real. There are more discrepancies. If youve never heard of Kyle Seraphin and the discrepancies mentioned herein, now you have a reasonable idea why not. Perhaps Brian Cole Jr. really did place the bombs. He supposedly cooperated with the FBI after his arrest, and an autism defense has already been floated at his arraignment. But even if Cole planted the devices, these and more bizarre discrepancies have yet to be explained. We now have the chance to see just how transparent the Patel FBI really is. 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. We will celebrate another anniversary of Pearl Harbor tomorrow. It turns out that my dad died on December 7, 2015, or an anniversary of that fateful day. Over the years, I asked him a lot of questions about that time period, or the buildup to the attack and the U.S. entrance in that war. My dad was 15 and attending a Jesuit school in central Cuba, or the small town that his family had settled in since coming from Spain in the 1860s. One of my fathers favorite hobbies back then was to read news magazines and listen to the radio. He was very much aware of the war going on in Europe because Cuban sugar ships were targeted by Nazi subs after the U.S. declared war. I learned from my dad that articles in the print media and discussions on the radio had suggested that there could be a broader war in the Pacific. One day, I asked if he remembered the day before Pearl Harbor. All he remembered was that my grandmother made a wonderful seafood dinner and that he went to a dance. (My future mother had not yet entered his life.) Then he was walking back from mass on Sunday when he heard on the radio about the attack on Pearl Harbor. And then he spent much of the rest of the day following the news. That Pearl Harbor generation is generally gone now. I had the chance to ask my father about the world back then, and it was fascinating. If your parents or grandparents are still around, please call them and ask them about it. Youll be fascinated with how much they remember. Over at the White House, they were thinking about it too. I found this note very interesting. This is from the day before the Japanese bombed the U.S.: On this day, President Rooseveltconvinced on the basis of intelligence reports that the Japanese fleet is headed for Thailand, not the United Statestelegrams Emperor Hirohito with the request that for the sake of humanity, the emperor intervene to prevent further death and destruction in the world. The Royal Australian Air Force had sighted Japanese escorts, cruisers, and destroyers on patrol near the Malayan coast, south of Cape Cambodia. An Aussie pilot managed to radio that it looked as if the Japanese warships were headed for Thailandjust before he was shot down by the Japanese. This is a remarkable note. In other words, we suspected that the Japanese fleet was moving to Thailand. We learned the next day that it had been moving to Hawaii all along. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos Image: Vanky1123, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. I have been putting off hauling out the Christmas decorations. I justified the delay to myself by saying that it is rather pointless, especially when I will just have to take them all down again in a month. I asked myself: Was it really worth rooting through boxes and boxes of gimcrack that have never made their way to our tree or our entryway or our mantle or in all those out-of-the-way places where "something Christmasy" could be placed? Do we owe it to our wives to fill up our house with glitter and glimmer so that guys like me have to hire a Sherpa guide to lead us to our easy chairs? Before I am consigned to the list of anti-Christmas married men, let me say that I am no Ebenezer Scrooge, nor am I one of those stupid Dr. Seuss characters that "stole Christmas." I am just an old man who's seen enough Christmases to know that much of what we do has no place on the "reasonableness scale." Christmas activity/projects are in a class by itself. I have no sugarplums dancing in my head. I barely have room for all the detritus of daily life that forces its way into my short-term memory, let alone finding space for the yuletide fantasies of my youth. It must be said, however, that I fully understand that the average person can justify firing up the Christmas spirit machine, especially those who have small children and those oldsters with grandchildren. I get it. Christmas -- at least the commercial Christmas -- is for the children. I am on their side, but I want somebody to cut me some slack and try to understand that at this point in my life I feel that every day is Christmas when I am able to roll out of bed, open my eyes and realize that I am still in the land of the living. I guess that makes me more of a Thanksgiving fellow at heart. And if that's the case, so be it. I'm happy to live with that. Every day above ground is a gift. On the subject of artificial Christmas trees versus live trees. I come down on the side of the plastic ones, especially after having lugged my share of evergreens from a Christmas tree lot to the car and from the car to the house, leaving a trail of pine needles all over the carpet (which, of course, I am required to clean up because I am "the man of the house"). It's another project that can be eliminated with a fake tree, so I vote for that. I am now living in Scandinavia where Christmas starts early and finishes late. As of this writing, the Danes are already deep in the throes of planning for their many days off. Their first holiday is Christmas eve, which many celebrate by going to nighttime church services (about 70% of the Danes actually belong to the state church, the folkekirke but only a fraction of them actually attend any church service during the year). They do get a big kick out of their Christmas church service, though. That same evening, they open their presents, and the next day and the day after and the day after that are devoted to eating and drinking and drinking and eating a favorite Danish and pan-Scandinavian pastime. Again, I fully understand why they go all-out for Christmas. There are two basic reasons: the first is family, and the second is the weather. Re: family, I must give the Danes credit for managing relationships. Many of them are either divorced or separated from their "significant others." The percentage of Danes who live together without being married is around 20%, but that figure is much higher for younger Danes. That said, there are many children who, in addition to having a father and mother, have a stepfather or stepmother and must be parceled off to an estranged parent's house for the holidays. Some even make the rounds to their "exes" homes and have no problem being together despite divorces. These are the pragmatic Danes. I daresay this would be a challenge back in the old U.S. of A. for many men and women who have split the sheets and gone their separate ways under less than amicable circumstances. There have been some changes in Denmark since my 20-year absence. The lunches and dinners are a bit shorter than the customary 3-4 hours sitting at the table. This is because the Danes have given up smoking which has shortened the length of their mealtimes. "Smoke breaks" gave everybody a chance to get up and stretch their legs or take a much-needed pause from shoveling herring, eel or pate down their alimentary canal. It took time to smoke even a little cigar, but now that "sexist" (male-ascribed) act of cigar-smoking has become a victim of the new age of Scandinavian-style Calvinism. You know what I mean, don't you: That which feels good must be bad. I for one am glad that John Calvin is dead. I know that the Danish king, Christian VI, was a proponent of Calvin's teachings of personal piety, moral discipline, scriptural devotion and sobriety and restraint in lifestyles, but that was then, back in the 17th and 18th century when Denmark was a highly divided society. Thank heavens the Danish lower class had beer and aquavit (potato schnapps) to take the edge off. That second reason I mentioned was the weather. Denmark is a relatively temperate place. It makes up for that by presenting the Danes with one of the absolute worst European climates that is characterized by grayness, wind and drizzling rain for days and weeks on end. The Danes know this is coming, every year, and that is why they light so many candles in the winter and why every Danish house has a dozen or more lamps to offset the early sunsets and the dark, dreary nights where the stars cannot be seen unless you're on a jetliner at 30,000 feet. Nobody moves to Denmark for the weather, but as every Dane knows, that, too, will change in time. You just have to psych yourself up for it. I have been accused of being a curmudgeon, and if I am to be brutally honest with myself, I will have to plead guilty. I know that it is one thing to be set in your ways. It is another thing altogether to allow your ways to shape your identity. I am still grappling with how to square that circle. I do not feel alone in my efforts, however. I am heartened by the fact that squaring a circle was a problem that fascinated mathematicians for over 2,000 years and it wasnt until 1882 that a German mathematician proved it was mathematically impossible. Maybe I'll just try to take the edge off of whatever geometric shape represents my current state of mind this Christmas and try to remember that our lives are comprised of many repetitive acts, and that some of them are worth repeating if for no other reason than to show our loved ones that they are loved. Merry Christmas. Image: Pexels // Pexels License In an ambush near the White House, West Virginia National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom was killed and Andrew Wolfe wounded. Charged is 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan who worked with CIA-backed units during the war in Afghanistan. Lakanwal came to the U.S. in 2021 thanks to Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in April. Last week, Lakanwal, one of our so-called friends, allegedly drove from Washington state to kill Americans proving that no good deed goes unpunished. Bidens chaotic Afghanistan surrender stands as yet another failure with lasting consequences. When we abruptly departed from the Afghans, the plan was contingent upon the Taliban developing a government that honored and protected civil liberties for all. Did any of the army of bureaucrats throughout the State Department actually believe that we could turn any Islamic theocracy into a Western-style democracy? Cue the laugh track. Once again, history schools those who adhere to its message that no one ever wins after being involved with Afghanistan. After defeating the British Empire, the Soviet Union, and the United States, Afghanistan just moved ahead of Ohio State in the polls based on strength of schedule. Import the Third World, get the Third World. Lakanwal is not the cause but a symptom of the disease that seemingly metastasizes throughout presidential administrations ever since the conclusion of World War II: Nation building. Nation building is too often sold as a noble pursuit by a benevolent people to deliver democracy, stability, and prosperity to the most unstable of nations. History spares no one; it humbles the powerful and insists on teaching the lessons we resist. Its lessons often seem inevitable: Bygone decisions appear inescapable, and the viability of alternate pathways easily discounted. Time and again, foreign interventions cloaked in the language of nation building have produced splintered societies, endless upheavals, and governments propped up by imported interests rather than the will of their own people. While plans may look rational and even practical on paper, in practice, even the best of intentions often collapse under the weight of misguided and unrealistic altruism. Too often democracys blueprint has no regard for the longstanding culture, religion, history and traditions that have existed for centuries within a civilization. Afghanistan is the most glaring example. After two decades and trillions spent, the Afghan government fell in a matter of days once foreign troops withdrew. The Afghan army, painstakingly trained and funded by the West, disintegrated overnight. By the end of 2003, U.S. special forces had fulfilled much of their objective in Afghanistan, targeting senior figures and high-value assets within al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Rather than sheathing our swords and returning home, we embarked on nation building, trying to craft democracy from a fractured tribal society filled with centuries of strife into a Western democracy. What is seemingly forgotten is how American democracy was nurtured after a bloody four-year civil war and generations of internal struggle. Iraq tells a similar tale. The 2003 invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, but what followed was not stability but sectarian violence, corruption, and the rise of ISIS. The attempt to impose a new political order created a vacuum that Islamic extremists eagerly filled, plunging the country into years of turmoil. In 2011, Libya was acknowledged as a humanitarian intervention. Instead, Libya became a failed state, splintered by militias and rival governments. The hope of any democratic rule dissolved into civil war, mass displacement and a breeding ground for human trafficking and jihadi extremism. Nation building does not reconcile or empower it destabilizes. Instead of creating thriving democracies, it leaves behind fractured institutions, cultural upheaval, and widespread suffering. These efforts produce fragile states reliant on foreign aid and are vulnerable to insurgency that leads to resentfulness of those who intervened. Rather than sowing prosperity and civic harmony, such projects breed dependency, resentment and chaos. From Vietnam to Afghanistan, the pattern is unmistakable: nation building is nothing short of political hubris. The belief that we can waltz into a society and engineer change from the top down as if nations were Lego blocks to assemble. We call it nation building when the task is about changing a civilization. Such goodwill never stood a chance and, in its wake, comes murderous zealots like Lakanwal. Image generated by ChatGPT. The national news media has recently and grudgingly begun to take interest in Minnesota. An integral part of the Democrat Partys national strategy, until now Minnesota was primarily known as Ground Zero of the George Floyd debacle which sparked the 2020 Summer of Love and its billions in damages, largely to blue cities. Minnesota also became notorious during the Harris/Walz presidential run as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was exposed as a serial liar, useful idiot for the Chinese Communist Party, and a particularly incompetent politician and governor. Thats a distinction that has blossomed with the revelation of massive fraudthe Feeding Our Future scandal--reaching as high as two billion dollars, largely perpetrated by Minnesotas Somali population, the largest in America. That round of arrests doesnt tell the full story. Graphic: X Post Last week nearly 500 state employees went public, saying they told Walz about the fraud, but were ignored and persecuted. Pressed on his coverup, Walz said he accepted responsibility for putting people in jail. That was a lie. No local or state authority has been involved in investigating, arresting or prosecuting any of the fraudsters. It has all been done by federal authorities. Walz is very upset, however, because Minnesotans have been calling him retard, which he sees as a credible death threat. Why would Walz and the entire criminal justice apparatus of Minnesota allow such blatant lawlessness? Its Trump Derangement Syndrome and their far leftist dedication to fully protecting criminals, particularly illegal alien and black criminals, over the safety of Minnesotans. A case in point, by no means unrepresentative or unusual, is that of serial rapist, Abdihmahat Bille Mohamed, a Somali. Graphic: TikTok Post Abdimahat Bille Mohamed, 28, was charged by complaint with Kidnapping a Minor and KidnappingAs detailed in the complaint, Mohamed kidnapped and raped a 15-year-old girl in 2017 and an adult woman in 2025. In between, he raped at least three other women. The allegations are sickening multiple kidnappings and rapes, including against minors and they happened in a state that has chosen ideology over public safety. Minnesotas radical soft-on-crime policies created an environment where predators believe they can act without consequence. President Trump was elected to restore law and order, and under Attorney General Bondi, this Department is making sure violent criminals like this will face real justice and spend the rest of their natural lives in federal prison, said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Why is the US Attorney involved in what are traditionally state-level crimes? Because statue authorities enabled Mohamed and ensured he could rape as he pleased. *12-12-17: Mohamed and others kidnapped a 15-year-old, and at gunpoint, forced her to perform fellatio and gang-raped her. *02-07-18: Mohamed and two others kidnapped and gang-raped an adult woman. *05-08-18: Mohamed and another man kidnapped another adult woman and at gunpoint raped and forced her to perform fellatio. 05-30-24: Mohamed kidnapped and raped another adult woman, but was interrupted by her sister and arrested at the scene. 09-15-25: Mohamed kidnapped another adult woman and held her in a motel for a week, repeatedly raping her. In most, if not all, of these cases DNA evidence implicated Mohamed. Mohamed was prosecuted by the Hennepin CountyMinneapolisprosecutors office in 2024. That office is notorious for being deferential to criminals. Not only did the prosecutors drop the May 2018 case, Mohamed was sentenced to only 0-5 years on probation. On May 21, 2025, Mohamed was sentenced in the 2017 case. He received 36 months in prison, which was stayed for five years. He was also given 364 days in the Workhouse, credited to time served, and was given five years of probation, apparently consecutive with his first sentence. In the same appearance, Mohamed was sentenced for the rape of another victim, given probation for one day and released. That probation was vacated on May 29. Court records indicated Mohamed successfully served his day of probation and didnt commit a crime of violence. On December 3, 2025, federal law enforcement received information concerning violent kidnappings and rapes committed by Mohamed in Minnesota. Law enforcement and the U.S. Attorneys Office immediately investigated and found that, as set forth in the Complaint, there is probable cause to believe that Mohamed committed a string of disturbing sexual assaultsseveral of them gang rapesof at least five victims between 2017 and 2025, many following the same pattern. Mohamed faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment and up to a sentence of life for his crimes. Such is the state of public safety and justice in the Peoples Republic of Minnesota. Were Democrats still in charge in DC, Mohamed would almost certainly still be at large, kidnapping and raping at will. 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. Mark Kelly and his cohorts know full well that military training is full of cautionary examples when it comes to the Geneva Accords and the Law of Land Warfare. I think back to the western Oklahoma prairie at Fort Sill, where several of us were herded down a test lane by the controller who told us we were on LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol). As we walked up a creek bed, we spied a Vietnamese man about thirty feet ahead in black pajamas and a cone hat, sleeping under a tree with a hoe at his side. As we approached, he stirred and spotted us. At this point, the controller stopped us to ask what we should do. LRRP missions are run behind enemy lines, and the patrols travel typically by night and sleep by day. Their job is observation, not confrontation. So maybe, to avoid detection, we needed to kill him and hide the body since he would undoubtedly run to alert others and blow our cover. Besides, he was just one guy, and more lives than his were at stake. But murder wasnt an option. I cant remember our conclusion, but it may have been something along the lines of, Lets tie him up and then head out in a false direction to fool him before we get back on track. The overarching point was that we didnt intentionally harm civilians to accomplish our mission. (Yes, that raises WWII bombing questions about Dresden, Tokyo, etc., matters much in play in college classes on the ethics of peace and war. But I dont think thats what the Six are talking about. If, though, they think somebodys planning to carpet bomb Caracas, they should say so.) A couple of years later, at Fort Benning, they showed us film scenarios, one involving a units approach to a minefield. Theyd taken some prisoners, and an NCO suggested that the officer bring them up front to lead the way through that danger zone. Better to let them -- the guys whod been trying to kill you just hours earlier -- bear the risk of tripping off explosions. But, when our instructors stopped the projector for discussion, they didnt even bother to ask our opinion. The answer was simple and decisive: Dont even think about it! And we soon learned the Five Ss of prisoner treatment: Search, Silence, Segregate, Safeguard, and Speed. At the same time, there was an object lesson a block or two down from my lodging: Another second lieutenant, William Calley, sat behind bars. A few years earlier, hed overseen the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam, and the Army had dealt decisively with his illegal order. So, I would say to the Asinine Six, Put up or shut up. Of course, illegal orders are illegal -- a tautology -- but what responsible, concrete counsel are you offering beyond provocative insinuation? Absent that, shame on you. Image: DoW The left beclowns itself again and again It is actually rather sad the Democrats keep trying out new narratives every couple of days. This week, it is the blowing up of narcoterrorist boats. This is a bad thing, they say. Cocaine from Venezuela has killed tens of thousands of Americans, but the Democrats are mad that our fabulous military is taking them off the map. Never mind that Venezuela has been shipping drugs to the U.S. and rigging elections around the world for decades. A few weeks ago, the Dems' hair was on fire over the Jeffrey Epstein documents they were demanding be released. Then all of a sudden, no one cared because they largely bagged Democrats, and there was nothing they could use against Trump. Their feeble efforts to destroy Trump again fell on deaf ears; there was no there there. Since 2015, the left has been determined to destroy Trump, but the consequences of their efforts have been to make him a hero for surviving their unconstitutional lawfare, not just not to Americans but to oppressed people around the world. He represents freedom free speech, freedom of choice, the freedom to choose what to eat, drive, say, post, to own guns, etc. The Democrats are opposed to all those freedoms, which are absolutely guaranteed by our Constitution. In the U.K., they have already abrogated all of them. Our Mother Country has fallen. The Democrats have fully embraced the Seditious Six as if they were heroes and not the traitors they actually are. The Six-ters should all be charged with sedition, along with the Democrats who celebrate them. They know better, but politics trumps what is right and true. It must be admitted that we have a dismal few members of Congress who are intellectual giants Mike Lee and Josh Hawley are two of them. There were some in the past Pat Moynihan, for example, a Democrat who exemplified the original meaning of the word liberal. Todays liberals are fully Marxist, anti-American, anti-freedom thugs who oppose freedom of speech, oppose the Second Amendment, and just about everything else the Constitution guarantees the citizens of America. As Obama often repeated, he did not like the Constitution because it said what the government cannot do, not what it must do. Sadly, the left has co-opted and indoctrinated at least two generations of suggestible young people thanks to the thorough capture by leftist academics who long ago stopped teaching students to think critically but to absorb their leftism without question. The Democrats have a plan. They always have a plan. That treasonous video that Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin, et al., released, was part of one of their more absurd plans. Put a narrative out there, double down, accuse Hegseth and Trump of anything that comes to mind, and they think they are on the way to victory. But they have again made fools of themselves. Their plans are always fraught with arrogance and ignorance. Their arrogance stems from their implacable notion that they are always right, even when they are hopelessly misreading the public. Their ignorance stems from their belief in their control over the narrative. They still think they control the media on every issue. They do control the mainstream media but no one pays attention to the New York Times, the Washington Post, the LA Times anymore. As Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wisely commented, they are fever swamp. So they do not control the narrative. Not anymore. No one has to check the polls to learn that a majority of the American people support Trumps actions against Venezuelan narcoterrorists. Of course, we do. In 2021, 32,000 Americans died of cocaine poisoning. Since 2021, 275,000 Americans have died from fentanyl poisoning. Do those narcos lives in those very expensive boats the Dems are so worried about matter to the families of those who have lost kids to those drugs? Uh, no. They need to be dead to stop flooding our country with deadly drugs. But our Dems? They are suddenly concerned with the lives of those drug runners. Go figure! It is very likely, as the polls show, that a huge majority of the American people are sick to death of the Dems' love and affection for criminal migrants - rapists, murderers, sexual predators, street thugs who set people on fire, etc. But they still dont get it. They, the Democrats, and the moonbatty old white liberal women who show up to defend them singing folk songs of the 1960s, are a joke; long past their prime or relevance. They can sing Kumbaya from here to eternity, and no one will pay them a bit of attention. Trump is right to do everything in his power to return America to the country it was before the Biden invasion of 20 million illegal migrants that was orchestrated to ensure Democrat power forevermore by importing Democrat voters. The Democrats need to sit up and pay attention to what their constituents want - peace, meritocracy, adherence to the Constitution. Arthur Koestler wrote that Honor is decency without vanity. The Democrat party of today lacks both honor and decency, but is interminably vain. Image: Screen shot from X video Eeyore here, back with another shot of truth to be injected into your system. (At least its not an experimental mRNA vaccine, right?) Todays Democrats partake in, wallow in -- and support -- crime, fraud, grift, graft, and disdain of America. Those who support them do so out of some combination of ignorance, resentment, jealousy, or suicidal empathy. Oh, and basic mental illness. This insanity poses an existential threat to the republic for which many of us still stand. The examples of insanity are legion. Many Democrats are O.K. with killing innocent babies who survived abortion procedures, but apparently not narco-terrorists who survived a first missile strike. How is it possible for any human to simultaneously hold those two beliefs? The late, great P.J. ORourke had the best take on the progressive mindset, writing: Consider how much you'd have to hate free will to come up with a political platform that advocates killing unborn babies but not convicted murderers. A callous pragmatist might favor abortion and capital punishment. A devout Christian would sanction neither. But it takes years of therapy to arrive at the liberal view. The Democrats candidate to become mayor of Nashville actually said she wanted to be mayor of Nashville because I hate this city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music. I hate all the things that make Nashville apparently an 'IT CITY' to the rest of the country." She hates everything about the city she wishes to run. Guess she wanted to fundamentally transform it. She received 77% of the Music City residents votes. How could this happen? How could/did we get here? Actually, it was almost inevitable because we grew too successful, and thereafter too soft. This is a historical pattern oft repeated. We no longer had to work that hard daily to survive and have had no Great War or Depression of late to challenge us and demand our focus. Ironically, the very success that our Founders, ideals, and free-market capitalist system bequeathed to us led to so many today disdaining our Founders, ideals, and free-market capitalist system. And to radical leftists taking control of academia and mainstream media. Because they could. Because the rest of us let them. And so the wealthy refuse to procreate while the worlds poor reproduce at astounding rates. Folks who point out massive fraud and corruption are mocked and despised, whether it be DOGE, government whistleblowers, or regular folks. Fewer seem upset by the massive fraud and corruption itself. Excellence, nee competence, punctuality, discipline, and control are deemed racist. Along with highways, math, IDs, and almost everything else on Earth. Even the Pope lauds Islam, despite the fact that its adherents murder countless thousands of Christians around the globe every year. So, in this Depraved New World, crime is excused and punishment is considered evil. The achievers are despised, the indigent lauded. Christianity is considered passe, silly, or even hateful, while academia and media brand Islam as the official Religion of Peace. In the not-so-jolly new England, rapists and stabbers run wild and free, whilst those who publicly criticize them or the government that has tolerated these (unpunished) crimes for years upon years now are visited by constables or sent to prison. Appetite for destruction? Inarguably so. And yet progressives say, Yum, give us more! Image: Kurt Bauschardt, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed ~As Jamaica Moves Forward, Visitors Return to Play a Powerful Role in Supporting Local Communities and the Island's Vibrant Recovery~ MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Dec. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandals Resorts International (SRI), the Caribbean's leading all-inclusive resort company, reopened five of their Jamaica properties today, marking a major step forward for tourism on the island. The returning resorts include Sandals Dunn's River , Sandals Royal Plantation , Sandals Ochi , Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril , each welcoming guests back to Jamaica's famed north coast. Sandals Dunns River is now open and welcoming guests back to Jamaica. "There's a real sense of momentum across Jamaica right now," said SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart. "Our airports are open and welcoming flights from around the world. Tours and attractions, including the iconic Dunn's River Falls, Negril's famed Seven Mile Beach and Mystic Mountain for fans of Jamaican bobsledding, are all ready and waiting for you." Ahead of today's reopening, Sandals Resorts hosted nearly 400 travel advisors and industry partners for a preview of Jamaica. The special "Back to Jamaica" immersion event, held at Sandals Dunn's River in Ocho Rios, was an opportunity for these influential partners to experience Jamaica as she is: ready to welcome visitors. "Seeing is believing," said Stewart. "And nothing beats the real thing, putting your toes in the sand, tasting the food, feeling the sunshine on your face. Only a genuine experience can offer confidence like that." Family-run and founded in Jamaica in 1981, Sandals Resorts has deep roots in its home country, where Stewart celebrated the opening of these hotels. "Our guests love this island, and when they come back, they'll feel that same magic the moment they arrive. Jamaica is ready to welcome them home." For more information about Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, visit www.sandals.com and www.beaches.com . About Sandals Resorts: Sandals Resorts offers some of the best adults-only all-inclusive resorts that bring guests closer to the vibrancy, authenticity and spirit of the Caribbean. Pioneers of the all-inclusive vacation experience in the region, Sandals has 17 beachfront all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, Curacao, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, each reflecting the genuine vibe of its island home. From local food favorites and global flavors to butler service and signature suites, including the Caribbean's first Overwater Villas, Sandals makes it easy for guests to go all in on vacation mode. Beyond the resort gates, immersive destination experiences, like a newly piloted Island Inclusive dining program and MINI Coopers for island exploration, raise the bar on the all-inclusive vacation. Championing the region it calls home, Sandals demonstrates the transformative power of tourism and its impact on lives through its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation. For more information, visit www.sandals.com . About Beaches Resorts: Beaches Resorts is the Caribbean playground where families can live their best island life. With all-inclusive family resorts in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, and soon-to-come locations in Barbados and The Bahamas, Beaches offers fun-forward family all-inclusive vacations - from a dynamic selection of restaurants and vibrant food trucks to all-you-can-enjoy water sports, live shows and epic water parks. Kids discover magic with Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street, Kids Camps, and hangouts for teens, while parents enjoy peace of mind with certified nannies, engaging programming and multi-bedroom villas perfect for bringing generations together. As an Advanced Certified Autism Center (CAC) through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), Beaches staff are specially trained to understand and cater to the unique needs of neurodivergent guests, so that every member of the family finds joy, connection, and memories made to last a lifetime. For more information about Beaches Resorts, visit www.beaches.com . Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Sandals Resorts International A color revolution (sometimes called a soft coup or regime-change operation by non-kinetic means) is a modern form of orchestrated political upheaval designed to replace an existing government without traditional military invasion or civil war. The term arose from events in the early 2000s, such as Serbias Bulldozer Revolution (2000) and Georgias Rose Revolution (2003). These operations follow a remarkably consistent playbook, refined over two decades by Western NGOs, intelligence-linked foundations, and State Department-affiliated entities (Open Society Foundations, USAID, etc.). Authors describe seven stages of a color revolution. The stages include these tactics, which Ill list in approximate chronological order: Portray the target government as illegitimate, authoritarian, corrupt, or fascist. Front-load allegations: accuse incumbent of planning the crimes the opposition intends to commit (rigging, regression, dictatorship). Fund and train NGOs, student groups, and opposition politicians to repeat a unified message. Create/amplify a unifying symbol or theme (e.g., Orange Man Bad). Manufacture an electoral crisis. Street mobilization. Public appeals to and moral blackmail of the military and police: Youre with the people, not the regime. Promises of immunity, future positions for defectors. Threats to those who support target government. Provoke a response, flood media with images of peaceful protesters being attacked. International legitimation as foreign governments and media recognizes opposition leaders as legitimate authority. Sanctions, frozen assets, diplomatic isolation applied to sitting government. New elections scheduled under international supervision. Were approaching the final four stages of this process with the Seditious Sixs advice to the military about alleged illegal orders, and threats to those who obey the POTUS. These warnings have eroded military cohesion, priming them for institutional resistance against Trump's policies on immigration enforcement and domestic security. General Michael Flynn described these actions as part of a coordinated effort to destabilize the nations power structure. These actions build on a pattern of Democrat actions that align with color revolution phases. Beginning with the 2016 election, the Russiagate narrative served to portray his presidency as illegitimate to erode public trust. Funded investigations, leaks from intelligence communities, and media amplification created an illegitimacy loop, where any Trump action was framed as evidence of tyranny. The accusations of an illegitimate presidency rang out early in Trumps first term. The cries came from Hillary Clinton on down to elected officials, celebrities, and the rank and file. The two impeachments manufactured crises, positioning Democrats as defenders of democracy (stop laughing!) against a purportedly rogue executive. Street mobilization echoed in the 2020 BLM protests which were leveraged to sustain urban unrest and pressure institutions. These events forced standoffs with law enforcement. More recently, accusations against Trump's nominees, like Pete Hegseth facing war crime smears, fit the tactic of rapid, scripted attacks to paralyze the administration. Victor Davis Hanson has tied the Seditious Sixs video to the first salvo in such a revolution, followed by these allegations, suggesting a sequenced operation to overthrow an elected leader. Additional moves, like Senator Ruben Gallegos threats against military investigators or connections to figures like Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, hint at deeper coordination to protect allies and intimidate defectors. Critics argue this culminates in an American adaptation: using congressional platforms, media allies, and intelligence ties for international legitimation via global outlets denouncing Trumpism. While not a full-fledged revolution yet, these symptoms narrative delegitimization, institutional fracturing, and crisis fabrication raise concerns of a partisan bid to subvert democratic mandates. If unchecked, they could escalate to broader instability, echoing how color tactics have toppled regimes abroad. The Democrat (theyre not democratic) party has a well-established history of violence, insurrection and an affinity for the oppression of their adversaries. Their current trajectory, and the lack of a substantive response from the Republican Party does not bode well for the republic. Image generated by ChatGPT. In the summer of 1971, a 20-year-old college kid named David DeMay was paid $1.85 an hour plus 12 cents a mile to walk the poorest, roughest neighborhoods of Jackson, Michigan with a clipboard and a 90-minute Gallup questionnaire. No cell phone. No recording device. Just a pencil, a stack of 14-page forms, and instructions to get quotas for black, low-income, and other specific demographic respondents. He took to the road in his grandfathers borrowed Oldsmobile and knocked on sometimes many doors before finding a surprised and apprehensive occupant. With a warm greeting, hed ask if the person would be willing to answer a few questions. What followed was a 60- to 90-minute interview, often on front porches or in living rooms, requiring him to hand-write verbatim responses onto giant paper questions. There was no laptop, no recording, and no digital skip logic; every answer had to be legible and fit the designated space. This method relied on quota sampling, which meant poll takers often young, white college males who were intentionally sent into the poorest, highest-crime, and most racially tense neighborhoods had to meet specific demographic targets. Their assignment was dictated by the quotas (X number of black respondents, X number of low-income respondents, etc.), making the job inherently risky but critical to capturing a representative sample. People answered in full paragraphs. Some invited him in for coffee. Some told him to get off the porch before they called someone who didnt like white boys with clipboards. Every answer had to be written down verbatim, in real time, in the heat (no AC), while dogs barked and neighbors watched. Sociologists still mine the 1971 Gallup surveys not just for the numbers, but for the rich, unfiltered language contained within the actual phrasing people used about Vietnam, busing, and law and order; the first measurable cracks in white liberal support of the Great Society; and the birth of the silent majority rhetoric captured in real voter language. They belong to the last tiny club of foot soldiers of 20th-century polling. Fast-forward to 2025. Todays polling is a push-button online panel, a 4-minute survey, a loaded question (Do you support bold change on affordability?), and a crosstab sculpted to deliver tomorrows cable-news chyron. One method required courage, stamina, and a tolerance for raw human reality. The other requires a consultant, a donor check, and a willingness to pretend the mirror is telling the truth. What Changed 1971 2025 The pollster was sent into the real world to discover what people actually thought. The pollster is sent into a spreadsheet to manufacture what the client needs people to believe they think. Refusal rates were 5070%, but the answers you got were unfiltered, face-to-face, often angry, often profound. Response rates are 13%, but the answers are pre-screened, pre-weighted, and prepackaged for maximum narrative impact. The kid with the clipboard had no idea what the national result would be. The client already knows what the national result will be before the first respondent clicks submit. The Final Inversion In 1971, the pollster served the truth, even when the truth was ugly. In 2025, the truth serves the pollster, and if it refuses, it is simply edited out of the crosstabs. David DeMay and thousands like him walked into neighborhoods most politicians wouldnt drive through today, just to bring back an honest temperature reading. Todays pollsters never leave the Zoom room. They just adjust the thermostat until the voter feels the temperature hes told to feel. That is the difference between polling and gaslighting. And the republic is a much colder place for it. Image: Dave Crosby via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. The alleged January 6 pipe bomber has finally been arrested, and his political leanings and race should be no surprise: Graphic: X Post Its a case Ive covered in detail at my home blog, and here at AT. There is much about this case that has made no sense from the beginning. Law Enforcement, including the FBI and Secret Service, appeared not to have followed the basics of investigation. And police officers on the scene, apparently aware there was a bomb only feet away, were blissfully unconcerned. With all those federal resources, with all that manpower, the FBI was, for four years, unable to make the least progress in the case. With the revelation of Brian Coles involvement, we have a good idea why not: he didnt fit the media and government narrative that the bomber must have been a white male, MAGA domestic terrorist insurrectionist like all the rest at the Capital that day. With Coles arrest, the media is reflexively trying to stick to that narrative, but its not looking good for them: Weeks before 30-year-old Cole Jr. allegedly planted pipe bombs at the headquarters of the Democrat and Republican parties on January 5, 2021, a court ruled against the company in its lawsuit attacking the Trump administration on immigration issues, The Daily Wire has learned. An FBI affidavit in the case notes that the suspect works for a bail bond company and lives with his mother. Later in 2021, the company held a press conference bemoaning anti-black racism with a left-wing attorney. Cole Sr. and Benjamin Crump, who represented the family of Trayvon Martin, attempted to sic the Biden Department of Justice on a local Tennessee prosecutor who had raised questions about the bail bond company. NBC and CNN immediately reported that Cole believed conspiracy theoriesthe election was stolenabout the 2020 election, implying he must have been a Trump supporter. After Coles arrest, CNNs Jake Tapper identified him as a 30-year-old white man from the D.C. suburbs." Facts, and photographs, suggest otherwise. The Biden FBI knew about Cole, apparently for years: Graphic: X Post As PJ Media previously reported, Coles arrest did not result from new tips or a brave new witness suddenly emerging from the shadows; it was because the Trump administration reviewed the evidence and pieced it togethersomething that should have been done years ago. Today's arrest happened because the Trump Administration has made this case a priority. The total lack of movement on this case in our nation's capital undermined the public trust of our enforcement agencies, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday. This cold case languished for four years until Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino came to the FBI. The FBI, along with US Attorney Pirro and all of our prosecutors, have worked tirelessly for months sifting through evidence that had been sitting at the FBI with the Biden Administration for four long years. The Biden/Wray FBI launched, and bragged about, the biggest investigation in its history as they ruthlessly pursued grandmothers across the nation for what amounted to misdemeanors, yet with all their resources, couldnt identify a suspect who allegedly planted multiple bombs, threatening the life of the Vice President? When Donald Trump took office, the FBI was suddenly able to properly analyze the evidence it had already collected. FBI Director Kash Patel has confirmed the FBI interviewed no one new and collected no new evidence. All the Patel FBI did was engage in the competent, non-political police work the Wray FBI refused to do, and lo and behold, there Cole was. How could that have happened? Was it because the Biden Administration didnt want to find the bomber? Because they knew he wasnt white or MAGA? Because he was working for them? Because they were so busy pursuing people for misdemeanors they had no one to investigate multiple felonies? Because an arrest of the bomber would distract from the J6 Committees Hollywood-produced circus? All of the above? Worse? Apparently, Cole is cooperating, so its possible we may learn more, or Cole may come to a bad end while in custody before he can implicate the rightleftpeople. One thing is certain: unless the media gets a new and effective narrative, theyre going to lose interest in this case with blinding speed, just like the Wray FBI did. 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. Two people have been arrested after a nutcracker statue was stolen from a business. The five-feet-tall figure, which sings to children on their way home from school, was snatched from outside the front of Luke Allum Funeral Directors in Sheerness, Kent. Owner Luke Allum said the nutcracker brings joy to children in the town. We always try to do things for the town at this time of year with our Tree of Remembrance to honour loved ones and a remembrance post box for children to post Christmas letters and cards to loved ones in heaven, Mr Allum said. This year we decided to get a big nutcracker outside that sings to kids. We put it on at about 3pm so it sings on their way home from school. They literally love it, it sings to them, they take pictures with it. The five-feet-tall nutcracker statue (Luke Allum Funeral Directors/PA) But when Mr Allum and his colleagues were out at a funeral on Thursday afternoon, the figure was pinched from the porch of the business in Broadway in the port town. He said he was left feeling confused after the theft. You think, why have you stolen a nutcracker, out of everything? Mr Allum said. He reported the incident to police and shared it on social media, receiving dozens of messages of support from the community, who shared their upset at the news. Mr Allum said he does not want money but would like to have the nutcracker returned. We bought that in September, trying to get a nutcracker now is impossible. Kent Police are appealing for witnesses and said they hope to be able to return the nutcracker to Mr Allum. The figure, which is approximately five feet tall and has a value of 250, had stood in front of a funeral home to make visits more welcoming for bereaved people, a spokesperson for Kent Police said. Two men, a 59-year-old and a 39-year-old, from Sheerness, have been arrested in connection with the theft, officers said. Anyone who may have relevant information or CCTV footage should contact Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting 46/208343/25. Credit: Reuters Wildfires have ripped through a town in the Australian state of New South Wales, engulfing more than a dozen homes, as authorities urged residents of the region to leave now. The blaze broke out in the coastal town of Koolewong, north of Sydney, as temperatures hit 42C (108F) on Saturday. Authorities sent out an alert for the Phegans Bay and Woy Woy areas in the states central coastal region and put danger warnings to their highest level for thousands of residents across New South Wales, the nations most populous state. Residents of the coastal region, which has a population of more than 350,000 people and is around 45km (30 miles) north of Sydney, were urged to leave now if the path is clear towards Woy Woy by the states Rural Fire Service. More than 50 bushfires were burning across the state late on Saturday, including a blaze in the Upper Hunter area. Firefighters spray water on the ruins of a house after a bushfire engulfed homes in Koolewong - Dan Himbrechts/EPA/Shutterstock Up to 16 homes were engulfed by the Koolewong fire, the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) reported. A resident said: You had no time to even think... weve lost everything, all weve got left is what were wearing. Paul Collis, the duty commander for New South Wales Fire and Rescue, told ABC: A lot of the homes are built on steep and difficult terrain with multi-level houses ... a lot of them are made of timber with timber decks and theyre very, very hard to protect. The fire comes after several calmer seasons, with authorities warning that put the country at higher risk because the accumulation of dead vegetation and forest debris would facilitate wildfire spread. A Coulson Hercules air tanker, used to drop water or fire retardant, flies over the Koolewong on Saturday - Dan Himbrechts/EPA/Shutterstock In 2019 to 2020, Australia experienced some of the most catastrophic fires in its history as flames engulfed an area the size of Turkey and 33 people were killed. In what became known as Black Summer, a lack of soil moisture and exceptionally dry conditions sparked fires in Queensland that then ripped across the south-east of the country until March 2020. Vladimir Putin wrapped up his short trip to India on Friday night after offering prime minister Narendra Modi "uninterrupted shipments" of fuel amid mounting pressure from the US for New Delhi to revise its decades-old partnership with Russia. Modi broke protocol on Thursday to receive Putin at the airport, greeting him with a bear hug and a firm handshake, before the two settled into the back seat of the same car for the drive to the prime ministers residence for dinner. The gesture was a clear signal to the West that its efforts to isolate Putin can only go so far, with the Modi government intent on showing it can maintain what it refers to as strategic autonomy, walking a tightrope between Moscow and Washington. During his 30-hour visit to the world's most polluted capital city, Putin held talks with Modi, attended a private and a state dinner, a business forum and announced the launch of an India service from the Kremlin-funded Russia Today. However, beyond the displays of bonhomie, Putins visit produced little in terms of substantive deals between India and Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embrace each other at the Palam Air Base in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 Both leaders announced that India and Russia have finalised an economic cooperation programme running until 2030, which will help diversify their business and boost annual trade to $100bn by that year. The two countries enjoyed robust bilateral trade of $68.7bn in the last fiscal year. But that trade is concentrated in just a few sectors and heavily skewed in favour of Russia, with India keen to bridge the gap by pushing up 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's President Vladimir Putin (L) listens as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the joint press statements after their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on December 5, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images) "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." Critics say Putins visit could strain Indias relations with the EU and the US and might jeopardise negotiations on major trade agreements, despite New Delhi maintaining historic ties with Moscow that date back to the Cold War era. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent in August, saying half of that total represented punitive sanctions for New Delhi's continued purchases of discounted Russian oil. India has gone from importing negligible amounts of Russian oil before the Ukraine war to being the second biggest importer of Russian crude after China. The US says purchases of Russian oil help finance Moscows war machine and recently sanctioned two of Moscows biggest oil producers in a bid to force third parties 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 Russian oil purchases as well. India was careful to play down Putins offer of uninterrupted oil supplies without rejecting it outright. India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that the recent sanctions imposed on Russian oil were discussed by Modi and Putin, but did not give more details. Before the summit talks on Friday, the Russian leader said the two countries "have a very trusting relationship when it comes to military-technical cooperation". Yet for India, Putin's visit granted no major defence announcements, even after their defence ministers met on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sit inside a limousine after arriving at the Palam Air Base in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Indian officials earlier said that Modi, in the meeting with Putin, would push for faster delivery of two more Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. It has already received three under a 2018 deal worth about $5.4bn. The two sides signed a pact in February to improve military cooperation, exercises, port calls, disaster relief assistance and logistics support, and that agreement was ratified by Moscows State Duma ahead of Putins India visit. Talks were also expected on upgrading Indias Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets and accelerating deliveries of critical military hardware. There were no new agreements to be signed in the end, just a joint statement saying both sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts and components for the maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment. This would be done through the transfer of technology and the setting up of joint ventures. Prime minister Modi said after the talks that India would soon start issuing free electronic visas for Russian tourists and groups visiting the country. And a key area where the two countries hope to finalise an agreement is the safety and regulation of skilled Indian migrant workers to Russia. Business aside, Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said that the informal dinner between Putin and Modi was "one of the key points of the visit. Ushakov told state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta that "during such confidential face-to-face contacts, the most urgent, most sensitive and most important issues of both bilateral relations and the international situation are discussed". "Politics is made at these kind of meetings." A bedbound 84-year-old pensioner has been prosecuted and convicted for not insuring her car when her health declined and she was unable to leave her own bedroom. The woman handed back her driving licence as she went in and out of hospital and then started receiving care visits at home, and she believed she had done everything to comply with the rules. But she then faced a DVLA prosecution for not renewing the insurance on her silver Peugeot which she knows she will never drive again. The octogenarian penned a letter on her heartbreaking circumstances with the help of her nephew, who now has lasting power of attorney and assists with day to day tasks, telling the court: I am not sure if I will ever leave my bedroom at the age of 84, but I certainly won't ever drive a car again. She spelled out how she now needs four daily care visits for help with eating and washing, revealed the Peugeot has now been sold, and insisted: I honestly thought I had done everything I needed to do when I handed back my licence. But her letter was not enough to stop the criminal prosecution, which was conducted through the controversial fast-track Single Justice Procedure courts. Courts minister Sarah Sackman is understood to be mulling over Single Justice Procedure reform (Parliament) A magistrate sitting in the City of London opted not to send the case back to the DVLA for a review, convicted the pensioner, and imposed a discharge instead of a financial penalty. The Standard has spent the last two-and-a-half years exposing the way frail, vulnerable, and infirm pensioners are routinely prosecuted and convicted in the Single Justice Procedure over unpaid household bills. The Labour government promised reform of the system more than a year ago, but has dragged its heels on making changes. In her letter to the court, the 84-year-old from Colwyn Bay in North Wales said her nephew helped her to complete the Single Justice Procedure form due to her ill health, which started in late 2024. I have been in and out of hospital on a number of occasions and am now unfortunately bed bound with in-home care, she wrote. My car which has always been parked on my drive was of no use to me and I did not insure it on renewal as I will never drive again and have surrendered my driving licence. At that time I thought I had done everything I needed to do and have since sold the car. Due to my health I am confined to me bedroom and unable to manage my own day-to-day affairs, lasting power of attorney is now active for my nephew should he need to take control of my affairs. She said the lack of insurance was a genuine oversight - the first I have ever made and it is because I am unwell and able to deal with everything at the moment. I have no local relatives and have asked my nephew in the Isle of Man to help me here. I am sorry for not understanding what I needed to do and not dealing with this earlier but I honestly thought I had done everything I needed to do when I handed back my licence. I am not sure if I will ever leave my bedroom at the age of 84, but I certainly won't ever drive a car again. I apologise for doing this wrong but ask that you consider my circumstances in mitigation. I now have carers coming in to see me four times a day to feed, clean and do everything for me but I have no local relatives and my paperwork is not up to date. The Single Justice Procedure, which was introduced in 2015 under the Conservatives, operates behind closed doors to deal with thousands of low level criminal cases every week. The DVLA is among the bodies who have called for reform of the system, so that prosecutors see mitigation letters which may contain information suggesting a case is no longer in the public interest before it goes before a magistrate. The Magistrates Association agrees with the idea, and has itself set out a suggested 12-point plan for reform of the broken system. A survey of magistrates in March last year set out how some feel pressured into making decisions quickly, and lack the necessary training on their powers and responsibilities. Magistrates are already able to refer cases back to prosecutors if they believe a fresh public interest check is needed. But that power is rarely exercised. The Labour government conducted a consultation on SJP reform which ended in May. Nothing has yet been announced as a result of that process. A boy sits slumped amid the rubble in Nuseirat, central Gaza, after an overnight Israeli airstrike on 29 October in which at least 50 Palestinians died. Photograph: Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images default When Jumaa and Fadi Abu Assi went to look for firewood their parents thought they would be safe. They were just young boys, aged nine and 10 and, after all, a ceasefire had been declared in Gaza. Their mother, Hala Abu Assi, was making tea in the familys tent in Khan Younis when she heard an explosion, a missile fired by an Israeli drone. She ran to the scene but it was too late. Since the US-brokered ceasefire was announced on 10 October, Israeli forces have killed more than 360 Palestinians in Gaza; according to a UN official, at least 70 are children like Jumaa and Fadi. They were killed, their mother said, at a time when bloodshed was supposed to stop. After the ceasefire was announced, I felt a bit of safety and believed that nothing would harm my children any more, Abu Assi said. But fate had another plan. She is focused now on keeping her two surviving daughters alive. I still hear explosions and gunfire, she said. I do not feel that the war has ended. The toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza has fallen significantly compared with the preceding two years of war, when on average 90 Palestinians were killed each day, but significant numbers of civilians are still losing their lives. On average, Israeli weapons now kill seven people a day. That rate of violent death would be considered an active conflict in many other contexts, raising questions about how accurately ceasefire describes the new status quo. Its something that if you want to you can call a ceasefire, which is very convenient for the Americans and for everyone who wants this off their television screens and off their streets and off their annoying parliamentary and political schedules, said Daniel Levy, a former Israeli negotiator and the president of the US/Middle East Project. It is very convenient for Israel. The pressure is off and they have smashed the whole place up, and can still kill as they please. Amnesty International has alleged that Israel is still committing genocide in Gaza and that the use of the term ceasefire risks creating a dangerous illusion that life in Gaza is returning to normal. The Israeli military has made clear it is still operating a shoot-to-kill policy around its positions. It acknowledged the drone strike on Jumaa and Fadi Abu Assi, describing the two young boys collecting wood to feed and warm their family as suspects who threatened Israeli soldiers. Yellow line hardens Like many of those killed under the ceasefire, the young brothers were targeted for approaching the yellow line to which the army has withdrawn under the truce. It now bifurcates Gaza, giving Israel the lions share. In the original ceasefire map Israel would continue to occupy 53% of the Gaza Strip, but the Israeli army unilaterally expanded that to 58% when it laid down markers to delineate its territory. This division is Gazas new reality, with the US military preparing for an indefinite partition into what it calls a green zone under Israeli and international military control, where reconstruction would start, and a red zone to be left in ruins. According to a geographical analysis by Forensic Architecture, the great bulk of Gazas fertile farmland is in Israeli hands, while the population is mostly confined to the barren coastal sand dunes, the red zone. The ceasefire proposals put forward by Donald Trump, enshrined in large part in a UN security council resolution last month, imagined further steps after the first-phase hostage and prisoner exchange and the pullback to the yellow line. Israeli forces are supposed to continue to withdraw, to be replaced by an international stabilisation force (ISF) overseen by a peace board chaired by Trump, with other world leaders of his choosing, with a technocratic Palestinian committee to conduct day-to-day governance. However, these phases, even more difficult to agree than the initial halt to fighting, were left purposefully vague and remain just as hazy two months on. Israel has been adamant there can be no progress from the first phase until all the bodies of hostages killed during the war are returned and Hamas is disarmed. Hamas has found and returned all but one of the bodies and has said it is prepared to discuss handover of offensive weapons, such as rocket launchers and rockets, but not to Israel or any Israeli-backed entity. The UN resolution in November suggested the ISF could lead the disarmament, but none of the countries supposed to be contributing troops, such as Indonesia, Azerbaijan or Pakistan, are willing to send soldiers to take weapons from Hamas against its will. A EU-sponsored training programme for Palestinian police involving recruits from Gaza and the West Bank, which was under way in Egypt and Jordan before the ceasefire, is due to be expanded. But without a governing authority for Gaza it is uncertain who would direct such a force, and Israel has made clear it will not countenance anything with a Palestinian national character. Against this backdrop of uncertainty and delay, there are growing signs that the yellow line is hardening into something more permanent, a partition of Gaza. The army has been building concrete outposts along the yellow line, creating new free-fire areas around them. On the Israeli-occupied side of the line, the army has continued to flatten Palestinian neighbourhoods wrecked by the war, despite the Trump plans commitment to reconstruction. What will rise in their place, if anything, is unclear. Israel has indicated it will allow construction only in the green zone it occupies, and plans developed by the US government and military envisage scattered fenced camps, rather than rebuilding Palestinian communities. Referred to as alternative safe communities (ASCs), they would be little more than refugee camps, with Palestinians living in prefabricated units or repurposed shipping containers, with shared community toilets and showers. Residents would be vetted to exclude any Palestinian who had been paid by Hamas even in a civilian role, or who had a relative, including cousins, aunts and uncles, who had been on any Hamas payroll. It is not clear if those who moved to the Israeli-controlled areas would be allowed to cross back to the western zone of Gaza. Several humanitarian organisations and European countries have refused to take part in planning for ASCs, on the grounds the project could break international law. They fear the ASCs could be used as a tool of coercive displacement, and exploit civilian needs to pursue military goals. The US is also ignoring basic issues such as land ownership, said Amjad Iraqi, the senior analyst for Israel and Palestine at the International Crisis Group. American officials coming in with this sort of blank slate approach, that you just can sort of reconstruct things from scratch as if nothing existed before, no houses or no communities or no land registrations in the areas. It breaks every international law in the book, Iraqi said. Even if the US does push ahead with a pilot ASC planned for Rafah, the project will do almost nothing to ease the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Mountains of rubble dotted with unexploded bombs must be cleared before construction can start and even the most optimistic timeline allows for six months work before the first Palestinians move in, sources briefed on the plans said. When completed it would house only 25,000 people, barely 1% of Gazas population. Locked in dire conditions Meanwhile, the ceasefire deal as it stands leaves Gazas remaining 2.2 million Palestinians hemmed into just 42% of their former territory, and locked into dire conditions. Palestinians are by no means safe from Israeli strikes, many of which have been in relocation areas set aside for them, according to the Forensic Architecture analyst group. Nine in 10 Palestinians in Gaza are without homes, which have been reduced to ruins. The latest satellite data suggests 81% of dwellings have been destroyed or severely damaged by Israeli bombardment. Most live in tents, vulnerable to the coming winter. Two heavy downpours in November flooded Gazas tented camps, washing away hundreds ,if not thousands, of shelters. In the most recent deluge, on 25 November, tents in Deir al-Balah collapsed under the pressure of water pouring in from all directions. Some people tried digging channels to divert the water away, while most stayed huddled in their tents. Much of the flood water came from overflowing sewage pits nearby. We are very concerned about water-borne diseases given the dire hygiene situation and lack of sufficient sanitation. We are concerned that diseases like cholera could appear if the situation doesnt improve as soon as possible, said Jonathan Crickx, spokesperson for the UN child protection agency, Unicef, in Palestine. Theres been a significant spike in acute watery diarrhoea over the past four weeks affecting children above five. Food supplies in Gaza have increased since the declaration of the ceasefire. Aid deliveries have gone up from an average of 91 trucks a day in the month before the 10 October truce, to 133 a day in the following month. A reduction in looting also makes it easier for aid groups to reach the most vulnerable people. Before the ceasefire, most aid was stolen by gangs or desperate Palestinians before reaching its destination. At the same time, non-UN shipments, including commercial supplies and deliveries from Arab countries, have increased at a faster rate. According to World Food Programme figures, commercial shipments have nearly quadrupled from 37 trucks a day in September to 144 trucks daily in the first week of November. The influx of commercial goods has reduced prices in markets from the astronomical levels of the war. Flour in the Deir al-Balah market costs four shekels (93p) a kg, a kg of sugar is five shekels (1.16), a single egg four shekels, and a chicken 35 shekels (8.11). A tent costs between 1,000 and 2,000 shekels (231 to 462). But even these prices are beyond the vast majority of Palestinians, who have exhausted their savings after two years without work and now rely on aid. However, the total inflow of goods remains below the prewar average of 600 trucks a day, while the needs of the population have increased exponentially, as the war has robbed almost all Palestinians of shelter, their livelihoods, schools and hospitals. Were not seeing major increases in the scope of stuff that is coming in, said Sam Rose, the acting director for Gaza for Unrwa, the UN relief agency serving Palestinians in the region. Unrwa is by far the biggest aid agency in Gaza, but has been banned by Israel, which claims some of its 13,000 employees in the territory took part in the October 2023 attack on Israel that ignited the war. World risks being complicit European and Arab states justified their support for the Trump proposals at the UN resolution that codified them as a way to keep the US engaged in peace efforts and to give his proposed steps some form of legitimacy and at least a nod towards some future Palestinian state. They have rationalised their involvement in the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) along similar lines, pointing to modest improvements in aid deliveries in the hope of containing the threat of famine. The CMCC, established in a warehouse in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, is staffed by the Israeli and US militaries along with liaison officers from other countries backing the ceasefire. There is no Palestinian representation. Observers warn European and Arab states as well as aid agencies that without significant advances in the peace process, the CMCC risks being complicit with the Israeli military in a status quo that keeps Palestinians in inhuman conditions, and in schemes such as the ASC plan, in contravention of humanitarian law. An army that has just committed a genocide has 30, 40 other militaries now collaborating with it in its back yard, Daniel Levy said. Rose said: Theres not as much international outrage and pressure directed towards Israel these days, but the fact is that people are living in miserable conditions and continue to be killed in spite of the ceasefire. Palestinians are being confronted with these multiple possible futures over which they have zero control. So that element of helplessness, psychological torture and cruelty theyve endured for the past two years that persists. Faiq al-Sakani has nowhere to take his family of nine other than the wrecked shell of their home in Gaza Citys Tuffah district, about 500 metres from the yellow line. For the 37-year-old, no day is without anxiety that his children could die. The situation is extremely tense. Every day, we hear the sounds of tanks moving, firing shells, and shooting in all directions, he said on Thursday. Just yesterday, a group of my relatives was directly targeted in the area; three of them were killed, and several others were critically injured. It feels as if the war is still ongoing and there has been no ceasefire, Sakhani added. It is unbearable; there is no sign of normal life at all. Police officers wearing PPE walk next to the Wang Fuk Court housing complex after the deadly fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on 3 December. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters Beijings security agency in Hong Kong has summoned international journalists to inform them it will not tolerate trouble-making, following critical coverage of the deadly apartment complex fire that has left the territory reeling. Senior reporters from several media outlets operating in the city were called to the Office for Safeguarding National Security (OSNS), which was set up by Beijing in 2020. In the meeting, which was attended by the New York Times and Agence France-Presse, an official accused journalists of tainting the government. The official did not give specific examples of coverage and did not take questions, according to AFP. An OSNS statement posted online shortly after the meeting accused some foreign media of having disregarded facts, spread false information, distorted and smeared the governments disaster relief and aftermath work. Hong Kong has been on edge since the fire on 26 November in an apartment complex, which left at least 159 people dead. The blaze at the eight-tower Wang Fuk Court in northern Hong Kong is the citys worst disaster in 75 years, and the worlds most fatal residential building fire since 1980. Related: Hong Kong warns external forces working to exploit apartment fire, as death toll rises to 159 Home to nearly 5,000 people, the sprawling block of apartments was under extensive renovations that have since been found to contain substandard, flammable materials, leading to public outcry. The online OSNS statement urged journalists to not cross the legal red line. The office will not tolerate the actions of all anti-China and trouble-making elements in Hong Kong, adding: Dont say we didnt warn you. Semi-autonomous Hong Kong was returned from the UK to China in 1997 and operates under a one-country, two-systems framework. It has long prided itself on liberties not available on the mainland, such as a free press and the ability to demonstrate. However, those freedoms have been eroded since the wide-ranging national security law was passed in 2020, which gave Beijing sweeping powers to curtail dissent. The OSNS warned earlier this week against what it claimed were external forces threatening to exploit the fire, as well as anti-China media organisations. Saturdays statement accused some in the media of having attacked and interfered with the legislative election, which will be held on Sunday. Hong Kongs electoral system was revamped in 2021 to ensure that only patriots could hold office, meaning pro-China candidates. Agence France-Presse contributed to this report NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 until January 12, 2026 to 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 Do If 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 ([email protected]), 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 by January 12, 2026 . About the Lawsuit Stride 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, LLC KSF, 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 Services To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. Contact: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner [email protected] 1-877-515-1850 1100 Poydras St., Suite 960 New Orleans, LA 70163 CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedIn SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Pattie Gonia, mountaineer and photographer. Photograph: Karen K Wang Photography Pattie Gonia, the drag queen and environmentalist, arrived in San Francisco on Friday afternoon and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge with $1m more than when she set out on her journey last week. The diversity and inclusion advocate completed the 100-mile trek from Point Reyes national seashore to San Francisco in full drag with her voluminous red wig and smokey eye. The effort was part of a campaign she launched to raise $1m for eight non-profits that aim to expand access and make the outdoors a more equitable place. Dont let anyone ever tell you that you cant make a difference, she wrote on social media after completing the journey. When I started being Pattie, everyone told me I was crazy. When I told people I wanted to do this fundraiser, [they] laughed in my face. Seven years later and I hope I can be a little bit of proof to you that combining who you are and what youre good at to fight for the change you want to see in the world works. Pattie Gonia has become one of the most visible drag queens in the US in recent years. In 2024, Donald Trumps campaign used footage of her with Kamala Harris as part of an attack ad against the then vice-president. Earlier this year she helped organize a demonstration at Yosemite, where LGBTQ+ climbers hung a trans pride flag on El Capitan. We flew the Trans pride flag in Yosemite to make a statement: Trans people are natural and Trans people are loved, she said in a statement at the time. We are done being polite about Trans peoples existence. Call it a protest, call it a celebration either way, its giving elevation to liberation. Recently, she playfully challenged the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, to a pull-up competition in a video that contrasted footage of her lifting herself with ease with video of Hegseth appearing to struggle through the exercise. For the last week, she was on a solo trek on the California coast, getting in drag daily and setting up camp each night, while filming videos documenting the journey. She is set to perform her final show of the year in San Francisco on Saturday, That is, if I can make it in time, she said. Video posted to social media on Friday evening showed her strutting across the Golden Gate Bridge and ending her journey with cake. By Friday, a GoFundMe for the project had raised more than $1m from almost 35,000 individual donations. Clementine Autain in Sevran, in her Seine-Saint-Denis constituency. Photograph: Julien Daniel/The Guardian At a busy market in Sevran, a low-income suburb north of Paris, the local MP, Clementine Autain, was shaking hands and posing for selfies, arguing that only a left alliance could stave off the threat of a French far-right president being elected in less than 18 months. The French far right is high in the polls and riding an international Trumpian wave, said Autain, 52. Without the left uniting behind a radical project, we cant beat them. Autain, a regular face on TV whose Seine-Saint-Denis constituency in the suburbs of Paris is a leftwing stronghold, has announced she will run to be the presidential candidate for the left in a cross-party primary race next year. Polling shows that Marine Le Pens anti-immigration, far-right National Rally is the closest it has ever been to winning the presidency. Whether its candidate in spring 2027 is Le Pen (which depends on a January appeal trial after her conviction for embezzling European parliament funds) or her protege Jordan Bardella, the party is gaining ground amid voters disillusionment with politics and anger at inequality, taxation and cuts to public services. Autain said one elderly person had recently told her: What this country needs is a French Donald Trump. But Autains conviction that the different parties on the French left from radical left to centre can overcome their policy disputes and personality clashes, take part in a joint primary race and unite behind one single presidential candidate in 2027 is seen by some critics as a remote dream. Autain is known for her staunch leftwing policy, from higher taxes on billionaires to better funding for public services. She was one of a handful of MPs who were excluded last year from Jean-Luc Melenchons leftwing party La France Insoumise after they questioned strategy and founded a new movement, LApres (After), which now sits in parliament with the Greens. She is also known for her unusual life story. At the age of 10, Autain sang Abba covers in a childrens pop group, and her memoir about the neglect she suffered from her alcoholic film star mother, Dominique Laffin, has been adapted into a hard-hitting film that opened in French cinemas this week. Less well known is that Autains maternal grandfather, Andre Laffin, who died before she was born, was a far-right figure and one of the co-founders with Marine Le Pens father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, of a short-lived party in the early 1960s. My mother took the opposite political view to her father she was steeped in 1968 as a feminist resolutely in search of freedom, Autain said. I didnt know this grandfather who died before I was born, so I dont have any feelings for him. But its clear his influence is unconsciously at play in my political project. Its as if I intimately feel the reactionary attitude and authoritarianism of the far right and have an urgent need to fight them. Last June, the French left succeeded in putting aside its differences in record time to form a united front in Macrons sudden snap parliament election. Voters rallied and Le Pens party was held back from taking parliament. But the hung parliament was split between three groups: the left, the far right and the centre. Now Autain and several figures on the left want that alliance to reunite in a primary race to back one presidential candidate next year. The Green leader, Marine Tondelier, will run in the primary against Autain, as will the northern MP Francois Ruffin. And, underlining fears about the far right, the Socialist party will also take part. But two key figures with presidential ambitions have refused: the veteran leftist Melenchon, 74, who has run for president three times and believes his party is well placed for 2027, and the centre-left essayist and member of the European parliament Raphael Glucksmann. Both could announce their bids early next year. We have to end the melancholy of the left, Autain said, noting that the French left had failed to get through to the final round of the last two presidential elections when Emmanuel Macron, a centrist, twice beat Le Pen, with a shrinking margin. She feels that a united left candidate is the only way to make the final round. The melancholy on the left is a form of nostalgia mixed with a spirit of defeat an internalised sense that were all doomed so everybody might as well retreat to their own camp, rather than getting out there to form an alliance. For Autain, the personal is political. In cinemas this week the feature film Dites-lui que je laime (Tell Her That I Love Her) explores Autains experience growing up with her mother, who was found dead in the bath when she was 12. Autain appears in the film playing her adult self. Scenes reproducing her childhood show her left alone at night or trying to stop her mother smashing up a hotel bar because the bartender had stopped serving. Its about how children construct themselves when they have a mother whos unable to look after them, she said. It takes time to gain understanding, to see parents as people with their own suffering, stories and weaknesses Everyone has something to settle with their parents how to forgive and how to accept them. Its universal. Autain said she obsessively created a life very different to her mothers. She didnt taste red wine until she was 30. I still dont drink beer because of the smell, she said. My mother drank beer in the mornings: wed go from bar to bar and I had to wait beside her while she drank, so that smell of beer, I just cant do it. Long before the #MeToo movement, Autain spoke publicly about surviving rape. In 1995, as a 22-year-old history student on her way to a lecture on the outskirts of Paris, she was grabbed at knifepoint in the street. She gave evidence and the serial rapist, who had attacked up to 30 women, was convicted. A few years into her political career, she went public. It was important to me to speak out so others could also speak out, she said. I found it brutal as a rape victim, to see that women who spoke on TV about rape were pixelated as if there was shame. Surviving rape led her to found a feminist organisation. She then built a career in leftwing politics and edited the magazine Regards. Related: French conservatives are inching towards a pact with Le Pen that could enable a far-right takeover of the country | Paul Taylor She said polling showed that most French people backed the lefts ideas investment in hospitals, fairer taxation of the very rich and multinationals even if they didnt vote left. Its that gap we have to bridge, she said. For Autain, tax justice is crucial. Were in a country that is passionate about equality, she said. She and the MP Eva Sas were the first in parliament to table the Zucman tax, under which a 2% levy would be imposed on wealth above 100m (88m). It was voted down by the senate but has stirred a national debate that continues. Autain believes the French left must distance itself from the pro-business shift of the last Socialist president, Francois Hollande. To win back people on the left, and the French people, we have to have a project thats frank and offers a profound transformation which breaks with the misguided ways of social democracy in the second half of the 20th century, she said. And it must be able to unite because the splitting in three of the French political landscape [between left, centre and far right] is a major change. The families of two of the victims killed when a UPS cargo jet crashed at its World Port hub in Louisville, Kentucky, have launched wrongful death lawsuits. An MD-11 cargo plane bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, crashed near Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville on November 4, killing three UPS pilots on the plane and 11 people on the ground. Another 23 people were injured. The plane smashed into an industrial area near the airport and exploded in an enormous fireball after its left engine detached during takeoff. The lawsuits are naming UPS, UPS Air, Boeing, GE, and VT San Antonio Aerospace an aircraft maintenance firm as defendants. The Independent has requested comment from the defendants. Lead attorney for the families, Robert Clifford, alleges that the accident was caused by corporate decisions to keep the aging MD-11 aircrafts many of which are more than 30 years old in service without performing detailed inspections. A UPS MD-11 cargo plane crashed near Muhammed Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky on November 4, 2025, causing a massive explosion upon impact. The families of two of the 14 people killed in the crash have launched wrongful death lawsuits against a number of defendants connected to the crash (Courtesy of X account @LeviDean9) This plane should have never been airworthy to be in the air that day, and this crash was preventable, Bradley Cosgrove, of Clifford Law Offices said during a press conference. We hope to find all of the reasons why it was preventable. The families suing are those of Angela Anderson, who was killed while she was shopping near the airport, and Trinadette Chavez, who was working at an Auto Parts dealer when the aircraft crashed. Chavez's family said they will "fight for her, no matter how long it takes, just like she always did for us," said during a press conference announcing the lawsuits on Wednesday. Gabriela Hermosillo-Nunez, Chavez's sister, said she was the "heart and soul" of her family, according to Louisville Public Media. A satellite image taken and released by Vantor on November 5, 2025 shows a close-up view of the debris path after a cargo plane crashed near the Louisville International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, shortly after takeoff on November 4. (Vantor) While others her age were living their childhoods, [Chavez], who was a child herself, was feeding us, changing our diapers, teaching us, protecting us and showering us with love, she said. UPS and GE both issued statements saying they do not comment on pending litigation, but said safety remains a top priority for both companies. Since the crash, the FAA has grounded all MD-11 aircraft for inspections and safety reviews. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the crash. The FAA said it will likely have a final report on the crash and its cause prepared sometime in 2026. In addition to the lawsuit brought by the families, the federal government is also suing UPS, accusing it of negligence and "wanton conduct." A Pakistani armoured vehicle stands at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman on December 6, 2025, following overnight cross-border clashes between the two countries (AFP via Getty Images) At least four civilians have been killed in heavy gunfire at the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan after the collapse of peace talks involving the two countries. The border clashes erupted between Pakistani forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan, with both sides accusing each other of breaking a ceasefire that was agreed two months ago. Negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad aimed at easing border tensions broke down in November, but a Qatar-brokered ceasefire has nonetheless mostly held. A medical worker in Kandahar told BBC Pashto that four bodies had been brought to a local hospital. Four other people were wounded in Afghanistan, while three people sustained injuries in Pakistan. 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. The clash forced residents in the Afghan city of Spin Boldak in Kandahar district to flee overnight. A spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister also accused Afghan forces of "unprovoked firing" along the Chaman border. "Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens," spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement. But Afghan border police said the Pakistani forces first lobbed a hand grenade, prompting a response. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces launched attacks in Spin Boldak. Unfortunately, this evening, the Pakistani side once again launched attacks on Afghanistan ... forcing the forces of the Islamic Emirate to respond, Mujahid wrote on X. A Pakistani army tank stands at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman on December 6, 2025, following overnight cross-border fire between the two countries (AFP via Getty Images) The exchange came nearly a week after a new round of peace talks between the South Asian neighbours ended without a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire. The talks in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series of meetings. Earlier discussions were hosted by Qatar and Turkey. Tensions between the two neighbours who share a 1,600-mile border spiked in October with deadly clashes killing dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants, and wounded hundreds more on both sides. The border clashes were preceded by suspected airstrikes in Kabul on 9 October. The Taliban blamed the explosions on Pakistan and vowed revenge. The fighting is the worst between the neighbours since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021. The Qatar-mediated ceasefire eased tensions somewhat but subsequent peace talks in Istanbul failed to produce an agreement. Pakistan blames most militant attacks inside its borders on the Pakistani Taliban, also known are Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (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 took over. Frank Gehry in front of Bilbaos Guggenheim Museum (AFP via Getty Images) Frank Gehry, an acclaimed Canadian-American architect renowned for his imaginative designs, has died at the age of 96. His chief of staff, Meaghan Lloyd, confirmed he passed away on Friday morning in Santa Monica. Gehry's distinctive work included the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and Berlins striking DZ Bank Building. Born in Toronto on 28 February 1929, Gehry relocated to Los Angeles with his family in 1947. He later earned his bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Southern California. His illustrious career spanned over six decades, leaving a legacy of public and private structures across the globe. Incorporating distorted and fragmented shapes and materials, his work consistently placed a focus on the surrounding environment, ensuring it complemented the wider context and culture. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain Over his career he was awarded a range of prizes, including some of the highest honours in the industry. Those included the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1989 and later the distinguished Gold Medal for Architecture from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2000. The Guggeinheim, which opened in 1997, is one of Gehrys most celebrated works. Made of titanium, limestone and glass, the building has become an iconic attraction and drew 1.3 million visitors in 2024, according to the museums website. Another of his buildings, the Louis Vuitton Foundation in the Bois de Boulogne park, has been described as a magnificent vessel for Paris. The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles Gehrys work and influence was also recognised by governments and institutions around the world. In 2003, he was designated a Companion to the Order of Canada and was also inducted into the European Academy of Sciences and Arts by the European Union. Three years later he was given the distinction of Chevalier, In 2014 he was elevated to the rank of Commandeur of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, which is the highest honour in France for military and civil merits. In 2016 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President Barack Obama. The Great Gambon (Supplied) It was Sir Ralph Richardson who first anointed Michael Gambon later a knight himself with the moniker the Great. The two were appearing together when Sir Ralph summoned the young actor to his dressing room. Rifling through a drawer, he produced a strip of Indian paisley wrapped around a giant black pill. With ceremonial gravitas, he handed it to Gambon, poured him a whisky and ordered him to swallow it immediately, like something from Alice in Wonderland. Now you shall henceforth be known to the world as the Great Gambon, he declared. You have taken the magic pill. Then, just as ceremonially, he handed over a misshapen stone. You must hold this magical stone to keep in your pocket to ward off malignant spirits and help keep you grounded. Gambon kept that stone with him for performances for the rest of his life, and the Great stuck just as firmly. Over the following decades he conquered the RSC and the National, television, and then Hollywood, eventually becoming Albus Dumbledore for a generation of Harry Potter-obsessed children. Dominic West recalls that his children went to the same school as Gambons, and he was once asked to MC at a session where Gambon would speak to pupils about the Potter films. Both men feared the worst as neither of them had ever read the books. I dont know a single thing about Dumbledore! Gambon confessed over the din of 60 expectant nine-year-olds. It was one of the funniest 20 minutes of my life, West recalls. Why did Dumbledore in book four volume eight use the Jabberwock spell instead of the Sinistrian spell when battling Obfuscious? Imagine Michaels look of pained helplessness. Hysterical tears welling in his eyes, from laughter. But the kids loved him. To them, of course, he was perfect. A star-studded wake Milly Elliss book is not a conventional biography but a gathering of just such stories from the actors and theatre folk who worked with Gambon. Its atmosphere is of the stories people tell each other at a wake: shared recollections of why the funny, talented and unique person they are gathered to remember will be missed. That is no accident. Ellis conceived the book shortly after Gambons death in 2023, determined to gather in one place the anecdotes friends told of him, because she could not bear them to be lost. This means it does not delve deeply into his inner workings or private life. His long marriage and second family appear, but do not take centre stage. The point is not disclosure but remembrance. She watched him from inches away, sensing the flickers of panic, pride and exhilaration Ellis spent 15 years as Gambons earwig: the backstage prompter feeding him lines through an earpiece as his memory declined. It is a role that granted her a perspective no critic or colleague could match. She watched him from inches away, hearing the rhythms beneath the performance, sensing the flickers of panic, pride and exhilaration even co-stars missed. This book is her attempt to honour the private man behind the blazing talent. The stories she collects reflect that intimacy. We see him observing Dennis Potter with forensic intensity while filming The Singing Detective; enduring Dame Maggie Smiths fury when he stole the limelight during Othello; laughing over his jokey rivalry with Alan Howard about a youthful fling with Dame Helen Mirren. Mischievous and volcanic The cast of voices is extraordinary: Robert De Niro, Tom Hollander, Daniel Craig, Dame Judi Dench and many others offer memories of a man who could be as mischievous and volcanic as he was tender and supportive. The book, though, ends with Gambons own words. It is almost the last time they talk, shortly before lockdown, and his memory was such that talking with him was like watching a moth batter itself against the light, unbearable, Ellis writes. Over the phone he asked her, bewildered: Where am I? Have you seen my stone? I cant find my stone. He never acted again. Yet to Ellis, and to all the greats she quotes, he clearly never stopped being and never will stop being The Great Gambon. The Great Gambon by Milly Ellis is out now (Abacus, 16.99) South African police have been grappling with violence linked to illegal bars, known as shebeens, in places such as Saulsville, west of Pretoria. Photograph: Bloomberg Gunmen have stormed into a hostel in South Africas capital and killed at least 12 people, including a three-year-old child, and injured more than a dozen others. Police said they had launched a manhunt for three people and were investigating whether the killings were linked to a bar within the hostel that may have been selling alcohol illegally. The attack is the latest in a series of mass shootings in the country of 63 million people, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world. I can confirm that a total of 25 people were shot, said a police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, of the early morning attack in Saulsville township, 11 miles (18km) west of Pretoria. She said the armed men had shot indiscriminately. Ten had died at the scene while two died in hospital, she said. The twelfth victim succumbed to injuries on Saturday afternoon. The victims included a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. South African police have been grappling with violence linked to illegal bars, known as shebeens, which often sell home-brewed drinks. With high levels of gun ownership in the country, shootings linked to organised crime are common and police say they are often fuelled by alcohol. These illegal shebeens are really giving us a problem as the police, Mathe told the 24-hour eNCA news broadcaster. Because a lot of murders are being reported at these illegal establishments. Forensic and ballistic experts and investigators were at the scene. So we are on a manhunt. For now, we are looking for three suspects, Mathe said. Between April and September, more than 60 people were killed each day in South Africa, according to police data. Agence France-Presse contributed to this report Gary and Josh Moores dream spell at Sandown continued on Saturday when Hurricane Pat played himself into the Cheltenham Festival equation with a facile victory in the opening Betfair Exchange Claremont Novices Hurdle. An impressive course-and-distance scorer last month, the five-year-old was sent off 7-2 in the Listed event and with Philip Hobbs and Johnson Whites heavy favourite Sober Glory failing to live up to his reputation, Hurricane Pat was left to saunter home to a five-and-a-half-length success over Dan Skeltons Cheltenham winner Soldier Reeves. Josh Moore said: Hes won very impressively and I was quite confident when we made the entry this was the right race on paper. It was a very good race on paper but he did a very nice piece of work last week and that was enough to bring him here. I was thinking he might want further but the work was with the horse that won here yesterday, Macktoad, and he kind of made me think two miles would be for him. We always thought he might want better ground as well, so today was a bit of a worry but Caoilin (Quinn, jockey) seemed to think he was better on this ground today. He was a nice horse last year but he has strengthened up a lot over the summer and his mind has grown up as well, hes taking everything in his stride nicely. He won his two bumpers and weve been very patient with him and hes paid his way now over hurdles. Hurricane Pat was introduced into the Supreme Novices Hurdle market at 25-1 by Paddy Power, with connections entitled to start dreaming of the future. Moore added: Hes won a Listed race so hes obviously got potential. Well see how he comes out of today because he is a horse we cant over race. You have to think along the lines of the Supreme and whether or not that might be a bit much for him well find out. We can certainly gear towards that all the same. Its a shame the Tolworth isnt here and there is always Aintree (Formby Novices Hurdle). If the Tolworth had been here we would definitely be here. Hes won that so nicely though that I wouldnt be in a rush to run again. Joe Tizzards team are also in form and his hot streak continued when 11-8 favourite Sunset Marquesa built on her Exeter return to record an emphatic six-and-a-half-length verdict in the Betfair Supports Racing With Pride Mares Handicap Hurdle. Tizzard said: She did it nicely and when the race cut up a bit I did fancy her to go and do that. It was impressive and this was the right race today. She will get jacked up a few (pounds) and then well have a good look. I was thinking driving up this morning if she goes and wins how I hope I dont have a plan, but I will in the morning. Hobbs and White will continue to plot a hurdling course with Kikijo after the improving 9-4 joint-favourite built on his recent Cheltenham success with a hard-fought victory in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle. Hobbs said: Hes a bit unusual as with a horse like him you would be thinking of going novice chasing next year, but hes already won a chase at Newbury last year so that is not an option. I suppose having won two hurdle races he will probably run in another one. It gets more difficult now obviously and after winning two in a row, its not too often they win three. But we might just have to try to find another handicap hurdle somewhere on a stiff track with testing ground like here. We may have blown his mark for the Final but hes only a young horse and could improve. The Pertemps Final wasnt necessarily a plan and there will be a lot of Irish horses coming over and we might just have to take what we can. For this partnership we quite possibly could run in the Final, but I wouldnt be thinking with the likely good ground in the spring it would be our main aim he might run it though, why not. Irish police are investigating the presence of drones during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Ireland. Mr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska arrived in Dublin late on Monday night, with local media reporting that several unidentified drones were seen flying over the Irish Sea, at around the time the Ukrainian president arrived at Dublin Airport. Ireland's police service said: "A Garda Siochana's Special Detective Unit (SDU) is investigating this matter. "As part of this, SDU will be liaising with the defence forces and international security partners." Mr Zelenskyy was in Ireland to meet with government figures, Catherine Connolly, the new Irish president, and to address a joint sitting of the Oireachtas (Ireland's parliament). Russian ambassador to Ireland Yuriy Filatov said 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". Mr Martin dismissed the ambassador's comments and said Mr Filatov had a "track record" of attacking him and the government "on a consistent basis". "We're 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," he added. Read more: UK military to be given powers to shoot down drones Denmark's Aalborg airport closes for second time after drones spotted The incident comes amid a string of drone sightings across Europe at airports and military bases. In November, the UK revealed it was deploying a specialist Royal Air Force team to help defend Belgium's skies following a series of sightings of "rogue" drones in the country. Sir Keir Starmer is fighting to save his premiership amid dire poll ratings and talk of a leadership challenge - Gareth Fuller/Getty Labours biggest union backer is considering a historic vote on splitting from the party in a blow to Sir Keir Starmers premiership. Senior officials at Unite are in talks about whether to call an emergency conference to vote on formal disaffiliation from the Labour Party. Sources say there is intense frustration with Sir Keir, from the top of the union down to the grass roots membership. Some Labour MPs believe Unites support can only be won back with a change of party leader, with one saying: They would coalesce around one candidate on the Left of the party. It would mark the biggest rupture between the party and the trade union movement in recent history. One MP said it would make it very difficult for Sir Keir to remain as leader, saying it was a seriously bad moment. This is a major union, it is a major player within the wider Labour movement, the MP said. It is a critically important relationship but it has become dysfunctional. Sir Keir is fighting to save his premiership amid dire poll ratings and increasingly open talk of a leadership challenge among his own MPs. b' ' Sharon Graham, the Unite boss, has previously threatened to break the unions link with the party unless it changes direction, and earlier this year cited the Budget as an absolutely critical point of us knowing whether direction is going to change. The prospect of disaffiliation was now an ongoing conversation, said a union source, adding: Sharon gave her view after the Budget, and it is pretty strong. The direction of travel is there that is amplifying what workers and members feel. Following the Budget, Ms Graham launched a blistering attack on the Government, saying: The Chancellor has picked a side. Health workers, engineers, and tanker drivers will pay through stealth taxes, while City bankers and billionaires go largely unscathed. In recent weeks, Unite has issued a string of statements condemning Labour policies. It said the watered-down workers rights bill was now a shell of its former self and warned that Labour needs to keep its promises. The union, Labours biggest financial donor, has also attacked the Government for pursuing a reckless and incompetent North Sea strategy, which it said had already resulted in the loss of hundreds of oil and gas jobs. Unison, another of Labours major backers, has just balloted its members for a new general secretary, and the result will be announced later this month. Andrea Egan, one of the two candidates, has already publicly distanced herself from Sir Keir, saying he is not connected to working people. She has said she is a fan of Andy Burnham, the Manchester mayor who is seen as a possible challenger to the Prime Minister. On Friday, it emerged that Wes Streetings allies were pressing Angela Rayner to sign up to a joint ticket for the Labour leadership, although both deny such reports. Meanwhile, a poll of Labours rank-and-file members found that Ed Miliband was their preferred candidate to replace Sir Keir. Starmer rivals trying to woo unions The Telegraph understands that rival camps are now attempting to woo the unions, whose support is seen as crucial for any future leadership candidate. Donations to the Labour Party from all the major unions, meanwhile, have plummeted since Sir Keir took office. Labours biggest donors are Unite, Unison and the GMB, according to the Electoral Commission, which publishes data for the past 25 years. It shows that over this period, Labour has received 52.2m from Unite, 43.8m from Unison, and 39m from the GMB. In the year ending this September, trade unions gave Labour 5.3m the third-lowest figure on record, going back to 2001. In order to formally disaffiliate from Labour, Unite members would need to vote on the move at the next rules conference, currently scheduled for 2027. However, the vote could be brought forward if the executive council calls an emergency rules conference something currently being considered. The possibility of a split with Labours biggest union backer illustrates the difficulty the Prime Minister is in. He is under attack from those on the Left who believe he has abandoned Labours mission on issues such social welfare and workers rights, as well as those on the Right of the party, who believe that seeing off the threat of Reform UK is the biggest electoral challenge. Allies of the Prime Minister insist that once Labour MPs see that Sir Keir is aligned with them on the core values of the party, a blind panic can be avoided and everyone will calm down. This week, Sir Keir will be out selling the cost of living measures in the Budget, including the freeze on rail fares and prescription costs, Downing Street sources say. A Labour source said: This Government is delivering for working families, taking 150 off energy bills, rolling out free breakfast clubs and cutting NHS waiting lists. NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of StubHub Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: STUB) pursuant and/or traceable to the Registration Statement issued in connection with StubHub's September 2025 initial public offering (the "IPO"), of the important January 23, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased StubHub common stock you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the StubHub class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48412 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 23, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the Case: According to the lawsuit, the Registration Statement was materially false and misleading and omitted to state that: (1) StubHub was experiencing changes in the timing of payments to vendors; (2) those changes had a significant adverse impact on free cash flow, including trailing twelve months ("TTM") free cash flow; (3) as a result, StubHub's free cash flow reports were materially misleading, and that; (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about StubHub's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the StubHub class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48412 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for more information. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. Lambeth council paid more than 80m to consultancy and outsourcing firms in 2024, the report found. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Media The scale of the reliance of London councils on private consultancy and outsourcing firms is laid bare in a report that shows the local authorities paid them more than half a billion pounds last year. The report by the Autonomy Institute and the CADA Network has prompted warnings that councils have a sustained reliance on such companies to carry out basic functions. The spiralling sums paid to these firms, which hit 555m in 2024 alone, have grown significantly since 2010 after cuts to council budgets in the capital and across the country. In London, councils saw their funding from central government cut by a third after 2010, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, while payments to the firms have exceeded 500m in consecutive years since 2022. The companies provide a wide range of services that can include leasing out software and IT systems to councils, bringing in temporary workers to cover understaffed or underfunded services or providing advice to council officials on various things including budgets and planning decisions. The overall spend in London comes against a backdrop of a longer-term rise in spending on consultants and outsourcing. Between 2013 and 2023, there has been a 76% rise in average annual consultancy spending per London council, jumping from 11.5m to 20.2m. The report says these spending patterns suggest systemic, long-term outsourcing of core council functions, not short-term specialist advice. Will Stronge, the chief executive of the Autonomy Institute, said: This research shows how local government capacity has been hollowed out by years of outsourcing and austerity. Londons councils are now structurally dependent on private consultancies for core functions, and that should worry all of us. Rebuilding public capability, rather than buying it in at a premium, is the only sustainable route to resilient, democratic local government in the long term. Between 2010 to 2024, some companies were paid more than 1bn by London councils. Matrix SCM, a managed service firm that provides a number of services including temporary workers and recruitment and screening software, received contracts worth more than 2.1bn during this period. The outsourcing companies Capita and Serco, which was given contracts for waste management services, were paid 1.1bn and nearly 500m respectively. Matrix SCM was previously accused of facilitating an auctionyourgranny.com-style system after councils used the firms software to put care packages for vulnerable people out to tender in eBay-style timed auctions. Lambeth council paid more than 80m to consultancy and outsourcing firms in 2024, while Barnet spent more than 40m. The latter council became infamous for outsourcing most of its frontline services to Capita in the early 2010s, a decision that was reversed in 2022. Its spending on such firms has nearly halved from the 80m paid in 2014 and 2016. In 2013, the north London local authority called itself the countrys first easyCouncil when it announced it would provide only the legal minimum of services, outsourcing everything else from disability care and highways to planning and procurement to Capita under two contracts worth a combined total of 300m over 10 years. In 2017, the council was forced to admit its finances were in such a state that the regulator fined Capita. In 2018, a Capita employee working for Barnet was jailed for 62 instances of fraud worth a total of 2m after his crimes were spotted, although the loss was not noticed by Capita or the council itself but by the employees own bank. Capita was forced to underwrite the financial loss to the council. That same year, the council admitted it would have to axe services after revealing a financial hole of 62m. Two years later, a man working at Capitas offices in Darlington, where pension queries were suddenly redirected after the firm took over this service, was found to have stolen 70,000 from Barnet councils pension fund. He was given a two-year suspended sentence. The Barnet resident and blogger John Dix reviewed invoices submitted by Capita. According to Dix, a parent phoning the library to check if a Harry Potter book was in stock was charged by Capita at 8 a call. In 2022, under a new Labour administration, Barnet council voted to end the mass outsourcing of frontline services, bringing most back in-house, though it was forced to extend its contract with Capita for some services due to the complexities and scale involved. Nevertheless, the council has committed to ending outsourcing to Capita by 2026, with one councillor declaring Caxit means Caxit. Capita and Serco declined to comment. Matrix SCM did not respond to a request for comment. Lambeth council disputed the findings of the report, saying some costs were misattributed. A spokesperson said: We are committed to providing good quality services to our residents and achieving value for money for council taxpayers. The majority of council spending highlighted in this report is inaccurately described as consultancy spending, when in reality it refers to public services such as waste collection and renting properties to house homeless families. Given the unprecedented demand in London to house homeless families, we have no choice but to work with private providers when they have available accommodation. The number of households in this temporary accommodation increased dramatically due to the national housing crisis, peaking at 4,780 in November last year, but is now falling due to the action we are taking. The report also inaccurately describes the cost of hiring agency social workers as consultancy spend. This spend is due to a long-term national shortage of social workers, but we have made big improvements in bringing down agency numbers in recent years. A Barnet council spokesperson said: Barnet councils use of external suppliers and consultants is limited to specialist areas, such as social care for older residents, or technical support from architects and engineers for capital projects. In relation to outsourcing, the council is on track to end its Capita contract in 2026 having already returned in-house the majority of services that were part of the original arrangement. A millionaire Conservative donor who was made a peer by Boris Johnson has defected to Reform UK in a major boost for Nigel Farage. Lord Malcolm Offord said he was defecting from the Conservatives to Reform and intended to stand for election to the Scottish parliament next year. The former Tory minister was introduced by Mr Farage during a party rally in Falkirk on Saturday. Announcing his defection, he said he believed the Scottish Conservatives have given up on Scotland. Mr Farage welcomed Lord Offord as somebody who I think will have a transformative effect on our party here in Scotland, describing the defection as a brave and historic act. Malcolm Offord has defected from the Conservatives to Reform (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Archive) The former Scottish Conservative party treasurer previously served in the Conservative government as an exports minister before Labour won the 2024 general election. He confirmed he would resign from the House of Lords and return his peerage to campaign for a seat at Holyrood as good old Malcolm Offord. Members of the House of Lords are disqualified from becoming members of the Scottish parliament under legislation passed earlier this year. It is not possible to renounce a life peerage, but peers can resign their membership from the House of Lords. Lord Offord branded the Scottish Conservative party as unelectable and said: Im concerned for Scottish politics, very concerned about what happens in Scotland. And thats why Im leaving the Scottish Conservative party, because the Scottish Conservative party, I believe, have given up on Scotland and, ladies and gentlemen, I cant do that. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced the defection during a rally in Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire) Discussing his experiences with the Scottish Tories, the former minister said: What I found, quite candidly, is a party which is regional not national, parochial not political, timid not ambitious; a party without a vision of how to govern Scotland with a right-of-centre agenda. He said he would run a positive campaign with hope, ambition, and reform. During his speech to Reform members at the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel, Mr Farage repeated claims that one in three schoolchildren in Glasgow do not speak English as their first language. Asked about the comments by reporters, Lord Offord said: I think hes highlighting an issue which needs to be talked about. Asked if the comments represent a dog whistle, he continued: I dont believe its a dog whistle, I think its a fact. Lord Offord, who was born in Greenock, is the latest in a string of Tory defections, including Jonathan Gullis and Lia Nici last week. He has donated around 150,000 to the Conservatives, and was made a life peer and given his first ministerial job by former prime minister Mr Johnson in September 2021. Lord Offord was made a peer by then-prime minister Boris Johnson (Lucy North/PA) (PA Wire) Lord Offord previously unsuccessfully stood as a Conservative candidate to become the MSP for the Lothian region in May 2021 before he was handed his peerage by Mr Johnson, leading to allegations of rampant cronyism by the SNP. But Mr Johnson insisted he was a guy who has a huge amount to offer and predicted he would do a great job. Lord Offord previously ran the pro-union No Borders campaign during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and is also the founder and chair of an Edinburgh-based boutique investment company, Badenoch and Co. A spokesperson for the Scottish Tories said: Any vote for Reform next year will only tighten the SNPs grip on power at Holyrood. Nigel Farage has been clear he is fine with John Swinney staying as first minister, his party stood pro-independence candidates in the last election, and he is still courting others who would break up the UK. The Scottish Conservatives, under Russell Findlays leadership, recognise that many people feel completely disconnected from politics. That is why we will continue to relentlessly focus on promoting commonsense Conservative policies to grow our economy and stand up for the priorities of mainstream Scotland. Jackie Baillie, deputy leader of Scottish Labour, said: This defection proves what we already know: Reform arent even Tories in disguise anymore, they are just Tories the same Tories that broke the immigration system, collapsed the economy and left working Scots to pay the price. This isnt change its the same failed politicians and failed ideas trying to divide our country. A vote for Reform is a vote that helps keep the SNP in power and blocks the change Scotland desperately needs. Scotland needs a party focused on rebuilding our NHS and delivering real change for working people not a party of failed Conservatives playing political musical chairs. Barry Connells Champion Hurdle contender William Munny has been ruled out of his intended return to action over Christmas due to a minor setback. The seven-year-old fared well over hurdles as a novice last term, finishing second to Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme Novices Hurdle after a prior Listed success. He will remain over hurdles instead of graduating to chasing and was at the top end of the market for the Champion Hurdle after a dramatic renewal of the Fighting Fifth, but Connell is now looking to the Dublin Racing Festival for his reappearance. The horse pulled out of his box yesterday lame, we got the vets to come down and do the X-rays and scans, said Connell. Its nothing serious, hes pulled some muscles in his hindquarters so hell miss Christmas. Hell miss a couple of weeks of work, but its reasonable to hope that we should have him back for the Dublin Racing Festival and then onto Cheltenham. Nigel Farage has stepped up his attack on the BBC, accusing the Question Time programme of being utterly discredited after featuring small boat migrants in its audience. The Reform UK leader claimed the two people who arrived on small boats and asked questions were part of an absolute set-up job. Reforms policy chief Zia Yusuf was among the panellists on Thursday nights show, which was filmed in Dover and was devoted to immigration. BBC Question Time is an utterly discredited programme. No wonder half a million people refuse to pay the license fee every year. pic.twitter.com/wxXc91YIci Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) December 5, 2025 Mr Farage said: The BBC sunk to new depths last night on their Question Time show, their flagship politics show for over four decades, where they had two audience members whod illegally come into Britain by boat. He said they were given a platform on the BBC in an effort to get the great British public to sympathise with them. The two Question Time audience members who came to the UK by boat are understood to have been granted refugee status so have a legal right to be in the country. Mr Farage, who presents a show on rival broadcaster GB News, claimed one of the men had an earpiece actually thought to have been a pair of headphones he forgot to remove and the whole thing was a complete, absolute set-up job. The Reform leader, who has made frequent appearances on the BBC One programme during his political career, said: Question Time has been, over the years, a great programme. After last night, it is utterly discredited. Welcome back to Question Time, tonight were in Dover for a special programme with a focus on immigration You can tune in now via the @BBCSounds live news stream, or watch now on @BBCiPlayer and the @BBCNews Channel Join the conversation using #bbcqthttps://t.co/gFCM8XC7TK pic.twitter.com/alqRqk89t5 BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) December 4, 2025 A BBC spokeswoman said: As immigration continues to be a primary concern for people in the UK, Question Time held a special episode in Dover with panellists from across the political spectrum and a local audience with a range of views and experiences. Over 20 audience members asked questions and contributed to the debate including two people with direct experience of the asylum system in the UK who have been granted refugee status. Other panellists on the show were migration minister Mike Tapp, shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan, deputy Liberal Democrat leader Daisy Cooper and Green Party leader Zack Polanski. Mr Farages criticism of Question Time comes after he accused the BBC of double standards and hypocrisy because of television shows including Are You Being Served? and It Aint Half Hot Mum. He delivered a tirade against the broadcaster after being questioned about allegations of racism during his schooldays at the prestigious Dulwich College. At a press conference on Thursday he 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. Emmanuel Macron made his comments to reporters during a visit to China. Photograph: Jeanne Accorsini/SIPA/Shutterstock 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 on Friday. On Friday evening, Donald Trumps advisers and Ukrainian officials said they would meet for a third day of talks after making progress around the table in Florida on creating a security framework for postwar Ukraine. Earlier, Macron said: 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. Related: EU leaders race to save Ukraine funding deal as Kyivs cash runs low The German magazine Der Spiegel on Thursday cited a leaked summary of a 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. 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 (80bn) 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. Moscows ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechaev, said in a statement: Any operation with sovereign Russian assets without Russias consent constitutes theft. It is also clear that the theft of Russian state funds will have far-reaching consequences. 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. 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. 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. Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney has spoken out following the backlash to an American Eagle jeans advert she starred in and said her silence has widened the divide. The US film star, 28, came under scrutiny following the launch of a Great Jeans advert that sparked a debate over race because of the use of jeans as a play on genes. Some critics saw the wordplay as a nod to eugenics, the discredited theory that humans could be improved through selective breeding, but American Eagle has said the advert refers only to the companys denim jeans. Sweeney told US publication People: I was honestly surprised by the reaction. Sydney Sweeney spoke to People magazine about the furore (Doug Peters/PA) I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand. I dont support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just arent true. Anyone who knows me knows that Im always trying to bring people together. Im against hate and divisiveness. She continued: In the past my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press but recently I have come to realise that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it. So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us. In the advert, from July, Sweeney said: Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue. In November, Sweeney faced further backlash following an interview with magazine GQ when she was asked if she wanted to respond to the criticism and said: I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear. She added: I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. Im literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life. Sweeney also said it felt surreal to have US President Donald Trump react to the advert. In August, American Eagle said in an Instagram post: Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. Well continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans looks good on everyone. Sweeney, who rose to fame in HBO hit teen drama Euphoria, is currently promoting her upcoming film The Housemaid, adapted from Freida McFaddens 2022 bestselling novel, and also starring Mamma Mia! actress Amanda Seyfried. Sharaa told a conference in Doha that Syria had respected a disengagement agreement with Israel that has held for over 50 years. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Syrias interim president has accused Israel of fighting ghosts and exporting its crises to other countries after the war in Gaza. President Ahmed al-Sharaas comments come amid persistent airstrikes and incursions by the Israeli military into southern Syria. Sharaa told an international conference in Doha on Saturday that Syria had insisted on respecting a 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel that had held for over 50 years in one way or another it is a successful agreement. Tampering with the deal and seeking other agreements such as a demilitarised zone ... could lead us to a dangerous place with unknown consequences. Israels forces pushed into a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights after the fall of Bashar al-Assad a year ago and conduct regular incursions deeper into Syria. The level of insecurity for Syrians in the region south of Damascus is increasing. Since he took power a year ago, Sharaa insisted he had been sending positive messages to Israel regarding regional peace and stability. He also said Israel extrapolates its conflict with Hamas militants and justifies aggression in the name of security. Israel has become a country that is in a fight against ghosts, he said. They justify everything using their security concerns and they take 7 October and extrapolate it to everything that has happened around them. Israel had become a country that exports crises, he added. Sharaa said: Israel responded to Syria with extreme violence, launching more than 1,000 airstrikes and carrying out 400 incursions into its territory. The latest of these attacks was the massacre it committed in the town of Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside, which claimed dozens of lives. He said that Syria was working with influential countries to pressure Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories. There are negotiations with Israel, and the US is involved with us in these negotiations, and all countries support our demand for its withdrawal to the pre-8 December borders. Related: Its not just Gaza. From the West Bank to Syria and Lebanon, Israels onslaught continues | Nesrine Malik Donald Trump issued a warning last week to Israel to co-operate with the Syrian president, suggesting he does not welcome the Israeli incursions inside Syria. Sharaa said the demand for a demilitarised zone raised many questions for Syria, chiefly, who will protect this zone if there is no presence of the Syrian army? Israel says it fears terrorist groups linked to Hamas or that Sharaa will invade Israel unless there is a firm buffer zone. Israel has seized the 400 sq km (155 sq miles) of demilitarised buffer zone in southern Syria. Sharaa, who has spent time in US jails inside Iraq, was given a rock-star welcome at the conference. He stressed that any agreement must guarantee Syrias interests, as it is Syria that is subjected to Israeli attacks. Sharaa insisted: Syria is a developed country, pointing to the recent Peoples Assembly elections. The polls have been criticised as biased in favour of the countrys interim leaders. Sharaa said the polls had been conducted in a manner that is appropriate for the transitional phase, adding, the people choosing who governs them is a fundamental principle. We do not link the building of Syria to individuals but to institutions, and this is the biggest challenge in the transitional phase that we are going through. He promised full elections in four years and said women had nothing to fear in Syria. It was the men that needed to worry, he said. Sangita Myska said Nigel Farage, above, was emboldening party members to express views once considered completely unacceptable in mainstream political discourse. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian Nigel Farage is emboldening attacks on people of colour, according to a journalist allegedly subjected to racial slurs by a Reform UK council leader who the party has been forced to expel. The broadcaster Sangita Myska, whose long career in British journalism has included presenting shows for the BBC and LBC Radio, said she was told by the former Staffordshire council leader Ian Cooper that she was English only in your dreams, because of her south Asian heritage. Cooper, a two-time Reform UK parliamentary candidate, was forced to stand down as leader of the council after the party revoked his membership on Friday. He had also been accused of calling Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, a narcissistic Pakistani and of claiming migrants were intent on colonising the UK, destroying all that has gone before. Cooper also allegedly attacked the British-born lawyer and womens right activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu. In a social media post three years ago, he appears to have said: Dr Shaga Bing-Bong. Time she Fd off back to Nigeria. Shed feel more at home there. And in a post this year attacking David Lammy, the justice secretary, he allegedly wrote: No foreign national or first generation migrant should be allowed to sit in parliament. Cooper, who has not responded to the allegations, was Reforms parliamentary candidate for Tamworth in a byelection in 2023 and again in last years general election. Myska was allegedly targeted by Cooper earlier this year, just weeks before he became leader of Staffordshire county council. A post to Myska from Coopers X account in April, read: You are neither ethnically, culturally or historically English. Your diaspora isnt NW European. All you have is a piece of paper entitling you to British citizenship. Sarah Edwards, the Labour MP for Tamworth, said the social media posts displayed deeply disturbing white supremacist views. Myska said she held Farage and the wider Reform UK leadership responsible for the culture that enabled their politicians and members to amplify racist rhetoric online. Without a shadow of a doubt, Nigel Farages track record is emboldening party members and now elected councillors and potentially those that might become MPs to express views that were once considered completely unacceptable in mainstream political discourse, she said. Reform UK is a private company and its the chief executive that will set the culture and that person is Nigel Farage. Farage is under mounting pressure after 28 of his school contemporaries told the Guardian they had witnessed deeply offensive racist or antisemitic behaviour by him at Dulwich college, a public school in south-east London. Related: Former Dulwich pupil says Farage told him: Thats the way back to Africa The Reform UK leader said this week he had never been racist or antisemitic with malice. Myska, who left LBC earlier this year, continued: In any normal political environment the leader of the party who have these accusations levelled at them would have at the very least stood aside and an investigation launched. But Nigel Farage has managed to shift what we consider normal in the UK political environment and it is dangerous. Its dangerous because its setting a precedent. She said the position of people of colour in public life in Britain was becoming harder by the day, in part due to an unbelievably toxic environment in which anything goes that became normalised during the Brexit campaign in 2016. It feels like a feat for many of us to remain in the realms of public discourse on social media because of the racist abuse levelled at us on a daily basis, she said. The reason we have dug our heels in is because we are British. Britain is our home, its where we made our lives and we have no intention of going anywhere. Myska said the online hate had deepened in recent years as immigration and particularly the issue of small boats had dominated the political agenda. There were legitimate concerns about those topics, she said, but added that they were being used as cover by people to attack anyone who was not white British. She said: This guy [Cooper] thinks hes entitled to attack me in this way, to attack the mayor of London the financial capital of Europe, to attack Dr Shola in this way and the antecedent to this can be traced right back to Brexit. Nigel Farage and Reform UKs previous incarnation, Ukip, created a particular atmosphere around people of colour in Britain and despite Brexiting that hasnt dissipated. Reform UK has yet to publicly condemn the posts, but said: Following an investigation into the failure to declare social media accounts during the candidate vetting process, Cllr Ian Cooper has had his membership of Reform UK revoked. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform. Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. Less than a week after becoming street homeless, an Ethiopian refugee came to the Refugee Council when her latent tuberculosis was at risk of becoming active. Just 28 days after receiving her refugee status, she was forced to sleep in a tent in south London after she was evicted from an asylum hotel in the last week of September. Like many refugees left street homeless, she experienced a constant sense of danger and struggled to sleep. But even when she was finally able to find housing, she was faced with a difficult decision. Unable to afford food, she would experience burning sensations in her stomach as a side effect; twice a week, she commuted to hospital, where personnel gave her controlled doses of the medication. The inconsistent nature of homelessness increased the risk of her tuberculosis becoming infectious. It became uncontrolled because her homelessness didnt allow her to regulate her medication, says Hillary Kent, a destitution casework coordinator for Refugee Council. People who work directly with refugees have warned that they face homelessness this winter following the Home Offices decision in September (Getty) The only housing that was available after two months homeless was all the way in far west London, she adds. The refugee had found a sense of community at the local church near where she was sleeping rough in south London. The choice became about whether you give up your community to seek a safe, stable home. Ms Kent says. She cried on the phone and said, I dont know how I choose. Frontline workers like Ms Kent have warned The Independent that refugees face homelessness and destitution this winter as the Home Office has paused a 56-day move-on pilot. Charities like Crisis have said they are being forced into crisis response mode as frontline staff print rough sleeping guides in multiple languages and offer tents to refugees. Seana Roberts, a caseworker at Merseyside Refugee Support Network, said that refugees who have come to the UK having experienced torture, rape and physical violence were on the verge of homelessness, and some of these people were so traumatised that they walk the streets at night, going in and out of cafes that might be open because its too scary to be in a tent. Of the 100 refugees who approach Ms Roberts team a week, seeking the housing and benefits support needed to establish a future in the UK after leaving Home Office asylum accommodation, she estimates that between 30 and 40 per cent of these people are at high risk of homelessness. The pilot was originally announced in December last year to give refugees 56 days to leave asylum seeker accommodation and find a new place to live, as opposed to the 28-day move-on notice. After a summer where members of the public protested outside asylum hotels across the country, the Home Office introduced a package of changes in September to speed up the asylum process, including a pause on the pilot. While pregnant women, families, and people with disabilities have been given exception to this change, concern remains as a large number of refugees entering the UK are young, single people and the freshly curtailed policy has sparked confusion among local authorities. Lords member Ruth Lister said she was immensely disappointed with the Home Offices decision (PA) Ruth Lister told The Independent she was immensely disappointed with the Home Offices decision to reverse the move-on policy after she had campaigned for a decade to change it to 56 days, even tabling a private members bill to make the change permanent. While praising the government for speeding up decisions, Baroness Lister expressed concern that the decision to shorten the move-on policy would leave more people in destitution. That will leave a lot of a bigger group, who find that they are being turfed out after 28 days, which simply is not enough time to sort out your accommodation, your universal credit, bank account, and so forth, especially if you're relatively new to the country. My worry is that it is going to mean greater destitution, greater homelessness as we go into the winter months, as local authorities have pointed out, and in the longer term it undermines the integration of refugees. Data published by the Home Office shows the government has granted protection to 40,503 people so far this year. In the third quarter alone, 11,643 people were granted refugee status and 1,182 were granted humanitarian protection, indicating that thousands of people are at risk of homelessness. Charities are already seeing an impact on their services; Refugees At Home told The Independent that the number of street homeless refugees referred to them had more than doubled since the decision. New Horizon Youth Centre, dealing with youth homelessness in London, had 56 new young people come to its day centre after being evicted from NASS accommodation, a 19 per cent increase on September 2025 and a 70 per cent increase on August-September 2025. Coco Claxton, a refugee integration and housing lead for the Single Homeless Prevention Service (SHPS) in Brent, said that her team was having to file for extended eviction notices from the Home Office and already, shes had to support a client who was forced to sleep in a park for two days after they could not arrange an extension at the hotel in time. Data published by the Home Office showed an increase in asylum seekers housed in UK hotels by the end of September (PA) The supported accommodation provider would not accept the client in question without medical evidence of his health needs, which we were not able to get in time for his eviction date, she says. So he had to rough-sleep for two days. He was staying in a park. Ms Claxtons team have printed out rough sleeping guides in a number of languages that detail how refugees can keep themselves safe, where they can get hot meals and emergency medical care without a fixed address, and even how to connect with Street Link. This is sort of a preparatory measure for the winter, where we are expecting a huge number of rough sleeping NAS leavers, within the borough. Obviously, its going to look different in different local areas, in terms of what they can expect. We are having to share information about how to book hostels, for example, at reduced rates, where to go in the event that you are rough-sleeping. Her team was forced to pay 115 for one female refugee to go to Birmingham, where they secured emergency supported accommodation for her at short notice as her eviction from Home Office accommodation loomed large. The 28-day policy makes it hard for refugees to arrange Universal Credit (Getty/iStock) Because she doesnt have universal credit in place, were having to support her to take out an advance from universal credit, of 400, so she can cover the cost of travel and food because her UC is not in place yet. Once she moves up there this week, she doesnt have any money in her bank account, and we shouldn't have to be exploring options in other cities. We are having to really stretch ourselves to meet the need. There are a lot of costs associated with that, which are really difficult to absorb for charities. We dont have those additional funds in place, so they are being very stretched. Already, the Home Office has started to receive challenges against the reversion. Public Law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn have taken on at least 16 cases where refugees faced homelessness, and at least three high court judges have separately issued orders disapplying the Home Offices policy since the end of October. Megan Smith, a solicitor from DPG, said: We have now secured several urgent orders from the court requiring the Home Secretary to extend the move-on period for our clients to stop them from becoming homeless. Our clients have done all they can to secure alternative accommodation and financial stability but have not been able to do so in the short 28-day notice period for eviction given by the Home Office. We represent just a fraction of the people impacted by the sudden curtailment of the 56-day pilot. We continue to urge the Home Secretary to stop evicting people into street homelessness and to alleviate the pressure on already under-resourced local authorities and charities. The Independent has approached the Home Office and the Local Government Association for comment. LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AI-generated deepfake scams are rapidly spreading across social media, using fabricated videos, synthetic voices, and fake medical experts to promote unverified treatments. A recent TODAY Show investigation, "Deepfake Medical Product Ads," exposed a 30-minute fraudulent video targeting the lipedema community that falsely used the likenesses of world-renowned lipedema surgeon Dr. David Amron and leading endocrinologist Dr. Karen Herbst. Lipedema is a chronic fat disorder that primarily affects women and is often misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema. It causes disproportionate fat accumulation, most commonly in the legs, hips, and arms, and can be associated with pain, swelling, and mobility issues. There is currently no topical cream or pill that can cure lipedema. The segment, led by TODAY Chief Consumer Investigative Correspondent Vicky Nguyen, examined how scammers manipulate AI to imitate physicians, fabricate celebrity endorsements, and sell fraudulent "miracle" treatments. Nguyen interviewed Dr. Amron as part of the investigation, highlighting how his image and professional reputation were digitally manipulated without his knowledge or consent. The fraudulent video, attributed to a fake "Dr. Suzanne," combined AI-generated footage of Dr. Herbst with pirated clips from Dr. Amron's YouTube channel to create false credibility. To further deceive viewers, scammers inserted AI-generated likenesses of Oprah Winfrey, Kelly Clarkson, and Carnie Wilson, along with logos from CBS, FOX, and CNN, falsely implying major media endorsements. "These AI scams are not only deceptive, but they're also dangerous," said Dr. Amron. "They mislead patients, delay proper diagnosis and treatment, and undermine the trust that is essential between doctor and patient." Nguyen's investigation also featured Beth Holland, one of an estimated 17 million women in the United States living with lipedema. Misled by the fraudulent ad, she purchased six bottles of the fake cream for $300, believing it was endorsed by her physician, Dr. Amron. "There's no cream that's going to treat lipedema. It really is impossible," he told TODAY. Scammers are now using AI tools to impersonate trusted physicians, fabricate celebrity endorsements, falsify media affiliations, generate fake clinical claims, and produce synthetic before-and-after images. These tactics specifically target patients living with chronic, misunderstood conditions such as lipedema, a community particularly vulnerable due to widespread underdiagnosis and lack of public awareness. The consequences can be serious. These scams delay proper diagnosis and treatment, exploit emotional and financial vulnerability, and undermine trust in legitimate medical professionals. "Patients deserve truthful information, not manipulated videos designed to exploit their pain," said Dr. Amron. "When AI is used to imitate doctors and fabricate medical claims, it crosses a dangerous line. My mission is to protect patients, safeguard the integrity of medicine, and ensure people know where to turn for real, evidence-based care." He recommends that patients verify information through official medical sources, consult their doctor before purchasing any online treatment, and report suspicious ads, especially those that claim guaranteed results or "miracle" cures. Dr. Amron is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience and is recognized globally for his work in lipedema, liposculpture, and revision liposuction. He is the founder of The Roxbury Institute, which operates in Beverly Hills, Salt Lake City, and Tucson. He works closely with Dr. Herbst, who leads research at the Institute's Advanced Lipedema Treatment Program in Tucson, strengthening national standards of care and scientific understanding of this frequently underdiagnosed disease. Here is the link to the full TODAY Show story: https://www.today.com/health/news/online-medical-ad-scams-ai-rcna241815 For interviews or media inquiries, please contact: Natalia Grazziani Grazziani Communications [email protected] 323-646-1581 About The Roxbury Institute The Roxbury Institute, founded by Dr. David Amron in Beverly Hills, is a nationally recognized multidisciplinary center specializing in advanced treatment for individuals with fat disorders and those seeking aesthetic and medical dermatology care. Built on clinical excellence and innovative research, the Institute has expanded to Salt Lake City and Tucson. Its specialties include advanced lipedema treatment, liposculpture, and revision liposuction, supported by divisions in Research, Diagnosis and Prevention, Advanced Lipedema Treatment, and Aesthetic Medicine and Dermatology. These programs address complex and often misunderstood conditions while advancing scientific knowledge, setting national standards of care, and providing evidence-based, patient-focused treatment. From diagnosis through long-term care, The Roxbury Institute reflects a commitment to enduring patient outcomes and comprehensive support. To learn more, please visit: www.theroxburyinstitute.com SOURCE The Roxbury Institute Several words on the U.S. list, including Louvre and Mounjaro, also made the list for the U.K. (Alamy/PA) Keeping up with this year's news left some Americans struggling with pronunciations from the election of Zohran Mamdani to the intrigue surrounding the jewel heist at the Louvre. That's put both the name of New York City's 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 released a list of the words Thursday 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 socialist's 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. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Mamdani has said he doesn't 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 Cuomo's 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 son's name Den-ZELLE. Part of the Tower of London was temporarily closed to visitors on Saturday after food was thrown at a display case containing the crown jewels in a protest against inequality in the UK. Four people were arrested after the action, which was claimed by Take Back Power a self-described non-violent civil-resistance group. It said custard and apple crumble was flung at the case, which contained the imperial state crown. Scotland Yard said: Four protesters have been arrested following criminal damage at the Tower of London. Police were called at 09.48hrs on Saturday 6 December to the Tower of London following reports of criminal damage to a display case, containing the state crown. It was reported that four protesters threw suspected food on to the case before two left the scene. Officers worked closely with City of London police and security officers and four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They have been taken into custody. The Tower of London, one of the capitals most popular tourist attractions, was partially closed to the public while the police investigation continued. It reopened later on Saturday afternoon. The crown jewels have not been damaged, Historic Royal Palaces said. Take Back Power said it carried out the stunt to demand the UK government establishes a permanent citizens assembly a House of the People with the power to tax extreme wealth and fix Britain. Footage shared by the group showed one demonstrator removing the large foil tray of crumble from a bag and slamming it against the glass protecting the crown. Another repeatedly poured a tub of bright yellow custard on the front of the case. The demonstrators then opened their coats to show their T-shirt slogans reading Take Back Power, before one shouted democracy has crumbled and another shouted: Britain is broken. Weve come here to the jewels of the nation to take back power. The group released a statement, in which it named one of the activists as 19-year-old Zahra Ali, a student from London. She said: Our country is crumbling before our eyes. We have homeless people dying on the very streets that King Charles passed on his way to the coronation, whilst there are more empty homes than unhoused people in this country. Its time the ultra-rich pay their fair share. Surprised tourists could be seen reacting to the stunt, while a Tower of London worker approached, saying: Excuse me, excuse me, as she radioed for help. Initial reports suggested the whole of the site had been shut. The Metropolitan police later said only the Jewel House had closed, before Historic Royal Palaces issued a further update saying it had reopened. Reality TV star Jack Osbourne and Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley have been voted out of Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! On Friday night a double elimination hit the camp, reducing it to four contestants; rapper Aitch, social media star Ginge, EastEnders actress Shona McGarty and Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson. Osbourne spent 21 days in the camp and became the seventh celebrity to cross the bridge and leave the ITV reality TV series. Osbourne told presenting duo Ant and Dec, also known as Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly, that the best part of being on the show was I think connecting with people. He added: I dont have a huge amount of friends in England and so its nice to come away with, you know, 11 new friends. What an experience. I had no idea what to expect coming in and I knew a little bit about some of the campmates before, but I had no idea, I kind of went into this blind and just being open to the experience. Just everyone I felt like I had a connection with in some way, shape or form. Osbourne, 40, whose father, Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, died earlier this year, said his time away and the support from his campmates helped him unplug. He said: It was nice to have the support and it was nice to just unplug, although Im probably more plugged in than Ive ever been in my entire life because 24-hour cameras and all that, but just to have that space, no distraction from the outside world and just be in nature. Its hard in camp, but its also really basic living, which I think was needed for me. When asked who he thought should win the series, Osbourne placed his bets on Tom. Lisa was the eighth contestant to be voted off the show. She said what she loved most about being on the show was The endless laughter from the second our eyes open to the second we go to sleep, the giddiness and embracing our juvenile. She added: Ive made friends for life, and its not just like fair-weather friends, I know that they are literally with me forever because of what weve experienced together. When asked about the maternal role she took on in the camp, offering advice and comfort to her fellow campmates, Lisa said: Ive not been lucky enough to be a mother in life so if I was able to be the jungle mum, then bring it on. People just kept coming to me for advice and a cuddle. Weve all been through things in our own lives and I think when youve got life experience, you can share it with the truth, and also go, I understand what youre going through and my heart feels the same as yours does, because it happens in life. So Im happy to be mama bear. If Im mama bear in this jungle, then I feel like Ive won already. When asked who should take home the winning title, Lisa said she hoped Ginge, also known as Morgan Burtwistle, wins. She said: Hes going to take it home for the North. Morgan Burtwistle, better known as Angryginge, during training ahead of Soccer Aid this year (Bradley Collyer/PA) In Fridays episode contestants were reunited with their loved ones ahead of Sundays final, and many became emotional. Osbourne, before his elimination, was greeted by his wife Aree and young daughter Maple. He broke down in tears as he embraced his family and asked about his mother, Sharon. Aree, 34, said: Shes so proud of you, she watches every single day. Kelly watches every single day, she added, referring to his older sister. Shona McGarty attends the British Soap Awards 2023 at The Lowry Theatre in Salford. (Danny Lawson/PA) Shona met her sister, Camilla, who told her: You have no idea just how much Ive needed you today. The actress, 34, called the reunion the best surprise she has ever had in her life. Aitch hugged his two sisters, Gracie and Hattie, in the main camp, after 21 days in the jungle, and said: This is the best day of my life. Meanwhile Tom met his mother, Juliette, who told him she was the proudest mother in the entire world and Ginge broke down in tears as he was greeted by his mother, Michelle, and sister Tasha. On Friday the 24-year old social media star faced the Bushtucker trial, and took the cake as he won his campmates all six stars. Rapper Aitch is still in the camp (Jacob King/PA) Ginge was tasked with crawling through sections of a giant birthday cake, where he faced off spiders. He told himself: Its a mindset, theyre not going to hurt me. When he screamed as a spider climbed on to his leg, presenter Ant said: Remember, its a mindset. He also took on green ants, mud crabs, toads, rats and animal guts. As he returned to the camp, he said: I have never been so scared in my life! Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! returns on Saturday 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. In the UK, tests performed on embryos are legally restricted to a list of serious health conditions, such as Huntingtons, sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP Couples undergoing IVF in the UK are exploiting an apparent legal loophole to rank their embryos based on genetic predictions of IQ, height and health, the Guardian has learned. The controversial screening technique, which scores embryos based on their DNA, is not permitted at UK fertility clinics and critics have raised scientific and ethical objections, saying the method is unproven. But under data protection laws, patients can and in some cases have demanded their embryos raw genetic data and sent it abroad for analysis in an effort to have smarter, healthier children. Dr Cristina Hickman, a senior embryologist and founder of Avenues fertility clinic in London, said rapid advances in embryo screening techniques and the recent launch of several US companies offering so-called polygenic screening had left clinics facing legal and ethical confusion. This opens a whole can of worms, said Hickman, who raised the issue in a letter last month to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). One US company, Herasight, which charges couples $50,000 (37,000) to assess an unlimited number of embryos, confirmed that it had already worked with couples undergoing IVF at clinics in the UK. There is no suggestion Herasight is in breach of any regulations. Avenues currently has two patients who without the clinics involvement intend to use Herasights service. One, a 29-year-old woman, said she and her husband hoped to reduce the risk of diseases, such as diabetes, and to pick embryos with high predicted IQ. People are willing to spend loads of money and heartache to give their kids slightly better lives after theyre born, said the patient, who wished to remain anonymous. This seems the best bang for your buck; its less per year than private school. Herasight claims to deliver an average gain of six IQ points for a couple with five embryos and provides sex, predicted height and risk scores for conditions including heart disease, common cancers, Alzheimers and schizophrenia. The patient, who has banked 16 embryos, said: Im hoping to have six where Im like: Wow, thats an excellent profile. In the UK, tests performed on embryos are legally restricted to a list of serious health conditions, such as Huntingtons, sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis. Clinics cannot perform polygenic screening for the purpose of embryo selection. The HFEA also says a clinician should not be guided by a patient on which embryo to use based on that patients knowledge of its scores. Peter Thompson, the chief executive of the HFEA, said polygenic testing was unlawful for use in the UK. Licensed clinics in the UK are responsible for selecting embryos based on what is permitted in the HFE Act and therefore should not offer such testing and subsequent treatment, he said. However, there is nothing to stop a UK-based couple seeking such testing, and indeed treatment, overseas, but a UK licensed clinic should not then make decisions on what embryo to put back using that information. Some have questioned whether the HFEAs position is enforceable. Hickman said the clinic would not generally block a couples request that a particular embryo is transferred, provided there was no conflict with medical safety. If a patient wants to have embryo number one transferred and the clinic says no, we want embryo number three, I cannot think that, if this were to go to a judge, they would say no, you have to transfer embryo number three, she said. I would rather have [polygenic testing] allowed here and have the HFEA control how to do it ethically. Herasight has built its algorithms using large genetic databases, including UK Biobank, and has published the scientific basis for its predictions. However, using polygenic scores in the context of embryo selection remains contentious and the European Society of Genetics has condemned the technique as unproven and unethical. There are also broader ethical concerns, including the potential for a stratified society where wealthier people pay to select the embryos they prefer and the prospect of normalising a belief that some individuals are genetically superior. Prof Angus Clarke, a clinical geneticist at Cardiff University, said: These companies are dealing in murky science in an emotionally fraught context. He said some parents may find it hard to resist the promise of selecting the best child possible rather than any old child. Lets hope theyre not disappointed, he added. It might be difficult to live up to those expectations, if youre that child. In a statement, Herasight said: We can confirm that Herasight has been working with parents from across the globe, including families who have undergone IVF treatment in the UK, by transforming routine PGT-A data that parents have legally obtained and provided to us. This data can be accessed by clients under applicable data protection laws in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Herasight said it did not work with, or provide data to, IVF clinics or influence them in the selection of embryos. Ukrainian and US officials will hold a third straight day of talks in Miami on Saturday, with Washington saying the two sides agree that real progress would depend on Russias willingness to end the war. Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner have been meeting top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and Andrii Hnatov, the chief of staff of Kyivs armed forces. 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, said a summary of the talks. The US and Ukrainian officials also agreed on the framework of security arrangements and discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace. The talks in Florida come after Witkoff and Kushner met Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday to discuss a US plan to end the conflict but the Russian president rejected parts of the proposal and threatened that Russia was ready for war if Europe started it. 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, reports Oliver Holmes. Unity between Americans and Europeans on the Ukrainian issue is essential, Macron said during a visit to China on Friday. And I say it again and again, we need to work together. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said they held very constructive talks with the Belgian prime minister, Bart De Wever, on Friday over an EU plan to use Russian frozen assets to fund Ukraine, which Belgium has so far refused to endorse. The EC, along with most European governments, prefers a reparations loan using Russian state assets immobilised in the European Union due to Russias invasion of Ukraine. We agreed that time is of the essence given the current geopolitical situation, von der Leyen said after the meeting in Brussels. Moscows ambassador to Germany, meanwhile, warned that the plan to use frozen Russian assets would have far-reaching consequences for the EU. Any operation with sovereign Russian assets without Russias consent constitutes theft, Sergey Nechaev claimed. A railway hub near Kyiv was hit during a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack that damaged the depot and railway carriages, Ukraines state railway company said on Saturday. No casualties were reported from the overnight attack in the town of Fastiv. Ukrzaliznytsia said it was forced to cancel several suburban trains near the capital and the city of Chernihiv in north-eastern Ukraine. Emergency services reported a fire, while also citing an attack on infrastructure in the Chernihiv region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones targeted Russias Ryazan and Voronezh regions overnight, causing damage but no casualties, local governors said. Pavel Malkov said the Ryazan attack sparked a fire on the roof of a multi-storey residential building. Russian drones struck a house in central Ukraine overnight to Friday, killing a 12-year-old boy, officials said, while long-range Ukrainian strikes reportedly targeted a Russian port and an oil refinery. In Ukraines central Dnipropetrovsk region, the Russian drone attack destroyed a house where the boy was killed and two women injured, said the regional military administration head, Vladyslav Haivanenko. In Russia, Ukrainian drones attacked a port in the Krasnodar region on the border with Ukraine, sparking a fire at the Temryuk seaport and damaging port infrastructure, officials said. Ukrainian drones also aimed deeper inside Russia, attacking the city of Syzran on the Volga river, said the mayor, Sergei Volodchenkov, without providing more details. Unconfirmed media reports said Ukrainian drones hit an oil refinery in Syzran. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said a Ukrainian drone struck and damaged a high-rise building in Grozny, capital of Russias southern Chechnya region, and vowed to retaliate within a week. The drone had caused no casualties, he said on Friday. Some of the 800-strong reindeer herd that belongs to the entire community of Grovelsjon, in the Swedish province of Dalarna. All photographs: Kevin Rushby/The Guardian Photograph: Kevin Rushby On the summit of a snow-covered hill, two men sit on a patch of lichen, their backs against their snowmobiles. They are wearing thick padded clothing and hats with ear covers. One is scanning the valley with binoculars, the other is checking their drone. Weve got a speaker on it to play various calls. Thermal imaging helps. The dogs do the rest. The younger of the two men, Elvjin, pours out tots of strong coffee for everyone. The main job at this time of year is to keep the herd up here where we can see them, he says. When they start calving, the danger from bears, wolverines and eagles increases. We need to see them. If I had a mental picture of reindeer herding before arriving here in the mountains of western Sweden, it certainly did not involve drones and thermal imaging. But that is the aim of this trip: to see an authentic and little-known European way of life, which for centuries suffered repression and abuse, only to be swiftly cannibalised into tourist-trap Santa experiences all sleigh bells and traditional embroidery. Elvijns father, Peter, who has brought me up here on his snowmobile, laughs: We do have our traditions, but reindeer herding is a tough business. We use any modern tools we can. And it really is a business: reindeer meat is highly prized all over Scandinavia. Peter was brought up in the 1960s by grandparents who had lived in tipis and could remember times when the use of the Sami language was punished. In the 19th century, Christian missionaries would march into Sami summer camps, break the shamanic drums and build churches on the sites. That kind of history leaves deep scars; theres a thoughtful caution that still kicks in when some aspects of Sami culture come up. Fortunately, Peter and his wife Helena have devised this bold attempt to build a tour that gives visitors an authentic picture of modern Sami life. Together with the income from a small shop selling beautifully made handicrafts, they can subsidise Elvijn to guard the reindeer herd full-time, something he loves doing. Most Sami have reindeer, but they cant afford to spend the time looking after them. My grandfather would take a reindeer on the train to Stockholm. He came to this area in 1930 and they lived here in tipis for a long time The vast group of 800 animals below us is actually a cooperatively owned herd belonging to the entire community of Grovelsjon, a village in the province of Dalarna, close to the Norwegian border. Each animal has an ear mark that identifies its rightful owner. When it comes to herd size, Peters expression becomes rueful. Officially, the government allows us 2,700 reindeer, but actual numbers are hard to know. We slaughter around 700 every year, but lose more than 10% to predators. Wildlife concerns are just another factor that make reindeer herding contentious. Would you like to see all bears eradicated? I ask. Peter shakes his head. I think with modern technology we can just remove the bears that prey on reindeer. As far as wolves go, however, he is implacable. Wolves and reindeer cannot live in the same place. Poor old wolves. Then, along the horizon, appears a long line of reindeer. The sun emerges bringing some warmth, and one of the dogs jumps into the drivers seat of the snowmobile. Its a precious moment, and Peter responds. He rolls on to a patch of moss and, lying there, grinning at the sky, begins a strange yodelling chant. This repetitive improvised incantation is a joik, a traditional Sami song. We leave Elvijn and head across the hilltops to reach a simple wooden cabin from which Peter scans the surrounding countryside with binoculars, eventually spotting reindeer heading our way. He struggles, however, to explain their position to me. Its so much easier in Sami, he laughs. Our language is made for this environment. For example, we have several words for different types of snow-free areas that are covered in moss. Now I see the herd, picking its way down a slope. At this time of year, the reindeer get the urge to walk west, Peter tells me. Its an instinct to turn their noses into the wind, better to smell predators. The herdsmens job becomes a fight against that instinct, which includes putting out sacks of food, as we do. Once the herd is fed, we take the snowmobiles down into a wooded valley, the path leading to a clearing where there are a few old wooden cabins. It was once a farm run by a woman whose husband had deserted her, says Helena. Despite that, no divorce was allowed, even when she appealed to the king. Those were tough times for women. Inside the beautiful handmade cabin is a magnificent old cooking range, which we light. As the sun sets, the cold comes down. Helena brews coffee that is served unsweetened and black. Despite the ready adoption of modern conveniences, the knives and wooden cups are exquisite handmade items, clearly much valued. Peter drops scraps of cheese and reindeer biltong in his coffee. Thats how we do it. Cheese marinaded in coffee tastes pretty good. What did they drink before coffee? Helena rushes outside and returns with some lichen that she brews up as tea. After tasting it, I can understand why they adopted coffee. Peter drops scraps of cheese and reindeer biltong in his coffee. Cheese marinaded in coffee tastes pretty good A long rolling discussion ensues, punctuated by eating and drinking. Im fascinated by the fact that Peter was born in a tipi, but now uses drones. He recalls many old practices that have died out. My grandfather would take a reindeer on the train to Stockholm, he says. He came to this area in 1930 after the government reversed a policy of eradicating reindeer herding. The whole family came on skis, driving the herd, and they lived here in tipis for a long time. In 1955, Peters father was spotted as a talented skier. Having never even seen a large town, he found himself taking part in two Winter Olympics, visiting Italy and the USA. Such experiences, however, never distracted from the main business of life: reindeer. As I listen, I sense how the familys year is still governed by the unchanging requirements of the herd. We even have a pet reindeer, says Helena, explaining how Loovis, an orphaned calf, became a household fixture. Peter and Helena go off to sleep in another cabin and I have the place to myself, watching the fire burn low and thinking about the bears they told me about, hibernating in a snow cave not half a mile away. The next day, we go to meet Peters brother Thomas, who looks after Loovis and a small herd of semi-domesticated animals that are used to encourage the main herd to be less wary of humans. Loovis is certainly not afraid. She trots over, and the others soon follow. We walk with them through the forest, then dig a snow bench and light a fire, drinking coffee while the reindeer forage for lichen. It is a profoundly simple, yet intensely enjoyable, experience. My final night is in a tipi, alone in the forest, wrapped in two down sleeping bags with a log burner humming away next to me. I leave the canvas door slightly open to watch the stars, but soon fall deeply asleep. At some point in the small hours I wake, replenish the log burner and for a minute sit outside under the miracle of the stars, feeling privileged to have had this glimpse into modern and ancient Sami life. The trip was provided by Visit Dalarna. Rail transport to Mora was provided by Interrail (a seven days in one month pass is 339 adults/255 for 12-27s); then by bus to Grovelsjon. A range of Sami experiences can be booked through Renbiten; the Sami Tipi Mujjies stay, including dinner, breakfast and all equipment, is 475 a night for two. In London. Kevin stayed at Radisson Blu Euston Square, doubles from 124 The classic screen pairing of Tarzan and Jane, captured in 1934 with Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen OSullivan - United Archives/Hulton Archive When youve got two Gen-Z sons, you spend a lot of time pondering modern masculinity. In this regard Im not unlike the American academic, author and podcast host 61-year-old Scott Galloway parent to two teenage boys whos currently in London promoting his chart-topping book, Notes on Being a Man. Although its the subtitle that speaks to me: How to address the masculinity crisis, build mental strength and raise good sons. How, indeed? You can barely open a paper without coming across a tale of girls outperforming boys across most areas of education, increased male depression, loneliness, addiction, suicide, man-on-man violence, misogyny, sexual assault and those 21st-century bogeymen, incels (involuntary celibates). Sometimes I find myself practically down on my knees praying for positive tidings; even boy rescues kitten from tree would do. Many of Galloways conclusions feel accurate. He notes one of the key reasons Donald Trump was elected back into the White House was because the voters who swung his way were disaffected young men, along with women aged 45-64 likely to be the mothers of these men and desperately worried about them. He has pointed out that the Democrats addressed virtually every special interest group, with the exception of these rudderless young males. This all rings true to me. At the ripe age of 57, Im no longer voting for my own future, so much as the world Id like my sons to inhabit: one where the word toxic isnt instantly yoked to anything that emanates from the online world of male influencers and their followers known as the manosphere. Galloway is also keen on the mantra that men protect, provide and procreate, which is admirably old school, with a strong whiff of Jordan Peterson. Galloway is the first to admit this is wisdom from the Boomer generation, but that doesnt make him wrong. Indeed, his overriding concern that we are literally evolving a new breed of asexual, asocial male is spot on. Author and academic Scott Galloway believes we are raising a new breed of asexual, asocial men - Corey Nickols/Getty Images for IMDb Old-fashioned male staples have been out of vogue for a generation, yet no substantial alternatives have taken their place. Today, too many men are anything but manly. Women who started dating in the 1990s (yes, me) toyed with a new breed dubbed metrosexuals, but went off them when they started stealing our moisturiser and scarves. They were succeeded by the even more dreadful hipster, with his craft beers, heritage workwear (the sort of stuff a trawlerman might have worn in the 1940s) and ludicrous beards. Now we have end-of-times spornosexuals, whose gym-toned, tattooed bodies and quiffs of luxuriant curls (often courtesy of a perm) seem always on display, like cut-price Calvin Klein models. For all the body-sculpting, they spend far too long at the barbers having their eyebrows done to protect anyone. I tried to raise the alarm on all this in 2015, while participating in a debate held by the Institute of Ideas in Hay on Wye. The proposition was, Is the real man a fantasy? My formidable opponents, Diane Abbott and Julie Bindel, argued he was a thoroughly outmoded social construct, as irrelevant as fluttering femininity. I vehemently disagreed. The real man was embedded somewhere deep in most male souls. You saw it whenever a little boy picked up a stick and instantly wielded it as an offensive weapon, or tackled a friend to the ground, or stood on a chair and yelled poo, while his female classmates played peacefully with Sylvanian Families. Of course, these are sweeping generalisations and exceptions exist but generalisations prevail for a good reason, and ones that stick are based on observable truths. (In this instance, my big sisters long experience as a teaching assistant in reception-year classes.) That inner hooligan needs to be trammelled in practical ways, with outlets for excess energy and opportunities to display bravery, enterprise and chivalry. James Bond may seem like a fantasy figure until, that is, you research the real-life exploits of the insanely brave agents of the Special Operations Executive during the Second World War, who inspired Ian Fleming while writing (Fleming worked for naval intelligence). I told the Hay audience (playing brazenly to the gallery) that when the Zombie Apocalypse erupted I wanted a real man by my side not some shrinking violet who didnt want to refuel the flame-thrower, in case he got petrol on his Liberty-print silk shirt. I lost that battle (Abbott and Bindel carried the vote by a Guardian-reading landslide) but continue the war. My sons have made me ever more cognisant of the vacuum that exists in the space where manly virtues used to be housed and revered. The revere part is vital, because you cant encourage young men to behave with courtesy and valour if their efforts arent encouraged. Second-wave feminists did the world no favours when they resisted the idea of men yielding them seats, or opening doors to ease their passage, or helping them carry heavy bags. A man I know who helps run boot camps for young offenders told me: Men are like Labradors, theyre only happy when they can be of service. But when you foster the opposite attitude and dismantle gallantry, you end up with a sick society. I was on a packed London Tube train this week when an elegant, older woman (probably in her late 70s) stepped onboard and not one passenger, male or female, budged, leaving me twice the age of those around me to leap up with five bags of shopping and ask if shed like my seat. The place where I part company from Galloway is when he expands on his definition of provide. My own sense of male competency is that a young man should be able to build a hut and slaughter a rabbit, if thats what it takes to keep his loved ones alive. The author has a more narrowly economic model of provision, perhaps drawn on his own background as a successful marketing guru: I tell my sons, when youre in the company of women, you pay for everything. And if you cant, you dont go out. He believes a woman wont date a man who asks her to go Dutch, and if tales Ive heard from young men are true thats often the case. One 30-something broadcaster told me only last week that hed noted a sharp uptick recently in women using Tinder for a foodie call, or #datingfordinner meaning they had zero intention of ever romancing the poor guy picking up the tab. So common is the habit, my friend will now only meet potential romantic partners in coffee shops. This is a timely reminder that its no good demanding young men acquire manly virtues, if their female counterparts arent held to equally high standards. They can share bills if in gainful employment and they can offer up their seats on public transport to needier souls. They can even wield the flame-thrower, while their boyfriends getting the spider out of the bathtub. Real men (of the big and brave kind) deserve real women. Getty Senior woman NEED TO KNOW Paulette Fiset-Germain, 101, lived an active and independent life before suffering a stroke and two falls last year After her health declined, she decided to end her life with medical aid in dying on Dec. 1 She called the option a really wonderful gift and admitted that she was looking forward to it A 101-year-old woman opened up about her decision to end her life with medical aid in dying. Paulette Fiset-Germain a mother of three from Quebec, Canada spoke to Le Journal de Quebec and explained that she had always lived a very active and independent life. However, her health started to decline last year after suffering two falls and a stroke. It started when I fractured my hip and I was no longer able to do anything, she told the outlet. I started having difficulty using the walker, I have one hand I cant use, the other I struggle with, I cant see out of one side. Ive reached the end of my rope, she said. You know when the glass starts to spill, its time to do something. Besides, youre struggling 24 hours a day, youre not sleeping. Were going to close the loop. Recognizing how much she was struggling, Fiset-Germain spoke to her family doctor and a specialist about wanting to end her life using medical aid in dying (MAID). The choice was available to her under Canadas MAID legislation, which went into effect in June 2016. The law allows patients with terminal illnesses to end their lives with lethal medication either taken themselves or administered by a physician or nurse. "I've had a good life, she said. I loved life so much. I gave a lot, but I received a lot. There aren't many people who have had all the love and respect I've had in my life. I don't know of any enemies." Getty Senior woman in a hospital bbed The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! On Nov. 27, Fiset-Germain shared her decision to die with staff and residents at Manoir Cap-Sante, the retirement home in Quebec where she lived. "I received excellent care here and I am very happy to spend my final days here and die in my bed," she said. The announcement was met with mixed feelings from those closest to her. It saddens us, but we respect her decision, Guylaine Dufresne, manager of the Manoir Cap-Sante, told the Journal. She is loved by everyone and everyone loves her. She is perfectly lucid and very calm. Her home is here and she deserves to leave peacefully. Adelyre Goeguen, her longtime friend, said the news still upsets him. "Damn, I didn't like it right away, he said. It was a shock, and I still can't accept it at all." "It's a good decision, her cousin and best friend, Louisette Huard, added. After the life she's had, the physical condition she's in, it makes a significant difference." 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. Fiset-Germain said she was at peace knowing her family was on board with her decision, calling MAID a gift. My children accepted my decision because they know me, they know Im ready for this, she explained. [They] told me: Its my choice, its my body, its my life. My decision doesnt cause me any stress, she told the outlet. In fact, Im looking forward to it. When the doctor agreed, I said, Youre giving me a really wonderful gift. On Monday, Dec. 1, Fiset-Germain ended her life in her own bed around 2 p.m. Prior to her death, she said she would be donating her body to science. Her ashes are to be interred on May 21, 2026, what would have been her 102nd birthday. Read the original article on People Anna Kepner/Instagram Anna Kepner Anna Kepner and the stepbrother currently under investigation in her death were "best friends," according to her stepmother. Shauntel Hudson appeared in court on Friday for an emergency custody hearing after her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson, petitioned the court to remove his youngest daughter from her mother's residence and grant him custody. He filed that petition after learning that his 16-year-old son was under investigation by the FBI in the death of Anna, who "was found asphyxiated under the bed in the room which she shared with [his teenage son]," according to a court filing obtained by PEOPLE. Shauntel testified in court about the family's time on the cruise and how Anna came to share a room with her stepbrother and 14-year-old half-brother. She said that the three teenagers shared a room on the advice of a travel agent, and that she and Christopher Kepner shared a room across the hallway with the two younger girls. Anna's grandparents, Jeffrey and Barbara Kepner, were staying two floors above their rooms, Shauntel said in court. Shauntel testified that the three teenagers "wanted to stay together" in the room. "Yeah, the three of them are, like, the three amigos," Shauntel said. "They are best friends." However, Anna's ex-boyfriend told reporters outside her memorial service on Nov. 20 that she did not enjoy spending time with her stepbrother. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group/ Getty Carnival Horizon Shauntel said that she last saw Anna at around 6:30 p.m. on the night of Nov. 6, and her son just before 7 p.m., adding that the two told her they were going back to their room. She said that she went back to her room across the hallway just before 7:30 p.m. and went to bed. Anna's body was discovered on the morning of Nov. 7 in her cabin aboard Carnival Horizon. The close relationship Anna had with her half-brother can also be seen in posts to her social media accounts, which included photos with him. 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. Related: Stepbrother of Anna Kepner Sent to Live with Relatives After Cruise Ship Death Because Mom Feared Children's Safety Related: Anna Kepner Timeline: Final Days of Florida Teen Before Cruise Ship Murder The stepbrother is now residing in an undisclosed location known only to his mother, father and law enforcement, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. No charges have been filed, and the FBI has not named a suspect, but Shauntel's attorney, Millicent Athanason, strongly suggested that charges would be filed. The attorney also said that the FBI was determining whether to turn over the evidence in the case to state or local authorities. When asked to confirm this, an FBI spokesperson declined to comment to PEOPLE. On Friday, Judge Michelle Studstill denied Thomas's request for an emergency motion to remove the couple's 9-year-old daughter from Shauntel's custody. Thomas will be back in court on Dec. 17 for a contempt hearing after filing a motion alleging that his wife did not have his permission to take their two children out of the country on the cruise. He also said he had been blocked from seeing his two younger children for the past 18 months, and described a recent incident in which Christopher and his parents allegedly interfered with a custody exchange between him and Shauntel, leading to a verbal altercation, according to a filing obtained by PEOPLE. Thomas wrote in his emergency motion: "The sixteen-year old's future has been put in jeopardy because of the choices made by [his mother]." He went on to state that he "has not been allowed input into the children's lives and his lack of involvement has negatively impacted the children." Read the original article on People 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. Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Blog Archive: Dec 2025 (42) Nov 2025 (141) Oct 2025 (153) Sep 2025 (149) Aug 2025 (154) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Kim Go-eun as Mo Eun in The Price of Confession Credit - Courtesy of Netflix The Price of Confession, a masterfully paced crime drama, challenges the assumptions we make about people and questions the biases held by people in power. The Netflix series is the latest from Crash Landing on You director Lee Jung-hyo, features a twisting script from Proof of Innocence director Kwon Jong-kwan, and gives some of Koreas biggest actors a chance to show their impressive range. Jeon Do-yeon (Crash Course in Romance, Kill Boksoon) stars as free-spirited art teacher Ahn Yun-su. When Yun-sus painter husband, Lee Ki-dae, is stabbed to death in his studio, hot-headed prosecutor Baek Dong-hun (Squid Games Park Hae-soo) becomes convinced that Yun-su did it. Despite Yun-sus insistence that she is innocent, and that she saw a woman in a hooded jacket leaving her husbands studio the night of his death, she is deemed guiltyby the court of public opinion and by the court of law. Yun-su is sent to prison, leaving her young daughter without either parent to raise her. Meanwhile, dead-eyed Mo Eun (Little Womens Kim Go-eun) confesses that she killed a married couple whose dentist practice she worked in. She poisoned them in their own home, watched as they died, and accepted her punishment when the police arrived. When she is placed next to Yun-su in solitary confinement, she suggests a deal through a crack in the wall that separates their cells. Mo Eun will confess to the murder of Yun-sus husband, if Yun-su does something in return: kill college kid Ko Se-hun (Nam Da-reum), the son of the couple she murdered. Why does Mo Eun want Se-hun dead? When Mo Eun admits to killing Se-huns parents, she offers no explanation, other than that they were bad people, leading the public to assume she is a sociopath. As The Price of Confession progresses, however, it becomes clear that Mo Eun is able to empathize with others, and takes human life very seriously. Her stoic, seemingly unfeeling mask is the result of the deep pain she has suffered and her commitment to getting justice for her late father and sister. Its revealed that Mo Euns real name is Kang So-hae. She is a doctor, who previously worked in Thailand with under-resourced populations who need medical care. She was there when COVID broke out. Just before Thailand shut its borders to stop spread of the virus, she got the news that her little sister So-mang and her father had both died by suicide. So-mang, she learns, was raped by Se-hun. He filmed the sexual assault to post on the internet. When So-mang finds out about the video and reports Se-hun, his wealthy family ensures that he gets off with minor consequences. In retaliation for reporting him, Se-hun sends the video to her friends and family. Devastated that he wasnt able to protect his daughter, So-hae and So-mangs father dies by suicide. Unable to get through to So-hae, who is sick with COVID, So-mang also kills herself. So-hae is inconsolable. When her good friend, a Korean national named Mo Eun with no family back home, dies from COVID, she offers her identity to So-hae as a tool to use in her revenge. So-hae, now going by Mo Eun, sets out to punish Se-hun and his parents. Jeon Do-yeon as An Yun-su Courtesy of Netflix Does Yun-su kill Se-hun? Yun-su agrees to Mo Euns plan, and is released on bail following Mo Euns confession to the murder of Ki-dae. Yun-su is reunited with her daughter, but a life of freedom is far from secured. She has to win her appeal, and she has to kill Se-hun to do so. Mo Eun has made it clear that, if she doesnt show proof of his death before Yun-sus appeal, Mo Eun will retract her confession. After weeks of surveillance, Yun-su goes to Se-huns house to kill him, but ultimately does not have the heart to finish the job. He begs for his life as she chokes him to death, and she lets him live. Instead, Yun-su tells Se-hun that Mo Eun is trying to kill him and, if she doesnt do it, someone else will. They pose Se-hun for a photo that makes it look like he is dead to Mo Eun, and then Yun-su tells him to stay hidden until she comes back. Days later, Se-hun is found dead in his house, stuffed into a freezer. All evidence points to Yun-su. Who killed Yun-sus husband? Once Yun-su realizes she is not willing to kill Se-hun, she knows she has to find the person responsible for her husbands death. On the run following Se-huns death, she visits an art show featuring a retrospective of her husbands work. At the show, Yun-su notices a photo that includes both Ki-dae and Mo Euns lawyer, Jin Yeong-in (The Defects Choi Young-joon). Yeong-in is a legendary public defender who took on Mo Euns case at the behest of his wife, celebrated cellist Choi Su-yeon. Yeong-in has never before mentioned that he knew Yun-sus husband. As Yun-su investigates, she learns that Yeong-in was harassing Ki-dae before he died. Yeong-in and Su-yeon had donated an art piece to the university hosting the art show that Ki-dae had suspected was plagiarized. Ki-dae had told the universitys president about his suspicions and in the weeks before his murder, Yeong-in demanded an apology for what he viewed as a public slight to himself and his wife. The night of Ki-daes murder, while the artist was working in his studio waiting for his wife to arrive, Yeong-in and Su-yeong paid a visit. Overcome with anger at Ki-daes refusal to apologize, Su-yeong smashed a wine bottle over Ki-daes head and then stabbed him repeatedly in the neck with one of his art implements. Yeong-in, who knows a great deal about crime from his life as a lawyer, stayed behind to clean up the scene. He was hiding in the studio when Yun-su arrived, called emergency services, and held her dying husband in her arms. Initially, the death of Yun-sus husband has nothing to do with Mo Euns tale of vengeance. They only become connected when Mo Eun is unable to kill Se-hun herself and asks Yun-su to do it. However, as Mo Eun gets to know Yun-su, she develops a soft spot for the woman who wants the chance to raise her daughter. As Yun-sus life gets harder, Mo Eun also starts to feel some guilt for the role she has played in her troubles. Who killed Se-hun? Se-hun was killed by Yeong-in. Desperate to protect his wife, whom he loves, he is committed to framing Yun-su as a murderer. He uses his position as Mo Euns lawyer to stay apprised of Yun-su and, if necessary, steer the police investigation into Se-huns death towards her. Luckily, Yun-su has a good lawyer, Jang Jeong-gu (Aemas Jin Seon-kyu). Though Yun-su doesnt initially trust Jeong-gu, he eventually proves his commitment to the truth. As a result, Yun-su sends Jeong-gu a webcam video proving that Se-hun was alive when she left the house. Meanwhile, Jeong-gu uses his position to nurture the doubt that prosecutor Dong-hun is beginning to feel over Yun-sus guilt. Led by Yun-su, both begin to turn their suspicions towards their colleague, Yeong-in. Jeon Do-yeon as An Yun-su, Jin Sun-kyu as Jang Jeong-gu Courtesy of Netflix The Price of Confession ending, explained When Mo Eun realizes that Yun-su needs her help to clear her name, she orchestrates an escape. They meet up and head to Ki-daes studio together. Yun-su has realized that a fingerprint on Ki-daes final print could belong to the real killer, whom she now believes to be Yeong-ins wife, Su-yeong. Unfortunately, Yeong-in has also come to the studioto destroy the evidence of Su-yeongs crime. Mo Eun sacrifices herself for Yun-su, forcing Yeong-in to stab her and then using his surprise to stab him in the heart. Both Yeong-in and Yun-su die, the latter in Yun-sus arms, just as Jeong-gu and Dong-hun arrive. Does The Price of Confession have a happy ending? The Price of Confession has a happy ending of sorts. Mo Eun is able to get revenge for her family, and Yun-su secures the chance to raise her daughter. She is found guilty for conspiring to kill Se-hun, but is given a light sentence. She uses her freedom to bring her daughter to Thailand, where Mo Eunthen So-haewas at her happiest. She leaves the watch that once belonged to the true Mo Eun and then to So-hae as a memorial. Meanwhile, Su-yeong seems poised to get away with killing Ki-dae. She is brought in for questioning by Dong-hun, but he doesnt have any conclusive evidence that she was the one to stab Ki-hae. Yun-sus eyewitness account and Su-yeongs fingerprint on Ki-daes art prove she was there that night, but Su-yeong claims it was her husband who dealt the killing blow. Yeong-in is dead, and was willing to take the fall anyway. Perhaps this is the cost of Dong-huns arrogance in initially going after Yun-su for the murder so decisively: the true killer will slip through his fingers. Contact us at letters@time.com. New Democratic Rep Adelita Grijalva Posts Video Of Herself Obstructing Federal Agents (Screenshot/XAdelita Grijalva) Democratic Arizona Rep. Adelita Grijalva interfered in an active immigration enforcement operation Friday in Arizona and posted the footage online. Grijalva took office just last month after winning a special election in September to succeed her late father. Grijalva filmed herself confronting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they attempted to carry out their duties, stepping between officers and their vehicle while demanding information about the operation. 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, Grijalva wrote. Grijalva posted a lengthy video accusing ICE agents of spraying her, manhandling community members and disappearing people, after she interfered. We just came up on a community that was protecting their people. We had, I would say, maybe 40 ICE agents, most of them masked in several vehicles that the community had stopped right here, right in the middle of the street, because they were afraid that they were taking people without due process, without any kind of notice, Grijalva said. And so I was here. This is like the restaurant I come to literally once a week and was sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent, pushed around by others when I literally was not being aggressive. Grijalva further expanded on her allegations, saying ICE agents ignored basic due process as officers detained two individuals. (RELATED: Ilhan Omar Says Immigration Crackdown Has Nothing To Do With Public Safety) We saw people directly sprayed, members of our press, everybody that was with me, my staff member, myself, two staff members, we have like remnants of whatever they sprayed on us. Excuse me, its bothering me, Grijalva said. And I think that this is one of the problems, the biggest problem that we have in this community is that we have Trump that has no regard for any due process, the rule of law, the Constitution. Theyre literally disappearing people from the streets. They arrested two people. We have no idea where theyre going. And I want to thank Tucson Police Department for coming and taking care of the space, making sure that everyone was safe once ICE left. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin responded by rejecting Grijalvas account and saying the congresswoman was not pepper-sprayed during the incident. McLaughlin added that two officers were seriously injured by the crowd Grijalva joined and added that identifying oneself as a member of Congress does not grant the right to obstruct law enforcement. If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel. But theyre not true. She wasnt pepper sprayed. She was in the vicinity of someone who *was* pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement, McLaughlin wrote. In fact, 2 law enforcement officers were seriously injured by this mob that @Rep_Grijalva joined. McPresenting ones self as a Member of Congress doesnt give you the right to obstruct law enforcement. Democrats have a history of inserting themselves into ICE activity, including a sit-in by Marylands congressional delegation after agents denied them a tour of a detention facility. Maryland Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks led the group as they accused ICE of unsafe conditions and claimed to speak for their constituents, even though the detainees were migrants without legal status. 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. Department of Justice officials, citing privilege, did not disclose details on the legal advice given to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the decision to continue the deportation of more than 100 Venezuelans to El Salvador in March. The declarations filed in court Friday are a response to a contempt inquiry initiated by U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg, who is determining whether Noem or anyone else should be referred for potential contempt prosecution. The court filings Friday were submitted after DOJ lawyers said in a filing last week that Noem directed the deportation flights to continue despite Boasberg's order to return the planes to the U.S. as he heard a legal challenge to the administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport the Venezuelans, whom the Trump administration accused of being gang members. Ronda Churchill/AP - PHOTO: Kristi Noem Judge weighs potential contempt prosecution referral for Kristi Noem in El Salvador deportations In her declaration, Noem confirmed she made the decision to continue the transfer of the detainees after receiving legal advice from DOJ leadership and from Joseph Mazarra, the acting general counsel of DHS. In the filings Friday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, a DOJ official in March who is now a U.S. circuit judge, declined to provide details on the "privileged" legal advice they gave to Noem. "DOJ has not authorized me to disclose privileged information in this declaration," Bove said. Mazarra, in his declaration, said that he analyzed Judge Boasberg's order that sought to block the deportations and then provided Noem with legal advice. "DHS had removed these terrorists from the U.S. before this Court issued any order (or oral statement regarding their removal)," Mazarra wrote in the filing Friday. In a separate filing, DOJ attorneys said it would be "prejudicial and constitutionally improper" to compel testimony from the officials who submitted declarations in advance of a referral for prosecution. Handout/Salvadoran Government via Getty - PHOTO: Salvadoran Government Receives 238 Alleged Members Of Criminal Organizations 'Tren De Aragua' and 'MS13' Judge says he will move forward with contempt inquiry into AEA deportations "[The] Court has all the information it needs to make a referral if it believes one to be justified, and further factual inquiry by the Court would raise constitutional and privilege concerns," the DOJ attorneys stated. In response to the declarations, Lee Gelernt, the lead attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, which has challenged the AEA deportations in court, told ABC News "the Trump administration is again refusing to cooperate with a federal court." In March, the Trump administration invoked the AEA -- an 18th-century wartime authority used to remove noncitizens with little-to-no due process -- to deport two planeloads of alleged migrant gang members to the CECOT mega-prison in El Salvador by arguing that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is a "hybrid criminal state" that is invading the United States. In a March 15 court hearing, Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order and ordered that the planes carrying the detainees be turned around, but Justice Department attorneys have said his oral instructions directing the flight to be returned were defective, and the deportations proceeded as planned. Brian Walshe enters a Dedham, Massachusetts, courtroom Thursday for his murder trial in the death of his wife, Ana Walshe. - Matt Stone/The Boston Herald/AP The first week of testimony in Brian Walshes murder trial in Dedham, Massachusetts, has come to an end. The jury heard from about two dozen witnesses called by the commonwealth in its case against Walshe as prosecutors work to prove he killed his wife, Ana Walshe, around New Years Day in 2023. Unbeknownst to the jury, Walshe has already pleaded guilty to misleading police after her disappearance and improperly disposing of his wifes body. But he maintains he did not kill the corporate real estate manager and mother of three. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. On Friday, a Massachusetts state trooper who started testifying on Thursday continued to tell the jury about data he processed from Brian Walshes phone, including messages and calls recorded between his and Anas devices. A retired state trooper took the stand briefly so prosecutors could admit more physical evidence into the record, including a hacksaw, hatchet and hammer that were recovered in January 2023 from a dumpster near the apartment complex where Brian Walshes mother lived. Evidence recovered from a dumpster in January 2023 is shown during Brian Walshe's murder trial. - Pool Prosecutors have worked this week to show the jury evidence they say Walshe tried to throw away to cover up his wifes killing. A medical examiner began testifying Friday afternoon, telling the jury about his efforts to determine whether any human tissue could be detected on some of those items from the dumpster. Hes expected to retake the stand Monday when the trial continues. Heres what happened Friday: Texts sent to Ana Walshe after her purported disappearance Data from Brian Walshes cell phone shows messages sent to Ana Walshes cell phone between January 2 and 4 after her death. At the time in 2023, Walshe told investigators he hadnt seen or heard from his wife since she left for a flight to Washington, DC, to handle a work emergency around 6 a.m. on New Years Day. Walshes defense attorney told the jury in his opening statement that Walshe found his wife inexplicably dead in their bed in the early hours of New Years Day, panicked and then lied to investigators. The cell phone messages were sent from Brians phone to his wifes, but were never delivered, Massachusetts State Trooper Connor Keefe testified. Anas phone was never recovered by investigators. January 2, 2023 2:33 p.m. ET: Hello Thomas found the phone playing on Williams bed! William said he forgot it was there! Haha. Ok call anytime 7:18 p.m. ET: 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 January 3, 2023 6:39 a.m. ET: Hello 6:39 a.m. ET: where are you 6:39 a.m. ET: Im worried, please call, or email 8:30 a.m. ET: Where are you? I just called and it went straight to voice mail. Calling you in Viber now. 8:32 a.m. ET: I will call after I drop the boys If I dont hear from you this morning I am going to report you missing 12:16 p.m. ET: Hello, I texted your sister and Alissa I am calling Jeff if I dont hear from you? Where are you? 7:03 p.m. ET: Hello 7:04 p.m. ET: Where are you? The boys and I are worried Im calling work tomorrow if I dont hear from you. January 4, 2023 10:14 a.m. ET: Where are you????????? 10:15 a.m. ET: I am calling Jeff now Defense seeks to discredit investigation Defense attorney Larry Tipton spent more than two hours cross-examining Keefe about the investigation into Ana Walshes disappearance that turned into a murder investigation centered around Brian Walshe. Tipton questioned the investigative decisions made back in January 2023, working to undermine the investigation into the mothers disappearance. He suggested investigators couldve expanded their search of Walshes devices beyond the limited window of December 25, 2022, through January 8, 2023. Tipton also suggested prosecutors cherry-picked from Walshes devices location data and web searches they showed the jury, highlighting only a small percentage of a much larger digital history. A wider look at the phone usage would show the jury innocuous searches for movies, restaurants and wine, Tipton said. He also stressed the timeline revealed by the phone activity no grisly searches about how to dispose of a body or clean up blood occurred before the morning of January 1, 2023. State Trooper Connor Keefe testifies Thursday on his investigation into Brian Walshe's cell phones during Walshe's murder trial. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) - Matt Stone/Pool/The Boston Hearld/AP Prosecutors must prove that Walshe planned to kill his wife to prove hes guilty of first-degree murder. The defense has suggested that he didnt kill his wife and panicked to dispose of her body, thinking no one would believe he didnt cause her death. During Keefes cross-examination, Tipton also invoked the name of a controversial former Massachusetts State Trooper, Michael Proctor, who was fired for misconduct that was uncovered through his participation in the prosecution of Karen Read. Proctor was the case officer for Ana Walshes disappearance when Brian Walshe was arrested and was dishonorably dismissed from duty in July 2024 after an internal conduct review. Judge Diane Freniere did not allow Tipton to dig into Proctors role in the Walshe case Friday, but the attorney indicated he may try to do so through later witnesses. Whats to come A medical examiner from Boston took the stand briefly before the trial adjourned Friday afternoon. Dr. Richard Atkinson processed items that prosecutors say Brian Walshe threw away in dumpsters near where his mother lived. The medical examiner said his job was to determine whether any human tissue could be recovered from the evidence. Hes expected to continue testifying about his findings on Monday when the trial resumes. Prosecutors didnt mention their upcoming witness order on the record before breaking for the weekend. Theyve previously said the jury will hear from Ana Walshes former boss, who was with the Walshe family into the early hours of New Years Day and was the last person known to see Ana alive other than her husband. More investigators may testify about the evidence that led them to arrest Walshe for his wifes murder. Massachusetts State Police dig through a transfer station in Peabody, Massachusetts, on January 9, 2023, looking for evidence in the Ana Walshe case. - Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe/Getty Images It remains unclear whether Brian Walshe will take the stand in his own defense. His attorney has said the defense would present evidence that Walshe found his wife dead in their bed in the early hours of New Years Day in 2023 and then he panicked and lied to police. Tipton also said the jury would hear a medical perspective about sudden unexplained deaths, which he suggested during his opening statement happened to Ana Walshe. Before sending the panel home for the weekend, the judge said the attorneys appear to be working a bit ahead of schedule. She said at this point the jury could get the case after another two weeks of evidence from both parties. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump delivers remarks on a partnership deal with U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel at the U.S. Steel Corporation Irvin Works facility in West Mifflin, Pa., May 30, 2025. Photo: Daniel Torok / Official White House Photo via Flickr / United States Government Work (The Center Square) An Illinois state legislator from the Metro East says its a Christmas miracle that U.S. Steel is reopening a furnace in Granite City. Republican state Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton, said the impact is going to be beyond just the 400 good-paying jobs coming back to the area after U.S. Steel announced Thursday was reopening. We're just thrilled that we think the entire region really will benefit economically from that, from increased traffic through Granite City and increased traffic and all those supporting organizations, Elik told The Center Square. U.S. Steel President and CEO David Burritt said the decision came after carefully analyzing customer demand and confidence in the company's ability to safely and profitably operate the mill. We look forward to partnering with all stakeholders, including the United Steelworkers and elected officials, to ensure a safe and efficient start up and to discuss support for Granite City Works, Burritt said in a statement. Elik said its great news. This is not something that is going to be up for two weeks and then closed again, she said. It's going to take a couple months for things to get rolling again. And so I just feel that the company made that decision, knowing this is going to give them more time to be producing steel there, and that means more jobs. Gov. J.B. Pritzker also praised the announcement, saying his administration is committed to securing long-term investment and maintaining a clear path for the future of steelmaking in Illinois. This investment in Illinois is a testament to collaboration among the State of Illinois, community members, elected leaders with Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski leading the charge and the strength and resilience of the men and women of the United Steelworkers (UW), Pritzker said in a statement. It reflects our collective commitment to protecting good-paying jobs and ensuring that steelmaking remains a driving force in the Metro East economy. Elik said its not silly to say its a Christmas miracle. She also said it wouldnt have happened if not for President Donald Trump. That deal that [Trump] made between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel to get that sale through, and that golden share member that he insisted upon having so that the government can represent, be represented in business decisions is, frankly, the catalyst for what's going on here, Elik told The Center Square. In my opinion, this would not have happened under President Joe Biden and his administration in the past, or a President Kamala Harris, had that happen. During the first Trump administration, the president visited Granite City in 2018 to highlight the steel industry. The factory idled operations there in 2023 and 2024. A general view of the Dublin city skyline in 2017. - Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty Images Investigations are underway in Ireland and France after two more incidents this week involving unidentified drones flying close to the coastlines of each country. On Monday night, several drones were seen flying off the coast of Dublin, just as the plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was about to land ahead of his first official visit to Ireland. On Thursday night, several drones flew close to a French naval base on the Atlantic coast housing nuclear ballistic missile submarines, French prosecutors told local media. The two incidents are the latest in a string of unexplained sightings in several European countries since September. Some drones have disrupted civilian air traffic, while others have flown close to airbases and other military facilities. European officials have said that they believe Russia is behind at least some of the incidents, but no drone has been retrieved or shot down. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously ridiculed claims that Moscow was behind drone sightings in Europe. French prosecutors told French media that none of the drones that flew near the Ile Longue submarine base in northwestern France had been shot down and none of their pilots identified. It is not clear where the drones came from. Prosecutor Frederic Teillet told AFP that no link with foreign interference had been established at this stage. French marines at the base had used a jammer against the drones, he added. An investigation is underway that will determine what this overflight was all about, French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin told broadcaster TF1 on Friday. Drone flights are banned on the Crozon peninsula, where the submarine base and other military infrastructure is located. A nuclear submarine at the naval base in Ile Longue, France, on December 5, 2016. - Fred Tanneau/AFP/Getty Images Irish police have said little about the incident on Monday, telling CNN on Friday that a special detective unit is investigating and will be liaising with the Defence Forces and international security partners. Ukrainian media quoted an adviser to Zelensky, Dmytro Lytvyn, as saying that Ukrainian officials were made aware of the drones, but no action was deemed necessary. The host side is responsible for security, Lytvyn said. According to their data, there were indeed such drones, but this did not affect the visit and there was no need to force any change to the visit. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called the recent spate of incursions hybrid warfare. In September, Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that while authorities could not be sure who was behind the incidents, we can at least conclude that there is primarily one country that poses a threat to Europes security and that is Russia. Many of the drone sightings have been close to the coastlines of Baltic and other European nations, raising concerns that Russia may be using ships as drone platforms. Reuters has previously reported that a Russian ship called the Boracay, one of hundreds of sanctioned tankers that move Russian oil, was about 50 nautical miles (90 km) south of Copenhagen, heading out of the Baltic Sea, when drone activity forced the closure of the citys airport on September 22. It was also observed traveling south along Denmarks western coast on September 24, when drones were reported flying north of Esbjerg and near several nearby airports, according to Reuters. The Kremlin said at the time it had no information about the vessel but added that the Russian military had to act sometimes to restore order when foreign countries had taken what spokesman Dmitry Peskov described as provocative actions. The Boracay was subsequently boarded by French authorities and its Chinese captain charged with failing to provide proof of the vessels nationality and failing to comply with orders. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is recommending New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick direct the agency to cooperate with federal immigration authorities following a major federal enforcement operation that resulted in the arrest of dozens of criminal illegal immigrants. In a letter dated Friday to Kirkpatrick, Murill said the department's policies appear to conflict with state law and could be interpreted as "sanctuary" policies, which generally prohibit local authorities from cooperating with federal law enforcement in immigration matters. "NOPD must 'use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law,'" the letter states. "I look forward to working with you and NOPD to ensure its policies and actions comply with state law." Dhs Arrests Dozens Of Illegal Immigrants Within 24 Hours Of Launching New Orleans Operation New Orleans police officers carry a man out of city hall after he participated in a protest against the deployment of federal immigration agents in the city during a City Council meeting Thursday. "At this time, I recommend that you immediately direct NOPD officers and staff to fully cooperate with ICE and CBP," she added, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Fox News Digital has reached out to Kirkpatrick, ICE and CBP. Read On The Fox News App In 2024, Louisiana enacted a law banning jurisdictions from adopting and implementing sanctuary policies. "As Superintendent of NOPD you are responsible for the issuance and implementation of departmental policies," the letter to Kirkpatrick states. "Policies that fundamentally require officers and employees to refuse to cooperate with ICE except in very limited circumstances violate Louisiana law and could subject the offender to felony prosecution for malfeasance." Homan Vows To Enforce Immigration Laws In Twin Cities 'Without Apology' Amid Mayor Opposition Louisiana AG Liz Murrill, right, is urging New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick to direct the department to cooperate with immigration authorities. The letter came amid a major federal immigration crackdown in the Louisiana region, as well as backlash from anti-ICE advocates. A New Orleans City Council meeting was thrown into chaos Thursday as anti-ICE protesters stormed the chambers, shouted down officials and clashed with police. The outburst came one day after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Operation Catahoula Crunch, a two-month federal initiative deploying 250 Border Patrol agents to New Orleans and surrounding areas. The operation, referred to by protesters as "Swamp Sweep," has intensified backlash from immigrant rights groups and triggered growing unrest at city hall. Click Here To Download The Fox News App The intent is to remove "criminal illegal aliens roaming free thanks to sanctuary policies" that prevent local authorities from honoring ICE arrest detainers, DHS said. Original article source: Louisiana AG urges NOPD to cooperate fully with federal immigration authorities Keith Eli, 24, of Opelousas, remains on the run after escaping a southern Louisiana jail on Wednesday. - St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office/AP Authorities are still searching for the last of three inmates who made a brazen escape down the outer wall of a Louisiana jail last week, after one inmate was cornered in a storage shed and taken into custody, and another fatally shot himself in a home surrounded by police, officials said. The inmates all three of whom were being held on charges of a violent nature escaped from the St. Landry Parish jail Wednesday after gradually removing mortar and concrete blocks from a wall and using sheets to scale down the outside and drop onto the first-floor roof, St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said in a social media post. The inmate still at large, 24-year-old Keith Eli, was in the jail on an attempted second-degree murder charge, authorities said. We will continue our efforts, without end, to apprehend Keith Eli. We would prefer that he surrender himself peaceably, but we will not rest until he is captured, Guidroz said in a news release on Friday. Another inmate, Johnathon Joseph of Opelousas, was arrested after law enforcement acted on numerous tips, the sheriff said Friday. The 24-year-old, who had been jailed on charges of rape and other crimes, surrendered after first running into a storage shed near a home where hed been hiding out, a spokesperson for the sheriff told the Associated Press. A day earlier, Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, who faced several felony charges, including home invasion, killed himself after he was found, Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux told the AP over the phone. Harrington was recognized by a tipster, who told police he was seen pushing a black e-bike, which was later found at a nearby home, according to AP. Police used a loudspeaker to urge Harrington to come out of the home but later heard a gunshot. Harrington was found dead inside the house after shooting himself with a hunting rifle, Boudreaux told the AP. Three inmates escaped from a jail in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, by climbing down a rope made of sheets. - St. Landry Parish Government The group of inmates removed mortar and concrete blocks to get out of the jail, the sheriff said. - St. Landry Parish Government This weeks incident marks the latest brazen escape from a Louisiana jail this year, after 10 inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail in May in a stunning overnight escape, using electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to help cut their way through the cell walls. The last of those 10 escapees wasnt recaptured until five months later at a home in Atlanta, according to US Marshals. This is also the second escape from the St. Landry Parish Jail since October, when one inmate got away before being recaptured by the Opelousas Police Department, CNN affiliate KADN reported. In that escape, the inmate was a trustee a prisoner typically granted special privileges who was able to run away in the process of being escorted from one building to another, Guidroz told KADN. The sheriff emphasized in the interview with KADN the jail is overcrowded and it needs a lot of maintenance a claim that has been disputed by the parish government. The claims about crumbling walls and rusted-out cell door locks are inaccurate. The Parish Jail does not have these structural issues, and I invite the Sheriff to produce documentation to substantiate his claims, parish president Jessie Bellard wrote in a post on social media Saturday. In a news conference on Thursday, Bellard said that the jail, built in 1982, is structurally sound. I want to make sure that people understand that this jail is not crumbling. Its in good shapewe have the engineer reports to back that up, Bellard affirmed during the news conference. Structural engineers inspected the jail last year and came back with a clean bill of health, he added. Bellard instead attributed the escapes to a lack of manpower and training. It is unreasonable to expect one deputy to manage over 100 inmates on a floor, especially during night shifts, he wrote. The Sheriff must take responsibility for improving deputy pay to ensure we are competitive with surrounding parishes, properly compensating those who risk their lives daily. Bellard highlighted the need for improved security measures, including addressing the lack of security footage. An internal investigation into Wednesdays escape has been initiated, Guidroz said in a social media post, and the the Jail Supervisory Staff will be providing a comprehensive report and both will be forwarded to my office for appropriate action. Sheriffs department spokesperson Maj. Mark LeBlanc told the AP while he wasnt aware of the building being similarly breached in the past, anyone will try to escape with enough time and opportunity. These three were just a little more creative than in years past, he said. Anyone with verifiable information on Elis whereabouts is being asked to submit an anonymous tip to St. Landry Crime Stoppers. CNNs Jada Furlow and Karina Tsui contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Police emergency lights flash red and blue at night. Photo: Scott Rodgerson / Unsplash (The Center Square) - In the days after the deadly Nov. 29 shooting in Stockton, the Northern California community is trying to pull together, local representatives told The Center Square this week. The shooting killed three children and a 21-year-old at a child's birthday party, attended by 100 or more people. Another 11 people were injured during the shooting in the city of more than 300,000 people east of San Francisco. I think right now, not only are people grieving, but they are actually concerned for the community, Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, D-Stockton, told The Center Square. Theres a lot of frustration, theres a lot of serious concern about peoples safety, because people dont want to be the next casualty in something they are not part of. Vigils and memorials for the four victims killed during the shooting have been held since Sunday, Ransom told The Center Square. And local law enforcement have been encouraging members of the community to come forward with any information about the shooting. Stockton Crime Stoppers is offering an $80,000 reward for information that leads to arrests of suspects. People can provide anonymous tips by calling 209-946-0600 or visiting stocktoncrimestoppers.org, where they can leave a tip directly or download a Crime Stoppers app to do so. Officials with Stockton Crime Stoppers were not available for comment on Friday. Right now, were trying to understand and solve this incident that took place so that we can get justice, Ransom said. No suspects have been arrested. The San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office said the shooting, which started around 6 p.m. Saturday, was likely a targeted attack and may have involved multiple shooters. Its a tragic incident that has not occurred in our community previously, and its been tough for the community dealing with this, especially given the circumstances of children being involved, Lt. Andrew Theodore of the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office told The Center Square on Friday. The investigation is still active, as it was a large scene with a lot of people involved. Our detectives continue to work the investigative leads that they have to try to put all the pieces together. Theodore added that some of those leads could include information about suspects, but could not answer questions about potential suspects. While a violent crime, the shooting isnt as much of a gun problem as much as it is a people problem, Ransom told The Center Square. We dont even know about the proliferation of the guns that are out there, but we also have a people problem. We have a generational violent issue that has plagued certain parts of the community for a very long time. Gang and violence prevention could play a role in reducing violent crimes like this, as well as laws that promote accountability, Ransom said. We need to make sure were not creating loopholes, Ransom told The Center Square. Im all about restorative justice and making sure were not throwing away people, but ultimately, we have to keep the community safe first. That is the No. 1 priority, and we need to prioritize that in our legislation to make sure we are deterring folks from even doing something like this. Organizations that have previously spoken out about gun legislation and gun violence, including the National Rifle Association and the pro-gun laws organization Everytown for Gun Safety, did not respond to The Center Square's requests for comment. Officials with San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services said they are offering their help to the community if anyone needs support during this difficult time. Those services are also offered to local schools. Were actually really fortunate in Stockton and in San Joaquin County where our schools have very robust mental health services already embedded, Fay Vieira, director of San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services, told The Center Square on Friday. Ultimately, they reported their teams had a good handle on the situation, and given that Im very familiar with their mental health teams, I believe that they are very strong clinicians with a lot of experience working with children. I was not at all surprised to hear that they were well-equipped to handle a stressful situation. Stockton is resilient," Vieira noted. "The people who live in Stockton have gone through a lot, but the community is strong, and I know theyre going to heal together. My hope is that the community comes together and they can grow and heal together. Representatives from the Stockton Unified School District and the Stockton Police Department couldn't be reached for comment Friday. But in a statement Monday, Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden called the shooting "heartbreaking beyond measure." "The individuals who opened fire on a child's birthday party showed no humanity," McFadden said in a news release on Facebook. "That is evil, and we will not allow that kind of evil to go unanswered in Stockton. Our staff is working around the clock, and we are coordinating closely with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. Every tip and every piece of information we receive is immediately relayed to the Sheriff's investigative team so it can be acted upon without delay." Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi and the City Manager's office did not respond to The Center Square's requests for comment. The California Department of Justice, which has been assisting local law enforcement in the shooting investigation, did not respond to calls and emails before deadline on Friday. U.S. Rep. Josh Harder, D-Stockton, also did not respond to requests for comment. According to a 2023 report from the California Department of Justice, the state has reduced homicide rates over the last 30 years. In 2022, California had the seventh lowest death rate by gun in the country, according to that report, and Californias gun homicide rate was 45% below the rate recorded in the rest of the country. A Johns Hopkins University report found California had 1,427 gun homicides and that the overall gun death rate increased by 8% between 2014 to 2023, although that includes gun deaths that are not classified as homicides. As previously reported by The Center Square, California Attorney General Rob Bonta credited the state's laws requiring background checks and a 10-day "cooling off" period during gun purchases, as well as bans on assault weapons and magazines, for helping to bring down mortality rates. Texas Department of Public Safety Border Mounted Patrol troopers detain illegal border crossers in south Texas. Photo: Texas Department of Public Safety via X / Used with Permission (The Center Square) Texas law enforcement officers working through Gov. Greg Abbotts border security mission, Operation Lone Star, continue to apprehend illegal border crossers, tracking them through brush, rugged terrain and on barren ranchland. Integral to their efforts are four-legged team members with paws and hooves who graduated from new classes or celebrated a new year of service this November. Texas Department of Public Safety has long used K9 teams, considered essential for narcotics and explosive detection and tracking fugitives. But theyve also been integral to border security operations working with DPS brush teams and federal and local law enforcement, DPS says. In November, DPS graduated nine new K-9 teams and four certified K9 Tech Trainers who deployed across Texas. DPS K-9 program includes 100 personnel, including 85 handlers working with German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retrievers and a Vizsla. Each K-9 team completes a rigorous nine-week training program, with six weeks of pre-training solely for the K-9s. The dogs are trained to follow human scent trails over long distances and in tough terrains, including deserts, brush, urban areas and waterways, DPS says. One new graduate, Belgian Malinois K-9 Stark, and his handler recently made their first apprehension with mounted Border Patrol agents in Carrizo Springs after tracking two illegal border crossers. In Zavala County, K-9s Shark, Arya, and Bona tracked illegal border crossers for three miles helping law enforcement apprehend five people, including two from Vietnam. Theyd bailed out of a vehicle during a human smuggling event, DPS said. K9s play a vital role in locating those trying to avoid capture across rugged ranch lands, DPS said. OLS officers often track illegal border crossers across ranch lands who commit a range of crimes, The Center Square has reported. This fall, Texas DPS newly created Border Mounted Patrol Unit celebrated one year of operation in Texas border counties. Its first BMPU class graduated last November and has since been providing additional support to Texas DPS brush teams, Border Patrol and local partners to pursue illegal border crossers in remote and challenging terrain. DPSs BMPUs first class included three teams riding Quarter Horses based near Eagle Pass, Carrizo Springs and Del Rio in Dimmit, Maverick and Val Verde counties. BMPU troopers must pass a six-week training program, including through the U.S. Customs and Border Protections National Horse Patrol Program. This includes navigation, terrain adaptability, tracking and law enforcement operations on horseback, DPS said. The second BMPU class graduated in August. Border Patrol agents have relied on horses for border security operations since the agencys founding more than 100 years ago. Horse Patrol Agents ride in challenging terrain, which may include environmentally protected and/or privately owned sensitive geographic locations, and are the most viable, and, in some cases, the only option for the U.S. Border Patrol to enter into regions inaccessible by any other means of patrol, CBP explains. Without the Horse Patrol, these areas would remain unpatrolled and susceptible to transnational criminal activity. DPSs BMPU began operations in Kinney County successfully assisting sheriff deputies apprehend illegal border crossers who bailed out of vehicles being pursued by law enforcement as well as gotaways. One year later, BMPU working with K-9 units are still tracking illegal border crossers on Kinney County ranches. One recent arrest was of a Mexican national and previously deported felon, whod been deported multiple times since 1998. His lengthy criminal history includes convictions for assault family violence, weapons charges, evading arrest and drug possession, DPS said. He was last deported in August only to illegally reenter the country and be arrested by DPS BMPU in October. Both the BMPU and K-9 units are primarily pursuing gotaways those who illegally enter between ports of entry to evade capture, dont make immigration claims and dont return to Mexico. More than two million gotaways were reported by Border Patrol agents during the Biden administration, The Center Square exclusively reported. Heather Diehl/Getty Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe pictured at a makeshift memorial in Washington, D.C NEED TO KNOW One of the two National Guard soldiers shot last month continues to be in recovery Spec. Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe were shot as they patrolled the area near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26 Beckstrom died of her injuries, and a suspect has since been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal One of the two National Guard soldiers shot last month continues to recover and receive medical care. A gunman opened fire on Spec. Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe as they patrolled the area near the White House on the afternoon of Nov. 26, right before Thanksgiving. The next day, President Donald Trump announced that Beckstrom, 20, died from her injuries, while Wolfes mother, Melody, said on Facebook that the 24-year-old was out of surgery and alive," according to The Washington Post. Andrew Harnik/Getty Senators surround a photo of West Virginia Army National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom Now, over a week later, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey shared an update about Wolfe on behalf of his parents via the politician's website. The update came on Friday, Dec. 5, the same day Morrisey, 57, was scheduled to attend a vigil for Wolfe. "His parents report that his head wound is slowly healing and that he's beginning to look more like himself,' " Morrisey said in the update. "Overall, the family expects that Andy will be in acute care for another 2-3 weeks but have been optimistic about his progress, the governor continued. We continue to ask all West Virginians and Americans for their prayers! They are making a difference! In her Nov. 27 Facebook post, Wolfe's mother Melody wrote more about her son's condition at the time. Andys been out of surgery for a few hours, she said, per the Post. His brain is being allowed space to swell and this first 24 to 48 hours is the biggest right now. They have no clue about any lasting effects right now because were in this very first stage, Melody continued. The first two weeks will be a waiting game. Right now hes surviving and alive. We got to see him in ICU and hes sedated. It feels like a nightmare and this doesnt feel real. Jeff Swensen/Getty West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrissey at a vigil honoring Sarah Beckstrom on Nov. 29 On the morning of Nov. 27, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said, per the Post, that the families of Wolfe and Beckstrom were "shattered and destroyed and torn apart as the result of the actions of one man." Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The suspect in the shooting has since been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, the outlet. Andrew Harnik/Getty Senators surround a photo of West Virginia Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe Prosecutors allege that Lakanwal, who lived in Washington state, drove across the country to D.C., where he opened fire at Wolfe and Beckstrom outside the Farragut West Metro station with a .357-caliber revolver, the Post reported. Earlier this week, the suspect was formally charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed and two counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, according to the outlet. Lakanwal pleaded not guilty through a defense attorney at the hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Post said. Beckstrom and Wolfe were among more than 2,000 National Guard troops deployed to D.C. in August, in response to what Trump, 79, described as rampant crime in the nation's capital. However, his use of the military has been criticized by others as excessive and partisan, given the city's Democratic history. Read the original article on People kool99 / Getty Images Key Points Two home cooks have used social media to showcase their paocai, Szechuan pickles that are lacto-fermented in a water-sealed jar. The lacto-fermentation process creates a self-sustaining microbial system that can last indefinitely, with proper maitnenance. Some families reuse pickle brine for years or decades, a tradition that's known as "old jar paocai or old mother brine paocai." Im willing to bet this jar of pickles is older than you is a statement that will stop you in your tracks. Once you realize that the aforementioned jar of pickles which is often opened so its tangy, crisp contents can be enjoyed is either decades or over a century old, theres no way youre scrolling away from a TikTok video that promises a greater deep dive into whats inside. This is the hook that content creators like Vivian Aronson (@cookingbomb) and Meijie (Mei) Lao (@daywithmei), following Aronsons lead have used to rack up millions of views on the videos that spotlight their ancient pickle jars. To be clear, its not necessarily the jar itself thats old. Instead, its the brine inside thats been kept alive for decades, or in Laos case, 120 years. Both of these food-focused influencers and recipe developers have their own paocai, traditional Szechuan pickles that can sustain a living brine for years to come and even be passed down through generations. Paocai uses lacto-fermentation to pass pickles down through generations Alternatively written as pao cai or pao tsai, Lao explains that The pickle jar is a traditional Szechuan lacto-ferment called paocai. I consider it a matrilineal heirloom in my family. The pickle jar is a symbolic wedding gift to help the bride quickly start building a new household. Reusing an established pickle brine can kickstart the fermentation process. In Laos family, this particular brine has been passed down for five generations. She notes that The style of paocai fermentation that reuses the brine for years or decades is called old jar paocai or old mother brine paocai. Similar to sourdough [starter], some vendors will boast about how long their mother brine has been in use. Related: Leftover Pickle Brine Is Liquid Gold Heres How to Use It, According to a Pro Pickler and Chef Lacto-fermentation is the preservation process thats used to make traditional pickles. It doesnt rely on vinegar and only needs three ingredients: water, salt, and the produce youre pickling. The salt in a lacto-ferment brine prevents harmful bacteria from growing, while beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus convert the natural sugars in fruits or vegetables into lactic acid, a natural preservative that gives pickles their signature tangy, sour flavor. Because new vegetables are continually added to a pao cai jar, providing the bacteria with more sugar, this creates a self-sustaining microbial system that can keep pickling for decades. You can add vegetables or fruit to a mature paocai jar at any time, but be careful not to overcrowd it, as the produce will slightly dilute the brine. When the liquid in a pickle jar is low, you may need to add new brine, but never pour water into an active paocai. However, in addition to the Chinese pickling jars typically used for paocai, youll notice a moat of water around the edge of the lid. This serves two purposes: It allows gases produced by fermentation to escape without needing to burp the lid of the jar, as you might with other lacto-ferment systems, while also preventing oxygen from getting in. Because oxygen can encourage the growth of harmful microbes, and Lactobacillus thrives without it, this helps ensure the pickles are safe to eat. As Lao points out, sharing a portion of pickle brine is similar to sharing part of a sourdough starter. Giving someone part of your paocai brine makes it easier for them to successfully start their own lacto-fermentation system. Including the mother brine in their paocai will help the jar develop a stable microbial system more quickly, and its less likely that harmful bacteria will start to grow. Pickled vegetables from paocai appear throughout Chinese cuisine According to Lao, Just about any vegetable can be fermented in paocai brine. The flavor of lacto-fermented pickles is more complex, earthy, and funky than vinegar-based pickles. Lacto-fermented vegetables generally remain delightfully crisp and even a tad fizzy from the carbon dioxide produced in the fermentation process. Many paocai jars include ingredients that primarily add flavor, such as ginger, chile peppers, garlic, and spices. Some home cooks also add a small amount of liquor, such as baijiu or vodka, which serves as an additional preservative and adds more flavor. Fuchsia Dunlop, a cook and food writer who specializes in Chinese and Szechuan cuisine and has written seven books about Chinese food, explains that lacto-fermented vegetables are found in many parts of China, and Szechuan-style pickle jars are used in other areas of the country too, like Yunnan. Youll spot pickles used in a wide variety of dishes throughout Szechuan cuisine. Per Dunlop, Pickles can be used in cooked dishes; pickled mustard greens are often used in soups, and pickled long beans are often stir-fried with minced pork. Pickled red chillies and ginger often appear together, especially in fish dishes (a delicious combination). Related: Yes, You Can Fry Food in Salt Instead of Oil Heres How Pickled red chillies (a local type of long, horn-shaped chile called er jing tiao) are the basis of the classic 'fish-fragrant flavor' (yuxiang weixing) of Szechuan cuisine. But possibly more important, at least emotionally, are the quick-pickled vegetables, especially pink radishes and cabbage, which are traditionally served with rice at the end of every meal. The quick pickles Dunlop mentions are the result of leaving ingredients in the paocai brine for a shorter time. She details that Some paocai, like pickled chillies, can remain in the brine for a long time, or until needed, while the classic daily pickled vegetables are normally only brined for a day or two, so they are just lightly soured and retain their fresh crispness. Whether you want to give the gift of daily pickles to yourself or be able to share a starter brine with someone else, perhaps 2026 will be the birth year of your own jar of long-living, lacto-fermented vegetables. Read the original article on Food & Wine An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows California Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at the New York Times Dealbook Summit, Image 2 shows Sacramento lobbyist Greg Campbell (left) and his attorney, Todd Pickles (right), standing in front of a building, Image 3 shows Xavier Becerra speaking to the Associated Press Sacramento lobbyist Greg Campbell pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges in a federal probe that has spooked Californias Democratic political establishment. Campbell, formerly a top aide in the California legislature, was reportedly stoic as he entered a guilty plea Thursday as part of an alleged corrupt scheme involving Gov. Gavin Newsoms former chief of staff and a longtime top aide to Xavier Becerra, the former Health and Human Services secretary whos running to replace Newsom as governor. Xavier Becerra is running to replace Newsom as governor. AP California lobbyist Greg Campbell (left) with his attorney, Todd Pickles (right). KCRA 3 Mr. Campbell will remain focused on his family and making positive contributions to the community, Todd Pickles, Campbells attorney, told reporters Thursday at the courthouse. Mr. Campbell is deeply grateful for the support from his family and friends during this difficult time. Campbell copped to one charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one charge of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. Prosecutors will seek lighter sentencing as part of the plea deal, per the LA Times. California Gov. Gavin Newsome speaks during the 2025 New York Times Dealbook Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 03, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images Campbell is one of three Democratic power brokers charged in a sweeping federal indictment that accused Dana Williamson, a powerful lobbyist and former Newsom staffer, of working with Campbell and Sean McCluskie, Becerras former chief of staff, to skim $225,000 from Becerras dormant campaign account to pay for a no-show job for McCluskies spouse. McCluskie pleaded guilty to bank and wire fraud charges last month. Williamson also falsely claimed more than $1.7 million in tax write-offs for a Chanel bag and earrings, a trip on a chartered jet and a birthday jaunt to Mexico costing nearly $170,000, according to prosecutors. Dana Williamson has pled not guilty to all of the 23 charges filed against her. Paul Kitagaki Jr./ZUMA / SplashNews.com Campbell helped to gin up fake contracts at Williamsons request, prosecutors said. Williamson had been subpoenaed questioning her companys eligibility for PPP loans, and prosecutors alleged that the two conspired to create the retroactive contracts for her firm, Grace Public Affairs. Williamson is facing 23 counts including bank fraud and wire fraud. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Steve Maviglio, a former aide to ex-Gov. Gray Davis and Karen Bass, launched a legal defense fund for Williamson thats netted nearly $9,000 so far. Donors include Mark Krausse, a former PG&E lobbyist and Newsom appointee to the Public Employment Relations Board. Both Newsom and Becerra, who was California attorney general before joining President Joe Bidens administration, have denied knowledge of the scheme. Corinthian columns and architectural details of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Photo: Mark Stebnicki / Pexels (The Center Square) - The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to overturn a Biden-era policy that restricted oil and gas drilling in most of the Arctic Wildlife Refuges Coastal Plain, advancing a Trump administration effort to open the area to energy development. In a 49-45 vote, the Senate passed a resolution overturning a 2024 Interior Department plan that would have limited oil and gas lease sales to about 400,000 acres within the 1.56-million-acre Arctic Wildlife Refuge. One Republican senator, Susan Collins of Maine, voted with Democrats to oppose the resolution. The legislation is now on the president's desk awaiting signature. Federal lease sales in Alaska will now revert to a framework developed in 2020 by the Trump administration that had opened most of the Coastal Plain to oil and gas development. In October, the Interior Department said it would move to restore lease sales to the entire Coastal Plain as part of Trump's U.S. energy dominance agenda. The presidents One Big Beautiful Bill, passed in July, includes provisions mandating six oil and gas lease sales in the Cook Inlet Planning Area in Alaska's federal waters between 2026 and 2032, compared to two auctions covering the same area during the Biden administration. Alaskas all-Republican congressional delegation introduced and cosponsored the legislation. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said after the vote that a return to "balanced management" on the Coastal Plain will support U.S. energy independence. Kristen Moreland, executive director of the Gwichin Steering Committee, a group formed in 1988 by Alaska Natives opposed to oil drilling on the Coastal Plain, said the Senate vote ignored local concerns. The group has said the Coastal Plain is a critical habitat for Porcupine caribou. This action from DC ignores years of consultation and communication with our Gwichin communities that rely on this landscape for not only our subsistence and survival, but also our culture and spiritual health and well-being, Moreland said on the group's website. We stand united in our opposition to any oil and gas development in the Arctic Refuge and will continue to fight this effort from the Trump administration and decision-makers who ignore our voices." Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization, also said the vote prioritizes energy production over wildlife protections. Groups supporting the push to open the Refuge to energy production include Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, whose members include leaders living in the North Slope region; Kaktovik Inupiat Corp, the village corporation for Kaktovik, the only community located within the coastal plain; and North Slope Borough, a local government organization in Alaska that supports resource development to fund essential services like schools, infrastructure and emergency services. As mandated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress in 2017, the first-ever lease sale of tracts in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge occurred on Jan. 6, 2021. Seven of the nine bids accepted at the 2021 auction went to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state-owned corporation, but those leases were canceled by the Biden administration in September 2023. In March 2025, a U.S. District Court judge ruled the Biden administration had failed to follow the congressionally mandated procedure before canceling the leases, and ordered the Interior Department to vacate the cancelation. South Floridians from Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela expecting to become U.S. citizens this week learned instead that their naturalization ceremonies had been canceled after the Trump administration issued a sweeping directive aimed at halting immigration from so-called high-risk countries. The cancellations, confirmed by multiple immigration attorneys, came after the Trump administration on Tuesday paused immigration from 19 nations and froze all asylum claims. Wilfredo Allen, a Cuban-American lawyer based in Miami, said he received a notice that the naturalization ceremony scheduled for Wednesday for one of his clients, a Cuban woman, had been canceled. Another attorney, Patricia Elizee, told the Miami Herald that two Haitian clients expecting to become citizens on Friday also learned their ceremony had been canceled. Online, attorneys around the country reported similar cancellations. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond on Wednesday to questions from the Herald. The new directive to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued in the wake of the fatal shooting in Washington of two National Guardsmen, allegedly by an Afghan man affects everything from green card applications to work permits for individuals from the 19 high-risk countries. The directive also puts on hold all asylum applications, regardless of the country the applicant is from. Allen, the immigration attorney, said another client, a Ukrainian woman seeking asylum, was also notified that an in-person decision on her case had been postponed. The governments goal is very clear: to create panic and uncertainty in the immigrant community, he said. Allen said the sweeping new policy, including the review of immigration decisions since 2021, does not seem feasible and is likely to be challenged in court. Three large communities affected in South Florida The new policy is creating anxiety, particularly in South Florida, home to many immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean who are already coping with years-long backlogs for asylum interviews, green cards and naturalization ceremonies. The 19 affected countries had already faced varying levels of restrictions, after President Trump placed them under a U.S. travel ban in June. Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela faced partial bans affecting tourist, business, and student visas; while nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen faced full visa suspensions for immigrant and non-immigrant categories. The Trump administrations policies have particularly targeted three communities long woven into the fabric of Miami: Cubans, Venezuelans and Haitians. Over a million people from these countries lost legal protections when Temporary Protected Status and humanitarian parole established under the Biden administration were ended earlier this year. Many have sought to remain in the U.S. by applying for asylum, or in the case of Cubans, adjusting their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, which allows them to become a permanent U.S. resident after being in the country for a year and one day. With the recent announcement, all now find themselves once more in legal limbo. A Venezuelan woman who wanted to be identified only by her nickname, Beth, out of fear of retaliation, said she was hoping to finally become a U.S. citizen after being a resident since 2020. The woman, who migrated to the U.S. to avoid political persecution, said shes had a green card after applying for an EB-1 visa, which is for individuals with extraordinary abilities. Beth, who is in her mid-50s, applied for a visa in 2018 during Trumps first term. Like many Venezuelans she says she fled her home country to avoid political persecution. This October, she applied for naturalization, but under the new policy, she does not know when she will be able to become a U.S. citizen. Its outrageous whats happening, she said. My lawyer told me that all citizenship exam appointments, even naturalization ceremonies, are being postponed. Ive been in this country for more than seven years. I love this countrywhy is the administration doing this? Why this narrative against Venezuelans? She was not the only one asking questions on Wednesday. Congressman Carlos Gimenez, a Miami Republican serving on the House Homeland Security Committee, told the Herald in a statement that he has requested details from DHS on how these rules will be implemented. My position has remained that all lawful migrants from Cuba, Venezuela & Nicaragua should have their asylum cases weighed on a case-by-case basis, he said. The Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 provides a codified, legal framework for Cuban exiles to contribute meaningfully to our nation, and I oppose any measure that would undermine it. The USCIS Application Support Center in North Miami Beach, normally busy with immigrants attending biometrics appointments for new or renewed green cards, was unusually quiet after the Department of Homeland Security issued a memo placing all pending asylum applications and USCIS benefit applications from high-risk countries on hold. At the USCIS Application Support Center in North Miami Beach, where immigrants go for biometrics appointments for new green cards or renewals, the scene was unusually quiet. Absent was the usual bustle of people arriving for appointments with their important documents in brown envelopes, or lingering in lines waiting their turn to enter. Shortly after noon, only five people were outside, two of whom quickly left without entering. A 37-year-old Venezuelan woman, who would identify herself only as Adriana, said she had accompanied a family member inside. The announcement provides even more pressure for the community, said the woman, who has lived in the United States for 10 years. But I respect it, I accept it. She declined to say what her own immigration status currently is, but added that the announcement has made a lot of people nervous. Its too early to tell what the overall impact of Tuesdays order from DHS will be, Fort Lauderdale-based immigration attorney Mark Douglas said in an interview. Like other attorneys, hes fielding calls from worried clients. It is a slippery slope that is not only going to affect people who are applying for benefits that are out of status, but certainly, people who are applying for citizenship, he said. Its certainly created a lot of anxieties. Douglas, who has worked as an immigration attorney for 20 years in South Florida, said the calls started trickling in last week when the Trump administration announced a review of green cards of individuals from the 19 countries and a pause in all asylum decisions for migrants in the United States. But the concerns of immigrants extend beyond the targeted countries, Douglas said. People believe that, given the overall tone, that discretion will be applied unfavorably toward their case, even though theyre from countries that were not named, he said. From my experience, I know that the potential for being deported and losing connection to family and everything that people built here creates more anxiety, probably, than spending a few months in jail. Private aviation companies Flexjet and Qatar Executive operate what is essentially a mini apartment at 41,000 feet. Taylor Rains/Business Insider I've toured two versions of the Gulfstream G700 private aircraft: Qatar Executive's and Flexjet's. The companies offer it in different ways, but both charge at least $20,000 an hour. The cabins are nearly identical mini flying apartments, but with their own branding and touches. Starting at $78 million, the Gulfstream G700 sits firmly in the realm of the top 0.01%. Delivery of the G700 began in mid-2024, so only a handful are in operation today, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after new jets. It's like a flying penthouse larger than some New York City apartments. Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos own their G700s outright, a stark display of what unlimited money can buy. But for billionaires who'd prefer not to have their every movement tracked by online flight-tracking sleuths, purchasing one isn't always the preferred move. Instead, a few private aviation companies offer access to the luxe G700. During media events in 2024 and 2025, I toured two such examples: one from Flexjet, worth $96 million, and another from launch customer Qatar Executive, Qatar Airways' private arm, worth $81 million. The pricing difference likely reflects custom configurations, delivery timing, and the mix of add-ons for each aircraft. Both cabins are exactly the grandeur I expect from a flight worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Structurally, the G700s are nearly identical: an elegant bedroom, galley, lounge, meeting room, dining area, and bathrooms. Qatar's version fits slightly fewer passengers, but both cabins oozed luxury. The bougieness is expected. These companies operate in a highly competitive industry where every detail, from cabin to service, could make or break a trip for their ultra-high-net-worth clients. And, despite a broader economic slowdown, demand for private aviation, particularly these large, long-range jets, is only growing especially among those who want global reach without a fuel stop. Flexjet primarily offers the G700 through a "fractional ownership" program, where clients pay upfront for a share of the aircraft essentially a timeshare for airplanes but Flexjet manages all the operations. Qatar Executive uses it exclusively for on-demand charter flights. They share one commonality: one hour of flight time costs more than the US' median annual rent, and then some. The G700 can cover roughly 8,000 miles, or over 14 hours nonstop, like Los Angeles to Sydney or New York to Dubai. Flexjet charges around $20,000 an hour, before any monthly fees or fuel surcharges, meaning a 14-hour flight is at least $280,000. Qatar Executive charges up to $300,000 on a similar-length G700 flight from Doha to New York. Here's what those hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of flight time get you. Every Flexjet and Qatar Executive G700 has a private bedroom. The bedrooms on Flexjet (left) and Qatar Executive (right). Taylor Rains/Business Insider Both companies have designated a closed-off space in the aft of the plane for clients to rest between meetings and destinations complete with a comfortable bed with sheets, pillows, and a comforter. There are seat restraints in the event of turbulence. An ensuite bathroom is attached. A Flexjet spokesperson previously told Business Insider that despite the engines being at the back of the jet, the bedroom doesn't get too noisy. That's not the only bed. Taylor Rains/Business Insider Flexjet's G700 can seat up to 15 people and sleep up to nine. This includes the double bed, the lounge's convertible divan, and the multiple convertible loungers. Qatar Executive's version has a slightly smaller capacity, seating 13 and sleeping eight. You can watch movies on a flatscreen TV. The TV sits across from the couch in the movie area. Taylor Rains/Business Insider Both planes feature a large flatscreen TV located across from the divan in the lounge, which essentially serves as a mini-theater. This space is at the very front of Qatar Executive's cabin, but just ahead of the bedroom in the back of Flexjet's. Passengers can hold meetings in total privacy. The plane has giant panoramic windows. Taylor Rains/Business Insider Few places are more private than in the meeting room of a business jet, where deals and negotiations can happen behind closed aircraft doors. These meeting rooms feature pairs of plush loungers with tray tables that extend from the wall. There are also adjustable window shades to block light. The speed and flexibility make private flying particularly valuable to billionaires and corporate executives because they can optimize their time and facilitate more face-to-face interactions across cities and countries. You can cater anything from fast food to Michelin-starred cuisine These lounges are two of six that create the full-sized dining table (pictured is Qatar Executive). Flexjet has the same setup. Taylor Rains/Business Insider Flexjet and Qatar Executive include a catering service where clients can order food from local restaurants, and the company serves it on board. Both jets have a dedicated six-person dining space. During a separate tour earlier this year, Business Insider's Havovi Cooper tried Qatar Executive's high tea with caviar that was prepared in its in-house kitchen in Doha. Meals are prepped in an oversized galley. The galley area had tools and plenty of workspace for preparing meals. Taylor Rains/Business Insider The G700s each feature a spacious galley where flight attendants have tools to warm and prepare meals, drinks, snacks, and even multi-course meals. It separates the cockpit from the jet's living area. There's a separate bed for the crew. The area for cabin crew at the front of the jet. Taylor Rains/Business Insider Both companies have opted for a crew rest area, complete with a bed, where cabin attendants and pilots can sleep during ultra-long-haul flights. The G700s operate with one flight attendant and two pilots. The bathrooms don't feel like bathrooms. The bedroom bathrooms on Qatar Executive (left) and Flexjet (right). Taylor Rains/Business Insider Bathrooms can be an eyesore in what is an otherwise luxurious space. To make them blend in better, most large private jets, including the G700, feature a toilet that can be closed to resemble a regular seat. The sink, countertop, and mirror are also much nicer than anything found on most major airlines. Hand cloths instead of paper towels, for example, and complimentary toiletries. More young people are flying private. Taylor Rains/Business Insider Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro previously told Business Insider that the private aviation boom is partially driven by an increase in younger ultrarich flyers. Data from the wealth intelligence company Altrata shows Gen Z and millennials aged 18 to 43 make up 8% of the world's ultra-high-net-worth population and are projected to reach 35% by 2040. Read the original article on Business Insider ROMANIA-NATO-DEFENCE-EXERCISE (Photo by DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images) The Trump administration has given European NATO members until 2027 to take on the majority of the alliances conventional defense responsibilities, sources told Reuters this week, or face diminished U.S. participation. Officials from the Pentagon reportedly told European diplomats at a meeting in Washington this week that they expected more from Europe in taking up their part of the alliance, expressing some doubts about their current efforts. President Donald Trump has long advocated for the rest of the NATO alliance to spend more on their defense, most recently publishing a National Defense Strategy (NDS) document Friday calling on Europe to save itself from civilizational erasure. The Trump administration also threatened to scale back U.S. involvement in some NATO coordination efforts if Europe fails to meet the target, sources who requested anonymity told Reuters. Weve been very clear in the need for Europeans to lead in the conventional defense of Europe, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a statement. We are committed to working through NATO coordination mechanisms to strengthen the alliance and ensure its long-term viability as European allies increasing take on responsibility for conventional deterrence and defense in Europe. (RELATED: Trump National Defense Strategy Warns Europe Must Remain European Or Risk Erasure) A US and a NATO flag flutter in the wind ahead of a NATO summit in The Hague, on June 23, 2025. (Photo by IRIS VAN DEN BROEK/ANP/AFP via Getty Images) In 2024, 22 NATO members were projected to meet the standard 2% of GDP defense spending obligation, but the Trump administration has since pushed to make it 5%, a figure that generated mixed reactions in Europe. France has taken a leading role in getting Europe to take up its own defense, with French President Emmanuel Macron pledging in November to deliver 100 Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine over the next decade. Germany has also stepped up in bolstering its military, recently passing a law which would send 18-year-old Germans a mandatory questionnaire regarding their willingness to join the armed forces. The EU set its own deadline of 2030 to bolster their militaries and defense-related infrastructure. EU Leaders have characterized even this target as ambitious, according to Reuters. The new National Defense Strategy highlights Russias war in Ukraine as a key motivator for Europe to increase its defense burden as the U.S. moves to have Europes NATO members shoulder much more of the responsibility for supporting Ukraine.. 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, the NDS reads. 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. 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 Pentagon, heaquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, is seen from the air on February 8, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images) Credit - Getty Images2025 J. David Ake A new national security strategy released by the White House calls for asserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and cultivating resistance within Europe, while reestablishing strategic stability with Russia and accepting the Middle East and its leaders as they are. The strategy released late Thursday, which builds on President Donald Trumps America First maxim, marks a sharp escalation of his Administrations criticism of the countrys European allies and a broader realignment of U.S. foreign policy. This document is a roadmap to ensure that America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history, Trump wrote in the foreword. In the years ahead, we will continue to develop every dimension of our national strengthand we will make America safer, richer, freer, greater, and more powerful than ever before. Read more: What Trump Doesnt Understand About Alliances Several current and former European officials have pushed back on the strategy, which asserts that Europe is facing the prospect of civilizational erasure, alleging that it is more than plausible that within a few decades at the latest, certain NATO members will become majority non-European; and calls for the U.S. to take steps to help the continent correct its current trajectory. "It's language that one otherwise only finds coming out of some bizarre minds of the Kremlin," former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt posted on X, saying the document places the U.S. to the right of the extreme right in Europe. The stunning section devoted to Europe reads like a far-right pamphlet, Gerard Araud, a former French ambassador to the United States, similarly observed in an X post, noting that the document largely confirms perceptions that Trump is an enemy of Europe. Read more: History Shows How Dangerous America First Really Is Speaking in Berlin on Friday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul noted that the U.S. was and would remain our most important ally in the NATO alliance, but said his country did not need outside advice. In the U.S., Democratic lawmakers also raised alarm about the strategy, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut writing on X that it foreshadows setbacksforsaking allies, throwing Ukraine under the bus, & abandoning key strategic goals & basic values. Daniel Fried, a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council who previously served as the National Security Council's senior director for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, ambassador to Poland, and assistant secretary of state for Europe, said the strategy had an internal incoherence. The strategys ideological hostility toward Europe combines with its implied bitterness over perceived US overextension and general disdain for values to drive US withdrawal from leadership of the free worldand even the concept of the free world itself, Fried said in a statement on Friday. At the same time, the NSS elsewhere recognizes that the United States will need its friends, Europe included, to contend with its adversaries, especially China. He added, however, that to a policy practitioner, the incoherence could provide an opportunity to build on the NSSs better elements. Heres what to know about the 33-page strategy document and the vision it lays out for the U.S.s approach to the world. A Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine The strategy calls for the revival of the Monroe Doctrine, which was first laid out in 1823 by then-President James Monroe to oppose European interference in affairs in the Western Hemisphere, in order to restore American preeminence in the hemisphere and protect our homeland and our access to key geographies throughout the region. The document adds, in line with Monroes original aims when formulating the doctrine, that the U.S. will deny non-Hemispheric competitors the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities, or to own or control strategically vital assets, in our Hemisphere. The Administration described this piece of its security strategy as a 'Trump Corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine. To carry it out, the document lays out plans to enlist partners in the regionincluding both countries aligned with U.S. principles and strategy and those with different outlooks but shared intereststo help control migration, stop drug flows, and strengthen stability and security on land and sea. It also calls for the U.S. to shift its global military presence away from other regions whose relative significance to its national security has declined and toward the Western Hemisphere to address urgent threats. The U.S. has already amassed its largest military deployment in the Americas in decades as it wages what Trump has described as an armed conflict against cartels. Since early September, U.S. forces have carried out more than 20 lethal strikes on alleged drug boats, killing more than 87 people. At the same time, the Administration has intensified pressure on Venezuelawhose president, Nicolas Maduro, faces U.S. drug-trafficking chargeswarning that land strikes on the country could come very soon. Beyond the military, the strategy also emphasizes tariffs and reciprocal trade agreements as tools that will be used to strengthen our own economy and industries in the hemisphere. Cultivating resistance in Europe A section of the plan, called Promoting European Greatness, asserts that Europe faces the prospect of civilizational erasure, citing what it identifies as key issues on the continent without naming specific leaders or nations. Among the purported issues it claims Europe is facing are migration policies, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, falling birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence, which it argues are weakening the continent and putting it on a path to becoming unrecognizable in 20 years or less. The document calls for the U.S. to take a more active role in the continents political affairs, including by cultivating resistance to Europes current trajectory within European nations. It also notes, positively, the growing influence of patriotic European partieslikely a reference to far-right, anti-immigration parties that have earned the public backing of the Administration. The paper adopts the racist conspiracy theory known as the Great Replacement Theory, arguing that many NATO countries will soon be non-European due to mass immigration. As the theory has left the confines of internet forums and white nationalist sites and entered into the mainstream of prime-time cable news and political speeches, it has fueled racially based violence across the globe. Beyond this, the document breaks from European officials in their reluctance to name Russia as a threat. It says Europe has a significant hard power advantage but regard[s] Russia as an existential threat. The document builds on an already adversarial relationship between the Trump Administration and Europe. Some of the document echoes Vice President J.D. Vances antagonistic speech at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, in which Vance criticized European nations for their policies on free speech and argued that the continent's gravest danger was not Russia nor China, but their own governments. The Administration calls the negotiated end to Russias invasion of Ukraine a core interest for Europe, but criticizes nations that hold unrealistic expectations for the war perched in unstable minority governments, many of which trample on basic principles of democracy to suppress opposition. It claims that 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. The policy also states that its policy for Europe should focus on ending the perception, and preventing the reality, of NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance. Deterring conflict in Taiwan The strategy document calls deterring a conflict over Taiwan a priority, and says the ideal way to achieve that is by preserving military overmatch. It says a war between Taiwan and China would have major implications for the U.S. economy. Taiwans foreign ministry welcomed the U.S. position in a social media post on Friday morning: The US National Security Strategy affirms that deterring conflict over Taiwan is essential to the region & the world, it wrote on X. The document emphasizes that the U.S. should aim to maintain dominance in the Western Hemisphere, an obvious nod to Chinas growing relationship with Latin American and Caribbean nations, through expanding trade routes and political alliances. Taking Middle Eastern nations as they are The document lambasts European leaders while simultaneously promising to stop hectoring Gulf monarchies like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) into abandoning their traditions. As the document claims to view these nations as a source and destination of international investmentand as Trump seemingly prioritizes the broader U.S.-Saudi relationshipthe language shows a clear difference in how the Trump Administration views these leaders compared with Europeans. Trump has amassed significant personal investments in the region and, earlier this year, visited many states in the Middle East. He went on to host Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his first visit to the White House since he was blamed for the killing of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which sparked international outcry. The strategy document includes less detailed but equally dominant goals for its presence in the Middle East, designed to prevent an adversarial power from dominating the region, specifically in the oil and gas industries and preventing forever wars. The plan touts Trumps ability to retain good standing in the region, reinforced by President Trumps successful revitalization of our alliances in the Gulf, with other Arab partners, and with Israel. Plans for further investment in the region were at the core of the documents approach to the Middle East, which it says will increasingly become a source and destination of international investment, and in industries well beyond oil and gas including nuclear energy, AI, and defense technologies. The plan echoed similar goals for regions in Africa, where harnessing Africas abundant natural resources and latent economic potential stands at the core of the agenda. The Administration wants to transition from a foreign aid paradigm to an investment and growth paradigm on the continent. Earlier this year, Trump shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, halting the flow of aid into multiple African countries, which experts have said will lead to thousands of deaths. The document clearly shows a deprioritization of resources devoted to Middle Eastern and African stability, focusing clearly on a shifted focus towards the Western Hemisphere, which mirrors the Trump Administrations military priorities and focus on Venezuela in the first year in office. Contact us at letters@time.com. Manuel Noriega, the notorious Panamanian general Marines were sent to capture. Salvador Allende, Chiles first socialist president who died during a U.S.-backed military coup. Jacobo Arbenz, a progressive Guatemalan president who resigned when his troops fell for CIA propaganda. Next up, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro? If President Donald Trump has his way, the Venezuelan autocrat will join a list of Latin American leaders U.S. officials have ushered out of office, dating back to the early 1900s. Few of the deposed leaders are household names in the United States, where Latin American politics rarely draw attention. But top U.S. officials carefully watch the nations neighbors and have moved several times to topple leaders. "The idea that we now want to determine the future of Venezuela is nothing new," Stephen Kinzer, an author of books on U.S.-orchestrated regime changes throughout the globe, told USA TODAY. "Whats happening now is very much part of a long tradition where countries in and around the Caribbean are required to accept a global political reality that smaller countries near a big power have some unwritten limitations on what they can do." Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a ceremony to swear in new community-based organisations, as U.S. President Donald Trumps administration ramps up pressure on Maduros government, in Caracas, Venezuela, December 1, 2025. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria Official reasons for past U.S.-backed coups include everything from defending American business interests and citizens to installing better governments. Maduro, White House officials say, is the leader of a drug trafficking cartel designated by the State Department as a foreign terrorist organization. Maduro denies having links to the illegal drug trade. More: Pope Leo urges US not to attempt military ouster of Venezuela's Maduro Public reasons for intervening are usually a cover story, Kinzer says, for a simpler explanation the White House will not tolerate opposition in its own backyard. "Its definitely not about drugs, Venezuela is a minor player," said Kinzer, who also worked as a New York Times foreign correspondent based in Latin America. "Maduro is defiant, hes not accepting a geopolitical reality which is that these countries are supposed to respect American hegemony." Historians say the U.S. efforts to forcefully dictate the shape of Western Hemisphere can be traced as far as the early 1900s when President Theodore Roosevelt instituted his corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, signalling the U.S. was willing to intervene with force. The Monroe Doctrine from the 1800s asked European powers to stay out of the region. In November, the White House extended the Monroe Doctrine with its own corollary, saying it would act to shape a "Hemisphere whose governments cooperate with us against narco-terrorists, cartels, and other transnational criminal organizations." "This is a direct 121 years later extension of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine," said Christopher Nichols, a Woodrow Wilson scholar at the Ohio State University, "an amplification to allow the U.S. to explicitly intervene without justification and not bother to make a case to the world community." As Trump continues to bomb vessels off the coast of Venezuela and considers strikes on land, heres a look at past U.S.-backed regime changes in the region, how American leaders pulled them off and what followed. Trump holds December Cabinet meeting as Hegseth faces scrutiny President Donald Trump, flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, speaks during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. A 'dangerous dictator' in Nicaragua, 1909 A U.S. presidents first successful move to topple a leader in Latin America came in 1909, when Nicaraguan President Jose Santos Zelaya resigned after President Howard Taft deployed warships off the Nicaraguan coast and Marines across the border in Panama. Zelaya came to power in 1893 as a leader in a revolt, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. U.S. leaders initially praised Zelaya. Roosevelt called him a "great and good friend." American businessmen soured on the Central American president when he imposed regulations. Corporate executives backed a rebellion in Nicaragua and the Taft administration deployed the military after Zelaya executed two American mercenaries in the rebel army. According to the State Department, Taft viewed American intervention as a move to remove a "dangerous dictator and install a better government." The agency says Nicaraguans viewed U.S. intervention as a ploy to take over railroads and banks. Nicaragua Investiga, a Nicaraguan national news outlet, said that what followed Zelayas fall were "years of U.S. dominion over the territory and, as a consequence, Wall Street bankers over the countrys monetary policy." Banana mogul targets Honduras, 1911 Miguel Davila, a president of Honduras installed by Zelaya, fell next in 1911, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. The Zelaya protege ran afoul of American business leaders after attempting to impose regulations and limit the land they could own in the country, Kinzer wrote in Overthrow: Americas Century of Regime Change From Hawaii to Iraq. A rebel army funded by American banana mogul Sam Zemurray invaded. U.S. government officials forbade further fighting and Davila resigned. Newly installed president of Honduras Manuel Bonilla awarded "Sam the Banana Man" Zemurray about 35,000 acres of banana land as well as $500,000. Zemurray became president of the United Fruit Company, a corporation that lives on in Chiquita-branded bananas commonly found in grocery stores. CIA hoodwinks Guatemala, 1954 Zemurray played a key role in the next regime change in the region: the fall of Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz, a former minister of war who came to power with the support of the military and Guatemalan Communist Party, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Arbenz tried to redistribute idle land owned by Zemurrays United Fruit Company and tried to raise taxes on the company, causing Secretary of State John Foster Dulles to become alarmed. The Central Intelligence Agency, run by Dulles brother Allen Dulles, responded by organizing an army of Guatemalan exiles and Arbenz resigned after his troops refused to fight the forces massing across the border in Honduras and El Salvador. Among the intelligence agencys tricks, according to Kinzer, was flying planes over the country decked out with Guatemalan insurgency insignia and creating a fake radio station in Miami that broadcasted sham troop movements to create the impression of a massive opposition force. The US 'puts Humpty Dumpty on the wall' in Chile, 1973 U.S. involvement in removing Allende was indirect but crucial, said Peter Siavelis, a Wake Forest University political science professor said on the phone from Chile. American troops never deployed to the country but President Richard Nixon instituted an "invisible blockade" and the CIA funded right-wing groups, including plotters who wound up killing the general blocking soon-to-be dictator Augusto Pinochets rise to the top of the nation's military. "The U.S. was not materially involved in the actual coup," Siavelis said. But "The United States put Humpty Dumpty on the wall, the U.S. made Humpty Dumpty super unstable and made it really easy for Pinochet to come along and push him off the wall." Pinochets regime was brutal. Thousands were killed, more were tortured and tens of thousands went into exile. Democracy was restored decades later, said the author of multiple books on the country, only because institutions in the country remained strong and the people still held onto democratic traditions. According to Siavelis, the outcome would likely be worse in Venezuela, where democracy has not been effectively practiced for decades and where the country is heavily fragmented between regional powerbrokers loyal to Maduro. "The fundamental problem is theres no day-after plan," he said. "Overthrowing a regime as weak as Maduros is easy. Whats really hard is stabilizing a polarized country where there was no democratic tradition or infrastructure, as we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trumps Venezuela pressure campaign is part of an American tradition Bags with coca paste, a crude extract of the coca leaf, are pictured at a laboratory in a municipality in Narino department, Colombia, on May 11, 2023. - Andrews Buitrago/AFP/Getty Images A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. The Trump administrations undeclared war on what it calls narco-terrorists in Latin America opens an aggressive new chapter in US history and reignites the war on drugs. Declared by President Richard Nixon in the 1970s, the war on drugs is a decades-long campaign, woven into American foreign, justice and public health policy, to forcefully stop the flow of drugs into the US and harshly punish traffickers, dealers and even users. It has also recently been regarded by academics, activists and policymakers as a failure. Drugs remain a major problem. Their flow into the US has not stopped. The recent trend was away from harsh penalties that predominantly impacted Black and Brown people and toward treatment and education. Now, the Trump administration is amplifying a war on drugs playbook, declaring cartels as narco-terrorists, citing drugs as the main reason to target a leftist government in Venezuela, and tasking the US military with blowing alleged drug boats out of the water. I talked to David Farber, a history professor at the University of Kansas and editor of The War on Drugs: a History, to understand how all of this fits into the generations-long saga. A new front in the war on drugs WOLF: You wrote a history of the war on drugs. Do you view this current war that the Trump administration has launched as part of the war on drugs? FARBER: Yeah, I do think this is part of the war on drugs. The war on drugs used to be more of a metaphor than an actual descriptor of events. It was like the war on poverty much more than it was like World War Two. Certainly the Trump administration has willfully decided to escalate military activities up to and including the extra judicial murder of people who are perceived to be drug traffickers. So this is different. Nixons all-out offensive President Richard Nixon explains aspects of the special message sent to Congress, asking for an extra $155 million for a new program to combat the use of drugs, on June 17, 1971. He labeled drug abuse "a national emergency" and said the money would be used to "tighten the noose around the necks of drug peddlers and thereby loosen the noose around the necks of drug users." - Harvey Georges/AP WOLF: Its a metaphorical war, coined by Richard Nixon, but its lasted more than 50 years. How has the US prosecuted the war on drugs until now? FARBER: Nixon called for an all-out offensive against drugs in the United States. That was literally his phrase. Im afraid it was the media and the rest of us who sort of put the words war on drugs into his mouth. The war on drugs was done by two means. One was to do everything legal within the United States power to stop the supply of drugs into the United States. Before the 1970s almost all the drugs we considered the big ones cocaine, opioids, even cannabis were produced somewhere else, not within the United States. The impetus had long been, and Nixon in particular, pursued the attempt to stop the importation of these illegal drugs. But theres always been the problem of demand. In the United States, people seem to have an insatiable desire for a lot of the drugs that weve now made illegal: cocaine, opioids, cannabis, etc. Drug enforcement officers stuff plastic bags with marijuana confiscated from a plantation in the Angeles Forest outside Los Angeles, in September 1998. - Derard Burkhart/AFP/Getty Images Its every politicians decision since Nixon to try to decide how to balance those two different kinds of battles the supply battle and demand battle. It wasnt really until the mid 70s, escalating with Richard Nixon and a whole bunch of state governors, an attempt was made to really squeeze also the demand within the United States by going after drug abusers and very small-time local dealers. Its really in the 1970s and then ever more in the 1980s and 90s, that the use of incarceration became the preferred method for trying to stop drug use within the United States, as well as attempts to stop the supply coming in from international distributors. Both of those are parts of the war on drugs. Lagging behind, until recent years, was the attempt to use education and rehabilitation and public health measures to try to both reduce demand and reduce the abusive aspects of drug use, and to try to save the lives of people who fall prey to addictions of one kind or another. Trump seeks justice outside the justice system This grid of images shows 10 in which the US military has targeted boats in international waters, from September 2 to October 29. - Pete Hegseth/X/Donald Trump/Truth Social WOLF: So is this is kind of a new front in the war on drugs? How do you view these new operations in the context of the larger war? FARBER: I dont think anybody else who has been in a position of power in the United States government has ever thought that wed be, I dont know what the right word is, slaughtering cargo traffickers in the Caribbean or in the Pacific. So this is definitely a new policy. You could make a case its an extension of policies that have existed in the past. So again, not anywhere near the kind of lethality, as the word goes today, that the Trump administration has chosen to pursue. The US considered this type of offensive before, but not without allies FARBER: Some of the stuff that Trump is doing now was considered by (former President) George H.W. Bush back in the late 80s and into the early 90s. Hed already begun using the military in ways that never been used before to try to interdict drugs. And there were a lot of conversations about how you do that. Could you use aircraft to shoot drug trafficking ships? Blow boats out of the water? They talked about this stuff. Bush himself wanted to create the death penalty for drug traffickers and even high-level drug dealers in the United States. Those things did not fly at that period in time, though they were discussed. And along those lines, Bush and his people, (Secretary of State James) Baker and others, never considered going it alone, doing these acts without the cooperation of Colombia, Mexico and other countries. The hints were there, but it never quite happened before, the way its happening right now. Maybe thats America First, one of its uglier faces. The war actually started long before Nixon WOLF: Whats the brief history of international anti-drugs operations the government has done? How did we get here? FARBER: The United States definitely has a long history of trying to interdict drugs coming in from everywhere, from Turkey down to Colombia and places near and far. You could go all the way back to the early 20th Century. It certainly accelerated starting after World War II. So theres nothing new about that, and the United States has used the military as part of that interdiction process, as well as intelligence agencies and almost every other form of the United government, from the Treasury Department to the Justice Department. But not with this kind of lethality, not this deliberate attempt to use extra judicial methods of killing narco-traffickers. A mix of cocaine and heroin waits for a user near a railway underpass in Philadelphia, on July 31, 2017. - Spencer Platt/Getty Images I think chapter and verse about trying to interdict heroin. Some of us can remember the famous movie The French Connection, in which United States worked with the various agencies within it to stop heroin from coming over the United States in the 70s. But this is different in kind and different in scope than anything else that has happened. A wink and a nod here; regime change there WOLF: The US has also used drugs as the impetus for regime change in Latin America. How should that influence policymakers looking now at Venezuela? FARBER: Depending on which agency youre talking about, the US has had myriad policies toward drug traffickers in Central America, Mexico and South America. Sometimes, with those we deem friends, like the anti-Sandinista Contra movement in Nicaragua in the 1980s there was a kind of wink and a nod by intelligence agencies to allow certain members of that Nicaraguan group, the Contras, to traffic cocaine into the United States. Laborers walk through a field with bags used for carrying harvested coca leaves, used to make cocaine, in Samugari, Peru, in June 2015. - Rodrigo Abd/AP We had a kind of cozy relationship within the United States government, with Panamas dictator Manuel Noriega for a number of years allowing him to participate in large scale drug trafficking networks that is, until we decided that was no longer acceptable. Probably in the closest thing to whats happening right now, the George H.W. Bush administration decided to invade Panama in order to overthrow the Noriega government and stop narco-trafficking out of Panama as much as it could. The war on drugs had been on the decline WOLF: Until this year, when we started bombing boats in the Caribbean, most people had probably viewed the war on drugs to have been a failure. Why was that? How did it return? FARBER: The war on drugs come up from the dead, like a Dracula that can never be put to rest. Im a historian by trade. We deal with periodization, when things sort of begin, when they end, and, yeah, until ten months ago, I would have probably made the case that the war on drugs had come to a close, probably during the Obama administration, and that we had turned the page. Were trying public health measures. State after state has legalized or decriminalized cannabis. We seemed like we were fast moving into a different world. The reason it came to a close was the punishments, the penalties, that cost had been deemed to be too high by a lot of Americans. Prisoners from Sacramento County await processing after arriving at the Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy, California, in February 2014. Young Black men have born the brunt of the War on Drugs and its incarcerations. - Rich Pedroncelli/AP We became the nation that had incarcerated more people per capita than any other. I dont think thats what most Americans really wanted the American dream to look like. The second problem was it seemed like every time one kind of drug crack cocaine, for example had been squashed, some other illegal drug reared its head. Or, a drug that was legal became abused illegally, such as opioids, and reared its head so that demand problem, that desire so many Americans seem to have to get high, one way or the other, just didnt seem to be defeated by the so-called war on drugs thats been waged for some 50 years. So different measures seemed to be undertaken decriminalization; far more resources to rehabilitation and methods for addicts to get themselves clean; trying to keep people from killing themselves during the period of time that they were using drugs poorly. Now suddenly we seem to be taking up the war on drugs. Again, I think its interesting that its the supply side thats getting most of the attention under the Trump administration. Theres not been an attempt to revive the incarceration machine and start putting away tens, hundreds of thousands of Americans into prisons, penitentiaries and jails. The supply side has always been the more popular aspect of the war on drugs, stopping those foreigners, those non-Americans, from bringing drugs in. It seems like thats the piece thats come back with a vengeance. Trump championed sentencing reform in his first term, gunboat diplomacy now President Donald Trump departs from the South Lawn of the White House on October 24. - Kylie Cooper/Reuters WOLF: On the demand side, actually, the great bipartisan achievement of Trumps first term was sentencing reform, The First Step Act. Would you agree with that? FARBER: Its really not until the Obama administration that something called the Sentencing Commission, a group that had long argued that certain drug punishments at the federal level made no sense, that they were wrong, that they were inordinately punitive, was finally listened to by the president and his administration. That crack cocaine monster sentencing that had started in the 1980s and others were, as you suggest, reduced. Theyre still quite onerous. And Trump, in that surprising way, signed on to this new post-war on drugs consensus in 2018. Attacks on Venezuela, I think, are really not so much a reiteration of the war on drugs as they are a reiteration of gunboat diplomacy from 100 years ago, the 1920s. Drugs are a potent political issue WOLF: The first thing Trump frequently says about immigrants is Theyre bringing drugs. Nixon used drugs as a potent political wedge. The policy of the war on drugs may be a failure, but the politics of it continues to be extremely effective. How do you distinguish between the policy and propaganda? FARBER: Theres a public health approach where you say people addicted to opioids need help, and there is a very political, powerful sense that people who traffic in whatever cocaine from South America need to be killed, like apples and oranges. And I think the politics of anti-drug policies have long been very successful for politicians. Poor Richard Nixon gets a very bad name as the instigator of the war on drugs when he started that policy, not that I mean to apologize for Richard Nixon, but it was really a public health measure when he first started. He was very worried about heroin addicts coming home from Vietnam, veterans who were returning soldiers. That was probably his primary concern when he launched the all-out offensive against drug abuse, as he called it. But quickly he saw the politics of it, that American families, moms and dads, all sorts of local leaders were really actually quite scared about the uptick in drug use, especially by young White people in the 1960s and then even much more so in the 1970s. So the politics were good. Friends and family members of people who have died from overdoses in Broome County gather for an annual memorial in Binghamton, New York, on August 19, 2023. - Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis/Getty Images Nelson Rockefeller, the governor of New York in 1973, with his eye probably on running for president in 1976 was really the most punitive member of that war on drugs warrior culture. While there were real reasons to worry about drug addiction in New York City there was a kind of heroin epidemic at that time in New York he also saw the politics of it. President after president, senator after senator, governor after governor, they often see being hard on drugs as good politics, and I think Donald Trump is certainly pushing in that direction, though theres more to the story than just vote counting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com China memorial hall collects new evidence of Nanjing Massacre Xinhua) 09:37, December 06, 2025 People visit the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 18, 2025. (Photo by Du Yi/Xinhua) 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 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 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 battle of Nanjing, 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. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) said Friday that a National Guardsman injured in last weeks shooting in Washington is slowly healing and that his parents reported he has begun to look more like himself. In a message posted on the social platform X, Morrisey announced that a vigil would be held for U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, at Musselman High School in West Virginias Berkeley County. His parents report that his head wound is slowly healing and thats he beginning to look more like himself, Morrisey wrote. Overall, the family expects that Andy will be in acute care for another 2-3 weeks but have been optimistic about his progress. We continue to ask all West Virginians and Americans for their prayers! He added. They are making a difference! Wolfe is one of two West Virginia National Guard members who were shot the day before Thanksgiving near the Farragut West Metro station, which is only blocks from the White House. The other Guard member, U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died on Thanksgiving from her injuries. Morrisey has posted public updates about Wolfes condition, saying at a Monday press conference that there was some positive news but that he refused to speculate. These are wonderful people, and the family is going through a very difficult situation right now as Andrew fights to survive, Morrisey said. Wolfe enlisted in the National Guard in February 2019. According to the West Virginia National Guard, he and Beckstrom had been deployed at the nations capital since August as part of the Joint Task Force-DC mission. The suspect in the shooting, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was formally charged Tuesday in the D.C. Superior Court with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. President Trump had previously said he invited the families of both Wolfe and Beckstrom to the White House following the shooting. I said, When youre ready, because thats a tough thing, come to the White House. Were going to honor Sarah, Trump said, adding that both Beckstrom and Wolfes parents were devastated. 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. An image collage containing 4 images, Image 1 shows Firefighters work as the Hughes Fire burns on January 22, 2025 in Castaic, California, Image 2 shows Firefighters watch the flames from the Palisades Fire burning a home during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025, Image 3 shows Palisades, California. View from a helicopter of homes destroyed by the wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California, Image 4 shows Gavin Newsom -- seen with Trump at the Paridise fire in 2018 -- claimed the Trump administration refused to meet with him Friday during a visit to Washington aimed at securing more wildfire recovery aid. The White House tore into Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday after he claimed the Trump administration refused to meet with him Friday during a visit to Washington aimed at securing more wildfire recovery aid. More than $7 billion in federal funds have been issued to California since January, when the Palisades and Eaton fires torched thousands of acres of land and high-priced homes, but the Golden State governor wants a lot more. Newsom formally requested an additional $34 billion from Congress earlier this week down from his initial $40 billion ask in February and met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to push for the additional funds. President Donald Trump followed by First Lady Melania Trump, shakes hands with California Governor Gavin Newsom upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, on January 24, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Firefighters work as the Hughes Fire burns on January 22, 2025 in Castaic, California. Getty Images Officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), however, rebuffed Newsoms meeting request, according to the governors office. Today, I had productive meetings with leaders on both sides of the aisle who agreed that recovery funding is vital, while federal officials from the Trump administration turned their backs on survivors by refusing to even meet with us, Newsom said in a statement. President Trumps promise to take care of survivors was clearly a lie, the governor charged. He isnt here for the people of Los Angeles, just like he isnt here for everyday Americans. Thats not just disrespectful, its a disgrace and its time for him to wake up and do his job. Newsoms office described the request to meet with FEMA Acting Administrator Karen Evans as routine, and the alleged rejection as unprecedented. DHS informed Newsoms team that Evans was not able to accommodate a meeting and offered no alternatives with other Trump administration officials, according to the governors office. Gavin Newsom seen with Trump at the Paradise fire in 2018 claimed the Trump administration refused to meet with him Friday during a visit to Washington aimed at securing more wildfire recovery aid. AFP via Getty Images Newsoms team claimed the Trump administrations unwillingness to push for more wildfire recovery funds for California is abnormal and a sharp break from how his predecessors have responded to natural disasters. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told The Post that Newscum has no idea what hes talking about, using Trumps derisive nickname for the Golden State governor. President Trumps historic leadership following the LA wildfires led to the fastest hazardous debris removal operation in history, Jackson said. This has played a critical role in helping communities recover from tragedy. And when Democrat politicians and bureaucrats said something like this was impossible, President Trump found a solution. A playground burns in a residential neighborhood during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Firefighters watch the flames from the Palisades Fire burning a home during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025. Getty Images The White House spokeswoman argued that Trump expedited the wildfire recovery process, while Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass made the disaster worse than it needed to be. They drained the Santa Ynez Reservoir and failed to prepare to utilize pumps and aqueducts. Then, they slowed the recovery process with permit approvals dragging on despite the Presidents tremendous efforts to help the overall process, Jackson said. FEMA and DHS did not respond to a request for comment. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who along with Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has been leading an ongoing congressional investigation into the LA fires, noted ahead of Newsom visits that Palisades residents have alleged billions of dollars in past federal support for wildfire preparedness and recovery in California have been wasted. I encourage him to publicly share exactly how the state has used the billions in tax dollars it has already received over the past decade that were intended for wildfire preparedness and recovery, and that witnesses on the ground allege were wasted, Scott said in a statement. Palisades, California. View from a helicopter of homes destroyed by the wildfire in Pacific Palisades, California. John Chapple for NY Post Weve heard from survivors of the devastation who lost their homes and livelihoods, and from the families of those who lost their lives. Weve also heard about the roadblocks and bureaucracy that are still preventing victims from rebuilding their lives nearly a year later, Scott continued. According to these victims testimonies, California has not spent these federal dollars wisely or effectively. They deserve answers before California receives more of Americans hard-earned tax money. An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Ben Norton sitting in front of a world map, wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a black suit jacket, Image 2 shows Zohran Mamdani marching behind a Democratic Socialists of New York City banner, Image 3 shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Politburo Standing Committee members with hands raised at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee Members of the Democratic Socialists of America are eating up Chinese propaganda like candy, insisting only state control of private business can save workers from the oligarchy. To meet a rising interest in the Chinese Communist Party, a new DSA monthly seminar about modern China and lessons for US socialists was held Thursday evening. The DSA and its poster boy, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, routinely insist theyre socialists, not communists socialism seeks to reform capitalism while communism seeks to eliminate it but these CCP-themed seminars cast that distinction in a far murkier light. The DSA introduced its new monthly seminar modern China and lessons for US socialists. AP The seminars started last year with an internal series, and it went well enough, thats why we wanted to take it public, announced Anlin Wang, a member of the DSAs International Committee. The session, part of the DSAs political education offerings made wild claims like boasting about the communist countrys strong democracy. This is of course a controversial issue in the West, said speaker Ben Norton, an American studying Marxism in Beijing, who founded the conspiracy website Geopolitical Economy Report, as he presented findings from the Democracy Perception Index. China has some of the highest levels of government approval on earth. Some people look at this and say this is crazy propaganda. . . . They have a different way of understanding how democracy works. Norton made no mention of Chinas tight restrictions on freedom of expression that would have heavily tilted its citizens responses. He also called for the US government to follow Beijings lead and take control of private companies, from big banks to tech, saying itll rein in the billionaire class and benefit workers. The DSA brought Ben Norton as speaker for the first seminar in the series, whos currently studying Marxism in China. Ben Norton/ Facebook The DSAs Anlin Wang from Philly hosted the Thursday night session. Obtained by the New York Post Its because of government intervention, he claimed, that China is now the largest economy on Earth a false claim as China has the worlds second biggest GDP after the US. Theres no comparison to the level of output coming from China right now. And this was not just because of private market forces, claimed Norton. Reducing inequality is literally the number one goal of the Chinese Communist Party, he claimed. People just make up so much nonsense about China. Much of the session was spent discussing state control of companies. Obtained by the New York Post His claims were disputed by a China expert, who says the countrys economic boom came only after the party relaxed its iron grip on businesses in the late 1970s, opening state enterprises to market incentives after overly tight state controls led 45 million to die of famine under Mao Zedong. The allowance of market forces is directly responsible for Chinas rise as a contemporary, modernized economy, said Jack Bernam, a China expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Bernam argued Chinas economy slipped from prosperity to deflation and stagnation in the last five years due to government control. Mamdani and his DSA comrades have repeatedly called themselves proud socialist, not communists. Instagram/nycdsa That recent record of poor performance I would argue is directly the fault of the Chinese Communist Party, particularly on the clamping down on private enterprise, and the ramping up of more centralized, more aggressive centralized economic planning, he added. The two-hour long virtual session, which was marked by constant technical glitches, went into overtime as Norton fielded some 40 questions from eager DSA members wanting to learn about their Chinese comrades. This wasnt the DSAs first time showing its admiration for the Chinese Communist Party. In September, a five-person DSA delegation, including Wang, flew to Beijing to celebrate Chinas 80th anniversary of the victory against Japan. It was an impressive display of unity in multi-polarity featuring Russian President Putin and Indian Prime Minister Modi, as well as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, wrote NYC DSA member Dee Knight. Beijing buzzed with excitement. Paul Miller Paul and Brandy Miller of Tampa Bay, frustrated with their homeowners association (HOA) for years, recently protested at Florida's Capitol, demanding better rules and stronger enforcement to hold "corrupt" and "abusive" boards accountable. Tampa Bay 28 reported that the Millers led a small rally last month and were joined by Floridians who say their associations have mistreated them through selectively enforced rules, blocked home sales, unexpected fines and crushing legal expenses (1). The Millers delivered a stack of letters from homeowners describing disputes they feel current state law doesn't address, and the group met with Rep. Juan Carlos Porras. Must Read The couple lead HOA Reform League Florida, a nonprofit that's reportedly heard hundreds of similar complaints from across the state. "We're here to have a voice," Paul told supporters at the rally. "And to all the people that are out there on our social networks, cheering us on thank you so much for being our voice." The organizations public Facebook group has around 1,600 members, with many posters complaining about their HOAs (2). The page description says, "Are you tired of being bullied by your association? Tired of retaliation, selective enforcement, and board members who act like they are above the law? Then welcome to the front line of Floridas homeowner revolution." The group is planning its next rally in Miami in January. The cost of HOA living Understanding why emotions run so high requires examining what HOA membership actually costs Americans. And it's not just monthly dues. There are close to 370,000 HOAs nationwide, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR) (3). According to U.S. Census Bureau data, approximately 21.6 million owned U.S. households, out of a total of about 86.6 million, paid either a condo or HOA fee in 2024, with the national median sitting at $135 monthly. But the real costs may extend far beyond monthly fees. Aside from extra costs that may be expected, like special assessments for major repairs, homeowners can be completely caught off guard. Complaints against HOA boards can include arbitrary rule enforcement, ignoring or misunderstanding governing documents, misused funds or sometimes even stalled or stopped home sales. The good and the bad The benefits of HOA living can justify its costs when associations function properly: maintained common areas and amenities, property value protection, dispute resolution between neighbors and shared expenses for services like landscaping and insurance. It's the most pressing issues that emerge when boards allegedly abuse authority. In Pecchia v. Wayside Estates Home Owners Association, a Seminole County, Florida HOA was found liable when it failed to respond to homeowners' record requests. Another homeowner, featured in a WFTV Action 9 investigation, said she faced collections harassment for debts already paid. She alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the case ultimately cost the HOA and its law firm $33,000 in damages (4). And in McLlenan v. Cypress Chase N. Condo No. 4 Ass'n, Inc., sewage water poured through a homeowner's ceiling from an upstairs unit, yet the association refused remediation responsibility. The case established important precedent about association duties. Is Florida ground zero for HOA issues? Florida may sit at the epicenter of HOA disputes for several reasons. According to Census Bureau data, the percentage of homeowners that paid HOA fees in 2024 was highest in Nevada (51%), Florida (44%) and Arizona (45%). The state hosts massive planned communities attracting retirees and is seeing the fastest population growth in the country. The Villages alone houses over 150,000 residents. Read More: Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and its raising alarm bells for retirees. Heres why and how to protect yourself Then there's the condo-heavy coastal areas, where exposure to severe weather can drive up HOA fees. After the Surfside condo collapse in 2021, thought to be instigated by a degraded pool deck, Florida lawmakers passed additional inspection and reserve funding requirements. While necessary for safety, they've driven dramatic assessment increases in older buildings. According to the Urban Land Institute, special assessment fees to cover deferred maintenance can surpass $100,000 per unit owner (5). It said that unit owners at Mediterranean Village in northeastern Miami-Dade County are facing special assessments as high as $400,000. A lot of condos are in this situation because of mismanaged funds but also because association members [chose], in some cases for years or decades, to forgo funding reserves, said Desiree Avila, a realtor in South Florida, to the Urban Land Institute. They kept putting things off, and now it is time to pay the piper all at once. Do people want big changes? Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, a Miami Republican, calls HOA reform his "number one issue" for the upcoming 2026 legislative session, according to Tampa Bay 28. He's drafting legislation that would create ways for homeowners to dissolve associations and establish an independent dispute resolution system outside the state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation. But most Florida residents are happy the way things are, Tampa Bay 28 reports, citing Tyson Group polling of 1,000 Florida HOA homeowners: 80% enjoy living in their association, 61% believe benefits justify dues and 75% think banning HOAs would raise municipal taxes and increase arguments among neighbors. For now, the Millers continue to seek change and maintain pressure on lawmakers. Homeowners wanting to support reform efforts can join the HOA Reform League Florida through their social media channels, where they're coordinating advocacy efforts and collecting documentation of HOA abuses. What To Read Next Join 200,000+ readers and get Moneywises best stories and exclusive interviews first clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now. Article sources We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. Tampa Bay 28 (1); HOA Reform League Florida/Facebook (2); FCAR (3); WFTV (4); Urban Land Institute (5) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Illustration: Joanna Andreasson Source images: Wikimedia, colorization by Julius Jaaskelainen After Jimmy Kimmel delivered a misinformed monologue about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr pressured broadcast channels to take the comedian off the air. Carr faced immediate pushback: Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ted Cruz of Texas, and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania all chastised Carr for trying to use his position to steer private companies' editorial decisionsa serious breach of free speech principles. Carr is not without his defenders, however. Nathan Leamer, tech policy writer and onetime adviser to former FCC Chair Ajit Pai, asserts that Carr's actions fall squarely within his duty to promote the "public interest" on television, as defined by the Communications Act of 1934. He also assails libertarians in particular for not caring about how the FCC works, and he suggests that such skeptics are incorrectly or selectively railing against the public interest standard in the Kimmel case. But fans of the free market have been warning that broad interpretations of the public interest standard will empower the FCC to engage in censorship for over 60 years. Just read Ayn Rand. In 1962, Rand penned a prophetic warning about the public interest standard, which thenFCC Chair Newton N. Minow was citing to justify pressuring television companies to create more educational programming. Minow famously railed against a supposedly "vast wasteland" of shoddy television shows, and he claimed that the FCC's charter empowered him to push for editorial changes to the medium that would align with his view of the public interest. "You must provide a wider range of choices, more diversity, more alternatives," said Minow in his well-remembered 1961 speech. "It is not enough to cater to the nation's whims; you must also serve the nation's needs." Minow repeatedly claimed that he was not in favor of government censorship and was not trying to tell broadcasters what they could and could not say. Rather, he charged them to make nebulous and ill-defined improvements to the product that he believed would be better appreciated by the American publici.e., the public interest. In her March 1962 essay "Have Gun, Will Nudge," Rand argued that this was censorship by another name. "It is true, as Mr. Minow assures us, that he does not propose to establish censorship; what he proposes is much worse," she wrote. Unlike explicit bans on speech, Rand warned, the modern method of censorship "neither forbids nor permits anything; it never defines or specifies; it merely delivers men's lives, fortunes, careers, ambitions into the arbitrary power of a bureaucrat who can reward or punish at whim." This strong-arming, she argued, spares the bureaucrat from rules or standards and instead "places upon the victims the burden of discovering how to please him, with a fluid unknowable as their only guide." She even imagined how such influence could play out in practice. "A federal commissioner may never utter a single word for or against any program. But what do you suppose will happen," Rand asked, "if and when, with or without his knowledge, a third-assistant or a second cousin or just a nameless friend from Washington whispers to a television executive that the commissioner does not like producer X or does not approve of writer Y or takes a great interest in the career of starlet Z or is anxious to advance the cause of the United Nations?" The title of the essay was inspired by Rand's contention that a man who holds a gun to your head and demands your wallet is surely deploying impermissible force rather than mere encouragement. When the FCC chair proclaims that a private company can "do this the easy way or the hard way," he is providing a similar kind of nudge. "What makes it possible to bring a free country down to such a level?" Rand asked. "If you doubt the connection between altruism and statism, I suggest that you count how many timesin the current articles, speeches, debates and hearingsthere appeared the magic formula which makes all such outrages possible: 'The Public Interest.'" The post Ayn Rand Denounced the FCC's 'Public Interest' Censorship More Than 60 Years Ago appeared first on Reason.com. A law to tackle the smuggling of puppies and kittens into Britain has passed Parliament this week, after two previous attempts failed. Animal welfare charities say it's a game-changer, but could there be some unintended consequences? In September 2025, two tiny Yorkshire Terriers were seized at the Port of Dover. Just seven weeks old, they had spent 26 hours in a box on the back seat of a car travelling from Slovakia, with little access to food or water. They were named Pip and Squeak by Dogs Trust, which took them in. "They were quite shut down and a little wary of everything," said Katie Bryan, the charity's Rehoming Coordinator. "It was clear that being taken from their mum too early had left them not really knowing how to be dogs or how to interact with humans or the world in general." Politicians have been promising to crack down on the illegal puppy trade since leaving the EU made it possible to unilaterally change import rules. In 2023, 116 puppies and kittens were seized at the Port of Dover and quarantined for being below the legal age limit of 15 weeks. Many are brought in with false documents or with microchips giving fake details hidden in their collars. Others are falsely passed off as pets. Identifying smuggled animals coming through Dover is the responsibility of Matt Henning's team at the Animal and Plant Health Agency. He said some animals arrive in "horrendous situations" after being loaded into vans or cars loose or in homemade cages. "We've had them up against raw meat, up against motorbike wheels, we've had them under drivers' seats then they've been caught in the frame of that." He said it can be upsetting for his team, who also often face challenging behaviour from the people bringing animals in. Some animals can be left so unwell they have to be put down. Matt remembers one dog from Romania who arrived "barely responsive" after smugglers had tried several different ways of bringing it into the UK. "It had a nappy on it to absorb urine and faeces. One of its legs was bandaged up so when it got on the veterinary treatment table, it was a raw stump. The vet said it was suffering beyond imagination." Illegally imported dogs may also not have been tested for diseases like rabies or brucella canis, which can put animals in the UK, and their owners, at risk. The new law will raise the age limit for importing puppies and kittens into Great Britain to six months. The Animal and Plant Health Agency says that will make it easier to identify underage animals and will put a "blocker" on the trade because older puppies are simply less cute. Some support the principle of the new age limit, but warn it could have unintended consequences. Rosemary Kind chairs the Entelbucher Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain, and says they need to bring puppies into the country because "the gene pool is so small" that if they only bred from those here they risked introducing "health conditions that we'd rather not have in the breed". She said waiting until a puppy was six months old to import would push up the cost significantly and wasn't practical. "These are not puppy farms that we're getting dogs from. They're people who bring up dogs in their own homes. It's a big ask to ask them to keep the dog for that length of time" She said other methods, such as bringing in stud dogs or importing semen were either impractical or carried more health risks, and she is working with The Kennel Club to call for exemptions for specialist breed puppies. The new law will also ban dogs who have their ears cropped or tails docked from being imported into Great Britain at any age. Ear cropping , which involves removing all or part of a dog's ear flap, is illegal in the UK. Despite that, Lib Dem MP Danny Chambers, who got the new law through Parliament, said it was something he often saw when he worked as a vet. He warned it could lead to infections and behavioural problems. "Obviously if you've just had your ears cut off with no anaesthetic you don't want anyone to touch your head ever again and it's so common for somebody to just pat a dog." He said it also made dogs appear more aggressive to other dogs because they "communicate through body language" often using their ears and tails. Earlier this year, Louise Nicholson Hume adopted Betty, a cane corso, whose ears had been cropped and tail docked in Romania before she was seized at Dover for being under-age. "We knew the reactions we were going to get," she said "but we didn't mind as long as she was happy." She said Betty had been "absolutely terrified" when she first arrived. She says Betty is now "very eager to learn. She snores but other than that she's really quite incredible". Again, though, there are some who claim the new rules will have other impacts. Linda Demetriou, who runs the charity Stronger Together Animal Rescue that rescues and rehomes dogs from Cyprus, says the ban will stop her helping animals who have already been mutilated abroad, and calls for exemptions for rescue dogs. "Abused dogs we find with these conditions will live life in a cage as we will not be able to rehome them to a loving home." But animal welfare charities worry that any carve-outs would be exploited by smugglers to continue trading, and would see those who illegally mutilate dogs in the UK avoid prosecution. David Bowles from the RSPCA said: "The most common thing that happens when we go and interview somebody who's illegally cropped [a dog's] ears is they say 'don't worry I imported the dog last week'. "By stopping that import they will no longer have that excuse and I think that will dramatically aid our enforcement work on the ban." The government is working with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales to pass some additional legislation which is still needed before the measures can come into force. Any exemptions would be decided as part of those regulations. And if you're wondering what happened to Pip and Squeak, there is a happy ending. They've both got new homes and new names: Elsa and Skye. Their owners say they're settling in well. David Kuloba, seen here with a Russian fighter, thought he had secured a well-paying job as a security guard [Kuloba family] David Kuloba's mother warned him about going to Russia after he accepted a job as a security guard advertised by a recruitment agency in Kenya. At first the family, who live in the Kenyan capital's crowded informal settlement of Kibera had been excited when he said he had found work abroad - it sounded like a rare break. The 22-year-old had been doing casual labour in Nairobi - from selling groundnuts to construction jobs - and had long hoped to secure work in the Gulf. But when his mother asked which country he was heading to, his reply shocked her. "He showed me his phone and said: 'Look, it's Russia,'" Susan Kuloba told the BBC's Newsday programme. "I told him: 'Don't you see what they show on TV about Russia? It's never good," she recalled. But her son insisted the offer was genuine, telling her he had been promised more than $7,000 (5,250) on arrival - a life-changing sum for a young man with no stable income. Despite her protests, he travelled to Russia in August without telling her the exact date of his departure. She was shocked when he contacted her later, saying he had arrived and sending a photograph of himself in full combat uniform. "He told me: 'Mum, the job we were told we came to do has been changed, but even this one is not bad,'" she said. This is David Kuloba's military ID. He told his mother his unit was ambushed within days of arriving in Russian-controlled territory [Kuloba family] Her son explained that he and some other Kenyan men had been given two weeks of combat training - and he was heading to the battle zone in Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2022. Within days, he told her that he and others had been ambushed in an area controlled by Russian forces. She pleaded with him to come home. "I said: 'David, please leave that place.' He told me: 'How can I leave? I signed a contract. Give me at least one year.' "Then I received the message I feared," Mrs Kuloba said. It was 4 October. David had sent her a voice note saying he was about to go into battle and in case he did not survive, he wanted her to have details of his Russian military ID and contract, which was written in Russian. He urged her to take the documents to the Russian embassy if anything happened to him. That was the last time she heard from him. Confused and terrified, she sought help not long after from her son's friend, who told her that he had heard David was dead. "I asked his friend: 'How do you know?' He said: 'Let me give you the number of the agent who received us in Russia.'" Mrs Kuloba messaged the number - the replies came in Russian at first. When she identified herself, the person told her in English that David was missing, feared dead. "I'm sorry to tell you this about your son," the agent said. David Kuloba, who sent his family this photo of himself in battle gear, last contacted his mother on 4 October [Kuloba family] She asked for a picture of his body, or confirmation that David was in a morgue. None came. The contact told her he was "very far away", and suggested that she travel to Russia herself, or send another relative, something she said the family could not afford to do. Later, the same contact told her she was "entitled to compensation" for her son's death but again, without providing any documentation. Mrs Kuloba says she has been unable to obtain official confirmation from the Russian authorities about David. When she visited the Russian embassy in Nairobi, officials there told her they did not "associate with the army". She has no idea what to do next and is beside herself with grief: "How do we start? Because we don't know anything. He was my first-born. I depended on him." The father of another Kenyan man who went to work in Russia told the BBC he was recruited on the understanding that he was going to be driver - nothing to do with armed combat. The young man ended up being wounded in Ukraine and has been too traumatised to speak since returning home two weeks ago. The BBC has agreed not to identify him to protect his wellbeing. His father only discovered that his son had travelled to Russia after receiving word that he had been injured. "He had hinted that people were going, and I discouraged him," the father told the BBC. "I was following the war from the beginning. I was not comfortable." Agents had promised around $1,500 a month, he said - "good money" for a qualified driver in Kenya. His son later told him that, like David Kuloba, he had been trained for only two weeks before being sent to the battlefield. "He said he was injured in the bush and for five days he could not find treatment. He was using painkillers," the father said. He was eventually taken towards the border where he received first aid and was later transferred to St Petersburg. He had described seeing "scattered bodies of other fighters" and explained that many like him had signed one-year contracts without fully understanding the terms, the father said. Last month, Kenya's foreign minister said some 200 Kenyans were known to be fighting for Russia and acknowledged that recruitment networks were still active. This followed the news in September that a young Kenyan athlete had been captured in Ukraine, saying he had been tricked into joining the Russian army. The government now says several recruitment agencies are under investigation, and some licences have already been suspended. "Some agencies lure young people with promises of large payments. The government is tracking those agencies linked to this fraud," Sylvanus Osoro, Kenya's parliamentary majority chief whip, told the BBC. Out of about 130 registered recruitment agencies in Kenya, around five had been flagged, with three already suspended and two others under investigation, he explained. Parliament's Defence and Foreign Relations Committee had taken up the matter and the agencies it summoned were expected to outline how they had recruited young people, what information they had provided and how contracts were presented, Osoro said. "I just feel heartbroken. He wanted to help us. He thought he was going for a better job"", Source: Susan Kuloba , Source description: Mother of 22-year-old David Kuloba , Image: Susan Kuloba But families with relatives unexpectedly fighting for Russian forces have criticised the government for its slow response, saying they feel helpless. Pressed on what was being done to repatriate those who were lured into combat roles, Osoro said the process must follow diplomatic channels. "A contract is signed willingly, even if they were not aware," he said. "It can only be handled diplomatically. Those engagements are happening." He said that all known cases had "been mapped" and that officials were verifying the circumstances under which contracts had been signed. But he declined to confirm how many Kenyans might have died. "I wouldn't give such a report. That is not for me," he said. "What I can say is that work is in progress." Osoro said new legislation was being drafted to tighten controls on recruitment agencies, including stricter scrutiny before licences were issued and clearer distinctions between categories of work. The issue extends beyond Kenya. The authorities in several African countries have reported cases of young people being approached with offers of lucrative jobs in Russia that later led to military recruitment. Many families are reluctant to speak publicly, fearing stigma or uncertainty about the legal implications for their relatives abroad. In South Africa, it has become a major scandal after it was alleged that a daughter of former President Jacob Zuma was involved in the recruitment process. She denies any wrongdoing. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that anyone fighting for Russia will be treated as an enemy combatant, and that the only safe route out is to surrender and be treated as a prisoner of war. Mrs Kuloba still has no official confirmation of her son's fate. She would like his body to be repatriated if he has died. "I just feel heartbroken," she said. "He wanted to help us. He thought he was going for a better job." Additional reporting by BBC Newsday's Maureen Nyukuri in Nairobi You may also be interested in: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts by Melani Manel Perera The losses are estimated at between US$ 6 and US$ 7 billion. In 2004, they ranged from US$ 1.5 to US$ 2 billion. The recovery plan is waiting for detailed assessments. Twenty-two out of 25 administrative districts and 416 factories were affected. Three billion rupees have been allocated in subsidies; raising the public spending limit is being considered to meet needs. Colombo (AsiaNews) The economic losses caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka are estimated at US$ 6 to US$ 7 billion, more than three times the damage caused by the 2004 tsunami, one of the worst natural disasters of modern times. Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Commissioner General of Essential Services, who was appointed last week, told reporters that this was a rough estimate, while "The economic damage of the 2004 tsunami was estimated only at US.5 to 2 billion, he said. Now an assessment by the World Bank is pending before an economic recovery plan can be developed. The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, which reported that Cyclone Ditwah affected 416 manufacturing and export factories across Sri Lanka, is proposing to immediately pay 25 per cent of the total damages to the affected factories. Efforts are underway to collect damage data, while factory owners have been asked to report the extent of the destruction via an emergency number by 16 December. The highest number of affected factories is in the districts of Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Kandy, and Batticaloa. A notification published in the Extraordinary Gazette states that 22 of Sri Lanka's 25 administrative districts were affected by Cyclone Ditwah, underscoring the magnitude of the event. Galle, Matara, and Hambantota, in the Southern Province, are the three districts untouched by the disaster that struck the country as well as many parts of Asia. The tea industry has been hit hard and may take months to return to normal. Damaged machinery must be sent abroad for repair, while road damage could impact export flows, according to an official from the Colombo Tea Traders Association. The economic losses to the tea industry have not yet been calculated. The ministry has allocated three billion rupees (US$ 9.7 million) in non-repayable grants to support the reconstruction of these industries, with urgent steps taken to release the funds. Many industrialists have called for action to repair water, electricity, and road infrastructure to speed up the recovery. Opposition lawmaker and economic analyst Harsha de Silva told parliament that the budget ceiling for 2026 under the Public Finance Management Act allows for adjustments in extraordinary circumstances. He noted that parliament may consider raising the capital expenditure limit from 13 per cent of GDP to around 14-14.5 per cent to address urgent needs, adding that the Treasury has over 1.2 trillion rupees (US$ 4.2 billion) in liquidity that can be used immediately, and the planned retirement of 500 billion rupees (US$ 1.6 billion) in Treasury bonds in 2026 could be postponed by a year to prioritise recovery spending. The government already has significant fiscal leeway to assist communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, de Silva explained, insisting that there is "no excuse" for delays in relief and cleanup operations. He also stated that the government has currently LKR 30 billion (IS$ 100 million) earmarked for recurrent expenditure and an additional LKR 20 billion (US$ 65 million) that can be reallocated, for a total of LKR 50 billion that can be used immediately for disaster relief. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death toll reached 607 this morning, with 214 people still missing due to severe weather conditions. The adverse conditions, which began on 16 November, have so far affected 2,082,195 people or 586,464 families across the country, the agency reported. Additionally, the DMC said that 4,164 homes were destroyed, while at least 67,505 more sustained partial damage. 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. by Stefano Caprio The ideal of the universal reunion of peoples under Moscow's leadership is now giving way to the pursuit of the purity of the Russkaya Obshchina, the "Russian community" that excludes all others from its proud universal solitude. So far his year, 276 attacks motivated by ethnic hatred have been reported in Russia, with seven people losing their life. While the drama of peace negotiations between Putin's increasingly aggressive Russia and Zelensky's increasingly disintegrating Ukraine wearily drags on, with mediators Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev taking a friendly stroll across Red Square, Russia is caught up in an increasingly radical nationalist and ultraconservative drift, which seems alien to the imperial ideology of Russkij Mir ( ), the Russian World, the ideal of the "universal reunion of peoples" under Moscow's leadership. Now, the prevailing trend is the pursuit of the purity of the Russkaya Obshchina ( ), the "Russian community", one that excludes all other peoples from its proud universal solitude. Russian nationalists are called ultras, often groups of migrant hunters, hard to distinguish from similar movements in the regions they target, such as the Caucasians, themselves super-nationalists, followers of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov or other North Caucasus leaders, who align themselves with the "Russian Community" in defending the nation. As Stephania Kulaeva, Memorial's expert on racial discrimination, said on Grani Vremeni ( ), Edges of Time, a Radio Svoboda programme, until a few years ago, Russian authorities sought to stamp out these groups through tough repressive measures; now she wonders what purpose do ultranationalists serve to the Kremlin's policy today?" Nationalist groups are multiplying in Russia today, from Severny Chelovek ( ) or Northern Man, and Rusich () or Man of Rus to Russkaya Obshchina and dozens of other local groups with a similar orientation. On the eve of the National Unity Day celebrations on 4 November, their representatives marched in Lyubertsy, a city in Moscow Oblast, wearing black masks, carrying Nazi symbols, and banners hailing national purity. They were surrounded by police who refused to intervene. Today's ultras support the war in Ukraine, carry out various actions against abortions, terrorise immigrants, persecute LGBT activists, and their "traditional values" practically coincide with those officially propagated by the Kremlin. In the 2000s, far-right movements were suppressed and crushed after the first "Russian marches" drew tens of thousands of people in the streets of Moscow and St Petersburg. The first leaders were arrested and charged with various crimes, such as Alexander Potkin, the founder of the Movement Against Illegal Immigration, along with his associate Dmitry Demushkin, found guilty of "creating an extremist association," which was banned and dissolved in 2011. Another leader of this movement, Maxim Martsinkevich, convicted of extremism, was found dead in his solitary confinement cell after an interrogation. Today, however, the authorities are striking deals with nationalists on various issues, both at the regional and federal levels, highlighting Russia's increasingly isolationist drift after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite imperial proclamations of ecumenical sobornost () or spiritual community. The rhetoric on immigration is increasingly turning to hostility and the marginalisation of foreigners, especially those from Central Asia, the former Soviet "backyard" that is increasingly distrusted by Russians. Putin recently approved a new state migration policy concept, which clearly demonstrates Russia's unwillingness to adapt and integrate migrant flows to solve its ongoing demographic crisis. Instead, the "natural growth of the Russian population" is extolled with every form of birth incentive, including state subsidies to teenage girls who agree to become pregnant out of patriotic duty. Migration is increasingly based on rejecting the principle of family reunification, so that wives and children are excluded, denied healthcare, barred from Russian schools, and preferably sent back home. As experts, including government officials, have quietly pointed out, this approach runs against Russia's demographic and economic needs. Instead, nationalist propaganda is trying to work up young people especially, who engage in brawls with migrants' children, posting the images on Telegram channels. This spiral of violence is closely linked to the need to mobilise the population for war; the Russkaya Obshchina does not just express xenophobia or Islamophobia, it seeks to extol the foundations of Russianness, and in doing so, it supports the Kremlin's motivations for the liquidation of Ukraine, the goal not only in the war in the Donbass, but also in the radical opposition to any limitation on Russianness. Without war, frustrations could easily dissolve, and right-wing extremists could become dangerous and uncontrolled, and in any case unnecessary to state policy. This is one of the reasons why the Kremlin has no intention of reaching any peace deal. In recent days, the "All-Russian Ideological Forum" was held in Moscow, whose central theme was "restoring the Russian World to God" and the proclamation of the Russian Empire, according to the intentions of its organisers, Orthodox oligarch Konstantin Malofeev and philosopher Alexander Dugin. In their view, the image of the Russia of the future is inextricably linked to the "Trinitarian Russian nation," in the sense of the union of Great Russia with White Russia and Little Russia, as Belarus and Ukraine are known. According to their proclamations, "to form a nation, we must find a common idea that meets the demands of social justice," and this is precisely the Russian idea, and the ideologists promise that it has nothing in common with Nazism. A scandal broke out after the well-known actor Sergei Bezrukov grotesquely imitated an Uzbek accent while describing a recent visit to Tashkent. A group of neo-Nazis from St Petersburg gathered at the Mariinsky Theatre, somewhat grotesque characters, according to various commentators, under the banner of the Rodina () or Homeland Party, with nostalgic tones reminiscent of Soviet times and the international communist network. Russian nationalists try to attract people from the most extreme and marginalised groups, talking about the restoration of the original Holy Rus', the topic of Dugin's lectures at the School of Patriotism, at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, which until the war was renowned for its ability to engage with universities around the world. In November alone, 28 people were reportedly victim of anti-foreigner hatred, often confirmed by videos posted on Telegram channels by the attackers themselves, as was the case during the patriotic holiday of 4 November. "Marches against the occupiers of Russian land" have increased, with the emergence of a new movement, the National Socialist Organisation for the Liberation of White Europe. Since the start of 2025, 276 attacks motivated by ethnic hatred have been reported in Russia, with seven people killed. However, many more acts of xenophobic vandalism go unreported by law enforcement. In the city of Vyatka, nationalists took pictures of themselves holding the imperial flag while marching through the streets. In Perm, signs reading "Enough Tolerance" were displayed. In Nizhny Novgorod, flowers were laid in the city's central park at the memorial for those fallen in Afghanistan and the civil war in Chechnya. Members of the Russkaya Obshchina have participated in religious processions in numerous cities, from Vladivostok and Orel to Yekaterinburg, Ussuriysk, and Kaluga. Other rallies were held during the "patriotic month" in museums, cinemas, and concerts, and numerous "vigilant rallies" were held in cities against Central Asian migrants, in city ghettos where "masses of illegal immigrants of other cultures live," as the Russian Community put it in a statement. Xenophobia is widespread in many countries, including Europe and Trump's America, and could be one of the main consequences of the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, increasingly fuelled by nationalist, sovereigntist, imperialist ideologies, or whatever ideological form of artificial traditionalism is fashionable today, with Russia undoubtedly as one of the countries from which to draw inspiration. RUSSIAN WORLD IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO RUSSIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SATURDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. Today's news: One of the world's most wanted tiger organ traffickers was arrested in India. Evidence links Hong Kong fire to contractors' poor safety record. Myanmar voters abroad are casting early ballots in the countrys sham elections. Saudi Arabia and its Arab partners reject Israel's proposal to open the Rafah crossing in one direction only. PAKISTAN AFGHANISTAN New deadly clashes broke out overnight on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with both sides accusing each other of violating a fragile truce. A medical source in the city of Kandahar told the BBC that a local hospital received the bodies of four people. Three people were reportedly wounded in Pakistan. The talks held in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series hosted by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. INDIA A woman deemed one of the world's most wanted tiger part traffickers was arrested a week ago in India. Yangchen Lachungpa is accused of playing a key role in setting up trafficking corridors enabling tiger parts to be smuggled out of the country. Lachungpa was on Interpol's most wanted list and her bail plea was rejected during Thursday's court hearing. HONG KONG Homeowners at the complex destroyed in one of Hong Kong's most devastating fires (159 deaths) were led to believe that the contractor blamed for the blaze had an impeccable safety record, documents seen by Reuters show. Hong Kong's safety regulators had fined the contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., more than a dozen times in the seven years before it was hired by Will Power Architects, including for improper scaffolding installation and faulty electrical wiring. Meanwhile, as Hong Kongers are still reeling from shock, turnout is expected to be low tomorrow in local parliamentary elections, reserved exclusively for patriots. MYANMAR THAILAND On Saturday, as polls opened for Myanmar citizens living abroad, a few dozen early voters in the countrys sham elections cast their ballots at the countrys embassy in Bangkok (Thailand), where half a million Myanmar citizens are registered. Myanmar's military junta, which plunged the country into civil war, is now promising that the elections will lead to peace and democracy. Elections are expected to begin in some parts of the country in late December, but early voting abroad is already underway in some Myanmar diplomatic offices, including in Hong Kong, Singapore, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. SAUDI ARABIA ISRAEL GAZA The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Qatar expressed deep concern over Israeli statements regarding the opening of the Rafah crossing in one direction only. They fear that such a move will facilitate the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Egypt. They rejected any attempt to force Palestinians to abandon their land, emphasising the need to fully adhere to the Trump plan, including the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions and the guarantee of freedom of movement without coercion. KYRGYZSTAN Municipal inspectors in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, are cracking down on polluting facilities to curb the severe air pollution and smog that are constantly blanketing the city. To this end, 83 saunas and public baths were inspected, 49 of which were found to be using solid fuels such as wood and coal. Eight have switched to gas and electric heating, while the others have been closed for violations, such as the use of refined coal. RUSSIA INDIA Bloomberg reported that India has agreed to lease a nuclear submarine from Russia for US$ 2 billion after a November visit to a Russian shipyard. Delivery is expected within two years, assuming there are no complications with the preparations. This is a sign of the new partnership discussed during President Vladimir Putin's visit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. by A priest from Chinas underground community Yesterday's episcopal ordination in Henan is opening new wounds rather than healing old ones. The underground bishop whose resignation Rome accepted is still under strict surveillance, unable to attend "his" ceremony, and not even his family can see him. A priest commented: Beijing is violating the spirit of the Agreement. This is not the first time that the Church finds herself forced into silence, humiliation. Ultimately, she is not sustained by power, but by faith. Milan (AsiaNews) Bishop Zhang Weizhu is still under strict surveillance, deprived of freedom; his family cannot even see him or receive a sign of his safety, and yet the world is being told that he has been made 'emeritus, a source from Henan told AsiaNews a day after the episcopal ordination ceremony of the new apostolic prefect of Xinxiang, Bishop Li Jianlin, and the simultaneous announcement by the Holy See of the resignation of the ordinary, Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu, 67, who was ordained secretly in 1991. Never recognised by Chinese authorities, he was instead openly persecuted for his refusal to join the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. The manner of this transition has left great bitterness among the faithful of the local underground communities. Bishop Zhang Weizhu," they say, "was unable to participate in his own ceremony, nor was he given the opportunity to make his voice heard, while outsiders are being handed down a 'perfect' story. What we are losing is not only transparency and respect, but the fact that a pastor is treated as a clog in a process, not as a living person, in flesh and blood. May the truth not be silenced," they ask, "may those who suffer be seen, and may the Church, under any circumstances, never become used to considering injustice and silence as something 'normal'." This morning, the director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni, released a new statement referring to a ceremony held today during which local authorities recognised the episcopal dignity of Bishop Emeritus Joseph Zhang Weizhu. In it he writes that, This measure is the result of dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities and constitutes an important new step in the journey of communion of the ecclesiastical circumscription. It should be noted that the statement released on the same ceremony by China Catholic, the website of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, reports that the prelate, after being kept away from his successor's ordination yesterday, gave a speech "expressing the need to adhere to patriotism and love for religion, to adhere to the principle of independent and self-governing Churches, to follow the trend of the sinicisation of Catholicism in our country, and to contribute to the overall construction of a modern socialist country and the overall promotion of the great rebirth of the Chinese nation. It is highly unlikely that Bishop Zhang is the author of these words, which leave strong doubts as to the tenor of the ceremony, very similar to the one that took place in September in Zhangjiakou for the other underground bishop, Mgr Augustine Cui Tai. Regarding the two official statements about the ordination of the new bishop of the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang and those who have been silenced, we publish below a comment sent to AsiaNews by another priest from an "underground community" of Chinese Catholics. The episcopal ordination of Father Francis Li Jianlin was celebrated in the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang yesterday. On the same day, the Chinese government issued an official statement, followed by one from the Holy See. Everything thus seems to fall under the umbrella of an "episcopal appointment made in accordance with the Sino-Vatican Provisional Agreement." But anyone even slightly familiar with the reality of the Church in China knows that these two statements are separated by a vast gulf. And it is precisely in the latter that those who have been excluded find themselves. 1. The splendour of the statements and the absences in reality The Chinese statement emphasised the "solemn celebration," listing the members of the Chinese Bishops Conference present at the ceremony, but without even a formal mention of the legitimate Ordinary of Xinxiang Prefecture, Bishop Zhang Weizhu. The Vatican statement, in its usual cautious and tactful language, states: the Holy Father has accepted the resignation of Bishop Zhang. But the unspoken reality is different: - Archbishop Zhang was not authorised to attend the ordination of his successor; - despite being the legitimate Ordinary, he was completely sidelined, as if he had never existed; - priests and nuns from the "unofficial" community received no information or invitation to participate; - some lay parish leaders were summoned "for a preliminary interview" or even detained to prevent their presence. A celebration that should have involved the entire local Church turned into a small ceremony, controlled by very few. 2. How a celebration can make the underground community "underground" again When Bishop Zhang was asked to submit his resignation, he reportedly set only one condition: "That the situation of the priests and nuns of the underground community be provided for in a dignified manner." It was the request of a pastor who, despite years of surveillance, restrictions, and pressure, continued to care only for his people. Reality, however, proved otherwise: - underground priests were not included in any provision; - no list was drawn up, no recognition, no regularisation; - no communication was made to them before the ceremony; - many learned of the ordination only via the government announcement. This is not a solution to problems: it is the creation of new conflicts. It is not the healing of old wounds: it is the opening of new ones. The Holy See claims that everything happened in accordance with the Provisional Agreement"; the Chinese side, however, proceeded according to its own logic, ignoring the role of Bishop Zhang, the spirit of the agreement, and the concrete situation in the prefecture. This is the result of a profoundly asymmetric negotiation: an expression of the arrogance of state power and the painful endurance of the Church. 3. Bishop Zhang Weizhu: a bishop rendered invisible, yet the most Christlike Whatever the external narrative, one fact cannot be erased; before this ordination, the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang had a legitimate bishop appointed by the Holy See: Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu. After years of surveillance, restrictions, and isolation, without ever publicly complaining, he was finally induced to submit his resignation. On the very day a new bishop was ordained, he, the pastor of the diocese, could not even cross the threshold of the church. He was excluded completely, silently, almost surgically, like a shadow that time wishes to erase. But neither history nor the memory of the Church will forget him. He truly appears as "the lamb led to the slaughter," silent, meek, obedient beneath the cross. If in all this there is a worldly victory, the victory of the Kingdom belongs instead to the testimony of Bishop Zhang. 4. Anger grows: A wounded community The effects of this development on the local Church are profound: - the priests of the underground community experience unprecedented anger, feeling ignored and cancelled; - for women and men religious, the sense of exclusion from their own Church is felt like a wound; - many ordinary believers knew nothing of such a major event; - many seminarians and priests ask themselves: Who are we? What value do we have in our own Church? This is not the type of pain that a simple statement can heal. 5. Where to go? We are not called to be naive, but neither are we called to give in to despair. This is not the first time, and it will not be the last, that the Church, under a system of strong control, finds herself forced into silence, humiliation, and suffering. Yet, we continue to believe that: - the Church is not sustained by power, but by faith; - a bishop is not such by human will, but by the gift of the Spirit; - true history is not written in statements, but in testimony; - the forgotten, the excluded, the silenced are often the most profound signs of God in history. Today Xinxiang seems to be opening a new chapter, but many wounds remain open and many questions unanswered. Perhaps the only way is this: to move towards the cross, towards the truth, towards Him who sees what people ignore and who never erases anyone from His heart. 6. Despite everything: congratulations to the new bishop and a prayer of hope Despite the contradictions, suffering, and unresolved tensions, with filial hearts we nevertheless say: best wishes for the ordination of the new bishop. Every bishop is a gift to the Church. Therefore, we sincerely pray: - that Bishop Li Jianlin will put the good of the Church first, beyond external or political pressures; - that he can truly undertake the task of rebuilding unity in the prefecture, healing the wounds of so many years; - that he will have a father's heart towards every priest and religious, especially those who today feel ignored or excluded; - that he will not only be an ordained bishop, but a true shepherd for this wounded land. The burden he bears is not light. The road ahead will not be easy. But if the Spirit has allowed this day to come, then we can only hope that he will find a truly evangelical path in the midst of so many tensions. May he become an instrument of unity, not division; may he bring healing, not new wounds; may he respond with sincerity, humility, and courage to the voice of this time. Conclusion: In a torn land, continue to believe in the Resurrection What Xinxiang is experiencing is not just a religious or political issue, but a manifestation of the tensions and trials of our time. Yet we believe that: - God acts in the moments of silence of history; - He manifests himself in the forgotten; - He plants seeds of resurrection precisely in the darkest places. May the new bishop be the guardian of these seeds. May the cross of Bishop Zhang become a light for the prefecture. May all those who have been excluded, silenced, forgotten know that for God, no one is an empty place. We do not know what the future holds, but we know one thing: God will not abandon His Church. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. December 6, 2025: Russian leaders know that if a lot of men from Russias major cities, particularly Moscow and St. Petersburg, were in the army and killed or disabled in Ukraine, the war would rapidly become very unpopular and that could lead to unrest. The Russian solution for this was to obtain soldiers who lived in remote areas, especially those living in 26 national republics. Only 82 percent of Russians are ethnic Slavic Russians. The other 18 percent are where Russia obtained most of the troops sent to Ukraine during the first two years of the war. Men in these minority communities were offered large amounts of money, often $20,000 or more to join. Larger sums were paid to their families if they were killed in Ukraine. All this cash coming into these small rural communities revolutionized lifestyles. People could upgrade their housing, clothing and buy a car or pickup truck. Many families purchased more elaborate headstones for the lost son, with a picture of him etched into the stone. These are very The people in these peoples noted that their cemeteries were filling up with these expensive headstones and that caused some unrest. This was especially true when it was discovered, via the internet or social media, that few young men from the major cities were dying. It then became clear that the government was obtaining most of its soldiers for Ukraine from the rural areas, while the wealthier families in the big cities were spared the risks of fighting in Ukraine. Generally, the government in Moscow doesnt care how the people in the rural areas felt about the war, or anything else. But at the same time these protests began appearing, the military was forced to start recruiting men from the cities to keep the war in Ukraine going. While over 15,000 North Koreans and more than twenty thousand Cubans and other foreigners were recruited with large signing bonuses, it wasnt enough. It also brought a growing number of complaints from the families about their sons not getting paid and families of dead soldiers not receiving the promised death benefits. Over three years of fighting in Ukraine have left Russia with few sources of new recruits for the army. In addition, its combat losses are over a million killed, severely wounded, captured or deserters. At least as many military age men have fled Russia to avoid military service and the high probability of being sent to Ukraine. Worse, Russia has recently stopped paying enlistment bonuses and family death benefits because it apparently has run out of money. Although Russia has a population four times that of Ukraine, declining birth rates since the 1980s have reduced the number of military age men even more. Ukraine has similar problems but to less of an extent. After all, Russia was the invader and the Ukrainians were defending their homeland with lots of material assistance from Western Europe and the United States. The only allies Russia has are Iran and North Korea. China will help Russia overcome economic sanctions, for a price. In practical terms, Russia is on its own and can no longer depend on Russian male civilians to make themselves available for military service. Russia instead entices a growing number of foreign workers in Russia, as well non-Slavic minorities, into enlisting for the money. There is also a critical shortage of junior officers and sergeants to train new recruits. As a result, Russian soldiers currently sent to Ukraine are poorly trained and well aware of how dangerous it is for Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Thats because Russia was t Among the many costs of the war for Russia, soured relations with their few allies can be added to the list. 6 December 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The accelerating development of the NorthSouth International Transport Corridor (NSTC) has become a focal point in Russias new economic doctrine, reflecting Moscows long-term pivot toward alternative trade partners and non-Western transport routes. More than an infrastructure plan, the NSTC is emerging as a geopolitical response to sanctions pressure, an attempt to reshape Russias connectivity with the Middle East, South Asia, the Caspian region, and the Indian Ocean basin. At the VTB Russia Calls! investment forum, Russian officials underscored that over 100 individual projects are now underway, ranging from the modernization of the Makhachkala port to deepening the VolgaCaspian Canal, expanding the Astrakhan special economic zone, and establishing new ferry and container connections with Iranian ports. Russia also highlighted emerging cooperation with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, two countries crucial to the corridors Caspian segment. For Azerbaijan and the wider Caspian basin, this shift is not merely about transit logistics; it is about positioning at the intersection of competing, yet increasingly interconnected, transport arteries. The simultaneous modernization of Caspian ports, deepening of the VolgaCaspian Canal, and the emergence of joint shipbuilding initiatives reflect Moscows intent to anchor itself more firmly within southbound supply chains linking Russia, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean. But the NSTC also raises critical analytical questions: Will this transform regional trade patterns? How does it interact with the Middle Corridor, which Azerbaijan has championed, and is the region entering a phase where transport corridors become tools of quiet competition between great powers? Or, conversely, does this expanding network create an integrated system in which multiple routes reinforce each other rather than collide? It is in this context that transport expert Rauf Aghamirzayev offered his assessment to Azernews, arguing that the discourse should move away from rivalry narratives and toward functional complementarity: "In my opinion, the North-South and East-West corridors should not be considered competitors to each other. Their directions are completely different. If the Middle Corridor is a route for transporting goods from East to West, that is, from China and Central Asia to Europe, then the North South transport corridor is designed to connect Indian markets with Northern Europe, while also serving as a strategically important route that provides Russia with broader access to the South in the emerging geopolitical landscape. Corridors that complement each other, because the interests of countries in different directions are formed differently." Aghamirzayev noted that Russias intensified focus on the NSTC is not accidental, but rooted in pressing geopolitical necessity. "Russia's interest is clear, and in light of the recent processes in the region, it needs routes to the south like air and water. Its interest in this direction is also real. There is a growth dynamic in freight transportation. However, there is undoubtedly a need for infrastructure solutions in certain parts of the corridor." He highlighted that each country along the route is contributing in its own way, but some bottlenecks remain unresolved. "In this direction, each country is doing its own thing, responsibility. The most important missing element on the Western route is the Rasht-Astara railway line. After Russia announces land acquisition, as it has been promised to be completed in March, launch of the 162km railway can begin with its own investments within the next 4 years." On potential cooperation in shipbuildingan initiative mentioned by RussiaAghamirzayev underlined Azerbaijans domestic capacity. "As for shipbuilding, Azerbaijan has its own shipbuilding plant. The essence of establishing that plant was to both encourage local production and give impetus to the increase in foreign exchange flows and investments. In this sense, I think we can produce it ourselves. At present, I think that any joint production plant can be evaluated in the future, and undoubtedly, the relevant agencies have evaluated the issue." He concluded by hinting that new announcements may be expected soon. "Perhaps, in the near future, information will be announced on the implementation of the projects planned in this direction." 6 December 2025 20:48 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more The open letter sent by Azerbaijani civil society representatives to senior EU officials this week is more than a routine diplomatic protest. It is an alarm bell, rung by those who have lived through decades of war, occupation, and human loss, warning that Europe is on the verge of repeating one of its most consequential moral errors: confusing the perpetrators with the victims, and granting legitimacy to those who built their reputations on terror. The decision to admit the Armenian Military-Sports Lyceum named after Monte Melkonyan into the European Union Military Secondary Schools Forum is not merely a bureaucratic lapse. It is a profound ethical contradiction that risks eroding the EUs credibility as a promoter of human rights, justice, and conflict-sensitive governance. For Azerbaijanis, particularly the families of the missing, this is not an abstract debate. It is a deep wound torn open. Only days after these families held a dignified silent protest at the UN Office in Geneva, pleading for accountability for their decades-long suffering, news emerged that an EU-affiliated platform was preparing to sign a memorandum of membership with a school named after a man whose legacy is inseparable from pain, terror, and violence. Monte Melkonyan is not simply a controversial figure. He is a documented participant in some of the most violent operations carried out during the occupation of Azerbaijans Kalbajar district in the 1990s, territory that Armenia itself acknowledges as part of Azerbaijan. His prior affiliation with the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA), a terrorist organisation that carried out assassinations and bombings across Europe, places him squarely among those who targeted civilians, diplomats, and family members. Countries including France, Greece, Austria, and Spain were among ASALAs victims. How, then, can a figure shaped by terrorism be elevated, under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College, into a model for military education? It is not only Melkonyans actions that speak volumes, but also the ideology he represented. In his brother Markar Melkonians book My Brothers Road: An American's Fateful Journey to Armenia, one chilling confession stands out. Melkonyan reportedly sought guidance from a priest, asking how he might atone for killing dogs. The priest, when clarifying whether they were four-legged or two-legged, absolved him completely upon learning these were human beings, i.e., Azerbaijanis. This exchange is not only disturbing; it is revelatory. It exposes a worldview that dehumanised an entire population, legitimised violence, and nurtured a culture that justified atrocities. It is the antithesis of everything the European Union claims to stand for. How is it, then, that Europe, a continent still bearing the scars of extremism, has allowed an institution named after such a man to be welcomed into a forum designed to promote shared values, ethical military conduct, and inter-institutional cooperation? At best, it suggests astonishing negligence. At worst, it reflects another instance of the EUs persistent double standards toward Azerbaijan, particularly on questions of territorial integrity and state sovereignty. For more than thirty years, Azerbaijan lived under occupation, its civilians displaced, its lands subjected to systematic destruction, and its missing persons unaccounted for. Kalbajar, where Melkonyans forces were active, witnessed forced expulsions, brutality, and a pattern of conduct that any serious human rights organisation would categorise as war crimes. Yet rather than confronting this dark history, Armenia continues to elevate the individuals who orchestrated it, turning them into heroes, naming schools after them, and erecting monuments in their honour. This glorification of war criminals poses a direct challenge to international humanitarian law, human rights norms, and the global fight against terrorism. More importantly, it sends a dangerous message to young Armenians: that participation in armed groups, even those linked to internationally recognised terrorist organisations, is not only acceptable but admirable. By failing to challenge this, the European Union risks becoming complicit. The EU cannot claim to champion justice while turning a blind eye to the elevation of individuals whose legacies contradict every democratic principle the Union professes to uphold. The dilemma is simple yet profound: If Europe raises no objection to the celebration of Melkonyan, how can it credibly demand accountability, equality, and respect for human rights elsewhere? How can it criticise extremist propaganda abroad while tolerating, even indirectly legitimising, a terrorist legacy within its own networks? Azerbaijani civil society is right to demand answers. The EU Delegation in Baku owes them an explanation, one that goes beyond diplomatic pleasantries. The admission of the Melkonyan-named institution should be annulled immediately. Anything less is an affront not only to Azerbaijani families searching for truth about their missing loved ones, but also to Europes own moral foundations. There is a simple principle at stake: choosing criminals and presenting them as heroes is incompatible with international law, incompatible with regional peace, and incompatible with humanitys collective commitment to fight terrorism. Melkonyans crimes, documented in Kalbajar and evidenced in his own brothers writings, must not be glossed over, sanitised, or repackaged as a legacy worthy of European endorsement. For Europe, this is a moment of choice. It can either uphold its stated values or allow the spirit of terrorism to infiltrate the very institutions meant to prevent it. The Azerbaijani public has made its stance clear. Now the European Union must decide whether it will stand with justice or with those who glorify the violators of it. 6 December 2025 23:23 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The data shows a notable increase in the role of Azerbaijani products in Georgias dairy imports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 6 December 2025 19:31 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The 16th Baku International Film Festival has solemnly opened at Nizami Cinema Center, Azernews reports. The festival is organized by the Young Filmmakers Center with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan Film Agency. This year, the festival is held within the framework of the international film program Baku Cinema Breeze 2025, which is part of the OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week 2025. The OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week 2025 runs from December 5 to 11 with the organizational support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry. The opening ceremony was attended by state and public figures, representatives of culture and creative youth, as well as foreign guests. In their remarks, Deputy Culture Minister Saadat Yusufova Saadat Yusifova, director of the Baku International Film Festival Fehruz Shamiyev, jury members, and international guests stressed the importance of the festival, which annually brings together filmmakers and representatives from different countries, inspires contemporary authors, and creates opportunities for creative development, showcasing works, and exchanging experiences. Over five days, 78 films from 34 countries will be screened at the Nizami Cinema Center. Screenings are open to all. Since last year, the festival has included a feature film competition and offers four competitive programs, each evaluated by a separate jury. The international program of debut feature films includes 10 works, to be judged by renowned film critic and screenwriter Nadir Badalov (Azerbaijan), director and screenwriter Niki Karimi (Iran), European Film Academy Award winner for Best Producer Zeynep Atakan (Turkiye), and film expert Igor Sukman (Belarus). The national competition presents 16 short fiction and documentary films, as well as 5 student works. Among these 21 entries, the best will be determined by a jury consisting of director and producer Fariz Ahmedov, winner of awards at festivals in Serbia, Russia, and Poland; Iranian director and producer Reza Siami, who promotes Azerbaijani films abroad; and film critics Farida Jalilova and Sevda Sultanova, known for their publications in the fields of art, cinema, and television. The international short film jury will be chaired by Faruk Guven, head of the film department of Turkish broadcaster TRT and producer; director Rufat Asadov, whose documentaries have received international awards; and New Zealand critic Carmen Gray. The jury of the Asian Talents competition will include producer Ali-Sattar Guliyev, laureate of Cannes, Tampere, Kazan, Tashkent, and Dushanbe festivals; Roman Dorofeev (Russia), program director of the international film festival EastWest. Classics and Avant-garde; and international award-winning director and cinematographer Daniel Guliyev. The festivals main prize is the Golden Pomegranate (Qzl Nar). In addition, winners in several categories will receive special awards and diplomas. Beyond the competition program, audiences will enjoy non-competitive screenings. For example, the Our Language program features films shot in Azerbaijani by compatriots living abroad. Cooperation with the British Council allows the festival to annually organize special screenings of films nominated for the BAFTA Awards. The closing ceremony and awards presentation will take place on December 9 at 19:00 at the Nizami Cinema Center. The festival is supported by: the Azerbaijan Filmmakers Union, Nizami Cinema Center, British Council, Sahdagfilm Studio, Azerbaijan National Assembly of Youth Organizations, Cinelab, DOST TV, and the Yunus Emre Institute. Media support is provided by Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az. 6 December 2025 10:29 (UTC+04:00) The energy corridor stretching from Syria to Turkiye, and further from Turkiye to Azerbaijan, holds significant future profitability, US Ambassador to Turkiye Tom Barrack said during the Middle East and Africa 2025 event hosted by the Milken Institute Analytical Center, Azernews reports. Speaking at the forum, Barrack underscored Turkiyes pivotal role in the region, noting that it remains a key country not only for Azerbaijan but also for Armenia. He suggested that meaningful geopolitical shifts could unfold following the signing of a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan, renewing expectations for the eventual opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. According to the diplomat, establishing an uninterrupted route extending from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean would create a strategic channel that could help address long-standing energy challenges across the region. Such a corridor, he added, would unlock new connectivity opportunities and reshape the regional energy landscape. 6 December 2025 13:19 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev has congratulated the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb. Azernews presents the letter: On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Finland Independence Day. I believe that the relations between our countries will continue to develop in an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation to the benefits of our peoples. On this festive day, I convey my best wishes to you, and wish everlasting peace and prosperity to your people. 6 December 2025 16:23 (UTC+04:00) President of the United States of America Donald Trump has sent a letter of gratitude to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports. "Dear Mr. President, Thank you for your and Prime Minister Pashinyan's joint letter advancing my nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. I am deeply appreciative of your kind recognition, which inspires us to sustain our important mission. As President of the United States, I remain committed to ending conflicts across the globe and to securing peace and prosperity for all people. With your ongoing partnership, we will achieve the impossible. Thank you, again, for your continued support," the letter reads. 6 December 2025 17:00 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijans Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population, Anar Aliyev, held discussions on strengthening cooperation in labor, employment and social protection with Kubancbek Omuralyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), and Turkish Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Vedat Iskkhan. Azernews reports that the information was shared by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population. During the meeting, Anar Aliyev praised the efforts of the OTS Secretariat aimed at deepening cooperation among Turkic states in the social sphere. Highlighting the achievements of Azerbaijans recent social reforms, he expressed readiness to enhance collaboration with both member and observer states of the OTS and to share Azerbaijans successful experience in the field. Kubancbek Omuralyev noted that the organization is pleased with the progress made in expanding cooperation in labor, employment and social protection, stressing that the OTS Secretariat will continue to support joint initiatives. The Ministry also reported a separate meeting with Turkish Minister Vedat Iskkhan, who was in Baku to attend the first meeting of Labor, Employment and Social Protection Ministers of the OTS member states. Anar Aliyev underlined that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in these areas is steadily advancing. According to Vedat Iskkhan, the strong partnership between the two countries will continue to grow within the OTS framework. He added that the first ministerial meeting, titled Cooperation in the Field of Labor for the Common Welfare of the Turkic States, held in Baku, represents a significant step forward in expanding relations. The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on future cooperation priorities. 6 December 2025 18:13 (UTC+04:00) Bilateral meetings took place in Budapest as part of the 7th gathering of the heads of state bodies responsible for diaspora affairs across the member states of the Organization of Turkic States, Azernews reports. According to the State Committee for Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan, the discussions highlighted growing cooperation and strengthened ties among the Turkic nations. Committee Chairman Fuad Muradov held separate meetings with Daniyar Kadyrov, President of Kazakhstans Otandastar Foundation, and Kahraman Sariev, Chairman of Uzbekistans Committee for Interethnic Relations and Work with Compatriots Living Abroad. During the talks, both the Uzbek and Kazakh counterparts expressed their high appreciation for Azerbaijans diaspora model, emphasizing the value of learning from Bakus experience. The sides discussed opportunities for coordinated initiatives among their diasporas and assessed the current momentum in cooperation as positive. The parties also agreed on arranging joint meetings involving the Azerbaijani, Uzbek and Kazakh diasporas to further deepen collaboration and expand collective activity. 6 December 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The Kunstsilo Museum in Kristiansand, Norway, has been named The Most Beautiful Museum in the World at the prestigious Prix Versailles architectural awards, held annually at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Azernews reports. The award honors the worlds most outstanding modern architectural projects, celebrating creativity, innovation, and design excellence. Maria Mediaas Gjerstad, the museums director, said the team is incredibly happy and proud of the recognition, emphasizing that the accolade is first and foremost a testament to the architects behind the project. Opened just last year, the Kunstsilo Museum houses approximately 7,500 works of art, including the renowned collection of Nikolai Tangen, head of the Norwegian Oil Fund. The museum has already earned acclaim, having previously received the prestigious Spanish architectural award Premio Arquitectura Espanola. A Norwegian delegation attended the award ceremony in Paris, including Kristiansand Mayor Mathias Bernander, who described the museums win as an extraordinary recognition and expressed pride in both the city and everyone involved in creating Kunstsilo. Some architects and art enthusiasts have even described the museum as a new landmark in global contemporary architecture, blending cutting-edge design with Norways rich cultural heritage. 6 December 2025 12:40 (UTC+04:00) Ukraines top priority remains achieving a peaceful settlement that guarantees the countrys independence, sovereignty, and the security of its citizens, while laying the groundwork for a stable democratic future, Azernews reports. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov stated this on his Facebook page following initial talks with U.S. representatives. According to Umerov, For two days, special peace envoys Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner met with the Ukrainian delegation and focused on real and effective ways to achieve a just solution. The sides discussed the findings of the U.S. delegations recent visit to Russia and potential steps that could move the situation closer to ending the war. In addition, agreements within the framework of existing security arrangements were reviewed, with both parties addressing deterrent measures necessary to ensure lasting peace. Umerov noted that both sides stressed that real progress in reaching any agreement depends on Russias willingness to demonstrate its genuine commitment to lasting peace, particularly by taking steps to reduce tensions and end the killings. The meeting also covered the Future Development Program, aimed at supporting Ukraines post-war reconstruction, boosting U.S.Ukraine joint economic initiatives, and advancing long-term rebuilding projects. According to Umerov, the two sides emphasized the importance of implementing a comprehensive plan for ending the war and restoring Ukraine. He added that the delegations will meet again tomorrow to continue the talks. 6 December 2025 19:19 (UTC+04:00) Members of the group Take Back Power, which campaigns for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy, threw dessert on a glass display case containing the crown traditionally worn by British monarchs, Azernews reports. According to the information, security personnel acted quickly, and the crown itself remained undamaged. The activists, who call for increased taxation on the rich and the creation of a peoples assembly, smeared the well-known British dessert apple crumble and custard across the protective glass. They also unfurled a banner reading Democracy is falling apart, tax the rich in front of the crown. A statement issued by the group highlighted that since 2011, the lowest-income 10 percent of the population has paid 44 percent of their income in taxes, while wealthy individuals effectively contribute only 22 percent. London Police reported that four protesters were detained and that the Tower of London, where the crown jewels are displayed, was temporarily closed to visitors. 6 December 2025 20:20 (UTC+04:00) At least 11 people were killed in a shooting that occurred at an illegal drinking place in Pretoria, the South African Police Service confirmed on its social media on Saturday, Azernews reports. The police said that 25 were shot and that 14 survivors were taken to the hospital. Among the deceased are three and 12-year-old boys, and a 16-year-old girl. The police stated that the hunt for three suspects is ongoing. 6 December 2025 21:44 (UTC+04:00) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that he spoke with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte about Kiev's recent meeting with the United States on reaching a ceasefire with Russia, Azernews reports. "We exchanged assessments of the diplomatic situation, and I informed Mark about the conversation between our representatives in America and [US] President [Donald] Trump's team. We agreed on further contacts," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. Meanwhile, it was revealed that Zelensky will visit the United Kingdom on Monday, December 8. 6 December 2025 22:10 (UTC+04:00) United States Ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Matthew Whitaker said on Saturday that his country "cannot be the world's policeman" and needs help from its allies in the Middle East to maintain peace in the region, Azernews reports. "We cannot be this rapid deployed force that goes everywhere to settle every conflict," Whitaker said at the Doha Forum. "We're looking for our allies to develop themselves, to be interoperable with the US and our other allies so that we don't have to have aircraft carriers and battleships cruising everywhere at all times." Whitaker praised Qatar in that perspective, describing it as "one of our best allies outside of NATO, if not the best non-NATO ally, a country that wants to commit to modernizing and making sure they have the weapons and forces that can be a net security provider. And I think that's what were looking for." 6 December 2025 22:47 (UTC+04:00) Telegram founder Pavel Durov criticized the European Union for suppressing free speech on social media, while also referring to France's criminal investigation against him, Azernews reports. "The EU imposes impossible rules so it can punish tech firms that refuse to silently censor free speech. We saw the same in France: a baseless criminal investigation, then intelligence services offering to help with it if Telegram quietly censored speech in Romania and Moldova," he wrote. Durov replied to a post by billionaire and X Corp. founder Elon Musk from 2024 in which he said he refused the EU's "illegal secret deal" to censor free speech. Earlier this year, Durov accused France's spy agency of asking him to suppress "conservative voices in Romania" during that country's presidential election campaign. Paris, however, had denied the claim. When you peel back the facade of the EU like its flag, what do you find underneath? The Fourth Reich of globalist repression? The repressive globalist authoritarians running the European Union are attacking free speech in America by imposing a $140 million "fine" on Twitter for its audacity in allowing free speech on its platform. Twitter refuses to knuckle under to the EU's Stalinist censorship demands. Elon Musk replied with one word, "bullsh!t" US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared, "The European Commission's $140 Million fine is not just an attack on [Twitter], it's an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments. The days of censoring Americans online are over." https://redstate.com/katie-jerkovich/2025/12/05/musk-gives-epic-one-word-response-to-insane-eu-x-speech-fine-gets-backing-from-rubio-n2196858 https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2025/12/05/eu-fines-elon-musks-x-140-million-for-not-following-censorship-law/ https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/anti-free-speech-war-escalates-eu-unleashes-dsa-musks-x https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/transatlantic-tensions-surge-after-x-fine-and-harsh-new-u-s-security-strateg https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/anti-free-speech-war-escalates-eu-unleashes-dsa-musks-x One hopes that some strenuous sanctions will be imposed against EU officials responsible by the Trump administration and perhaps some financial sanctions on the EU itself. Meanwhile, in France, the plan by the globalist Macron government to put labels on media as to "truth" has ignited a firestorm of opposition to the Orwellian project of a "Ministry of Truth", Both traditional and populist right parties and conservative media have blasted Macron for this authoritarian move. https://rmx.news/france/french-government-plan-to-label-news-outlets-backfires-spectacularly/ As we enter this Christmas season, I want to share three timely reflections with you - one on Return Americas legislative victories for safety and justice in North Carolina - one with a Christmas theme about the sevenfold wisdom we find in Joseph beside the manger - and one unusual story about a drunken raccoon that reminds us why sobriety and clarity matter now more than ever. I pray each piece strengthens your faith and sharpens your discernment with Truth for our Times. Legislative Update: Two Major Policy Wins for Safety and Justice in North Carolina This week brought significant victories in Return Americas ongoing efforts to defend life, strengthen justice, and uphold biblical foundations in North Carolinas public policy. Two major bills - HB 193, expanding protections for Christian schools and churches, and HB 307, known as Irynas Law - took effect on Monday of this week, December 1. Both measures represent much prayer, advocacy, and perseverance, and together they mark a turning point for safety, accountability, and moral clarity in our state. In this update, I walk you through what these new laws accomplish and why they matter. These gains do not belong to legislators alone - they belong to every believer who prayed, engaged, and supported this work. Seven Timeless Truths Found in Joseph, the Man Beside the Manger Scripture paints Joseph, the husband of Mary, as a man in the shadows - quiet, steady, and easily overlooked. Yet when we linger over his life, we discover something remarkable: seven timeless truths that rise from his obedience and humility like a complete portrait of godly character. The number seven, of course, is no coincidence. Throughout the Bible, seven represents fullness, completion - a pattern reflected time and again in the sevens Ive written about over the years: Seven False Gods of the Present Age Seven Lessons on How Christ Satisfies by Providing for Our Every Need Seven Greatest Hauntings of the Human Heart Seven Noteworthy Events in American History That Occurred at Christmas Seven Ways the Cross Speaks Seven Evidences for the Resurrection of Christ Seven Assurances the Resurrection Gives Seven Hinderances to Answered Prayer Perhaps one day I can compile these into a book. This week, however, we turn our attention to Joseph, whose silent faithfulness speaks volumes. His life offers a sevenfold lesson in righteousness, humility, and obedience at Christmastime. A Raccoon, a Liquor Store, and a Holiday Warning Some stories are so bizarre they almost preach themselves, and this weeks headlines provided one. A raccoon in Virginia broke into a liquor store, downed enough alcohol to pass out on the bathroom floor, and became a furry parable for the holiday season. The humor is undeniable, but beneath the laughter lies a sobering truth: while a drunken raccoon may be amusing, drunkenness in people is anything but funny. With Christmas and New Years approaching, seasons already filled with elevated drinking, impaired driving, and heartbreaking consequences, this strange event gives us the perfect moment to talk candidly about alcohol, temptation, and the wisdom of abstinence. This article uses humor to open the doorbut leads to a serious, heartfelt call to choose clarity, safety, and the peace Christ gives. Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect. Whether considering our states policies, the quiet greatness of Joseph, or the call to walk in clarity during the holidays, may these truths guide us to live wisely, courageously, and faithfully to Christ. May His peace and presence be yours in abundance this Christmas season. Rev. Mark Creech, D.H.L. Director of Government Relations Return America RevMarkCreech.org An Urgent Call from Dr. Ron Baity, President of Return America. If you live within driving distance of the Randolph County Courthouse, Dr. Ron Baity, President of Return America, is asking concerned Christians to make every effort to attend the Randolph County Commissioners Meeting on Monday night, December 8, at 6 PM. The commissioners are taking a bold and courageous stand by moving to dismiss and replace the entire library board that allowed inappropriate books in the childrens section of our public libraries. This is a rare display of moral clarity in our day, and they need strong, visible support from the Christian community. Dr. Baity is urging churches to bring a busload - or at least a vanload - of people. If you cant get a crowd, please show up on your own. A large turnout will send an unmistakable message that believers stand firmly with leaders who are willing to protect children and uphold righteousness. If you can, please plan to arrive one hour early. Location: Historic Randolph County Courthouse Meeting Room 145-C Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 These commissioners are standing for truth and against the influence of evil. Churches that are concerned about the promotion of perverse materials to minors should encourage their people to attend and be a source of strength and encouragement to these courageous leaders. Picture: Rev. Mark H. Creech, D.H.L., is a veteran pastor and public policy advocate whose ministry spans more than 45 years of preaching, teaching, and defending biblical truth in the public square. He now serves as Director of Government Relations for Return America and writes weekly at RevMarkCreech.org. Its the most wonderful night of the year, as Patrick Kielty hosts his third Late Late Toy Show on RTE One with a special guest voiceover from Ballymena star Liam Neeson. While he is mainly known for high intensity action roles such as the Taken series and Non-Stop, Neeson has embraced the Christmas spirit as he narrated the opening of Irelands favourite festive broadcast. Being a foster dad is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done Belfast man urges other males to consider caring for vulnerable children in the family home Gerard and his family Kurtis Reid Fri 5 Dec 2025 at 20:34 A Belfast foster dad is calling on more men across Northern Ireland to consider fostering - not only to change the lives of vulnerable children, but to help redefine what fatherhood and masculinity mean today. Historic Belfast bar turns 90 as owner explains mystery over its name: 'People think it's spelt wrong' As Ormeau Road institution The Errigle Inn turns 90, Laura McDaid speaks to its current custodian, Phil McGurran, about family, history and legacy Phil McGurran at The Errigle Inn (Luke Jervis/ Belfast Telegraph) Laura McDaid Fri 5 Dec 2025 at 20:00 Back in the early 2000s, when The Errigle Inn on Belfasts Ormeau Road was my local, a friend would always refuse to join me in my favourite part of the pub, the Oak Lounge. Number 61 South Parade is a charming townhouse off the Ormeau Road. It is the definition of a homely home, with feature fireplaces, period features and plenty of character. Its convenient location means its close to a range of schools, restaurants, cafes and public transport options. 61 South Parade, Belfast The hallway has numerous decorative touches including ceiling cornicing and ceiling rose and a glazed panelled inner door. The living room has a feature bay window, feature fireplace with cast iron surround, tiled hearth and open fire. Its dining room also has a feature fireplace, picture rail and understair storage cupboard. 61 South Parade, Belfast The propertys dining room also has a feature fireplace, picture rail and understair storage cupboard. The kitchen has a built-in oven with four-ring gas hob and a gas-fired four-oven Aga. Amenities include a ceramic Belfast sink with mixer tap, granite work surfaces and ceramic floor tiling. It is plumbed for a washing machine and dishwasher. 61 South Parade, Belfast On the first floor, youll find the family bathroom, with cast-iron rolltop bath with mixer tap, built-in shelving and underfloor heating. There is a shower room with walk-in cubicle with rainfall shower head. On the first floor is the principal bedroom, currently being used as a second reception. It has a feature fireplace with woodburning stove. There is an additional bedroom, carpeted, with feature fireplace. 61 South Parade, Belfast On the second floor are two further bedrooms, both carpeted. One has Slingsby ladder access to floored roof space, the other built-in shevling. Outside there is an enclosed rear yard with paved patio area. Offers over 485,950. For more information contact Templeton Robinson (Lisburn Road) on 028 9066 3030 Police have released an image of a "very violent Belfast man who has been jailed for a series of domestic abuse crimes including pushing his partner into a mirror and throwing her down a flight of stairs. Banbridge mums service loans out items to families for kids to play with at fraction of the cost An environmentally-minded woman who set up a toy library said she came up with the concept to cut down waste and help parents navigate the high costs associated with Christmas. Mum-of-four Maeve Brisk launched Banbridge Toy Library in 2021 initially. Now, following a short break after having her fourth child Saoirse (2), it has now been reinstated. The venture offers top-of-the-range toys some of which can cost over 100 if bought new for as little as 3 for two weeks. I had been following similar toy libraries in England and other places around the UK but there wasnt one set up here, Maeve told the Belfast Telegraph. I thought it was such a great initiative that helps cut costs and also clutter around the house. The 40-year-old received funding in 2021 from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council through its Take 500 campaign, and then through Clanmil Housing Association. This was mostly to purchase boxes and toys and, because we were coming out of the pandemic, it was cleaner and easier to box the toys up in themed bundles according to age and interests, with each having an educational element, like a puzzle or a book, she explained. Then people really liked the idea of the themed boxes, where families would be getting up to 100 worth of toys for sometimes as little as 3 for a fortnight. Toys are loaned out to children for two weeks to a month, depending on availability. It is free to register to the Banbridge Toy Library via its website, browse the toys available for borrowing, select the date youd like to collect them, and for how long youd like to have them. You can then pay for your toys upon collection from Laurencetown Community Centre via a bank transfer. Its currently open for collections and drop-offs every Friday morning and Saturday afternoon. I have kept the costs low because everything is just so expensive, added Maeve. You can borrow boxes for as little as 3, but most are around 5 for two weeks, and then its a tenner to borrow them for a month. One of the big ones this year is the Air Toobz toy, which has been much sought after. Our set is booked out until March to buy it new is around 140. But you can borrow it for an entire month for just a tenner. We have up to 30 different themed boxes, as well as large individual toys to choose from, so there is plenty of choice. She added that the act of swapping or rotating toys every two weeks can help children learn to share. If they know its only theirs for a couple of weeks, they definitely play with it, and it helps when theyre in other situations where they have to share with others and they dont have that ownership, she said. I think people have become obsessed with owning everything. Social media is partly to blame with bragging about things youve purchased especially at this time of year and the toy industry really did a number on us mums! There is so much plastic wasted and consumed, its just spiralled. She added: Getting people to get on board with the act of borrowing and not owning will be a definite cultural shift for the better. Claire Patience, community development manager at Laurencetown Community Centre, said she was more than happy to facilitate the Banbridge Toy Library at the centre and offer a storage room for the toys. When Maeve initially came to me with the idea, I was totally on board, she said. It really fits in well with the ethos of the centre itself. We also run a tool library and a repair cafe here, as well as mums and tots groups. Maeve said that people have travelled from all over to borrow toys from the library. We have had them come from Dungannon, Belfast, Newry and Portadown, she said. It would be great to operate a pop-up in different locations so we can bring the service to places across the region. To become a member visit https://banbridgetoylibrary.lend-engine.com/ or follow Banbridge Toy Library on Instagram and Facebook for more information. The DUP is to seek to block a Sinn Fein bid for observer status in the European Parliament. Four Sinn Fein MLAs have signed a motion set to be debated in Stormont on Monday, seeking agreement to write to the European Parliament for observer status for Assembly Members. The motion notes that a majority of people in Northern Ireland (56%) voted to remain in the European Union during the Brexit referendum in 2016. Before the UK left the EU, Northern Ireland sent three MEPs to the European Parliament. The Sinn Fein motion describes the current situation as a democratic deficit. DUP leader Gavin Robinson has confirmed that his partys MLAs will seek to table a petition of concern in Stormont against the motion. The mechanism, which must signed by at least 30 MLAs and presented to the Assembly Speaker, requires a motion to have cross-community support to be passed rather than just a simple majority. The petition of concern will require the backing of other parties to reach 30 signatures. DUP leader Gavin Robinson Robinson said unionists are vociferously opposed to the motion (PA) Mr Robinson said the Sinn Fein motion deals with fundamental issues regarding Northern Irelands constitutional position. It is therefore necessary, and in keeping with the terms of the Belfast and St Andrews Agreements that any vote on this motion should require cross-community support for it to pass, he said. Last December the Government set aside the need for consensus when the (Northern Ireland) Protocols harmful provisions were recklessly extended via a rigged vote, despite the unanimous opposition of unionists. Therefore it is entirely legitimate that we use the petition of concern mechanism on this occasion to ensure our position, and the views of those we represent, cannot again be misrepresented. Mr Robinson said unionists are vociferously opposed to the motion. Far from it being the case that this motion would have no practical effect, if passed by a one-sided simple majority it would require the Assembly to write to the European Parliament setting out the corporate position of the Assembly as being supportive of EU observer status, he said. This would be despite vociferous opposition of unionist MLAs to such a proposal. The motion also endorses Northern Ireland rejoining the European Union, something which would be seized upon by Brussels as cause to sustain the current flawed arrangements. Gavin Robinson said the motion should require cross-community support to be passed (PA) Mr Robinson added: EU observer status in the European Parliament would bring with it no right to speak, vote or stand for election. It would do nothing to address the democratic deficit caused by the protocol in depriving local elected representatives of the right to make laws in over 300 areas of law. Furthermore, it would be a direct attack on Northern Irelands position as an integral part of the United Kingdom. This Republican motion is designed to garner support of those who have no regard for the Union and who wish to now govern by simple majority regardless of the views of Unionists. The DUP leader urged all unionists elected to Stormont to back their petition of concern. We are encouraging unionists in the Assembly to work with us to reject this Sinn Fein ploy, designed to advance their goal of breaking up the United Kingdom, and to defeat any attempt to portray the Assembly as wholly supporting observer status in the European system, he added. The outages follow a yellow weather warning for wind from the Met Office (Photo: Getty Images) The majority of power outages have been restored after over 100 customers were left without electricity following 60mph gusts which battered Northern Ireland. It came after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind across all six counties on Friday. The warning was in place between 12pm today until 7pm. The forecaster said the strong winds could bring potential disruption for transport and travel. Northern Ireland Electricitys (NIE) power cut checker listed over 130 customers without access to electricity at its height. Just one customer now remains without power. The cuts were primarily centred in the east and south of the region but a number of power lines have also failed in the north west. The electricity provider was contacted for comment. The outages follow a yellow weather warning for wind from the Met Office (Photo: Getty Images) Walkthrough of the massive new Primark store at Ballymena A spokesman for the Met Office had previously advised some residents may face outages prior to their warning. They added that coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities would be affected by spray and/or large waves. The forecaster said: A spell of strong southeasterly winds will push from southwest to northeast across Northern Ireland through the afternoon, clearing the north coast this evening. "Winds will widely gust 45-55 mph, with gusts to 60 mph possible for exposed coasts of counties Down and Antrim, as well as over and to the lee of high ground elsewhere. As well as strong winds, a period of persistent rain will also affect all areas for a time, making for difficult travelling conditions. Met Eireann has said this weekend will see "unsettled" weather Parts of Northern Ireland are expected to face heavy rains on Sunday as the Met Office warn of disruptions. A yellow weather warning for rain has subsequently been issued across the region with Co Down expected to be hit the hardest. Due to the ground already being wet, the forecaster has also advised that floods could occur. Read more Majority of power outages restored after 60mph gusts swept across NI Met Eireann has said this weekend will see "unsettled" weather "We just want to be treated like everyone else" - Guide Dog owner appealing for cafes to be more accessible A spokesperson for the Met Office said: A band of rain will move northeast across Northern Ireland during Sunday daytime. Rainfall amounts will vary from place to place but, while most areas can expect to see 15-20 mm, a few places could see 25-30 mm falling within six hours, this most likely across parts of county Down and higher ground elsewhere. "Falling on already very wet ground, this could lead to some disruption to travel and normal activities. The PSNI have issued an appeal after a two-vehicle collision in Co Fermanagh. A passenger in her 20s was subsequently hospitalised due to serious injury. Officers received a report of the incident at approximately 4.40pm on Friday on the Crom Road, Lisnaskea. The woman was injured alongside two other people travelling in a Vauxhall Insignia that collided with a Renault Traffic van. Two men from the van were also taken to hospital for treatment. A police spokesperson said: Officers attended the scene along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Air Ambulance. The incident occurred on Friday Belfast History Explained: Who was Mary Ann McCracken? "The road, which was closed overnight, has since reopened to all traffic earlier this morning, Saturday 6th December. "Anyone with information or who may have dash-cam footage to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 989 05/12/25. A woman who died following a single-vehicle lorry collision has been named by police as Aileen Finch. The 54-year-old, from the Markethill area of Armagh, passed away from her injuries on Wednesday at Royal Victoria Hospital. The PSNI said they received a report of a collision involving a lorry and a pedestrian on the Gosford Road, Co Armagh at 10.20am. A spokesperson for the service said: Officers and colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended the scene and the woman was taken to hospital, where she remained in a critical condition. However, she has since sadly passed away. Our enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have digital footage which could assist with our investigation, to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 353 of 03/12/25. A funeral notice confirmed Ms Finch is survived by siblings Rodney, Hazel and Jefferey, in-laws Lorraine, Ronald and Lynda as well as niece and nephews Melissa, Gareth, Chloe, Cherith, Timothy, Kathryn, Lydia and Zoe. A service of thanksgiving will take place at Markethill Presbyterian Church on Sunday at 2.30pm. A Funeral Times notice added: Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, to Markethill Presbyterian Church and Faith Mission Camp Centre (cheques made payable to Hazel Conn) 75 Farlough Road, Portadown, BT62 1UJ Will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by the entire Family Circle. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska arrived at Dublin Airport on Monday (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA) Police are investigating the presence of drones over Ireland during Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit. Mr Zelensky gave a historic address to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas earlier this week and met with Government figures and President Catherine Connolly. Mr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska arrived in Dublin late on Monday night, with Irish broadcaster RTE reporting several unidentified drones were seen flying near Howth, over the Irish Sea, at around the time the Ukrainian president arrived at Dublin Airport. Gardai confirmed in a statement that a special detective unit was investigating the incident. As part of this, SDU will be liaising with the Defence Forces and international security partners, the statement said. The Russian ambassador to Ireland, Yuriy Filatov, said on Friday 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. Taoiseach Micheal Martin welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Government Buildings in Dublin (Liam McBurnery/PA) 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. Mr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ireland is one of the few European countries that understands the price of freedom as he praised the country for its support. Mr Zelensky received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber (Tony Maxwell/Maxwells/PA) In the first visit to Ireland by a Ukrainian president, Mr Zelensky and Mr Martin both drew parallels between Ukraines struggle for sovereignty and Irelands centuries-long fight for independence. Mr Zelensky said Irelands decision to back Ukraine in the early days of the war was a moral one and while some had grown fatigued with hearing about Ukraines war, he said Irelands voice had not become quieter. He said that while Ireland was neutral, it was certainly not an indifferent country and thanked every Irish home that has sheltered some of the 120,000 Ukrainians that arrived in the country since 2022. In the historic address to Irish parliamentarians, where he received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber, he urged Ireland to take an active role in calling for a tribunal for Russias aggression against Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer will welcome Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street on Monday (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Keir Starmer will meet Volodymyr Zelensky along with the French and German leaders in Downing Street on Monday as discussions on ending the war in Ukraine continue. The Prime Minister will use the meeting with Mr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to show the UKs support for Ukraine. They will also discuss the ongoing talks between US and Ukrainian officials aimed at finding an agreement on guaranteeing Ukraines post-war security. Almost two weeks ago the four men took part in a virtual meeting of the coalition of the willing convened by Sir Keir and Mr Macron to provide a European peacekeeping force that can be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. But peace still appears to be a distant prospect in Ukraine, where Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Friday night. Mr Zelensky said his countrys energy infrastructure was the main target for hundreds of Russian drones and around 50 missiles, with Ukrainian officials accusing Moscow of seeking to weaponise the cold by denying civilians access to heat and power. Meanwhile, US and Ukrainian officials are set to conduct a third day of talks in Florida as Donald Trumps administration pushes Kyiv to accept an American-backed peace plan. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already rejected some parts of the plan, with Ukraines territorial integrity and measures to deter future Russian attacks proving major sticking points for Moscow. Emmanuel Macron is expected to join the talks in Downing Street, along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Keir has repeatedly stressed that Ukraine must determine its own future, and said the coalition of the willings peacekeeping force would play a vital role in guaranteeing the countrys security. On Friday, both US and Ukrainian negotiators said real progress towards a deal depended on Russias readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace. In its new national security strategy, published overnight on Saturday, the White House said it was committed to Ukraines survival as a viable state. But the strategy also prioritised improving relations with Moscow, stating that ending the war is a core US interest to re-establish strategic stability with Russia. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Jeffrey Epstein in 2017 (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP) By Mike Schneider and Michael R Sisak, Associated Press By Mike Schneider and Michael R Sisak, Associated Press A federal judge has given the US Justice Department permission to release transcripts of a grand jury investigation into Jeffrey Epsteins abuse of under-age girls in Florida a case that ultimately ended without any federal charges being filed against the millionaire sex offender. US 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 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 that date back at least two decades. Jeffrey Epstein, centre, appearing in court in West Palm Beach, Florida, in July 2008 (Uma Sanghvi/The Palm Beach Post via AP) 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 sexualised massages. The FBI later joined the investigation. Federal prosecutors in Florida prepared an indictment in 2007, but Epsteins 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 programme 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 a decision that outraged Epsteins accusers. After the Miami Herald re-examined the unusual plea bargain in a series of stories in 2018, public outrage over Epsteins light sentence led to Mr Acostas resignation as Mr Trumps labour secretary. A Justice Department report in 2020 found that Mr 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 under-age 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. Ghislaine Maxwell in 2000 (PA) 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. 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 has not set a timetable for when it plans to start releasing information, but the law set a deadline of December 19. The law also allows the Justice Department to withhold files that it says could jeopardise an active federal investigation. Files can also be withheld if they are found to be classified or if they pertain to national defence or foreign policy. A judge had previously declined to release the grand jury records, citing the usual rules about grand jury secrecy, but District Judge Smith said the new federal law allowed public disclosure. 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. Tents sheltering displaced Palestinians stand amid the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Qatars prime minister has said the Gaza ceasefire has reached a critical moment as its first phase winds down, with the remains of just one Israeli hostage still held by militants in Gaza. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told an international conference in the Qatari capital that international mediators, led by the US, are working to force the way forward to the second phase to cement the deal. What we have just done is a pause, he told the Doha Forum. We cannot consider it yet a ceasefire. A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, there is stability back in Gaza, people can go in and out, which is not the case today, he said. Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) While the ceasefire halted the heavy fighting of the two-year war, Gaza health officials say that more than 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce took effect in October. In new violence, two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike northwest of Gaza City, Shifa Hospital said. Israels army said it was not aware of an airstrike in that location. However, it said that Israeli soldiers on Saturday killed three militants who crossed the yellow line into Israeli-controlled northern part of Gaza and posed an immediate threat. Since the ceasefire, the Israeli army says it has carried out a number of attacks on Palestinians crossing the ceasefire lines. The first phase of US President Donald Trumps 20-point peace plan took effect October 10. The fighting stopped and dozens of hostages held in Gaza were exchanged for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prison. Israel sent a delegation last week to Egypt for talks on returning the remains of the last hostage. The next phase, which includes the deployment of an international security force in Gaza, formation of a new technocratic government for the territory, disarmament of Hamas and an eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, has not yet begun. Arab and Western officials told The Associated Press on Friday that an international body overseeing the ceasefire, to be led by Mr Trump himself, is expected to be appointed by the end of the year. In the long term, the plan also calls for a possible pathway to Palestinian independence. Sheikh Mohammed said that even the upcoming phase should be temporary and that peace in the region could only take place with the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state something that is opposed by Israels hardline government. If we are just resolving what happened in Gaza, the catastrophe that happened in the last two years, its not enough, he said. There is a root for this conflict. And this conflict is not only about Gaza. He added: Its about Gaza. Its about the West Bank. Its about the rights of the Palestinians for their state. We are hoping that we can work together with the US administration to achieve this vision at the end of the day. Turkeys foreign minister Hakan Fidan said there is a big question over the formation of an international security force for Gaza. Speaking at the same conference, he said it is unclear which countries will be joining the force, what the command structure would look like and what its first mission will be. Turkey is one of the guarantors of the ceasefire, but Israel, which has rocky relations with the Ankara government, has rejected any Turkish participation in the force. Thousands of details, questions are in place, Mr Fidan said. I think once we deploy ISF, the rest will come. A memorial site at the spot where Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza, was killed in Kibbutz Alumim in Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Syrias interim president has accused Israel of fighting ghosts and searching for enemies following the war in Gaza. President Ahmad al-Sharaa told the international conference that since he took power a year ago, he has been sending positive messages regarding regional peace and stability. He said Israel has rejected his overtures, extrapolating its conflict with Hamas militants and justifying what he called aggression in the name of security. He promised Syria would not behave in that way. We are not concerned in being a country that exports conflict, including to Israel, he told the Doha Forum. Mr al-Sharaa, who was once detained by the US for joining al Qaida in Iraq, urged Israel to withdraw its forces from his country and to recommit to a 1974 truce agreement. He called on the international community to put pressure on Israel and expressed hope a formula could be reached to meet reasonable security demands. There are currently negotiations, and the United States is participating and engaged in those negotiations, he said. Since the fall of former Syrian president Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israel has held a slice of southern Syria that was previously a UN-patrolled buffer zone under a 1974 disengagement agreement. Israel says it seized the 400-square-kilometre (155-square-mile) demilitarised buffer zone in southern Syria in a pre-emptive move to prevent militants from moving into the area after Islamist insurgents toppled Mr Assad. Donald Trump shakes hands with Syrias President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House in November (Syrian Presidency press office via AP) Israeli troops have regularly carried out operations in villages and towns inside and outside the zone, including raids snatching people it says are suspected militants. At least 13 people were killed in an Israeli operation against suspected militants last month. Earlier this month, Mr Trump said he was satisfied with Mr al-Sharaas performance, and urged Israel not to interfere in Syrias affairs. The war erupted on October 7 2023, when Hamas-led militants entered Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 people hostage. Israel responded with an offensive that has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but says that nearly half the dead have been women and children. The ministry is part of Gazas Hamas government and its numbers are considered reliable by the UN and other international bodies. Israel accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields. A day after an overwhelming international endorsement, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said its future role in Gaza is unclear. Throughout the war, Israel and the United States have sidelined UNRWA, accusing it co-operating with Hamas, a charge UNRWA denies. Tamara Alrifai, UNRWAs director of external relations and communications, said her agency continues to offer humanitarian and educational services in Gaza. But she said UNRWA has been excluded from US-led talks on the second phase of the ceasefire. Ms Alrifai said that UNRWA serves as the de facto public sector in Gaza. And with 12,000 employees, she said it will be nearly impossible for the international community to duplicate the agencys network of services. If you squeeze UNRWA out, what other agency can fill that void? she said on the sidelines of the Doha Forum in Qatar. The US, formerly the largest donor to UNRWA, halted funding to the agency in early 2024. On Friday, the UN General Assembly renewed UNRWAs mandate through 2029. But Ms Alrifai said the cash crisis continues. Votes are great. Cash is better, Ms Alrifai said. A Ukrainian FPV drone operator from the third assault brigade, pilots an FPV drone (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Russia has unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine, after US and Ukrainian officials said they will meet for a third day of talks. Russia used 653 drones and 51 missiles in the wide-reaching attack overnight into Saturday, which triggered air raid alerts across the country and came as Ukraine marked Armed Forces Day, the countrys air force said. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralised 585 drones and 30 missiles, the air force said, adding that 29 locations were struck. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said energy facilities were the main targets of the attacks, also noting a drone strike had burned down the train station in the city of Fastiv, in the Kyiv region. Mr Zelensky wrote on X: The attack was meaningless from a military point of view, and the Russians could not have been unaware of this. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content At least eight people were wounded in the attacks, Ukrainian minister of internal affairs Ihor Klymenko said. Among these, at least three people were injured in the Kyiv region. Drone sightings were reported as far west as Ukraines Lviv region. Russia carried out a massive missile-drone attack on power stations and other energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions, Ukraines national energy operator, Ukrenergo, wrote on Telegram. Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost all off-site power, the International Atomic Energy Agency said, citing its director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi. The plant is in an area under Russian control since early in Moscows invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shut-down reactors and spent fuel to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents. Russias Ministry of Defence said its air defences had shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight. Russian Telegram news channel Astra said Ukraine struck Russias Ryazan Oil Refinery, sharing footage appearing to show a fire breaking out and plumes of smoke rising above the refinery. The Associated Press could not independently verify the video. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces later said Ukrainian forces had struck the refinery. Ryazan regional governor Pavel Malkov said a residential building had been damaged in a drone attack and that drone debris had fallen on the grounds of an industrial facility, but did not mention the refinery. Months of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries have aimed to deprive Moscow of the oil export revenue it needs to pursue the war. Meanwhile, Kyiv and its western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call weaponising the cold. US special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre, and Jared Kushner, right, attending talks in Moscow earlier in December (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) The latest round of attacks came as US President Donald Trumps advisers and Ukrainian officials said they will meet in Florida for a third day of talks on Saturday, after making progress on finding agreement on a security framework for post-war Ukraine. Following Fridays talks, 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 US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Mr 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 Mr Trump pushes Kyiv and Moscow to agree to a US-mediated proposal to end nearly four years of war. A fire that drew firefighters from more than a dozen communities and leveled the Wagon Wheel Inn on Friday does not appear suspicious, though investigators are still working to determine its cause. Alice was a wonderful human being, said Jim Youngerman, the exhibit's curator and an old friend. She was very free and open and fun and lyrical. Those traits, he said, shone through her art. Stewart Edelstein, a Stockbridge resident, is author of several books, including The Covid-19 Zeitgeist: Fifty Essays, and An Alphabetical Romp Through the Flora of Berkshire Botanical Garden from Agave to Zinnia. Adams police are using body-worn cameras after years in storage It didnt take long for acting police Chief Timothy Sorrell to implement a policy for body-worn cameras. Sorrell was named acting chief Oct. 2, following the announcement that Police Chief K. Scott Kelley was placed on paid administrative leave for an undisclosed reason. With its official implementation of body cameras last month, the Adams Police Department is the latest Berkshire force to adopt this modern method of public safety transparency. Weve welcomed such policies in other police precincts throughout the county over the last few years, and its good to see another department welcoming greater accountability. These modern tools not only expose misconduct but exonerate proper policing, protecting civilians and officers alike in the high-risk situations we entrust police to handle. In Adams, for instance, it will be mandatory for police to record during certain activities like traffic and pedestrian stops, calls for service, detainee transport, arrests and uses of force. The cameras constantly record video but also record audio when activated; officers can manually activate the cameras, though they are automatically activated when an officers firearm leaves its holster. Further, as many police officials who have embraced bodycams have pointed out, the footage obtained is not only good for getting to the truth of disputed conduct but training future officers in how to properly handle those situations. Adams PD is a welcome addition to the ranks of municipal police departments utilizing these tools for greater transparency, although its unfortunate the department didnt deploy them sooner. Apparently, they were sitting in storage for two years before acting Police Chief Timothy Sorrell took over in early October and quickly prioritized putting the body cameras to use. We salute acting Chief Sorrell for that initiative, though were sure others share our curiosity as to why the cameras were collecting dust for a couple years under Police Chief K. Scott Kelleys watch. (The Adams Select Board placed Chief Kelley on paid administrative leave for an undisclosed reason on Sept. 8 and tapped acting Chief Sorrell on Oct. 2.) That curiosity is compounded by the fact that it wasnt just Adams taxpayers footing the bill for their police departments new tech. In late 2023, 52 Massachusetts municipalities received about $3.6 million in state grant funding for police body cameras. That list included four Berkshire communities among them Adams, which received $110,464. Its a fine goal for the commonwealth to try improve modern community policing. The key question is whether Massachusetts taxpayers money is actually going toward that goal. At least in Adams, it wasnt until acting Chief Sorrell, to his credit, quickly got with the program last month. That raises some other questions. Was the state aware that, at least for a couple years, its grant essentially went toward very expensive paperweights in Adams? And are there any other municipalities that received state grant funding earmarked for bodycams but had nothing to show for it? These questions go to the heart of transparency and accountability in community policing and governance ironically, the same issues this 21st-century tech is meant to address. Still, Adams Polices adoption of officer-worn body cameras better late than never is a welcome step toward upholding those principles. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney has spoken out following the backlash to an American Eagle jeans advert she starred in and said her silence has widened the divide. The US film star, 28, came under scrutiny following the launch of a Great Jeans advert that sparked a debate over race because of the use of jeans as a play on genes. Some critics saw the wordplay as a nod to eugenics, the discredited theory that humans could be improved through selective breeding, but American Eagle has said the advert refers only to the companys denim jeans. Sweeney told US publication People: I was honestly surprised by the reaction. Sydney Sweeney spoke to People magazine about the furore (Doug Peters/PA) I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand. I dont support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Advertisement Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just arent true. Anyone who knows me knows that Im always trying to bring people together. Im against hate and divisiveness. She continued: In the past my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press but recently I have come to realise that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it. So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us. In the advert, from July, Sweeney said: Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue. In November, Sweeney faced further backlash following an interview with magazine GQ when she was asked if she wanted to respond to the criticism and said: I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear. She added: I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. Im literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life. Sweeney also said it felt surreal to have US President Donald Trump react to the advert. In August, American Eagle said in an Instagram post: Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. Well continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans looks good on everyone. Sweeney, who rose to fame in HBO hit teen drama Euphoria, is currently promoting her upcoming film The Housemaid, adapted from Freida McFaddens 2022 bestselling novel, and also starring Mamma Mia! actress Amanda Seyfried. The Special Criminal Court has warned a man that he could be imprisoned if he refuses to give evidence or answer questions regarding his allegation that he was beaten, waterboarded, threatened with rape and had the word 'Rat' branded on his face and body in a shed at the back of a Dublin home. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding at the three-judge, non-jury court, warned Barry Moore (34) on Saturday of the potential consequences for failing to cooperate in a criminal trial. Mr Moore, appearing via videolink, said he understands that he could go to prison, but he will not give evidence or answer questions. The court also heard on Saturday that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) believes that all the evidence in the case "points exclusively in favour of supporting the account [of the assault] given by Mr Moore" and will leave the court with "no reasonable doubt" as to the guilt of the four accused. Advertisement Mr Moore was arrested on Thursday of this week on foot of a bench warrant after he previously failed to turn up for the trial of four men accused of assaulting and falsely imprisoning him. The DPP is asking the court to rule that statements Mr Moore made to gardai after the alleged assault should be admitted as evidence into the trial, without the alleged injured party taking the stand. Lawyers for the accused are expected to argue that Mr Moore's statements should be ruled inadmissible because he is not making himself available for cross-examination. Earlier on Saturday, Carol Doherty BL, representing Mr Moore, told the court that her client has been held in isolation in custody for two evenings since his arrest. While Ms Doherty said there is no excuse offered for his failure to attend, the "horrors visited on this man" were now understood and there is a concern that his incarceration is causing a secondary traumatisation. Mr Moore, she said, has had "serious mental health concerns" in the past two weeks. She asked the court to consider holding Mr Moore in protective custody, rather than being incarcerated. Ms Justice O'Connor asked Garnet Orange SC, for the DPP, to explore the possibility of holding Mr Moore in protective custody. Mr Orange told the court that protective custody requires planning and it is "simply not possible to do at this stage". He said the current situation with Mr Moore was not anticipated by gardai or the prosecution. Judge Sarah Berkeley said she was surprised the State had not anticipated the matter, while Ms Justice O'Connor pointed out that there had already been issues with Mr Moore's failure to attend court. "There was some indication there might be some difficulty. It's not something that has just arisen," she said. Advertisement Ms Justice O'Connor asked that the State "continue to review this matter" as she adjourned the trial until Monday morning. Mr Orange previously told the court that in applying to have Mr Moore's statements admitted as evidence, he intends to call supporting evidence that he says will leave the court in doubt as to the guilt of the accused. He said the court will see photographs of Mr Moore's injuries and will hear medical evidence in respect of those. The State will also rely on CCTV footage to show the movements of various people and vehicles at the critical time. There will also be evidence of blood stains at the location of the alleged assault and other materials consistent with Mr Moore's account, including a "cattle brand'. The court will also be asked to draw inferences from the accused's alleged failure to answer certain questions. In his opening speech on Friday, Mr Orange said the State alleges that brothers Jason Hennessy Jr (28) and Brandon Hennessy (22), as well as Kenneth Fitzsimons (45) and his son Dean Fitzsimons (25) assaulted Mr Moore in a shed at the back of Jason Hennessy Jr's home on Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown. During the alleged assault, counsel said the group accused Mr Moore of giving information to people with whom the accused were "not friendly". He said they used a 'branding' object with the letters RAT on it, which they heated on a gas stove before using it to brand Mr Moore's face and body. Det Gda Stuart Gleeson told the trial that he interviewed Mr Moore the day after the alleged assault. He noted various injuries on Mr Moore's body, including the word 'RAT' burned into both sides of his face, forehead, stomach and back. Advertisement Det Gda Gleeson read out Mr Moore's statement in which he alleged that each of the accused had assaulted him for more than one hour in a shed at the back of Jason Hennessy Jnr's home. Jason Hennessy Jr and Brandon Hennessy, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, along with Kenneth Fitzsimons and Dean Fitzsimons, of Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15 are charged with false imprisonment, intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm, and with participating in or contributing to the activity of a criminal organisation by assaulting Mr Moore, causing him serious harm. Ireland Alleged victim in 'branding stamp' trial fails to appear in court for second time Read more The offences are alleged to have happened on February 12th, 2025, at a house on Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown in Dublin 15. They have each pleaded not guilty to all charges. Devon Hennessy, of Edgewood Lawns, Corduff, Dublin 15 has previously pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning and assaulting Mr Moore for the purpose of enhancing the activities of a criminal gang. He is not part of the current trial. The trial is being heard by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, Her Honour Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Fiona Lydon. 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. Advertisement 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. A heartbroken family have thanked the emergency services after a farmer who fell through a shed roof while working on his own farm on Tuesday died in Cork University Hospital (CUH) on Wednesday evening. The farmer, who has been named locally as Eamon Sheehan (58) from Athlacca in Co Limerick, has been remembered as a loyal community member, great farmer, and devout family man. Locals said Eamon was a gentleman and served on the Board of Management of the local Primary school in Athlacca. Athlacca NS described him as "a true gentleman, and we thought highly of him in school as a parent and as a treasured member of our Board of Management. In a statement his family said they would like to say thank you to all of their neighbours, 'First Responders', Air Ambulance service, Paramedics, gardai, Fire service and all who attended to Eamonn. Advertisement Gardai said 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. 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. Mr Sheehan will repose in Hawe-OKeeffes Funeral Home in Charleville (P56YY15) on Saturday (December 6th) 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. The Health and Safety Authority (HAS) recently revealed that Over 40 per cent of workplace fatalities in Ireland occur on farms. There has been an average of 14 fatal incidents per year on Irish farms over the last five years (2020-2024). This year, there have been 17 confirmed farm fatalities, more than in the whole of 2024. Former Fine Gael minister and MEP Paddy Cooney has died at the age of 98. Mr Cooney served as a government minister in the cabinets of Liam Cosgrave and Garret FitzGerald, the Irish Times reported. In addition to justice minister, he also held the positions of minister for defence, education, transport and posts and telegraphs. He was a TD for the Longford-Westmeath constituency in the 1970s and between 1981 and 1989. Mr Cooney was also a senator from 1977 to 1981. He was an MEP for the Leinster constituency from 1989 to 1994. In a statement on social media, Tanaiste Simon Harris said that he was "deeply saddened" to hear of his passing, describing him as a man of "tremendous integrity". World Celebrated architect Frank Gehry dies aged 96 Read more He said that he was "someone who possessed a genuine passion for politics and working to improve the lives of his constituents of Longford-Westmeath". "He will be remembered not only for his contributions to public life, but for his courtesy, his decency and the respect he showed to all who worked with him. "On behalf of Fine Gael, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to Paddys family, in particular sons Mark, Michael, Edward and daughter Catherine, as well as his wide circle of friends. "Ar dheis De go raibh a anam." Gardai are investigating the presence of drones over Ireland during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit. Mr Zelensky gave a historic address to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas earlier this week and met with Government figures and President Catherine Connolly. Mr Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, arrived in Dublin late on Monday night, with RTE reporting several unidentified drones were seen flying near Howth, over the Irish Sea, at around the time the Ukrainian president arrived at Dublin Airport. Gardai confirmed in a statement that a special detective unit was investigating the incident. As part of this, SDU will be liaising with the Defence Forces and international security partners, the statement said. The Russian ambassador to Ireland, Yuriy Filatov, said on Friday 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. Advertisement 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. Taoiseach Micheal Martin welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Government Buildings in Dublin (Liam McBurnery/PA) 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. Mr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ireland is one of the few European countries that understands the price of freedom as he praised the country for its support. Mr Zelensky received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber (Tony Maxwell/Maxwells/PA) In the first visit to Ireland by a Ukrainian president, Mr Zelensky and Mr Martin both drew parallels between Ukraines struggle for sovereignty and Irelands centuries-long fight for independence. Mr Zelensky said Irelands decision to back Ukraine in the early days of the war was a moral one and while some had grown fatigued with hearing about Ukraines war, he said Irelands voice had not become quieter. He said that while Ireland was neutral, it was certainly not an indifferent country and thanked every Irish home that has sheltered some of the 120,000 Ukrainians that arrived in the country since 2022. In the historic address to parliamentarians, where he received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber, he urged Ireland to take an active role in calling for a tribunal for Russias aggression against Ukraine. The HSE is to conduct an independent external review into the case of a couple who terminated their pregnancy in 2019 after they were mistakenly told that their unborn baby had a fatal foetal abnormality. HSE CEO Bernard Gloster today confirmed that he had recently met with Rebecca Price and Pat Kiely and provided them with a full apology on behalf of the health service following the loss of their baby Christopher in 2019. In a statement, he said that the Dublin couple had suffered a devastating loss. While nobody can undo the harm the Kielys have suffered, it is my strong view, and that of the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, whom they have also recently met, that they deserve at least to have this documented and unequivocal apology on behalf of the health service. Advertisement I have also updated them of my intention to commence an independent external review of their case to understand fully what happened in relation to the care provided to them and ensure learning across our services. "I am currently in the process of finalising the details in relation to this review, including identifying an appropriate person to lead it and will ensure they will have the appropriate expertise available to them to undertake this work. I have advised the team at the National Maternity Hospital of this decision and sought their participation. I recognise that no words or actions can undo the loss suffered by Rebecca and Pat, but I hope the establishment of an independent review will allow us to understand what went wrong in relation to their care and learn from it. Ms Price and Mr Kiely previously said that they were overjoyed to discover on Christmas Eve 2018 that they were going to become parents. Rebecca, who was then 35 years old, had a completely normal ultrasound scan in February 2019 at the Merrion Fetal Health Clinical. She was advised a week later that a non-invasive prenatal test, known as a Harmony test, had been positive for Trisomy 18. Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome, is a rare chromosomal condition which impacts on how long a baby may survive, with most dying before or shortly after birth. Ms Price went for a second ultrasound scan, which was completely normal. She was then advised by the clinic to undergo Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS). Advertisement Her samples were sent to a Glasgow laboratory for testing. She was advised that a rapid result from the testing revealed Trisomy 18 had been detected. Ireland HSE urging people working with poultry or pigs to get the flu vaccine Read more During a consultation on March 11th 2019, the then 35-year-old was wrongly advised by her consultant on matters including the non-viability of her pregnancy and that her baby had a fatal foetal abnormality. She followed the advice from her consultant Professor Fionnuala McAuliffe to terminate her pregnancy. The termination occurred three days later at the National Maternity Hospital. The results of a full cell culture test subsequently showed that the baby did not have Edwards Syndrome. In 2021, Ms Price and Mr Kiely called for a public inquiry to be carried out into their case. This followed their settling of a High Court case against the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, five consultants in the Merrion Fetal Clinic and a laboratory in Glasgow. After they received a settlement, the couple issued a statement in which they said that nothing will ever take away the interminable sadness and grief they live with every day. Pilotless commercial aircraft, flooding hitting Ireland hard, and multiple countries adopting a four-day working week are some of the predictions set out in Old Moore's Almanac for 2026. Old Moores Almanac has been making predictions since 1764, and the in-house psychic has predicted that 2026 will see the aviation industry introducing the first pilotless cargo flights on major commercial routes. The technology demonstration will apparently trigger intense debate about aviations future, and regulatory bodies will face pressure to establish new frameworks for autonomous flight. Old Moore's Almanac also predicts that Ireland will experience its worst flooding in decades in 2026, with multiple weather events overwhelming coastal defenses and river systems. There will be significant property damage, with many homes affected. Another 2026 prediction is that multiple locations will consider a four-day work week. Advertisement Early data will show productivity remaining stable or improving. The policy will spark intense political debate in other nations considering similar measures. 2026 will see the end of traditional banking, according to the Almanac. The traditional banking system will face an existential crisis as cryptocurrency, decentralised finance (DeFi), and alternative financial technologies reach a tipping point. Millions of people will move their assets out of conventional banks, choosing instead to become financially sovereign through digital wallets and blockchain-based platforms. There will be an unexpected pregnancy announcement from an unanticipated member of a royal family, creating a media sensation. The announcement will spark renewed interest in royal traditions and generate virality. Royal watchers will dissect every detail, while the event will provide a welcome distraction during a challenging news cycle, the Almanac predicts. Other predictions from Old Moore's Almanac include: Secretary of State Hilary Benn has been accused of burying his head in the sand over an Irish border poll. Sinn Fein MP Daire Hughes was responding after Mr Benn said a poll for a united Ireland is a long way off. Speaking on the Stormont Sources podcast this week, Mr Benn said he has just one document in his possession which relates to a border poll, and that is the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Its a long way off because no one who is calling for a border poll can actually argue that that condition is currently met in Northern Ireland. Secretary of State @hilarybennmp sets out the criterion for a border poll and why it is not currently being met.@dmcbfs | pic.twitter.com/q80p2GT68I Stormont Sources (@StormontSources) December 4, 2025 The landmark peace deal agreed in 1998 says that it is for the secretary of state to call a border poll if at any time it appears likely that a majority of those voting would vote for constitutional change. Those who drafted the Good Friday Agreement weighed every single word with enormous care, he said. Advertisement When people say there must be a border poll by a certain date my response is, that is not consistent with the Good Friday Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement doesnt say it must be held by x date or y date, it is the secretary of states judgment of what the likely outcome is. If and when and as that moment arrives and I am of the view that its a long way off because no-one who is calling for a border poll can actually argue that that condition is currently met in Northern Ireland. There is nothing one can point to that says a majority of people in Northern Ireland are in favour of constitutional change, which is why I and others have said that is certainly some years off. 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. For now, there is so much to be getting on with to make Northern Ireland the best place for the people of Northern Ireland. In a statement on Friday Mr Hughes said: While Hilary Benn may wish to bury his head in the sand, the reality is a live and energetic debate is under way on a new and united Ireland. More than ever, wide sections of society across the island are engaged in an exciting conversation about what a stronger and fairer Ireland could look like. A responsible British government would begin working with the Irish government to plan and prepare for future constitutional change. A senator is calling for an emergency Defence and National Security Committee meeting, after a number of drones were spotted in the air during the Ukrainian President's arrival in Dublin. Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell said the committee is not taken seriously, and the incident has caused national embarrassment. The drones were physically seen by the Irish Navy, as Ireland does not have the proper radar to detect them. Mr Craughwell said that the lack of investment in defence is making Ireland Europe's weak spot. Speaking on Newstalk, he said: "We are the open back door of Europe. We talk about the massive increase in defence spending. Our defence spending is 1.49 billion, which is about 0.23 per cent of GDP. Most states in Europe are now spending between 3 and 5 per cent of GDP. "If we cannot defend our people, if we cannot stand as a proud, independent, sovereign state in Europe, what exactly are we?" Gardai are investigating the presence of drones over Ireland during Zelenskys visit, where he gave a historic address to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas and met with Government figures and President Catherine Connolly. Russia has unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine, after US and Ukrainian officials said they will meet for a third day of talks. Russia used 653 drones and 51 missiles in the wide-reaching attack overnight into Saturday, which triggered air raid alerts across the country and came as Ukraine marked Armed Forces Day, the countrys air force said. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralised 585 drones and 30 missiles, the air force said, adding that 29 locations were struck. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said energy facilities were the main targets of the attacks, also noting a drone strike had burned down the train station in the city of Fastiv, in the Kyiv region. Mr Zelensky wrote on X: The attack was meaningless from a military point of view, and the Russians could not have been unaware of this. In many regions, recovery efforts are now underway following last nights Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure. Unfortunately, there is some destruction. A drone strike burned down the main railway station building in Fastiv. The attack was meaningless from a military point pic.twitter.com/pSvMOaPtA5 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 6, 2025 At least eight people were wounded in the attacks, Ukrainian minister of internal affairs Ihor Klymenko said. Among these, at least three people were injured in the Kyiv region. Drone sightings were reported as far west as Ukraines Lviv region. Advertisement Russia carried out a massive missile-drone attack on power stations and other energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions, Ukraines national energy operator, Ukrenergo, wrote on Telegram. Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost all off-site power, the International Atomic Energy Agency said, citing its director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi. The plant is in an area under Russian control since early in Moscows invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shut-down reactors and spent fuel to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents. Russias Ministry of Defence said its air defences had shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight. Russian Telegram news channel Astra said Ukraine struck Russias Ryazan Oil Refinery, sharing footage appearing to show a fire breaking out and plumes of smoke rising above the refinery. The Associated Press could not independently verify the video. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces later said Ukrainian forces had struck the refinery. Ryazan regional governor Pavel Malkov said a residential building had been damaged in a drone attack and that drone debris had fallen on the grounds of an industrial facility, but did not mention the refinery. Months of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries have aimed to deprive Moscow of the oil export revenue it needs to pursue the war. Advertisement Meanwhile, Kyiv and its western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call weaponising the cold. US special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre, and Jared Kushner, right, attending talks in Moscow earlier in December (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) The latest round of attacks came as US President Donald Trumps advisers and Ukrainian officials said they will meet in Florida for a third day of talks on Saturday, after making progress on finding agreement on a security framework for post-war Ukraine. Following Fridays talks, 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 US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Mr 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 Mr Trump pushes Kyiv and Moscow to agree to a US-mediated proposal to end nearly four years of war. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share 52 View all comments All you need to know about Melbournes new Metro Tunnel. See all stories . On Wednesday morning I set off to view the public art installed in Melbournes new Metro Tunnel with a great sense of anticipation and even old-fashioned civic pride. Having recently returned to Melbourne after six years of living in Hobart, where public transport is virtually non-existent and the debt-ridden Tasmanian government is about to splurge more than $1 billion on a stadium for the AFL, the thought of the Victorian government investing in trains, and embedding public art in the new rail project to boot, cheered me immensely. A bronze carrier pigeon by artist Fiona Hall at Anzac station. Paul Jeffers The six selected artists are an impressive and accomplished bunch, well worthy of the exercise. Three of them Maree Clarke, Raafat Ishak and Patricia Piccinini live and work in Melbourne, and what a terrific way to celebrate their practice. Public art, by virtue of its public-ness, is subject to fierce debate everyone gets to see it, and everyone has an opinion. Sometimes the opinions are vicious; Melbournes textbook case is Ron Robertson Swanns Vault (1980), which was lumbered with a regrettable nickname and banished from the City Square following a public outcry. Belatedly embraced by the city, the sculpture now sits on the forecourt of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. Related Series Metro Tunnel Metro Tunnel Its a brave artist who takes on a public art commission, and I imagine a particularly daunting task making public art for a train station. Theres so much visual and virtual noise to compete with: cavernous spaces, concourses, ticket barriers, timetables, escalators, elevators, toilets, platforms, advertising, fast-food joints. And while the audience is captive, its also distracted and harried. The Metro Tunnel adds another competitive layer much of the architecture is stunning, with a contemporary take on soaring vaulted ceilings, allusions to a golden era of train travel, giant sculptural lights evoking the industrial age, and a vibrant colour scheme of orange and yellow. Advertisement In judging the success of the related art, there are two questions to consider: is it any good, and how does it work in the architectural setting? The answer to the first is a resounding yes; the answer to the second needs qualification. Come Together by Abdul Abdullah at Arden station. Paul Jeffers Of all the works, Perth-born artist Abdul Abdullahs Come Together, on the facade of Arden station in North Melbourne, is the most resolved a seamless marriage of art and architecture. The stations minimal rectangular facade is punctured by a tunnel-like archway entrance that is repeated internally with a thrilling cascade of soaring brick arches like a whales ribcage. Related Article Metro Tunnel The potato chip and the crypt: Inside the Metro Tunnels designs Abdullahs work extends across the entire face of the building with a pixelated backdrop of a colonial painting, J.S. Calders View from Royal Park across West Melbourne Swamp (1860). Superimposed on this ethereal vision of early Melbourne is the outline of two giant hands reaching out to each other an image that immediately evokes Michelangelos famous fresco in the Sistine Chapel, The Creation of Adam. Abdullahs hands are far more prosaic, cartoonishly rendered in a thick white outline. Their power lies in their simplicity; in the act of one ordinary human hand reaching out to touch not a god, but another human hand. Its a tender, stirring image, with layers of meaning, and a counterpoint to an era of orchestrated rage, polarisation and extremism. Abdullahs simple gesture beckons compassion, reconciliation, peace. Parkville station is privy to one of Australias most successful artists, the delightfully weird Patricia Piccinini, best known for her soulful hybrid creatures, her cute Truck Babies and of course her Skywhales. Patricia Piccinninis colourful mosaic at Parkville station. Jason South Advertisement Here, Piccinini has riffed on her panel works of the early 2000s, vast grids of moulded plastic squares in shiny colours inspired by the metallic surfaces of cars. The Parkville station services the precincts hospitals and the University of Melbourne, and its the hospital visitors and patients that Piccinini particularly bore in mind when designing the work. She has chosen the uplifting palette of spring for her panels, creating a long expanse of greens, yellows and reds, which nicely pick up the yellows and orange of the surrounding architectural beams and lights. Unfortunately, one cant help notice that the work also collides with the gaudy colours and neon signs of the fast-food joints that run below it. Raafat Ishaks Future Wall Painting, a series of colour-backed glass murals at Anzac station, is more sympathetically located although smack in the middle of one of Ishaks murals is a huge, luridly bright advertising screen, a placement that feels most impolite. Part of Raafat Ishaks Future Wall Painting, located throughout Anzac station. Paul Jeffers Ishak is known for his graphic, hard-edged paintings that merge the abstract and figurative. He is a wonderful colourist, and his glass murals are a harmonious blend of seemingly sparring colours such as mustard, pink, blue, mint green and taupe. Here Ishaks dynamic, linear designs reflect the movement and connectivity of the rail network, as well as the surrounding environment across time, with references to Indigenous history, local flora and fauna and the contemporary buildings of St Kilda Road. Loading A small space near an elevator is reserved for the work of Sydney-born and Hobart-based artist Fiona Hall, who pays tribute to the Anzac legacy with her intricate botanical drawings etched on glass panels. Against a dark backdrop that oozes hints of blood red, Halls etchings highlight species that grow where Australians fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, such as the Flanders Poppy, Lone Pine and Gallipoli Rose, as well as symbolically Australian plants, such as the golden wattle and lemon-scented gum. Flanking the elevator shaft are bronze statues of two Victorian-bred carrier pigeons who bravely delivered critical messages through storms and heavy fire during World War II. Intricate botanical drawings by Fiona Hall at Anzac station. Paul Jeffers Advertisement I did wonder about the location of Halls work, down a gloomy end of the station, a little like an afterthought and easy to miss. Ishak was the first artist selected for Anzac station, and then a decision was made to also include Halls work because of its quality and reference to the Anzac legacy. Perhaps more could have been made of it. State Library station features artwork by Danie Mellor, based on historic photos of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung women. Wayne Taylor Queensland-born artist Danie Mellors Forever, towering photographic images of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung women and children on the facade of State Library station, reinstate Indigenous history in the most beautiful and evocative of ways. Created from photographs sourced from the library archive and Mellors own photographs of Wurundjeri Country, these powerful images are best viewed from inside the station, where they glow like stained glass. The work of Victorian First Nations artist Maree Clarke extends across the five new stations in the form of native animal prints made from coloured granite and embedded in the platforms floors. There are 35 large footprints in all, a wondrous array of patterns and shapes, of animals from the Kulin Nation, extinct and not, that the urban dweller may struggle to identify (I did). But that too is the point drawing attention to the deep history of these traditional lands on which we walk. Maree Clarkes large-scale footprints link all five stations. This one is in Parkville. Jason South Clarkes work is the only art in the Town Hall station. Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmers commission was abandoned after a series of challenges, including the pandemic. Loading Advertisement Advertisement EnvironmentConservationAnimals Farmers campaign against feral deer trapped in Victorias red tape Bianca Hall December 7, 2025 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Nestled among the soft green rolling hills of Gippslands dairy heartland, Marie and David Triggs cattle farm is lush with pasture after last years prolonged dry. But this fertile land has proved irresistible to feral deer, which follow the corridor created by the Bass River onto their property and have brought weeds including the highly toxic hemlock to the property. Cattle farmer David Trigg and deer removal specialist Emanuel Vlamis in the trap. Jason South Fallow deer have also trashed fences, destroyed pasture, eaten newly planted trees and competed with cattle for fodder. While classified as a pest elsewhere on the mainland, feral deer are classed as game species in Victoria. The states Environment Department says that deer numbers in Victoria are at such a level now that eradication is not possible. Advertisement But as the number of near-misses with vehicles and people increases, the disconnect between the protection of feral deer, and the problems posed by feral deer is growing. Victorias Environment Department says community concern about the impacts of deer which the Invasive Species Council estimated in 2023 could number 1 million is growing. A deer in the Grampians National Park. Alamy Stock Photo Victorian Deer Control Community Network executive officer Peter Jacobs said that, uncontrolled, deer could increase their population by 35 to 50 per cent a year. Were seeing farms being destroyed veggie farms, flower farms and the environment are being trampled and trashed, he said. We need proper control programs. Advertisement Feedback to the states deer strategy showed Victorians wanted more emphasis on managing these impacts and less on deer as a hunting resource. Despite this, Premier Jacinta Allan and Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos recently announced in an upbeat Instagram post deer hunting would be allowed in national parks in Victoria, unlocking 130,000 hectares, and driving more jobs and visitors into our regional communities, Allan said. David and Marie Trigg (pictured in their kitchen) are frustrated by the governments handling of the feral deer problem. Jason South A Victorian government spokesman said the state had allocated $27 million on deer management over the past four years, but did not respond when asked how much of this was for culls. Were taking action to safely control Victorias feral deer population and reduce the significant negative impacts they have on our wildlife and biodiversity, he said. Advertisement Deer hunters have an important role to play in curbing the devastating impact of wild deer on our environment. Private landholders can shoot deer without a permit on their own land, he said. But as Marie and David Trigg can attest, it is a different story for anyone wanting to trap deer. Back in Gippsland, the Triggs have spent years locking horns with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (DEECA) and the Office of the Conservation Regulator (OCR), fighting to have permanent traps installed on their land to catch deer. Their farm is home to about 100 breeding Angus cattle, and Marie fears the sounds of rifles being fired could spook her cattle and their calves. She also doesnt want strangers on her property while she has prize-winning Angus breeding and calving. Advertisement Related Article Animals Oh, deer: Why Victoria has rejected calls to stop protecting ferals Theyre tiny calves, the Angus I cannot have shooters on the property. I dont want shooters, she said. But letting deer roam is similarly unthinkable. Deer as cloven-toed animals could bring in foot and mouth disease, to which cattle are susceptible. They have also tracked hemlock seeds onto the couples farm another invasive pest, which is deadly to cattle. I see myself as a very proactive farmer, Marie said. I can see deer and keep being told they double every year. And from my 10 or 15 that I could see, I can think, my god, Im going to have 20 or 30. The couple and their friend, Skyline Management Systems executive director Emanuel Vlamis, have spent three years in a bureaucratic tussle with the Environment Department over the right to install large deer traps on the Triggs farm. Advertisement Vlamis and his colleague Peter Martin designed a large trap on the farm that included smart cameras and a satellite connection, and an automated trapping door system. Within the trap were hay, feed and water stations. Deer were protected from the elements inside the device. But securing a permit to operate the trap became a three-year battle. First they applied for a permit to trap the deer and release them elsewhere, which was denied. Then they applied for a permit to trap the deer and humanely destroy them. We had to jump through a heap of hoops, Vlamis says. We had to give them the design of the trap, all the configurations, all the surveillance that was used. From start to finish, getting the permit, took 18 months. Advertisement Related Article Road safety Race on to stop feral animal encroaching on Australian cities, trashing bushland The permit, however, allowed the couple to trap only 12 deer over a fixed time period. After the permit expired in August, 15 deer wandered into the trap, which is now open. They were forced to let them go. The Triggs and Vlamis believe although the government would not confirm for privacy reasons that theirs is the only trap to win approval to operate in Victoria. The frustrating thing is that I cant believe that they cant look ahead, Marie said. If theyre multiplying so rapidly, why cant we do more about it? While Vlamis and Martin have a commercial interest in the control of deer, their broader concern is for the rampant damage feral deer cause to agricultural land and the natural environment Advertisement When this masthead visited the Triggs farm, the signs of deer were clear, including fallow deer hair caught on the underside of fences, showing where they had squeezed underneath. The Triggs and Vlamis have since applied for another permit to trap deer, which was supposed to have been decided last month. Were in a stalemate because weve applied for six other permits, and theyve all come back rejected, and theyre in the peri-urban area too, Vlamis said. You cant just be waiting for six months for a permit. The government spokesman said trapping deer was permitted under specific conditions, but landowners must use deer traps in a way that minimises prolonged stress and injury to deer and native animals. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter. Advertisement EnvironmentWeatherBushfires Just heartbreak: At least a dozen homes lost in bushfires near Sydney Perry Duffin and Eryk Bagshaw Updated December 6, 2025 7:35pm ,first published December 6, 2025 10:21am 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 At least a dozen homes are feared lost to a raging bushfire that jumped a bay just north of Sydney, and even more may have been engulfed by a second blaze further up the coast, as Sydney sweltered through a 40-degree scorcher. Locals have recounted fast-moving flames, fear for their lives and the heartbreak of homes up in flames. Loading Fifty bushfires were burning across the state on Saturday, with one at Milsons Gully in the Upper Hunter still at emergency warning levels by the evening, as it burnt through 10,000 hectares of bushland. Just after 2pm on Saturday, the NSW Rural Fire Service also issued an emergency alert to urge residents of Koolewong, near Woy Woy, to flee as fire took hold in steep bushland. Advertisement Firefighters continued to hose down smouldering ruins into the evening on Saturday at Koolewong. Sitthixay Ditthavong The fire at Koolewong burning into the night over Brisbane Water. Sitthixay Ditthavong A house destroyed in the Koolewong fire on Saturday afternoon. TNV The fire was downgraded to watch and act at 6pm, after an afternoon of significant destruction. Earlier in the day, the blaze at Koolewongs Nimbin Road had moved quickly south behind Glenrock Parade towards Lara Street, lighting up homes overlooking Brisbane Water. Advertisement Footage obtained by the Herald shows the homes in flaming ruins just minutes later. Katie Greene moved to the area five years ago and said at least five neighbours had lost their homes, though hers was saved. A cool change brought brief rain around sunset at Koolewong. Sitthixay Ditthavong I dont actually know how many homes have gone but I can see at least five neighbours have lost their homes, she said. Its such a lovely local community, its just heartbreak. Advertisement Greene fled with her children before the fire reached their street. The blaze moved so fast, fanned by high winds. All Greene heard was a firetruck and, half an hour later, the flames were swallowing houses. The bush has been super dry, and it was so hot and so windy today and the firefighters amazing, amazing, she said. The temperature had climbed, at that same moment, to 40.3 degrees at Mangrove Mountain, the nearest weather station. It was even hotter in Sydneys west, with temperatures reaching almost 42 degrees at Badgerys Creek, Penrith Lakes and Richmond in what was tipped to be the citys hottest day in two years. Advertisement The states largest firefighting helicopter, the RFS Chinook, was deployed to slow the Koolewong fires front. Homes are destroyed in the Koolewong fire. NBN NEWS The Koolewong fire had been downgraded to watch and act by 6pm on Saturday. AAP/Dan Himbrechts Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front, the RFS warned Central Coast residents. Those fears were soon realised when, just after 4pm, the fire jumped the water and headed south, to Phegans Bay. Advertisement Residents there were urged to seek shelter as the RFS issued its most dire warnings Your life is at risk. It is too late to leave at 4.30pm. There are many elderly people living around Woy Woy, Greene added, who will be deeply affected by the toll of rebuilding. This is the most beautiful community I have ever lived in, it will be devastating for them, she said. We will band together for them. Central Coast councillor Jared Wright said 12 homes had reportedly been burnt down, a doubling of estimates of six earlier in the afternoon. Advertisement In times of crisis, the Central Coast community always bands together to support each other and I know that will occur in the hours, days and weeks ahead, he told the Herald. Tony Stellino was among those who lost his home. I went out there and had a look ... and ... it was on top of us, he told Nine News. We made it, were still here. We start again. Everythings gone now, memories, everything, all our clothes, all our possessions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who bought a property in Copacabana a nearby suburb on the Central Coast in 2024, said he was thinking of all those across NSW affected by the fires. Advertisement The Koolewong fire halted trains on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line. Angus Dalton Another home destroyed in the Koolewong fire. TNV Please look out for each other and follow advice from authorities, he said in a statement. Thank you to all our emergency services and volunteers on the ground and in the air. On Saturday evening, an RFS spokesman said the service was yet to verify how many homes had been lost. Central Coast residents were bracing for the number of properties lost to climb, and an evacuation centre was established at Gosford RSL. Advertisement A second bushfire, on the Mid North Coast, is also believed to have destroyed at least one home near the town of Bulahdelah. That fire has burnt through more than 2800 hectares and is not yet under control. After the emergency alert for Koolewong, a second emergency warning was issued for a 10,000 hectare fire in the Upper Hunter, near Milsons Gully. Crews attend the Koolewong fire. TNV Advertisement The fire was bearing south, towards Bylong Valley Way, and affecting homes and properties in the areas of Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee, the RFS said in its warning. The fire will continue pushing in a south-south-west direction, but an approaching storm will bring erratic winds and could see the fire burn in multiple directions, the organisation said, before it was downgraded to watch and act level about 8pm. In Sydney, the temperature at Observatory Hill passed 33 degrees at 12.30pm, and approached 42 degrees in several suburbs across the citys west by the afternoon. The heat was forecast to rise to 39 degrees in the Sydney CBD, which would have been the citys hottest day since January 2024. Members of the Singh, Boparai and Hoju families at Penrith Beach. Sitthixay Ditthavong Advertisement Smoke from the fires drifted across Sydney and the Central Coast, blanketing the city in a light haze. Sydneysiders spend the hot Saturday afternoon at Cremorne Points Maccallum Seawater Pool. Oscar Colman People on the jetty at Clifton Gardens, in Sydneys north. Oscar Colman Pigs welcome a hose down from Calmsley Hill City Farm operations manager Ryan Pockran in Abbotsbury, near Fairfield, on Saturday. Sitthixay Ditthavong Raphael enjoys an ice-cream at Penrith Beach. Sitthixay Ditthavong Advertisement Rozema sisters Ava, 9, and Eli, 7, from Penrith, take advantage of the early opening at Penrith Beach yesterday. Sitthixay Ditthavong Related Article Climate crisis Heatwave conditions predicted for large parts of Australia Sydneysiders flocked to the water again on Saturday, including Penrith Beach, which opened a day ahead of schedule. The swimming spot, which is nicknamed Pondi, has had its hours extended, with new onsite amenities including more shade and outdoor showers, in preparation for its third summer operating. A sharp cool change is expected to push the mercury down to 26 degrees on Sunday. Advertisement Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Our fortnightly Environment newsletter brings you the news, the issues and the solutions. Sign up here. China's reforestation leads to habitat expansion for 73.6 pct of forest bird species: study Xinhua) 09:47, December 06, 2025 An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 5, 2025 shows the autumn scenery of a forest park in Changxing County of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo by Tan Yunfeng/Xinhua) 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. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) A ferocious bushfire has destroyed 12 homes on the Central Coast as NSW endures extreme heat and more than 75 fires burn across the state. The Koolewong blaze, which tore downhill towards Woy Woy through the afternoon, forced residents to flee as flames swept along Nimbin Rd, Glenrock Pde, Lara St and Nimala Ave before spotting across Woy Woy Bay. Footage from the area showed multiple large homes on fire beside the train line and shoreline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An evacuation centre at Gosford RSL remains open, with about 60 people seeking shelter. Central Coast Councillor Jared Wright said the community was rallying around affected families, adding that in moments like this the region always bands together. Multiple homes have been lost in a fire burning at Koolewong on the NSW Central Coast. Picture: NBN News An emergency warning is in place as a bushfire tears through Koolewong on the NSW Central Coast today. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer More than 1500 firefighters and 300 vehicles were deployed statewide as temperatures soared, with Penrith climbing above 41C and extreme fire danger declared across the Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra and Central Coast. NSW Premier Chris Minns described it as a very challenging day for emergency crews and a devastating day for people who have lost their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He urged the public to closely follow official warnings. RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said lightning and a significant wind change expected between 2am and 5am Sunday would be monitored closely overnight. Residents in Koolewong, Glenrock Parade, Lara Street and Nimala Ave have been told to leave immediately if safe. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer Houses impacted by fire on Lara St, Koolewong. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer Mr Minns confirmed 12 homes had been damaged or destroyed in Koolewong and warned that figure may rise. Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington said firefighters had battled intense heat and strong winds, describing the fire threat as very difficult at this stage. About 250 firefighters, 50 trucks and nine aircraft continue to work across the Koolewong and Woy Woy Bay area. The Milsons Gully fire in the Goulburn River National Park remains at emergency level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents in Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee were earlier told it was too late to leave and to seek shelter immediately. Authorities warned that spot fires could ignite ahead of the main front and that major roads, including the Golden Highway, may close without notice. Houses have been destroyed by a bushfire in Koolewong on the NSW Central Coast. Picture: NBN News., Further north, the Bulahdelah fire has burned through more than 2800 hectares since Thursday, destroying up to four homes in the Crawford River area. Firefighters are relying heavily on heavy plant machinery and aircraft due to the steep and difficult terrain. Deputy Commissioner Millington said activity at the fire increased again as temperatures climbed in the afternoon. More than 75 fires are burning across NSW as hot and windy conditions hit the state. Picture: Supplied. Aerial waterbombing is underway as firefighters battle a blaze threatening homes in Koolewong Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer NSW RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said developing weather conditions, including lightning strikes, will be monitored overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were also concerned about the wind change that is expected to come through somewhere between 2am and 5am tomorrow, Mr Curtin said. That will create very challenging conditions for firefighters, and well need to monitor those conditions. And were asking members of the community in that area to monitor those conditions as well. Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington said temperatures and strong winds had been a challenge for firefighters. Its going to take several hours to get through this weather. We have warm temperatures, some strong winds on that fire, so it is very difficult at this stage, and there is a very big threat still in place, Mr Millington said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are asking people to heed the warnings, take advice from firefighters on the ground. WOY WOY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - Saturday, 06 December 2025 Houses along Brisbane Water Drive, Koolewong have been impacted by a bushfire on Lara St Koolewong on the NSW Central Coast. Aerial water bombing is now underway. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer Transport on the Central Coast and Newcastle line was heavily disrupted, but Woy Woy train services resumed at about 5.30pm, easing delays for stranded commuters. Earlier, replacement buses queued for hundreds of metres at Hornsby as staff handed out water in the 40C heat. Central Coast Council confirmed late Saturday afternoon that the fire damaged water infrastructure at the Koolewong Reservoir, though water supply to the community has not been impacted. There is currently no impact to community water supply and Council staff are working with emergency services to inspect the damage as soon as it is safe to do so, the council said. Up to 16 homes have been lost as bushfires continue across the NSW Central and Mid North Coasts Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer Temperatures across NSW soared on Saturday, with Penrith recording 41.7 degrees just before 3pm and Sydney Airport reaching 39.2 degrees at 12.30pm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme fire danger is forecast for much of the Hunter Valley, Greater Sydney, Illawarra and Central Coast regions. Were expecting things to heat up quickly now that the sun is up, Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Christie Johnson said on Saturday. This is the third day of hot temperatures for many areas, so we are seeing that heat building over a couple of days and often the third day is the most dangerous day for heatwave conditions due to the heat build up and the warm nights overnight not giving much relief from that heat. Millions of Australians are set to swelter as a heatwave smashes parts of the country. Picture: Windy.com Its really important for everybody to stay safe and stay cool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An extreme fire danger alert was issued for the Greater Sydney Region on Saturday. Extreme fire danger means that any fires that start today will be very hard to control and the RFS advises people in areas of extreme fire danger to action their bush fire survival plan, Ms Johnson said. A total fire ban was also put in place across the Greater Sydney Region, Central Ranges, North Western, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Greater Hunter, Upper Central West Plains, Northern Riverina, Lower West Central Plains and Eastern Riverina. People flocked to Bondi Beach to cool off on Friday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short Aussies have been urged to pull out the fans or air conditioner to keep cool as temperatures soar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell, the Bureau of Meteorology stated in a warning. Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre. Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home. Advertisement MoneyPlanning & budgetingChristmas Opinion One quick conversation could save your relationship this Christmas Victoria Devine Money columnist December 7, 2025 4:01am December 7, 2025 4:01am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Its true that the holiday season is a time of celebrating the end of another year with loved ones and eating your body weight in shortbread. For many people, its also a time of financial strain and relationship pressure. After all, its not a coincidence that lawyers have long referred to January as divorce month. December all too often proves the final straw for a relationship. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found the most common month for divorce filings is March, but its in January that people tend to get the ball rolling. Excess spending on Christmas presents can put relationships to the test during the holidays. Rhett Wyman In 2024, law firm Slater and Gordon researched the main reasons for divorce in the UK and among the most common reasons right after adultery and falling out of love were lack of communication and financial issues. Both issues can crop up in a relationship at any time, but they can quickly go into overdrive and become a major problem when external factors test you factors like the month of December. Youre busy with school and social events, buying presents, travelling or having visitors and trying to get everything done at work before wrapping up for the year. Advertisement With so much already on our plates, its understandable that communicating effectively and managing the household budget can quickly fall by the wayside. Yet keeping those things in check is one of the best Christmas presents you can give yourself and your partner. If youre feeling stressed about the weeks ahead and are keen to avoid pushing your relationship to breaking point, you absolutely need to have a proactive conversation. Sure, this is not something most of us look forward to, but it doesnt have to end in an argument, either. Going into the conversation, consider how you could do things differently this year to avoid history repeating itself. The prime consideration before you sit down to talk is to spend some time on your own. Think clearly about what is making you feel stressed, anxious or uneasy, then imagine potential remedies. Once you know what the specific stressors are, addressing them and making your partner aware of them becomes that little bit easier. And importantly, it stops the conversation from turning into a blame game, instead framing a discussion with room for negotiation to come up with a joint plan to benefit both. Advertisement The next step is one that every couple should follow when they need to discuss money, and I cannot stress this point enough: set a time to have the conversation. Editor's pick Opinion Gender pay gap Working parents are in an impossible position. But what can we do? Victoria Devine Money columnist There is nothing worse than coming home from a long day at work and being met with a serious chat where big feelings were involved that you didnt know that it was coming. You dont have to make it a romantic, candle-lit affair (youre certainly welcome to if that floats your boat), but you do need a heads-up. With that, you can both think about what you want to say and prepare yourself emotionally (see above). Without that, the chance of it turning into an argument becomes pretty high. And not only will that make you both unhappy, it will also leave the issue unresolved. When youre ready to have the conversation, its important to remember how youve prepared and talk about how youre feeling, but also the possible solutions. Advertisement Lets say, for example, that your major stress is how much youre going to spend on presents because in years past youve gone over budget, then spent months paying off your credit card or dipping into your emergency fund. Going into the conversation, consider how you could do things differently to avoid history repeating itself. Perhaps this looks like putting a spending cap on presents, or suggesting a Kris Kringle to cut down from many gifts to only one or two. Australians will spend an average of $560 on presents this year. iStock Maybe you set a maximum total amount for all presents and set that aside in a specific account to be used as a pool from which to withdraw. Another critical aspect to this initial conversation is to listen to the other person and their perspective. Sure, this sounds obvious, but many times Ive heard divorced people say their partner never understood the issues because they either didnt listen or didnt consider where they were coming from. Advertisement This initial conversation is also a great time to set some rules the dos and donts that will help ease your worries. This could look like: dont spend more than $500 on presents for the kids or dont spend more than $200 on a single item without checking in with each other first, but do look online to see if theres a cheaper version elsewhere to price-match. Editor's pick Opinion Jobs Do mingle, dont gossip: Six rules for your work Christmas party Tim Duggan Work columnist Another important agenda item for this initial conversation is organising check-ins. Couples usually have financial check-ins every month or quarter, but unintentional runaway spending most often happens when times are really busy and theres a lot going on. Thats why, in December, its worth having weekly check-ins to track your budget and also to see how youre both going. These check-ins dont have to be a grand affair and can take as little as 10 minutes, but having them in your diary from the outset will help with your anxiety. Importantly, theyre likely to keep you both that little bit more accountable. Finally, go into the conversation with an end goal. This should be something you mutually agree to work towards, and that the regular check-ins and dos and donts will help you work towards. Advertisement The end goal could be to not take on any debt this festive season. Perhaps its to spend within the agreed budget only, or it might even be more serious than that to get to the end of the year without incurring resentment or hurt. Whatever the goal, make sure you have one. Without one, not only are you putting yourself at risk of having a budget blow-out, but youre also putting yourself at risk of becoming a January statistic. Victoria Devine is an award-winning retired financial adviser, a bestselling author and host of Australias No.1 finance podcast, Shes on the Money. She is also founder and director of Zella Money. Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. Expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money delivered to your inbox every Sunday. Sign up for our Real Money newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Christmas Opinion Victoria Devine is an award-winning retired financial adviser, best-selling author, and host of Australias number one finance podcast, Shes on the Money. Victoria is also the founder and managing director of Zella Money. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Save this video for later Add videos to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it A historic South Yarra home, up for sale for the first time in its circa 145-year history, passed in at auction on Saturday after being listed with a price guide of $4.5 million to $4.95 million. The three-bedroom home at 57 Murphy Street has Victorian origins with a 1960s Georgian-style facade by architect Richard Berryman. Its reserve is within the quoted price range, said Woodards South Yarra real estate agent and auctioneer Luke Piccolo. The property was one of 1560 scheduled to go to auction in Melbourne this week. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 64 per cent from 1137 reported results throughout the week, while 144 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate. Piccolo worked hard to get the auction going, getting an opening bid of $4.2 million from a local man. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaArchitecture Frank Gehry, titan of architecture, dies aged 96 Nicolai Ouroussoff December 6, 2025 10:12am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 6 View all comments Frank Gehry, one of the most formidable and original talents in the history of American architecture, died on Friday at his home in Santa Monica, California. He was 96. Meaghan Lloyd, his chief of staff, confirmed the death, which followed a brief respiratory illness. Gehrys piece de resistance, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Santiago Lyon Gehrys greatest popular success, and the building he will be most remembered for, is the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Set in what had been a dying industrial city on the northern coast of Spain, this wildly exuberant, titanium-clad museum was an international sensation when it opened in 1997, helping to revive the city and making Gehry the most recognisable American architect since Frank Lloyd Wright. Its joyful appearance a composition of glittering, silvery forms that looked as if they had burst out of the ground seemed to signal the arrival of a new, emotionally charged architecture. Advertisement Gehry went on to create a host of other celebrated buildings many of them widely regarded as masterpieces that in their sculptural bravura and visceral power matched or even surpassed the baroque architecture of the 17th century. These included the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, with its cocoon-like interior, completed in 2003; New World Centre (2011), a concert hall in Miami stuffed with cylindrical rehearsal halls; and the Fondation Louis Vuitton (2014), a museum in Paris so ethereal that it looked as if it was made of blown glass. Gehry photographed in Sydney in 2010. Kate Geraghty But Gehry, who won the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1989, made his name long before then. He burst into the consciousness of the architectural world in 1978 with the completion of a Santa Monica, California, house that he designed and lived in for four decades a cheap, wood-frame Cape Cod bungalow that he ripped apart and enveloped in a new skin of plywood, corrugated metal and chain link. The crude, even violent collision of forms seemed to capture the political and generational rifts that had been straining American society, and the American family in particular, since the 1960s; it established Gehry as a force in architecture. Advertisement I was rebelling against everything, Gehry said in an interview with The New York Times in 2012, explaining his antipathy towards the dominant architectural movements of the time, as exemplified by the Farnsworth House on the Illinois prairie, a stark, flat, steel-and-glass modernist pavilion by Mies van der Rohe. I couldnt live in a house like that, he said. Id have to come home, clean up my clothes, hang them properly. I thought it was snotty and effete. It just didnt feel like it fit into life. The Gehry-designed Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at UTS Business School in Sydney. Fairfax Media For some, his work was more sculpture than architecture. Others saw it as emblematic of a global culture that reduced architecture to a form of branding. Gehry, whose name was recognised around the world, was sometimes derided as a star-chitect. But his works emotional ferocity could feel empowering, as if architecture had rediscovered a part of itself that had been lost after decades of dreary functionalism and postmodernist cliches. And the widespread focus on his buildings dazzling exteriors could distract from Gehrys deeper goals: to create an architecture that was not just affecting but democratic in spirit and evocative of the messiness of human life. Advertisement He was born Frank Owen Goldberg on February 28, 1929, in Toronto, to Irving and Sadie (Caplan) Goldberg. His father held a series of jobs, including managing a grocery store and selling pinball and slot machines. Frank and his sister, Doreen, lived with their parents in a two-family house clad in brick and tar-paper shingles (a material he would use in some of his designs). As a boy, he worked part-time in his maternal grandfathers hardware store, stocking the shelves with tools, screws and bolts an experience, he said, that spawned his love of everyday materials. The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, another Gehry masterpiece, opened in 2003. Getty Images Once a week, his maternal grandmother would come home from the market with a live carp, another formative experience, which would inspire the fish imagery that later appeared in his work. Wed put it in the bathtub, Gehry recalled, and Id play with this fish for a day until she killed it and made gefilte fish (a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish). Franks world abruptly fell apart in the mid-1940s, when his father, a heavy drinker, had a heart attack as the two were arguing on the front lawn, a memory that Gehry said haunted him for decades. His father never fully recovered. After a doctor warned that he would not survive another Toronto winter, the family moved to Los Angeles, renting a cramped $US50-a-month apartment in a run-down neighbourhood just west of downtown. Advertisement As an architect, Gehry was a late bloomer. After a brief stint in the army, he married Anita Snyder, who helped pay his way through the University of Southern California, where he initially studied ceramics. He shifted to architecture after a teacher introduced him to Raphael Soriano, a pillar of postwar modernism in Southern California. (It was around this time, too, that he adopted Gehry as his surname, a somewhat random choice inspired, he said, by the desire to avoid antisemitism.) Gehry spent several years toiling as a mid-level designer and project manager at Gruen Associates, a firm known for its shopping malls. After he opened his own office in 1962, much of his early work was for mainstream developers. He designed a sprawling headquarters for the Rouse Company in Columbia, Maryland, and two unremarkable department stores for Joseph Magnin in California. You go into architecture to make the world a better place. A better place to live, to work, whatever. You dont go into it as an ego trip. Frank Gehry, speaking in 2012 But he was an outsider by nature, and he began looking beyond the work of other architects for inspiration. Like many Angelenos, he was drawn to the laid-back, anything-goes atmosphere of the city, whose mix of garish mansions, flimsy bungalows, vacant lots, Googies coffee shops and colourful billboards was the antithesis of East Coast architectural academicism. And he became close to a generation of Los Angeles artists Robert Irwin, Billy Al Bengston, Ed Moses, Larry Bell whose surfboard-inspired aesthetic and raw work spaces suggested an alternative to the chilly austerity of late modernism and the reactionary tendencies of postmodernism. Advertisement The artists were living in industrial buildings and warehouses, Gehry said in the 2012 interview with the Times. They were constantly moving things around changing the rooms, building lofts or storage spaces. It was so free and unselfconscious. I wanted to do that. In the late 1960s, Gehry and his wife divorced, and in 1975, he married Berta Aguilera. She survives him, along with their two sons, Sam, an architectural designer, and Alejandro, an artist; a daughter, Brina Gehry, from his previous marriage; and his sister, Doreen Gehry Nelson. Another daughter from his first marriage, Leslie Gehry Brenner, died in 2008. Gehrys approach to his own Santa Monica home divided critics and his neighbours. wikipedia.org The Gehrys bought their Santa Monica house, a two-storey pink-stucco affair, in 1977. At Aguileras prodding, he began to tear it apart. The houses rough, unfinished appearance attracted the attention of architecture critics, even as it infuriated neighbours. But its tormented forms suggesting a world that had been ripped up and gently pieced back together had their own kind of beauty. And the use of crude, everyday materials was Gehrys assertion that the working-class aesthetic he had grown up with could be as appealing as anything found in the more refined corners of the city. Advertisement Decades later, he and Aguilera moved out of the little house that had first brought him fame and into a more luxurious spread overlooking Santa Monica Canyon. Designed with his son Sam, the new house was a sprawling, sometimes awkward composition of angled, heavy-timber posts and beams. Nonetheless, it retained some of the rough-and-tumble qualities of Gehrys earlier architecture, and its jostling forms reflected a lifelong quest for emotional and creative freedom. Gehry kept on working. An interior view of Gehrys Luma Foundation building in Arles, France. Getty Images In 2017, he completed the Pierre Boulez Hall in Berlin, designed in collaboration with conductor Daniel Barenboim: a compact, box-like space with a sunken floor and a floating elliptical balcony, contained inside an austere neoclassical building from the 1950s. And in 2021, the LUMA Foundation building in Arles, southern France, was finished; a twisting tower of stainless-steel bricks, it was inspired in part by the rocky terrain of the nearby Alpilles mountain range. Before his death, Gehry was completing several projects for luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault, including an 7618-square-metre flagship store for Louis Vuitton in Beverly Hills, and in Paris, the conversion of an abandoned 1960s building into an exhibition space and events hall down a block from Arnaults Fondation Louis Vuitton building, which he also designed. He was also putting the final touches on a 1000-seat concert hall for the Colburn School of Music, near his Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Advertisement Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Architecture USA Spain For subscribers Obituaries Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaImmunisation Trump orders review of childhood vaccines, calls US an outlier Lena H. Sun and David Ovalle December 6, 2025 3:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Atlanta: President Donald Trump on Friday (Saturday AEDT) ordered federal health officials to review the childhood immunisation schedule and consider recommending fewer shots to align with other developed countries. His directive came hours after an influential vaccine advisory panel voted to lift a long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive a vaccine for hepatitis B, marking the most significant change to the childhood immunisation schedule under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The advisers frequently cited countries with more targeted recommendations, and later heard a presentation from a Food and Drug Administration official touting the Danish vaccine schedule, which calls for fewer shots than American children receive. President Donald Trump said the US gave far more vaccines to children than was necessary. Bloomberg Critics of US vaccine policy often note that European countries recommend fewer shots for children, but public health experts counter that those countries are smaller and have better healthcare systems to test for and treat disease. Medical associations have argued that the US schedule has been thoroughly studied and have credited it for controlling once-rampant pathogens. Advertisement Trumps memorandum described the US as an outlier for recommending vaccinating children against 18 diseases and questioned the practice of giving children annual flu shots. It said changes to the schedule should preserve access to vaccines now available to Americans. Related Article Trump's White House US health agency website updated to include false claims about vaccines and autism In a Friday evening Truth Social post, Trump said the US recommends far more shots to children than necessary, echoing his past rhetoric that alarmed public health experts. In fact, it is ridiculous! he wrote. Many parents and scientists have been questioning the efficacy of this schedule, as have I! Asked for comment on Trumps announcement, the American Academy of Pediatrics pointed to a statement this week from Jose Romero, a pediatrician on its infectious diseases committee. Advertisement Children in the United States are at risk of different diseases than children in other countries, Romero said. We also have a completely different health system. The bottom line is vaccine recommendations in the United States are designed to help children resist serious illnesses so they can stay healthy, and our communities can stay healthy. Earlier on Friday, the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices approved the revisions to the hepatitis B vaccine guidance despite fierce objections from medical groups that said the recommendation had proved a successful public health strategy, nearly eradicating the dangerous virus among US children. The committee voted 8-3 to eliminate a 1991 recommendation that every child receive a first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth. The panel said the newborn shot is no longer necessary for babies born to mothers who test negative for the virus. They suggested that parents of those children delay the first dose for at least two months and consult their doctors about whether or when to begin administering the three-dose series. A fundamental change Supporters of the change said the universal recommendation, regardless of risk, was overly broad and undermined informed choice. Retsef Levi, an ACIP panellist who voted to change the language, said he believes the intention is to push parents to consider whether they want to give another vaccine to their child. Advertisement Its actually suggesting a fundamental change in their approach to this vaccine and maybe more broadly, said Levi, a professor of operations management at MIT. Trump with Robert F. Kennedy Jr and the latters wife, Cheryl Hines. Kennedys appointment as health secretary has ushered in a new era of US health policy. Bloomberg A slew of Democratic governors condemned the revision of the hepatitis B recommendation, and several of their state health departments reaffirmed the guidance for every newborn to get vaccinated, including in New York, Connecticut and Maryland. The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to recommend routine hepatitis B vaccinations for all newborns. The recommendation from the group of outside government advisers goes to the acting director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention for final approval. Advertisement Medical experts have argued that its important to vaccinate all newborns for hepatitis B, even if their mothers test negative, because babies are at risk of infection if their mothers receive a false negative or become infected after testing. Although the virus primarily spreads among adults through bodily fluids, young infants can also contract the virus through contact with infected people in their household. Some of the dissenting panel members pushed back on the change psychiatrist Joseph Hibbeln called the revised guidance on hepatitis B unconscionable while pediatrician Cody Meissner said the move was rooted in baseless scepticism. CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Bloomberg We will see hepatitis B infections come back, said Meissner, a professor of pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. The vaccine is so effective, it does not make sense in my mind to change the immunisation schedule. Under the revised recommendations, parents would still be able to vaccinate their newborns for hepatitis B if they want to, and insurance would still pay for it. Panellists who voted for the change said it would not undermine access to the vaccines because it calls for an individual decision-making approach that lets parents decide in consultation with doctors. Advertisement But Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for Michigan, who was representing the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said that approach would cause confusion for doctors and create practical barriers for patients. Related Article Review Drugs, sexting and Trumps tantrums: RFKs alleged digital lover Olivia Nuzzis memoir lands Many healthcare providers may interpret the decision as the vaccine is controversial and also consider that they may be exposed to additional liability, she said. It muddies the waters, creates a false sense of scientific uncertainty and places unnecessary burden on clinicians and families. The vote came one day after the committee heard presentations on the issue on Thursday, but delayed a vote to review proposed language. Kennedy has long criticised childhood vaccines, including for hepatitis B, and appointed fellow critics to the vaccine committee. On Thursday, prominent vaccine critics recently hired by the CDC questioned the safety and necessity of the vaccine series for infants, despite broad consensus among medical experts that the vaccine is safe and effective. Advertisement During the Friday discussion, Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist who was recently named as the panels new chair, was overheard telling another panel member that he wanted to talk to some of the higher-ups about the panels work. You know, I feel like, you know, its sort of like we feel like a little bit like puppets on a string as opposed to really being an independent advisory panel, according to a transcript of the exchange captured by videoconferencing software and obtained by The Washington Post. Ending the recommendation for newborns makes it more likely the number of [hepatitis] cases will begin to increase again. Bill Cassidy, Republican senator Asked about those remarks, Milhoan wrote in a text message, There are pressures from many organisations: federal, industry, medical organisations that are trying to influence by ad hominem attacks, when we are trying to look at and ask for data. He said he was not referring to the Trump administration and has not faced any pressure from Kennedy. Advertisement The panel on Friday also voted 6-4 to recommend that parents who want their children to receive second and third doses of the hepatitis B vaccine consult doctors about getting a blood test paid for by insurance- to determine whether those doses are needed. One member abstained. Proponents said they wanted to minimise the number of doses a baby might receive and empower parents because they said there is not enough evidence showing additional doses are effective. CDC data has shown that infants achieve full protection after three doses, and dissenting panel members noted there was no evidence that the multiple shots are harmful to children. The rollback of the hepatitis B shot recommendation could portend broader changes to come, as outlined by Trump. On Friday, the panel also launched a sweeping re-examination of the nations childhood immunisation schedule that included a presentation by a prominent lawyer for anti-vaccine causes. Advertisement In the past, the committee has often invited outside speakers with differing opinions. But Fridays speakers have promoted scepticism about routine childhood shots. Dr Aaron Siri, a Kennedy ally and fellow vaccine sceptic, delivered a 90-minute presentation at the CDC meeting. Bloomberg Some health experts and representatives of medical organisations said the topics sow confusion while offering a government-sponsored forum to theories long rejected by mainstream science. They warn that revisiting the schedule could undermine hard-won trust in vaccines as the United States experiences regional outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough. Aaron Siri, a Kennedy ally and lawyer for the anti-vaccine movement, delivered a presentation for more than 90 minutes. Siri said clinical trials for vaccines have not been properly conducted, that safety surveillance after vaccines are licensed is lacking, and that the efficacy of vaccines in reducing deaths and the spread of disease has been overstated. Advertisement Related Article Analysis Anti-vaxxer movement How Trumps antivaxxers helped trigger Aussie giants $50b implosion Siri and Kennedy-aligned activists argue that the cumulative number of shots places an undue burden on childrens immune systems. Scientists counter that the schedule is designed to protect infants and young children at moments when they are most vulnerable, and that the immune system can safely handle far more antigens than vaccines contain. Siri petitioned the government in 2022 on behalf of the anti-vaccine group Informed Consent Action Network, which is run by Kennedys former communications director, to reconsider its approval of Sanofis stand-alone polio vaccine. Siri argued that the government had relied on inadequate data, a claim regulators rejected. His scheduled appearance rankled Republican senator Bill Cassidy, a physician who has treated patients with severe hepatitis B infections. Cassidy, chair of the Senates Health Committee, voted to confirm Kennedy despite concerns about his vaccine stance. In an X post on Thursday, Cassidy said that Siri makes his living suing vaccine manufacturers. He is presenting as if an expert on childhood vaccines. The ACIP is totally discredited. Cassidy on Friday also urged Jim ONeill, the acting CDC director, to reject the proposed change to the hepatitis B vaccine. Ending the recommendation for newborns makes it more likely the number of cases will begin to increase again, Cassidy, a liver specialist who has treated patients with hepatitis B complications, wrote on X. This makes America sicker. Advertisement Panel member Evelyn Griffin, a gynaecologist and critic of coronavirus vaccines, gave a brief presentation on aluminium adjuvants, which are ingredients added to vaccines to help the body mount an immune response strong enough to protect against disease. Aluminium salts, such as aluminium hydroxide or aluminium phosphate, are a key component in more than a dozen routinely recommended vaccines. Aluminium has become a focal point for anti-vaccine groups that claim cumulative exposure may harm neurological development. Vaccine researchers note that aluminium is present naturally in breast milk, food and water at far higher levels than in vaccines and is rapidly cleared from the body. The Washington Post 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. New cars depreciate quickly. In fact, its estimated that in the first year of ownership, a car depreciates by 20%, according to Carfax. Over the course of five years, its estimated that new cars are worth a mere 40% of the original purchase price. Trending Now: Im a Car Expert 3 Luxury Cars That Cost More To Fix Than Theyre Worth Read Next: 6 Safe Accounts Proven To Grow Your Money Up To 13x Faster If youre trying to avoid the inevitable new car depreciation, you may be considering purchasing a used car. Used cars, especially reliable models, tend to hold their value with proper maintenance and upkeep. Here are six used cars expected to hold their value best through 2035. Toyota Tacoma The Toyota brand is known for its reliability and durability, with the Tacoma being no exception. Recent data from CarEdge shows that after five years, a Tacoma depreciates by just 28%. This is a large difference compared to the estimated 60% depreciation of a new car. High customer demand, off-road capabilities and few mechanical issues also contribute to the high resale value of the Tacoma. Check Out: I Asked a Mechanic How To Make My Car Last 300,000 Miles Heres What He Said Toyota 4Runner Next up is the Toyota 4Runner. Like the Tacoma, the 4Runner depreciates just 25% after five years, preserving its resale value. Not only do 4Runners have a loyal following of fans, but they are built to last. If you are looking for a used car with off-road capabilities, the 4Runner might be your next purchase. Honda HR-V Honda is another brand that tends to hold its resale value. The Honda HR-V has an estimated depreciation of 32% after five years, per CarEdge. Hondas reputation for reliability and the low cost of ownership make it a desirable used car purchase. With a high owner satisfaction rating, the Honda HR-V may just be the car for you. Honda Civic Similar to the HR-V, the Honda Civic is another car that has low depreciation. After five years, its estimated that the Civic depreciates by 31%. With low maintenance costs, few mechanical problems, a high fuel efficiency and a long lifespan, the Honda Civic is a great choice if you want a car that holds its value through 2035. Toyota Corolla Another Toyota model that is expected to hold its value through 2035 is the Corolla. After five years, the Corolla depreciates by 33%. The Corolla is an affordable car that preserves its value due to Toyotas long-standing reputation and consistent demand. If youre in the market for an economical and budget-conscious car that holds its value, check out the Corolla. Subaru Impreza The Subaru Impreza is expected to depreciate 32% after five years. Subarus extensive safety features, high demand and reputation are contributing factors to the Imprezas value preservation. In regions with challenging climates, like harsh winters, the Subaru Impreza has an even greater value preservation. If a vehicle with state-of-the-art safety features is something youre interested in, check out the Impreza. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Used Cars Expected To Hold Their Value Best Through 2035 TWO Gaisce leaders from Carlow were celebrated for their dedication to supporting young people at Dublin Castle on 19 November. Raissa Smyth, from Tullow Community School and Tara OSullivan from Presentation College, Carlow were two of 111 Presidents Award Leaders (PALs) from all over Ireland celebrated at the event. PALs work on a voluntary basis supporting, encouraging and guiding young people who undertake their Gaisce Award each year. Gaisce The Presidents Award is Irelands national youth award and is a personal development programme for young people aged 14-25. Over half a million young people have participated in Gaisce since its inception in 1985, and almost 27,000 Gaisce recipients were awarded in 2024. Gaisce chairperson Aine Kerr, Raissa Smyth, Gaisce PAL at Tullow Community School, Fiona Coghlan, Irish rugby international, and Avril Ryan, Gaisce CEO, presenting an award to Raissa for five years of active service as a Gaisce President's Award Leader Those honoured represent a variety of organisations that work with Gaisce, including post-primary schools, youth organisations, youth diversion services, disability services, youth justice and prison services. The organisation announced a new tiered system of Civic Merit Awards for PALs in honour of Gaisces 40th anniversary. PALs who have supported young people taking part in the Gaisce programme were presented with the Laoch Award for five years service, the Seaimpin Award for ten years service, and the Realta Award for 15 years service. Helen McEntee, then minister for education and youth, noted in her opening address that the programme has made a huge impact on so many young people who have participated down through the decades. It is inspirational to see so many gathered here today, from schools, third-level institutions, youth services, youth justice services and from all walks of life who support the delivery of the award for young people championing Gaisce nationwide. I want to express my gratitude to all of you who have played a role in making a difference in the lives of young people, through your dedication and commitment. Congratulations on all you have achieved. Sean Ryan A heartbroken family have thanked the emergency services after a farmer who fell through a shed roof while working on his own farm on Tuesday died in Cork University Hospital (CUH) on Wednesday evening. The farmer, who has been named locally as Eamon Sheehan (58) from Athlacca in Co Limerick, has been remembered as a loyal community member, great farmer, and devout family man. Locals said Eamon was a gentleman and served on the Board of Management of the local Primary school in Athlacca. Athlacca NS described him as "a true gentleman, and we thought highly of him in school as a parent and as a treasured member of our Board of Management. In a statement his family said they would like to say thank you to all of their neighbours, 'First Responders', Air Ambulance service, Paramedics, gardai, Fire service and all who attended to Eamonn. Gardai said 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. 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. Mr Sheehan will repose in Hawe-OKeeffes Funeral Home in Charleville (P56YY15) on Saturday (December 6th) 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. The Health and Safety Authority (HAS) recently revealed that Over 40 per cent of workplace fatalities in Ireland occur on farms. There has been an average of 14 fatal incidents per year on Irish farms over the last five years (2020-2024). This year, there have been 17 confirmed farm fatalities, more than in the whole of 2024. By Dave Clark, Press Association Gardai are investigating the presence of drones over Ireland during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit. Mr Zelensky gave a historic address to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas earlier this week and met with Government figures and President Catherine Connolly. Mr Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, arrived in Dublin late on Monday night, with RTE reporting several unidentified drones were seen flying near Howth, over the Irish Sea, at around the time the Ukrainian president arrived at Dublin Airport. Gardai confirmed in a statement that a special detective unit was investigating the incident. As part of this, SDU will be liaising with the Defence Forces and international security partners, the statement said. The Russian ambassador to Ireland, Yuriy Filatov, said on Friday 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. Taoiseach Micheal Martin welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Government Buildings in Dublin (Liam McBurnery/PA) 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. Mr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ireland is one of the few European countries that understands the price of freedom as he praised the country for its support. Mr Zelensky received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber (Tony Maxwell/Maxwells/PA) In the first visit to Ireland by a Ukrainian president, Mr Zelensky and Mr Martin both drew parallels between Ukraines struggle for sovereignty and Irelands centuries-long fight for independence. Mr Zelensky said Irelands decision to back Ukraine in the early days of the war was a moral one and while some had grown fatigued with hearing about Ukraines war, he said Irelands voice had not become quieter. He said that while Ireland was neutral, it was certainly not an indifferent country and thanked every Irish home that has sheltered some of the 120,000 Ukrainians that arrived in the country since 2022. In the historic address to parliamentarians, where he received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber, he urged Ireland to take an active role in calling for a tribunal for Russias aggression against Ukraine. Ottoline Spearman Following the world's first social media ban for under-16s in Australia, Ireland is considering implementing a similar ban. There are many considerations - digital rights, data protection, privacy rights, protecting users from harm - as well as practical considerations, including how it would feasibly work and whether it could be possible under EU regulations. So what is the ban in Australia, what are the arguments for and against, and will Ireland follow suit? What is Australia's social media ban? On Wednesday, December 10th, Australia will become the first country to implement a state-wide ban on social media for under-16s. The Australian government is hoping to protect young people from the negative aspects of social media, after a study found that 96 per cent of Australian children used social media, with 70 per cent having been exposed to harmful content at one point. Following the passing of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 on November 28th, last year, social media companies must take "reasonable steps" to ban users under 16. From December 10th onwards, anyone under 16 in Australia will not be able to keep or make accounts on social media apps, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Facebook, Reddit and more. The list of social media apps included in the ban may also be updated at any time. The burden is on social media companies, which must prevent under-16s from creating accounts or risk fines of up to 28.5 million ($50 million). The Australian government has stipulated that the age verification by the platforms must involve more than simply requesting IDs. The Guardian has reported that Meta has chosen not to disclose how it will verify people's ages, as this will likely alert users on how to avoid the ban. Snapchat, on the other hand, will use account behavioural signals and the birth date that users input when they sign up. On December 10th, social media platforms will employ differing strategies regarding current users' accounts who are under 16. The Guardian said that Facebook and Instagram accounts will allow users to download their photos and videos, and put their accounts on hold until they turn 16. They are also given the option of deleting their account completely. Users who are mistakenly taken to be under 16 when they are actually of age will need to go through an appeals process, the Australian government has said. What are the arguments for and against? The negative impacts of social media are well-documented. A study by ExpressVPN last year found that 45 per cent of Gen Z users are already reducing screen time to improve their mental wellbeing. Possible benefits of a social media ban for young people include helping children overcome an unhealthy dependency on their phones, reducing exposure to online harm and inappropriate content, and encouraging children to pursue other activities. It may also protect children from grooming and catfishing, decrease childrens' exposure to filtered images displaying perfection, and help parents through taking away their childrens' FOMO (fear of missing out). But human rights charities such as Amnesty International have expressed concern about the ban. Amnesty said on its website that "removing access to platforms that enable social connection for young people does not address the core issue that social media companies profit from harmful content, addictive algorithms, and surveillance." When it comes to privacy rights, the charity was concerned about the use of age verification technologies which are still relatively new. They said on their website: "Relying on companies with a history of abusing peoples right to privacy to use these untested technologies risks the abuse of peoples right to privacy." The charity also underscored the importance of social media for young people, including social connection and belonging, which can improve people's mental health. Could Ireland follow suit? Ireland is currently considering whether to restrict young peoples access to social media platforms - and there is a strong view within the Government that children below 16 should not have access to social media. In Ireland, the digital age of consent follows EU regulation and is set at 16 - and Ireland is one of nine EU countries to keep its digital age of consent at this age. However, more than half of member states have lowered their age of consent for personal data processing to 15, 14 and even 13 years of age under EU data privacy regulations, as reported by the Irish Times. The Irish Times also said that an online health taskforce within the Department of Health is currently considering whether the digital age of consent should be lowered to 13. The Department for Communications is also reportedly considering whether an EU-wide approach would be more preferable than Ireland taking action alone. Tanaiste Simon Harris is one proponent for lowering the age of consent. 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. "Im very supportive of the idea of social media being restricted to people above a certain age. I think that would be a significant support to parents. Mr Harris added that it is key for companies' business models to provide "certainty", "clarity" and "stability". Mr Harris said that an update on whether such a ban is possible is expected in Cabinet next week. What could a ban look like? The practical implications of such a ban would require a robust method of age verification, which the Government does not think should be tasked to social networks themselves. Minister for Media Patrick ODonovan has said that relying on children to self-declare their ages is pointless. Instead, linking accounts to verified data, such as a Government ID, is the only effective way to prove someones age online, according to Mr O'Donovan. Mr ODonovan, together with Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers and Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary, are therefore working to design a digital wallet linked to MyGovID - the existing online identity that people use to access social welfare payments. Meta did not comment on the Irish Times' request for comment on the Governments plan to use a MyGovID wallet to age-verify users. The use of MyGovID for age verification is likely to be contentious - not just for social media giants, but also for privacy rights and data protection proponents, who may argue that such a use is intrusive. A BEAUTIFUL video about valuing your own culture and the cultures of others won Maria Antonio, a student at Presentation College, Carlow, a 500 prize from the Immigrant Council of Ireland. 1AT students with teacher Una Byrne Her winning video was an entry into the ICIs Show Racism the Red Card creative competition which uses art and creative messages to promote anti-racism and celebrate diversity on social media. Students could design films and posters, which must have been embedded in a social media campaign that spreads the messages of the beauty of diversity and of anti-racism. 2AS students and Maria Antonio Ms Antonio and her second-year CSPE student colleagues were facilitated to enter the competition by teachers Una Byrne and Edwina Gibbons. 1AQ winners with teacher Una Byrne Presentation College recognised Marias win in the junior online category and her colleagues work in a presentation in the school library on 19 November. The ceremony was attended by school principal Ray Murray, second-year head Declan OConnor, teachers Una Byrne and Edwina Gibbons, and Marton Bisztrai, the Show Racism the Red Card coordinator from the Immigrant Council of Ireland. The winning 'Show Racism the Red Card' posters The school expressed immense pride in the enthusiastic work put in by the students to ensure that everyone is aware of how welcome they are to the school community, describing the institution as one where students of all races and cultures are supported and made to feel welcome. CSPE coordinator Ms Byrne said she was very impressed with the students creativity and enthusiasm. Following the presentation to Maria, a number of students received school awards for the lovely posters that they had made. The 1AT winners were Sophia Holmes, Abigail Lawlor, Adam Keegan, John Moscalu, Freya Nolan and Szymon Szymanski. The 1AQ winners were Tara Bruton, Emily Huang, Jessica Lovitoni, Catelynn Reilly, Sara Rothwell and Eimilija Rudokas. The 2AS winners were Rian Byrne, Evelyn Chiorean, Ivan Gramatikov, Grace Hayden, Estella Kirveleviciute and Weronika Rzepa. Breaking News Would you like to receive our breaking news news? Signup today! e-Edition Subscribers e-Edition Only - $39.00 Year This is the exact replica of our weekly printed paper. Great for searching archives! General Interest Imported List: General Interest Auto insurance rates continued to rise in 2025, according to the State of Auto Insurance report from ValuePenguin, with an expected increase of 7.5%. Although that increase is lower than the 16.5% jump in 2024 and the 12% increase in 2023, 7.5% is still a significant rise in costs. Explaining these staggering rises in auto insurance rates involves considering multiple potential causes, including pricier car replacement parts, rising medical costs for injury accidents, and excessive speeding leading to more severe crashes. Understandably, you might be less focused on the reasons for the rise in coverage costs. Instead, you're looking for ways to save on your car insurance without sacrificing too many features or customer satisfaction. According to a Consumer Reports rating of the best auto insurers, NJM Insurance Group can meet both of these needs. NJM ranked second on the Consumer Reports list, trailing only Erie Insurance Group. NJM was strongly ranked in several categories, including claims handling, premium cost increases, customer service, and ease of understanding coverage options. NJM provides coverage in multiple categories, including for homeowners, renters, and drivers. It also has classic and collector car coverage. To create its list of the best auto insurers, Consumer Reports looked at 36 companies. The non-profit organization surveyed more than 40,000 of its members who hold auto policies and asked about their satisfaction with the policy in several different areas. It also tracked which members reported switching to other insurers, which indicates significant dissatisfaction. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: What You Should Never Say When Buying A Car Benefits of being an NJM auto insurance policyholder Woman inspecting damage on an automobile - Anja Stefanovic/Getty Images An interesting aspect of NJM Insurance Group is that it operates like a mutual insurance company, where its stock is held in trust while being owned by its policy holders. This means policy holders may have any NJM company profits returned to them in the form of lower premiums or dividends. Based on the results of the Consumer Reports survey, NJM auto insurance was given a "CR Recommended" designation. Those completing the survey did not give NJM perfect scores in any of the categories presented -- only a few companies received a perfect score in any single category but NJM did receive above-average scores for claims satisfaction, breadth of coverage options, clarity of policy, customer service, and policy review benefits. One of the biggest reasons Consumer Reports ranked NJM so highly was because of its ability to keep its current clients while receiving new business from clients shifting away from competing insurance companies. According to the customers in the Consumer Reports survey, 10 times more of them switched to NJM than switched away from it to another insurer. As another benefit, NJM ranked at the top of the list in a Consumer Reports survey of the best homeowners' insurance companies. That list included 28 different companies. If you are interested in bundling your home and auto insurance coverage with one company to try to receive a discount, NJM is clearly trusted in both areas by its customers. Drawbacks to selecting NJM for car insurance coverage Two women inspecting damage on a car - Kajakiki/Getty Images If you're excited about switching to NJM Insurance Group to cover your car, you might want to pump the brakes. Unfortunately, NJM only operates in five Atlantic and Midwest states currently Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. NJM was founded in 1913 in New Jersey and has slowly expanded its coverage areas over a century-plus of operation. It only expanded to begin serving Pennsylvania in 2018 as part of its 5-year regional expansion plan that later included the other three states. Unfortunately, they're not present in the states where car insurance rates are rising fastest like Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Washington, according to a Bankrate study, so you can't try to save money by switching to NJM in those states. Advertisement Advertisement NJM only received a three out of five score in the Consumer Reports survey regarding customer satisfaction with the cost of the policy, but none of the companies in the survey received a higher score and most received lower scores in this category. Reviewers say the cost of its liability-only car insurance coverage is above the national average. NJM does not offer a smartphone app that allows you to file claims or manage your policy, which will be a significant drawback for some people, as other companies do offer these types of apps. Although some larger auto insurance companies offer 24/7 customer service, NJM does not have this option. You can report a claim 24/7, but you have limited hours for making customer service inquiries. Unlock your financial potential. Add Money Digest to your preferred sources for smart money insights! Read the original article on Money Digest. Lee students Alexa VanVeghten and Karina Dilse with their research posters and awards at the 2025 Tennessee Academy of Science meeting Alexa VanVeghten Karina Dilse Previous Next Lee University natural science students, Alexa VanVeghten and Karina Dilse, presented research posters at the 2025 Tennessee Academy of Science meeting held at Pellissippi State Community College. The Tennessee Academy of Science seeks to promote scientific research and the diffusion of knowledge concerning science in the state of Tennessee by increasing communication between researchers in Tennessee. At TAS meetings, students interact with other students and professionals in their field. Participating in the TAS poster presentations provides an opportunity for students to showcase their research and be judged against other students. Ms. VanVeghten, a biology pre-physical therapy major, placed third in the medical and health sciences division, while Ms. Dilse, a health science major, took first. They competed against both undergraduate and graduate students. As a member of TAS, I enjoy hearing what researchers are doing at other universities across the state, said Dr. Pamela Hobbs, associate professor of health sciences and the students research mentor. I believe it is important for our students to have opportunities to present their own research at the state and national levels and for our students to meet and interact with other students and professionals in their field. Ms. VanVeghten presented on the kinetic chain of the female hip and knee orientation and its potential susceptibility to causing knee injuries. I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to present on a bigger level, said Ms. VanVeghten. Even though research may seem like a daunting task, anyone can and should do it because you learn so much from it as a person and student. My favorite part of the experience was being able to spend time with my faculty mentor and my friend as well as gaining research and presenting experience. Ms. Dilse shared her research on physical exercise, sleep, and mindfulness and their effects on mental health in college students in the health and medical sciences category. It was a pleasure sharing my research findings with others and introducing various ways to improve each health behavior in general and in relation to mental health, said Ms. Dilse. After presenting, I enjoyed listening to the other presentations and learning from their methods, experiences, and research. It was amazing to hear all the current research being conducted now and the efforts and progress of creating change. Ms. Dilse won first place at the TAS meeting last year as well. According to Hobbs, in the past six years of university participation in TAS, Lee students have placed in the top three in the Medical and Health Sciences division every year but one. I could not have done this research without the guidance of Dr. Hobbs, said Ms. Dilse. She has been my faculty mentor for nearly two years now and has helped me develop my research, writing, and presentation skills. She has been a great supporter and encourager, and I am thankful for the time and dedication she has invested in me. Dr. Hobbs joined the Department of Natural Sciences in 2015 where she teaches courses in health care, anatomy, and physiology. She has served as a clinical instructor for physical therapy students and has had numerous positions in the physical therapy profession. She also worked at Emory University as a research specialist and has presented at national meetings and continuing education workshops and seminars. It has been a pleasure working with Karina and Alexa, and I am so proud of both of them, said Dr. Hobbs. They have worked hard on their research projects and their presentations and are both deserving of their awards. They represent both the McNair Scholars program and Lee University well. For more information about TAS, visit https://www.tennacadsci.org/index.php. For more information about Lees science and math programs, call (423) 614-8286 or visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/arts-sciences/nsm/. The Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team continues its homestand with a non-conference tilt against Southeast Missouri State on Saturday afternoon inside McKenzie Arena. Tip-off is slated for 4:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN+/Nexstar affiliates (WFLI-TV).The game will mark the fifth edition of the "Teddy Bear Toss" holiday initiative which encourages fans to bring a new stuffed animal or toy to toss during a special halftime event. All stuffed animals and toys collected will be donated locally to the Children's Hospital at Erlanger to help spread the holiday spirit.Tickets can be purchased at gomocs.com in advance or by calling/visiting the McKenzie Arena Box Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627) during business hours of M-F, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. (ET). Nashville prosecutors said in a motion on Friday that former Rep. Robin Smith should not go to prison for her conviction in a fraud case since her two co-defendants were pardoned by President Donald Trump. Prosecutors Robert E. McGuire and Taylor Phillips said, "The undersigned has not identified another federal case in which a testifying conspirator reported to prison after an equally culpable conspirator was pardoned. Accordingly, in these narrow circumstances, the government believes that the appropriate sentence for Defendant is one year of probation with no special conditions and no fine." Attorney Ben Rose, representing Ms. Smith, said, "Ms. Smith agrees with the Governments position, although her motion was not limited to one (1) year of probation. Moreover, to the extent it requires additional time for this Court to consider the Motion for Reconsideration and related filing under seal, Ms. Smith respectfully requests an extension of her current report date of January 5, 2026, by at least thirty (30) days. It is Ms. Smiths understanding that the Government is not opposed to this request." Ms. Smith, who testified against former House Speaker Glen Casada and his top aide Cade Cothren, had been ordered to pay a $7,500 fine as well. She had earlier been directed to report to a federal prison in West Virginia on Jan. 5. It is still up to Judge Eli Richardson to decide whether Ms. Smith does go to prison. Ms. Smith's attorney earlier said in a motion to Judge Richardson, "Ms. Smith should be resentenced to a term of probation and have the fine reduced to $0 in order to mitigate the manifest injustice that will result from Ms. Smith being the only one of the three conspirators to face criminal sanctions. "Mrs. Smith submits that the discussion below compels the conclusion that amending her sentence in that way is necessary to at least mitigate the manifest injustice that will result from Messrs. Cothren and Casada receiving Presidential pardons, leaving Mrs. Smith alone to suffer criminal consequences for their collective criminal activity. "Eliminating the term of imprisonment and the fine that the Court imposed on Mrs. Smith will mitigate, but not eliminate, that manifest injustice. "The President has issued full and unconditional pardons to each of them, meaning they will escape any consequences for their criminal activities. The Courts pronouncements during the three sentencing hearings, and the three sentence themselves, reflected the Courts awareness that while the Court was sentencing three individuals, those individuals had conspired together to defraud their fellow republican legislators, and that as a result, the sentences themselves needed to be internally consistent in a way that reflected the relative culpability considering all the relevant circumstances. "Due to her decision to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity, and her agreement to cooperate with the investigation of the United States, Mrs. Smith appropriately received a much lighter sentence than either Mr. Casada or Mr. Cothren. The pardons of defendants Casada and Cothren have destroyed the Courts careful calibration of the sentences. And while the President alone has pardon power, this Court can mitigate the manifest injustice that would result from Mrs. Smith alone being sent to prison by resentencing her to probation with no special conditions and reducing her fine to $0. Mrs. Smith respectfully and humbly asks that the Court do just that." Ms. Smith, of Hixson, recently paid off a $28,263.26 judgment she owed in connection with the bribery and kickback case in which she pleaded guilty. Authorities said in November 2019 that Cothren set up a firm called Phoenix Consulting that was said to be headed by Matthew Phoenix, which in fact was a fictitious name and the actual operator of the firm was Cothren. The firm was set up to get payments from a program in which legislators could use up to $3,000 each per year for mailings to constituents. Ms. Smith at one time headed the state Republican Party as well as the Hamilton County Republican Party. She ran for the Third District U.S. House seat long held by Zach Wamp in 2010. The race was won by Chuck Fleischmann, who still holds the seat. The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested a man early Saturday who was wanted in connection with a triple homicide in Gwinnett County, Ga. THP made the arrest with assistance from the Metro Nashville Police Department, the Robertson County Sheriffs Office and law enforcement partners in Georgia. Shortly after midnight, THP received information that the suspect was traveling west on Interstate 24 in Rutherford County. Authorities shared the vehicle description, license plate number and the suspects identity. Troopers located the vehicle in Davidson County and monitored it as it continued north on Interstate 65 before heading west on Interstate 24 toward Robertson County. Additional law enforcement units positioned themselves to assist in stopping the vehicle. The suspect had reportedly said he would not surrender. Metro Nashvilles Air One unit, which helped track the vehicle, was instrumental in keeping law enforcement personnel and the public safe. The suspect exited the interstate at the 19-mile marker in Robertson County (Maxey Road exit), where troopers conducted a high risk traffic stop and took him into custody without incident. Col. Matt Perry praised the coordinated efforts that led to the arrest. This was a complex, fast-moving situation, and the teamwork among agencies ensured a safe resolution. We are grateful for the cooperation that helped bring a dangerous suspect into custody without harm to the public or our troopers and officers. 2026 Toyota Camry Lease Deal Now Available The 2026 Toyota Camry LE Hybrid continues Toyotas shift toward making hybrid power the norm rather than the upgrade. Powered by a 2.5-liter hybrid engine paired with a CVT, the LE delivers strong fuel efficiency, smoother low-speed response, and quieter operation than previous versions. Toyotas updated design gives the sedan a more refined stance, highlighted by sleeker headlights and a cleaner, more aerodynamic profile that elevates the LE beyond entry-level expectations. Inside, the Camry maintains its reputation for practicality and comfort with a roomy cabin, an improved infotainment interface, and standard Toyota Safety Sense. The sedans hybrid setup also ensures predictable performance without sacrificing efficiency, making it ideal for commuters who want straightforward motoring. The 2026 Camry LE Hybrid remains a dependable choice in a segment where reliability and long-term cost of ownership matter. Toyota Lease Details Toyotas headline offer for the 2026 Camry LE Hybrid is a competitive $259 per month for 36 months, with $4,258 due at signing through Southeast Toyota Finance. That amount includes a $3,304 customer down payment, the first months payment, and a $695 acquisition fee. Security deposits are waived for qualifying customers. The lease is based on 12,000 miles per year, with an excess mileage fee of $0.18 per mile, and a $350 disposition fee applies at the end of the term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A notable perk is the $500 Holiday Bonus Cash, which must be applied to the lease and is available in AL, FL, GA, NC, and SC regardless of the buyers residency. This incentive cannot be combined with other Toyota financial offers, but it does add meaningful value when paired with the already low monthly payment. Taxes, licensing, registration fees, optional equipment, and dealer-specific pricing remain additional costs, and the offer is contingent on approved credit. The lease must be executed from participating dealers stock and runs through January 5, 2026. Toyota Comparisons to Segment Rivals In the midsize hybrid sedan segment, the Camry LE Hybrid competes directly with the Honda Accord Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, and Kia K5 Hybrid. The Camrys lease pricing is typically more aggressive, especially with the added Holiday Bonus Cash, making it one of the most accessible lease deals for a hybrid midsize sedan in the Southeast region. Toyotas long-standing reputation for hybrid durability also reinforces its appeal, particularly for lessees who want a worry-free three-year ownership cycle. The Accord Hybrid offers a sportier drive and a more premium-feeling interior but tends to carry a higher monthly lease rate. Meanwhile, the Sonata Hybrid and Kia K5 Hybrid often shine in technology features but are more hit-or-miss in availability depending on region and dealer inventory. Against these competitors, the Camrys combination of strong fuel economy, predictable driving manners, and stable financing programs positions it as a straightforward value leader. Toyota Final Thoughts The 2026 Toyota Camry LE Hybrid delivers exactly what midsize sedan shoppers expect: efficiency, reliability, and affordability. With a $259/month, 36-month lease backed by $4,258 due at signing and an added $500 Holiday Bonus Cash, the offer stands out as one of the better hybrid sedan leases currently available in the Southeast market. It balances practical equipment, solid efficiency, and Toyotas proven track record, all while keeping monthly costs accessible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For shoppers seeking a no-nonsense, budget-friendly hybrid with a strong residual reputation, the 2026 Camry LE Hybrid deserves a top spot on the test-drive list, especially before the lease offer expires on January 5, 2026. Toyota Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. This story was originally published by Autoblog on Dec 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Canada's Liberal Leader and Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney. | Photo credit: Facebook/ Mark Carney Canadian lawmakers appear poised to eliminate longstanding religious protections from the nations hate speech statutes. A shift that critics warn could expose Christians to prosecution for expressing biblical views on marriage, sexuality, and other faith-based beliefs. Reports indicate that the ruling Liberal Party and the Bloc Quebecois have reached a bipartisan agreement to remove religious exemptions from hate speech provisions in exchange for advancing Bill C-9, legislation that would criminalize displays of the Nazi swastika and other antisemitic symbols. Currently, Canadian law exempts any hateful or antisemitic speech that is expressed or attempted to establish by an argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text. The law also shields speech intended to point out, for the purpose of removal, matters producing or tending to produce feelings of hatred toward an identifiable group in Canada or views expressed or attempted to establish by an argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text. Under existing statutes, anyone who willfully promotes antisemitism by condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust through a public statementexcluding private conversationsmay face up to two years in prison. If enacted, Bill C-9 would broaden Canadas hate speech code by criminalizing display of Nazi symbols, including the swastika and markings related to the SS regime. It would also end the requirement that the attorney general approve prosecutions for hate propaganda offenses, a safeguard many legal experts say prevents politically motivated charges. Supporters argue that such reforms are critical amid rising hate crimes and antisemitic incidents since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. But Canadas Conservative Party warns that Bill C-9 removes important safeguards and lowers the legal standard for hatred, which the bill defines as the emotion that involves detestation or vilification and that is stronger than disdain or dislike. The Liberals are about to criminalize religious belief in Canada, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner said in a video on Monday. I know it sounds like this can't be happening, but it is. ... Regardless of how you vote, if this passes, freedom of religious belief is what makes Canada Canada. They are about to try and stop that. Christian organizations have also voiced warnings about possible overreach. Last month, the Ontario-based Christian Legal Fellowship cautioned lawmakers that redefining hatred could produce a standard so nebulous and unclear that enforcement may become arbitrary. The groups submission to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights stated: Determining what constitutes hate or hatred can be inherently subjective and laden with value judgments, and susceptible to misuse or misinterpretation. Parliament's response to hatred must therefore strike a careful balance, lest well-meaning government restrictions undermine Canada's constitutional commitments to freedom, equality, and pluralism. In February 2024, David Cooke of Campaign Life Coalition warned that similar legislative efforts could be weaponized against Christian evangelism. No longer will we be allowed to share God's design for human sexuality and marriage in public. ... All this could be misconstrued as 'hate speech' against the LGBT community. Even our pro-life message could be spun as a 'hate crime' against women. Home News Pastor outraged after friend jailed for refusing to apologize over drag queen story hour protest: 'Minions of Satan' A Canadian pastor expressed outrage to The Christian Post regarding a fellow pastor who was arrested this week for not apologizing for protesting drag queen story hours with children at a public library two years ago. "These people are sick in the head. They're demon-possessed. They're wicked, evil minions of Satan," Pastor Artur Pawlowski told CP on Friday from a court in Calgary, Alberta, where he was showing support for his friend, Pastor Derek Reimer, as he faced a bail hearing. Reimer was arrested in Calgary on Wednesday after he refused a court order to write and sign an apology to the library manager of Calgary Public Library regarding his 2023 protest at a "Reading with Royalty" event, which featured male drag queens reading to children, according to the Western Standard. Reimer told the Canadian outlet that he felt he had nothing to apologize for. Reimer was arrested multiple times in 2023 and spent Easter weekend of that year behind bars because of his protests, which prompted widespread attention and condemnation from figures such as Samaritan's Purse CEO Franklin Graham. He was accused at the time of violating a municipal bylaw passed that year prohibiting protests within 100 meters of a recreation facility or library entrance. The Calgary Police Service confirmed to CP that Reimer was in custody after being arrested Wednesday "for probation issued warrants for breach of a Conditional Sentence Order from a criminal harassment charge." Footage of Reimer's arrest went viral on social media, showing him asking officers if they were "the feelings police" before they handcuffed him. ????BREAKING: Pastor Derek Reimer is arrested in Canada after refusing court-ordered apology. Do you know why you are arresting this man? He refused to apologize for his religious beliefs Free speech is under attack in Canada. pic.twitter.com/ySIihPyX80 Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) December 4, 2025 Pawlowski, who made headlines himself when he was repeatedly arrested during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns for keeping his church open in defiance of a court order, said Reimer's treatment is a continuation of what he experienced from Canadian authorities. He accused them of trying to instill fear in others who might dare to stand up against wickedness from the government. "I was the canary in the coal mine, and that's why I was so vocal," said Pawlowski, who has alleged he was abused by prison authorities, shoved in a small cage and placed in a psychiatric ward when he was jailed for 51 days in 2022 after delivering a sermon to truckers blocking the U.S.-Canada border in protest of federal vaccine mandates. "I was yelling and screaming, 'Listen, they're doing this to me. Be sure of it: they're going to come after you, as well.'" Pawlowski, who expressed defiance when he was ordered by a provincial judge in 2021 to recite a script parroting the prevailing opinion of medical "experts" whenever he spoke of COVID-19 and vaccines, said the apology demanded from Reimer by the court is another example of compelled speech in Canada. Pawlowski noted the issue has become pervasive in Canada and highlighted Bill C-9, which would remove a religious exemption from the country's hate speech law. Christian groups have warned the legislation will pave the way for prosecutions of biblical teachings on marriage, gender and sexuality. "Bill C-9 criminalizes the Bible ... especially the portion of the Bible that references sexual perversion and homosexuality, and Derek Reimer is another one that they're using as an example to scare others," he said. Pawlowski also placed Reimer's situation in the wider context of what he described as a push throughout the Western world for sexual immorality and debauching children, which he said is overtly demonic and echoes the tactics of the Soviet regime he grew up under in communist Poland. "Those who control the young people control what is going to happen in 10, 15, 20 years," he said, citing a quote often attributed to Adolf Hitler that "he alone who owns the youth, gains the future." "The globalists are pushing this agenda globally, and that's why you see this all over the Western world, because it's an agenda. These people are forwarding a sick, demonic, from-the-pit-of-hell agenda," he said. Pawlowski asserted that figures like Reimer are a threat to such plans, and that those intent on implementing them are frightened of such people. "The worst thing for those tyrants wannabe pharaohs, as I call them is exposure," he said. "If you keep your mouth shut, you're OK. The moment you expose them, suddenly they're terrified. They're afraid, because truth sets the captives free. It's all about the truth." "They hate the truth. And who hates the truth? Who calls the truth hate? Those who hate the truth. To them, it's hateful." Home News The Evangelical Church claims its decisive role after the elections in Honduras The general elections held Sunday in Honduras were accompanied by an intense mobilization of the Evangelical community, which proposed to vote early and massively. In exclusive interviews with Diario Cristiano, Gerardo Irias, president of the EvangelicalConfraternity of Honduras (CEH), and Mario Banegas, president of the Association of Pastors of Tegucigalpa, agreed that the process marked a turning point for civic and spiritual participation in the country. At the time of publication of this article, the National Electoral Council of Honduras announced the halt of the Transmission of Preliminary Electoral Results, while the count was at 57% and showed a technical tie between Nasry Asfura (39.91%) and Salvador Nasralla (39.89%), separated by just 515 votes. For Gerardo Irias, election day already represented a triumph for the Church. "The Church played one of the most important roles in history as ever before. At this moment we have already won because the purpose was for Honduras to be free of a left," he said. He said about 90% of congregations closed their churches on Sunday to prioritize voting. This decision, coupled with weeks of spiritual preparation, would have directly influenced the close outcome between the presidential candidates. Irias maintains that any of the finalist candidates represents afavorable scenario as long as religious freedom and biblical values are respected. Asked about the impact of external actors especially former US President Donald Trump's public support for one of the candidates the evangelical leader did not hesitate: "The numbers were given, the Church was convinced, safe, it did not have a shred of doubt." According to his assessment, international messages "only inject hope," but do not determine the spiritual and civic criteria of Honduran voters. From a similar perspective, but with an emphasis on spiritual preparation, Mario Banegas described the electoral contest as the culmination of months of prayer and community work. "We understood that it was a very strong spiritual struggle," he said. He said that hundreds of congregations organized themselves to pray from two in the morning, hold vigils, fasts and coordinate support networks. According to his estimates, the Church deployed about 36,000collaborators in voting centers, combining official accreditation and volunteer observers. Banegas explained that the motivation was clear: to mobilize the faithful to exercise the democratic right. "We sent a call to all churches to close and go out early to vote. 90% of the church left," he said. In his opinion, evangelicals represent some 2.3 million voters, a flow that, added to the previous organization, would have had a decisive impact on the electoral trend. Both evangelical leaders were cautious about the final definition of the vote, but they agreed on a horizon of reconciliation. Irias anticipated that, after the official result, they will seek to publicly bless the new president "as we did with both candidates before the elections." Banegas, meanwhile, called for a gesture of unity: that the defeated candidate "raise his hand to the winner for democracy, for the peace of the country." In an in-depth analysis of the recent electoral process in Honduras, Pastor Roy Santos, leader of the Manantial de la Mies Ministry, also offered exclusive remarks to Diario Cristiano Internacional, describing the preliminary results not only as an administrative change, but as a supernatural intervention to rescue the nation. For the evangelical leader, what the Central American nation is experiencing is not simply a change of government, but "the great work of the hand of God saving Honduras from the evil clutches of communism." Santos, an influential voice within Honduran evangelical Christianity, said that the country had been immersed in a "perverse maneuver" by leftist systems that, according to him, camouflaged themselves in 2021 through an electoral alliance to come to power. According to the pastor's analysis, the outgoing government of Libertad y Refundacion (Libre) made serious spiritual mistakes that provoked divine judgment and rejection by society. The next few hours and days will determine who will lead Honduras in the new presidential term. However, for the evangelical leaders interviewed, the election has already left a historic toll: the faith left the temples and placed itself at the center of the democratic process, with the conviction that the destiny of the nation is also defined at the ballot box. The National Electoral Council has by law up to 30 days to make an official pronouncement with the final results. This article was originally published at Christian Daily International Home News Most self-identified Christians think doing 'good things' is enough to get to Heaven Quick Summary AI Summary Most self-identified Christians believe doing 'good things' is sufficient for entry into Heaven. 53% of Christians agree that a generally good person will earn a place in Heaven. Research indicates a widespread misunderstanding of sin and repentance among American Christians. 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 New research reveals that most self-identified Christians think doing good things for others is enough to secure them a spot in Heaven, in what one leading researcher laments as the latest example of a widespread embrace of unbiblical beliefs among American Christians. A recent report released by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University examining Americans views on the afterlife constitutes the latest installment of the American Worldview Inventory 2025, a survey of 2,000 American adults conducted in March. Overall, majorities of all Christian subgroups believe that every person will be judged personally by God, with 95% of theologically identified born-again Christians, 86% of Pentecostals, 84% of Evangelicals, 84% of independent and non-denominational Christians, 83% of Protestants, 82% of Mainline Protestants, 78% of self-identified Christians and 74% of Catholics embracing this belief. A majority (53%) of self-identified Christians agree that A person who is generally good, or does enough good things for others, will earn a place in Heaven. A majority of Catholics (73%) believe that doing good things is enough to secure a place in Heaven. Less than half of Evangelicals (43%), Mainline Protestants (43%), theologically identified born-again Christians (42%), Protestants (41%), Pentecostals (41%) and Christians who attend independent and non-denominational churches (35%) said the same. While over half of Catholics (54%) believe that There are many paths to eternal salvation; you can choose whichever one you prefer, less than half of self-identified Christians (41%), Evangelicals (37%), Mainline Protestants (35%), Pentecostals (34%), Protestants (34%), and Christians who go to independent and non-denominational churches (31%) and theologically identified born-again Christians (27%) held this opinion. There remains a shocking degree of misunderstanding among Christians regarding sin, repentance, forgiveness and salvation, said CRC Director of Research George Barna in reaction to the research. Millions of people who regularly attend Christian churches believe that eternal salvation does not depend on the sacrifice of Christ because of our sins, he added. They dont understand this fundamental tenet of Christian belief. Instead, we have a majority of self-described Christians hedging their eternal bets by integrating multiple means of salvation into their personal security plan. When asked if they agree that Admitting that you have sinned is all you need to do to repent, less than half of members of all Christian subgroups answered in the affirmative. However, the share of Christians who viewed simply admitting to sin as the only prerequisite for repentance is not insignificant. Nearly half (48%) of Evangelicals and Pentecostals, 44% of Catholics, 40% of self-identified Christians, 39% of Protestants, 38% of theologically identified, born-again Christians, 37% of independent and non-denominational Christians and 36% of Mainline Protestants maintained that admission of sin alone constitutes repentance. Barna lamented that Tens of millions of people who attend Christian churches every week, and who consider themselves to be followers of Christ and eternally secure, do not seem to understand that repentance is necessary for salvation, and repentance demands a change in behavior. He stressed that repentance is not merely sorrow over misdeeds but must include a determined effort to change both mind and actions to avoid committing the same sins in the future. Simply apologizing to God, or saying a prayer asking for forgiveness, without a real effort to change the lifestyle, does not fit with biblical teaching about forgiveness and grace," he insisted. Barna concluded: The presence of unbiblical beliefs in the minds of most Christian-leaning Americans reminds us that most people are information collectors rather than biblically consistent followers of Christ. Americans are more determined to be comfortable than biblically right. That preference will produce profound eternal effects for each of us. The findings of the AWI 2025 report are similar to the American Worldview Inventory 2020 survey released by the CRC in 2020, which found that 52% of people who describe themselves as Christian accept a works-oriented means to Gods acceptance. The 2020 study also found that huge proportions of people tied to churches that state salvation comes only by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, believe that a person can qualify for Heaven by being or doing good, including 70% of Catholics, 46% of Pentecostals, 44% of Mainline Protestants and 41% of Evangelicals. Home Opinion Can a young child become a Christian? Can a young child truly be saved and on their way to Heaven? Can he or she be in the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, one of those who is a genuine believer? A Christian educator once said that the faith of a child up to age 12 could be called a borrowed faith; this faith could be borrowed from his parents or a Sunday school teacher. Then, in his early teens, the child would develop their chosen faith, ultimately moving on to their owned faith. Now, when we think of a borrowed faith, do we also think of it as a saving faith? Not exactly, and not something youd want to count on when youre not totally confident. Lets see what Jesus had to say about childrens salvation. At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:1-4). Okay, so the disciples have a different question than I originally posed; they want to know whos the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus calls a little child. In case you question whether this really is a young child, the Greek word is paidion, which means little or young. So, he didnt just call a child, he called a little child. Now remember, in that culture, a 13-year-old boy enters manhood. Young people were married at 16. So, if they are calling a child little, they mean little. Jesus didnt immediately answer the question of greatness. First, he said this: Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So, basically, hes saying, Guys, before we talk about greatness in the Kingdom, lets start with getting into the Kingdom. How does one get into the Kingdom? Change and become like little children. Children have the key ingredient of humility, which prevents pride from getting in the way of their turning and trusting in Jesus. Lets go to Mark 10:13-16: And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. How do we receive the Kingdom of God like a little child? With simple faith in what Jesus has done for us. Very simple faith. No little child is going to give you a dissertation on faith but will respond to the truth with belief. As adults, we are to come with the simple faith of a child. So, whos borrowing whose faith here? I, the adult, am borrowing the simple faith of a child. I throw away my desire to know and have every explanation and simply place my trust in Jesus. Im not suggesting you throw your brains in neutral if you have questions, you can get answers. But when it comes to decision time, the kind of faith that pleases God is the kind that abandons all my own works and trusts wholeheartedly in his ability to take away my sin for me. Im as helpless as helpless gets to do this on my own! We can get so immersed in the process of education that we explain away the Spirit of God, who stirs our hearts to recognize truth and respond to it. Hes not limited by age or the growth patterns of the human mind and body. The Holy Spirit has the power to transform the human spirit in ways we cant understand or measure. So, believe the Bible, present the Gospel to young children, invite them to trust in Jesus, and accept their expression of faith. Apple and Google have sent a new round of cyber threat notifications to users around the world, the companies said this week, announcing their latest effort to insulate customers against surveillance threats. Apple and the Alphabet-owned Google are two of several tech companies that regularly issue warnings to users when they determine they may have been targeted by state-backed hackers. Apple said the warnings were issued on Dec. 2 but gave few further details about the alleged hacking activity and did not address questions about the number of users targeted or say who was thought to be conducting the surveillance. Apple said that to date we have notified users in over 150 countries in total. Apples statement follows Googles Dec. 3 announcement that it was warning all known users targeted using Intellexa spyware, which it said spanned several hundred accounts across various countries, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan. Google said in its announcement that Intellexa, a cyber intelligence company that is sanctioned by the U.S. government, was evading restrictions and thriving. Executives tied to Intellexa did not immediately return messages. Previous waves of warnings have triggered headlines and prompted investigations by government bodies, including the European Union, whose senior officials have previously been targeted using spyware. Threat notifications impose costs on cyber spies by alerting victims, said John Scott-Railton, a researcher with the Canadian digital watchdog group Citizen Lab. He said they were also often the first step in a string of investigations and discoveries that can lead to real accountability around spyware abuses. (Reporting by Satter in Washington, Kalra in New Delhi, and Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by David Goodman and Philippa Fletcher) Waymo said Friday it would issue a recall for its self-driving vehicles after Texas officials said the Alphabet units vehicles had illegally passed school buses at least 19 times in recorded incidents since the start of the school year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which first opened a probe in October into Waymo vehicles near school buses, had asked the self-driving car company on Wednesday to answer a series of questions about the Texas incidents. Holding the highest safety standards means recognizing when our behavior should be better. As a result, we have made the decision to file a voluntary software recall with NHTSA related to appropriately slowing and stopping in these scenarios, Waymo said, adding it believes software updates implemented by November 17 have meaningfully improved performance. (Reporting by Shepardson; editing by Diane Craft) She called police and Chase Bank after noticing an unauthorized $3,500 wire transfer out of her account. Police also mediated a Thanksgiving night dispute involving a couple over the use of a shared car. Pepper Pike Police Department PEPPER PIKE, Ohio Wire fraud; theft: Kersdale Road A resident reported Dec. 1 that shed noticed an unauthorized $3,500 wire transfer from her Chase bank account to a bank in China. She said she contacted Chase fraud investigations unit and it did not appear they would reimburse her at this time. Police added that the banks in China were not responding to subpoenas for records of transactions. Disturbance, domestic dispute: Cedar Road A resident called police around 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27 saying that her live-in boyfriend would not allow her to leave the residence -- at least in the car they were sharing at the time. She said to prevent her from leaving during the Thanksgiving Day argument, he kept closing the garage door every time she opened it. Responding officers mediated with the couple, in their early 60s, and the girlfriend wound up taking the car after she promised to bring it back. Damage to property: Pepper Creek Drive After receiving a home burglar alarm at 3 p.m. Nov. 26, police arrived to find a glass broken out of a sunroom door. Officers also found landscapers on the scene who may have inadvertently broken it out with their equipment, officers surmised. Disabled motor vehicle, fictitious plates: I-271 Responding to a report of a car that had spun out on the freeway at 1 a.m. Nov. 28, police found a Pontiac Grand Am that could still be driven by the occupant, a Euclid man, 44. The problem was that the temporary tag on the Pontiac Grand Am was registered to a Ford truck and had also expired in September. It was unclear if the car was towed at that time, but police seized the placard at the scene. Suspicion, referral: Shaker Boulevard A Pepper Pike resident reported on Dec. 1 an alleged domestic violence incident dating back to 2024, with the potential case under review by the city prosecutor. Warrant served: Shaker Boulevard Pepper Pike officers responded to Lyndhurst Municipal Court on Dec. 5, where officials found that a Mayfield Heights woman, 43, appearing on other matters still had a 2020 drunk driving case pending. She had failed to appear in Shaker Heights Municipal Court on that earlier charge out of Pepper Pike. She was initially taken to the Beachwood Jail where she posted bond. Get police blotters by email every weekday for free with our new Police Blotter newsletter. Sign up at cleveland.com/newsletters Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun. Toyota has revealed the concept for its all-electric Corolla, one of its most popular and iconic models. The car company unveiled the plans for its new electric vehicle at the recent Japan Mobility Show, according to Electrek. The Corolla is not known for being a particularly cool car, but it does have a reputation as reliable. However, the new designs for the electric Corolla appear to take the vehicle into the modern age. Toyota CEO Koji Sato said at the showcase that the new Corollas were "packed with inventions." "Let's make good-looking cars that everyone will want to drive!" he added, per Electrek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's true that good design incentivizes consumers to buy a car, so this is an especially promising opportunity to attract new EV drivers. The next-gen Corolla has a sleek body with a minimalist, high-tech dashboard. In addition to the technical and aesthetic perks, EVs can save you time and money on maintenance compared to cars with internal combustion engines. One report found that charging an EV is less expensive than fueling a gas-powered car. Plus, electric vehicles produce less heat-trapping carbon pollution than traditional cars. This helps mitigate the effects of air pollution, which includes the supercharging of extreme weather events. Gas-powered cars also produce exhaust that can increase the risk of asthma, cancer, and heart disease. Some EV owners like knowing that their cars are contributing to a healthier future. EV owners can save hundreds by charging at home. Qmerit helps homeowners who are interested in installing Level 2 EV chargers by providing free, instant installation estimates. Additionally, people can maximize their savings by installing solar panels, which allows them to generate their own energy rather than relying on the grid. Resources like TCD's Solar Explorer or EnergySage connect you with vetted installers and save up to $10,000 on solar installations by curating competitive bids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concept for the new electric Toyota Corolla hasn't been sent into production yet. However, Electrek said "the next-gen Corolla is expected to arrive with a similar style." 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. Eduardo Manzano, the beloved Polivoz whose comedic voice and memorable characters shaped generations of Mexican television, has died at 87. Jae C. Hong/AP MEXICO CITY, Mexico Eduardo Manzano, renowned Mexican comedian, actor and one half of the famed comedy duo Los Polivoces, died Thursday at 87, Dallas News reported. According to Milenio, Manzano was born July 18, 1938, in Mexico City, and rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s alongside partner Enrique Cuenca. Together they brought to life a string of characters, such as Agallon Mafafas and Gordolfo Gelatino, that made Los Polivoces a household name across Mexico and Latin America. Dallas News said after the duo disbanded, Manzano continued a career spanning television, film, theater and voice work. He was best known for playing Don Arnoldo in the long-running sitcom Una familia de diez, a role he held well into recent years. In a social-media post announcing his passing, his son described him as a comedian loved by thousands and a human being admired by everyone who knew him, Dallas News reported. Although Manzano had faced health issues in recent years, some rumors of his death had circulated erroneously earlier in 2025, his family publicly denied those reports at the time, Univision reported. A cause of death has not been disclosed. Chinas carmakers are drowning in gasoline cars they cant sell at home. EVs now dominate new sales there, so the old-school internal-combustion models are getting shipped by the boatload to the rest of the world. A recent Reuters investigation found that since 2020, about 76% of Chinas auto exports have been fossil-fuel vehicles, with idle lines capable of cranking out tens of millions more every year. Beijings industrial push created a monster: China now has enough factory capacity to build about 43 million vehicles a year but will sell fewer than 29 million domestically, according to analysis cited by the Council on Foreign Relations. Those extra cars arent staying parked. Exports hit almost 6 million vehicles in 2024 alone, and theyre heading mostly to Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. unsplash.com/@nkhasebe For the US Buyer Only a small slice (<0.5% of total vehicle sales) of U.S. car sales comes from factories located in China. Brands with a genuine U.S. presence include Polestar (Geelyowned), Volvo (also Geely), and a limited number of Tesla units built in Shanghai that are imported as specialorder. Regulatory checkpoints - NHTSA crash testing, EPA emissions certification, and the 27.5% import tariff - are the biggest barriers. Future entrants like BYD and MG Motor have announced U.S. rollout plans for 20262027. How This Changes Your Next Adventure Rig If you live outside North America and Western Europe and want a cheap adventure rig, this wave of Chinese metal is going to be in your face. On local dealer lots youll see sharp-looking crossovers with huge touchscreens, LED lighting, and long spec sheets for the same money that used to buy a no-frills work truck. Many of these export models are newer than the budget-nameplates global brands still ship into second-tier markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The catch is support. Dealer networks and parts pipelines for upstart Chinese brands are still patchy in a lot of these countries. Resale values are untested. On the flip side, most of these cars are built to survive brutal price wars at home, which means competitive fuel economy, decent safety kit, and aggressive pricing. Think of it as a global car-price war that just opened a front in your backyard. My Verdict If youre in an emerging market and want maximum hardware per dollar, these Chinese exports are worth a hard lookbut not blind trust. Research crash scores, warranty terms, and parts availability before you sign anything. For drivers in the US and Western Europe, this is less about your next daily and more about pressure. A world where China is dumping cheap gas cars into every open lane will eventually force every brand you know to offer more car, more tech, and more efficiency for less money. This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Dec 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the Gear section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The European Union doesnt have much to brag about these days. Its own officials admit its penchant for red tape looks more like a burden than a benefit. Yet if the old label of "regulatory superpower" is out, the moniker of "lifestyle superpower" is definitely in. "Europe has created a lifestyle... Its a superpower with the highest living and social standards in the world," EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela said in July.This will no doubt prompt laughs from those who know so-called "europoors" moving to Dubai or San Francisco for less tax or better pay. But its pretty accurate, as business school Inseads latest ranking for attracting talent suggests. Income inequality, social mobility and life expectancy in the EU all screen better than the US, even if gross domestic product doesnt.Theres little in Europe that compares with the opioid crisis; cities are safer; infant mortality is lower. European living standards have a far smaller gap with Americans than GDP suggests, according to Copenhagen-based think tank Europa.While New Yorkers aspire to send out baby boxes with essential items for new mothers, Finland, the worlds happiest country with a population of around 5.6 million, has pioneered them for almost a century, as the book Finntopia lays out.The problem for Europe is channeling this into a superpower role. Quality of life is a strength, but power politics has upended the world economy and accentuated Europes weaknesses as a defense free-rider, net energy importer and technology laggard.Happy Finland is sliding into recession and unemployment is near 10%; its small, open economy shares a border with Russia and is exposed to Germanys own economic weakness. Pointing out the problems of the US from inequality to crypto cronyism to reduced academic freedoms that are sending Americans to Switzerland is no longer a comfort blanket; dire demographics and weak growth are making a European lifestyle harder to maintain."Youre losing, JPMorganChase's Jamie Dimon told European leaders this year.Finns, to their credit, know that life will get less comfortable and not just because some have gone 1,000 days without work. Last week, Bank of Finland Governor Olli Rehn called on all of Europe to get its act together and unleash dynamism in the face of Russias war machine, Chinas export juggernaut and US tariffs.Pointing to Finlands faltering economy, he said there would need to be a shared ambition to curb the countrys debt and surging deficit while focusing on strategic investments in defense, decarbonisation and human capital (especially if America is losing its magnetic appeal for talent.) Instead of lifestyle, Rehn talked up the idea of resilience, calling for a culture that valued research and risk-taking to attract brains as well as capital.Rehn's message should be heard loud and clear. Taking responsibility for defense, reducing fossil-fuel dependence and closing the productivity gap with the US should be Europes real lifestyle priorities. Even as Rehn cautioned against stretched valuations in US tech which might bring to mind Finlands own bubbly past he pointed to data-center investments and Nvidia Corps $1 billion stake in Nokia Oyj as signs of optimism.And while Finland's private sector feels the pressure to be more ambitious, the government is also looking at job-market flexicurity, a model pioneered by Denmark, which allows employers to more easily hire and fire workers while also ensuring they have a safety net between jobs. A new Bocconi University working paper suggests this kind of model could boost disruptive innovation in Europe.As Kristalina Georgieva of the International Monetary Fund put it earlier this year: In Europe we enjoy being a lifestyle superpower. Unless we become more productive we may lose this advantage. Finlands advantage is that its faced such struggles before. Even during deep depression in the 1990s, a time when former Prime Minister Sanna Marin recalls schoolchildren would cut erasers in half to share limited resources, it still maintained support for research. And as President Alexander Stubb told Bloombergs Francine Lacqua in September, resilience is a part of Finnish DNA. Maybe this is the side of European living that deserves superpower status along with those baby boxes. Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay! 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. There are many, many great lines in the eight season of Monk, which aired on USA between 2002 and 2009. The premise of the show: a detective so lost in grief following the murder of his wife that he is unable to function without the assistance of a full time caretaker, doesnt seem like the most fertile ground for humor. But it's quickly established in the very first episode that a sad man struggling with his mental health and solving crimes is actually a great set up for jokes. Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) is afraid of everything: elevators, milk, heights, germs, needles, snakes, the dark, crowdsthe list goes on and on. His fears provide numerous challenges for the private detective. Its the reason he cant join the police force, the reason he needs a nurse/assistance, and the reason hes never been interested in anyone after his wifes murder. Don't Miss By Season 3, Episode 3, Mr. Monk and the Blackout, Mr. Monk has not had any romantic entanglements, and thats largely not a problem. He cant shake a hand without taking a wipe from his nurse Sharona (Bitty Schram). The idea of being intimate with a woman is so far off from his list of everyday concerns, that when a woman connected to one of his murder investigations expresses interest he doesnt really know what to do. Somehow, Adrian ends up on the date with the woman, named Michelle. They have a reservation at a restaurant at the top floor of a swanky building, but theres a problem: the former detective has that pesky fear of elevators. Michelle, being entirely too gracious, agrees to take the dozens of flights of stairs in order to avoid one of his phobias. Advertisement During their trek to the top floor eatery, Michelle and Monk try to get to know each other. During this exchange, Monk tries a compliment: he remarks that her head is perfectly round. Were you born cesarean? Monk asked. I dont know, Michelle demurely responds. Then Monk delivers the funniest one liner of the whole show: I was born naturally, but I was raised cesarean." Beyond the fact that this is just a bonkers thing to say to another personespecially on the first dateit perfectly encapsulates the entirety of who Monk is as a person. Its an incredibly economic use of language. In nine words, we get a visceral understanding of who Monk is and whats wrong with him. It speaks to Monks self imposed isolation, his traumatic upbringing, the way hes othered by both himself and those around him, his feeling of alienation. Its also instantly quotable, the kind of line you can pull out at parties in 2025 and impress people with your sardonic and self-depricating humor. This just goes to prove that if youre clever enough, any premise can be great comedy. According to some Canadian comedy fans, the Stanley Cup is more likely than Dave Chappelle to return to Edmonton after what just happened at the Rogers Place arena. On Wednesday night, the American stand-up giant Chappelle played a show at the prestigious 20,000-plus capacity venue that quickly went haywire. Many fans in attendance say that boisterous hecklers hijacked the show before Chappelle cut the set short, with some attendees citing technical issues, including poor sound quality and temperature control problems, as a possible catalyst for the collapse of the performance. Don't Miss We only have written accounts of the disaster as of this reporting, but it's clear from the social media posts of Canadians claiming to have witnessed Chappelle's Wednesday night set that nobody in the Great White North will be surprised if that was the last time when Chappelle will ever slap the microphone against his knee in Alberta. It appears that some rowdy Edmontonians derailed a set that was already on the rocks due to technical issues by shouting at Chappelle like he was a referee at a Junior A game, at least according to what we see on social media. Chappelle abandoned the set (and possibly Alberta) after deciding that it simply wasn't worth trying to win back the arena under those conditions. For Chappelle's many fans in Edmonton, Wednesday was a cataclysmic event that could very well set their city's comedy scene back decades but for others in the Alberta capital, they've never felt more pride in their city: Some Twitter users claimed that the heckling began because Chappelle made a joke about murdered far-right political activist Charlie Kirk, which, if true, would likely make many of Chappelle's critics in the city think twice about siding with the disruptors. Nevertheless, both Chappelle's fans and haters seem to agree that, regardless of what inspired the meltdown, the superstar comedian probably isn't going to take a chance on the city ever again. Advertisement Chappelle, meanwhile, hasn't yet commented on Wednesday night's events, so it does feel premature to say that Edmonton burned its bridge to the international stand-up sensation with just one show although, if Chappelle does come back to Rogers Place, attendees should expect Saudi Arabian levels of crowd control. Pretty much every aspect of the Home Alone series is wildly appealing to young children, from eating ice cream for dinner, to trashing your abusive siblings room, to using cutting-edge cassette tape technology to scam Donald Trumps businesses. Kevin McCallister also made countless audience members mouths water at the sight of piping hot cheese pizza, both in the original 1990 film and the follow-up, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Don't Miss The pizza-Home Alone connection is so strong that Disney recently partnered with real world pizza chain Prince Street Pizza to sell the films fictional Little Neros Pizza, news which will no doubt interest both fans and Little Caesars legal team. This isnt actually the first time that Little Neros Pizza has been available to the public; back in 2015, an UberEats promotion brought the fake brand to the Chicago area. Its unclear how many lawn ornaments ended up as casualties of the marketing campaign. But despite these tie-ins claims, theres no real way to get the real Home Alone pizza anymore. According to cinematographer Julio Macat, per Vice, the original films pizza dinner (which only cost $122.50) wasnt some culinary creation of the props department, they were all real pies supplied by Pieros, a local pizzeria in Wilmette, Illinois. Unfortunately, the restaurant permanently closed in 2019. As for the pile of pizzas that they used in the shot, the crew scarfed down the entire stack. Advertisement Kevin eventually gets his very own pizza after a Christmas miracle leads his family to thoughtlessly abandon him. After tricking the pizza delivery guy into thinking that the house is full of murderous gangsters, Kevin tucks into the meal. Originally, the film featured an even more gratuitous shot of the pizza, complete with a puff of steam wafting out of the box when Kevin opened it. The steam was really just a small amount (of fog) from a fogger machine from special effects on the crew, Macat explained, noting that the old commercial trick helped to enhance (the pizzas) awesomeness. Advertisement Advertisement While that moment didn't make it into the film's final cut, the Home Alone 2 crew used an apparently similar tactic for the unveiling of Kevins cheese pizza in the sequel. Advertisement That pizza was arguably less appetizing in retrospect, seeing as Rob Schneider's very touch could have tainted the pie. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday flagged off a ship laden with relief material, including 300 MT rice, to Cyclone Ditwah-ravaged Sri Lanka. About 300 MT of sugar, 300 MT of lentils, 25 MT of milk powder, medicines, blankets, dhotis, sarees and towels were among the relief materials that were dispatched on Saturday from the Chennai port on behalf of the state Government. The goods were totally valued at Rs 1.19 crore, an official said, and added that a similar consignment with 150 MT rice, 150 MT sugar and other essentials were sent by a ship from Tuticorin port today. The state Government had extended a similar gesture when the island nation faced a severe economic crisis in May 2022. Sri Lanka faced historic flooding when Cyclone Ditwah made a landfall on November 28. According to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA, 9,98,918 people from all 25 districts were affected and 212 deaths were reported. Over 1.80 lakh people were sheltered in 1,094 relief camps. The chief minister said the state sent 950 MT of relief material to Lanka as a symbolic gesture to say we are with you during the difficult times. Quoting a couplet from the Tamil masterpiece Thirukkural authored by savant Thiruvalluvar on the recognition of ones duty even in adverse conditions, he said in a post on the social media platform X that the relief material was being sent to Sri Lanka, which was facing hardship. The couplet no. 218, quoted by Stalin, says those who deeply know duty do not neglect giving even in their own unprosperous season. Panda ambassadors fostering China-France friendship Xinhua) 10:05, December 06, 2025 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. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) 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. 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. Antofagasta (LON:ANTO Free Report) had its price target hoisted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 3,400 to GBX 3,500 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the mining companys stock. A number of other brokerages have also commented on ANTO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Antofagasta from GBX 2,300 to GBX 2,400 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a GBX 1,900 price objective on shares of Antofagasta in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their target price on Antofagasta from GBX 2,125 to GBX 3,165 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 2,300 price target on shares of Antofagasta in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Finally, Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and set a GBX 2,900 target price on shares of Antofagasta in a report on Friday, November 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 2,694.17. Get Antofagasta alerts: Read Our Latest Report on ANTO Antofagasta Stock Up 1.0% Antofagasta Company Profile Shares of LON:ANTO opened at GBX 3,010 on Wednesday. Antofagasta has a 1 year low of GBX 1,278 and a 1 year high of GBX 3,095. The company has a market cap of 29.67 billion, a PE ratio of 27.19, a P/E/G ratio of -1.08 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 65.33, a current ratio of 2.14 and a quick ratio of 2.78. The stocks 50-day moving average is GBX 2,740.09 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 2,252.83. (Get Free Report) Antofagasta plc is a copper mining group with significant by-product production and interests in transportation. The Group creates value for its stakeholders through the discovery, development and operation of copper mines. The Group is committed to generating value in a safe and sustainable way throughout the commodity cycle. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Antofagasta Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Antofagasta and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. (CVE:LIT Get Free Report) traded up 18.2% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$0.13 and last traded at C$0.13. 330,752 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 306% from the average session volume of 81,555 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.11. Argentina Lithium & Energy Price Performance The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$0.11 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$0.09. The company has a market capitalization of C$17.88 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.44 and a beta of 0.33. Argentina Lithium & Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp., a junior mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of natural resource properties in the Americas and Argentina. It primarily explores for lithium. The company was formerly known as Iron South Mining Corp. and changed its name to Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Argentina Lithium & Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Argentina Lithium & Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (OTCMKTS:ASUUY Get Free Report) traded up 4.5% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $115.00 and last traded at $115.00. 100 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 50% from the average session volume of 200 shares. The stock had previously closed at $110.00. ASUSTeK Computer Stock Up 4.5% The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $107.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $97.44. About ASUSTeK Computer (Get Free Report) ASUSTeK Computer Inc researches and develops, designs, manufactures, sells, and repairs computers, communications, and consumer electronic products in Taiwan, China, Singapore, Europe, the United States, and internationally. The company offers Internet information services; maintenance and operating services for information hardware; services information technology and communication products; and leases real estate property. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for ASUSTeK Computer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ASUSTeK Computer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS Free Report) (NYSE:BNS) had its price target raised by Barclays from C$95.00 to C$97.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Several other equities analysts also recently commented on BNS. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from C$80.00 to C$86.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Bank of Nova Scotia from C$86.00 to C$96.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. CIBC boosted their target price on Bank of Nova Scotia from C$93.00 to C$100.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. National Bankshares set a C$81.00 price target on Bank of Nova Scotia and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on Bank of Nova Scotia from C$78.00 to C$88.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$91.77. Get Bank of Nova Scotia alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on BNS Bank of Nova Scotia Price Performance Shares of TSE:BNS opened at C$99.26 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of C$122.72 billion, a PE ratio of 17.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.35. Bank of Nova Scotia has a 1 year low of C$62.57 and a 1 year high of C$99.37. The firms 50-day moving average is C$92.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$83.48. Bank of Nova Scotia (TSE:BNS Get Free Report) (NYSE:BNS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 2nd. The bank reported C$1.93 earnings per share for the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia had a net margin of 17.68% and a return on equity of 9.64%. The firm had revenue of C$9.77 billion during the quarter. Analysts expect that Bank of Nova Scotia will post 7.1286267 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bank of Nova Scotia Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 29th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 29th were paid a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.4%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 7th. Bank of Nova Scotias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 76.19%. Bank of Nova Scotia Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bank of Nova Scotia is a global financial services provider. The bank has five business segments: Canadian banking, international banking, global wealth management, global banking and markets, and other. It offers a range of advice, products, and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Queensland Limited (OTCMKTS:BKQNY Get Free Report)s stock price rose 2.9% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $8.4650 and last traded at $8.4650. Approximately 695 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 37% from the average daily volume of 1,107 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.2250. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Bank of Queensland in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. They issued a sell rating and a $6.79 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Sell and a consensus target price of $6.79. Get Bank of Queensland alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Bank of Queensland Bank of Queensland Stock Performance About Bank of Queensland The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $8.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.63. (Get Free Report) Bank of Queensland Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Australia and New Zealand. The company operates in Retail Banking, BOQ Business, and Other segments. It offers personal banking services comprises savings and term deposits, and transactional accounts; debit and credit cards; home, personal, and car loans; and travel, home and content, landlord, and car insurance, as well as investment services comprising online share trading services, and self-managed superannuation funds. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Queensland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Queensland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of British Smaller Companies VCT (LON:BSV Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 72 and last traded at GBX 72, with a volume of 26216 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 73.50. British Smaller Companies VCT Stock Up 2.0% The company has a market capitalization of 266.00 million, a PE ratio of 33.94 and a beta of 0.02. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 75.60 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 75.77. Get British Smaller Companies VCT alerts: British Smaller Companies VCT (LON:BSV Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 2nd. The company reported GBX 0.42 EPS for the quarter. British Smaller Companies VCT had a return on equity of 3.73% and a net margin of 66.78%. About British Smaller Companies VCT British Smaller Companies VCT plc is a venture capital trust specializing in investments in early stage, mid and late venture, later stage, recapitalizations, growing capital-consuming businesses, acquisition funding and business development in mature, VCT qualifying and non-qualifying unquoted and quoted companies listed on alternative investment market and ISDX. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for British Smaller Companies VCT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for British Smaller Companies VCT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eighteen brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $336.2143. Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. BTIG Research initiated coverage on Burlington Stores in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Burlington Stores in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Burlington Stores from $330.00 to $315.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Burlington Stores from $346.00 to $316.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Burlington Stores in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Get Burlington Stores alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BURL Burlington Stores Stock Up 5.9% Shares of BURL stock opened at $271.99 on Wednesday. Burlington Stores has a fifty-two week low of $212.92 and a fifty-two week high of $309.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.12 billion, a PE ratio of 31.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 1.21. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $268.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $263.57. Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The company reported $1.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.59 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $2.71 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.74 billion. Burlington Stores had a net margin of 5.01% and a return on equity of 41.02%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.55 earnings per share. Burlington Stores has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 4.500-4.70 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 9.690-9.890 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Burlington Stores will post 7.93 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at Burlington Stores In other news, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 419 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.48, for a total transaction of $115,007.12. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer owned 63,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,498,374.48. The trade was a 0.65% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CAO Stephen Ferroni sold 1,123 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $281.25, for a total transaction of $315,843.75. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 2,389 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $671,906.25. The trade was a 31.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 1,626 shares of company stock valued at $452,804. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Burlington Stores Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Burlington Stores by 3.5% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,782,201 shares of the companys stock worth $1,726,070,000 after acquiring an additional 232,358 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its stake in Burlington Stores by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,184,171 shares of the companys stock worth $555,872,000 after purchasing an additional 26,529 shares in the last quarter. SRS Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Burlington Stores by 15.9% during the 2nd quarter. SRS Investment Management LLC now owns 1,472,137 shares of the companys stock worth $342,478,000 after purchasing an additional 201,716 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Burlington Stores by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,176,469 shares of the companys stock worth $272,894,000 after purchasing an additional 26,866 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in Burlington Stores by 6.7% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 945,554 shares of the companys stock valued at $240,643,000 after purchasing an additional 59,587 shares in the last quarter. Burlington Stores Company Profile (Get Free Report) Burlington Stores, Inc operates as a retailer of branded merchandise in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Burlington Stores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Burlington Stores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twenty-one research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and four have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $93.22. Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Newmont from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and upped their price objective for the company from $71.50 to $114.00 in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Argus upped their price target on shares of Newmont from $75.00 to $94.00 in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Newmont from $74.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. National Bankshares reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Newmont in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $104.30 price target on Newmont and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Sunday, October 12th. Get Newmont alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Newmont Newmont Price Performance Shares of NYSE NEM opened at $89.84 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $86.92 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $72.49. The company has a market cap of $98.04 billion, a PE ratio of 13.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 0.41. Newmont has a twelve month low of $36.86 and a twelve month high of $98.58. Newmont (NYSE:NEM Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The basic materials company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.44. Newmont had a return on equity of 20.35% and a net margin of 33.42%.The company had revenue of $5.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.14 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.81 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 20.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Newmont will post 3.45 EPS for the current year. Newmont Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 22nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 26th. Newmonts payout ratio is presently 15.53%. Insider Transactions at Newmont In other news, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,080 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.36, for a total transaction of $192,108.80. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 32,709 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,021,003.24. This trade represents a 5.98% 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 hyperlink. Also, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 5,000 shares of Newmont stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.34, for a total transaction of $406,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 279,923 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,768,936.82. The trade was a 1.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 11,240 shares of company stock worth $943,985. 0.05% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Newmont A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NEM. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Newmont during the 2nd quarter worth $919,170,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in Newmont by 45.0% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 15,587,917 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $908,152,000 after buying an additional 4,839,447 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Newmont by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 12,934,095 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $624,458,000 after buying an additional 191,940 shares during the period. Amundi raised its position in shares of Newmont by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 12,646,114 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $611,187,000 after buying an additional 343,535 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Newmont by 15.9% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 8,772,477 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $423,572,000 after acquiring an additional 1,201,237 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 68.85% of the companys stock. About Newmont (Get Free Report) Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Newmont Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Newmont and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $55.55 and last traded at $55.5070, with a volume of 2445026 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $54.66. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently issued reports on CFG. DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $59.00 price objective on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. They set an overweight rating and a $61.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 19th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $60.00 target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $56.57. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Citizens Financial Group Citizens Financial Group Trading Down 0.6% The company has a market capitalization of $23.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.56, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.85. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $52.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $48.66. Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The bank reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.02. Citizens Financial Group had a net margin of 14.17% and a return on equity of 7.48%. The firm had revenue of $2.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.79 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.92 earnings per share for the current year. Citizens Financial Group Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 29th were given a dividend of $0.46 per share. This is a boost from Citizens Financial Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 29th. Citizens Financial Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 51.54%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CFG. Investors Research Corp boosted its holdings in Citizens Financial Group by 344.8% in the 2nd quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 645 shares of the banks stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont increased its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 177.5% during the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 641 shares of the banks stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 410 shares during the last quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC raised its position in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 16,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 680 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 676 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in Citizens Financial Group by 891.5% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 585 shares of the banks stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 526 shares during the last quarter. Finally, REAP Financial Group LLC grew its position in Citizens Financial Group by 72.4% in the second quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 736 shares of the banks stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 309 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.90% of the companys stock. About Citizens Financial Group (Get Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / Education by Stephen Jakes HARARE - Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Torerayi Moyo has claimed that Zimbabwe now boasts the highest number of schools per capita in Southern Africa, a development he says has drastically reduced the distances children walk to access education.Posting on his X account, Moyo said that not long ago, children in areas such as Muzarabani were walking up to five kilometres to reach the nearest school."Today, I am proud to say that Zimbabwe now boasts the highest number of schools per capita in Southern Africa - no other country comes close. This is not just a statistic; it's a testament to our unwavering commitment to education as a fundamental right," Moyo said.He cited Sanya Primary School in Muzarabani as an example, noting that it had been transformed into a modern learning centre through support from Delta Corporation Zimbabwe."This is what public-private partnership looks like in action - delivering real impact where it matters most," he added.Moyo said that under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, government has built a record number of schools across the country, many equipped with science laboratories and digital classrooms.He emphasised that the Second Republic is preparing learners for a competitive future."This is the Second Republic in action - delivering development that leaves no child behind," Moyo said. Senator Gary C. Peters (D-Michigan) recently bought shares of Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG). In a filing disclosed on December 04th, the Senator disclosed that they had bought between $1,001 and $15,000 in Conagra Brands stock on November 14th. Conagra Brands Stock Up 0.6% NYSE CAG opened at $17.06 on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $17.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The firm has a market cap of $8.16 billion, a PE ratio of 9.69 and a beta of -0.01. Conagra Brands has a 52 week low of $16.60 and a 52 week high of $28.51. Get Conagra Brands alerts: Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 1st. The company reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.06. Conagra Brands had a net margin of 7.42% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The firm had revenue of $2.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.62 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.53 earnings per share. Conagra Brandss quarterly revenue was down 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. Conagra Brands has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.700-1.85 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Conagra Brands will post 2.35 earnings per share for the current year. Conagra Brands Announces Dividend Insider Transactions at Conagra Brands The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 30th were issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.2%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 30th. Conagra Brandss payout ratio is currently 79.55%. In other Conagra Brands news, SVP Melissa C. Napier sold 13,011 shares of Conagra Brands stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.19, for a total transaction of $223,659.09. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.57% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Conagra Brands A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quaker Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Conagra Brands by 202.3% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,227 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 2,427 shares in the last quarter. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Conagra Brands in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in shares of Conagra Brands by 844.4% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 1,596 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,427 shares during the last quarter. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in shares of Conagra Brands during the second quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Spire Wealth Management increased its holdings in Conagra Brands by 249.0% in the third quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,724 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 1,230 shares during the last quarter. 83.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on shares of Conagra Brands from $24.00 to $23.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Conagra Brands from $20.00 to $19.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Conagra Brands in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a neutral rating and a $20.00 target price for the company. Zacks Research upgraded Conagra Brands from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on Conagra Brands from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $21.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Conagra Brands About Senator Peters Gary Peters (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. Senate from Michigan. He assumed office on January 3, 2015. His current term ends on January 3, 2027. Peters (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. Senate to represent Michigan. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020. Peters completed Ballotpedias Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers. Peters was elected to the Senate in 2014. On May 1, 2013, Peters announced he would seek election to the United States Senate seat that was being vacated in 2014 by retiring Michigan Sen. Carl Levin. Peters ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 5, 2014, before he defeated Terri Lynn Land (R), Jim Fulner (Libertarian), Richard Matkin (U.S. Taxpayers), and Chris Wahmhoff (Green) in the general election on November 4, 2014. Peters was previously a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Michigans 9th Congressional District from 2009 to 2013 and Michigans 14th Congressional District from 2013 to 2015. He also served as Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery from 2003 to 2007. As of a 2014 analysis of multiple outside rankings, Peters is an average Democratic member of Congress, meaning he will vote with the Democratic Party on the majority of bills. On January 28, 2021, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) appointed Peters to head the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2022 campaign cycle. Peters was born in 1958 in Pontiac, Michigan. After graduating from Alma College in 1980, Peters went on to receive his M.B.A. from the University of Detroit and his J.D. from Wayne State University in 1985 and 1989, respectively. Prior to his political career, Peters worked as a professor and investment banker. He also served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1993 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2005. About Conagra Brands (Get Free Report) Conagra Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company primarily in the United States. The company operates through Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice segments. The Grocery & Snacks segment primarily offers shelf stable food products through various retail channels. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Conagra Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Conagra Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Perimeter Solutions (NYSE:PRM Get Free Report) and PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, dividends and analyst recommendations. Risk and Volatility Perimeter Solutions has a beta of 1.96, suggesting that its share price is 96% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, PPG Industries has a beta of 1.16, suggesting that its share price is 16% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get Perimeter Solutions alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Perimeter Solutions and PPG Industries, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Perimeter Solutions 0 1 2 1 3.00 PPG Industries 1 9 7 1 2.44 Profitability Perimeter Solutions presently has a consensus price target of $26.00, suggesting a potential downside of 9.28%. PPG Industries has a consensus price target of $123.58, suggesting a potential upside of 22.29%. Given PPG Industries higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe PPG Industries is more favorable than Perimeter Solutions. This table compares Perimeter Solutions and PPG Industries net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Perimeter Solutions 12.26% 17.33% 8.12% PPG Industries 6.35% 23.61% 8.28% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Perimeter Solutions and PPG Industriess revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Perimeter Solutions $560.97 million 7.56 -$5.91 million $0.42 68.24 PPG Industries $15.85 billion 1.43 $1.12 billion $4.41 22.92 PPG Industries has higher revenue and earnings than Perimeter Solutions. PPG Industries is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Perimeter Solutions, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider and Institutional Ownership 89.9% of Perimeter Solutions shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.9% of PPG Industries shares are owned by institutional investors. 10.0% of Perimeter Solutions shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of PPG Industries shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. About Perimeter Solutions (Get Free Report) Perimeter Solutions, SA manufactures and supplies firefighting products and lubricant additives in the United States, Germany, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Fire Safety and Specialty Products. The Fire Safety segment provides fire retardants and firefighting foams, as well as specialized equipment and services for federal, state, provincial, local/municipal, and commercial customers. The Specialty Products segment produces and sells Phosphorus Pentasulfide, which is primarily used in the preparation of lubricant additives, including a family of compounds called Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphates. The company offers its products under the PHOS-CHEK, FIRE-TROL, AUXQUIMIA, and SOLBERG brands. Perimeter Solutions, SA was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. About PPG Industries (Get Free Report) PPG Industries, Inc. manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty materials in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through two segments, Performance Coatings and Industrial Coatings. The Performance Coatings segment offers coatings, solvents, adhesives, sealants, sundries, and software for automotive and commercial transport/fleet repair and refurbishing, light industrial coatings, and specialty coatings for signs; wood stains; paints, thermoplastics, pavement marking products, and other advanced technologies for pavement marking for government, commercial infrastructure, painting, and maintenance contractors; and coatings, sealants, transparencies, transparent armor, adhesives, engineered materials, and packaging and chemical management services for commercial, military, regional jet, and general aviation aircraft. The Industrial Coatings segment offers coatings, adhesives and sealants, and metal pretreatments, as well as services and coatings applications for appliances, agricultural and construction equipment, consumer electronics, automotive parts and accessories, building products, kitchenware, and transportation vehicles and other finished products; and on-site coatings services. It also provides coatings for metal cans, closures, plastic and aluminum tubes for food, beverage and personal care, promotional, and specialty packaging; amorphous precipitated silica for tire, battery separator, and other end-uses; TESLIN substrates for labels, e-passports, drivers' licenses, breathable membranes, and loyalty and identification cards; and organic light emitting diode materials, displays and lighting lens materials, optical lenses, color-change products, and photochromic dyes. PPG Industries, Inc. was incorporated in 1883 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Receive News & Ratings for Perimeter Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Perimeter Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FMCB Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $1,081.00 and last traded at $1,081.00, with a volume of 168 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $1,067.0699. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Stock Up 2.0% The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The stock has a market cap of $789.55 million, a P/E ratio of 8.38 and a beta of 0.21. The companys 50 day moving average price is $1,028.40 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1,020.19. Get Farmers & Merchants Bancorp alerts: Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FMCB Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The bank reported $33.92 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $62.28 million for the quarter. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp had a return on equity of 15.03% and a net margin of 30.89%. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Cuts Dividend Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Company Profile The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Investors of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a $0.2275 dividend. This represents a $0.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.1%. Farmers & Merchants Bancorps payout ratio is currently 15.29%. (Get Free Report) Farmers & Merchants Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California that provides various banking services to businesses and individuals. The company accepts various deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, time certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares International Equity Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:INTF Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $37.22 and last traded at $37.2250, with a volume of 130836 shares. The stock had previously closed at $37.03. iShares International Equity Factor ETF Price Performance The business has a 50 day moving average price of $36.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $35.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.79 billion, a PE ratio of 14.00 and a beta of 0.81. Get iShares International Equity Factor ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares International Equity Factor ETF Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in shares of iShares International Equity Factor ETF by 54,816.1% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 15,878,455 shares of the companys stock worth $543,519,000 after acquiring an additional 15,849,541 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of iShares International Equity Factor ETF in the first quarter worth $77,717,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares International Equity Factor ETF by 86.3% in the first quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 2,290,401 shares of the companys stock worth $70,636,000 after acquiring an additional 1,061,028 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in iShares International Equity Factor ETF by 61.2% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,059,484 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,264,000 after acquiring an additional 402,408 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Modern Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares International Equity Factor ETF by 52.6% in the 1st quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC now owns 773,168 shares of the companys stock worth $23,844,000 after purchasing an additional 266,387 shares during the period. iShares International Equity Factor ETF Company Profile The iShares International Equity Factor ETF (INTF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the STOXX International Equity Factor index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap equities in developed markets outside the US. Stocks are selected and weighted to maximize exposure to five factors: momentum, quality, value, low volatility, and size. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares International Equity Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares International Equity Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Free Report) had its target price upped by Raymond James Financial from C$30.00 to C$40.50 in a research report report published on Wednesday morning,BayStreet.CA reports. Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Desjardins lifted their price objective on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$29.00 to C$30.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. National Bankshares cut their target price on shares of 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. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$29.00 to C$31.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. CIBC upped their price target on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$33.00 to C$35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Scotiabank set a C$33.00 price objective on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of C$32.21. Get Laurentian Bank of Canada alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Laurentian Bank of Canada Laurentian Bank of Canada Trading Down 0.1% TSE:LB opened at C$39.86 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.77 billion, a PE ratio of 13.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.44. The firms 50 day moving average is C$33.37 and its 200 day moving average is C$31.74. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a 12 month low of C$24.37 and a 12 month high of C$40.01. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 5th. The company reported C$0.73 earnings per share for the quarter. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a negative return on equity of 0.20% and a negative net margin of 0.30%.The business had revenue of C$244.71 million during the quarter. Research analysts predict that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 3.8414986 earnings per share for the current year. Laurentian Bank of Canada Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Saturday, November 1st were paid a $0.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 1st. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.7%. Laurentian Bank of Canadas payout ratio is currently 61.64%. About Laurentian Bank of Canada (Get Free Report) Laurentian Bank of Canada provides personal banking, business banking and real estate and commercial financing to its personal, business, and institutional customers across Canada and the United States. The company reports three operating segments: personal, business services, and capital markets. The personal segment offers financial services to retail clients. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sylvamo (NYSE:SLVM Get Free Report) and Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE:RYAM Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, valuation, risk, profitability, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations. Volatility & Risk Sylvamo has a beta of 0.95, indicating that its share price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Rayonier Advanced Materials has a beta of 2.17, indicating that its share price is 117% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get Sylvamo alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares Sylvamo and Rayonier Advanced Materialss revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sylvamo $3.77 billion 0.51 $302.00 million $4.37 11.16 Rayonier Advanced Materials $1.63 billion 0.26 -$38.71 million ($6.25) -1.01 Sylvamo has higher revenue and earnings than Rayonier Advanced Materials. Rayonier Advanced Materials is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sylvamo, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Sylvamo and Rayonier Advanced Materials, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sylvamo 1 2 1 0 2.00 Rayonier Advanced Materials 1 1 1 0 2.00 Sylvamo presently has a consensus price target of $54.00, suggesting a potential upside of 10.71%. Rayonier Advanced Materials has a consensus price target of $6.00, suggesting a potential downside of 4.76%. Given Sylvamos higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Sylvamo is more favorable than Rayonier Advanced Materials. Insider & Institutional Ownership 91.2% of Sylvamo shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 68.6% of Rayonier Advanced Materials shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Sylvamo shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 4.4% of Rayonier Advanced Materials shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares Sylvamo and Rayonier Advanced Materials net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sylvamo 5.25% 19.72% 6.87% Rayonier Advanced Materials -28.21% -13.64% -3.64% Summary Sylvamo beats Rayonier Advanced Materials on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Sylvamo (Get Free Report) Sylvamo Corporation produces and markets uncoated freesheet for cutsize, offset paper, and pulp in Latin America, Europe, and North America. The company operates through Europe, Latin America, and North America segments. The Europe segment offers copy, tinted, and colored laser printing paper under REY Adagio and Pro-Design brands; and graphic and high-speed inkjet printing papers under the brand Jetstar; as well as produces uncoated freesheet papers. The Latin America segment focuses on uncoated freesheet paper under Chamex, Chamequinho and Chambril brands, as well as produces HP papers. This segment also operates integrated mills and non-integrated mills. The North America segment offers imaging, commercial printing, and converting papers, as well as uncoated papers under Hammermill, Springhill, Williamsburg, Accent, DRM and Postmark brand names. It distributes its products through a variety of channels, including retail merchants, e-commerce, agents, resellers, and paper distributors. The company was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. About Rayonier Advanced Materials (Get Free Report) Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. manufactures and sells cellulose specialty products in the United States, China, Latin America, Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, other Asian countries, and internationally. It operates through High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard, and High-Yield Pulp segments. The companys products include cellulose specialties, which are natural polymers that are used as raw materials to manufacture a range of consumer-oriented products, such as liquid crystal displays, impact-resistant plastics, thickeners for food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cigarette filters, high-tenacity rayon yarn for tires and industrial hoses, food casings, paints, and lacquers. It also offers commodity products, such as commodity viscose pulp used in woven applications, including rayon textiles for clothing and other fabrics, as well as in non-woven applications comprising baby wipes, cosmetic and personal wipes, industrial wipes, and mattress ticking; and absorbent materials consisting of fluff fibers that are used as an absorbent medium in disposable baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinence pads, convalescent bed pads, industrial towels and wipes, and non-woven fabrics. In addition, the company provides paperboards for packaging, printing documents, brochures, promotional materials, paperback books and catalog covers, file folders, tags, and lottery tickets; and high-yield pulps to produces hardwood aspen, maple, and birch species for paperboard, packaging, printing and writing papers, and various other paper products. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Receive News & Ratings for Sylvamo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sylvamo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $5.31 and last traded at $5.2550, with a volume of 5544762 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $5.12. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Taseko Mines in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $5.00. Get Taseko Mines alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Taseko Mines Taseko Mines Stock Performance Institutional Investors Weigh In On Taseko Mines The stock has a market capitalization of $1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of -176.67 and a beta of 1.35. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $4.42 and its 200 day simple moving average is $3.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.71 and a quick ratio of 1.05. A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sowell Financial Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Taseko Mines by 8.7% during the 2nd quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 62,331 shares of the companys stock worth $196,000 after acquiring an additional 5,000 shares during the period. CenterBook Partners LP raised its position in Taseko Mines by 0.7% during the third quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 774,437 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,276,000 after purchasing an additional 5,007 shares in the last quarter. Carrera Capital Advisors lifted its stake in Taseko Mines by 0.8% during the third quarter. Carrera Capital Advisors now owns 706,110 shares of the companys stock worth $2,987,000 after purchasing an additional 5,425 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its stake in Taseko Mines by 12.2% during the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 58,640 shares of the companys stock worth $247,000 after purchasing an additional 6,399 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth boosted its holdings in shares of Taseko Mines by 19.9% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 60,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $135,000 after purchasing an additional 10,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 17.94% of the companys stock. About Taseko Mines (Get Free Report) Taseko Mines Limited, a mining company, acquires, develops, and operates mineral properties. It explores for copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, and silver deposits. The companys principal asset comprises 100% interest owned the Gibraltar mine located in British Columbia. It also holds interest in the Yellowhead copper project, the Aley niobium project, and the New Prosperity gold and copper project located in British Columbia; and the Florence copper project located in Arizona. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taseko Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taseko Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $38.66 and last traded at $38.1350, with a volume of 289022 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $38.52. Analysts Set New Price Targets BCH has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Banco De Chile from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Zacks Research raised Banco De Chile from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Banco De Chile from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco De Chile in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Banco De Chile from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Banco De Chile presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $34.00. Get Banco De Chile alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Banco De Chile Banco De Chile Stock Down 3.6% The stock has a fifty day moving average of $34.51 and a 200 day moving average of $31.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 1.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.23. Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by ($0.02). Banco De Chile had a net margin of 32.87% and a return on equity of 23.25%. The business had revenue of $764.93 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $831.97 million. On average, research analysts anticipate that Banco De Chile will post 2.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Banco De Chile Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Banco De Chile by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 8,145 shares of the banks stock worth $248,000 after acquiring an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its position in Banco De Chile by 7.5% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 6,141 shares of the banks stock worth $187,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the period. Profund Advisors LLC boosted its position in Banco De Chile by 5.5% during the third quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 10,443 shares of the banks stock worth $316,000 after purchasing an additional 543 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Banco De Chile by 3.8% in the third quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 24,515 shares of the banks stock worth $743,000 after purchasing an additional 906 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Banco De Chile by 161.6% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,504 shares of the banks stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 929 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 1.24% of the companys stock. About Banco De Chile (Get Free Report) Banco de Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking services to customers in Chile. The company offers checking and debit accounts, debit and credit cards, and lines of credit; mortgage, consume, commercial, general purpose mortgage loans, and finance leases; and factoring services, mutual fund management, stock brokerage, foreign trade, payments and collections, insurance brokerage, including life and general insurance, as well as time deposits, savings instruments, and foreign currency services through branches under the Banco de Chile and Banco Edwards brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Banco De Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco De Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank Of Montreal (NYSE:BMO Get Free Report) (TSE:BMO) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be paid a dividend of 1.67 per share by the bank on Thursday, February 26th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 30th. This is a 2.5% increase from Bank Of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. Bank Of Montreal has increased its dividend by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 4 consecutive years. Bank Of Montreal has a dividend payout ratio of 50.6% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Bank Of Montreal to earn $9.02 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $4.68 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 51.9%. Get Bank Of Montreal alerts: Bank Of Montreal Price Performance BMO stock opened at $128.81 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $125.61 and its 200 day moving average price is $118.28. Bank Of Montreal has a 12-month low of $85.40 and a 12-month high of $131.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The company has a market capitalization of $91.66 billion, a PE ratio of 15.79, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.95. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Bank Of Montreal ( NYSE:BMO Get Free Report ) (TSE:BMO) last released its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The bank reported $2.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.16 by $0.20. Bank Of Montreal had a return on equity of 11.79% and a net margin of 11.13%.The company had revenue of $6.67 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.51 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.90 EPS. Bank Of Montreals revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Bank Of Montreal will post 7.71 EPS for the current year. Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Scotiabank reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Bank Of Montreal from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. TD Securities reissued a hold rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a research report on Friday. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut shares of Bank Of Montreal from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $168.00 to $163.00 in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $163.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bank Of Montreal 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank Of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank Of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUC Free Report) by 59.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 94,734 shares of the companys stock after selling 139,163 shares during the quarter. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc.s holdings in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund were worth $980,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 12.1% during the second quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 1,832,307 shares of the companys stock worth $18,964,000 after acquiring an additional 197,341 shares during the last quarter. Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 23.7% in the 2nd quarter. Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC now owns 13,222 shares of the companys stock valued at $137,000 after purchasing an additional 2,529 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 16.0% in the 2nd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 752,848 shares of the companys stock worth $7,792,000 after purchasing an additional 103,646 shares in the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. boosted its stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 110,392 shares of the companys stock worth $1,143,000 after purchasing an additional 3,339 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WESCAP Management Group Inc. grew its position in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund by 63.0% during the 2nd quarter. WESCAP Management Group Inc. now owns 80,576 shares of the companys stock worth $834,000 after purchasing an additional 31,156 shares during the last quarter. 30.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund alerts: BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Stock Down 0.1% NYSE MUC opened at $10.69 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.77 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.49. BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. has a 12-month low of $9.97 and a 12-month high of $11.47. BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Dividend Announcement BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Profile The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a $0.0535 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.0%. (Free Report) BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in a portfolio of long-term investment-grade municipal obligations, the interest on which is exempt from Federal and California income taxes. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MUC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / Health by Stephen Jakes BULAWAYO - The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has reported that more than 24,000 children were recently given Vitamin A supplements as part of ongoing efforts to combat malnutrition and related health challenges.According to the latest council minutes, a total of 24,460 children received due and overdue supplementation. Emakhandeni district administered the highest number (9,300), while Nkulumane district recorded the lowest (6,885).The minutes also highlighted the city's participation in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed globally every October. Council noted that breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide."The theme for Breast Cancer Awareness Month was 'Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters', which emphasised the individual nature of each person's experience with breast cancer and called for equitable, high-quality care embedded with psychosocial support," the minutes read.The campaign was integrated with World Mental Health Day on 10 October, promoting holistic health by recognising the emotional and psychological dimensions of cancer. Council noted that many patients face depression, anxiety and isolation, while caregivers also bear a heavy mental burden.A series of community dialogues were held across city clinics, supported by councillors, with one session hosted at Elgibho Guest Lodge. These focused on raising awareness of breast cancer signs, symptoms, causes and self-examination, encouraging early detection. Survivors shared personal testimonies highlighting both mental health struggles and financial challenges in managing the disease.To further amplify awareness, a citywide Breast Cancer Awareness Commemoration was held at the Large City Hall. Residents raised concerns over under-resourced health systems, particularly in diagnosis and treatment, which they said contributed to poor outcomes.Council concluded that all activities were aimed at empowering residents to live healthier lives and improve overall well-being - physically, mentally and socially. Health information dissemination sessions continued across facilities, supported by videos carrying key health messages on clinic television sets. Capula Management Ltd purchased a new position in shares of New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 170,100 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $842,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NGD. Creative Planning lifted its position in New Gold by 8.1% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 27,575 shares of the companys stock worth $136,000 after buying an additional 2,071 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of New Gold by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 473,856 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,342,000 after acquiring an additional 2,679 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its stake in shares of New Gold by 17.8% in the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 25,176 shares of the companys stock worth $93,000 after acquiring an additional 3,808 shares during the last quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new position in shares of New Gold in the second quarter worth $32,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of New Gold by 1,837.7% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 8,933 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 8,472 shares in the last quarter. 42.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get New Gold alerts: New Gold Stock Performance Shares of NYSE NGD opened at $7.69 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $7.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 1.39. New Gold Inc. has a 52 week low of $2.43 and a 52 week high of $8.62. The firm has a market cap of $6.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.16 and a beta of 0.65. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Raymond James Financial restated a market perform rating and issued a $7.00 target price on shares of New Gold in a research note on Friday, October 10th. TD Securities upgraded New Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $12.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday. Scotiabank boosted their price target on New Gold from $5.50 to $8.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. CIBC raised their price objective on shares of New Gold from $6.50 to $9.50 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, National Bankshares reiterated an outperform rating on shares of New Gold in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, New Gold presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $7.38. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on NGD New Gold Company Profile (Free Report) New Gold Inc, an intermediate gold mining company, develops and operates of mineral properties in Canada. It primarily explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits. The companys principal operating properties include 100% interest in the Rainy River mine located in Northwestern Ontario, Canada; and New Afton project situated in South-Central British Columbia. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NGD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for New Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tingyi Cayman Islands (OTCMKTS:TCYMF Get Free Report) and Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR Get Free Report) are both mid-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and risk. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Tingyi Cayman Islands and Darling Ingredients, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Tingyi Cayman Islands alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Tingyi Cayman Islands 0 0 0 0 0.00 Darling Ingredients 1 3 9 1 2.71 Darling Ingredients has a consensus target price of $45.33, suggesting a potential upside of 24.31%. Given Darling Ingredients stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Darling Ingredients is more favorable than Tingyi Cayman Islands. Volatility and Risk Institutional and Insider Ownership Tingyi Cayman Islands has a beta of -0.43, suggesting that its share price is 143% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Darling Ingredients has a beta of 1.29, suggesting that its share price is 29% more volatile than the S&P 500. 94.4% of Darling Ingredients shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.6% of Darling Ingredients shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Tingyi Cayman Islands and Darling Ingredientss gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Tingyi Cayman Islands $11.22 billion 0.65 $519.46 million N/A N/A Darling Ingredients $5.84 billion 0.99 $278.88 million $0.67 54.43 Tingyi Cayman Islands has higher revenue and earnings than Darling Ingredients. Profitability This table compares Tingyi Cayman Islands and Darling Ingredients net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Tingyi Cayman Islands N/A N/A N/A Darling Ingredients 1.84% 2.39% 1.08% Summary Darling Ingredients beats Tingyi Cayman Islands on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Tingyi Cayman Islands (Get Free Report) Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp., an investment holding company, manufactures and sells instant noodles, beverages, and instant food products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Instant Noodles, Beverages, and Others segments. It offers ready-to-drink teas, juices, bottled water, and carbonated soft drinks, as well as coffee drinks/functional drinks/probiotics. The company also provides property rental and management, logistics, management, and support services; and manufactures and sells bakery products. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. About Darling Ingredients (Get Free Report) Darling Ingredients Inc. develops, produces, and sells natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients in North America, Europe, China, South America, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients, and Fuel Ingredients. It offers ingredients and customized specialty solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, food, pet food, feed, industrial, fuel, bioenergy, and fertilizer industries. The company also collects and transforms various animal by-product streams into useable and specialty ingredients, such as collagen, edible fats, feed-grade fats, animal proteins and meals, plasma, pet food ingredients, organic fertilizers, yellow grease, fuel feedstock, green energy, natural casings, and hides. In addition, it recovers and converts used cooking oil and animal fats, and residual bakery products into valuable feed and fuel ingredients. Further, the company provides environmental services, including grease trap collection and disposal services to food service establishments. It primarily operates under the Rendac, Sonac, FASA, Ecoson, Rousselot, Gelnex, and CTH brand names. The company was formerly known as Darling International Inc. and changed its name to Darling Ingredients Inc. in May 2014. Darling Ingredients Inc. was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Tingyi Cayman Islands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tingyi Cayman Islands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cresset Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Free Report) by 49.0% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 158,862 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 52,250 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $17,793,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in EFG. Gateway Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 6.8% during the 2nd quarter. Gateway Wealth Partners LLC now owns 18,249 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,044,000 after acquiring an additional 1,167 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 171,319 shares of the companys stock worth $19,188,000 after purchasing an additional 3,327 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the second quarter valued at $270,000. Kilter Group LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 1.8% during the second quarter. Kilter Group LLC now owns 59,179 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,628,000 after purchasing an additional 1,028 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Trek Financial LLC grew its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 1.0% during the second quarter. Trek Financial LLC now owns 75,750 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,484,000 after purchasing an additional 743 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Stock Up 19.6% Shares of EFG opened at $114.89 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $114.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $112.23. The stock has a market cap of $13.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.98 and a beta of 0.96. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 52 week low of $88.66 and a 52 week high of $113.16. About iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paul Mueller (OTCMKTS:MUEL Get Free Report) and Tennant (NYSE:TNC Get Free Report) are both small-cap industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, earnings, valuation, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Paul Mueller and Tennant, as provided by MarketBeat. Get Paul Mueller alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Paul Mueller 0 0 0 0 0.00 Tennant 0 2 2 0 2.50 Tennant has a consensus target price of $113.50, suggesting a potential upside of 52.56%. Given Tennants stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Tennant is more favorable than Paul Mueller. Volatility & Risk Institutional & Insider Ownership Paul Mueller has a beta of 0.1, suggesting that its share price is 90% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Tennant has a beta of 1.06, suggesting that its share price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. 93.3% of Tennant shares are held by institutional investors. 4.0% of Paul Mueller shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 2.6% of Tennant shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares Paul Mueller and Tennants net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Paul Mueller 12.37% 36.21% 18.19% Tennant 4.42% 16.55% 8.65% Valuation & Earnings This table compares Paul Mueller and Tennants top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Paul Mueller $248.59 million 1.57 $29.67 million $40.20 10.77 Tennant $1.29 billion 1.05 $83.70 million $2.92 25.48 Tennant has higher revenue and earnings than Paul Mueller. Paul Mueller is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Tennant, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Paul Mueller pays an annual dividend of $1.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Tennant pays an annual dividend of $1.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. Paul Mueller pays out 3.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Tennant pays out 42.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Tennant has increased its dividend for 53 consecutive years. Tennant is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Summary Tennant beats Paul Mueller on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Paul Mueller (Get Free Report) Paul Mueller Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides manufactured equipment and components in the United States, North America, Asia, the Far East, the Netherlands, EU countries, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through four reportable segments: Dairy Farm Equipment, Industrial Equipment, Field Fabrication, and Transportation. The Dairy Farm Equipment segment offers milk cooling and storage equipment and accessories, refrigeration units, and heat recovery equipment for use on dairy farms to independent dealers for resale, and directly to farmers; and services for farmers, as well as milk coolers for rent to farmers. The Industrial Equipment segment sells food, beverage, chemical, and industrial processing equipment; and biopharmaceutical and pure water equipment, as well as stainless steel, alloy processing, storage tanks, and heat transfer products. The Field Fabrication segment sells large, field-fabricated tanks and vessels, such as stainless steel storage tanks for sanitary and industrial process applications. The Transportation segment offers delivery of products to customers; backhauls of materials and components; and contract carriage for third parties. It serves its products in various industries, including animal health, beverage, brewing, chemical, dairy farm, dairy processing, food, heat transfer, HVAC, industrial construction, oil and gas, personal care, pharmaceutical, pure water, tank fabrication, and wine. The company was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. About Tennant (Get Free Report) Tennant Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets floor cleaning equipment in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers a suite of products, including floor maintenance and cleaning equipment, detergent-free and other sustainable cleaning technologies, aftermarket parts and consumables, equipment maintenance and repair services, and asset management solutions. It provides business solutions, such as financing, rental, and leasing programs, as well as machine-to-machine asset management solutions. The company offers its products under the Tennant, Nobles, Alfa Uma Empresa Tennant, IPC, Gaomei, and Rongen brands, as well as private-label brands. Its products are used in retail establishments and distribution centers; factories and warehouses; and public venues, such as arenas and stadiums, office buildings, schools and universities, hospitals and clinics, and other environments. The company markets its products to contract cleaners and businesses through direct sales and service organizations, as well as through a network of authorized distributors. Tennant Company was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Receive News & Ratings for Paul Mueller Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Paul Mueller and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantbot Technologies LP cut its stake in Enova International, Inc. (NYSE:ENVA Free Report) by 30.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 23,330 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 9,998 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP owned approximately 0.09% of Enova International worth $2,602,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ENVA. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in Enova International by 34.7% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 63,724 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $6,153,000 after purchasing an additional 16,422 shares in the last quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S bought a new position in Enova International during the first quarter valued at about $56,000. Martingale Asset Management L P grew its holdings in Enova International by 91.6% during the first quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 36,628 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,537,000 after acquiring an additional 17,514 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC grew its holdings in Enova International by 430.1% during the first quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 25,746 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,486,000 after acquiring an additional 20,889 shares during the period. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Enova International by 2.1% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 154,674 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $14,935,000 after acquiring an additional 3,162 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.43% of the companys stock. Get Enova International alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ENVA has been the subject of several research reports. Zacks Research lowered shares of Enova International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. BTIG Research raised their target price on shares of Enova International from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Wall Street Zen cut Enova International from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 22nd. JMP Securities raised their price objective on Enova International from $135.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Enova International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Enova International has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $116.80. Insider Transactions at Enova International In related news, CFO Steven E. Cunningham sold 14,874 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.70, for a total transaction of $1,795,291.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 127,719 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,415,683.30. This trade represents a 10.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO David Fisher sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.25, for a total transaction of $745,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 348,223 shares in the company, valued at $43,266,707.75. The trade was a 1.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 67,874 shares of company stock valued at $8,426,042 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 8.40% of the companys stock. Enova International Stock Down 0.5% Shares of NYSE:ENVA opened at $135.49 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $120.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $112.75. Enova International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $79.41 and a 52 week high of $136.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20, a quick ratio of 19.29 and a current ratio of 19.29. The company has a market cap of $3.36 billion, a PE ratio of 12.45 and a beta of 1.31. Enova International (NYSE:ENVA Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The credit services provider reported $3.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.03 by $0.33. The company had revenue of $460.71 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $806.63 million. Enova International had a net margin of 9.64% and a return on equity of 24.50%. The companys revenue was up 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.45 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Enova International, Inc. will post 10.31 earnings per share for the current year. Enova International announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, November 12th that authorizes the company to repurchase $400.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to buy up to 12.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Enova International Company Profile (Free Report) Enova International, Inc, a technology and analytics company, provides online financial services in the United States, Brazil, and internationally. The company provides installment loans; line of credit accounts; CSO programs, including arranging loans with independent third-party lenders and assisting in the preparation of loan applications and loan documents; and bank programs, such as marketing services and loan servicing for near-prime unsecured consumer installment loan. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ENVA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enova International, Inc. (NYSE:ENVA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Enova International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enova International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. raised its holdings in Brookfield Renewable Corporation (NYSE:BEPC Free Report) by 110.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,163,533 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 611,792 shares during the period. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.s holdings in Brookfield Renewable were worth $38,141,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BEPC. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 2.4% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,717,397 shares of the companys stock valued at $159,596,000 after purchasing an additional 135,776 shares during the last quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC increased its position in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 24.2% during the 1st quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC now owns 4,855,793 shares of the companys stock worth $135,574,000 after purchasing an additional 945,297 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc raised its stake in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 10.8% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 3,827,746 shares of the companys stock worth $125,179,000 after purchasing an additional 373,517 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 30.3% in the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,635,781 shares of the companys stock valued at $86,401,000 after buying an additional 613,513 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its stake in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 177.4% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,987,332 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,486,000 after buying an additional 1,270,946 shares in the last quarter. 75.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Brookfield Renewable alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently commented on BEPC. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Brookfield Renewable from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (e+) rating on shares of Brookfield Renewable in a research note on Monday. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Brookfield Renewable from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Wall Street Zen lowered Brookfield Renewable from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Brookfield Renewable from $41.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Brookfield Renewable presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $39.75. Brookfield Renewable Trading Down 1.0% Shares of BEPC stock opened at $39.68 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $40.56 and a 200-day moving average of $35.73. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. Brookfield Renewable Corporation has a 1-year low of $23.73 and a 1-year high of $45.10. The stock has a market cap of $5.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -44.58 and a beta of 1.23. Brookfield Renewable Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.373 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.49 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Brookfield Renewables dividend payout ratio is presently -167.42%. About Brookfield Renewable (Free Report) Brookfield Renewable Corporation owns and operates a portfolio of renewable power and sustainable solution assets primarily in the United States, Europe, Colombia, and Brazil. It operates hydroelectric, wind, solar, and distributed energy and sustainable solutions with an installed capacity of approximately 19,161 megawatts. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BEPC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Renewable Corporation (NYSE:BEPC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Renewable Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Renewable and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. decreased its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 6.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 351,959 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 24,432 shares during the quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.s holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $19,762,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Activest Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 109.3% during the 2nd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 517 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group purchased a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. 1248 Management LLC purchased a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Saudi Central Bank bought a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the first quarter worth $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.30% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance CMG opened at $33.94 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.88 billion, a PE ratio of 30.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.99. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $36.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $43.53. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 52-week low of $29.75 and a 52-week high of $66.74. Analysts Set New Price Targets Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.29. The business had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.06 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.04% and a return on equity of 45.39%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.27 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year. CMG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Monday. Piper Sandler upgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $53.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $59.00 to $49.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut 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 report on Thursday, October 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $49.81. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CMG 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fresnillo PLC (OTCMKTS:FNLPF Get Free Report) dropped 3.7% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $35.30 and last traded at $35.30. Approximately 7,496 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 38% from the average daily volume of 12,164 shares. The stock had previously closed at $36.6750. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently commented on FNLPF. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Fresnillo from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 19th. HSBC raised shares of Fresnillo to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Peel Hunt cut Fresnillo from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 19th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Fresnillo in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of Fresnillo in a report on Monday, August 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Fresnillo alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Fresnillo Fresnillo Stock Up 0.1% Fresnillo Company Profile The companys fifty day moving average is $31.66 and its 200-day moving average is $25.24. The company has a quick ratio of 4.34, a current ratio of 5.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. (Get Free Report) Fresnillo plc mines, develops, and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. It operates through seven segments: Fresnillo, Saucito, Cienega, Herradura, Noche Buena, San Julian, and Juanicipio. The company primarily explores for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates. Its projects include the Fresnillo silver mine located in the state of Zacatecas; Saucito silver mine situated in the state of Zacatecas; Cienega gold mine located in the state of Durango; Herradura gold mine situated in the state of Sonora; Noche Buena gold mine located in the state of Sonora; San Julian silver-gold mine situated on the border of Chihuahua/Durango states; and Juanicipio mine located in the state of Zacatecas. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Fresnillo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fresnillo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gateway Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 23,696 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $871,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its holdings in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 14.1% during the second quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 74,061 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,722,000 after acquiring an additional 9,161 shares during the period. Baldwin Wealth Partners LLC MA bought a new position in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $202,000. Cypress Capital Group lifted its holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 107.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 59,835 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,200,000 after purchasing an additional 31,055 shares during the last quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $95,000. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 15.4% in the 2nd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 493,500 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $18,141,000 after purchasing an additional 65,700 shares during the period. Get iShares China Large-Cap ETF alerts: iShares China Large-Cap ETF Price Performance FXI stock opened at $39.89 on Friday. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a fifty-two week low of $28.41 and a fifty-two week high of $42.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.78 and a beta of 0.28. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $40.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.61. iShares China Large-Cap ETF Profile iShares China Large-Cap ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE China 25 Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds portfolio of sectors include Financials, Telecommunication, Oil & gas, Technology and Consumer goods. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FXI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares China Large-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares China Large-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its holdings in AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU Free Report) by 40.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 74,815 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 21,717 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLCs holdings in AngloGold Ashanti were worth $3,388,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti during the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 30.3% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,023 shares of the mining companys stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 238 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in AngloGold Ashanti in the second quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in AngloGold Ashanti by 579.2% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,664 shares of the mining companys stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 1,419 shares during the last quarter. 36.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get AngloGold Ashanti alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have weighed in on AU shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on AngloGold Ashanti from $128.00 to $131.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Roth Capital set a $76.00 price target on AngloGold Ashanti and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. HSBC restated a reduce rating and set a $55.00 price target on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered AngloGold Ashanti from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $80.83. AngloGold Ashanti Stock Down 0.9% Shares of AngloGold Ashanti stock opened at $82.63 on Friday. AngloGold Ashanti PLC has a twelve month low of $22.45 and a twelve month high of $89.19. The stock has a market cap of $34.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.20 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a current ratio of 2.99, a quick ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $75.35 and a 200 day moving average price of $60.37. AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 11th. The mining company reported $1.32 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by ($0.02). AngloGold Ashanti had a return on equity of 24.50% and a net margin of 26.25%.The company had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.53 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that AngloGold Ashanti PLC will post 3.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. AngloGold Ashanti Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. AngloGold Ashantis dividend payout ratio is currently 80.18%. About AngloGold Ashanti (Free Report) AngloGold Ashanti plc operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AngloGold Ashanti Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AngloGold Ashanti and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter Communities in Zimbabwe's diamond-rich Marange fields have launched a rare protest against the state-owned Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), demanding an immediate halt to a retrenchment exercise that has already left hundreds jobless.In a strongly worded letter to ZCDC, the Chiadzwa Community Share Ownership Trust (CCSOT) warned that soaring unemployment in the region risks triggering deeper economic and social turmoil. The trust accused the mining giant of sidelining the very communities that provide its social licence to operate."ZCDC must consult us exhaustively before making any drastic decisions that affect livelihoods in Chiadzwa and Zimunya," CCSOT CEO Hardwork Mukwada wrote in last week's letter.ZCDC is retrenching 400 workers, citing a global diamond market crash marked by a 74% plunge in prices since 2020. The collapse has been fueled by the rise of lab-grown diamonds and prolonged underinvestment in local mining operations.CCSOT contends that the retrenchments were imposed unilaterally without meaningful dialogue involving the tripartite pillars of Zimbabwe's diamond industry: community, government, and business."While we understand the labour laws and the challenging market conditions, there was a clear need for boardroom engagement before compulsory retrenchments," Mukwada stated. He urged ZCDC to freeze the layoffs and recall retrenched workers pending further consultations.The letter was also copied to the Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF), Zimbabwe's sovereign wealth fund that oversees state enterprises including ZCDC.The dispute emerges amid volatile diamond export performance. Although April 2025 diamond receipts spiked to US$33.5 millionaup 912% from Marchathe surge largely reflected the delayed sale of a single parcel. Overall, diamond earnings plummeted 46% in 2024, falling from US$303 million in 2023 to US$163.76 million.With revenues collapsing, the workforce is bearing the brunt. ZCDC's layoffs reflect a broader industry downturn that has also impacted Murowa Diamonds, operated by Riozim.In response, ZCDC denied accusations of poor stakeholder engagement, asserting it consulted all relevant parties before proceeding. A company statement dated July 30 said:"ZCDC engaged the resident minister, local senators, MPs, government leaders, party officials, and traditional leaders including chiefs Marange and Zimunya. We obtained the necessary certificates from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare before effecting retrenchments."ZCDC was created in 2016 after government expelled seven private miners accused of industrial-scale looting from the Marange fields. With an initial US$80 million government investment, it aimed to improve oversight and deliver long-promised community benefits.Today, that promise hangs in the balance as global market turbulence threatens to pit corporate priorities against community welfare.For the people of Marange a whose ancestral lands hold Zimbabwe's most valuable diamonds a the unfolding crisis is a stark reminder that wealth generated below their feet has yet to translate into sustainable prosperity above ground. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its stake in shares of Crane (NYSE:CR Free Report) by 1,228.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 19,163 shares of the conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 17,721 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLCs holdings in Crane were worth $3,615,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CR. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Crane by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 989,002 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $151,496,000 after acquiring an additional 12,505 shares during the last quarter. Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC raised its position in Crane by 117.3% during the first quarter. Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC now owns 937,237 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $143,566,000 after purchasing an additional 505,983 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Crane by 0.6% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 864,230 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $164,135,000 after purchasing an additional 4,744 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Crane by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 842,240 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $129,011,000 after purchasing an additional 44,360 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Neuberger Berman Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Crane by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 776,038 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $118,873,000 after purchasing an additional 3,282 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.14% of the companys stock. Get Crane alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on CR shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Crane in a report on Monday. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Crane from $220.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. DA Davidson set a $235.00 price objective on shares of Crane in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Crane from $200.00 to $202.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Wolfe Research set a $215.00 target price on shares of Crane and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $222.17. Crane Stock Down 0.1% Shares of Crane stock opened at $187.68 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.18. Crane has a 52-week low of $127.04 and a 52-week high of $203.89. The companys 50 day moving average price is $184.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $185.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.24. Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The conglomerate reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $589.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $578.54 million. Crane had a net margin of 13.10% and a return on equity of 24.45%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.38 EPS. Crane has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.750-5.950 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Crane will post 7.87 EPS for the current year. Crane Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.23 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Cranes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.74%. Crane Company Profile (Free Report) Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Crane (NYSE:CR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Crane Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crane and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Idaho Trust Co lowered its position in iShares MSCI Germany ETF (NYSEARCA:EWG Free Report) by 18.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 52,981 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 12,185 shares during the period. Idaho Trust Cos holdings in iShares MSCI Germany ETF were worth $2,242,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of EWG. Berbice Capital Management LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI Germany ETF by 60.0% during the 2nd quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC now owns 800 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Germany ETF by 146.9% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 842 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 501 shares in the last quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Germany ETF during the first quarter worth $32,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Germany ETF in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI Germany ETF by 140.5% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 974 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 569 shares in the last quarter. 53.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares MSCI Germany ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Germany ETF Stock Up 0.7% Shares of NYSEARCA:EWG opened at $41.41 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $2.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.79 and a beta of 1.03. iShares MSCI Germany ETF has a 12 month low of $31.49 and a 12 month high of $43.31. The companys 50-day moving average price is $41.12 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $41.58. About iShares MSCI Germany ETF iShares MSCI Germany ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the German market, as measured by the MSCI Germany Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Germany ETF (NYSEARCA:EWG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Germany ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Germany ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Ltd. trimmed its holdings in shares of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF Free Report) by 26.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,141,172 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 760,263 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd.s holdings in Raymond James Financial were worth $328,391,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Raymond James Financial by 69.0% during the second quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 245 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Raymond James Financial by 47.2% in the 2nd quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 337 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new position in Raymond James Financial in the 1st quarter worth about $60,000. South Dakota Investment Council lifted its stake in Raymond James Financial by 300.0% during the 2nd quarter. South Dakota Investment Council now owns 400 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the period. Finally, Summit Securities Group LLC lifted its stake in Raymond James Financial by 46,000.0% during the 1st quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 461 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 460 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.83% of the companys stock. Get Raymond James Financial alerts: Raymond James Financial Stock Up 0.2% Shares of RJF stock opened at $163.00 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. Raymond James Financial, Inc. has a 12 month low of $117.57 and a 12 month high of $177.66. The stock has a market cap of $32.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $161.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $160.32. Raymond James Financial Increases Dividend Raymond James Financial ( NYSE:RJF Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported $3.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $3.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.64 billion. Raymond James Financial had a net margin of 13.42% and a return on equity of 18.19%. The companys revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.95 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Raymond James Financial, Inc. will post 11.17 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.54 per share. This is a boost from Raymond James Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. Raymond James Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 19.44%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of Raymond James Financial from $174.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Raymond James Financial from $178.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. JMP Securities increased their price target on Raymond James Financial from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Citigroup restated an outperform rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $177.20. Read Our Latest Research Report on Raymond James Financial Raymond James Financial Company Profile (Free Report) Raymond James Financial, Inc, a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RJF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Raymond James Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Raymond James Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $25.21 and last traded at $25.3460, with a volume of 770533 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $24.39. Analyst Ratings Changes IVZ has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Evercore ISI raised their price target on Invesco from $24.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Zacks Research raised shares of Invesco from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Fundamental Research set a $27.00 target price on shares of Invesco in a report on Friday, October 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Invesco from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of Invesco from $26.50 to $25.50 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $23.63. Get Invesco alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Invesco Invesco Stock Up 4.0% The companys 50 day moving average is $23.62 and its 200 day moving average is $20.45. The company has a market cap of $11.67 billion, a PE ratio of 17.83, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The asset manager reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.17 billion. Invesco had a net margin of 14.15% and a return on equity of 9.11%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.44 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Invesco Ltd. will post 1.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Invesco Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. Invescos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 57.14%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Douglas J. Sharp sold 160,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.56, for a total transaction of $3,769,600.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 192 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,523.52. This trade represents a 99.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Stephanie Butcher sold 103,192 shares of Invesco stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.12, for a total value of $2,282,607.04. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 29,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at $660,392.60. The trade was a 77.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 1.21% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IVZ. Jump Financial LLC increased its holdings in Invesco by 30.2% in the 1st quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 231,218 shares of the asset managers stock worth $3,508,000 after acquiring an additional 53,608 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Invesco by 0.7% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,452,945 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $67,551,000 after purchasing an additional 29,613 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco during the first quarter worth about $418,000. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Invesco by 729.1% during the 2nd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 108,246 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,707,000 after buying an additional 95,190 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Invesco in the second quarter valued at approximately $197,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.09% of the companys stock. About Invesco (Get Free Report) Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PGIM Custom Harvest LLC lowered its holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWA Free Report) by 14.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 119,497 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 20,196 shares during the quarter. PGIM Custom Harvest LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF were worth $3,145,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mackenzie Financial Corp purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $370,000. Prudential PLC grew its position in iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 205.8% during the first quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 119,012 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,790,000 after buying an additional 80,090 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its position in iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 10.0% during the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 1,745,524 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $40,915,000 after buying an additional 159,134 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 3.7% in the first quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 19,189 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $450,000 after buying an additional 692 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Comerica Bank lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 21.7% during the 1st quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 3,627 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $85,000 after acquiring an additional 646 shares during the period. 59.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get iShares MSCI Australia ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Australia ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:EWA opened at $26.34 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $26.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $26.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.89 and a beta of 1.04. iShares MSCI Australia ETF has a 12 month low of $20.50 and a 12 month high of $27.57. iShares MSCI Australia ETF Profile iShares MSCI Australia ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, of publicly traded securities in the Australian market, as represented by the MSCI Australia Index (the Index). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Australia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Australia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Australia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Investment analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Knife River (NYSE:KNF Get Free Report) in a report released on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm set a neutral rating and a $83.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s target price would indicate a potential upside of 11.08% from the stocks previous close. KNF has been the topic of several other reports. UBS Group raised Knife River to an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Oppenheimer cut their price target on shares of Knife River from $120.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Knife River from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Knife River in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Knife River from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $96.33. Get Knife River alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on KNF Knife River Stock Up 0.9% Shares of KNF opened at $74.72 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $4.23 billion, a PE ratio of 28.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 2.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The companys fifty day moving average is $69.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $78.81. Knife River has a fifty-two week low of $58.72 and a fifty-two week high of $108.83. Knife River (NYSE:KNF Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $2.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.45 by $0.07. Knife River had a return on equity of 9.97% and a net margin of 4.87%.The business had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.22 billion. Analysts forecast that Knife River will post 4.11 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its stake in shares of Knife River by 127.2% during the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 128,785 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,514,000 after acquiring an additional 72,108 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in Knife River by 32.1% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 605,274 shares of the companys stock worth $54,604,000 after purchasing an additional 146,987 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Knife River by 27.2% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 685,911 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,998,000 after purchasing an additional 146,782 shares in the last quarter. DMKC Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Knife River during the 2nd quarter valued at $358,000. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in shares of Knife River by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 181,591 shares of the companys stock worth $14,825,000 after buying an additional 4,889 shares in the last quarter. 80.11% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Knife River Company Profile (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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Knife River Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Knife River and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased its position in shares of Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ Free Report) by 27.8% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 1,096,073 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 421,805 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s holdings in Invesco were worth $17,285,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of IVZ. IFP Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Invesco by 55.7% during the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,127 shares of the asset managers stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 761 shares in the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP grew its stake in shares of Invesco by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 17,327 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $273,000 after buying an additional 791 shares in the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Invesco by 6.8% in the first quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 12,477 shares of the asset managers stock worth $189,000 after buying an additional 792 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its position in Invesco by 17.1% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 5,465 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $83,000 after acquiring an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in Invesco by 45.8% during the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 2,623 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 824 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.09% of the companys stock. Get Invesco alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Stephanie Butcher sold 103,192 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.12, for a total transaction of $2,282,607.04. Following the transaction, the director owned 29,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $660,392.60. The trade was a 77.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Douglas J. Sharp sold 160,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.56, for a total transaction of $3,769,600.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 192 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,523.52. The trade was a 99.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.21% of the stock is owned by insiders. Invesco Stock Up 4.0% Invesco stock opened at $26.22 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $11.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.83, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 1.23. Invesco Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $11.60 and a fifty-two week high of $26.39. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $23.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.45. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The asset manager reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.44 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.17 billion. Invesco had a return on equity of 9.11% and a net margin of 14.15%.The firms revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.44 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Invesco Ltd. will post 1.87 earnings per share for the current year. Invesco Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $0.21 dividend. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. Invescos payout ratio is currently 57.14%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have commented on IVZ. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Invesco from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed a positive rating on shares of Invesco in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Invesco from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Invesco in a report on Monday. Finally, Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Invesco in a research note on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $23.63. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Invesco About Invesco (Free Report) Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Marshall Wace LLP lowered its position in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT Free Report) by 32.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 599,360 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 283,305 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLPs holdings in Brinker International were worth $108,083,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Brinker International in the first quarter valued at about $233,000. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 15,781 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $2,352,000 after purchasing an additional 478 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 26.0% in the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 13,311 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,984,000 after purchasing an additional 2,743 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in Brinker International by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,933 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $437,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Brinker International during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,563,000. Get Brinker International alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Brinker International news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 16,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.48, for a total value of $2,503,680.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.43% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Brinker International from $165.00 to $144.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Bank of America raised shares of Brinker International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $190.00 to $192.00 in a research report on Monday, October 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Brinker International from $207.00 to $180.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Brinker International from $175.00 to $144.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Brinker International in a research report on Monday. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $167.44. View Our Latest Research Report on Brinker International Brinker International Stock Down 1.4% Shares of EAT stock opened at $140.27 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $126.43 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $149.42. The company has a current ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Brinker International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $100.30 and a 1 year high of $192.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.55, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.35. Brinker International (NYSE:EAT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $1.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.32 billion. Brinker International had a return on equity of 164.66% and a net margin of 7.94%.Brinker Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 18.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.95 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EAT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brinker International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brinker International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in shares of Smurfit Westrock PLC (NYSE:SW Free Report) by 59.6% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 3,087,814 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,152,904 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLPs holdings in Smurfit Westrock were worth $133,239,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of SW. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in Smurfit Westrock during the first quarter worth $29,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Smurfit Westrock by 50.0% in the second quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 1,026 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 342 shares during the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Smurfit Westrock during the 1st quarter worth about $49,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its stake in shares of Smurfit Westrock by 81.4% during the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,130 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 507 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Groupe la Francaise acquired a new position in shares of Smurfit Westrock during the 2nd quarter valued at about $51,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.38% of the companys stock. Get Smurfit Westrock alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently weighed in on SW. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded Smurfit Westrock from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Smurfit Westrock from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Smurfit Westrock in a research note on Monday, September 15th. They issued a buy rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Smurfit Westrock in a report on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $52.00 target price on shares of Smurfit Westrock in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $54.56. Smurfit Westrock Stock Down 1.0% Shares of SW stock opened at $36.08 on Friday. Smurfit Westrock PLC has a 12 month low of $32.73 and a 12 month high of $56.05. The firm has a market cap of $18.84 billion, a PE ratio of 25.23 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $38.36 and a 200-day moving average of $42.54. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.68 by ($0.10). Smurfit Westrock had a return on equity of 6.21% and a net margin of 2.40%.The company had revenue of $8 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.89 billion. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Smurfit Westrock PLC will post 3.25 EPS for the current year. Smurfit Westrock Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a $0.4308 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Smurfit Westrocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 120.28%. Smurfit Westrock Company Profile (Free Report) Smurfit Westrock Plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and sells containerboard, corrugated containers, and other paper-based packaging products in Ireland and internationally. The company produces containerboard that it converts into corrugated containers or sells to third parties, as well as produces other types of paper, such as consumer packaging board, sack paper, graphic paper, solid board and graphic board, and other paper-based packaging products, such as consumer packaging, solid board packaging, paper sacks, and other packaging products, including bag-in-box. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Smurfit Westrock PLC (NYSE:SW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Smurfit Westrock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Smurfit Westrock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nkcfo LLC lessened its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 312,133 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 6,500 shares during the quarter. Agnico Eagle Mines makes up 15.5% of Nkcfo LLCs holdings, making the stock its largest holding. Nkcfo LLCs holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines were worth $37,122,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AEM. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 3.1% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,417,906 shares of the mining companys stock worth $2,432,603,000 after buying an additional 614,437 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc increased its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 3.6% during the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 9,356,548 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,112,500,000 after acquiring an additional 323,252 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 1.9% during the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 8,778,276 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,046,468,000 after acquiring an additional 160,650 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 38.8% in the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 8,296,796 shares of the mining companys stock worth $987,398,000 after acquiring an additional 2,319,131 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $938,644,000. 68.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Down 1.5% AEM stock opened at $168.82 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $166.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $143.52. The stock has a market cap of $84.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.65, a PEG ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a twelve month low of $76.91 and a twelve month high of $187.50. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The mining company reported $2.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.40. The company had revenue of $3.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.93 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 32.62% and a return on equity of 15.64%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.14 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 4.63 EPS for the current year. A number of research firms have commented on AEM. Citigroup lifted their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $140.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. CIBC increased their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $165.00 to $231.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen lowered Agnico Eagle Mines from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, November 30th. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Raymond James Financial lifted their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $155.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $185.50. Get Our Latest Analysis on AEM Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM). Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter The Madlanga Commission witness gunned down in front of his wife and children on Friday night has been identified as Witness D, Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe.Private security company, Vision Tactical, said van der Merwe was a former EMPD member and owner of QRF Task Team.National South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that police were alerted to a shooting in Brenthurst, in Brakpan, late on Friday.Three weeks ago, van der Merwe implicated Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi in wrongdoing, claiming that Mkhwanazi ordered him to cover up a murder of a suspect at the hands of EMPD and SAPS officers.Van der Merwe's testimony was not on camera.IOL reported that the ordeal began on April 15, 2022, when security firm boss Kobus Janse van Rensburg repeatedly phoned him about joining a joint operation at the home of a Brakpan robbery suspect.Van der Merwe told the Commission that Mkhwanazi ordered that the deceased suspect's body be dumped, either in a mineshaft or in a dam.Van der Merwe further added that he complied out of fear, thinking he would be killed.He said he put the suspect's body in a van and dumped it in a dam in Nigel. Nkcfo LLC purchased a new stake in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 22,150 shares of the energy exploration companys stock, valued at approximately $2,649,000. EOG Resources makes up 1.1% of Nkcfo LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest holding. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of EOG Resources during the first quarter valued at about $451,908,000. First Trust Advisors LP increased its position in EOG Resources by 64.1% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,728,128 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $445,921,000 after buying an additional 1,456,928 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. raised its stake in EOG Resources by 282.3% during the 2nd quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 1,546,058 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $184,924,000 after buying an additional 1,141,680 shares during the period. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. acquired a new position in EOG Resources during the 1st quarter worth approximately $81,752,000. Finally, Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 122.6% in the second quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 907,231 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $108,514,000 after acquiring an additional 499,610 shares in the last quarter. 89.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get EOG Resources alerts: EOG Resources Stock Performance Shares of EOG stock opened at $112.19 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.62 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $108.18 and a 200-day moving average of $115.03. EOG Resources, Inc. has a one year low of $102.52 and a one year high of $138.18. The company has a market cap of $60.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.17, a P/E/G ratio of 8.47 and a beta of 0.49. EOG Resources Dividend Announcement EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The energy exploration company reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.29. EOG Resources had a net margin of 24.49% and a return on equity of 19.80%. The firm had revenue of $5.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.48 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.89 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.47 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.02 per share. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 16th. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.64%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently commented on EOG. Roth Capital decreased their price objective on EOG Resources from $126.00 to $114.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price target on shares of EOG Resources from $146.00 to $144.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Jefferies Financial Group set a $145.00 price objective on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Sunday, October 12th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $141.00 to $149.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $139.00 to $138.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and seventeen have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $139.86. Read Our Latest Report on EOG EOG Resources Profile (Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EOG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Freeport-McMoRan, Franco-Nevada, Newmont, Barrick Mining, First Majestic Silver, Hecla Mining, and Pan American Silver are the seven Gold stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Gold stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business is owning, exploring, developing, or producing gold including miners, refiners, and royalty/streaming firms. Their market value tends to track the price of gold but also reflects company-specific factors (production costs, reserves, management and geopolitical risk), so they offer leveraged, equity-like exposure to gold rather than direct ownership of the metal. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Gold stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. Franco-Nevada (FNV) Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in South America, Central America, Mexico, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids through a third-party marketing agent. Read Our Latest Research Report on FNV Newmont (NEM) Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana. Read Our Latest Research Report on NEM Barrick Mining (B) Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX. In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick. Read Our Latest Research Report on B First Majestic Silver (AG) First Majestic Silver Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of mineral properties with a focus on silver and gold production in North America. Its projects include the San Dimas mine covering an area of approximately 71,867 hectares located in Durango State, Mexico; the Santa Elena that covers an area of approximately 102,244 hectares located in Sonora State, Mexico; and the La Encantada covering an area of approximately 4,076 hectares located in Coahuila State, Mexico. Read Our Latest Research Report on AG Hecla Mining (HL) Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold. Read Our Latest Research Report on HL Pan American Silver (PAAS) Pan American Silver Corp. engages in the exploration, mine development, extraction, processing, refining, and reclamation of silver, gold, zinc, lead, and copper mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. The company was formerly known as Pan American Minerals Corp. and changed its name to Pan American Silver Corp. Read Our Latest Research Report on PAAS Featured Stories Prudential Financial Inc. cut its holdings in shares of LTC Properties, Inc. (NYSE:LTC Free Report) by 38.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 46,744 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 28,780 shares during the quarter. Prudential Financial Inc.s holdings in LTC Properties were worth $1,776,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Advisors Capital Management LLC boosted its position in LTC Properties by 51.9% during the second quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 723,003 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $25,023,000 after purchasing an additional 246,919 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of LTC Properties by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 949,322 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $33,653,000 after buying an additional 126,598 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in shares of LTC Properties during the 1st quarter worth about $4,487,000. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of LTC Properties during the 1st quarter worth about $2,932,000. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al acquired a new position in LTC Properties in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,845,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.25% of the companys stock. Get LTC Properties alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of LTC Properties from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and set a $43.00 price target on shares of LTC Properties in a report on Friday, October 17th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded LTC Properties from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $39.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of LTC Properties in a research report on Monday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on LTC Properties from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, LTC Properties has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $39.00. LTC Properties Trading Down 0.8% Shares of NYSE:LTC opened at $35.15 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.81 and a beta of 0.62. LTC Properties, Inc. has a 1 year low of $31.70 and a 1 year high of $38.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 8.68 and a quick ratio of 8.68. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $35.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $35.52. LTC Properties (NYSE:LTC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $50.05 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $65.94 million. LTC Properties had a return on equity of 3.22% and a net margin of 14.58%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 24.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.78 EPS. LTC Properties has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.690-2.710 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that LTC Properties, Inc. will post 2.79 EPS for the current fiscal year. LTC Properties Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a dec 25 dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a yield of 615.0%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 23rd. LTC Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently 316.67%. Insider Transactions at LTC Properties In other news, Director David L. Gruber bought 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $35.94 per share, with a total value of $35,940.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 29,834 shares in the company, valued at $1,072,233.96. This represents a 3.47% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.10% of the stock is owned by insiders. LTC Properties Company Profile (Free Report) LTC Properties, Inc is a real estate investment trust, which engages in managing seniors housing and health care properties. It operates through the Texas, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Remaining States geographic segments. The company was founded by Andre C. Dimitriadis on May 12, 1992 and is headquartered in Westlake Village, CA. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LTC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for LTC Properties, Inc. (NYSE:LTC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for LTC Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for LTC Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Qtron Investments LLC lessened its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO Free Report) by 38.9% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 4,820 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 3,064 shares during the period. Qtron Investments LLCs holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $743,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. W.H. Cornerstone Investments Inc. grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 16.7% during the second quarter. W.H. Cornerstone Investments Inc. now owns 7,625 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,175,000 after purchasing an additional 1,093 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 34,705 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,348,000 after buying an additional 981 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 1,970 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $304,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its stake in Atmos Energy by 32.2% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 552,595 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $85,097,000 after buying an additional 134,748 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 267.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 2,822 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $435,000 after acquiring an additional 2,053 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Atmos Energy alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Atmos Energy news, Director Sean Donohue sold 450 shares of Atmos Energy stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.15, for a total transaction of $77,017.50. Following the sale, the director owned 877 shares in the company, valued at $150,098.55. The trade was a 33.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ATO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reissued a neutral rating and set a $163.00 target price (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Bank of America reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $185.00 price objective (up from $182.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Barclays set a $175.00 price objective on Atmos Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $182.00 target price on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b+) rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $171.67. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ATO Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.2% NYSE ATO opened at $171.26 on Friday. Atmos Energy Corporation has a twelve month low of $136.05 and a twelve month high of $180.65. The stock has a market cap of $27.69 billion, a PE ratio of 22.87, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.75. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $174.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $164.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.77. Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The utilities provider reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.07% and a net margin of 25.49%.The firm had revenue of $737.48 million for the quarter. On average, research analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year. Atmos Energy Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Investors of record on Monday, November 24th will be paid a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 24th. This is a positive change from Atmos Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.87. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Atmos Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 53.40%. About Atmos Energy (Free Report) Atmos Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated natural gas distribution, and pipeline and storage businesses in the United States. It operates through two segments, Distribution, and Pipeline and Storage. The Distribution segment is involved in the regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ATO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Atmos Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Atmos Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE:OGS Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 35,373 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $2,542,000. Quantbot Technologies LP owned about 0.06% of ONE Gas as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of ONE Gas by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,417,990 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $485,136,000 after acquiring an additional 147,186 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in ONE Gas by 1.0% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,397,926 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $256,849,000 after purchasing an additional 33,210 shares during the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of ONE Gas by 1.3% during the first quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,151,670 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $162,645,000 after purchasing an additional 26,742 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of ONE Gas by 6.0% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,478,961 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $106,290,000 after purchasing an additional 84,296 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Trust Walden Corp lifted its holdings in shares of ONE Gas by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 1,070,858 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $76,952,000 after purchasing an additional 18,180 shares during the last quarter. 88.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get ONE Gas alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently weighed in on OGS shares. UBS Group upgraded ONE Gas from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $66.00 to $86.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on ONE Gas from $89.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Morgan Stanley restated an underperform rating and set a $75.00 price objective on shares of ONE Gas in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of ONE Gas in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of ONE Gas from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $86.29. ONE Gas Trading Up 0.0% Shares of NYSE:OGS opened at $78.76 on Friday. ONE Gas, Inc. has a 52-week low of $66.38 and a 52-week high of $83.96. The stock has a market cap of $4.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.36, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $81.38 and a 200-day moving average price of $76.76. ONE Gas (NYSE:OGS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.44. ONE Gas had a return on equity of 8.06% and a net margin of 10.76%.The firm had revenue of $379.13 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $404.19 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.34 earnings per share. ONE Gass revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. ONE Gas has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.340-4.400 EPS. Equities analysts predict that ONE Gas, Inc. will post 4.26 EPS for the current year. ONE Gas Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. ONE Gass dividend payout ratio is presently 62.47%. ONE Gas Company Profile (Free Report) ONE Gas, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a regulated natural gas distribution company in the United States. The company provides natural gas distribution services to approximately 2.3 million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. It serves residential, commercial, and transportation customers. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OGS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE:OGS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ONE Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ONE Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. trimmed its holdings in ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT Free Report) by 11.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 574,420 shares of the security and automation businesss stock after selling 74,747 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.s holdings in ADT were worth $4,865,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Maia Wealth LLC grew its position in ADT by 27.6% in the 2nd quarter. Maia Wealth LLC now owns 15,461 shares of the security and automation businesss stock valued at $131,000 after acquiring an additional 3,342 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its stake in shares of ADT by 83.3% during the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 350,752 shares of the security and automation businesss stock valued at $2,971,000 after purchasing an additional 159,450 shares during the period. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co grew its holdings in shares of ADT by 126.1% in the second quarter. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co now owns 123,788 shares of the security and automation businesss stock worth $1,048,000 after purchasing an additional 69,045 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd grew its holdings in shares of ADT by 12.8% in the second quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 297,907 shares of the security and automation businesss stock worth $2,523,000 after purchasing an additional 33,740 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NDVR Inc. increased its stake in ADT by 77.7% in the 2nd quarter. NDVR Inc. now owns 18,657 shares of the security and automation businesss stock worth $158,000 after buying an additional 8,156 shares during the period. 87.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get ADT alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have issued reports on ADT shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of ADT in a research report on Monday. Zacks Research downgraded shares of ADT from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Citigroup boosted their price target on ADT from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded ADT from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. 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.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $9.38. ADT Price Performance NYSE ADT opened at $8.18 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $6.71 billion, a PE ratio of 11.86 and a beta of 0.94. The firms 50 day moving average price is $8.40 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.67. ADT Inc. has a 52-week low of $6.71 and a 52-week high of $8.94. ADT (NYSE:ADT Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 22nd. The security and automation business reported ($0.12) earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.31 billion for the quarter. ADT had a return on equity of 18.96% and a net margin of 12.52%. Sell-side analysts forecast that ADT Inc. will post 0.7 EPS for the current fiscal year. ADT Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 11th will be given a dividend of $0.055 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 11th. This represents a $0.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. ADTs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.88%. ADT Profile (Free Report) ADT Inc provides security, interactive, and smart home solutions to residential and small business customers in the United States. It operates through two segments, Consumer and Small Business, and Solar. The company provides burglar and life safety alarms, smart security cameras, smart home automation systems, and video surveillance systems. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ADT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ADT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ADT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SageView Advisory Group LLC grew its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 17.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 28,888 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 4,273 shares during the period. SageView Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $5,261,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. PFS Partners LLC grew its position in Philip Morris International by 24.8% in the second quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 292 shares of the companys stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC raised its position in Philip Morris International by 1.1% during the second quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 5,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,032,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. NFP Retirement Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. NFP Retirement Inc. now owns 2,589 shares of the companys stock valued at $411,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,014 shares of the companys stock valued at $185,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Meridian Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.1% in the 2nd 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 period. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have commented on PM shares. Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 price objective on shares of Philip Morris International and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $177.00 to $166.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $189.00. Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.5% Shares of PM opened at $147.87 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $154.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $166.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $230.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.77 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 (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 122.14%. Analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Investors of record on Friday, October 3rd were issued 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.0%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 106.52%. Philip Morris International Company Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (CVE:SPA Get Free Report)s stock price was down 14.8% on Thursday . The company traded as low as C$0.23 and last traded at C$0.23. Approximately 1,587,679 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 213% from the average daily volume of 506,930 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.27. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Atrium Research raised shares of 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, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Strong Buy. Get Spanish Mountain Gold alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Spanish Mountain Gold Spanish Mountain Gold Trading Up 4.3% About Spanish Mountain Gold The company has a 50 day moving average of C$0.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.16. The stock has a market capitalization of C$117.73 million, a PE ratio of -24.00 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 3.03 and a current ratio of 5.99. (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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Spanish Mountain Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spanish Mountain Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System increased its stake in shares of Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE:PIPR Free Report) by 134.5% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 5,876 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 3,370 shares during the quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement Systems holdings in Piper Sandler Companies were worth $1,633,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PIPR. CENTRAL TRUST Co acquired a new stake in shares of Piper Sandler Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in Piper Sandler Companies by 495.2% during the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 125 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the period. AdvisorNet Financial Inc grew its stake in Piper Sandler Companies by 48.1% during the second quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 114 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC bought a new position in Piper Sandler Companies in the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Piper Sandler Companies by 46.6% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 170 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. 72.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Piper Sandler Companies alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets PIPR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Piper Sandler Companies in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Piper Sandler Companies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $368.00 to $386.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Zacks Research upgraded Piper Sandler Companies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Piper Sandler Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, October 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $362.50. Piper Sandler Companies Stock Up 3.4% NYSE PIPR opened at $350.10 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $6.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.38 and a beta of 1.55. Piper Sandler Companies has a twelve month low of $202.91 and a twelve month high of $374.77. The businesss fifty day moving average is $333.87 and its 200 day moving average is $314.42. Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE:PIPR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by $0.86. The business had revenue of $455.31 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $408.40 million. Piper Sandler Companies had a return on equity of 19.91% and a net margin of 13.73%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 33.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.57 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Piper Sandler Companies will post 14.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Piper Sandler Companies Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 25th will be issued a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 25th. Piper Sandler Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.10%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CFO Katherine Patricia Clune sold 1,367 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $324.69, for a total transaction of $443,851.23. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 10,425 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,384,893.25. This trade represents a 11.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, President Debbra L. Schoneman sold 2,500 shares of Piper Sandler Companies stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $330.33, for a total transaction of $825,825.00. Following the transaction, the president owned 2,896 shares in the company, valued at approximately $956,635.68. This trade represents a 46.33% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 11,267 shares of company stock worth $3,763,746 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 2.70% of the companys stock. Piper Sandler Companies Company Profile (Free Report) Piper Sandler Companies operates as an investment bank and institutional securities firm that serves corporations, private equity groups, public entities, non-profit entities, and institutional investors in the United States and internationally. It offers investment banking services and institutional sales, trading, and research services for various equity and fixed income products; advisory services, such as mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt private placements, and debt and restructuring advisory; raises capital through equity and debt financings; underwrites municipal issuances; and municipal financial advisory and loan placement services, as well as various over-the-counter derivative products. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PIPR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE:PIPR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Piper Sandler Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Piper Sandler Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. lessened its stake in Taiwan Fund, Inc. (The) (NYSE:TWN Free Report) by 14.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 63,101 shares of the companys stock after selling 11,003 shares during the quarter. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. owned about 0.99% of Taiwan Fund worth $2,828,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rock Creek Group LP acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at $255,000. Matisse Capital lifted its position in Taiwan Fund by 12.0% during the 2nd quarter. Matisse Capital now owns 84,000 shares of the companys stock worth $3,764,000 after buying an additional 9,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio acquired a new position in Taiwan Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $2,325,000. Get Taiwan Fund alerts: Taiwan Fund Stock Up 0.1% TWN opened at $55.87 on Friday. Taiwan Fund, Inc. has a 12-month low of $26.45 and a 12-month high of $59.89. The business has a 50 day moving average of $55.44 and a 200-day moving average of $49.30. About Taiwan Fund The Taiwan Fund, Inc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Nomura Asset Management U.SA Inc It invests in the public equity markets of Taiwan. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It employs fundamental analysis focusing on such factors as overall growth prospects, competitive position in the respective industry, technology, research, and development, productivity, labor costs, raw material costs and sources, profit margins, return on investment, capital resources, government regulation, and management to create its portfolio. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter Government has announced a major nationwide crackdown on truck overloading, with new penalties set to hit transport operators who breach weight regulations in what officials say is a decisive push to protect Zimbabwe's rapidly deteriorating highways.Transport and Infrastructural Development permanent secretary Joy Makumbe said this week that heavy-duty vehicles found carrying excess loads will face immediate fines, marking one of the most aggressive enforcement drives the country has seen in recent years. The initiative comes as Cabinet has approved the revival and expansion of weighbridge systems across the national road network."A truck that is overloading is going to be fined," Makumbe warned, urging operators to act responsibly in the interest of national infrastructure. "Let us not be selfish. This infrastructure is for everybody. Load with discipline. Load with the future in mind."Her comments reflect growing government frustration with persistent non-compliance in the trucking sector. For years, overloaded vehicles have contributed heavily to pothole formation, structural fatigue on key highways, rising maintenance costs and increased accident risks particularly along major transit routes linking Zimbabwe to South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and the DRC.Makumbe revealed that the Vehicle Inspectorate Department has been equipped with smart vehicles and mobile inspection units to ensure that offenders are monitored and penalised in real time. "VID will be out in full force," she said. "Those who don't want to obey the law will be made to obey the law."The restoration of weighbridges many of which have been non-functional or irregularly monitored is expected to strengthen compliance and reduce the number of trucks escaping enforcement. Previously, weak monitoring systems, understaffing and inadequate equipment allowed violations to go unchecked for years.Zimbabwe's roads, already weakened by limited funding, ageing surfaces and harsh weather, are especially vulnerable to the strain of overloaded haulage vehicles. Engineers warn that a truck exceeding its legal capacity by just 20 percent can inflict exponentially greater damage compared to one operating within regulation, accelerating road degradation and repair demand.Officials say the long-term economic cost of ignoring the problem is immense from disrupted trade and logistics delays to ballooning road rehabilitation expenses now weighing heavily on the public purse. With enforcement set to intensify, government hopes the clampdown will restore discipline on the highways and extend the lifespan of critical transport corridors. BigBear.ai, SentinelOne, and Tempus AI are the three Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of companies whose core business is developing, selling, or deploying AI technologies (machine learning, deep learning, NLP, computer vision) or of firms that stand to gain materially from AI-driven products and services. Investors view them as a way to gain growth exposure to AI-driven revenue and productivity gains, but should weigh higher valuations, rapid technological change, competitive risk, and regulatory or ethical uncertainties that can increase volatility. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: 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. SentinelOne (S) SentinelOne, Inc. operates as a cybersecurity provider in the United States and internationally. Its Singularity Platform delivers an artificial intelligence-powered autonomous threat prevention, detection, and response capabilities across an organization's endpoints, cloud workloads, and identify credentials, which enables seamless and autonomous protection against a spectrum of cyber threats. Read Our Latest Research Report on S Tempus AI (TEM) Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics. Read Our Latest Research Report on TEM Recommended Stories Toronto Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Free Report) (TSE:TD) issued its earnings results on Thursday. The bank reported $1.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.10, Zacks reports. Toronto Dominion Bank had a net margin of 16.53% and a return on equity of 14.00%. The firm had revenue of $11.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.72 earnings per share. Toronto Dominion Banks revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. Toronto Dominion Bank Stock Up 2.6% Shares of TD stock opened at $88.34 on Friday. Toronto Dominion Bank has a 1 year low of $51.25 and a 1 year high of $88.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02. The businesss fifty day moving average is $81.51 and its 200-day moving average is $76.15. The stock has a market cap of $149.24 billion, a PE ratio of 10.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.69. Get Toronto Dominion Bank alerts: Toronto Dominion Bank Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be paid a dividend of $1.08 per share. This represents a $4.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. This is an increase from Toronto Dominion Banks previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. Toronto Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio is 35.28%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Toronto Dominion Bank from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Zacks Research cut Toronto Dominion Bank from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Toronto Dominion Bank to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Desjardins raised Toronto Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $93.00. View Our Latest Research Report on Toronto Dominion Bank Institutional Investors Weigh In On Toronto Dominion Bank Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TD. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $259,000. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its stake in Toronto Dominion Bank by 27.7% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 24,970 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,497,000 after purchasing an additional 5,410 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Toronto Dominion Bank in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $568,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 148,658 shares of the banks stock valued at $10,919,000 after acquiring an additional 2,365 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,476,000. 52.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Toronto Dominion Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Toronto Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Free Report) (NYSE:TD) had its target price lifted by Bank of America from C$130.00 to C$132.00 in a report issued on Friday morning,BayStreet.CA reports. Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$122.00 to C$126.00 in a report on Friday. CIBC boosted their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$112.00 to C$122.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Scotiabank set a C$114.00 target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$102.00 to C$107.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$100.00 to C$114.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$120.00. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Toronto-Dominion Bank Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Performance Shares of TSE TD opened at C$122.20 on Friday. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 52-week low of C$73.22 and a 52-week high of C$122.24. The business has a fifty day moving average of C$114.18 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$105.45. The stock has a market cap of C$208.62 billion, a PE ratio of 10.46, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.98. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported C$2.18 earnings per share (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%. Analysts predict that Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 7.2160149 earnings per share for the current year. Toronto-Dominion Bank Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 31st were given a dividend of $1.05 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Toronto-Dominion Banks payout ratio is currently 35.70%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Toronto-Dominion Bank news, Director Nathalie Palladitcheff bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, October 6th. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$112.64 per share, with a total value of C$112,640.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 3,292 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$370,810.88. The trade was a 43.63% increase in their ownership of the stock. Also, insider Ajai Bambawale sold 7,328 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$112.07, for a total transaction of C$821,248.96. Following the sale, the insider owned 800 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$89,656. The trade was a 90.16% decrease in their position. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 84,384 shares of company stock valued at $9,456,915. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Toronto-Dominion is one of Canadas two largest banks and operates three business segments: Canadian retail banking, U.S. retail banking, and wholesale banking. The banks U.S. operations span from Maine to Florida, with a strong presence in the Northeast. It also has a 13% ownership stake in Charles Schwab. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2025 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 2.400-2.650 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 2.080. The company issued revenue guidance of $6.5 billion-$6.5 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $6.4 billion. Victorias Secret & Co. also updated its Q4 2025 guidance to 2.200-2.45 EPS. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have weighed in on VSCO shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. UBS Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report 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 note on Friday, August 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Victorias Secret & Co. from $28.00 to $26.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $39.09. Get Victoria's Secret & Co. alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Victorias Secret & Co. Victorias Secret & Co. Price Performance NYSE VSCO opened at $49.01 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $34.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $26.11. Victorias Secret & Co. has a 52 week low of $13.76 and a 52 week high of $50.22. The stock has a market cap of $3.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.23 and a beta of 2.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48. Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 5th. The company reported ($0.27) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.60) by $0.33. Victorias Secret & Co. had a return on equity of 33.77% and a net margin of 2.42%.The company had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.41 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($0.50) earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. 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. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of VSCO. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. during the third quarter valued at about $53,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Victorias Secret & Co. by 7.7% during the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 7,258 shares of the companys stock valued at $133,000 after buying an additional 521 shares during the period. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. during the 3rd quarter worth about $201,000. Inceptionr LLC bought a new stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. during the 3rd quarter worth about $204,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in the 1st quarter worth approximately $233,000. Institutional investors own 90.29% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Victoria's Secret & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria's Secret & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Watches of Switzerland Group (LON:WOSG Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported GBX 18.80 EPS for the quarter, Digital Look Earnings reports. Watches of Switzerland Group had a net margin of 3.84% and a return on equity of 11.38%. Watches of Switzerland Group Stock Performance Watches of Switzerland Group stock opened at GBX 498.60 on Friday. The company has a market cap of 1.15 billion, a PE ratio of 21.96, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 2.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 109.69. Watches of Switzerland Group has a 1 year low of GBX 315 and a 1 year high of GBX 600. The companys 50-day moving average is GBX 412.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 386.37. Get Watches of Switzerland Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have weighed in on WOSG. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of Watches of Switzerland Group from GBX 450 to GBX 550 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a GBX 375 target price on shares of Watches of Switzerland Group in a report on Monday, October 20th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 440 price target on shares of Watches of Switzerland Group in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Shore Capital restated a no recommendation rating on shares of Watches of Switzerland Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Watches of Switzerland Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 455. Watches of Switzerland Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Established in 2007 the Watches of Switzerland Group is the UKs largest luxury watch retailer, operating in the UK, US and Europe comprising seven prestigious brands; Watches of Switzerland (UK and US), Mappin & Webb (UK), Goldsmiths (UK), Mayors (US), Betteridge (US), Analog:Shift (US) and Hodinkee (US), with a complementary jewellery offering. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Watches of Switzerland Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Watches of Switzerland Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 384,728 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 21,053 shares during the quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $30,824,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Access Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter worth $25,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 585.5% in the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 377 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. 1248 Management LLC purchased a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance WFC stock opened at $89.86 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $84.63 and a two-hundred day moving average of $81.08. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12 month low of $58.42 and a 12 month high of $91.11. The company has a market capitalization of $282.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.78, a P/E/G ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.11 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.18% and a return on equity of 12.51%. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.42 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is 29.61%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades WFC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Cfra Research raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b) rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $89.57. Read Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Whitbread (LON:WTB Free Report) to a hold rating in a report published on Wednesday, MarketBeat reports. The firm currently has GBX 2,815 price target on the stock, down from their prior price target of GBX 3,375. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Whitbread from GBX 2,900 to GBX 2,450 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Panmure Gordon restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 3,700 target price on shares of Whitbread in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Citigroup upped their price target on Whitbread from GBX 3,600 to GBX 3,800 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Whitbread in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Peel Hunt restated a buy rating and set a GBX 3,500 price objective on shares of Whitbread in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Whitbread currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 3,194.17. Get Whitbread alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Whitbread Whitbread Trading Up 0.3% Shares of WTB stock opened at GBX 2,401 on Wednesday. Whitbread has a twelve month low of GBX 2,253 and a twelve month high of GBX 3,302. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is GBX 2,929.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 2,982.20. The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.18. The firm has a market capitalization of 4.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.78, a P/E/G ratio of -3.09 and a beta of 1.11. Whitbread (LON:WTB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The company reported GBX 133.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Whitbread had a net margin of 8.08% and a return on equity of 6.83%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Whitbread will post 227.1851852 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Whitbread In related news, insider Christine Mary Hodgson purchased 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 2,880 per share, for a total transaction of 288,000. Also, insider Richard Gillingwater purchased 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 21st. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 2,974 per share, for a total transaction of 14,870. Company insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock. About Whitbread (Get Free Report) Whitbread is the owner of Premier Inn, the UKs biggest hotel brand, with 86,000 rooms in over 850 hotels and a growing presence in Germany with 10,500 rooms in 59 hotels, offering quality accommodation at affordable prices in great locations. People are at the heart of our business. We employ over 38,000 team members in over 900 Premier Inn hotels across the UK and Germany. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Whitbread Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whitbread and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter A 100-year-old settlement in Chishakwe, Mutare South, is at the centre of a bitter land dispute after authorities at Chishakwe Secondary School allegedly ordered the descendants of the late Anglican pastor Gabriel Matasva to vacate the land their forefather occupied as far back as 1923.The matter came to light after the late pastor's grandson, Kelvin Matasva, told NewsDay Weekender that his family was shocked to receive instructions to leave the land, despite a history that stretches more than a century.Kelvin said the Matasva family originally occupied the area during the colonial era when his grandfather forced to relocate eventually settled at Chishakwe. He trained as a pastor at St Augustine, opened an Anglican Church branch in the area and, according to Kelvin, played a key role in the establishment of both Chishakwe Primary and Secondary Schools.He said land was allocated to his grandfather when he married and that the area was officially registered under his name. Following the pastor's death, the property was passed down to his children and later to Kelvin's father, who wrote to the school authorities in August 2022 requesting engagement over boundary concerns shortly before his death.According to Kelvin, the family only discovered years later that the land they occupied had been listed as school property. He said the authorities were now demanding that six families, including his own, vacate the area without compensation. The family argues that the secondary school was established long after their forebear's settlement and should not override their ancestral occupation.Kelvin accused Chief Zimunya of attempting to remove them forcefully, saying the traditional leader told them to demolish their own houses where necessary and relocate through village heads. Kelvin claims the village heads themselves admitted they did not have alternative land available, leaving the families with nowhere to go.He described the directive as unfair and said it was shameful for authorities to attempt eviction without compensation for families who have lived and built their livelihoods there for more than 75 years. Kelvin alleges that corruption and lack of cooperation have slowed attempts to resolve the dispute, adding that the district development co-ordinator previously advised that no family should be removed without compensation.The situation has reportedly escalated, with meetings held in the presence of police officers. Village head Prince Chishakwe confirmed that discussions took place and that minutes were recorded. He said fencing posts were installed to demarcate school land after a council planning visit, but conflict intensified when the Matasva family removed the boundary poles. He declined to comment further, insisting the matter was under the authority of the chief and also now before the police.Efforts to contact Chishakwe Secondary School head James Chamanwa and district development co-ordinator Tenda Kapenzi were unsuccessful, while attempts to reach Chief Zimunya yielded no response.For now, the Matasva family remains on the property but has reportedly been given two weeks to vacate. With no resolution in sight, the dispute threatens to become a test case for land rights, communal history and the limits of traditional authority in rural Zimbabwe. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwean authorities have announced an extension of the duty-free importation policy for vehicles by safari operators, a move aimed at strengthening their role in the country's tourism value chain. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube during his 2026 National Budget Speech, highlighting the government's commitment to positioning Zimbabwe as a leading player in the African tourism market.The suspension of import taxes on vehicles, which will run from January 1, 2026, is expected to encourage further investment in Zimbabwe's tourism sector. The policy allows safari operators and tour companies to import vehicles and buses without incurring standard import duties. By facilitating the acquisition of specialized vehicles for safari services, the government hopes to enhance infrastructure, improve service delivery, and attract more international investment to the sector.Industry projections indicate that Zimbabwe's tourism sector has grown steadily, with an expected increase of 2.9 percent in 2025 and 3.1 percent in 2026. Alongside mining and agriculture, tourism is increasingly recognized as a vital contributor to the economy due to its potential for sustainable development and foreign currency generation. The government has committed to extending the duty suspension for a further two years, provided operators continue to comply with tax requirements, ensuring the industry's sustained growth.Safari tourism remains a major draw for international visitors, with Zimbabwe's diverse wildlife, including the Big Fivelion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinocerosalongside iconic destinations such as the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, and Hwange National Park. The government's initiative is expected to enable safari operators to modernize and expand their fleets, ultimately improving the country's reputation as a world-class safari destination.In addition to the duty-free vehicle scheme, the Zimbabwean government has introduced complementary measures to encourage tourism investment. These include tax holidays, duty-free allowances on certain capital equipment, and economic incentives for investors within designated Tourism Development Zones. Together, these measures are intended to boost new investments, enhance infrastructure, and stimulate the growing tourism economy.The focus on modernizing safari vehicles is particularly significant, as operators rely on specialized fleets to transport tourists and conduct game drives across Zimbabwe's diverse landscapes. The introduction of modern, eco-friendly vehicles is expected to improve service delivery, attract niche markets, and meet increasing demand for sustainable, low-carbon safari experiences.Finance Minister Ncube's initiatives also highlight the government's broader commitment to developing the tourism and travel industry in Zimbabwe, which, like much of Africa, remains underdeveloped despite significant growth potential. Investment in infrastructure and service quality, along with a focus on niche sectors such as Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) and eco-tourism, is expected to position Zimbabwe competitively in the regional and international tourism markets.The extension of the duty suspension sends a broader message to African states on the importance of developing tourism potential through targeted fiscal policies. By creating a conducive environment for innovation and investment, Zimbabwe is setting an example for other countries seeking to enhance their tourism sectors.With modernized fleets, improved infrastructure, and strategic fiscal incentives, Zimbabwe's safari operators are now better equipped to deliver high-quality experiences to both luxury and eco-tourism travelers. The government's policies are expected to strengthen the sustainability and profitability of the tourism sector while ensuring the country remains a competitive and attractive destination for international visitors.Zimbabwe's commitment to supporting safari tourism, enhancing service delivery, and creating fiscal frameworks that stimulate investment is set to open new frontiers for the country's tourism industry. By prioritizing quality infrastructure, niche markets, and sustainable practices, Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a benchmark for tourism development in Africa. Edgestream Partners L.P. decreased its holdings in shares of Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL Free Report) by 82.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,770 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after selling 41,960 shares during the quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P.s holdings in Oracle were worth $1,917,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Oracle alerts: A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in ORCL. Swiss National Bank grew its stake in Oracle by 7.6% in the second quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 5,093,200 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $1,113,526,000 after purchasing an additional 360,000 shares in the last quarter. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. grew its stake in shares of Oracle by 4.3% in the first quarter. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. now owns 51,350 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $7,179,000 after buying an additional 2,110 shares in the last quarter. Private Wealth Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Oracle by 9.2% during the second quarter. Private Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 3,817 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $835,000 after buying an additional 321 shares during the last quarter. Soltis Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Oracle by 4.8% during the second quarter. Soltis Investment Advisors LLC now owns 32,937 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $7,201,000 after buying an additional 1,515 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cascade Investment Group Inc. bought a new stake in Oracle during the second quarter worth $239,000. Institutional investors own 42.44% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently commented on ORCL shares. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Oracle from $300.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Oracle from $350.00 to $385.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Rothschild & Co Redburn began coverage on Oracle in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. They set a sell rating and a $175.00 price target on the stock. BNP Paribas set a $377.00 price objective on Oracle in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and set a $375.00 target price on shares of Oracle in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-eight have issued a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $322.73. Oracle Stock Performance NYSE:ORCL opened at $218.04 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $253.08 and a 200 day simple moving average of $238.98. The stock has a market cap of $621.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.47, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.66. Oracle Corporation has a 1-year low of $118.86 and a 1-year high of $345.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.33. Oracle (NYSE:ORCL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 9th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.48 by ($0.01). Oracle had a return on equity of 72.93% and a net margin of 21.08%.The firm had revenue of $14.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.39 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. Oracle has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.270-1.310 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Oracle Corporation will post 5 earnings per share for the current year. Oracle Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 9th were paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 9th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Oracles payout ratio is 46.30%. Insider Transactions at Oracle In other Oracle news, EVP Maria Smith sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.62, for a total transaction of $1,403,100.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 47,083 shares in the company, valued at $13,212,431.46. This represents a 9.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Naomi O. Seligman sold 2,222 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.91, for a total transaction of $641,958.02. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 29,225 shares in the company, valued at $8,443,394.75. This represents a 7.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 204,254 shares of company stock worth $60,227,807. Company insiders own 40.90% of the companys stock. About Oracle (Free Report) Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Oracle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oracle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Share Energy is delighted to announce its continued sponsorship of the 30 Under 30 Northern Ireland Climate Change-Makers programme for a second consecutive year, supporting the development of the next generation of climate leaders across Northern Ireland. Now in its fourth year, the programme is currently accepting applications for the 2026 cohort, with a deadline of Sunday 7th December 2025. The programme will run from January to June 2026, offering participants a series of expert-led workshops and accredited Carbon Literacy Training. Share Energy's sponsorship has already supported the 2025 cohort of 30 young leaders who participated in workshops covering critical topics including biodiversity, leadership, health and wellbeing, equipping them with the tools needed to drive meaningful climate action. Damian Wilson, CEO at Share Energy, said: "We're proud to continue our support of the 30 Under 30 Climate Change-Makers programme for a second year. At Share Energy, we believe in the power of innovation and education to create a more sustainable future. "Seeing the impact of last year's cohort has reinforced our commitment to this initiative. The young leaders who have come through this programme are making real differences in their organisations and communities. Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time and supporting the next generation of climate advocates through programmes like 30 Under 30 aligns perfectly with our mission to promote smart energy solutions and drive sustainable change." The 2026 programme will bring together 30 emerging leaders under the age of 30 from across Northern Ireland, representing a diverse range of sectors including business, public service, education and the third sector. Participants will benefit from workshops led by renowned leaders and industry experts, exploring topics essential to climate action and sustainable development. Damian added: "This programme is more than an award, it is a platform for action. We're excited to be part of this transformative journey once again, helping to inspire and empower the next wave of climate advocates who will shape Northern Ireland's environmental future." Jenna Potter, 30 Under 30 Programme Manager, commented: "We are thrilled to have Share Energy continue as a sponsor of the 30 Under 30 programme. Their ongoing commitment demonstrates the vital role that forward-thinking businesses play in addressing the climate emergency. Working together, we will continue to develop 30 emerging leaders to help fight the climate crisis in Northern Ireland. "It is critically important that we develop the next generation of climate leaders who can make a difference in our community." The 30 Under 30 Northern Ireland Climate Change-Makers programme builds on the globally recognised EE 30 Under 30 initiative by the North American Association for Environmental Education. The initiative is backed by leading organizations including the Garfield Weston Foundation, Belfast City Council, Ulster University, LFT Charitable Trust, Arup, Danske Bank, Pinsent Masons and Share Energy. Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open until Sunday, December 7 2025. More information and the application form can be found at: https://bit.ly/30U30_NI. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairi McHugh, has continued his new community-focused initiative with a series of engagements in the Derg DEA, meeting grassroots groups who play a vital role in supporting local people. The initiative, launched earlier this year, sees the Mayor visit smaller community and voluntary sector (CVS) organisations within each District Electoral Area to highlight the valuable work they carry out. As part of last months focus on the Derg DEA, Mayor McHugh visited the Wednesday Group at Sion Mills Community Forum and Happy Faces Playgroup in Clady, where he met volunteers and staff to hear directly about their impact on community life. Speaking after the visits, Mayor McHugh said he was delighted to showcase the vital work these community groups do for their local area and praised the hard work of everyone behind the scenes. "It was a pleasure to spend time with groups in the Derg DEA who are making such a meaningful difference in their communities. The commitment shown by the volunteers and staff in Sion Mills and Clady is nothing short of inspiring. "These organisations provide essential support, whether thats creating safe spaces for families, offering vital social connections, or delivering programmes that strengthen community wellbeing. "This initiative is about reaching out, listening, and recognising the incredible efforts of those working on the ground. Hearing first-hand about their challenges as well as their many successes reinforces the importance of supporting our community and voluntary sector. "I want to sincerely thank everyone who welcomed me and generously shared their experiences. Their passion and resilience are the backbone of local community life. The Mayors community visits will continue monthly across all Council DEAs from October 2025 through to May 2026. The process is coordinated by the Mayors Office and the Community Development team, who are working closely with the Local Growth Partnership Boards. Further details about upcoming visits in other DEAs will be announced in due course. BBC Bitesize, in collaboration with CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment), will publish GCSE past papers in six key subjects for revision purposes. This marks the first time GCSE past papers have been made available via BBC Bitesize in Northern Ireland; the second nation in the UK to provide papers following on from a rollout in England. The initial release includes English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and the three single sciences Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Additional subjects will be introduced in the coming months. These are popular GCSE subject choices, mirroring the support offered by BBC Bitesize for the AQA, Edexcel, and OCR boards across the UK. Alongside direct links to CCEA past papers and mark schemes that align with CCEA subject specifications, each BBC Bitesize past paper page also features revision and exam tips from experienced subject specialists, providing a central source of information and guidance for students preparing for exams. To access these resources, visit bbc.co.uk/bitesize and search for 'CCEA GCSE Biology', 'CCEA GCSE Maths' etc. Links to the past papers can be found at the top of each subject page. As well as CCEA past papers and mark schemes, students will also find links to existing Bitesize resources, helping them focus on areas for improvement before or after attempting the past papers. Nicola Alexander, Executive Editor, Factual & Education, BBC NI says: By combining trusted CCEA past papers with expert revision and exam tips, along with the other extensive learning materials on BBC Bitesize, we aim to give learners the tools they need to do their best in their exams. We welcome this important collaboration with CCEA which reflects our shared commitment to support GCSE learners, and hope these materials make a real difference in exam preparation. Gerry Campbell, CCEA Chief Executive, says, CCEA is delighted to collaborate with BBC Bitesize to make our GCSE past papers more accessible to learners across Northern Ireland. Past papers are a vital tool for learning and examination preparation, and increasing access to these resources reflects CCEAs commitment to supporting high-quality learning, building student confidence, and deepening their understanding across subjects. We look forward to expanding the range of subjects available in the months ahead. Dr Jonathan Huddleston, Head of Chemistry at Loreto College in Coleraine, said, I very much welcome the collaboration between CCEA and the BBC Bitesize platform. The website is an accessible platform which students can use to support their learning as part of their study of science other subjects. The material is presented in a concise way and is directly linked to the relevant specification content. I highly recommend the use of BBC Bitesize as part of student independent learning and preparation for their GCSE examinations. Helen Dowds, Senior Manager for Learning and Teaching at Hunterhouse College, Belfast, said, I am delighted to see BBC Bitesize working together with our local exam board, CCEA, to promote high-quality resources that provide valuable support for our students. This collaboration ensures that learners have access to trusted, relevant materials that align with their curriculum and help them succeed. Past papers will cover the last three exam years (from summer 2023 onwards) and can be viewed, downloaded, or printed via CCEA-hosted PDFs. BBC Bitesize is a free online learning platform that has been supporting students with learning, revision and homework for more than 25 years. It offers support for those aged four to 16 across a diverse range of school subjects, while also addressing the wellbeing and career development of young people. There are no barriers to entry, it is a free resource specially tailored to the needs of pupils in each nation of the UK. Bitesize guides are written by teachers and subject experts and are mapped to follow the curricula of the UK. GCSE subjects on Bitesize follow specifications for the main exam boards in the UK, including CCEA, ensuring students in every area of the UK are well served. BBC Bitesize content is widely used in classrooms across Northern Ireland - a trusted resource of both students and teachers. CCEA (the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) provides qualifications, assessment, and supports the delivery of the Northern Ireland Curriculum. Its mission is to enable the full potential of every learner to be achieved and recognised. CCEA offers a diverse range of qualifications (GCSEs, A/AS Levels, Entry Level Qualifications and Vocational Qualifications) and provides a wealth of resources and materials to support the teaching, learning and attainment of these. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday handed over 21 vehicles and substantial cash donations to the Zanu-PF Women's League and its affiliate, Young Women for Economic Development (Young Women4ED), in a bid to bolster the continuity of government and party-led economic development initiatives.Six of the vehicles were allocated to the top leadership of the Women's League, while the remaining ten were distributed across Zimbabwe's ten provinces to support grassroots programmes and enhance the league's outreach and mobilisation efforts. In addition, the President handed over US$500 000 to the Women's League, to be equally shared among the provinces for various empowerment and economic development projects.Young Women4ED also benefited from five vehicles and a cash injection of US$100 000. The vehicles and funds were donated by businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo to strengthen government and party economic initiatives.Zanu-PF Secretary for Women's Affairs, Mabel Chinomona, praised the gesture, noting that it would sustain the party's programmes and grassroots mobilization. "This gesture of vehicles and cash will go a long way in ensuring that the party's programmes continue, as well as in mobilising grassroots support," she said. "As the Women's League, we would like to thank President Mnangagwa for continuing to support us as women. We, in turn, will continue to support our President, party, and the Government."Young Women4ED chairperson, Tatenda Mavetera, said the donation had significantly empowered the affiliate's work. "The vehicles have empowered us to conduct our work, which we have dubbed fishers of men,' a programme aimed at mobilising grassroots support for the party," she said. "We have also been empowered with cash, which will be used in various projects such as poultry, piggery, and goat schemes."President Mnangagwa has previously handed over vehicles to Zanu-PF Central Committee members, as well as tipper trucks and front-end loaders for youth and persons with disabilities, as part of efforts to coordinate economic development activities across all provinces. The latest initiative further reinforces the government's commitment to supporting party structures and facilitating economic empowerment at both national and grassroots levels. The Dundalk Branch of the Irish Red Cross took home two awards at the Irish Red Cross, National Volunteer Awards 2025 at a ceremony in Croke Park on Saturday. Isabella Nordon (age 15) was awarded Young Volunteer of the Year 2025 and Ryan Hayes, First Aid & Ambulance Unit Member of the Year 2025. The event was attended by Irish Red Cross volunteers as well as the organisations Chairman, Charlie Flanagan. Emceed by Deric Hartigan, the popular TV presenter and Ireland AM weather man, the ceremony celebrated the volunteers across the country who give their time and expertise to Irelands humanitarian organisation. Isabella Nordon, Young Volunteer of the Year 2025 - Isabella has been an active volunteer for 11 years, since the age of four when she joined the Dundalk Irish Red Cross T-Bears, a group of young volunteers aged 4-9. Isabellas contributions and leadership have far exceeded expectations of a youth member. Isabella has supported the branch in a wide range of activities including fundraising, first aid duty cover, youth classes, emergency responses and youth education. Isabellas impact was especially evident during Storm Eowyn, when she helped establish the Happy Hub in Carrickmacross - a warm and welcoming mental health and support space for young people affected by power outages. Ryan Hayes, First Aid & Ambulance Unit Member of the Year - In recognition of his outstanding leadership, strategic vision and success in building a thriving and inclusive unit, Ryan Hayes was awarded Unit Member of the Year 2025. With 16 years of service across three different branches, Ryans two years in Dundalk have been marked by dramatic growth and professionalisation. Since taking on the Unit Officer role, Ryan has transformed the first aid unit into one of the most active and professional in the region. He has substantially increased the number of first aid duties covered, expanded patient transfer operations, and secured consistent contracted duties, ensuring fair and thorough coverage of community events. Speaking at the ceremony, Charlie Flanagan, Chairman, Irish Red Cross, said, Today is a really special day in the Irish Red Cross calendar. Our National Volunteer Awards is an opportunity to recognise the selfless commitment of our volunteers, all of whom deserve our gratitude and appreciation for everything they do in their communities. "These are the first aiders who stand pitch side in all weather, these are the volunteer therapists who give hand therapy massages to residents in nursing homes, these are the community supporters who deliver essential supplies to those cut off due to storms, and extend a warm welcome to migrants fleeing war. They are the beating heart of the Irish Red Cross and the very best of us. Charlie congratulated Isabella and Ryan on their award wins. 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. You are a wonderful inspiration to all of us, and you truly deserve this recognition. Liam Maguire, Chair, Irish Red Cross Volunteer Support and Development Working Group said, Congratulations to all our volunteer winners and our shortlisted volunteers. "Today demonstrates how all Irish Red Cross volunteers go above and beyond the call of duty for their community. I want to thank all our volunteers across the country for their quiet but effective volunteering which has such a positive impact on their communities." Above: At the launch were John Horan, Chairman of Blackrock Tidy Towns; Cllr Shane McGuinness, Finbar Gethins, Louth County Council; Mary ONeill, LCDC; Alan Maye from GreenAer; Brian Corr, supervisor Fane CE Scheme, as well as members of Blackrock Tidy Towns Committee Blackrock Tidy Towns says it is proud to announce the launch of its new electric cargo trikes, a major step forward in enhancing local environmental efforts, improving operational efficiency, and supporting a cleaner, greener community, in Blackrock and Louth. John Horan, Chair of Blackrock Tidy Towns, told the Dundalk Democrat that the initiative has been made possible through grant assistance from the Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC, Louth Leader), and with the valued support of Louth County Council, Connect Credit Union, and the Haggardstown and Blackrock Community Centre. The addition of electric cargo trikes will significantly reduce the groups carbon footprint while enabling litter collections, maintenance, and transport tasks throughout the village. The trikes provide an eco-friendly alternative to traditional vehicles and will support the ongoing work that helped Blackrock become one of the regions most admired and environmentally conscious communities. Speaking at the launch, John Horan thanked all funding bodies and supporters for their continued commitment to sustainability and local development. Read also: Late-night trains serving Dundalk begin this weekend for run-up to Christmas He commented, these electric cargo trikes represent our communitys determination to lead the way in greener, smarter solutions. We are deeply grateful to the Louth LCDC, Louth County Council, Connect Credit Union, and the Haggardstown and Blackrock Community Centre for believing in this project and helping make it a reality. The trikes are being deployed immediately and will play a central role in preparations for upcoming Tidy Towns adjudications, as well as the Entente Florale competition in 2026. The trikes will be operated by the Fane Community Employment scheme who carry out numerous tasks on behalf of the committee, throughout the village. Below: John Horan, Chair of Blackrock Tidy Towns on one of the new cargo trikes At the launch were local Councillor Shane McGuinness, Finbar Gethins (Louth County Council) Mary ONeill (LCDC), Alan Maye from GreenAer (supplier), Brian Corr (supervisor Fane CE Scheme) as well as members of Blackrock Tidy Towns Committee. Blackrock Tidy Towns invites residents to keep an eye out for the new trikes around the village and to continue supporting local environmental efforts. 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. New high-visibility policing measures in Cork city have been transformative, a restaurateur has said, as traders reveal the heightened garda presence has increased footfall ahead of Christmas. At the end of November, 48 gardai newly allocated to Cork began patrolling 11 high-visibility posts/beats across the city, operating between 8am and 4am across two shifts. A total of 23 gardai are assigned to the operation daily, 11 during daytime hours and 12 during the night. According to the Cork Business Association and local retailers, the enhanced policing measures are already making a real and meaningful difference. Phenomenal Mike Ryan, of Cornstore restaurant, said: Over the past week, it has been phenomenal to see how quickly the overall vibe in the city centre has changed its been transformative, literally overnight, with the visible presence of An Garda Siochana. Seeing members of the public chatting to a garda or a city centre warden, tourists asking for directions, or people simply acknowledging them as they pass creates a lovely sense of community. "Before this welcome change, there was often an apprehensive feeling when you saw An Garda Siochana as it generally meant something serious had happened or someone was in distress. The optic has completely done a 180. Patrick Leader, of Leaders Mens-wear, said: Were already seeing a positive change on the street landscape. Our customers feel safer, and that makes a huge difference to footfall and the overall shopping experience. Its fantastic to see gardai engaging with businesses and the public. It brings a real sense of calm and camaraderie to the city centre. Well done to everyone who helped make this happen. Sheena McCarthy, of Sheenas Boutique, said: The increased garda presence has brought real reassurance to both staff and shoppers. You can see it in the footfall, the energy, and the confidence on the street. The initiative arrives as the city gears up for a busy season of events and festive shopping, and businesses say that, with safety concerns eased, people are more inclined to linger. Praised Kate Neville, chairwoman of the Cork Business Association safe & clean committee, also praised the initiative. She said: Cork is a city built on community, commerce, and culture, and the safety of our streets is central to all three. The increased garda presence has made a noticeable difference. People feel more comfortable coming into town, spending time here, and enjoying everything the city has to offer. This, combined with our recently-launched city centre wardens, is exactly the type of visible reassurance our members and customers have been asking for, and were delighted to see everything making an impact. Ms Neville said sustaining this is essential. She added: Cork thrives when people feel safe and welcomed. This level of garda visibility shows a real commitment to supporting our city, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with local authorities and An Garda Siochana to keep Cork moving in the right direction. Global philanthropic network, The Ireland Funds, has made donations to 10 organisations in Cork. The organisations Heart of the Community Fund aims to empower a wide range of programmes that provide vital services and strengthen communities. The Cork recipients of this years Heart of the Community Fund include Active Connections CLG, Irish Dogs for the Disabled, The Crann Centre, The Down Syndrome Centre Cork, Sample-Studios, See My Skills, Iris House Cork Cancer Support, Huruma CLG (Wellsprings), Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, and Cork International Film Festival CLG. Grants awarded under the fund will range from 5,000 to 25,000, out of a $750,000 funding pot awarded to a total of 62 organisations in 15 counties across the country. The funding is made possible by philanthropic gifts and fundraising events of The Ireland Funds America, which is the largest of the 12 international chapters of The Ireland Funds. President and CEO of The Ireland Funds, Caitriona Fottrell said the organisation is delighted to announce the recipients of the Heart of the Community Fund 2025. These organisations represent the resilience, creativity, and commitment that strengthen communities across Ireland, said Ms Fottrell. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can provide meaningful support that addresses the priorities and pressures facing the sector. This funding will help ensure these vital initiatives continue to make a real difference. The Heart of the Community Fund supports non-profits under The Ireland Funds four funding pillars of Arts and Culture, Community Development, Education, and Peace and Reconciliation. This most recent grant round is focused on organisations engaging young people and their families in underserved communities, including through skill-building, employment supports, mental health services, and cultural programming. This years Heart of the Community Fund is a testament to the enduring commitment of The Ireland Funds and its supporters. Ms Fottrell additionally said by providing timely funding, these grants will enable non-profits to address pressing community needs and create a lasting impact on the lives of many. For more information on The Ireland Funds or the Heart of the Community Fund, visit: https://irelandfunds.org/grants/. A Cork woman who pleaded guilty to theft from an Aldi supermarket on two separate occasions was addicted to heroin and crack cocaine, her solicitor told a recent sitting of Clonakilty District Court. Court presenter Sergeant Tom Mulcahy said 34-year-old Jenna Pierce of The Perrin Inn, Glengarriff, Co. Cork, was charged with two counts of theft contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. The court heard that on September 13, 2025, at 6pm a male and a female entered the Aldi supermarket in Dunmanway, Co. Cork, where they placed items of clothing and cosmetics into two bags and left the store without paying for them. The female was identified as Pierce and the goods valued at 71.76 were not recovered. On September 27 Pierce and another individual returned to Aldi in Dunmanway and filled two rucksacks with groceries valued at 141.28. They went to the till and paid a small amount for some other items but did not pay for the goods in the rucksacks. The goods were not recovered. CRACK COCAINE Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said Pierce had brought 80 in compensation to court. He said his client had addiction issues including heroin and crack cocaine but had spent six months in residential treatment. The court was told that Pierce was the mother of two children who were in care. Mr Murphy said Pierces significant offending was in the period up to 2019. He said Pierce had a lot of tragedy in her life and asked the court to consider requesting a probation report before deciding on penalty. The court was told Pierce had 77 previous convictions including 31 for theft and two for burglary. Judge Joanne Carroll said the significant offending appears to have continued to 2025. She said the thefts were premeditated and that actions spoke louder than words. The judge noted that Pierce had not fully compensated the injured party. She agreed to ask for a probation report on Pierce and adjourned the matter to March 3, 2026, by which time she said Pierce should bring the full amount of compensation to court. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme A book of evidence was served on a 21-year-old man on a charge of threatening to kill a young woman where it is alleged that he texted another person saying that she was going to be tied up, chopped, and murdered. The charge states that on September 27, 2025, he made a threat to kill or cause serious harm to the young woman contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Detective Garda Dave Hickey objected to bail being granted to the man who appeared by video link from prison and was represented in Cork District Court by solicitor Shane Collins-Daly. Throughout the detectives evidence about the threatening texts that were allegedly sent to a probation officer in reference to the young woman in question, Ruairi Lally of Wainsfort, Rochestown Road, said: Lies. Judge Mary Dorgan told him to respect the court and to respect the evidence and not to interrupt in that fashion. He replied: I wont respect lies. When asked, after the detectives evidence, if he wanted to give his own evidence, Mr Lally said: What am I supposed to say its all lies. Det Garda Hickey said: It is alleged that on September 27 at approximately 2pm, Ruairi Lally sent four messages to his probation officer, stating: Im going to hurt her badly. Chop her open and stab her to death. He then sent a screenshot of a message to be sent to [alleged injured party], which said: Going to hurt you seriously. Tie you up and kick you to death. Getting you chopped up and murdered and enjoy every second of it. Judge Dorgan refused bail. The case was sent forward to the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court on February 9. Units that were damaged by a fire at the Bantry Enterprise Centre in September will take two years to rebuild, councillors at the recent meeting of Cork County Councils West Cork Municipal District were told. Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins tabled a motion that stated: Following on from the fire of two enterprise units in Bantry Enterprise Centre, I am calling on this council to provide details of the plan to rebuild these units and the time frame of when they will be available for use again. Mr Collins said a laundry business in one of the units that was used by local hotels and B&Bs had been forced to cease operating, and there were concerns about if and when it would be able to resume. Eileen Coleman, the councils director of services for economic development, said: For many years, Bantry Enterprise Centre has served as a vital hub for both new and established businesses, fostering growth and sustainable local enterprise. The council recognises its key role in supporting the vibrant local business community and is committed to progressing the replacement of the damaged units as soon as possible. She said three units were damaged in the fire on Friday, September 19, and insurers on behalf of the council and the three tenants had subsequently appointed loss adjusters to investigate the circumstances of the fire, assess the extent of the damage, verify the legitimacy of all claims, and to ensure any settlement aligns with the policys terms. She said the insurers/loss adjusters decision was currently awaited. Ms Coleman added: In the meantime, with the agreement of our loss adjuster, the council has procured a consultant to prepare a programme of works for the demolition of all three units. Once the proposed programme of works is approved by the loss adjuster, our consultant will procure a contractor to undertake the demolition and site clearance work. It is anticipated that this work may be undertaken in January 2026. At that time, the council will then consider how the units are to be replaced. "It is anticipated that following the design, obtaining all of the statutory approvals, procuring a contractor, and the construction period, the new units may be available for occupation in late 2027. Mr Collins said: Thats nearly two years. Is there any way we can expedite this? I can tell people in Bantry but I dont think they will be happy to hear that. Ive had hotels and B&Bs contacting me. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. News / National by Staff reporter A 33-year-old Bulawayo woman has been sentenced to complete 105 hours of community service after gambling away US$700 that her husband had entrusted to her. Simeleni Dube, from Nketa 8 suburb, appeared before Western Commonage Magistrate Mehluli Moyo on a charge of unreasonable disposal of property.Dube pleaded guilty and was initially sentenced to six months in prison, with three months suspended for five years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence during that period. The remaining three months were suspended provided she completes 105 hours of community service at Manondwane Primary School, starting Friday and to be finished within four weeks.Prosecutor Mandrela Chisiiwa told the court that the complainant, 43-year-old Tawanda Mugodhi, had given his wife US$700 for safekeeping on October 14 at around 6:20 a.m. Four days later, Mugodhi requested the money, but Dube failed to return it, claiming she had lent it to someone else. Upon realizing that the funds were gone, Mugodhi reported the matter to the police, resulting in Dube's arrest.During the trial, Magistrate Moyo asked Dube to explain where the money had gone. She admitted to using it to gamble on cards in town, ultimately losing the entire amount.In a surprising and compassionate gesture, Mugodhi told the court that he forgives his wife and requested that she not be ordered to repay the money, explaining that she lacks the means to do so and that he is the primary provider for the family. November was another record-breaking month at Cork Airport, with passenger numbers up 7% on the same month in 2024, as work to enhance the airport is well underway. A total of 214,790 passengers travelled through the airport in November. The busiest day of the month was Sunday, November 2 and, in total, 1,653 flights took off from Cork Airport in November, with the top destinations named as London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, Amsterdam, and Lanzarote. The airports efficiency performance continues to be strong, with 99.1% of people through security in less than 15 minutes and 100% in less than 20, compared to 96.5% and 99% at Dublin Airport, while 80.9% of departures were on time compared with 77.9% in Dublin. Additionally, the average bag return time was 10 minutes in Cork Airport, compared to 22 minutes in Dublin. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has increased its operations from two to three daily flights to Amsterdam Schiphol, Air France extended their previously summer-only Paris Charles de Gaulle service to a year-round operation and the new twice-weekly Aer Lingus service to Prague, which started in late October, is performing strongly, a spokesperson for DAA, which manages Cork and Dublin airports, said. Kenny Jacobs, CEO of DAA, said: There is no let-up in the record demand for flights to and from our island as the year draws to a close. This bodes well for the new national tourism strategy published this week, which aims to grow inbound visitor numbers by 15% by 2031. Both Dublin and Cork airports have an important role to play in helping to realise this vision for Ireland. Cork Airports success in attracting new routes was on show last month, with increased services to major European hubs in Amsterdam and Paris. Aer Lingus new Prague route is off to a strong start, he added. Work on the ground to enhance Cork Airport is also progressing at pace, with the construction of Corks new mezzanine floor well underway. "This will be the location of the new passenger security area, which will make travelling through the airport even more seamless than before. Independent Councillor Kieran McCarthy wishes to bring the launch of Cork City Councils 2026 Creative Communities Grant Scheme to the awareness of community groups from Douglas to Rochestown to Ballinlough. Proudly supported by Creative Ireland, this dynamic initiative champions creativity at the heart of Corks communities, encouraging projects that inspire artistic expression, strengthen local connections, and deliver meaningful social impact. Now entering its fourth year, the scheme offers a two-tier funding model to cater for projects of all sizes: Level 1: 1,500 - 3,000 for smaller-scale or pilot projects. Level 2: Up to 6,000 for larger, ambitious initiatives with significant reach and impact. Cllr McCarthy said: Applications are welcome from community groups across Cork city including schools, youth clubs, neighbourhood associations, and cultural or environmental groups. Artists and creative practitioners may also apply, provided they have the active support of a community group. "All projects must demonstrate collaboration and align with at least two priorities from the Cork City Culture & Creativity Strategy 20232027. To help applicants prepare, Cork City Council will host a free public information webinar on Wednesday next, December 10, at 12 noon via Microsoft Teams. This session will cover funding levels, application tips, and the assessment process, with plenty of time for questions. Applications must be submitted online at corkcity.submit.com/show/402 by Wednesday, February 11, 2026. For full details and to register for the webinar, visit Eventbrite or contact: Louise Tangney, Creative Communities Engagement Officer, at louise_tangney@corkcity.ie Meghan Markle has made contact with her father, Thomas Markle, after he underwent an emergency amputation in the Philippines a sudden development that has once again dragged their long-running family rift into public view. A spokesperson for the Duchess confirmed the outreach, saying to Page Six, "I can confirm she has reached out to her father." Nothing more was offered, including whether the two have spoken directly, or if her message has even reached him in the ICU. The minimal comment arrived as Thomas, 81, continues to recover from the unexpected surgery. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., told the Daily Mail that his father's foot changed color within hours, first blue, then black, prompting emergency scans. He said medical staff told them plainly that "the leg had to be amputated" to save his life. Thomas Jr. has asked people to keep his father in their thoughts. He said the older Markle remains on heavy medication and is hooked up to several machines as doctors monitor complications, including a clot in his thigh. Meghan's half-sister, Samantha Markle, expressed similar worry, noting that her father has "been through so much" already heart attacks, a stroke, and the trouble that followed his move overseas. The outreach from Meghan marks one of the few known attempts at contact since their fallout in 2018. Experts Say Contact Could Shift the Narrative 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 Some royal commentators believe the Duchess' decision to reach out even modestly may carry benefits beyond the personal. On The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, royal expert Katie Nicholl suggested that if Meghan tried sincerely to repair the relationship, it "would be a masterstroke of PR," further stating that it would reflect the caring and empathizing nature of the couple which they very often put forward in their public engagements. "Actions speak louder than words," she said. Nicholl noted that both of Meghan's siblings have urged her to reach out. Thomas Jr. said this week that he hopes his sister shows "some compassion," especially now that their father is unable to speak much while he remains heavily sedated. Journalist Richard Palmer echoed those sentiments, saying that if the Sussexes were receiving shrewd PR advice, they would already be working to "fix things between them." Kinsey Schofield, another royal commentator, warned that the optics surrounding the Sussexes' recent media appearances could complicate the situation. Meghan released the Christmas special of her Netflix cooking show this week, while Prince Harry appeared on "The Late Show." Schofield said that sharing lighthearted content online during Thomas' medical emergency "is not a good reflection on her." As for Thomas, his condition remains serious. His son told the Daily Mail that the family hopes to hear from Meghan and Harry personally. "I would implore Meghan and Harry to reach out to Dad," he said, explaining that nurses described him as "heavily medicated" and "hooked up to all kinds of machines." Shweta Wagh writes: On 16 May 2025, in a landmark judgment in Vanashakti v Union of India, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India struck down a 2017 notification and a 2021 office memorandum that had permitted retrospective (ex post facto) environmental clearances. Six months later, on 18 November 2025, the Court recalled this judgment following a review petition filed by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (CREDAI). To set the context, it is important to revisit the 14 March 2017 notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The notification allowed projects that had already started without an environmental clearance under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2006or exceeded permissible limitsto be brought into compliance by being granted an ex post facto clearance. In effect, the government opened a six-month amnesty window for violators. Later, during a hearing in the Madras High Court, the union government clarified that the ex post facto environmental clearance shall clearly and certainly be only a one-time measure. But despite this reassurance, MoEFCC came out with an office memorandum in 2021, which once again provided a path to regularise violating projects. The office memorandum became the subject of multiple legal challenges. In 2024, the Madras High Court quashed the 2021 office memorandum on the grounds that it violated the mandatory requirement of a prior environmental clearance. However, the court applied its decision prospectivelymeaning that applications under consideration would not be affected. In 2025, Vanashakti filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the prospective nature of the order. The landmark 2025 Vanashakti judgment struck down the 2017 notification and the 2021 office memorandumboth of which had sought to protect violatorsand restrained the central government from regularising acts done in contravention of the EIA notification. The Court clarified, however, that environmental clearances already granted under the 2017 notification and the 2021 office memorandum up to the date of judgment would remain unaffected. The Vanashakti judgment reaffirmed a core principle of environmental law: ex post facto clearances are unacceptable. The judgment invoked earlier court rulings, which held that retrospective environmental clearances are a derogation of the fundamental principles of environmental jurisprudence and an anathema to the EIA notification 1994. The notification stated that work on projects cannot commence unless the environmental clearance was obtained, and the 2006 notification made it explicit through the deliberate inclusion of the term prior. The EIA notification, the judgment pointed out, warrants a careful application of mind before the issuance of an environmental clearance and a study into the likely consequences of a proposed activity on the environment. Its measures are based on the precautionary principle and mandate that a project is subjected to technical as well as public scrutiny before it commences. The judgment remarked that initiating projects without a prior environmental clearance was a gross illegality and those who did so were companies, real estate developers, public sector undertakings, mining industries [they] were the persons who knowingly committed illegality. In its judgment, the Court restrained the government from granting of ex post facto environmental clearance in any form or manner or for regularising the acts done in contravention of the EIA notification. The Vanashakti judgment was recalled on 18 November 2025 in response to a review petition filed by the apex body of private real-estate developers in India (CREDAI). According to the majority opinion (Justice Gavai and Justice Chandran), the Vanashakti decision had overlooked certain binding judgments that upheld the validity of the 2017 notification and 2021 office memorandum. It also noted that some key paragraphs of the earlier rulings cited in the Vanashakti decision, which pointed towards a balanced approach taken by the Court, were not brought to the Courts notice. Consequently, the Vanashakti decision was considered as having been rendered per incuriam (without adequate care). The judges argued that the significant omissions provided a valid reason for review. For example, Justice Gavai noted that in one case, the Court had held that while ex post facto environmental clearances should ordinarily not be granted, it had also recognised that such clearances cannot be declined with pedantic rigidity. The economic consequences or the need to protect the livelihoods of those dependent on the project must also be considered, provided there is compliance with environmental norms. The majority opinion raised the question of proportionality and public interest. Justice Chandran reasoned that the 2017 notification and the 2021 office memorandum were brought in not as regressive measures but to reckon with ground realities. Two examples of public projects impacted by the judgment were mentioned in the review: a greenfield airport and a hospital, both of which were constructed and completed when the regulatory regime was in a fluid state. If the Vanashakti judgment was enforced, he argued, it would imply the demolition of structures and fresh construction, causing undue hardship, environmental harm, waste of resources and massive loss of revenue. The dissenting opinion delivered by Justice Bhuyan (who was also part of the bench that delivered the Vanashakti judgment) rejected these arguments. In his view, no case for review had been established. He reasoned that only the legal principle or rationale underlying a judgment is binding on subsequent decisions, and other aspects, including relevant but non-determinative observations or case-specific details, do not carry binding force. He also highlighted a significant misrepresentation: Justice Gavai, in the review judgment, stated that certain other review petitions including one filed by the union of India and various interlocutory applications for modification/clarification of the Vanashakti judgment are pending, but the review petition filed by CREDAI would be heard and decided first. However, Justice Bhuyan pointed out that the union had not filed a review. Furthermore, the other applications simply sought a clarification or modification of the Vanashakti order for specific projects, considering their special nature or public welfare objectives; these could have been addressed without having to recall the entire Vanashakti judgment. In other words, the Vanashakti judgment was recalled solely based on a review petition filed by the real estate lobby. It is rare for a Supreme Court judgment to be recalled. Yet, as per the majority opinion, it was necessary in the Vanashakti case to uphold judicial propriety. But it may be worth posing a counterfactual: If the May 2025 judgment had favoured violators, and if a review petition had been filed by environmentalists instead of real-estate developers, would such concern have prompted the recall of an important judgment? The majority opinion framed its decision as necessary because public interest projects would be affected, and because enforcement would entail environmental harm and loss of revenue. But it is quite clear who really stands to gain from the recallmining companies and real-estate developers have been the greatest beneficiaries of the ex post facto clearance regime. So while the recall does not automatically uphold the 2017 notification and the 2021 office memorandum, the Supreme Courts decision has reopened the possibility of the resumption of the retrospective clearance regime. The Vanashakti judgment had established a binding legal principle which could have been crucial for the development of subsequent case law. Its recall is a major setback because it threatens two key principles of environmental jurisprudence: the precautionary principlethat emphasises preventive measures and places the burden of proof on those proposing the action; and the principle of non-regressionthat environmental protection standards must continue to be strengthened over time. The recall may once again weaken the significance of the prior environmental clearance process, particularly public hearings that provide affected communities an opportunity to be heard. In a rapidly warming planet, the implications of weak ecological protections and environmental misgovernance will be disastrous. Support Us Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability. The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media. Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride. We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society. Every contribution is valuable for our future. China urges U.S. to gain clear understanding of highly sensitive Taiwan question Xinhua) 10:19, December 06, 2025 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. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu) News / National by Staff reporter A Bishop from the St Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Bulawayo's Njube suburb, Joseph Munetsi, has been acquitted of sexual assault and fondling charges after the court found the State had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.Munetsi appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla, who noted that the prosecution's evidence contained significant inconsistencies. The magistrate highlighted that statements from the alleged victim and a key witness were conflicting and could not be corroborated, ultimately deeming the testimonies unbelievable.The allegations stemmed from incidents reported last year, in which Munetsi was accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old female congregant at the home of his junior pastor. Prosecutor Tsungirai Charmaine Mutapi detailed claims that Munetsi had allegedly fondled the young woman and conducted a ritualistic act involving water and salt. Further allegations included a second encounter where Munetsi reportedly forced the victim to lie on the floor and assaulted her.According to the prosecution, the victim initially did not disclose the incidents out of fear of being bewitched by the Bishop. She eventually confided in hospital staff while seeking treatment for depression, which led to a police investigation and Munetsi's arrest.Munetsi was represented in court by solicitor Task Vhiki of Task Vhiki Attorneys. Following the ruling, he was formally acquitted of all charges, with the magistrate emphasizing that the State had not met the required burden of proof. Higher education provides more stories that deserve public attention than Aesop had fables. But like Aesops accounts of loquacious animals, the incidents on campus often have a pungent moral. I have written from time to time about a small act of thievery at a rural college in Vermont. The college is Middlebury, and the peculiar theft was the name of a building. In recent years, colleges and universities around the country have been busy renaming buildings, scholarships, and sometimes whole schools that had been burdened with references to individuals the institutions no longer wished to honor. In 2017, Yale University renamed Calhoun College (which honored John C. Calhoun, vice president of the U.S. from 1825-1832). Henceforth, it would be Grace Hopper College" (a pioneer of computer programming). In 2020, Princeton University renamed its Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Henceforth, it became the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Calhoun had defended slavery, and President Wilson defended (and promoted) segregation. Whatever positive contributions these men had made during their lifetimes were deemed by their institutions as outweighed by their racial iniquity. Cancelling long-dead people, tearing down statues to Confederate generals or ordinary soldiers, and purging the present of reminders of chapters of American history that discomfort todays citizensor at least their leadershas become a well-worn path of virtue-signaling. It is not limited to campuses, of course. In January 2022, the American Museum of Natural History removed the equestrian statue of Teddy Roosevelt from the front entrance, where he kept watch on Central Park. Among his faults was that while he sat on his horse, he was accompanied on either side by a Native American and an African American on foot. This was deemed an act of subordination. Instances of erasure and de-plinthing can be multiplied, but I am not right now arguing that Calhoun, Wilson, or Roosevelt were unfairly treatedthough I think the matter deserves consideration. I just want to make clear that there are precedents for what Middlebury College did. An institution calling foul on one of its esteemed alumni (Calhoun) or former presidents (Princeton) may err in its judgment, but it acts within its rights. And whether that action is wise, at least it is grounded in actual history. No one doubts that Calhoun was an ardent defender of slavery or that Wilson was a segregationist. And in both cases, there was substantial support within the university community for the cancellations. But Middlebury presents a different story. The chapel at Middlebury, the colleges most prominent building, a colonnaded white marble structure that sits on the brow of a hill with a sweeping lawn in front of it, was built with donations from a physician, John Abner Mead, who directed that it be named for his ancestors. As it happened, the College officials misrepresented this in justifying the renaming. They announced that the chapel was named in honor of him [John Mead] and his wife. Details, details. Mead Memorial Chapel was dedicated in 1916. John Mead, a Middlebury alumnus, had been a governor of the state (1910-1912). During his life, John Mead occasioned no particular controversy. He volunteered in the Union Army during the Civil War, leaving his studies at Middlebury to do so. He saw active duty at the Battle of Gettysburg. Unlike most Union Army soldiers, he was an explicit opponent of slavery. He had no known connection to segregation. His social views were those typical of his time and place. He had been a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912, and was promoted as a possible running mate for William Howard Taft, though that nomination ultimately went to Nicholas Murray Butler. Ironically, the nomination went to Butler because Mead was considered too progressive for the ticket. His progressive positions included support for hydroelectric power, women's suffrage, campaign finance reform, higher taxation, and vocational schools. So perhaps Mead can be counted among those who tried to prevent the racialist Woodrow Wilsons election. In his later years, he helped to create Vermonts State School of Agriculture, and he helped to elevate the profession of nursing by enacting registration requirements. So how did it happen that in September 2021, with no public discussion or deliberation, the president of Middlebury had the wooden plaque inscribed Mead Memorial Chapel stripped off the entrance? That day, President Laurie Patton announced to her college community that the building would now be called just The Middlebury Chapel. As it turned out, the rationale for this excision was that in his farewell address as governor, Mead had endorsed Vermonts existing policies aimed at restricting the marriages of degenerates and separating defectives onto poor farms. This bit of information passed into historical obscurity until a freelance journalist, Mercedes de Guardiola, surfaced it in an article in Vermont History magazine. Her article caught President Pattons attention, who appears to have seen it as an opportunity. Middlebury may not have had anything to do with slavery or other topics ripe for grievance-mongering, but dig deep enough, and you can find that the man who funded and named Mead Memorial Chapel was a proponent of eugenics. Vermont these days is primed for such bouts of performative purification. The legislature had gotten in on the act earlier in 2021 by issuing a public apology for the forced sterilization of some 250 citizens back in the day. Blaming those sterilizations (justified or not) on Mead was President Pattons little addition to revisionist history. Had there been an interval for public discussion, it might have emerged that, while Mead had died in 1920, Middlebury College, for decades after that, had taught eugenics as a positive contribution to public health, and that curriculum owed nothing to the influence of Dr. Mead. Middlebury College played a key part in passing Vermonts 1931 sterilization legislation. But the rush by President Patton to get out in front of a social justice cause left no time for historical investigation. But my phrasing attributes to Patton an initiative that she modestly declined at the time. She wrote, "After a careful and deliberative process, Middleburys Board of Trustees has made the decision to remove the Mead name from the chapel, for the reasons we will describe below." Deferring to the authority of the board and feigning reluctance for the act might reflect what truly happened. Somehow it doesnt ring true. Ive worked with college presidents and boards of trustees for some forty years, and I cant think of any other instance of a board imposing on a college president in this fashion. Patton might well have expected to be congratulated for her initiative, but the heirs of John Abner Mead thought otherwise. In their view, Meads gift to Middlebury College was a binding agreement, and by renaming the building, Middlebury had broken it. A lawsuit commenced and, despite some setbacks along the way, it continues. The latest in that suit is an amicus brief filed by Amherst College, Bennington College, Champlain College, Franklin & Marshall College, Ithaca College, Landmark College, Saint Michaels College, Sarah Lawrence College, Smith College, Sterling College, Swarthmore College, Trinity College, Tufts University, Vermont College Of Fine Arts, Vermont State Colleges, Wellesley College and Williams College. To get seventeen colleges to weigh in on a matter this parochial is eye-catching. Is there a belated boom in opposition to country doctors who once spoke unkind words about degenerates? No. The issue here is the power of colleges to ignore the wishes of donors whenever that becomes convenient. You can read some thirty pages of legal posturing to the effect that Meads original gift didnt really obligate the college to abide by his terms. Presumably, if Meads heirs were to prevail in their suit, all these colleges might be vulnerable to suits by other heirs who have seen their family gifts wash away in the caprices of college presidents like Laurie Patton. Should a college be bound by its promises? Or should it be free to set aside promises that interfere with current interests? There are legal procedures for doing that under what is called the cypres doctrine, in which a court recognizes that the original terms of an agreement can no longer be upheld and a close enough substitute will have to suffice. But there was no legal procedure pursued by Middlebury before it changed the name of Mead Memorial Chapel, and indeed, there was no reason at all to break the agreement. The name of John Meads parents on the white marble chapel harmed no one and could have stayed there for as long as the college endures. If Aesop came looking for a larger moral in this story, he might find it in the insouciance with which a college president (supported by her board) disregarded both tradition and institutional commitment in order to stand on the steps of the chapel and proclaim her own superior virtue. There are all too many such overweening college presidents these days. But Aesop might have dug deeper. Seeing one of their own stung by a hornet, the other donkeys charged the hive. I have only a faint connection to Middlebury College. I know several faculty members there, and I have visited the campus from time to time. My main interest came from the affair, during Laurie Pattons term as president, when the college permittedactually fosteredthe 2017 protest against Charles Murray, during which a faculty member was injured. Some activist faculty members helped rile up the students, and Patton, who was present, was content to let the protest play out and silence Murray. That memory of that protest surely lay behind Pattons 2021 decision to erase Meads name from the chapel. The attack on Murray featured the accusation that he was (is) an advocate of eugenics. That happens to be as false as the accusations against Mead, but no matter, it elevated eugenics as a scary word for a pernicious policy, and gave Patton the rhetorical bludgeon she needed to show her fierce determination to be on the right side of history. What Middlebury College does or doesnt do is fairly far down the scale of significance in our year of epochal controversies at Harvard, Columbia, and other institutionsmost recently Northwestern. What strings all those stories together is the persistent mendacity of college and university leaders. The Mead controversy at Middlebury is a microcosm of institutional dissembling on behalf of what the leaders believe will be seen as a righteous cause. Aesop teaches us to look closely at such microcosms to understand the bigger picture. All those donkeys charging the hornets nest may well learn some painful lessons. A week ahead of its theatrical release, the trailer of Vaa Vaathiyaar has arrived, and it delivers exactly the mix of oddball humour and unexpected turns that director Nalan Kumarasamy is known for. The film stars Karthi as a police officer whose life is shaped by an intense admiration for the legendary MG Ramachandran, an affection he inherits from his father, played by Rajkiran. The trailer wastes no time establishing this father son dynamic, showing them celebrating MGR with unfiltered devotion and theatre level enthusiasm. The story follows Karthis character as he grows up steeped in the mythology of his cinematic hero, only to become a cop whose methods are anything but conventional. His approach to justice often bends rules and rattles superiors, setting the stage for trouble. Nalan frames these beats with his signature mix of sincerity and mischief, giving the audience glimpses of a protagonist who is both heroic and hilariously flawed. A Wild World Filled With Familiar Faces The trailer also signals the return of Ramesh Thilak and Karunakaran, who previously brought their unpredictable chemistry to Nalans cult hit Soodhu Kavvum. Their presence adds instant comedic energy and hints at a story full of twists, confusion and accidental brilliance. The most intriguing reveal belongs to Krithi Shetty, making her Tamil debut. She appears as the protagonists love interest, yet the trailer suggests she may exist only inside his imagination. This creative choice mirrors the surreal bend of Soodhu Kavvum, where fantasy and reality drift into each other with a straight face. Her scenes add charm but also mystery, raising questions about how her character fits into the broader narrative. Veteran actor Sathyaraj appears in a political subplot where he and other leaders discuss a brewing public crisis. These glimpses add a sharper edge beneath the comedy, hinting at social commentary wrapped inside absurdity. Anandaraj, GM Sundar and Shilpa Manjunath round out the supporting cast, each bringing a presence that suits the films tone of chaos and controlled exaggeration. Craft, Vision and Nalans Signature Tone Vaa Vaathiyaars trailer stands out for its brisk and confident visual design. George C Williams captures the energy of a story that never sits still. Frames move between grounded moments and outright fantasy without losing clarity. The colour palette leans toward vibrancy, matching the theatrical personality of the characters. The film is produced by KE Gnanavel Raja under the Studio Green banner, known for backing projects that combine strong writing with mass appeal. The edit by Vetre Krishnan keeps the trailer tight and rhythmic, while Santhosh Narayanan sets the tone with a score that feels cheeky, charged, and slightly rebellious. DRK Kirans art direction builds a world that supports both the realistic and the surreal, a balance that Nalan has always leaned into with confidence. While the trailer keeps major plot beats hidden, it makes one thing clear. Vaa Vaathiyaar is not aiming for a straightforward action comedy. It is pitched as something stranger, funnier and more self-aware. The film blends nostalgic fan culture, unpredictable police drama, political mischief, and moments of pure imagination. In doing so, it feels like a spiritual cousin to Soodhu Kavvum, but with a more heroic central lead and a louder sense of play. Legal Hurdle Clouds December 12 Release Plan Just as the final leg of promotions gathered steam, the film has encountered a serious legal obstacle. The production house behind Vaa Vaathiyaar, Studio Green led by producer KE Gnanavel Raja, faces a lawsuit over unpaid loans. The issue dates back to a 2011 agreement with a financier. The court found that the producer still owed over 10.35 crore, and a petition by the official assignee has now resulted in an interim stay on the films release. The bench of the Madras High Court has barred the theatrical release until December 5, pending clearance of dues. The next hearing is scheduled for December 8. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Studio Green (@studiogreen_official) This legal roadblock puts the films planned December 12 launch in uncertainty. The interim stay affects not just release but the overall financial settlement of the producers. For fans who have been waiting patiently through delays and postponements, this last-minute twist is disheartening. It remains to be seen whether the producers can clear the dues in time or the films release will be pushed again. Also Read: Vaa Vaathiyaar Faces Fresh Legal Roadblock Ahead of Scheduled Release 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 app Setting a New Standard for Digital Promotions This 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 Innovators Digital-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 Brands This 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 scale Access deeper insights and measurable ROI Enhance brand security and reduce promotional fraud Join industry leaders advancing the next wave of digital CPG innovation About The Krazy Coupon Lady The 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 Bureau The 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 Information Sarah Messer Investigative Producer at GMA sarah.messer@abc.com 6469423880 SOURCE: Krazy Coupon Lady IMG_3106.PNG IMG_3104.PNG View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/the-krazy-coupon-lady-launches-industry-first-universal-digital-coupon-1115212 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) ("Aurania" or the "Company") announces that further to its news release dated November 21, 2025, the Company has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$771,776.92 raised through the issuance of 6,431,466 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.12 per Unit (the "Offering"). Each Unit is composed of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of C$0.25 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the date of issuance. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid aggregate finder's fees consisting of (i) C$2805.60 (the "Cash Consideration") and (ii) 23,380 compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") to eligible finders. Each Compensation Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Unit at a price of C$0.12 per Unit for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. Each Unit issuable upon exercise of a Compensation Warrant is comprised of one Common Share and one Warrant. Each such Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Warrant Share at a price of C$0.25 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance of the Compensation Warrant. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering primarily for the preliminary economic assessment by international consultancy firm SRK on the Balangero tailings retreatment project in Italy, exploration programs at the Company's mineral properties, and for general working capital purposes. The closing of the Offering is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued and issuable pursuant to the Offering are subject to a four-month plus one day hold period commencing on the date of issuance. Related Party Transactions and Early Warning Report Dr. Keith Barron, CEO and a director of the Company, acquired 4,166,666 Units under the Offering (the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under the policies of the TSXV and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on exemptions from the minority shareholder approval and formal valuation requirements applicable to the related party transactions under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the Acquisition does not exceed 25 percent of the Company's market capitalization. Immediately prior to the Acquisition, Dr. Barron owned or exercised control and direction over an aggregate of 55,414,301 Shares, 2,442,992 options to purchase Shares (each, an "Option"), and 20,140,801 Warrants, representing 44.04% and 52.56% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted and partially diluted basis, respectively. As at the date of the filing of Dr. Barron's most recent early warning report dated April 17, 2025 (the "Prior Report") pursuant to the requirements of National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids ("NI 62-104") and National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues ("NI 62-103"), Dr. Barron owned or exercised control and direction over an aggregate of 47,672,635 Common Shares, 1,752,992 Options, and 12,399,135 Warrants, representing 44.4% and 50.9% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on an non-diluted and partially diluted basis, respectively. Following the Acquisition, Dr. Barron has ownership and control, directly and indirectly, of 59,580,967 Common Shares, representing approximately 45.05% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis, and approximately 54.29% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis (assuming the exercise of 24,307,467 Warrants of the Issuer and 2,442,992 Options of the Issuer held by Dr. Barron, which represents greater than a 2% change in ownership percentage on a partially diluted basis since the Prior Report In satisfaction of the requirements of NI 62-104 and NI 62-103, an early warning report respecting the acquisition of securities by Dr. Barron will be filed under the Company's SEDAR+ Profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The head office of the Company is located at 8 King Street East, Suite 1800 Toronto, ON Canada M5C 1B5. The Acquisition was completed for investment purposes. Depending on market and other conditions, Dr. Barron may from time to time in the future increase or decrease his ownership, control or direction over securities of the Company, through market transactions, private agreements, or otherwise. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and accordingly may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. About Aurania Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and critical energy in Europe and abroad. Information on Aurania and technical reports are available at www.aurania.com and www.sedarplus.ca, as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/auranialtd/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/auranialtd, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurania-resources-ltd-. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes statements regarding the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the Offering, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV of the listing of the Common Shares and the Warrant Shares (and the timing thereof), Aurania's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the corporation's portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things: a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; an inability to fund or extend the payment of Ecuador mineral concession fees with such failure to pay could result in the forfeiture of such mineral concessions; an inability to fund the administrative fees imposed by the Ecuadorian Control and Regulation Agency (ARCOM for its Spanish acronym) on the mining sector which could render the Company insolvent; a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania; a failure to comply with environmental regulations; a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and base metals; and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277160 SOURCE: Aurania Resources Ltd. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / GMV Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "GMV") (TSXV:GMV)(OTCQB:GMVMF) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 20,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$4,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering is being carried out pursuant to Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions (the "LIFE Exemption") to purchasers resident in Canada, other than Quebec, and in jurisdictions outside of Canada in compliance with the applicable securities laws of those jurisdictions. There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to this Offering that can be accessed under GMV's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://gmvminerals.com . Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision. Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share of the Company (each, a "Unit Share") and one-half of one () common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.35 for a period of thirty (30) months following the issue date of the Unit. The Units issued in the Offering will not be subject to any statutory hold period in Canada, subject to limitations prescribed by the LIFE Exemption. Insiders and certain other existing shareholders of GMV may also subscribe for Units under the Offering. The Company will engage one or more eligible arm's length finders (the "Finders") in respect of the Offering on a best efforts basis. As compensation for its services, a Finder will receive: (i) cash compensation equal to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Offering raised by such Finder; and (ii) such number of non-transferable common share purchase warrants (the "Finder Warrants") as is equal to 7% of the number of Units placed by such Finder. The Finder Warrants will be exercisable at a price of $0.20 per share any time for a period of thirty (30) months from the date of issuance and will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four (4) months and one (1) day from the date of closing. GMV intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for furthering the exploration and development of its Mexican Hat Gold project in SE Arizona as well as general working capital purposes. The Offering may close in multiple tranches, with the first tranche closing expected to occur on December 19, 2025, and the final closing to occur no later than December 30, 2025. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including the acceptance of the TSXV. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About GMV Minerals Inc. GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona. GMV, through its 100% owned subsidiary, has a 100% interest in a Mining Property Lease commonly referred to as the Mexican Hat Property, located in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The project was initially explored by Placer Dome (USA) in the late 1980s to early 1990s. GMV is focused on developing the asset and realizing the full mineral potential of the property through near term gold production. The Company's NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate (Inferred) is 36,733,000 tonnes grading 0.58 g/t gold at a 0.2 g/t cut-off, containing 688,000 ounces of gold, with an effective date of July 17, 2024. Additional information on the Mexican Hat Project is available in the technical report titled "Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment, Mexican Hat Project" with an effective date of August 8, 2025 ("PEA"), which is available under GMV Minerals' SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca Dr. D.R. Webb, Ph.D., P.Geo., P.Eng. is the Q.P. for this release within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical content of this release and has approved its content. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ________________________________________ Ian Klassen, President For further information please contact: GMV Minerals Inc. Ian Klassen Tel: (604) 899-0106 Email: Klassen@gmvminerals.com Technical Information and Cautionary Note Regarding Inferred Mineral Resources The mine plan evaluated in the PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources, as defined by NI 43-101 that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be converted to Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Additional drilling and technical studies will need to be completed in order to fully assess its viability. There is no certainty that a production decision will be made to develop the Mexican Hat Project or that the economic results described in the PEA will be realized. Mine design and mining schedules, metallurgical flow sheets and process plant designs will require additional detailed work and economic analysis and internal studies to ensure satisfactory operational conditions and decisions regarding future targeted production. Key assumptions, qualifications and estimates to the results of the PEA are contained in the PEA. Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors The United States Securities and Exchange Commission permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in this news release, such as "Measured," "Indicated," "Inferred," and "Resources," that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Forward-looking statements or information contained in this release include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to the Offering, including timing, subscribers, and gross proceeds contemplated thereunder, statutory hold periods, and the use of proceeds, and expectations regarding the Mexican Hat Gold project, including the Company's mineral resources. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the ability to complete the Offering, including the timing and size thereof, ability to obtain all necessary approvals, the final use of proceeds of the Offering, and risks associated with the exploration and development of the Mexican Hat Gold project and our mineral resources. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: GMV Minerals, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/gmv-minerals-announces-non-brokered-private-placement-pursuant-to-the-listed-issu-1115229 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Dynasty Gold Corp. (TSXV: DYG) (FSE: D5G1) (OTC Pink: DGDCF) ("Dynasty" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, subject to Exchange approval, it intends to close a non-brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of $751,800, combining both non-flow-through and flow-through units. The company builds on its existing cash reserve of over $3 million and is now fully funded for its current drill program and the 2026 exploration program. The company received subscriptions for 1,255,555 units of non-flow-through common shares for proceeds of $226,000. Each unit of non-flow-through shares consists of one common share at $0.18 and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at $0.30 for twenty-four months from closing. The Company has the right to call the warrant for expiry upon giving 20 days' notice if the common share trades at or above $0.43 on the TSX-V for 7 consecutive days. Finder's fees of $15,820 and broker's warrants of 87,888 are payable to registered dealers. The broker's warrants have the same terms as the common share warrants. The net proceeds received from the non-flow-through offering will be used for working capital. The flow-through financing consists of 2,390,000 units for proceeds of $525,800. Each flow-through unit consists of one flow-through share at $0.22 and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one non-flow-through common share at $0.33 for twenty-four months from closing. The Company has the right to call the warrant for expiry upon 20 days' notice if the common share trades at or above $0.43 on the TSX-V for 7 consecutive days. Finder's fees of $30,360 and 138,000 non-flow-through common share warrants are payable to Roche Securities Limited. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at $0.22 for twenty-four months from closing. Other terms of the common share warrants apply. The gross proceeds from the Flow-Through Offering will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" that are "flow-through mining expenditures", as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), to advance the Corporation's Thundercloud gold project in Ontario. The proceeds will be renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025, in the aggregate amount of not less than the total amount of gross proceeds raised from the issue of the Flow-Through Shares. All securities issued and issuable pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period. About Dynasty Gold Corp. Dynasty Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company currently focused on gold exploration in North America. Its 100%-owned Thundercloud property is situated within the Archean Manitou-Stormy Lakes Greenstone Belt, in northwestern Ontario. The Company is currently drilling to expand the NI 43-101 gold resource. A NI 43-101 Resource Estimate Report can be found on the Company's and SEDAR websites. The 100% owned Golden Repeat gold project in the Midas gold camp in Elko County, Nevada shares similar geological features as the Midas Gold mine and is surrounded by a number of large-scale operating mines. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.dynastygoldcorp.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DYNASTY GOLD CORP. "Ivy Chong" Ivy Chong, President & CEO This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. 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 TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept 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/277166 SOURCE: Dynasty Gold Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Nortec Minerals Corp. (TSXV: NVT) ("Nortec" or the "Company") is pleased to report on the status of the proposed acquisition of the Barker Bay Gold Property (the "Acquisition") as announced via news release on November 5, 2025. The Company received conditional approval for the Acquisition from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") on December 4, 2025. The Company continues to work towards satisfying the conditions precedent to closing the Acquisition, including the completion of the concurrent private placement described in the Company's press release dated November 12, 2025 (together with Acquisition, the "Transaction"). The Company expects to close the Transaction in Q1 2026, subject to the final approval of the TSXV. About Nortec Minerals Corp. Nortec is a mineral exploration company that holds 100% interests in two exploration stage critical mineral (zinc) projects, namely the Sturgeon Lake VMS and the Mattagami River Zinc properties, both located in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, the Company holds a 16.4% interest in the Tammela Gold in Southwest Finland. Additional information can be found on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and its website at www.nortecminerals.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Information set forth in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in palladium and other commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume; and tax consequences to Canadian and U.S. Shareholders. 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. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277170 SOURCE: Nortec Minerals Corp. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION TO THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE:PRR)(OTCQB:PRRSF)(FRA:OED) is pleased to announce that it has closed the third and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement of $0.12 flow-through units announced on October 17, 2025 (see news release for details), issuing 416,667 flow-through units for gross proceeds of $50,000.00. All securities issued in the third tranche are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on April 4, 2026, and no finder fees were paid. Over the three tranches, the Company raised aggregate gross proceeds of $1,632,800.16 through the issue of 13,606,668 flow-through units ("FT Unit"), each comprised of one flow-through common share (a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.18 for a period of two years after Closing, subject to accelerated expiry if the Company's common shares trade or close on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") at $0.35 or more for ten consecutive trading days. In the aggregate, insiders purchased 963,333 FT Units, which as of the third tranche closing represented approximately 1% of the then issued and outstanding shares, or 1.47% if the associated warrants were immediately exercised. The participation by insiders constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied upon the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements pursuant to sections 5.5(a), (b) and (c), and sections 5.7(1)(a) and (b), respectively, of MI 61-101. Len Brownlie, President and CEO of Prospect Ridge commented: "Prospect Ridge is very grateful to the investors who have supported us during this financing. Your trust and confidence in Prospect Ridge and its exploration projects is truly appreciated. We look forward to efficiently allocating these funds for the discovery of B.C.'s next significant copper-gold porphyry deposit to create value for all of our shareholders." Use of Proceeds of the Offering The Company intends to use the gross proceeds from the FT Placement to incur, on its mineral projects in British Columbia, eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will also qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" under the Income Tax Act (Canada). The Company intends to allocate approximately 50% of the gross proceeds to finance the recently announced 2,000 meter drill program on the Issuer's Camelot project, located near Horsefly, B.C. The remaining funds will be allocated to funding drill programs at one or more of the Company's Excalibur and Castle projects. The securities to be offered under the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States 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 Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia-based exploration and development company focused on critical metals and gold. Led by a management and technical team with over 100 years of combined mineral exploration experience, Prospect Ridge is dedicated to advancing its portfolio of properties in the Golden Horseshoe and Cariboo regions of north-central British Columbia that have the potential to become the next large copper/gold porphyry discovery across this vastly under-explored region. Contact Information Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. Mike Iverson - Chairman, Director Email: mike@miverson.ca 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 release. This release includes certain statements and information ("FLI") that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. FLI relates to future events or future performance and reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company's management. Anything that is not historical fact is FLI. Generally, FLI can be, without limitation, identified by the use of forward-looking wording such as "plans", "intends", "believes", "expects", "anticipates" or "estimates", and statements or phrases that certain actions, events or results "may", "might", "could", "should" or "would" occur, and similar expressions. FLI is not historical fact, is made as of the date of this news release and includes, without limitation, statements and discussions of future plans, intentions, expectations, estimates and forecasts, and statements as to management's intentions and expectations with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects. FLI involves numerous risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any FLI. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the availability of financing to continue exploration activities, the availability and cost of qualified exploration personnel and service providers, and that future exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects will not be as anticipated. In making any FLI in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Camelot, Holy Grail/Knauss Creek, Castle or Excalibur Projects will be as anticipated. Although management has endeavored to evaluate and use reasonable assumptions and to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in FLI, these assumptions may prove incorrect and there may be other factors that cause results not to be as intended, expected, anticipated or estimated. There can be no assurance that FLI will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed in FLI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on FLI, and are further cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any FLI expressed or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. SOURCE: Prospect Ridge Resources Corp View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/prospect-ridge-announces-closing-of-flow-through-unit-private-placement-1115232 News / National by Staff reporter Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has called for immediate behavioural and operational reforms at Forbes Border Post after witnessing firsthand the inefficiencies contributing to long delays at one of Zimbabwe's busiest entry points.Minister Kazembe toured the post alongside Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Misheck Mugadza, and other officials. He said the visit was in line with President Mnangagwa's directive to resolve persistent traffic congestion at the border."Zimbabwe can no longer afford queues that contradict the spirit of improved bilateral cooperation between Harare and Maputo, especially following the recent Memoranda of Understanding and the successful ZimbabweMozambique Binational Commission attended by both heads of state," Minister Kazembe stated. He added that the leaders emphasized that "Zimbabwe is Mozambique and Mozambique is Zimbabwe" and do not want to see the current backlogs.The Minister expressed concern over avoidable administrative bottlenecks, noting that some delays were caused by poor work ethic rather than structural challenges. He observed instances where traffic processing halted simply because senior officials had arrived, stressing that many issues could be addressed through a change in mindset rather than systemic adjustments."Some of the issues can be eliminated by culture change. We all saw that when the process resumed, it flowed smoothly without any system changes. It is the attitude. Let us first change our mentality," he said.Minister Kazembe also highlighted the upcoming Zimbabwe Border Management Authority, which he said will help streamline operations and reduce current frustrations for travellers. A Mozambican delegation, led by a Minister of State, was expected at the border to jointly assess the challenges and agree on urgent corrective measures. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the process undertaken by its Board of Directors (the "Board") to replace Christian Milau, who resigned from the Board in September 2025. Following Mr. Milau's departure, the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board identified a number of candidates and expects to make a recommendation to the Board for the appointment of a new independent director prior to the end of January 2026. The new director is also expected to become the Chair of the Board's Audit & Risk Committee (the "Audit Committee"). The Company also announces that on December 4, 2025 it received a letter from the NYSE American stating that the Audit Committee, as currently constituted, is non-compliant with NYSE American rules (the "NYSE American Letter"). The Company has 180 days from the date of the NYSE American Letter to remedy the non-compliance within the cure period provided by the NYSE American. The Company expects that with the new appointment to the Board and Audit Committee described above, it will once again comply with NYSE American rules within the cure period provided. About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 1,840 mineral claims in Southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit, located 200 miles from Anchorage and 125 miles from Bristol Bay. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project. For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. Public filings, which include forward looking information cautionary language and risk factor disclosure regarding the Company and the Pebble Project can be found in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca and in the United States at www.sec.gov. Ronald W. Thiessen President & CEO U.S. Media Contact: Dan Gagnier, Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897 Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors This document includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under applicable provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements in this document, other than statements of historical facts, which address the timing and future composition of the board and its Audit Committee are forward-looking statements. Additional forward looking statements made by the Company under its continuous disclosure obligations include statements regarding (i) the development plan for the Pebble Project (ii) the right-sizing and de-risking of the Pebble Project, (iii) the design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project development plan, including projected capital and operating costs, (iv) the social integration of the Pebble Project into the Bristol Bay region and benefits for Alaska, (v) the political and public support for the permitting process, (vi) the ability of the Pebble Project to ultimately secure all required federal and state permits, (vii) the ability of the Company and/or the State of Alaska to challenge the EPA's Final Determination process under the Clean Water Act and ultimately the USACE's Record of Decision ("USACE ROD") through legal actions; (viii) exploration potential of the Pebble Project, (ix) future demand for copper, gold and other metals, (x) if permitting is ultimately secured, the ability to demonstrate the Pebble Project is ultimately commercially viable, and (xi) the potential addition of partners in the Pebble Project. Although NDM believes the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way be construed as guarantees that the Pebble Project will secure all required government permits or regarding the ability of NDM to develop the Pebble Project in light of the USACE ROD and its subsequent remand decision and the EPA's Final Determination, establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, achieve the required financing or develop the Pebble Project. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by NDM as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Assumptions used by NDM to develop forward-looking statements include the assumptions that (i) the Pebble Project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses without undue delay, (ii) any feasibility studies prepared for the development of the Pebble Project will be positive, (iii) NDM's estimates of mineral resources will not change, and NDM will be successful in converting mineral resources to mineral reserves, (iv) NDM will be able to establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, and (v) NDM will be successful in its legal action against the EPA and the USACE and any action taken by the EPA in connection with the Final Determination will ultimately not be successful in restricting or prohibiting development of the Pebble Project. In addition, the likelihood of future mining at the Pebble Project is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including (i) the current development plan may not reflect the ultimate mine plan for the Pebble Project, (ii) obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, licenses and approvals without undue delay, including without delay due to third party opposition or changes in government policies, (iii) finalization of the mine plan for the Pebble Project, (iv) the completion of feasibility studies demonstrating that any Pebble Project mineral resources that can be economically mined, (v) completion of all necessary engineering for mining and processing facilities, (vi) the ability of NDM to secure a partner for the development of the Pebble Project, and (vi) receipt by NDM of significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction. NDM is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. Investors should also consider the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and included in its annual report on Form 40-F filed on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), as well as the risk factors set out in the Company's subsequent public continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. The National Environment Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement process requires a comprehensive "alternatives assessment" be undertaken to consider a broad range of development alternatives, the final project design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project and associated infrastructure may vary significantly from that currently contemplated. As a result, the Company will continue to consider various development options and no final project design has been selected at this time. SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/northern-dynasty-provides-update-on-board-search-and-audit-and-risk-committee-com-1115230 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), a global cybersecurity systems integrator, announces the promotion of Veera Singh to Chief Financial Officer, effective January 9, 2026. Mrs. Singh, who currently serves as Vice President of Finance, has been a key contributor to Plurilock's growth and operational maturity for more than four years. Earlier this year, she was made an officer of the Company in recognition of her leadership, technical expertise, and deep understanding of Plurilock's financial and operational framework. Her expanded mandate as CFO reflects Plurilock's ongoing commitment to developing internal talent and strengthening its finance organization as the Company scales across commercial and defense markets. "Veera has been instrumental in shaping the financial foundation of Plurilock," said Ian L. Paterson, CEO of Plurilock. "Her discipline, strategic insight, and deep commitment to our mission make her exceptionally well suited to take on this expanded role. We are fortunate to have a leader of her calibre stepping into the position of CFO as we enter an important phase of execution and growth." As part of this transition, Scott Meyers, Plurilock's current Chief Financial Officer, will depart the Company effective January 9, 2026, to pursue other opportunities. Plurilock thanks Mr. Meyers for his contributions and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors. The Company does not expect any disruption to operations, customer commitments, or strategic initiatives as a result of this change. About Plurilock Plurilock is a services-led, product-enabled, AI-native cybersecurity company that solves complex cyber problems in high-stakes environments where failure isn't an option. Trusted by Five-Eyes governments, NATO-aligned agencies, and Global 2000 enterprises, we defend critical infrastructure and safeguard the systems that power modern life. Our Critical Services division delivers operational resilience through unmatched expertise, proprietary IP, and AI-driven playbooks. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, and unforeseen events and developments. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277174 SOURCE: Plurilock Security Inc. Bozen, Italy--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Transfeero ends 2025 as one of the strongest years in its history, solidifying its position as a leading global provider of private transportation services. The platform designed to connect travelers seeking reliable and convenient mobility solutions with a worldwide network of professional drivers and licensed transport companies has recorded significant growth across all key indicators: booking volumes, geographic presence, digital innovation, reputation, and international partnerships. Transfeero Closes 2025 With Record Growth and a Global Presence in 100 Countries Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/276181_1.jpg Booking Growth: +26% Year-over-Year In 2025, Transfeero managed 1.2 million bookings, up from 950,000 in 2024, marking an increase of +250,000 rides, equivalent to a +26% annual growth rate. This surge reflects the growing tendency among both leisure and business travelers to book private transfers in advance, integrating them into their travel planning in the same way flights and accommodations are scheduled. Transfeero's top three destinations remain among the most important intercontinental hubs worldwide: New York (JFK) London Heathrow (LHR) Dubai (DXB) "This double-digit growth is more than a number. It proves that travelers want reliability, clarity, and a service that takes them from gate to car without surprises," said Antonino Testa, CEO of Transfeero. A Global Footprint: Service Expanded to 100 Countries Network expansion has been one of Transfeero's central growth pillars. In 2025, the company extended its service coverage to 100 countries, supported by a robust network of professional drivers and structured transportation operators. This widespread coverage enables the platform to deliver consistent service standards and a smooth experience worldwide, from major international airports to emerging destinations for tourism and business. "Being active in 100 countries means offering our customers the same level of quality wherever they land. That's the value of combining technology with strong local partnerships," Testa added. A Year of Digital Acceleration: New App, New Website, and Advanced Customer Care Systems 2025 also marked a major step forward in Transfeero's digital transformation. During the year, the company launched: A new mobile application, offering real-time ride tracking, streamlined booking management, and more direct communication with customer support; A fully redesigned website, built to provide a more intuitive booking experience, dedicated sections for travel agencies and corporate clients, and a faster, modern interface; Next-generation customer care and integration systems, adopted as a case study by leading software companies, thanks to Transfeero's proactive communication workflows and intelligent automation capabilities. These enhancements have significantly improved customer perception across online review platforms. Strengthening Global Brand Awareness: Campaigns at London Heathrow (LHR) Transfeero also strengthened its international visibility with new advertising campaigns launched at London Heathrow (LHR),one of the world's busiest airports. This strategic presence at the core of global travel flows has driven a notable increase in brand recognition and contributed to rising booking volumes for London and surrounding areas. Team Expansion and New Office in Bolzano Business growth has been mirrored by an expansion of the internal team, with new hires across operations, technology, marketing, and account management. In 2025, Transfeero also inaugurated a new office in Bolzano, now serving as a key operational hub for international project management and partner network coordination. Joining the National Limousine Association, Las Vegas Transfeero's entry into the National Limousine Association (NLA) in Las Vegas marked another strategic milestone, positioning the company within one of the most influential global networks for professional chauffeured transportation. Participation in NLA events and meetings has enabled Transfeero to expand its partner base, access international best practices, and reinforce its credibility within the industry. "Our membership in the NLA is more than symbolic; it has allowed us to forge essential relationships with top-tier operators and strengthen our global network," Testa concluded. Travel Market Positioning in 2025 The travel landscape in 2025 has been defined by a decisive resurgence of global mobility. International leisure travel has returned to pre-pandemic strength, city breaks and experiential tourism have surged in popularity, and business travel has undergone a structural recovery driven by hybrid work models and renewed corporate mobility needs. At the same time, travelers are increasingly seeking digitally bookable, door-to-door transport solutions that offer clarity, reliability, and convenience throughout their journey. Within this evolving scenario, Transfeero has positioned itself as a trusted partner across the full spectrum of travel stakeholders. The platform supports individual travelers looking for seamless transfers, travel agencies and tour operators seeking reliable global supply, and corporate clients requiring consistent standards and transparent pricing. By combining international coverage with a unified digital experience, Transfeero meets the expectations of a market that demands both global reach and local operational excellence. 2026 Roadmap: 120 Countries, Strengthened B2B Ecosystem, and an On-Demand Mobility Offering Looking ahead, Transfeero is preparing to enter a new phase of expansion in 2026. The company aims to extend its service to 120 countries, further reinforcing a partner network that has become one of its most strategic assets. A major focus will be the enhancement of the Travel Agency & Corporate Program, supported by new technological integrations, advanced management tools, and commercial frameworks tailored to the needs of the B2B industry. A key milestone for the coming year will be the launch of Transfeero's on-demand service, designed to complement the established pre-booking model. This new offering will address the growing demand for immediate and flexible mobility solutions, particularly in major urban centers, allowing travelers and businesses to access a driver exactly when they need one, with the same standards of quality and transparency that define Transfeero's global offering. About Transfeero Transfeero is a premium mobility platform connecting travelers to the world's destinations. The company's mission is to simplify ground transportation by offering reliable, comfortable, and high-quality services designed for both leisure and business guests. Transfeero operates in over 100 countries, more than 2,500 cities, and 670 airports, offering airport transfers, city-to-city connections, port shuttles, and chauffeur services. All services are available through the company's website or app, with instant booking confirmation and 24/7 multilingual customer support. Thanks to a trusted network of carefully selected local partners, the company offers punctuality, comfort, and flexibility across a wide range of vehicles, from economy to first class, including minibuses up to 16 seats. By rethinking how people move between key destinations, Transfeero delivers mobility solutions tailored to the modern traveler. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276181 SOURCE: Plentisoft SPRING, Texas, Dec. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Io Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company headquartered in Spring, Texas; announced today collaborative presentations at the 67th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition, in Orlando, Florida; with scientists from the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina; reporting data from preclinical studies in in vitro and xenograft mouse models demonstrating effectiveness of IRX4204, the company's retinoid X nuclear receptor (RXR) agonist compound, against human multiple myeloma. IRX4204 had synergistic efficacy against human multiple myeloma in combination with anti-myeloma BCMA CAR-T cells and separately with a standard of care anti-myeloma drug lenalidomide. The researchers presented two abstracts titled: "RXR Agonist IRX4204 improves BCMA CAR-T functionality by suppressing ferroptosis via CHAC1 downregulation and promoting mitophagy"; and "RXR agonist IRX4204 induces ferroptosis in multiple myeloma via HMOX1/GPX4 axis and enhances lenalidomide efficacy". Both sets of studies were conducted under the leadership of Professor of Medicine Yubin Kang, M.D, in his laboratory at Duke. Multiple myeloma remains incurable, and although BCMA CAR-T therapy induces deep responses, most patients eventually relapse due to T-cell exhaustion, limited CAR-T persistence, and metabolic stress in the tumor microenvironment. Activated T-cells are vulnerable to ferroptosis, a form of cell death driven by glutathione depletion, oxidative stress, and CHAC1 activity. Enhancing redox resilience improves CAR-T durability. IRX4204, a selective RXR agonist, protected CAR-T cells from T-cell exhaustion and ferroptotic death, thereby enhancing their persistence and anti-tumor function. Mechanistically, IRX4204 suppresses CHAC1-driven ferroptosis and activates PINK1/PARK2-mediated mitophagy, preserving mitochondrial integrity. In vivo, IRX4204 improved tumor control and prolonged CAR-T persistence in multiple myeloma xenografts. Further, the studies demonstrated that IRX4204 promotes ferroptosis in human multiple myeloma plasma cells by activating the PPARa/RXRa-HMOX1 axis and suppressing GPX4/SLC7A11-mediated antioxidant defense. This effect synergistically enhances the therapeutic efficacy of IRX4204 with a standard of care anti-myeloma drug lenalidomide, both in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, combination treatment with IRX4204 and lenalidomide significantly reduced tumor growth compared to lenalidomide alone and prolonged median survival without increased systemic toxicity. Tumor analysis confirmed increased HMOX1 and decreased GPX4 expression in combination-treated mice. Bioinformatic analysis of multiple myeloma patient datasets revealed that high HMOX1 expression in plasma cells correlated with significantly improved overall survival (HR=0.51, p<0.001), while advanced-stage multiple myeloma plasma cells showed progressively lower HMOX1 levels. Dr. Kang stated: "These studies have multiple important clinical implications. The data identify a druggable ferroptosis pathway in multiple myeloma and provide a mechanistic rationale for combining RXR agonists with established therapies including BCMA CAR-T cells and lenalidomide. Our finding of a strong statistical correlation between HMOX1 expression in patient plasma cells and survival of multiple myeloma patients suggests potential for biomarker-guided therapy selection." Martin E. Sanders, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Io Therapeutics stated "IRX4204 is a clinical stage compound which was invented by Vidyasagar Vuligonda, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of Io Therapeutics. IRX4204 more potently and more selectively activates RXR than earlier generation RXR agonists. It has demonstrated an excellent chronic dosing safety profile in clinical trials in patients with lung, prostate, and other cancers. The IRX4204 safety profile likely will be suitable for chronic treatment of multiple myeloma in combination with CAR-T cells and lenalidomide. IRX4204 previously showed anti-cancer activity in phase I and II clinical trials in patients with various types of solid tumor malignancies. The new findings that IRX4204 has synergistic efficacy against multiple myeloma with BCMA CAR-T cells, and separately, also with a standard of care anti-myeloma drug lenalidomide, adds to the drug's scope of potential clinical utilities, and may result in increases of the proportions of multiple myeloma patients achieving cure or long-term maintenance of complete responses of their cancers. The company is planning to evaluate combinations of IRX4204 with CAR-T cells, and with lenalidomide in future clinical trials in multiple myeloma patients." More information about Io Therapeutics, Inc., and its product development programs is available on the company's web site: www.io-therapeutics.comor at info@io-therapeutics.com. Forward Looking Statements: This new release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. ATLANTA, GA AND DOHA, QATAR / ACCESS Newswire / December 6, 2025 / Ameerex Corporation (OTC:HIRU) ("Ameerex" or the "Company"), a natural-resources group owned and managed by high-profile Qatari investors, announces that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire a 100% interest in the Corcoran Canyon Silver-Gold Project in Nye County, Nevada. The NI 43-101 Technical Report for Corcoran Canyon outlines a substantial Inferred Mineral Resource totaling approximately 45.6 million silver-equivalent ounces (AgEq), comprising: ~39.0M AgEq ounces pit-constrained ~6.66M AgEq ounces underground The deposit is a low-sulfidation epithermal silver-gold system supported by extensive historical drilling, metallurgical work, and clear structural controls. Historic flotation and cyanidation tests demonstrated strong recoveries, supporting the potential for future development. Geological Framework and Growth Potential The Project covers a well-mineralized trend with several targets identified for expansion: West Target - elevated gold and silver indicators Intrusion Target - interpreted feeder-style mineralization Pediment Target - untested structural intersections with depth potential These zones provide multiple opportunities for staged resource growth beyond the existing 45.6M AgEq ounces. Strategic Relevance to Ameerex The Corcoran Canyon MoU reinforces Ameerex's strategy to build a diversified portfolio in precious and strategic metals across Tier-1 jurisdictions. Following the execution of definitive agreements, Ameerex plans to advance the Project through updated geological modelling, targeted confirmation drilling, metallurgical optimization, and preliminary economic assessments. Lithium Portfolio Update - Disclosure Expected by next week Ameerex confirms that it is in the final structuring phase of a multi-asset lithium transaction in Argentina and Brazil. The Company expects to release full details next week, upon completion of final documentation with its partners. This upcoming disclosure aligns with Ameerex's broader vision to expand into energy-transition minerals alongside its precious-metals platform. Existing Strategic Metals Platform Corcoran Canyon will complement Ameerex's long-life Balfour Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project in Western Australia, which remains a cornerstone asset already owned by the Company. Management Commentary Chairman & CEO, Khalid Nasser A.S. Al-Thaniof Ameerex Corporation, stated: "The MOU for Corcoran Canyon represents a significant addition to our precious-metals portfolio. With 45.6 million silver-equivalent ounces defined and multiple targets for expansion, the Project aligns with our long-term strategy of building a diversified and high-quality metals platform. We look forward to announcing the details of our South American lithium transaction by next week." ABOUT AMEEREX CORPORATION Ameerex Corporation (OTC:HIRU) is a diversified natural-resources company owned and managed by high-profile Qatari investors, with a portfolio spanning precious metals, critical energy-transition minerals, and select oil & gas interests. Ameerex's assets include the Balfour Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project in Western Australia, the Corcoran Canyon Silver-Gold Project in Nevada under MOU, and a forthcoming lithium transaction in Argentina and Brazil. The Company focuses on disciplined expansion, technical excellence, and long-term value creation across multiple commodity cycles. Investor Relations Ameerex Corporation - Doha, Qatar 3379 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 700 Atlanta, GA 30326 Email: info@ameerex.com Phone: +1 775-312-2773 Corporate Communications https://x.com/thehirucorp OTC Markets https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/HIRU SOURCE: Hiru Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/ameerex-signs-mou-to-acquire-45.6-million-ounce-silver-gold-project-i-1115069 Jethmalani argued that the document must meet the strictest statutory standards, especially since it sidelines natural heirs, including minors The Delhi High Court continued its scrutiny of the disputed will of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, with several inconsistencies emerging, weakening its credibility. Appearing for Karisma Kapoors children, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani argued that the document must meet the strictest statutory standards, especially since it sidelines natural heirs, including minors. He emphasised that Sunjay appears as a digital ghost in the entire processthere is no email, message, instruction or acknowledgment tying him to drafting or approving the Will. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What the advocate told the court Jethmalani noted that even the WhatsApp chats relied on by the defendants lack any participation from Sunjay, and none of the required digital certifications for these records have been filed. He questioned the timing of the March 2025 Will, executed when Sunjay was healthy and financially stable, and pointed to missing details on the attesting witnesses, unclear location and time of signing, and an unexplained chain of custody of the original document. He also highlighted contradictions in Priya Sachdeva Kapurs filings, including the Ben-1 form where she denied any beneficial interest in shares she claims were already willed to her. Further, Jethmalani argued that even if Priyas claim about the trust is assumed truethat the children received shares worth 2,500 crore and she received shares worth 7,500 crorethis remains only a notional paper value, with the Trust itself controlled by Priya and no money actually received by the children. He rebutted the generosity narrative, clarifying that all payments for the childrens education and expenses arise from Supreme Court-mandated obligations, not voluntary largesse. He also underscored that the unexplained exclusion of natural heirs, especially minor children, raises serious suspicion under succession law. Jethmalani concluded that the defendants submissions reflect stupid fabrication fortified with unreliable digital evidence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD December 6 marks the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, a day that marked a pivotal moment in Indias history. Its also on this day that Dr Adrian Kantrowitz undertook the first paediatric heart transplant at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, New York It was a seminal moment. The Babri Masjid demolition marked a pivotal moment in Indias history, fueling religious debate and politics. A sea of karsevaks converged from across the country, brought down the sixteenth-century mosque Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. The claim was that it is built on the site of a temple destroyed by Muslim rulers. It was a long-planned campaign spearheaded by rightwingers, believing that this mosque was the birthplace of Lord Ram. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In this edition of Firstposts ongoing series of History Today, we reflect on the anniversary of this event and more. The demolition of Babri Masjid It was a moment that shook Indias foundation. Hindu devotees with Ram inscribed on their heads, raising slogans, climbed and demolished the Babri Mosque. On December 6, 1992, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) declared a kar seva at Ayodhya. LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, and others were among the top brass present during that time in Ayodhya. The then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Kalyan Singh, filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, assuring that the structure would not be harmed. According to the reports, between 70,000 and 150,000 gathered near the dispute site. Speeches were delivered at the dais, slogans were raised. Minutes after that, the security breach and demolition occurred. Kar sevaks attacking the wall of the 16th century Babri Masjid Mosque with iron rods. File Image At first, a group of people breached the first police area and moved towards the building. As per several press reports, stones were thrown in the direction of cops, and minutes after that, people climbed on the domes of Babri Masjid. Tools like hammers, pickaxes, iron rods, and ropes were used. The first dome collapsed around 2:55 pm, while the second dome collapsed between 3:50 and 4:45 pm. The structure was completely brought down after the collapse of the third dome, as per reports. Several reporters cameras, equipment were damaged following the incident. A flurry of FIRs was registered against unidentified kar sevaks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In its aftermath, demolition led to widespread communal violence across India, and the scale of mobilisation altered Ayodhyas socio-political landscape permanently. Following the incident, a series of legal and political battles ensued. The Allahabad High Court, in 2010, ruled in favour of a three-way division of the disputed land. The division was offered between the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara, and the Ram Lalla deity. However, the same verdict was challenged in Indias Supreme Court, leading to a landmark judgment in 2019. Unanimously, the Supreme Court, in 2019, awarded the entire 2.77-acre disputed land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust for the construction of the Ram temple. The court also directed the ruling government to allot five acres of land to the Sunni Waqf Board for a mosque, somewhere else in Ayodhya. When worlds first heart transplant occurred On this day, the first paediatric heart transplant was undertaken by Dr Adrian Kantrowitz and his associates, on a 17-day-old infant with Ebstein anomaly. It took place three days after Dr Christian Barnards first human-to-human transplant occurred on December 3, 1967, in South Africa. Nearly 20 years later, in 1984, Dr Denton Cooley and his colleagues performed the first successful infant heart transplant on an 8-month-old girl at Texas Childrens Hospital (TCH) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More than 6,000 pediatric heart transplants have been performed since 1982, and a positive and consistent improvement in survival rates. With inputs from agencies Thousands of IndiGo flights have been cancelled this week, leaving flyers stranded at airports across India. The airlines woes are not yet over, and terminals continue to witness chaotic scenes. But whats behind this mess? Heres all this and more in our weekly roundup On Friday, more than 700 IndiGo flights were cancelled across major airports, leaving thousands stranded with very few alternatives. Reuters Indias biggest airline is facing turbulence. Thousands of flyers have been left stranded nationwide after hundreds of IndiGo flights were cancelled since Tuesday (December 2). The airlines woes continue, while airports witness chaos and passengers suffer. Russian President Vladimir Putin was in India for a two-day State visit. It put the spotlight on India-Russia ties and the bond between Putin and Modi. We have been covering that story closely. United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing the heat for his role in two military strikes on a suspected Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel in early September. US Navy Admiral Frank M Bradley, who ordered the second strike on the boat, is also under the scanner. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Parts of Asia have been ravaged by floods as a series of cyclones and extreme monsoonal rains hit the region. More than 1,000 people have died as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia deal with the aftermath. Heres all this and more in our weekly wrap. 1. IndiGo is facing a growing crisis as more than 700 flights have been cancelled this week. Airports across India witnessed chaotic scenes as agitated passengers fought with staff due to disrupted flights. Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru were among the worst-hit. Frustrated passengers shared their experiences on social media, with some saying their flights were eventually cancelled after being delayed for hours. The airline has blamed a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges for the turmoil. Indias aviation regulator is now probing the large-scale disruptions. But whats behind IndiGos mass flight delays and cancellations? We explain here. 2. In September, the US military targeted an alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel, hitting it with an initial precision strike. This was followed by a second strike that allegedly targeted survivors still in the water off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. US Navy Admiral Frank M Bradley, the senior special operations officer, ordered the second strike on the burning vessel. This resulted in the deaths of two survivors who were clinging to the wreckage after the first missile strike. After media reports claimed that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had pressed for a policy of leaving no survivors, the White House came to his defence. Is he responsible for the re-strike? Read our story to know more. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 3. Cyclone Ditwah, Typhoon Koto, and Cyclone Senyar brought severe destruction to five Asian countries Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia as heavy rainfall caused floods and landslides in these nations. Thousands of people lost their lives and many others were displaced as the extreme weather wreaked widespread havoc. India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to provide humanitarian assistance to its neighbouring Sri Lanka, as more than 300 people died in the island nation due to Cyclone Ditwah. As parts of Asia struggle with the watery mess, did climate change make the floods more deadly? We take a look. 4. Unrest between India and China is not new. The two countries fought their first major war in 1962. The conflict started after years of tension between the two countries over the Himalayan border, especially the McMahon Line. The war came to an end after China announced a unilateral ceasefire on November 20, 1962 and withdrew from the territory it had occupied. A new study has now claimed that the US played a key role in creating the base for the conflict between India and China. It said that the policies pursued by the United States and the Soviet Union during the late 1950s and early 1960s had a mix of intended and unintended consequences on India and China. Read our report here. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 5. The Indian rupee is falling. This week, the Indian currency crossed the Rs 90-mark against the US dollar for the first time. The development was not a surprise, as the rupee has been one of Asias worst-performing currencies against the greenback this year. This comes as India is under pressure from the US, which has slapped steep tariffs on Indian exports. The two countries are also trying to negotiate a trade deal, which has reportedly left many top US officials frustrated. As the rupee falls, will it affect Indians? We take a look. 6. Elon Musks podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath made waves on social media this week. From revealing that his partner is half-Indian to his views on the US immigration policies, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO shared the workings of his mind during the interview. The podcast, which lasted for over two hours, was part of a series titled People by WTF. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Musk told Kamath in the interview that his partner, Shivon Zilis, is half-Indian and one of his sons is named Sekhar in honour of Indian-American physicist and Nobel laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. The billionaire also shared his opinion on the H1-B visas, which have become a hot topic in the US. Heres all that happened in the much-talked-about podcast. This is all we have for you this week. If you like our explainers, you can bookmark this page. Vladimir Putins 27-hour visit to India concluded on Friday evening after he attended a lavish State dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The dinner, hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, was an all-vegetarian delight, highlighting Indias many regional cuisines. To accompany the delicious affair was a mix of traditional Indian classical as well as Bollywood music, along with Russian compositions Russia's President Vladimir Putin raises a toast to India-Russia ties at the State banquet hosted in his honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. AFP After holding long and eventful talks at Hyderabad House and attending a business-related event, Russian President Vladimir Putin ended his Day 2 of his India visit with a dinner. And this was no ordinary dinner but a State banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu and attended by several dignitaries from the government as well as other political parties of India. The banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan marked the culmination of the Russian leaders two-day visit to India, during which he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirming India-Russia ties and inking new deals and agreements that would further this relationship. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A lavish thali laid out for Putin The state banquet in honour of Putin at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was a lavish culinary delight, highlighting Indias vast and varied food choices. The all-vegetarian affair featured regional dishes and began with a Murungelai Chaaru soup, a traditional South Indian rasam (soup), Kaale Chane Ke Shikampuri (pan-grilled black gram kebabs), and Vegetable Jhol Momo with spicy chutney. Russias President Vladimir Putin attends a festive reception in his honour in New Delhi. AFP For the main course, Putin and other guests were served 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. Along with the dinner, beverages such as pomegranate, orange, carrot and ginger juice were also served. President Droupadi Murmu and Russian President Vladimir Putin along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi sit down for a small discussion during the State dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Image Courtesy: PIB The State dinner ended on a sweet note with a traditional Badam Ka Halwa, Kesar-Pista Kulfi, and fresh fruits, with traditional accompaniments like Gur Sandesh, Murakku. Full coverage on Putin's India visit Hitting the high notes with Putin The State dinner in honour of Vladimir Putin also featured a musical performance blending Indian classical music with Russian melodies. The naval band and an ensemble of classical instrumentalists played melodious tunes, both from India and Russia. At one point, a song from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khans movie Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani rang out at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The music also paid tribute to Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky by performing The Nutcracker Suite. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Droupadi Murmu and her Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin at the State dinner. The banquet marked the end of Putins two-day visit to India. Image Courtesy: PIB High praise and warmth at the dinner At the banquet, Putin toasted to the partnership between the two nations. Fifteen 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. President Murmu receives Russian President Vladimir Putin at the banquet in his honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Image Courtesy: PIB He further added that India and Russia are working to establish a fair and just world order, describing the India-Russia partnership as go together, grow together. In turn, President Droupadi Murmu also welcomed Putin, saying, 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. External Affairs Minister bids goodbye to Russian President Vladimir Putin as he departs Delhi after a successful two-day visit. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X Shortly after the dinner, Russian President Putin departed from Delhi, ending his two-day visit on a high. He was seen off by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the airport. With inputs from agencies Unlike the claims made by the colonialists and their sympathisers in the country that no notion of India existed before the advent of the British, the celebration of Indias millennia-old symbols in the form of gifts reinforces the countrys ancient identity More than a decade since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power for the first time, Indias image at the international level has transformed significantly. Even the critics of this government would agree that the country has earned a respectable image for itself globally, all thanks to its material progress in addition to proactive diplomacy. One key aspect of this achievement is the way the Modi government has revived Indias rich history, its culture and its civilisational appeal. An example of the same was on offer during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When Putin visited India for a two-day state visit this week, he was greeted in a very unique and warm way by even ordinary Indians. A pre-visit Friendship March was organised in Varanasi, PM Modis parliamentary constituency, where even an aarti ritual was performed on the picture of President Putin. In addition to this, internationally acclaimed sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo created a sand animation to welcome him. These touching gestures proved that Russia is seen as a dear friend by Indians across the board, but what truly stood out were the gifts that were given by Prime Minister Modi to President Putin. In addition to an intricately designed chess set from Agra, he was also given Assam black tea and a silver tea set from West Bengals Murshidabad, which is a celebration of the cultural significance of tea common to both India and Russia. Among the total six gifts, a Russian translation of Srimad Bhagavad Gita was the most special gift which PM Modi gave to President Putin. Sharing a picture from this moment with his followers on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world. Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a seminal text of Hinduism which is considered a philosophical statement delivered by Lord Krishna to the great warrior Arjuna in Kurukshetra while the latter is getting jitters about fighting the Mahabharata war. It starts with Lord Krishna explaining to Arjuna the futility of his worries and discusses the Karma theory, the importance of detachment, the fragility of the material world and, most importantly, the necessity of performing ones duties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is not the first time that Prime Minister Modi has handed out such a thoughtful gift to a foreign dignitary, something which is rooted so deeply in Indias traditional values and thoughts. In 2023, he gifted a copy of The Ten Principles of Upanishads, a book co-authored by Irish poet William Butler Yeats, a great follower of Indian spirituality, to US President Joe Biden during his US visit. This year also, when PM Modi met his counterparts at the G7 summit in Canada, almost all his gifts to them were a symbol of Indias millennia-old civilisation and culture. He gifted a Worli painting, one of the oldest Indian folk arts, to President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and a Madhubani painting to President of South Korea Lee Jae-myung. In addition to this, he gifted a sandstone replica of the Konark wheel, inspired by the famous Konark Sun Temple at Odisha, to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even PM Modis gift to the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, was also very special, as he gave him a sculpture of Nandi, a sacred bull and Lord Shivas vehicle. The host of the summit, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney himself, received a brass Bodhi tree from PM Modi, which is a symbol of Buddhist tradition, as it was under a Bodhi tree that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in Indias Bodh Gaya. 2025 will definitely go down as a special year in Indias history, as PM Modi has invested immense efforts in promoting Indic culture and heritage at the international level through his gifts. When he visited Trinidad and Tobago in July, he gifted the replica of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and water from the Holy Sarayu River, where Lord Rama ended his mortal journey, to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. In March, PM Modi paid a visit to Mauritius and gifted holy Sangam water from the Mahakumbh to President Dharambeer Gokhool. Not only this, but he also mixed the Mahakumbh water into the waters of Ganga Talao, a holy lake in Mauritius which is considered to be equivalent to Indias Ganga river in the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What all these gifts inspired by the folk arts, Indic culture and the countrys centuries-old traditions signify is that India is one of the oldest, most continuous and most thriving civilisations in the world. Unlike the claims made by the colonialists and their sympathisers in the country that no notion of India existed before the advent of the British, this celebration of Indias millennia-old symbols in the form of gifts reinforces the countrys ancient identity. It also serves as a timely reminder to the world of our rich heritage and values, which are based on deep philosophical principles of harmony and justice. The Indic faith systems, including Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, point towards a world where material success is not the end goal but just a means to reach a higher level of consciousness. The gifts, including the Konark wheel, which signifies righteousness and the eternal movement of time, are a testimony to this. It shows that Indias rise during contemporary times is not a mere increase in its tangible fortunes but also a reawakening and resurgence of an entire civilisation. When PM Modi inculcates such symbolism in his gifts to foreign dignitaries, then it shows his commitment to Indias great culture and how deeply he admires its value systems and its philosophies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) News / National by Stephen Jakes CHEGUTU - Police have arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with a violent robbery and rape incident that occurred on 4 December at a plot in Lismore, Chegutu.Confirming the arrest via their X account, police identified the suspect as Trymore Phiri (26)."The suspect, along with two accomplices who are still at large, allegedly attacked the complainants at their residence. They broke into the house, threatened the occupants with Colombian knives while demanding cash," police said.The suspects reportedly stole a Bluetooth speaker, three cellphones and US$80 in cash. Police said Phiri then entered another room where he found a 19-year-old woman asleep, threatened her with a knife and sexually assaulted her.Investigations are ongoing, with police pursuing the two accomplices who remain at large. As Afghanistan enforces a near-total poppy ban, Pakistans Balochistan emerges as the new centre of a resurgent opium economy. State complicity, militant financing, and expanding trafficking routes now threaten to reshape the drug landscape of South and West Asia The collapse of Afghanistans opium economy under the Taliban has set off an unexpected and dangerous shift across the border. After the Taliban seized Kabul in August 2021, they moved quickly to impose a strict nationwide ban on poppy cultivation in April 2022, enforcing it aggressively across the country. Opium production in Afghanistan fell dramatically as a result. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime reported that cultivation dropped from 233,000 hectares in 2022 to just 10,800 hectares in 2023, a staggering decline of 95 per cent, while production fell from roughly 6,200 tonnes to 333 tonnes during the same period. This remarkable reduction has not eliminated the regional drug economy; instead, it has pushed the centre of gravity into Pakistans Balochistan province, where poppy cultivation has surged at an unprecedented rate. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Balochistans Rising Opium Economy A recent investigation by the Financial Times revealed that Pakistan has now emerged as one of the worlds biggest suppliers of opium, with Balochistan turning into a thriving production hub as Afghan stockpiles dwindle. Officials in the insurgency-hit province close to the Afghan border have expressed concern that Balochistan is rapidly transforming into a major centre for opium production, with serious social, economic, and security consequences for Pakistan and the wider region. Islamabad insists that it is responding firmly to this growth. The Anti-Narcotics Force, local police units, and provincial authorities have all announced major crackdowns on poppy cultivation and drug dens. These operations have reportedly been launched on the instructions of the army chief and the provincial government. Yet the situation on the ground suggests a far more troubling reality. According to interviews and testimonies documented by international and Pakistani media outlets, as well as field reporting by organisations such as the Afghanistan Analysts Network, Afghan farmers who migrated to Balochistan to grow poppy say that Pakistani officials and militia groups do not stop cultivation; instead, they allow it to continue in exchange for bribes. Landowners and farmers reportedly pay to keep their fields intact, while armed groups operating in the region take their own share of the profits. In these accounts, the drug economy thrives not despite the state, but through a web of complicity and corruption. Multiple strands of evidence, including satellite imagery and field-level observations, suggest that poppy cultivation has expanded across large tracts of landtoo vast, too continuous, and too visible to plausibly escape the attention of Pakistans powerful security establishment. High-resolution satellite analysis conducted in June 2025 by geospatial specialists, reported by the South Asia Intelligence Review, identified 8,100 hectares of active poppy fields across just two districts of BalochistanDuki and Killa Abdullah. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials have noted that in just these two districts, around 8,100 hectares were under poppy cultivationenough to serve almost the entirety of the UKs annual heroin consumption. Geospatial research firm Alcis corroborates this, noting contiguous fields of over five hectares and the use of advanced cultivation techniques, including solar-powered deep wells, illustrating the scale of cultivation that now exists in plain sight. This reality raises difficult questions about how such an extensive illicit economy can flourish in a province where the Pakistani military maintains an overwhelming presence and conducts frequent surveillance, counterinsurgency operations, and population-monitoring campaigns. The argument that Balochistans rugged terrain or insurgent activity prevents effective state action rings hollow, especially when the same security forces routinely carry out targeted raids, detentions, and airstrikes in these very districts. If the Talibanoperating with limited resources and no conventional armycould enforce a near-total ban on poppy cultivation across Afghanistan, it strains credibility to suggest that Pakistans far more sophisticated military-intelligence apparatus is unaware of the fields blossoming on its own soil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Across Balochistan, a complex network of actors appears to be profiting from the burgeoning opium trade. Ethno-nationalist insurgent groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army, Islamist factions including Islamic State Khorasan, local tribal networks, and criminal syndicates all hold influence over smuggling routes and production sites. Several investigative reports have suggested that rogue elements within Pakistans Frontier Corps and other local security institutions extract a portion of the drug revenue, and some claims allege that elements within the ISI tolerate or profit from the trade to fund proxy networks, including terror activities against India. Afghan sharecroppers, with years of experience cultivating poppy, have become an essential part of this system, helping local farmers expand production. According to reporting in India Today, citing The Telegraph, an Afghan farmer said, Its very difficult to grow poppy without a share for the local Baloch. They know the Pakistani militia. Another farmer, interviewed by the Afghanistan Analysts Network, described how they [officials] ask for money they took bribes then well have to pay a share as well. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Regional and Global Implications The consequences of this growing narco-economy extend far beyond Pakistans borders. Drug money strengthens militant groups, fuels corruption, destabilises provincial politics, and reshapes local power dynamics in ways that deepen insecurity across Balochistan. The surge in opium production also threatens neighbouring countries. Increased trafficking routes could push heroin and methamphetamine deeper into India, Iran, the Gulf states, and Europe. India, which already faces a severe drug crisis in Punjab driven in part by cross-border smuggling, is likely to feel the impact of this surge. Former US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad underscored the international implications, warning that if this expansion takes root in Balochistan, it could result in the restructuring of the opium industry in southwest Asia, with implications for markets downstream in Europe. He further cautioned that if true, there are many risks: financing terror and violent groups, increased criminalisation of the economy and politics, and increased narcotics addiction of the population. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Adding to these concerns, Senior Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Foundation, Michael Kugelman, noted: Balochistan is a powder keg The drug trade can be destabilising [amid] militancy. Similarly, opium trade analyst David Mansfield observed that People call Balochistan the new Afghanistan, which is a truly uncontrolled area due to the presence of militant groups. These statements reinforce that the regions opium boom is not only an economic challenge but also a significant security and geopolitical concern. The danger is not simply economic or social; it is strategic. As the global supply of Afghan opium shrinks, Balochistans illicit economy is stepping into the vacuum. The region is already a powder keg of ethnic insurgencies, extremist networks, and criminal syndicates. An infusion of drug money risks empowering these actors and weakening the Pakistani states already fragile control over the province. Unless Pakistan acts decisivelynot only through enforcement but by dismantling the entrenched networks of collusion that allow this industry to operatethe province could soon become the new epicentre of the global opium trade. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The rise of poppy cultivation in Balochistan is therefore not a local anomaly but a significant regional security threat. It reflects the failure of governance, the entanglement of state and non-state actors in illicit economies, and the shifting geopolitics of the post-Taliban drug landscape. Left unchecked, it will feed addiction at home, finance violence on both sides of the border, and destabilise an already fragile region. (The writer is a visiting research fellow at the International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) The India-Russia summit was a clear assertion of shared strategic autonomy of both the nations and their commitment to a multipolar world in the face of growing pressure for a G2-style global order India and Russia marked the 23rd Annual Summit on December 45, a meeting of special significance as it commemorated the silver jubilee of the 2000 Declaration on Strategic Partnership, signed during President Vladimir Putins first state visit to India. Over a quarter century, Putin has met successive Indian leaders and developed an uncommon familiarity with Indias political landscape. His personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on clear display during this visit, highlighted by Modis unusual gesture of receiving Putin at the airport and accompanying him in his own car. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This was Putins first visit to India since the Ukraine conflict, generating heightened expectations in a rapidly shifting geopolitical climate. Both nations today face pressures from the Trump administration, which has sanctioned them for different reasons: Russia comprehensively and India largely for its continued imports of discounted Russian oil. Against this backdrop, the summit became a deliberate assertion of strategic autonomy by both sides. The evolving US push for a G2-style US-China global management model runs counter to Indian and Russian visions of a multipolar world order, making alignment between Delhi and Moscow even more essential. The Ukraine conflict has, however, disrupted the earlier equilibrium of multipolarity. Russia has moved significantly closer to China, sometimes uncomfortably so, while the US has tried to consolidate Europe under a Nato-centred response to Moscow. Yet the Trump administrations current overtures to both Beijing and Moscow indicate its own attempt to reorder global power centres. In this fluid environment, India believes that an early negotiated end to the Ukraine war would allow it to deepen cooperation with Russia and play a more effective role in shaping multipolarity. Though not explicitly written into the joint statement, Modi conveyed this sentiment clearly in his public remarks, reaffirming Indias consistent advocacy of peace. Western capitals had expected Modi to press Putin on Ukraine; he did so in his own understated style, urging all sides to reach a settlement acceptable to all. A central question is how India and Russia can preserve the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in a world where their traditional pillarsdefence and energyare under stress. Defence cooperation remains important even though Russias share of Indian arms imports has fallen from 60 per cent to around 36 per cent. Russian systems have nevertheless performed well, particularly during Operation Sindoor, and Moscow remains keen to revive momentum. It offered the S-500 system, the Su-57 fighter, technology transfers and joint production, options rarely extended by Western partners. Yet India avoided announcing new defence procurements, mindful that the delicate Indo-American trade negotiations could be derailed by politically sensitive defence purchases. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Energy cooperation, in contrast, has expanded dramatically since Western sanctions on Russia took effect. Bilateral trade has surged to $68 billion, but a troubling asymmetry remains: India exports barely $5 billion to Russia, leaving a $60 billion deficit, its largest after China. With the US imposing secondary sanctions on Russian oil traders, Indias purchases are declining and may shrink the deficit, but a deeper solution requires diversifying economic engagement beyond defence and hydrocarbons. For India, Russia, cut off from many Western markets, offers an attractive destination for expanding exports, particularly as Indian exporters face tightening tariff and non-tariff barriers in the US and EU. The large turnout of Russian businesses at the India-Russia Business Forum reflected mutual interest, even if concrete outcomes remain unclear. The adoption of the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India-Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030 (Programme 2030) is expected to guide this diversification. It aims to boost industrial cooperation, create joint ventures in high-technology sectors, enhance investment flows, and expand bilateral trade on a balanced and sustainable basis. Both sides also welcomed progress towards a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union and called for faster negotiations on a bilateral investment protection agreement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Connectivity remains another strategic priority. The summit reaffirmed cooperation on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route, all of which could transform trade logistics. Russia and India also agreed to deepen collaboration in shipbuilding, particularly for Arctic and polar operations, supported by a new MoU on training specialists for ships operating in polar waters. In regional and multilateral platforms such as Brics, SCO, EAS, ARF, ADMM-Plus, and the G20, India and Russia continue to share broad strategic convergence. However, in recent years Russia has adopted a quieter stance in these forums, often aligning more closely with Chinese positions than with Indias. The summit highlighted the need for Moscow to assert its own voice, especially on issues like terrorism, where bilateral consensus is strong but not always reflected in SCO or Brics documents. A more autonomous Russian posture would bolster its multipolar credentials and strengthen its partnership with India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russia should be eager to reduce excessive dependence on China and broaden its Asian engagement. In this context, India, with its growing market, skilled manpower, and expanding global footprint, remains a vital partner. People-to-people ties have grown, supported by new Indian consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg and a burgeoning Indian community of nearly a hundred thousand, many of them students. A landmark agreement on the mobility of skilled labour, along with measures to manage illegal migration, was finalised during the summit. Cooperation in science, education, nuclear energy, space, and critical minerals was reinforced, gaining additional relevance as India accelerates its green transition and nuclear expansion. Russias ability to supply critical minerals and expedite projects such as the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, along with potential small modular reactors, could meaningfully support Indias goal of achieving nuclear power goals. To promote tourism and cultural exchange, India announced gratis 30-day e-tourist visas and group tourist visas for Russian nationals, an important gesture toward strengthening societal links. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In sum, the 23rd Annual Summit demonstrated that the India-Russia partnership remains resilient, future-oriented, and strategically indispensable. Anchored in mutual trust, respect for core national interests, and a shared commitment to multipolarity, both nations reaffirmed their determination to unlock the full potential of a relationship that has stood the test of time and remains a stabilising force in an increasingly uncertain world. Its success will help create a multipolar world and prevent a G2 from emerging. (The writer is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Asean, and the African Union, and the author of The Mango Flavour: India & Asean After 10 Years of the AEP. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.) Canada has removed Syria from its list of states that support terrorism and revoked the terror designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, aligning with recent policy shifts in the United Kingdom and the United States. Canada on Friday removed Syria from its list of states that support terrorism, and revoked Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS) designation as a terrorist entity, joining a list of countries to ease sanctions on Damascus. The moves come after HTS ousted former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last December and took control of the government. These decisions were not taken lightly, Canadas foreign ministry said in a statement. The steps were in line with recent decisions taken by our allies, including the United Kingdom and the United States, and follow the efforts by the Syrian transitional government to advance Syrias stability, it said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Canada listed Syria as a state supporter of terrorism in 2012, as Assads crushing of pro-democracy protests plunged the country into civil war. HTS had been widely sanctioned over its links to Al-Qaeda, but several Western states have delisted the group to allow for better collaboration with the new Syrian government and its president, the former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa. Since taking power, Syrias new leaders have sought to break from their violent past and present a more moderate image to ordinary Syrians and foreign powers. Canada is maintaining sanctions on 56 Syrian individuals, including former officials from the fallen Assad regime and members of the Assad family, the foreign ministry said. (Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that drone damage at the Chornobyl site has compromised the structure built to contain radioactive material from the 1986 disaster, though radiation levels remain stable The New Safe Confinement structure covering Chornobyls damaged fourth reactor, seen after a drone strike amid Russias war in Ukraine, Kyiv region. (File Photo/Reuters) The United Nations nuclear watchdog, on Friday, said that the protective structure built to contain radioactive remnants of the 1986 Chornobyl disaster has been compromised after sustaining drone damage at the war-hit Ukrainian site. Ukraine has blamed Russia for the strike, which officials say has left the shield unable to perform its primary safety function. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that an inspection last week of the steel confinement structure, completed in 2019, found that a drone impact in February, three years into Russias conflict in Ukraine, had degraded the structure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the mission confirmed that the protective structure had lost its primary safety functions, including its confinement capability, while also noting that no permanent harm had been caused to its load-bearing elements or monitoring systems. Grossi added that repairs had already been made but stressed that comprehensive restoration is essential to prevent further deterioration and secure long-term nuclear safety. Ukraine blames Russia as radiation levels remain stable The UN reported on February 14 that Ukrainian authorities said a drone carrying a high explosive warhead struck the plant, caused a fire, and damaged the protective cladding around reactor Number Four, which was destroyed in the 1986 disaster. Ukraine said the drone was Russian, though Moscow denied attacking the plant. However, radiation levels remained normal and stable, and no radiation leaks were reported, the UN said in February. The 1986 Chornobyl explosion spread radiation across Europe and led Soviet authorities to mobilise vast numbers of personnel and equipment to confront the accident. The plants final operating reactor closed in 2000. Russia occupied the plant and its surrounding area for over a month in the early weeks of its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine as its forces attempted to advance on Kyiv. The IAEA carried out the recent inspection as part of a wider country-level assessment of damage to electricity substations caused by the nearly four-year war between Ukraine and Russia. Authorities in Afghanistan said that at least four civilians were killed after an exchange of heavy fire with Pakistani forces along their shared border as tensions between South Asian neighbours continue to escalate. A Pakistani soldier stands guard after an attack on the Cadet College Wana in Pakistan's South Waziristan district near the Afghanistan border, on November 13, 2025. File Image / AFP Authorities in Afghanistan said that at least four civilians were killed after an exchange of heavy fire with Pakistani forces along their shared border as tensions between South Asian neighbours continue to escalate. The two sides have been sparring over the border after peace talks in Saudi Arabia failed to produce a breakthrough. On Saturday, the governor of Afghanistans Spin Boldak district in the Kandahar province confirmed the deaths. Meanwhile, officials from both sides argued that the clashes broke out late on Friday night, with two countries blaming each other for starting the fighting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a post on X, the spokesman for Afghanistans Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Pakistani forces had launched attacks towards the Spin Boldak district, prompting Afghan forces to respond. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it was the Afghan forces who carried out unprovoked firing along the Chaman border. Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens, spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement. Strained ties between the two nations The Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan soured since the Taliban came to power in 2021. One of the major reasons for this downfall is due to Islamabads accusations that Kabul is providing sanctuary to several armed groups, including the Pakistan Taliban (TTP). It is pertinent to note that TTP has waged a terror campaign against the state of Pakistan since 2007. On Wednesday, a roadside bombing in Pakistan near the Afghan border claimed by the TTP killed three Pakistani police officers. Pakistan also went on to accuse Afghanistan of sheltering the Balochistan Liberation Army and a local ISIL/ISIS affiliate known as the ISKP even though the ISKP is a sworn enemy of the Afghan Taliban. Meanwhile, the Taliban in power in Afghanistan denied the allegations, insisting that it cannot be held responsible for security inside Pakistan, and has accused Islamabad of intentionally spreading misinformation and provoking border tensions. In October, a week of deadly fighting erupted on their shared border, which was triggered after Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in the fighters stepping up attacks in Pakistan. Around 70 people were killed on both sides of the border and hundreds more wounded before Afghan and Pakistani officials signed a ceasefire agreement in Qatars capital, Doha, on October 19. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the agreement was followed by a series of unsuccessful talks hosted by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia aimed at cementing a longer-term truce. Even the latest round of talks held in Saudi Arabia last weekend failed to produce a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire. Hence, only time will tell how the situation at the border will pan out. The targeted boat had planned to rendezvous with a second vessel and transfer drugs to it, Adm. Frank Bradley said during the briefings A vessel, which US President Donald Trump said was transporting illegal narcotics and heading to the US, is struck by the US military as it navigates in the southern Caribbean, in this still image obtained from video posted by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social and released September 2, 2025. FILE The alleged drug boat, which has become the centre of controversy in the US, was headed for Suriname, Navy Admiral Frank Bradley has said as he testified to lawmakers about the second strike that was conducted to kill the remaining survivors of the Venezuelan vessel. According to intelligence gathered by US forces, the targeted boat had planned to rendezvous with a second vessel and transfer drugs to it, Adm. Frank Bradley said during the briefings. However, the military was unable to locate the second vessel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bradley told lawmakers that the shipment still could have ultimately made its way from Suriname to the US, the sources told CNN, arguing that this possibility justified striking the smaller boat even if it was not directly heading for US shores at the time. At the same time, US Drug Enforcement officials have said that ships crossing routes via Suriname are usually headed to European countries and that US-bound drug trafficking routes fall on the Pacific Ocean. Four strikes to bring down ship Bradley, who headed Joint Special Operations Command at the time of the strike, also acknowledged that the boat had turned back before being hit, apparently after those on board spotted the American aircraft overhead, the sources said. The US military ultimately struck the vessel four times; the first strike split the boat in two, leaving two survivors clinging to an overturned section. The second, third, and fourth strikes killed them and sank the remains of the vessel. Hegseth didnt give kill order Bradley has also 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 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. The 33-page document lays out President Donald Trumps America First foreign policy in detail, arguing that the United States should reduce its extensive global commitments and concentrate instead on securing the Western Hemisphere A White House report on national security has claimed that Europe will be unrecognisable and that its civilisation risks erasure in the face of increasing immigration and an economic decline. The unauthored document, called National Security Strategy, was signed by President Donald Trump and released on Friday. Trump wrote the foreword of the report, saying that it is a roadmap to ensure America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This economic decline is eclipsed by the real and more stark prospect of civilisational erasure. Should present trends continue, the continent will be unrecognisable in 20 years or less, the report said. The 33-page document lays out President Donald Trumps America First foreign policy in detail, arguing that the United States should reduce its extensive global commitments and concentrate instead on securing the Western Hemisphere. Trump highlights Europes failures The report highlights the problem areas of Europe and has statements asserting the continents supposed decline. It also blames the European Union for undermining political freedoms and failing to clamp down on immigration, which the US said is fuelling social tensions. According to the report, the USs primary objectives in Europe will be to achieve a swift end to the war in Ukraine, foster resistance to Europes current trajectory within European nations, expand access to European markets for American companies, and halt further NATO expansion. Europe remains strategically and culturally vital to the US, the report said. Not only can we not afford to write Europe off doing so would be self-defeating for what this strategy aims to achieve. Nato pushing unrealistic goals The document has also criticised Nato for pushing unrealistic goals in the war in Ukraine in alleged defiance of their own citizens. The Trump Administration finds itself at odds with European officials who hold unrealistic expectations for the war. 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, the report adds. Rather than pledging to confront Russia, the strategy advocates for reestablishing strategic stability with Russia through negotiating a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A former Pentagon official has sparked controversy by saying that US President Donald Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for bringing India and Russia closer during Vladimir Putins visit to India. Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to India, starting on December 4, aims to reaffirm New DelhiMoscow relations at a time US President Trump is applying pressure to downgrade them. File image/PTI A former Pentagon official has said that US President Donald Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for bringing India and Russia together." Commenting on Vladimir Putins visit to India, Michael Rubin told ANI that the outreach is seen by most Americans as Trumps gross incompetence." His remarks came as Putin wrapped up his two-day India visit. Rubin spoke sarcastically about Trumps role, suggesting that IndiaRussia ties had strengthened partly because of how Trump has treated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India. He said the visit appeared highly positive for Russia, adding that India had extended honours to Putin that he can hardly get anywhere else in the world. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | Washington, DC, USA | "Donald Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for bringing India and Russia together the way he did", says Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin on Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India. He further says, "From Russia's perspective, the visit pic.twitter.com/vYXcVTwP7M ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025 Keeping his criticism pointed, Rubin asked how many agreements would translate into real cooperation, and how many were driven by Indias frustration with Trumps approach. He also accused Washington of being hypocritical" in lecturing India over its purchase of discounted Russian oil, noting that the US continues buying goods from Moscow. Rubin said India, soon to become the worlds third-largest economy, must prioritise its energy needs. #WATCH | Washington, DC, USA | Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin says, "...There is no strategic logic for the United States embracing Pakistan...It should be designated a state sponsor of terrorism, period. If Asim Munir comes to the United States, he should be arrested pic.twitter.com/nukhasYwbM ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rubin described US reactions as split into two camps. If youre Donald Trump, its being perceived through the lens of I told you so, he said, while for the 65 percent of Americans who dislike Donald Trump, the situation reflects what he called Donald Trumps gross incompetence. Responding to Putins assurance of uninterrupted fuel supply to India, Rubin said Americans often fail to recognise Indias strategic requirements: Indians elected Prime Minister Modi to represent Indian interests. Amid the brewing tensions in Europe, reports are emerging that the French military launched anti-drone measures after detecting five unauthorised drones flying over a base Amid the brewing tensions in Europe, reports are emerging that the French military launched anti-drone measures after detecting five unauthorised drones flying over a base. The sightings were concerning, as the base housed nuclear ballistic submarines in northwestern France. According to AFP, the base, located on the peninsula of Ile Longue off the coast of Brittany, is used to store Frances four nuclear ballistic submarines. It is pertinent to note that the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture, a French government department, is responsible for protecting this part of the coast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The bodys spokesperson, Guillaume Le Rasle, told AFP that the sensitive infrastructure was not threatened by the drone sighting. The drone violation, they believed, was intended to alarm the public. France launches counter-drone search operation According to French news outlet Le Monde, a counter-drone and search operation was launched shortly after the mysterious sightings. As per the report, the marine rifle battalion responsible for protecting the base opened fire, though it is not known whether any of the drones were shot down. The incident took place just days after reports of a drone incident off Irelands west coast on Monday bear a striking resemblance to this one. The drones crossed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys flight path into Dublin Airport moments after his plane had passed. At that time, four to five drones were said to have circled the LE William Butler Yeats, an Irish naval vessel secretly deployed off Dublins coast as part of the security arrangements for Zelenskys visit. The drones in Ireland reportedly hovered above the vessel with its lights on as if they wanted to be seen. These incidents have been part of a wider pattern of airspace violations by drones across Europe since September 10, when 19 drones crossed over the Polish airspace from Belarus. While Europe has blamed Russia for the drone sightings, the Kremlin generally denied responsibility for the violations. With inputs from AFP. French President Emmanuel Macron said he would travel to London on Monday to meet Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy as well as the British and German leaders, to discuss the situation in Ukraine and ongoing negotiations under US mediation. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday that he will travel to London on Monday for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as the British and German leadership. The talks will focus on the war in Ukraine and the status of negotiations currently being facilitated by the United States. Ukraine can count on our unwavering support. That is the whole point of the efforts we have undertaken as part of the Coalition of the Willing, Macron said on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We will continue these efforts alongside the Americans to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, without which there can be no robust and lasting peace. For what is at stake in Ukraine is also the security of Europe as a whole, he added. Macron sharply criticised the latest wave of Russian strikes, saying he strongly condemns the overnight attacks that targeted Ukraines railway network and energy facilities. He accused Moscow of deliberately escalating the conflict rather than seeking a diplomatic solution. Russia is committed to an escalatory path and has no intention of pursuing peace, he said, stressing that sustained international pressure is essential to push the Kremlin toward a settlement. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that widespread military activity disrupted Ukraines power grid overnight, forcing nuclear plants to scale back electricity generation. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility Europes largest briefly lost all external power during the night, according to IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi. With inputs from agencies News / National by Simbarashe Sithole BINDURA - In a dramatic turn of events, a suspected drug peddler was saved at the eleventh hour by government lawyers from the Legal Aid Directorate, after initially pleading guilty to possession of dagga.Dean Nyamhunga appeared before a Bindura magistrate on 4 December, charged with drug peddling after police found him in possession of 1.8 kilograms of dagga. He was remanded to 5 December for sentencing.However, Nyamhunga later secured legal representation from the Directorate and altered his plea to not guilty. The matter has since been remanded to 18 December for trial.The state, led by Chipo Chinoda, alleged that on 2 December, police received a tip-off that Nyamhunga was in possession of dagga. He was apprehended and a search of his Monarch bag revealed the stash, including 1.8 kilograms of dagga.The case has raised eyebrows, with observers noting the irony of government lawyers representing drug suspects at a time when authorities are intensifying efforts to combat drug abuse nationwide. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates expressed their deep concern regarding the statements issued by the Israeli side concerning the opening of the Rafah crossing Trucks carrying humanitarian aid and fuel line up at the crossing into the Gaza Strip at the Rafah border on the Egypt side, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Rafah, Egypt, October 17. REUTERS file Gaza mediators Egypt and Qatar and six other Muslim-majority countries said on Friday they were concerned about Israel stating it would open a one-way crossing for Palestinians to exit the Strip. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates expressed their deep concern regarding the statements issued by the Israeli side concerning the opening of the Rafah crossing in one direction with the aim of transferring residents of the Gaza Strip to Egypt, they said in a joint statement.The ministers voiced their absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land and said they were against compelling any resident of the Gaza Strip to leave. They urged for the crossing to be opened in both directions in accordance with US President Donald Trumps peace plan. On Wednesday, Israel said it would open the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt exclusively to allow residents to exit the Palestinian territory in the coming days. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Egypt swiftly denied that it had agreed to such a deal, insisting that the key crossing be opened in both directions. Reopening the Rafah crossing is a part of Trumps peace plan for the Palestinian territory, as well as something UN agencies and other humanitarian actors have long called for. But since the October ceasefire took effect, Israeli authorities have stalled on the matter, citing Hamass failure to return the bodies of all hostages and the need for coordination with Egypt. Under the changes, young adults in Germany will be handed out a questionnaire from January 2026, asking them whether they would like to join the military Germanys parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to introduce voluntary military conscription for 18-year-olds, as the Russia-Ukraine war keeps Europe on edge. The move follows French President Emmanuel Macrons announcement last month that the country is considering reintroducing military service on a voluntary basis. The development marks a significant change in Germanys approach to army hirings and reflects Chancellor Friedrich Merzs push to create Europes strongest conventional army. German MPs approved the change by a vote of 323 to 272, making Germany the latest European country to introduce a revamped form of military service. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What are the new rules? Under the changes, young adults in Germany will be handed out a questionnaire from January 2026, asking them whether they would like to join the military. While the forms would be mandatory for boys, girls can fill them out voluntarily. However, if enlistment numbers are too low, the bill permits the introduction of needs-based conscription. This would require a separate parliamentary vote and could involve random selection if more eligible citizens come forward than are needed. Meanwhile, all men born after January 1 2008, will be required to undergo medical examination. Universal medical examinations were essential, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said, so that in the event of an attack, Germany would not lose time determining who is operationally capable as a homeland protector and who is not. Germans protest Most young Germans have responded negatively to the changes. Students from schools across Germany have said they will join protests to oppose the vote. We dont 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 said in a statement. War offers no prospects for the future and destroys our livelihoods, they added. The Left Partys Desiree Becker said young people should strike against the reintroduction of conscription and educate themselves about conscientious objection. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has resisted the idea, warning that Belgium could face legal consequences if Russia sues in response. About 210 billion ($245 billion) in Russian assets are immobilised across the EU German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen intensified pressure on Belgium on Friday to support an EU plan to use Russian central bank assets frozen in Belgium to fund Ukraine. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has resisted the idea, warning that Belgium could face legal consequences if Russia sues in response. About 210 billion ($245 billion) in Russian assets are immobilised across the EU, most of them held at Brussels-based Euroclear. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The timing of the meeting between Merz, von der Leyen and De Wever is critical, as Ukraine is projected to run out of money early next year. With President Donald Trumps administration cutting off most US aid, Europe now carries most of the responsibility for funding Kyiv. We agreed that time is of the essence given the current geopolitical situation, von der Leyen wrote on social media after the meeting. Financial support for Ukraine is of central importance for European security. EU leaders are set to meet in Brussels on Dec. 18 in an effort to reach a consensus on the asset proposal. Loan plan and diplomatic tensions The European Commissions plan to issue a 90 billion loan to Ukraine, backed by Russian assets, would still leave Kyiv with an estimated 45 billion budget gap through 2027. Officials said the loan amount could change and that they are looking to allies to help fill the remaining shortfall. Belgium is not the only challenge. The US has been lobbying several European countries to block the proposal. US officials have argued that the frozen assets should be preserved to help secure a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow and should not be used in ways that could prolong the war. Bloomberg previously reported that an earlier Washington peace plan since modified proposed using the assets to fund US-led postwar investments. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD European leaders have insisted that decisions on the funds must remain in Europe, since the assets are overwhelmingly held within EU borders. There is no possibility of leaving the money we mobilise to the US, Merz said earlier this week. Belgium seeks guarantees as EU debates alternatives Merz, who has strongly advocated using the Russian assets to support Ukraine, said he takes De Wevers concerns very seriously and aimed to address them at Fridays meeting. I dont want to persuade him, but rather convince him, he said 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. De Wever has called for legal guarantees, liquidity protection and a fair distribution of risk among EU member states. Belgiums particular situation regarding the use of the frozen Russian assets is undeniable and must be addressed in such a way that all European states bear the same risk, von der Leyen wrote late Friday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Belgium has earned hundreds of millions of euros in tax revenue from the immobilised funds, though it maintains that the money is being channelled to support Ukraine. The EU has proposed backing the loan through the blocs budget or through bilateral guarantees. The assets would stay frozen, and Ukraine would only be responsible for repayment if Russia agrees to fund reconstruction and compensate for war damage. Aside from Belgium, Hungary opposes the proposal, and Slovakia has said it will not support measures involving military aid to Ukraine. However, only a qualified majority is needed for approval. As a fallback, the European Commission has raised the idea of issuing joint EU debt if agreement on the asset plan cannot be reached. But several countries, including Germany, oppose joint borrowing, and its requirement for unanimity makes it an unlikely option. A severe shortage of trained anaesthetists has crippled major in Pakistans Lahore hospitals, forcing mass surgery cancellations and exposing administrative lapses as patients face renewed delays despite government claims of ongoing recruitment efforts. A critical shortage of trained anaesthetists has thrown Lahores major public hospitals into turmoil, leading to widespread postponements and cancellations of surgeries. The disruption has hit prominent institutions such as Mayo Hospital, Jinnah Hospital and Services Hospital particularly hard, according to reporting by The Express Tribune. The crisis erupted after dozens of anaesthetists hired on temporary contracts were let go once their extended six-month terms lapsed. Their sudden exit has left operating rooms across these hospitals without the specialists needed to carry out most procedures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With anaesthesia teams stripped to a minimum, hospitals have been forced to limit surgeries to cases where lives are at immediate risk. Administrators said they had repeatedly cautioned the Punjab Health Department that releasing locum doctors before appointing permanent staff would leave surgical units dangerously understaffed. Despite their warnings, no action was taken, pushing routine surgical care to the brink of collapse. Surgeons across the province say elective procedures have now been halted entirely, while emergency units are struggling to cope with a surge in cases. Patients who have spent monthssome more than a year, waiting for non-urgent operations are once again facing uncertainty. At Mayo Hospital, a 62-year-old woman scheduled for gallbladder surgery was told her procedure would not go ahead because no anaesthetist was available, illustrating the human cost of the staffing crisis. Hospital management stated that repeated pleas to the provincial health department over the past several months had gone unanswered. No emergency appointments or contract renewals were made to prevent the crisis, as cited by The Express Tribune. Punjab Health Department spokesperson Syed Hammad Raza said the government had launched a large-scale recruitment campaign for medical staff, including anaesthesia specialists. He maintained that the administration had hired doctors during its tenure and insisted that doctor shortages are no longer an issue, as reported by The Express Tribune. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fresh fighting broke out in the eastern DR Congo, prompting hundreds to flee across the border into Rwanda. The turbulence was concerning since it came a day after the countrys leader signed a peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump. Former members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and police officers who allegedly surrendered to M23 rebels arrive in Goma, Congo, on February 23, 2025. AP File Fresh fighting broke out in the eastern DR Congo, prompting hundreds to flee across the border into Rwanda. The turbulence was concerning since it came a day after the countrys leader signed a peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump. The Thursday agreement, signed in Washington, DC, meant to stabilise the resource-rich east, but it has had little visible effect on the ground so far, in an area plagued by conflict for 30 years, AFP reported. On Friday, fighters from the anti-government armed group M23 battled in South Kivu province with the Congolese army, backed by thousands of Burundian soldiers deployed alongside it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Both sides have been fighting for ages for control of the border town of Kamanyola, where the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi meet. It is pertinent to note that M23 is now in control of the region. Explosions reported in Bugarama On Friday, the M23 accused the Burundian army of firing without interruption into the DRC. In light of this, a Burundian military source told AFP they were reinforcing their positions to ensure they were not overrun by M23 fighters and their Rwandan backers. The fighting is intensifying, the source explained, speaking on condition of anonymity. There is a real risk that the situation escalates. We are bringing reinforcements to the front because this is a red line for Burundi. The source noted that his country could not accept it if the terrorists of M23 and their Rwandan backers reach Uvira, a city in DRC less than 30km from Bujumbura, Burundis biggest city. Amid the chaos, Hassan Shabani, an administrative official in Kamanyola, said schools, hospitals and civilian homes were all shelled. Meanwhile, on the Rwandan side, some residents were scouring the hills from where the shots are coming, in small groups, said a local woman, Farizi Bizimana. The children and women are very scared and take refuge in houses when the gunfire becomes intense, she added. In January this year, M23, backed by Kigali and its army, went on the offensive, capturing the major regional cities of Goma in North Kivu province and Bukavu in South Kivu. On Thursday, in Washington, DR Congos president, Felix Tshisekedi, and Rwandas president, Paul Kagame, signed an agreement that Trump described as a miracle. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from AFP. The India-Russia partnership has been among the steadiest big relationships in the last 70-80 years and President Vladimir Putins visit to New Delhi was about reimagining the ties with a focus on economic engagement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday described the India-Russia relationship as one of the most stable major partnerships of the past seven to eight decades, saying President Vladimir Putins recent trip to New Delhi was aimed at reshaping the engagement with a strong emphasis on trade and economic cooperation. Speaking at an interactive session during the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Jaishankar pushed back against suggestions that Putins two-day visit might complicate Indias ongoing talks with the United States on a bilateral trade agreement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I dont share that view, he said. It is well understood internationally that India maintains ties with all major powers. It would be unreasonable for any country to assume it can influence or restrict how we manage our relations with others. He stressed that the discussions with Russia, which centred on expanding economic linkages, should not be seen as conflicting with Indias separate negotiations with Washington on the proposed trade pact. I think for any country to expect to have a veto or a say in how we develop our relations with others is not a reasonable proposition. Jaishankar was asked if Putins two-day visit to New Delhi that focused largely on significantly enhancing the economic dimension of India-Russia ties will have a bearing on the negotiations with the US for the proposed trade deal. Because remember, the others can expect the same. I think weve always made it very clear that we have multiple relationships. We have a freedom of choice, he said. We talk about what is called strategic autonomy and that continues and I cannot imagine why anybody would have reason to expect the contrary, he added. The external affairs minister acknowledged that the focus of the Trump administration has been on trade and noted that Indias approach in navigating it is totally driven by national interests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I think clearly right now trade is the most important issue there. We have, its clearly very central to the thinking in Washington, much more than it was to earlier administrations, which is something which we have recognized and we are prepared to meet, he said. But we are prepared to meet it on reasonable terms. I mean, for those of you who think that diplomacy is about pleasing somebody else Im sorry, thats not my view of diplomacy. I mean, to me, it is about defending our national interests, he said. The 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 two sides are currently holding negotiations for the proposed a trade deal We believe that there can be a landing point for our respective trade interests. Obviously, that is something which will be negotiated hard because it has an implication for livelihoods in this country, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the end of the day, for us the interests of the workers and the farmers and the small business and the middle class matters. When we look at a trade agreement with a country like the US, you have to be extremely judicious about your position, about what you put on the table, he said. On President Putins two-day trip to India, Jaishankar said for a big and rising country like India, it is important to maintain good cooperation with as many important players as possible in the world in line with freedom of choice. I think if you look at India-Russia, the world has seen a lot of ups and downs in the last 70-80 years. Ive said this before and Ill say it again, India, Russia have actually been among the steadiest big relationships, big power or big country relationships in the world, he said. Even Russias own relationship with China or US or Europe has had its ups and downs. Our relationships with many of these countries have had it too, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In any relationship, Jaishankar noted, it is natural that some aspects of it develop and some kind of dont keep up. In the case of Russia, what had happened for a variety of reasons, I think they visualized the West and China as their primary economic partners. We visualised perhaps the same. So the economic side of the relationship had somehow not kept pace. You can see that in the numbers. Putins visit in many ways was about reimagining the relationship, he said. It was about building dimensions and facets which it lacked or didnt have in enough measure. if I were to pick two or three big takeaways, for me, the mobility agreement where Indians would now much more seamlessly find work opportunities in Russia was one big outcome. The understanding on a joint venture on fertilisers was another major take away, according to Jaishankar. We are the worlds second biggest fertiliser importer after Brazil. Its a recurring issue that we have. And also because the fertilizer sources have been very unstable. Theyve turned on and turned off the tap. So we had an agreement to create an important substantial joint venture on fertilizers, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Indias ties with China, Jaishankar said the key point that New Delhi made was that peace and tranquillity in the border areas is a prerequisite for good relations and it is being maintained and is being built upon. But its not like that was the only issue in the relationship. There were many other issues, some of which predated Galwan. So there are issues about trade, there are issues about investment, there are issues about competition, about subsidies, about fairness, about transparency, he said. These are real issues as well. We are trying to work our way through some of it. Some of it is easier, some of it is harder, he added. To a question on Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Jaishankar said much of Indias problem emanates from the military of that country and even referred to its support for terror groups. Like there are good terrorists and bad terrorists, there are good military leaders and apparently not-so-good ones, he said, seen as a reference to Munir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I think for us, the reality of the Pakistani army has always been and much of our problems actually emanate from them. When you look at the terrorism, when you look at the training camps, when you look at the sort of a policy of almost ideological hostility towards India, where does that come from? It comes from the army, he said. Jaishankar said India and Pakistan should not be hyphenated at all. Look at the state of Pakistan. See the differentials and the capabilities and frankly the reputation on either side. We should not get over obsessed and hyphenate ourselves with them. There is a challenge, there are issues that well deal with, he added. On Bangladesh, the external affairs minister said India is a well wisher of that country. We think as a democratic country, any democratic country likes to see the will of the people ascertained through a democratic process. Im quite confident that whatever comes out of the democratic process would have a balanced and mature view about the relationship and, hopefully things would improve, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Asked if former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina will continue to stay in India, he said: She came here in a certain circumstance and I think that circumstance clearly sort of is a factor in what happens to her. But again, that is something which she has to make up her mind. With inputs from agencies French President Emmanuel Macron said that there is no mistrust between Europe and the United States. The remarks came after Macron privately warned Ukraine about the risk of betrayal from Washington during the peace deal negotiations of the Russia-Ukraine war. French President Emmanuel Macron said that there is no mistrust between Europe and the United States. The proclamation from the French leader came a day after a report claimed that Macron had warned privately that there is a risk of Washington betraying Ukraine during the peace deal negotiation with Russia. 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 on Friday. 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, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Thursday, German magazine Der Spiegel cited a leaked summary of a 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 transcription quoted Macron as warning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that there is a chance that the US will betray Ukraine on territory, without clarity on security guarantees. Europe finds a way to mend with Trump The alleged leaked call has the potential to anger Trump, whom European leaders have been at pains to flatter, knowing he is the key player in any mediation efforts with Moscow. The call also came as European leaders rushed to salvage a sorely needed financing plan for cash-strapped Ukraine. In light of this, on Friday, Merz held emergency talks with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and Belgiums prime minister, Bart De Wever. When asked about the report by the German outlet, Macron responded: I deny everything. Meanwhile, 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 transcription in question, the French leader 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. The call came a month after Washington presented a 28-point peace proposal to halt the Ukraine war. What made the proposal controversial was the fact that it was drafted without input from Ukraines European allies and criticised as too close a reflection of Moscows maximalist demands. US and Ukrainian negotiators have been holding talks since then, as Witkoff and Kushner headed to Moscow on Tuesday. During their trip to Russia, 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, and a Ukrainian official said there were to be further talks in the Florida city on Friday. In the whole exchange, one thing that was constant was the fact that Europe was not involved in the negotiation process. This reflects that the Trump administration is not looking for an intervention from the European leaders, making them more sceptical about the deal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Volunteers tentatively handed out flyers and hung banners outside subway stations and crowded intersections on Friday, but they were largely ignored by residents. Campaigning activities were suspended for a few days following last weeks fire Firefighters work to extinguish a deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court housing complex as a campaign sign for legislator Gary Chan is displayed nearby ahead of the upcoming Legislative Council election, in Hong Kong, China November 27, 2025. Reuters Turnout is likely to be low for Hong Kongs patriots only legislative election on Sunday with subdued campaigning as the population reels from the citys deadliest blaze in decades, which has killed 159 people. Volunteers tentatively handed out flyers and hung banners outside subway stations and crowded intersections on Friday, but they were largely ignored by residents. Campaigning activities were suspended for a few days following last weeks fire. This accident, of course, can influence the attendance of the election (Hong Kongers) dont have the interest, the eagerness to elect people, said C.K. Lau, an 82-year-old retiree. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ANGRY AND TRAUMATISED RESIDENTS The vote has been viewed by some analysts as a test of legitimacy for the Hong Kong government as it tries to soothe public anger over the fire and oversee an ongoing national security crackdown. Locals said they were angry and traumatised after authorities admitted that substandard building materials used during renovation work at the high-rise estate in the Tai Po district were responsible for fuelling the blaze. Everyones mood is so heavy right now, said May Li, 48. How can we still talk about holding an election under these circumstances? It definitely has to be postponed. The last Legislative Council elections in 2021 recorded the lowest voter turnout - 30.2% - since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Hong Kong leader John Lee said later on Friday the government will propose a bill at the first session of the new legislature to support fire-hit residents and work closely with lawmakers to close loopholes in the system through legislation. I stress here that everyone should cast a critical vote, because this vote represents a vote to reform the system, represents a vote to safeguard the affected residents, Lee said. Among the 79 injured, 49 have been discharged from the hospital. Of the 30 still hospitalised, six are in serious condition and 24 are in stable condition, according to Hong Kongs Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD APPEAL TO TURN OUT FOR VOTE On Thursday, Hong Kongs national security office urged residents to actively participate in voting, saying it is critical in supporting post-disaster reconstruction efforts by the government. Every voter is a stakeholder in the homeland of Hong Kong, a statement said. If you truly love Hong Kong, you will vote sincerely. Four people were arrested for inciting others not to vote, the citys anti-corruption body said on Thursday. Three others were arrested for the same offence on November 20, according to a previous statement from the body. National security authorities have also repeatedly warned against attempts to exploit the fire to incite another colour revolution, referring to the 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations that convulsed Hong Kong. Publicly inciting a vote boycott was criminalised in 2021 as part of sweeping electoral reforms that effectively squeezed out pro-democracy voices from the citys 90-seat legislature. Coming after Beijing imposed a national security law on the city in 2020, the reforms ensured that only pro-Beijing candidates - patriots - could run, and further reduced the space for meaningful democratic participation by Hong Kong residents, analysts say. Pan-democrat voters - who traditionally made up about 60% of Hong Kongs electorate - have since shunned elections. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The number of registered voters for Sundays polls - 4.13 million - has also dropped for the fourth consecutive year since 2021, when a peak of 4.47 million people were registered. The current term of the Legislative Council ends on December 31. If the election were delayed, a vacuum period could emerge, making it difficult to maintain a functional lawmaking body. Chinese forces fired three flares from an island toward a Philippine plane undertaking a routine patrol Saturday in the disputed South China Sea, but the incident did not cause any problem and the aircraft proceeded with its surveillance mission, the Philippine coast guard said. The Philippine coast guard reported on Saturday that a Chinese-held outpost in the disputed South China Sea fired three flares toward a Philippine surveillance aircraft during a routine patrol. Despite the incident, officials said the plane continued its mission without interruption. The flares were launched from Subi Reef, one of the features occupied and fortified by China, though Philippine authorities said the exact distance between the flares and the aircrafta Cessna Grand Caravan operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resourcescould not immediately be determined. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beijing did not offer a comment on the episode. China claims almost the entire South China Sea and regularly warns foreign aircraft it believes are encroaching on what it asserts is its airspace. Its forces have in the past used flares from both island outposts and military aircraft to signal that other planes should leave the area. According to the Philippine coast guard, which joined the fisheries bureau for the monitoring flight, onboard cameras captured the moment the flares were fired. The agencies said the plane was conducting a lawful overflight at the time. These flights aim to monitor the marine environment, assess the status of fisheries resources and ensure the safety and welfare of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, the coast guard said, using the Philippine name for the stretch of the South China Sea that Manila claims. The Philippine patrol plane spotted a Chinese hospital ship, two Chinese coast guard ships and 29 suspected militia ships anchored in the waters off Subi, the Philippine coast guard said. Subi is one of seven disputed and mostly submerged reefs which China turned more than a decade ago into what are now island bases in the Spratlys, the most hotly disputed region of the South China Sea. The artificial islands are protected by a missile system and three of them have military-grade runways, according to U.S. and Philippine security officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Aside from Subi, the Philippine patrol plane flew near six other disputed islands, reefs and atolls, including Sabina, an uninhabited disputed shoal, where it monitored a Chinese navy ship. This vessel repeatedly issued radio challenges against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft while it was flying well within Philippine sovereign rights, the Philippine coast guard said. All safe and mission accomplished, Jay Tarriela of the Philippine coast guard said of Saturdays surveillance flight. The United States has no territorial claims in the sea passage but has patrolled the waters for decades and repeatedly warned its obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also been involved in the long-seething disputes in the resource-rich waters. With inputs from agencies US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting pressure over alleged Caribbean war crimes and mishandling of classified intelligence with bipartisan calls for resignation growing amid ongoing Pentagon controversies and scrutiny of his leadership. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives before the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, near the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) The United States defence secretary Pete Hegseth is confronting the most severe crisis of his tenure as two separates but overlapping controversies engulf the Pentagon. At the center are allegations of war crimes linked to the Trump administrations Caribbean campaign against suspected drug smugglers and a scathing inspector general report accusing Hegseth of mishandling classified intelligence via a personal messaging app. Despite bipartisan calls for his resignation, Hegseth has remained defiant, with the unwavering backing of President Donald Trump. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Caribbean strikes, which have killed at least 87 people across 22 attacks since September, were initially justified by Trump as critical to countering fentanyl trafficking. The administration claimed each destroyed vessel saves 25,000 American lives, a figure widely criticised by fact-checkers and policy experts as implausible, given that most fentanyl enters the United States overland from Mexico rather than by boat from Venezuela. The campaigns legality has come under intense scrutiny after reports emerged that two men who survived a September 2 strike were deliberately killed in a follow-up double-tap attack. While Hegseth initially dismissed these reports as fabricated, he later confirmed the basic facts, citing the fog of war. Democrats have seized on these revelations to demand Hegseths removal. Senator Patty Murray, vice-chair of the Senate appropriations committee, labelled the defence secretary unfit for the role following a bipartisan briefing. The New Democrat Coalition described him as incompetent, reckless, and a threat to the lives of the men and women who serve in the armed forces, accusing him of repeatedly lying, deflecting, and scapegoating subordinates. Even experienced counter-narcotics officials have questioned the strategic logic of the Caribbean campaign. Jake Braun, a former acting principal deputy national cyber director, noted that the administration was diverting military resources 2,500 miles from the primary drug trafficking route in Mexico. Emily Tripp, executive director of Airwars, highlighted the lack of transparency regarding the decision to strike survivors, questioning why humanitarian alternatives were not considered. The Pentagon has struggled to clarify the chain of command for the strikes. Conflicting statements from the White House and Hegseth muddled who authorised the follow-up attack. President Trump later claimed ignorance of operational details, even suggesting he would not have sanctioned the second strike. Hegseths troubles intensified with the release of a Department of Defence inspector general report, which concluded he violated Pentagon policies by sharing pre-operational intelligence for Yemen airstrikes via the Signal app, including precise aircraft types, strike times, and targets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The transmission of secret information on an unclassified personal device not only violated operational security but also federal record-keeping requirements. Senator Jack Reed emphasised that such disclosures could have endangered American pilots, while experts noted the level of detail was typically classified to prevent mission compromise. Hegseth, however, claimed on social media that he was totally exonerated, dismissing the findings. While Democrats have led calls for accountability, some Republicans have also voiced concerns. Senator Rand Paul accused Hegseth of lying or incompetence over the September boat attacks, and Representative Don Bacon indicated the defence secretary might not be fit to lead the Pentagon. Internally, the department has been described as dysfunctional, with leaks and internal purges creating a chaotic atmosphere that further questions Hegseths managerial competence. Despite the mounting crises, Trump has continued to publicly back Hegseth, and the Republican-controlled Senate reduces the likelihood of immediate consequences. Meanwhile, the administration has defended the Caribbean campaign as targeting vessels linked to designated terrorist organisations, though no public evidence has substantiated these claims. Legal experts have disputed the framing of the strikes as part of an armed conflict, underscoring the controversial and potentially unlawful nature of the operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With fresh attacks continuing, Hegseth appears undeterred. At a recent cabinet meeting, he declared that the military had only just begun striking narco-boats and putting narco-terrorists at the bottom of the ocean, signalling a continuation of the controversial campaign despite mounting political and operational scrutiny. With inputs from agencies News / National by Staff reporter A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officer has appeared in court on allegations of fraud and money laundering after reportedly facilitating the clearance of goods weighing 554kg at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport under the guise of diplomatic cargo.Givemore Chirenje (43), who is stationed at the Diplomatic desk as the sole diplomatic rebate approver, was charged alongside Tawanda Juru (39). The pair appeared before Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa and were granted US$1 000 bail.The complainant in the matter is Zimra, represented by supervisor Violet Yedzayi Rupiya, who is stationed at the airport. According to the State, detectives intercepted the consignment on November 4, 2025, with documentation indicating the shipment belonged to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).Prosecutors allege that Chirenje attempted to process the goods using forged clearance papers before submitting them to Rupiya. Subsequent investigations revealed that the consignment did not belong to UNDP.Chirenje is accused of working with a third accomplice, identified as Charity NFPK, who is still on the run, to prepare fraudulent documentation. Juru was allegedly assigned to collect the shipment using the forged papers, a move that led to their arrest.The total financial prejudice has not yet been quantified, and the case continues. The Quad grouping has called for bringing the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of last months terror incident near Red Fort in Delhi to justice and urged all UN member states to cooperate on it. The Quad grouping has called for bringing the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of last months terror incident near Red Fort in Delhi to justice and urged all UN member nations to extend full cooperation. In a joint statement, the four-nation grouping of India, the United States, Australia and Japan also condemned terrorism in every form with a specific emphasis on cross-border terror. The 3rd Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) meeting between India, Japan, Australia, and the United States was held in New Delhi on 04-05 December 2025. Quad member countries discussed the full spectrum of counterterrorism cooperation and underscored the importance of pic.twitter.com/YCaAvxbb6x Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 6, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fifteen people were killed and several others injured in the terror incident on November 10. Ways to expand cooperation to combat terrorism under the framework of the grouping was the central focus of a meeting of a two-day Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group meeting held this week in New Delhi. Quad partners unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, a joint statement said. They also expressed their condolences for the heinous terror incident on November 10 near the Red Fort in Delhi, it said. The Quad partners called for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice and urged all UN Member States to cooperate in doing so, it added. In the meeting, the Quad member countries exchanged assessments on the terrorism threat landscape, including developments in the Indo-Pacific region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They discussed the full spectrum of counterterrorism cooperation and measures that could be used to address existing and emerging challenges, the statement said. The Quad underscored the importance of ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains open and free from the threats of terrorism. The Quad also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in multilateral fora. They also emphasised the value of continued information sharing on terrorists, terrorist organisations, and their proxies, the statement said. Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine overnight into Saturday, after US and Ukrainian officials said theyll meet on Saturday for a third day of talks aimed at ending the nearly 4yearold war. This handout photograph taken and released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on December 6, 2025, shows an unmanned firefighting robot extinguishing a fire at a site of an air attack in Kyiv region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.- AFP Russia carried out one of its largest overnight assaults on Ukraine in months, launching waves of missiles and drones late Friday into Saturday as officials from Washington and Kyiv prepared for a third consecutive day of negotiations aimed at finding a path to end the nearly four-year conflict. According to Ukraines air force, the barrage involved 653 drones and 51 missiles, setting off air-raid sirens nationwide and coinciding with the countrys Armed Forces Day. Ukrainian defenders intercepted 585 of the drones and 30 of the missiles, though the military reported that 29 sites were still hit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said at least eight people were injured in the overnight strikes. Regional authorities added that three of those wounded were in the Kyiv area. Drone activity was also detected deep in western Ukraine, including in the Lviv region. Russia carried out a massive missile-drone attack on power stations and other energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions, Ukraines national energy operator, Ukrenergo, wrote on Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that energy facilities were the main targets of the attacks, also noting that a drone strike had burned down the train station in the city of Fastiv, located in the Kyiv region. Russias Ministry of Defence said its air defences had shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Saturday. Russian Telegram news channel Astra said Ukraine struck Russias Ryazan Oil Refinery, sharing footage appearing to show a fire breaking out and plumes of smoke rising above the refinery. The Associated Press could not independently verify the video. Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack. Ryazan regional Gov. Pavel Malkov said a residential building had been damaged in a drone attack and that drone debris had fallen on the grounds of an industrial facility, but did not mention the refinery. Months of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries have aimed to deprive Moscow of the oil export revenue it needs to pursue the war. Meanwhile, Kyiv and its western allies say Russia is trying to cripple the Ukrainian power grid and deny civilians access to heat, light and running water for a fourth consecutive winter, in what Ukrainian officials call weaponizing the cold. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The latest round of attacks came as U.S. President Donald Trumps advisers and Ukrainian officials said theyll meet for a third day of talks on Saturday, after making progress on finding agreement on a security framework for postwar Ukraine. Following Fridays talks, 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. With inputs from agencies A major Russian drone and missile attack struck a railway hub near Kyiv overnight, damaging a depot and train carriages and forcing cancellations across the region, according to Ukraines state railway operator. A railway hub near Kyiv was struck during a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack that damaged a depot and several railway carriages, news agency Reuters reported, citing Ukraines state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia. The railway said there were no casualties from the overnight strike on the town of Fastiv. Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraines energy facilities and infrastructure in recent weeks, targeting power stations and railway hubs. Russia continues to disregard any peace efforts and instead strikes critical civilian infrastructure, including our energy system and railways, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This shows that no decisions to strengthen Ukraine and raise pressure on Russia can be delayed. And especially not under the pretext of peace process, he added. Ukrzaliznytsia said on Telegram that several suburban trains near Kyiv and the northeastern city of Chernihiv were cancelled. Emergency services reported a fire and destruction at the railway station and depot, along with further damage in the Chernihiv region. Power, heat facilities targeted across multiple regions Ukraines military said Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles overnight, with Ukrainian forces downing 585 drones and 30 missiles. Power and heating facilities in Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv and Dnipropetrovsk regions were also struck, the ministry for development of communities and territories said. It reported on Telegram that 9,500 customers were without heating and 34,000 lacked water supply in the Odesa region. Port facilities (in Odesa) have also been attacked: part of the infrastructure has been de-energised, and operators have switched to backup power from generators, the ministry said. The energy ministry said strikes hit energy infrastructure in eight regions, causing widespread blackouts. Emergency repair work is already underway where safety conditions permit. Energy companies are doing everything possible to restore power to all customers as quickly as possible, the ministry said on Telegram. Poland scrambles jets amid regional tensions Air raid sirens sounded early on Saturday in Lubartow in Polands eastern Lublin region, private broadcaster RMF FM reported. The local mayor, Krzysztof Pasnik, said the alert was issued due to the situation in Ukraine. Poland scrambled jets overnight in response to the Russian attacks, but the Operational Command of the Armed Forces said there had been no violation of Polish airspace. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from Reuters. Gunmen opened fire at a hostel in Pretoria on Saturday, killing 11 people including a three-year-old child in one of South Africas latest mass shootings, police said. A 30-year-old Indian student Vijay Kumar Sheoran, from Haryana was to death in the United Kingdom. Representative image Gunmen stormed a hostel in South Africas capital, Pretoria, on Saturday, killing 11 people, including a three-year-old child, police said. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that 25 people were shot in the early-morning attack, with 14 others taken to hospital. Ten victims died at the scene, while one succumbed to injuries in hospital. Among the young victims were a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. The shooting took place at a hostel in the Saulsville township, about 18 kilometres west of Pretoria. According to Mathe, three gunmen entered the premises at around 4:30 am and opened fire indiscriminately at a group of men who were drinking. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD South African police have been struggling to curb violence linked to illegal bars, known as shebeens, which often operate without regulation. These illegal shebeens are really giving us a problem as the police, because a lot of murders are being reported at these illegal establishments, Mathe told eNCA. Forensic and ballistic teams examined the scene as investigators launched a manhunt. For now, we are looking for three suspects, Mathe said. The attack is the latest in a series of mass shootings that have rattled the crime-weary nation of 63 million people. US and Ukrainian officials are holding a third day of Miami talks, stressing that any real progress relies on Russias willingness to move toward peace. The proposal has been reworked multiple times since emerging last month, following early criticism that it seemed overly favourable to Russia. Ukrainian and US officials are set for a third consecutive day of discussions in Miami on Saturday, with Washington noting that meaningful progress will depend on Russias willingness to bring the war to an end. President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner have been holding talks with top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and Andrii Hnatov, the chief of staff of Kyivs armed forces. These meetings follow a visit by Witkoff and Kushner to the Kremlin on Tuesday, where they discussed a US proposal to end the conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin, although Moscow rejected parts of the plan. A readout from the Miami talks, posted on X by Witkoff on Friday, stated that both sides agreed that any genuine advance toward an agreement rests on Russia showing serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and halting the killings. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials also agreed on a framework for security arrangements and reviewed deterrence measures needed to support lasting peace. Washingtons plan calls for Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia has been unable to seize on the battlefield in exchange for security promises that fall short of Kyivs goal of joining NATO. The exact nature of these guarantees remains unclear, aside from an initial idea to base jets for Kyivs defence in Poland. The proposal has undergone several revisions since it surfaced late last month, amid early criticism that it appeared too lenient toward Russia, which launched its invasion in February 2022. Witkoff, formerly Trumps business partner and now a roving global ambassador, and Kushner had sought to convince Putin to accept the plan but left Moscow without an agreement. Cordial Moscow meeting and ongoing diplomatic efforts Despite the lack of a deal, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described Tuesdays five-hour late-night meeting in Moscow as cordial and welcomed Kushners involvement in the talks, which have been under way since spring. He said Putin and Witkoff held a genuinely friendly conversation and understood each other well, adding that Kushner had proved useful. Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, wrote on social media on Friday that much of the diplomatic process happens behind the scenes. He said Ukraine seeks to end the war and is ready for discussions, while the United States wants a pragmatic process and a swift end to the conflict, expecting compromises from both sides. Trump said on Wednesday that his envoys had a reasonably good meeting with Putin, maintaining that they left with the strong impression that he wished to end the war. Since returning to office in January, Trump has alternated between embracing Putin and criticising Zelensky for what he described as a lack of gratitude for US support. He has also become increasingly frustrated that his attempts to persuade Putin to halt the war, including a summit in Alaska, have not produced results, and he has recently imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Putin, who met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week, said the talks were complex but that he preferred to engage with Trumps plan rather than obstruct it. In letters sent on Friday to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple head Tim Cook, committee leaders singled out ICEBlock, an app previously used to monitor US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, saying apps hosted on their app stores risk jeopardising the safety of DHS personnel FBI agents and Secret Service Police officers patrol the Navy Yard neighbourhood, after US President Donald Trump's announcement to deploy the National Guard and federalise the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, US, August 12, 2025. File Image/Reuters The House Committee on Homeland Security has asked tech giants Google and Apple to list the steps they have taken to remove apps that allow users to track federal immigration officers. In letters sent on Friday to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple head Tim Cook, committee leaders singled out ICEBlock, an app previously used to monitor US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, saying apps hosted on their app stores risk jeopardising the safety of DHS personnel. Lawmakers requested a briefing by December 12. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The letters urged Google and Apple to ensure these apps cannot be used to target officers or obstruct lawful immigration enforcement. The committee noted that while free speech is protected, it does not extend to advocacy that incites imminent lawless action, referencing a landmark Supreme Court ruling. Google said in October that ICEBlock was never available in its Play Store, adding that similar apps tracking the movement of officials have been removed from the platform. Meanwhile, Apple also ensured that ICEBlock and related apps have been removed from the App Store. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the apps put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, while Apple cited violations of its policies against content that could harm individuals or groups. The removals followed a surge in downloads of ICEBlock, which had more than a million users before being pulled. The letters follow concerns that these tools allow users to anonymously report and track the movements of federal agents, including those from ICE and Customs and Border Protection. Trump administration officials had fiercely criticised the apps as endangering officers, particularly following a deadly shooting at an ICE facility in Texas in September. They argued that the suspected shooter had used such an app before he opened fire at the facility. With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trumps administration has moved to deny issuance of a visa for people whom it deems to have engaged in censoring the free speech of American citizens. Heres why it matters Amid the US's crackdown on immigration, reports are emerging that President Donald Trumps administration has moved to deny issuance of a visa for people whom it deems to have engaged in censoring the free speech of American citizens. The move is detailed in a State Department memo which was sent to overseas missions this week. It was first reported by Reuters and then by NPR. The memo in question directs consular officials to deny visas to any applicant responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the US. The order requires enhanced vetting of applicants to see if they have worked in areas that include activities such as misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance and online safety, among others, Reuters reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the report, the regulation would initially focus on applicants for H-1B visas, which are typically given to highly skilled foreign workers in the technology industry, among other sectors. However, it will apply to all visa applications. The Trump administration hardens its rule It is pertinent to note that the directive came months after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to bar entry to the US to anybody perceived to be suppressing the free speech essential to the American way of life. Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of travelling to our country. Whether in Latin America, Europe, or elsewhere, the days of passive treatment for those who work to undermine the rights of Americans are over, Rubio wrote in a post on X in May. Meanwhile, NPR reported that the memo was sent to US foreign stations on Tuesday and diplomatic officials were informed to turn down visa applications from anybody who worked on fact-checking, content moderation, or other activities the Trump administration considers censorship of Americans speech. The officials were told to scrutinise for evidence an applicants work history, including going through their LinkedIn profiles and other social media accounts, and looking for mentions in media articles of activities including combatting misinformation, disinformation or false narratives, content moderation, compliance, and trust and safety. If evidence emerges to indicate to a vetting officer that an individual was engaged in censorship activities, you should pursue a finding that the applicant is ineligible [for a visa], the memo stated. This is not the first restriction imposed by the Trump administration on the H-1B visas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In September, the president introduced a $100,000 fee for new applicants for the visa classification, a move analysts said at the time could stifle economic growth in the US and provoke a brain drain to other countries. In a statement to The Guardian, the State Department shared its position on the recent memo. While we do not comment on allegedly leaked documents, make no mistake, the Administration has made clear that it defends Americans freedom of expression against foreigners who wish to censor them. We do not support aliens coming to the US to work as censors muzzling Americans, a department spokesperson said. In the past, the President himself was the victim of this kind of abuse when social media companies locked his accounts. He does not want other Americans to suffer this way. Allowing foreigners to lead this type of censorship would both insult and injure the American people, it added. The United States has asked Europe to take over most of Natos conventional defence capabilities including intelligence and missile systems by 2027, Reuters reported, citing Pentagon officials who briefed diplomats in Washington this week. However, several European officials said the timeline was unrealistic. The United States wants Europe to take over most of Natos conventional defence capabilities from intelligence to missiles by 2027, Reuters reported, citing Pentagon officials who briefed diplomats in Washington this week. Several European officials viewed the timeline as unrealistic. The message, described by five people familiar with the discussion, including a US official, was conveyed during a meeting between Pentagon staff overseeing Nato policy and several European delegations. US dissatisfaction with Europes defence progress The shift in responsibility from the US to European Nato members would substantially alter how Washington works with its closest military partners. Pentagon officials indicated that Washington remained dissatisfied with Europes progress in strengthening its defence posture since Russias expanded invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, US officials warned that if Europe fails to meet the 2027 target, Washington may withdraw from some Nato defence coordination mechanisms. One US official added that some lawmakers on Capitol Hill were aware of the message and concerned about it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD No clarity on how progress would be measured Conventional defence capabilities include non-nuclear assets such as troops and weapons, but US officials did not specify how they would assess Europes progress in taking on most of the burden. It also remains unclear whether the 2027 deadline represents the Trump administrations formal stance or simply the view of some Pentagon officials, given the divisions in Washington over the US military role in Europe. European officials argued that the deadline was unrealistic under any assessment method, noting that Europe lacks the immediate capacity to replace several critical US capabilities. Europe faces capability gaps and production delays NATO allies continue to face production backlogs for military equipment. While the US has encouraged Europe to purchase more American systems, many highly sought-after weapons would take years to deliver if ordered today. In addition, Washington provides specialised intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that cannot be easily bought or replicated, and which have been crucial to Ukraines defence. A Nato official said European allies had already begun taking greater responsibility for the continents security but did not comment on the 2027 target. Allies have recognised the need to invest more in defence and shift the burden on conventional defence from the US to Europe, the official said. The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Europe boosts spending but faces ambitious targets European nations have broadly accepted President Donald Trumps call for them to assume more responsibility for their security and have pledged large increases in defence spending. The European Union aims to make the continent capable of defending itself by 2030 and says it must fill gaps in air defences, drones, cyber capabilities, munitions and other areas a timeline analysts still view as highly ambitious. WashingtonNato relationship remains uncertain The Trump administration has repeatedly argued that European allies must contribute more to NATO, although the presidents position on the alliance has often appeared inconsistent. During the 2024 campaign, Trump criticised European allies and said he would encourage President Vladimir Putin to attack NATO members that did not spend their share on defence. But at the NATO summit in June, he praised European leaders for adopting a US plan to raise the defence spending target to five percent of GDP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In recent months, Trump has shifted between a tougher line on Russia and an openness to negotiating with Moscow over the Ukraine conflict a process European officials say has often excluded them. At a meeting of Nato foreign ministers this week, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said it was obvious that European allies should assume responsibility for the continents defence. Successive US Administrations have been saying this in one form or another pretty much my whole life but our Administration means what it says, Landau wrote on X. The US Supreme Court is weighing a landmark case that could overturn a 90-year-old precedent on presidential removal powers, further expanding executive authority amid deepening debates over the unitary executive theory. For years, Chief Justice John Roberts has steered the Supreme Courts conservative bloc toward strengthening presidential authority, a shift that began well before Donald Trump returned to the White House. The court may push that trend further on Monday, when it hears a case asking the justices to overturn a 90-year-old precedent that restricts the presidents power to dismiss certain officials. The 1935 ruling, Humphreys Executor, has served as a long-standing limit on executive authority, but conservative justices have increasingly signalled their willingness to abandon it. Liberal Justice Elena Kagan remarked in September that the courts right-leaning majority seemed eager to dismantle the decision. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In practice, the court has already permitted Trump, early in his second term, to dismiss nearly every official he sought to remove despite the constraints laid out in Humphreys Executor, which bars presidents from firing the heads of independent agencies without cause. Among those ousted was Rebecca Slaughter of the Federal Trade Commission, whose removal is central to the case now before the court. Trump has also successfully pushed out officials from the National Labor Relations Board, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Only two officials have resisted attempts to unseat them: Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and Shira Perlmutter, the Library of Congresss top copyright officer. The court has hinted that the Fed may be treated differently from other independent bodies, and Trump has publicly pressed for Cooks removal over claims of mortgage fraud allegations she denies. For decades, conservatives who subscribe to the unitary executive theory have viewed Humphreys Executor as an obstacle to a stronger presidency. The upcoming case could give the court its most direct opportunity yet to dismantle that barrier. The decision ushered in an era of powerful independent federal agencies charged with regulating labor relations, employment discrimination, the air waves and much else. Proponents of the unitary executive theory have said the modern administrative state gets the Constitution all wrong: Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch answer to the president, and that includes the ability to fire their leaders at will. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in a 1988 dissent that has taken on mythical status among conservatives, this does not mean some of the executive power, but all of the executive power. Since 2010 and under Roberts leadership, the Supreme Court has steadily whittled away at laws restricting the presidents ability to fire people. In 2020, Roberts wrote for the court that the Presidents removal power is the rule, not the exception in a decision upholding Trumps firing of the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau despite job protections similar to those upheld in Humphreys case. In the 2024 immunity decision that spared Trump from being prosecuted for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, Roberts included the power to fire among the presidents conclusive and preclusive powers that Congress lacks the authority to restrict. But according to legal historians and even a prominent proponent of the originalism approach to interpreting the Constitution that is favored by conservatives, Roberts may be wrong about the history underpinning the unitary executive. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Both the text and the history of Article II are far more equivocal than the current Court has been suggesting, wrote Caleb Nelson, a University of Virginia law professor who once served as a law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas. Jane Manners, a Fordham University law professor, said she and other historians filed briefs with the court to provide history and context about the removal power in the countrys early years that also could lead the court to revise its views. Im not holding my breath, she said. Slaughters lawyers embrace the historians arguments, telling the court that limits on Trumps power are consistent with the Constitution and U.S. history. The Justice Department argues Trump can fire board members for any reason as he works to carry out his agenda and that the precedent should be tossed aside. Humphreys Executor was always egregiously wrong, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote. A second question in the case could affect Cook, the Fed governor. Even if a firing turns out to be illegal, the court wants to decide whether judges have the power to reinstate someone. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote earlier this year that fired employees who win in court can likely get back pay, but not reinstatement. That might affect Cooks ability to remain in her job. The justices have seemed wary about the economic uncertainty that might result if Trump can fire the leaders of the central bank. The court will hear separate arguments in January about whether Cook can remain in her job as her court case challenging her firing proceeds. With inputs from agencies News / National by Staff reporter WestProp Holdings Limited is positioning its upcoming retail development, The Mall of Zimbabwe, to become the country's largest commercial complex, with an estimated value of US$100 million. The project, which has been in planning for several years, is now gaining momentum as South African retail developer Exemplar REITail Limited moves to finalise leases and redesign an expanded blueprint. Groundbreaking is expected in early 2026.The Mall of Zimbabwe is projected to offer a peak gross lettable area of 90 000 square metres, making it a flagship one-stop destination for shopping, dining, business and leisure. Developers envision the complex as a modern lifestyle hub featuring local, regional and international brands under one roof.WestProp chief executive officer Ken Sharpe told businessdigest that the development will reshape Zimbabwe's retail landscape through scale, innovation and a comprehensive customer experience. He said the mall will introduce smart technologies, including digital navigation systems, energy-efficient infrastructure and advanced security solutions.According to Sharpe, the project will move beyond traditional retail by integrating leisure and interactive elements into the commercial space. Plans include large event areas, exhibition facilities and environmentally conscious architectural features designed to meet global sustainability standards. He believes the development will attract new brands to the Zimbabwean market, heighten competition and transform consumer expectations.The anticipated economic impact is significant. Sharpe said the construction phase alone is expected to generate thousands of jobs across engineering, skilled trade, project management and supply chain sectors, with knock-on effects for industries such as cement, steel production and transportation. Once the mall is operational, permanent employment opportunities are projected to arise in retail, hospitality, management, maintenance and security.With more than 150 tenants expected, the development is set to support thousands of direct jobs and additional indirect employment opportunities. Sharpe emphasised that the retail mix would be curated to balance global anchor tenants with regional players and emerging local enterprises, ensuring that the development supports both international competitiveness and domestic business growth.He said the design reflects a long-term commitment to community upliftment and inclusive economic participation, positioning The Mall of Zimbabwe as a benchmark for modern retail infrastructure in the country. The European Commission (EC) has issued a fine of 120 million (USD 140 million / INR 1,257 crore) to X social media for breaching its transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The EU accuses X of misleading users with the blue checkmark for verified accounts, without the company doing any sort of verification, the lack of transparency of its advertising repository, and the failure to provide access to public data for researchers. The EUs DSA is meant to establish a comprehensive set of rules for digital services, particularly for online platforms and search engines. It aims to create a safer, more predictable, and trustworthy online environment across the EUs single market. EUs accusations against the X platform After initiating the investigation against X in 2024, the EU has come up with this fine. Xs use of the blue checkmark for verified accounts deceives users, exposing its users to impersonation fraud and scams. 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, says the commission. Further, the commission accuses X of its advertisement repository failing to meet transparency requirements and lacking critical information, such as the content and topic of the advertisement, as well as the legal entity paying for it. It also cites excessive delays in processing ad repository access requests and not meeting the accessibility requirements of the DSA. The third accusation is that X prohibits independent access to its public data, including scraping by eligible researchers, and places unnecessary barriers. This undermines research into several systemic risks. Next Steps X now has 60 working days to inform the Commission of the specific measures it intends to take to end the infringement related to the blue checkmark and 90 working days to provide an action plan relating to the ad repository and access to public data for researchers. The Board of the DSA Act will have one month from the receipt of Xs action plan to give its opinion. After that, the Commission will have another month to give its final decision and set a reasonable implementation period. News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has warned that Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube's proposal to double gold royalties could backfire by stifling new investment and driving mining activity into illegal markets.The organisation, which represents small-scale miners responsible for more than 75% of the country's annual gold output, issued the warning in a letter directed to Ncube following the presentation of the 2026 national budget.Under the proposed changes, gold royalties will rise from 5% to 10% for all output sold above US$2,501 per ounce. Previously, this upper threshold largely affected major producers, but the new structure means small-scale miners would now also pay 10% of their earnings to the government. Ncube defended the move, arguing that Zimbabwe must capture greater value from historically high gold prices.ZMF, however, cautioned that the increased tax burden will make formal trading less attractive."New investment in exploration and mine development will stall," the federation said. "We project a dramatic increase in smuggling as miners seek better returns in neighbouring countries with lower fiscal impositions."The group added that pushing miners into the black market would ultimately deprive the state of foreign currency rather than increase it."As production shifts to illicit channels, official gold exports a critical source of foreign currency will decline, harming the country's balance of payments and exchange rate stability," ZMF warned.Zimbabwe has recorded a strong performance this year in mineral earnings, with gold revenues rising 88% to US$3.76 billion in the first 10 months, driven by record production and prices hovering near all-time highs above US$4,200 an ounce.If the royalty increase is enforced, miners argue, the sector could slow just as global prices are offering Zimbabwe one of its biggest economic lifelines. News / National by Staff reporter A Kwekwe man has been remanded in custody after he allegedly poured sulphuric acid on his wife's face during a domestic dispute, a case that has sparked outrage as Zimbabwe observes the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.Shakemore Manyepa, 30, appeared before the Kwekwe Magistrates Court following his arrest on November 26. According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Manyepa arrived home intoxicated at around 7.30pm before allegedly burning groceries he had purchased for his household."When his wife confronted him about the issue, the disagreement escalated and the offender allegedly poured sulphuric acid on his wife's face," the NPAZ said.The woman was rushed to hospital for emergency medical treatment, while neighbours reported the incident to the police, leading to Manyepa's arrest.The NPAZ used the case to highlight the urgent need to curb domestic violence, particularly during the international 16-day campaign dedicated to raising awareness on gender-based abuse."The NPAZ strongly urges communities to refrain from gender-based violence. We advocate for peaceful and legal resolution of conflicts," the prosecuting authority said.As authorities push for action against perpetrators and communities call for preventive measures, the case stands as another reminder of the growing threat of domestic violence and the need for stronger collective efforts to protect victims. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. News / National by Stephen Jakes The only remaining leadership of the People's Democratic Party comprising Tendai Biti, Jacob Mafume and Vince Musewe must simply do an honourable thing and join the ZimPF if they want their political existence to continue.This was said by Livingstone MasambaaZ who indicated that with Tendai Biti, Jacob Mafume and Vince Musewe being the only 3 members left in PDP, the only logical thing that the trio can do is to join the only formidable and fastest growing political outfit in the land ZimPF."It is uncouth and foolhardy for leaders of a political party whose members are only 3 power hungry politicians to talk about a coalition with political parties who boast of millions of supporters. The only 2 political parties that should talk about a coalition are MDC-T and Zim PF," he said."This is the same with the other 40-something 1-man political parties that are fooling, hoodwinking and misleading themselves that they are equal partners with MDC-T and Zim PF in a coalition arrangement involving the 2 political giants," he said. Contracts Contracts For Dec. 5, 2025 NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $1,141,213,934 modification (P00005) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target), undefinitized, advanced acquisition contract (N0001925C0070). This modification provides additional funding to previously awarded scope to procure long lead materials, parts, and components in support of 65 Lot 20 production aircraft and adds scope to procure long lead materials, parts, and components in support of 133 Lot 21 production aircraft for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, F-35 cooperative program partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed Fort Worth, Texas (59%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Orlando, Florida (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); San Diego, California (2%); and other various locations outside of the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed December 2030. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $188,000,000; fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $115,786,000; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $16,234,934; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $38,893,000; FMS customer funds in the amount of $556,600,000; and cooperative program partner funds in the amount of $225,700,000, will be obligated at the time of award, none of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Oregon, is awarded a $39,738,219 firm-fixed-price contract (N3220526C1201) for the 105-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry docking of Military Sealift Command's fleet ordinance and dry cargo vessel USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11). This contract includes a base work package and three unexercised options for additional work and time, which if exercised, would increase the cumulative value of this contract to $40,386,204. Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon, beginning Dec. 15, 2025, and is expected to be completed by Mar. 29, 2026. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $39,738,219 are obligated and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Governmentwide Point of Entry website and one offer was received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220526C1201). Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $36,387,610 cost-plus-award-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-24-C-2312) to exercise options for Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer follow yard support. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (98%); and other locations (less than 1% each and collectively totaling 2%), and is expected to be completed by November 2026. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,181,212 (61%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,811,828 (23%); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,822,397 (11%); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $768,258 (4%); and fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $176,002 (1%), will be obligated at time of award and no funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Cianbro Corp., Pittsfield, Maine is awarded an $18,383,080 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract (N62470-25-C-4000), exercising options for all work in connection with the shipside complex and shipside storage foundation. This award brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $99,375,171. Work will be performed in Kittery, Maine, and is expected to be completed by July 2027. Fiscal 2026 other procurement, (Navy) funds in the amount of $18,383,080 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Officer In Charge of Construction, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems, Nashua, New Hampshire, is awarded a $16,658,281 modification (P00007) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001924C0010). This modification adds scope to procure various special tooling and special test equipment in support of production and retrofit modifications for the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-U.S. Department of Defense participants. Work will be performed in Loveland, Colorado (96%); Billerica, Massachusetts (2%); Austin, Texas (1%); and Elkton, Maryland (1%), and is expected to be completed in June 2029. Fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,087,514; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $2,368,138; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $5,132,661; F-35 Cooperative Program Partner funds in the amount of $3,638,600; and FMS funds in the amount of $4,431,368 will be obligated at 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. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a cost type modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-18-C-2307) for shipyard infrastructure investments at the shipyards and supporting a distributed shipbuilding model. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by December 2033. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. ARMY BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $198,415,884 fixed-price-incentive modification (P00041) to contract W56HZV-23-C-0024 for a revision to the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles, supporting the purchase of 240 vehicles to prevent a break in production. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $2,479,580,090. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2028. Fiscal 2026 procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles, Army funds in the amount of $198,415,884 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Manson Construction Co., Seattle, Washington, was awarded a $23,143,411 firm-fixed-price contract for the fiscal 2025 maintenance dredging of the Oakland Inner and Outer Harbor to ensure navigational safety and operational efficiency. Work will be performed in Oakland, California, with an estimated completion date of April 26, 2026. Fiscal 2010 Corps of Engineers, Civil Construction funds in the amount of $23,143,411 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, is the contracting activity (W912P7-26-C-A006). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Meridian Medical Technologies LLC, St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a maximum $72,940,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for antidote treatment nerve agent auto-injector. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (c)(1), as stated in the Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a one-year base contract with two one-year option periods. The ordering period end date is Dec. 7, 2026. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DP-26-D-0001). CORRECTION: The contracts announced on Nov. 28, 2025, for Petroleum Traders Corp.,* Fort Wayne, Indiana (SPE605-26-D-8506, $70,134,920); Pinnacle Petroleum Inc.,* Huntington Beach, California (SPE605-26-D-8507, $59,083,584); Campbell Oil Co.,* Elizabethtown, North Carolina (SPE605-26-D-8502, $39,494,290); GLA Global Co.,* Chicago, Illinois (SPE605-26-D-8504, $21,301,706); Gresham Petroleum Co.,* Indianola, Mississippi (SPE605-26-D-8505, $17,737,742); Virginia Transport LLC,* Chicago, Illinois (SPE605-26-D-8513, $11,591,274); and Potter Oil & Tire Co. Inc.,* Aurora, North Carolina (SPE605-26-D-8508, $9,601,395), were announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is Dec. 4, 2025. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4351194/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address December 4, 2025 By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News Hegseth Hosts Swedish Counterpart at Pentagon Secretary of War Pete Hegseth welcomed Pal Jonson, Sweden's minister of defense, to the Pentagon today for a bilateral engagement. At the meeting's outset, both leaders spoke highly of the U.S. and Sweden's mutually beneficial military relationship, as well as the progress that Sweden has made since officially becoming a member of NATO, March 7, 2024. "The military relationship between the U.S. and Sweden, of course, is incredibly important; and we very much appreciate Sweden's increased leadership in defense and security issues in Europe ... as well as the rapid integration into NATO in just over a year," Hegseth told Jonson and his delegation. During his brief remarks, Jonson acknowledged U.S. support for Sweden's integration into the organization. "Thank you, also, for the support for us being integrated into NATO, because we really tried to hit the ground running by not coming into NATO just by consuming security, but actually producing security," Jonson explained. Jonson said Sweden aims to deliver security and hard power, making sure that the country can deter and defend "every inch of allied territory." Hegseth also praised Sweden and other NATO countries' commitment to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense by 2035. "Sweden has already led the charge and responded to this call for action to increase defense spending, which is quite meaningful to [the War Department] and President [Donald J.] Trump," Hegseth said. In addition to Sweden's strong progress with NATO, Hegseth and Jonson also discussed both countries' efforts to mutually ramp up their defense industrial bases. "I think it's going to be critical between our two countries that cooperation helps us build the strong forces, the hard power," Hegseth said. "That's what it comes down to: hard power needed to preserve peace," he continued. "I think, sir, that this is an area where we both punch above our weight," Jonson said, regarding defense production between the two countries. "Right now, we are at the stage where we need more defense. We need to scale up production. We need to transform economic clout into combat power as well," he continued, adding that he agrees there are many ways the U.S. and Sweden can work to mutually build up their defense industrial bases. Jonson had praise for Sweden's participation in the National Guard's State Partnership Program that began in 2024. In the program, the National Guard pairs up U.S. states with allied countries for military-to-military engagements in support of mutual defense security goals. "Working with your National Guard in the state of New York has exceeded even our expectations, and [it] has been very rewarding for us, as well," he said. Before ending the public portion of the bilateral exchange, both leaders shared pleasantries. "Mr. Secretary ... it's great to see you here at the Pentagon, and we look forward to our discussions," Jonson told Hegseth. "We're grateful to have you at the Pentagon; thanks for being here," Hegseth told Jonson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address December 5, 2025 Transcript Secretary Pete Hegseth Greets Swedish Minister of Defence Pal Jonson at the Pentagon SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: Minister Jonson, welcome to the Pentagon, your entire team. It's great to have you, great to see many of you again. The military relationship between the US and Sweden, of course, is incredibly important. And we very much appreciate Sweden's increased leadership in defense and security issues in Europe as well as the rapid integration into NATO in just over a year. Allies, as you know, have made a historic commitment at The Hague across NATO to spend five percent on defense by 2035. And Sweden has already led the charge and responded to this call for action to increase defense spending, which is quite meaningful to us and to President Trump. Sweden's support is vital to enabling Europe to take the primary responsibility for its conventional defense and your growing leadership in NATO. And we talked about this in the hallway and in previous meetings on force development and defense industrial production. I think it's going to be critical between our two countries. That cooperation helps us build the strong forces, the hard power because that's what it comes down to, hard power needed to preserve peace. So Mr. Minister, we've done a lot together. We're doing a lot together, a lot to do in the future with very little time to waste, so we're grateful to have you at the Pentagon. Thanks for being here. And as we say again here, Merry Christmas, to you and your entire team. Welcome. MINISTER PAL JONSON: Well, thank you so much, Secretary Hegseth, for the warm welcome. We of course met at several NATO ministerials, but it's also wonderful to have this bilateral as well. But let me start off also by expressing our condolences in regard to the targeted National Guardsmen last week shooting as well. So our sympathies are with you in this difficult time as well. And thank you also for acknowledging all the work that we're doing in Sweden on the defense efforts as well. As you know, we have tripled our defense budget in seven years and we've doubled it in four years as well. We actually have a broad political support for that, both the bipartisanship and we also have a strong domestic support for it. Let me also thank you also for the support for helping us integrate into NATO because we really tried to hit the ground running by not coming into NATO just by consuming security, but actually producing security. It was important for us to early on get the mechanized battalion to Latvia to get our Gripen fighter, doing the air policing over Poland, being the framework nation in Forward Land Forces Finland, having doing delivering security, delivering hard power and making sure that we can deter and defend every inch of allied territory. Let me also say a few words on our bilateral cooperation as well. I think one of the cornerstones that of course this agreement that we have and that's something we want to further develop as well on the Defense Cooperation Agreement. I think it enables us to deepen our cooperation. We have also been having very good experiences with the State Partnership program as well, working with your National Guard, in your case, that's been New York that has exceeded even our expectations. And we this has been very rewarding for us as well. And of course, our soldiers are exercising shoulder to shoulder in a number of different exercises as well, with your Marines and many others as well. Finally, let me just say a few words also on defense industrial collaboration because I think, sir, that this is an area where we both punch above our weight. Sweden produces platforms in all domains. Right now, we are at the stage where we need more defense. We need to scale up production. We need to transform economic clout into combat power as well. I think there's many things that our two countries can do together as well. Final point as well, we appreciate the PURL initiative. As you know, we contributed to the two of the PURL packages. We stand ready to do more. We get it. We get that this is the moment for Europe also to shoulder a larger responsibility for its own security and also to shoulder a larger responsibility for support to Ukraine. And if we can use the PURL and use your strong defense industrial base in order to do it, we stand ready to further expand that kind of cooperation. So once again, Mr. Secretary, great to see you. Great to see you here at the Pentagon and we look forward to our discussions. Thank you. SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: Look forward to, it as well. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4350810/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon - M1085A2 and M1078A2 Medium Tactical Vehicles NEWS | Dec. 5, 2025 Media/Public Contact: T_Outreach_PM@state.gov Transmittal No. 25-63 WASHINGTON, December 05, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Lebanon of M1085A2 and M1078A2 Medium Tactical Vehicles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $90.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress. The Government of Lebanon has requested to buy 5-ton M1085A2 Medium Tactical Vehicles (MTVs) without winch; 2.5-ton M1078A2 MTVs without winch; spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $90.5 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The proposed sale will improve Lebanon's capability to meet current and future threats by enabling Lebanese Armed Forces to rapidly engage and defeat perimeter security threats and readily employ counter and anti-terrorism measures. A highly mobile and medium tactical vehicle capability will enable additional military-to-military tactics and operational training between the United States and Lebanon. Lebanon will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Oshkosh Defense, located in Oshkosh, WI. 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 Lebanon. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denmark - Integrated Battle Command System with Indirect Fire Protection Capability NEWS | Dec. 5, 2025 Media/Public Contact: T_Outreach_PM@state.gov Transmittal No. 25-75 WASHINGTON, December 05, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Denmark of Integrated Battle Command System with Indirect Fire Protection Capability and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.0 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress. The Government of Denmark has requested to buy twenty-four (24) All Up Round Magazine (AUR-M); eight (8) Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 launchers; two (2) Sentinel A4 radars and Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS); two (2) IBCS Engagement Operations Centers; two (2) IBCS Integrated Collaborative Environments; and six (6) IBCS Integrated Fire Control Network relays. The following non-Major Defense Equipment items will also be included: reload vehicles; communications equipment, including, but not limited to, AN/PSN-13A Defense Advanced Global Positioning System receivers, AN/PYQ-10A Simple Key Loaders, AN/VRC-92F radio sets, RT-1523F receiver-transmitters, AN/TPX-61 interrogator set, AN/TPX-57A(V)1 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) devices, KG-250X Inline Network Encryptors, and KIV-77 encryptors; tools and test equipment; support equipment; generators; publications and technical documentation; training equipment, including the Air Defense Reconfigurable Trainer; spare and repair parts; personnel training; Technical Assistance Field Team support; U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services; Systems Integration and Checkout; field office support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $3.0 billion. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Denmark's capability to meet current and future threats and enhance its interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces. It will also enhance Denmark's medium and long-range ground-based air defense capability. Denmark will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be RTX Corporation, located in Arlington, VA; Lockheed-Martin, located in Syracuse, NY; Leidos Inc., located in Reston, VA; and Northrop Grumman, located in Falls Church, 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 require 9-14 U.S. Government and 12-17 contractor representatives to travel to Denmark for up to seven years for equipment fielding, system checkout, training, and technical and logistics support. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denmark - AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles NEWS | Dec. 5, 2025 Media/Public Contact: T_Outreach_PM@state.gov Transmittal No. 26-05 WASHINGTON, December 05, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Denmark of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $730 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress. The Government of Denmark has requested to buy two hundred (200) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and three (3) AIM-120-C8 AMRAAM guidance sections. The following non-major defense equipment items will also be included: AMRAAM control sections, containers, and support equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; weapons software and support equipment; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; transportation support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $730 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Denmark's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring it has modern and capable air-to-air munitions. This sale will further advance the already high level of Danish Air Force interoperability with U.S. Joint Forces and other regional and NATO forces. Denmark will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be 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. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Denmark. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Italy - Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range NEWS | Dec. 5, 2025 Media/Public Contact: T_Outreach_PM@state.gov Transmittal No. 26-11 WASHINGTON, December 05, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range and related equipment for an estimated cost of $301 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress. The Government of Italy has requested to buy one hundred (100) AGM-158B/B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range (JASSM-ER). The following non-MDE items will also be included: JASSM classified test equipment and containers; KGV-135A encryption devices; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; weapon system support and software; classified and unclassified software; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; transportation support; site surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $301 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Italy's capability to meet current and future threats by providing stand-off capability via advanced, long-range strike systems for employment on Italian fighter aircraft, including but not limited to F-35 aircraft. Italy will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, located in Orlando, FL. 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 Italy. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Opinion / National When Cyril Ramaphosa took over the presidency of South Africa in 2018, he pledged a "new dawn" of integrity, economic renewal, and responsive governance. The hope was that his leadership would end the era of state capture, restore public trust in institutions, and give ordinary South Africans a fair shot at prosperity. Seven years on, however, the record shows something very different: broken promises, growing corruption, economic stagnation, and repeated cases where political expediency trumped justice.One of the earliest stains under Ramaphosa - and a lasting symbol of failure - is the unresolved legacy of the Marikana Massacre. As a former director of mining firm Lonmin, Ramaphosa infamously called striking mineworkers "criminals" and backed what police described as "concomitant action." The result was a police massacre of 34 workers in August 2012 - the deadliest such killing in post-apartheid South Africa.Despite repeated calls for reckoning, Ramaphosa has never publicly apologized to the victims' families, and the state's silence on this tragedy suggests a troubling devaluation of working-class lives in favour of corporate and political interests.Then came the scandal known as Phala Phala Scandal - arguably the biggest test of Ramaphosa's integrity. In 2020, burglars stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign currency from Ramaphosa's private farm. Questions immediately surfaced: why was such large cash stored there, was it declared properly, and why did government institutions move so hesitantly to investigate?What unfolded was more than just a robbery - it exposed deep flaws in accountability. Institutions that should have held the president to account instead became shields. Investigations stalled, political pressure mounted on prosecutors, and ultimately the scandal fizzled without meaningful consequences - sending a message that the rules apply differently for the elite.If the Phala Phala affair stripped away the moral veneer, the mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis revealed the structural failures under Ramaphosa's watch. The government's nationwide lockdown was arguably among the strictest globally, shutting down entire sectors of the economy, destroying livelihoods, and leaving small businesses and informal workers destitute. Officially, massive relief funds - including billions in PPE procurement and social relief - were meant to cushion the blow. Yet corruption, fraud and misallocation proliferated. Despite the establishment of special auditing and investigative mechanisms, many of the funds remain unaccounted for, and prosecutions have been sluggish or non-existent.Rather than saving jobs and stabilizing the economy, the post-COVID fallout deepened inequality, unemployment and social despair.Economic mismanagement under Ramaphosa's watch cannot be ignored. Seven years after promising a prosperous "new dawn," South Africa remains mired in economic decline, high unemployment, chronic load-shedding and decaying public services.The energy crisis - once supposed to be resolved - persists; many businesses still struggle with power cuts, undermining productivity and discouraging investment. Critics argue that the president's failure to tackle structural problems in key sectors reflects a deeper unwillingness to challenge entrenched state-capture networks or confront powerful interests.Meanwhile, corruption remains as endemic as ever, if not more so. What began as grand promises to root out graft has devolved into repeated scandals and a pervasive culture of impunity. The disappearance or mis-use of COVID-19 relief funds, the construction-industry patronage, municipal collapse, and ongoing looting of public resources all indicate that Ramaphosa's anti-corruption narrative has failed to produce justice.As one recent critic put it, his "promises of integrity have failed to curb corruption in seven years."This erosion of trust is not just a political problem - it is a social and economic catastrophe. When institutions meant to protect citizens instead enable looting and concealment, democracy is weakened, and ordinary people suffer. Public services fail, jobs vanish, inequality deepens, and the promise of a country "for all" becomes a hollow slogan. As some analysts argue, the governing party has devolved from a liberation movement into what they call "a mafia organisation" - using its political muscle to shield insiders, redirect tenders, and silence accountability.It must be said: some of Ramaphosa's words - about reform, transparency and reconstruction - remain aspirational. There have been reform proposals, new legislation, and repeated pledges to build stronger institutions.But ambition and speeches mean little when the systems themselves remain broken, and when the leadership either lacks the will or the power to enforce honest governance.What South Africans must ask themselves is: seven years in, what has truly changed for the ordinary citizen? Is the energy crisis resolved? Are schools functioning? Are small businesses thriving again? Has corruption been tamed? Have the victims of state violence received justice?For many, the answer is a resounding no. The "new dawn" has failed to dawn. Instead, the country remains trapped in stagnation, inequality, and institutional decay - with a government that appears more interested in protecting itself than empowering its people.If Ramaphosa truly cares about the legacy he leaves behind, the time for rhetoric has passed. What South Africa - its citizens, its economy, and its democracy - needs now is accountability, justice, real reform, and leadership that puts the people before the powerful. AIRCOM-led F2T2 training supporting NATO's Eastern Sentry NATO Allied Air Command Dec 5 2025 RAMSTEIN, Germany -- On 4 December 2025, Allied forces from six NATO nations - Germany, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States - participated in a NATO-led find, fix, track, and target (F2T2) event in Poland, enhancing Allied integration and interoperability in support of NATO's newest enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA), Eastern Sentry. The multi-domain training mission, coordinated and led by NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), tested the Alliance's ability to operate in complex, contested environments. The aim of this training activity was to increase multi-domain air defences along the Eastern Flank, focusing on Poland and the Baltic nations, demonstrating Eastern Sentry's agile and adaptive nature. Eastern Sentry synchronizes all current deterrence and defence measures, such as this F2T2 and NATO's Air Policing mission, along with additional capabilities and national contributions, to ensure the protection and security of NATO territory. Rather than focusing solely on static deployments or patrol rotations, Eastern Sentry operates as a dynamic eVA that can reconfigure itself according to the threat. Its distributed posture allows forces to move fluidly across the eastern flank - from the Baltic States and Poland to the Black Sea region - maintaining constant situational awareness and decision superiority. Showcasing Eastern Sentry's operational readiness, F2T2 missions require succinct coordination with all warfighter domains - air, land, sea, cyber, and space - to ensure successful execution. F2T2 missions ensure NATO forces are ready to respond to any potential threat to the Alliance. In the condensed training environment of an F2T2, AIRCOM is able to scale activity to focus on the interoperability across systems, as well as standard Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), to ensure Alliance capability. This challenges the technical, the procedural, and the dynamic inputs from each contributing nation to the NATO command structure. At the core of this multi-domain training is a commitment to improving Allied operations. F2T2s are composed of all-volunteer Allied nations, contributing national assets in a problem-solving environment to collaborate, plan, and debrief. This requires a holistic understanding of the training environment from the operators on the ground supporting Command and Control (C2); to the distributed planners and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) professionals; to the airborne crews and ultimately the senior leaders making the decisions. Multi-domain integration of F2T2s offer opportunities to further improve readiness and the tactical proficiency of Allied forces. F2T2s test Allies' ability to execute distributed operations, while developing human interoperability. From the perspective of the operator, intense evaluation and collaborative scrutiny on details ensure progression of tactical execution. Learning from one another, participants in an F2T2 develop warfighting trust, identifying best practices and lessons that can be taken forward to the next F2T2 iteration. To accomplish mission tasks, this F2T2 saw UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons converge with Royal and U.S. Army ground units for the F2T2, demonstrating seamless multi-domain integration. The fighters were refueled by a UK RAF Voyager, providing flexibility and enabling sustained time on mission. NATO's Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) also provided airborne command and control (C2); cross-domain coordination; and communicated notional targets and locations to air and ground assets within strike capabilities. The Polish also provided on-the-ground tactical C2 during the F2T2. Allied land forces also provided simulated fires for the AIRCOM-led F2T2 mission, improving sensor-to-shooter collaboration and support. "Events such as this are a powerful reassurance to our Allies," said U.S. Brigadier General Kevin Jamieson, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations at AIRCOM. "They show that NATO forces can integrate rapidly and effectively, reinforcing our readiness and strengthening deterrence." The ability to deliver precision integrated multi-domain strike capabilities underscores the steadfast commitment of Eastern Sentry to protect NATO territory and populations on the Eastern Flank, safeguarding the airspace and supporting a stable security environment, deterring potential aggression and impingement on NATO airspace. Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Poggio Dart 25: Over 30 assets employed in a multi-domain environment enhancing interoperability, unity and strength NATO Allied Air Command Dec 5 2025 RAMSTEIN, Germany -- From November 24 to December 4, 2025, NATO's Exercise Poggio Dart 25 (PODA25) demonstrated the strength and solidarity of the NATO Alliance in the airspace over Italy. Hosted by the Italian Air Force and led by the Deployable Air Command and Control Center (DACCC) at Poggio Renatico, Italy, PODA25 is a key, wide-ranging exercise designed to test and strengthen the interoperability and operational readiness of Allied forces in air defence operations. Reflecting the multinational and multidomain commitment, the virtual and live training activities involved personnel and numerous assets from the Italian Armed Force, including F-35, EF-2000 and PA-200 Tornado fighter jets, C-130J transport aircraft and enablers such as the maritime patroller P72-A, air refueller KC-767A and Command and Control (Air C2) and ISR platform MQ-9A and E-550A CAEW from the Italian Air Force, along with F35 and AV-8B from Italian Navy and JTAC operators from Italian Army. Alongside with the Italian assets, F-16 fighter jets from the US Air Force based at Aviano in Italy and F-4 Phantom from the Turkish Air Force deployed at Istrana airbase, Italy. One of the primary goals was to train the full spectrum of personnel - including aircrew, technical staff, logistics specialists, planners, Legal Advisors, and Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) controllers - in all aspects critical to a successful NATO air defence mission. Major General Luca MAINERI, Commander of the DACCC, highlighted the strategic importance of the event: "With Exercise PODA25, the DACCC reinforces the capacity of NATO defence forces to act in unison in a modern and complex context, guaranteeing security and operational readiness in every scenario, demonstrating the Alliance's cohesion and efficiency in the field." PODA25 provided a crucial opportunity to implement the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, a priority for Allied Air Command. This was demonstrated via the logistical and technical re-deployment of the Deployable Air Defence Radar (DADR), a crucial mobile radar for integrated surveillance, to Cervia Air Base. The DADR's re-deployment - a key component of the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS) - provided a tangible demonstration of how the Alliance integrates and synchronizes operational and logistical activities among member nations. Following the deployment, the Deployable Air Operation Center (DAOC) led the planning phase, executing the complex operations required to produce the Air Tasking Order (ATO), which guid all participating units in the multi-domain environment. During the culminating "live" phase, participating teams and crews enhanced interoperability between NATO and national systems by exercising with real air missions, interceptions, and attack/defence simulations, all coordinated through robust C2 coordination between various national and Allied components. This effort included the NATO E-3A AWACS from NAEW at Geilenkirchen airbase in Germany, an integrated surveillance, command, and control platform that provided an accurate, real-time picture of the battlespace to air and ground commanders. The Deployable Air Control and Reporting System (DARS) played a fundamental role during these missions. The DARS, a fully deployable IAMD operational room, utilizes advanced tactical capabilities to integrate data from diverse sources. It interfaces seamlessly with numerous NATO and national assets, enabling the Alliance to tactically direct air missions, monitor airspace, and coordinate Allied air activities directly "in the field." Through the efficient and coordinated use of its deployable assets (DADR and DARS), the DACCC of Allied Air Command confirmed its capability to operate as an autonomous, fully interoperable Command and Control node, independent of fixed infrastructure. PODA25 successfully enhanced the unity and collective defence posture of the Alliance in the crucial domain of IAMD. Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exercise Cyber Coalition, NATO's flagship Cyber Defence exercise, concludes in Estonia NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Dec 5 2025 TALLINN, Estonia -- NATO Allies and partner cyber defenders gathered in Tallinn, Estonia from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4, 2025, to test their ability to protect networks and critical infrastructure against realistic and complex cyber threats. Exercise Cyber Coalition is NATO's flagship cyber defence exercise and one of the largest of its kind. This year, more than 1,300 cyber defenders from 29 NATO, 7 partner nations, Austria, Georgia, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Ukraine, the European Union, industry, and academia came together. "Cyber Coalition is a combination of a year-long process where nations come together to collaborate, communicate, and share how they would execute, deter, and defend against an adversary. There is no boundary in cyber it's worldwide. The better you can share and collaborate, the stronger and more resilient our collective defences become," said Commander Brian Caplan, the Exercise Director. The scenarios were deliberately challenging and realistic, designed to prepare cyber defenders for real-world incidents. Participants faced simulated attacks, as well as disruptions to NATO and Allied operations. The 2025 edition tested cyber defenders through seven complex scenarios, including attacks on critical national infrastructure, space-related cyber incidents, and "Ghost in the Backup''. Throughout the exercise, multiple threat actors conducted advanced and sophisticated cyber operations, targeting a NATO mission. These operations triggered coordination and collaboration among NATO and partner cyber defence teams, including through mechanisms such as the Virtual Cyber Incident Support Capability (VCISC). Cyber defence is a key component of many NATO exercises, and cyber-specific exercises like Cyber Coalition help improve NATO's and Allies' abilities to defend their networks and coordinate effectively in the event of a cyber incident. Cyber Coalition 2025 demonstrated the critical importance of teamwork and resilience in an increasingly interconnected and contested cyberspace. As cyber threats continue to grow in scale and sophistication, exercises like Cyber Coalition play a vital role in ensuring that NATO and its partners remain prepared to detect, deter, and defend against attacks in cyberspace. Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strengthening Civil-Military Cooperation, exercise ADIN 25 concludes in Italy NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Dec 5 2025 MOTTA DI LIVENZA, Italy -- More than 200 personnel from over 20 Allied and Partner Nations trained together from Nov. 24 to Dec. 5, 2025, to strengthen Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) capabilities in a multi-domain environment in northeast Italy. Exercise ADIN 25, conducted by the Multinational CIMIC Group (MNCG), merged different doctrines, planning cultures and operational perspectives into a shared CIMIC approach. It highlighted the distinctive role of MNCG within the Alliance, integrating both a Command Post phase and a field-based Live Exercise (LIVEX), offering a unique environment where doctrine, training and operational practice evolve together. The LIVEX saw Tactical CIMIC Teams on the ground across several municipalities in northeast Italy where CIMIC operators engaged with local administrations, institutional representatives and a variety of civilian stakeholders whose roles mirror those found in real operational theatres. These interactions enabled participants to experience first-hand how population needs, territorial vulnerabilities and local governance dynamics can influence military activity in complex, multi-domain scenarios. "ADIN 25 has demonstrated once again that multinational training is essential for readiness and interoperability. Working together planning, coordinating, and operating in close contact with the civil environment strengthens our collective ability to respond to the demands of modern operations," said MNCG Commander, Colonel Piero Furlane. This year's edition showcased the added value of a truly multinational framework. Operators from different backgrounds shared methods, compared approaches and built mutual trust, reinforcing the understanding that effective CIMIC action relies on cooperation as much as on technical expertise. Story by Multinational CIMIC Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Deputy Secretary General attends OSCE Ministerial Council NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 05 December 2025 On 4 December 2025, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska participated in the 32nd Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) held in Vienna, Austria, under the Finnish Chairpersonship in Office. The Deputy Secretary General used the opportunity to underline the importance of the NATO-OSCE partnership and emphasised the OSCE's long-held and valuable place in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture and the rules-based international order. She recalled that the values of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act marked a major turning point in the Cold War and still matter today. The current and future challenges to the security impacting the OSCE region and beyond stem from violations of those founding principles. "With its brutal war against Ukraine, as well as aggressive actions against its neighbours and other participating States, Russia has broken the commitments made in Helsinki 50 years ago", she said. The Deputy Secretary General highlighted "the importance of conventional arms control regimes. Ones that are respected. That reduce military risk, prevent misperceptions, build trust, and rebuild confidence." On the margins of the meeting, she met OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Tomoaki Shimada of Japan. She also briefed the Allied Bilateral Ambassadors in Austria on NATO's priorities following the Hague Summit, at a meeting organised by the NATO Contact Point Embassies, Bulgaria and Croatia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tanzania protests Press briefing notes Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 05 December 2025 From Spokespeople for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Seif Magango Location Nairobi Ahead of planned protests on Tanzania's Independence Day on 9 December, we remind the authorities of their obligation to ensure the rights to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. We urge the Government to instruct security forces to plan and implement their operations in a manner that allows Tanzanians to fully exercise these fundamental rights. Hundreds of people were reportedly killed and over 2,000 detained by security forces after protests broke out following general elections on 29 October. The Government has intensified a crackdown against opponents since the vote. On 3 December, police issued a blanket, nationwide ban on all Independence Day protests. We call for the lifting of such an overbroad, disproportionate step. We remind security forces they must refrain from using force to disperse non-violent assemblies and make every effort to de-escalate tensions. We recall again the requirements of international law in this area -- if unavoidable, any use of force, including less lethal weapons, must be restricted to the minimum extent necessary. Firearms should not be used to disperse any assembly and can only be used as a measure of last resort to counter an imminent threat of death or serious injury.. The commanders of the security forces have a responsibility to take measures ahead of any protests to ensure respect for these principles. 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. Security deployments have been increased in urban centres, warnings issued to businesses, restrictions imposed on fuel sales, and surveillance of digital communications expanded. Such measures risk inflaming public tension and significantly undermine the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and participation in public affairs. Five weeks after the election, the authorities have still not disclosed information on the number of people killed and the circumstances of their deaths, and on reports of enforced disappearances. The continued absence of transparent information risks further eroding public trust and heightening tensions at a critical moment. We call for the immediate and unconditional release all those arbitrarily detained. Our Office is aware of the Government's establishment of an investigation into the post-election violence. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk reminds the authorities such a probe must fully adhere to international standards of independence, impartiality, thoroughness, promptness and transparency, and provide robust protection against reprisals, intimidation, or arbitrary detention for all who engage with its work. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 5 December 2025 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. ** Guest Good afternoon and Happy Friday. In a short while, I will be joined by our guest who is the UNFPA, UN Population Fund, Palestine Representative,Nestor Owomuhangi. He will be joining us live from Gaza in a short time. ** Democratic Republic of the Congo/Rwanda I have a statement on regarding the official signing that took place yesterday in Washington, D.C. I can tell you that the Secretary-General welcomes the official signing yesterday in Washington of the Washington accords for peace and prosperity between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, under the facilitation of the United States of America. He commends President [Donald J.] Trump for his efforts and congratulates Presidents Felix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame on this important milestone. The Secretary-General underscores that these agreements represent a critical step towards restoring trust between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and in advancing efforts for lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Secretary-General also welcomes the significant progress made under both the Doha and the African Union-led processes. He urges all parties to honour the commitments they have undertaken, including the respect of a permanent ceasefire, as called for by Security Council resolution 2773 (2025). 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 wider region. ** Democratic Republic of the Congo On the humanitarian side, on the ground, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tell us that hostilities are continuing across South Kivu Province, resulting in more civilian deaths, injuries and displacement. Since 2 December, intense fighting, including the use of heavy weaponry and shelling, has been reported in several villages across the Territories of Uvira, Walungu, Kabare, Fizi and Kalehe. These attacks have damaged critical infrastructure and homes. Meanwhile, local health authorities in Walungu Territory say that at least 13 civilians have been admitted to hospital. Intense fighting and roadblocks have rendered unfortunately evacuations impossible, and that is preventing an unknown number of injured civilians from reaching the medical facilities they need for treatment. The violence has forced people to flee their homes, though the exact number cannot yet be determined. As of the end of October, there were 1.2 million people displaced in South Kivu. Between January and September of this year, we and our partners have provided food, shelter and protection and health services to 1.5 million people in South Kivu. We, yet again, reiterate our urgent call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect all civilians and civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian access must be granted to allow for life-saving assistance to reach those in need. ** Sudan A couple of grim updates from Sudan: Our colleagues at the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) today noted that drone strikes in Ghadeer locality, Kalogi, in South Kordofan, have reportedly killed more than 10 children aged between five and seven years old. That was inside a kindergarten. UNICEF stressed that the killing and maiming of children, and attacks on schools and hospitals are grave violations of children's rights. These strikes come amid a sharp deterioration in security across the Kordofan States since early November, driving up widespread displacement and deepening humanitarian needs. UNICEF says that medical services are collapsing, essential supplies are nearly exhausted and education is disrupted, leaving children without learning opportunities and in severe psychosocial distress. The UN Children's Fund continues to work with its partners to deliver life-saving support in Sudan, but the scale of needs far exceeds the resources. UNICEF calls on the international community to step up efforts to protect children and to provide urgent assistance. And today, we join our colleagues at the World Food Programme (WFP) in strongly condemning an attack on a WFP truck near the town of Hamra el Sheikh in North Darfur. That took place last night. That truck was part of a larger convoy of 39 trucks on route with vital food assistance to support hungry families who fled to Tawilah, in North Darfur, in search of food and safety. To give you a scale, WFP supports about 700,000 people in Tawilah with food support. The convoy was more than halfway through its 1,000-kilometre journey when the incident happened. This latest incident is the sixth serious attack on WFP trucks, assets and facilities in Sudan just in the past year. Eight humanitarians and partners were killed, and many more injured. This is, of course, unacceptable. There must be unimpeded access to reach the most vulnerable families in Darfur and all famine-stricken areas. Humanitarian staff and assets must never be a target. And the fact that we have to repeat that is a tragedy onto itself. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that insecurity continues to undermine aid operations and endanger lives. OCHA reiterates that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must always be protected and should never be a target. Between 26 November and 2 December, our partners monitoring population flows in Gaza recorded more than 20,500 movements, compared with over 17,000 movements in the preceding week. Over the past month, displacement has been driven mainly by heavy rainfall and flooding. Our partners who are managing displacement sites say that they can oversee less than a third of the known locations where displaced people are sheltering, and that is due to access constraints and lack of supplies. As a result, more than a million people at these sites are going without key support, including drainage of wastewater, as well as the construction and repair of community structures. Meanwhile, new waves of displacement were reported over the past week due to shifts in the yellow cement blocks marking the so-called "Yellow Line". We are also continuing to coordinate humanitarian missions within Gaza. OCHA tells us that on Wednesday, six out of seven such attempts were facilitated by Israeli authorities. Through these missions, humanitarian teams collected fuel, medical supplies, diapers, dignity and hygiene kits, soap, winter clothing and other essential items from the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings. Overall, between 26 November and Tuesday [2 December], humanitarian organizations coordinated 54 missions with the Israeli authorities of which 38 were facilitated, 7 were cancelled, 5 were impeded and 4 were outright denied. Turning to the West Bank, our humanitarian colleagues warn that Israeli forces' operations in northern areas are intensifying and triggering new displacement, movement restrictions, school closures and service disruptions in communities already affected by recurrent operations since 2025. Over 95,000 Palestinians were affected by expanded operations by Israeli forces in the northern areas in recent days, particularly in Jenin and Tubas governorates. This was due to Israeli forces' operations, curfews and other movement restrictions, displacement, damage or destruction of private property and public infrastructure, as well as school closures, with access to basic services disrupted. Meanwhile, settler attacks are continuing unabated. So far this year, OCHA has documented 1,680 attacks by Israeli settlers that caused casualties or property damage in more than 270 communities across the West Bank. That is an average of five incidents per day. Israel, as the occupying Power has a legal obligation to protect Palestinians and maintain public order and safety in the West Bank in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law. Any use of force by Israelis must follow internationally recognized law enforcement standards. ** Lebanon On Thursday afternoon, moving up to Lebanon, peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) observed a series of Israeli airstrikes in its area of operations in south Lebanon. This comes as the Lebanese Armed Forces continue operations to control unauthorized weapons and infrastructure in south Lebanon. These actions are clear violations of [Security Council resolution] 1701 (2006). We urge the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to use the liaison and coordination mechanisms available to them to settle these issues. Also, last night, peacekeepers on patrol were approached by six men on three mopeds near the Bint Jbeil area, with one man firing approximately three shots into the back of a UN vehicle. Thankfully, no one was hurt. As you know, attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable and serious violations of [resolution] 1701 (2006). We remind the Lebanese authorities of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers, and we demand a full and immediate investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Both parties must adhere to their commitments and obligations under [resolution] 1701 (2006) and to the understanding reached in November, if they are to safeguard the progress achieved so far. Over the past several days, UNIFIL peacekeepers discovered eight unauthorized weapons caches, consisting of rockets, mortars, anti-personnel mines, grenades, ammunition and small arms. All of that in several locations. Additionally, peacekeepers discovered two improvised explosive devices and plastic explosives and made four separate discoveries of unexploded ordnance. In all these cases, UNIFIL worked with the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure the safe destruction or removal of these hazards, which obviously pose a grave threat to civilians. ** Ukraine Turning to Ukraine, out colleagues at OCHA say that attacks and hostilities continue to kill and injure more civilians across the country. In the city of Kherson, strikes damaged energy infrastructure leaving more than 40,000 people without heating while night temperatures are getting close to zero. A local bakery in the city, supported by WFP was also hit by heavy shelling, injuring three bakery workers. Two delivery trucks were destroyed, and the bread facility was damaged. In Odessa, 60,000 people were left without electricity following strikes. Despite the challenges, we and our partners are supporting the response. This year, more than 1 million people in Ukraine received winter-related humanitarian assistance, including winter heating and warm clothes. We also continue to send humanitarian convoys to deliver aid to front-lines areas in Kherson, one of the most impacted front-lines areas amid the recent escalation of hostilities near the town of Lyman. And in Donetsk, national NGOs [non-governmental organizations], with the support of UN agencies, delivered emergency shelter materials and provided protection services to the residents of cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, impacted by the latest wave of attacks. ** South-East Asia Just an update on the typhoons in South [and South-East] Asia, and the floods and storms related to it. These have had a devastating impact on children's education. UNICEF's latest data shows that since late November, more than 4.1 million children in Viet Nam, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia have had their education disrupted due to climate-related disasters. For many children in the region, the disruptions were the second, third or even fourth time they've watched flood waters consume their classrooms. UNICEF continues to support local governments' response to make sure children can access support including safe water, health and nutrition. They are also calling for investment in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. ** Food Price Index This is the beginning of the month, so this is the time for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Food Price Index. FAO says today that world food commodity prices declined in November, led by lower international quotations for all major staple foods, except cereals. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 125.1 points in November, down 1.2 per cent from the revised October level. The index now has declined for three consecutive months, standing 2.1 per cent below its November 2024 level and 21.9 per cent lower than its peak in March 2022. The FAO Cereal Price Index increased slightly by 1.3 percent this month. ** International Volunteer Day A couple of interesting international days to flag for you. Today is the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development. In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General notes that in an era of political division and social isolation, volunteering offers a powerful way to forge connections and foster our shared humanity. He points out that this year's theme, "Every Contribution Matters", reminds us that everyone has something meaningful to offer, and that every cause, from hunger, to climate, to humanitarian action, benefits from the expertise and enthusiasm of volunteers. Today is also the day that marks the launch of the International Volunteer Year 2026. Over the next twelve months, he urges everyone, everywhere, to volunteer for a cause that matters to them. ** International Days And if that cause is soil, it is good for you, because it is World Soil Day. This day focuses on urban landscapes with the theme "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities". FAO points out more than that 95 per cent of our food comes from soils, but in the face of climate change and human activity, our soils are being degraded. And on Sunday, if you are taking a plane, it is a good thing, as well, because Sunday is International Civil Aviation Day, which aims to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness on the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States. I finished. Yes, Dezhi? ** Questions and Answers Question : First, a follow-up on the attack on WFP in Sudan. Is there any initial suggestion of who attacked the convoy? What about all those cases that happened in the past year? Spokesman : Listen, in some cases, people claim them. Obviously, WFP is not a criminal forensics agency. They're not able to... they don't have the mandate or the know-how to kind of trace it back. And frankly, you know, one sometimes has to restate the obvious: Humanitarian convoys should not be attacked. The truck that was attacked was in fact parked. It had been for some repairs, and it was attacked. And thank God, the driver was not killed and not seriously injured. Question : The envoy [sic] had 39 trucks? Spokesman : Convoy, yeah. Question : Yeah, the convoy. Sorry, the convoy had 39 trucks. How many trucks has been attacked? Just one? Spokesman : Yeah, just one. Question : Just one? Spokesman : Yeah. Question : So, what about the rest of other trucks? Have they continued? Spokesman : They will soon make their way. Question : They continue? Spokesman : Yeah. I don't know if they have, but I'm sure they will soon. Okay. Any other questions before we get our guests? Yes, madam? Question : Going back to Sudan, as the escalation is going up now, is there any recommendation to the Security Council to exercise any force or decision by force? Spokesman : Well, I mean, you know, the Security Council has debated Sudan numerous times. Resolutions have been passed. What's important is that the parties recognize and abide by these resolutions. And what's important is that the Security Council and others sent a clear message to the parties to stop the fighting and respect international law. Yes. Xuqian, please. Question : You have a date for the Secretary-General's end of year press conference? Spokesman : Yes. Because it will be in the beginning of the year. I think, we're aiming for probably the third week of January, but we're just trying to... he's agreed to do it. I'm sure he wants to do it. But we'll give you the exact schedule, but it will be in the New Year. Okay. Excellent. I hear no questions online. If we could put our guests up on the screen, please. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon: UN peacekeepers warn of 'clear violations' following latest Israeli airstrikes 5 December 2025 - Israeli airstrikes took place within the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon's (UNIFIL) area of operations, the mission said in a statement issued on Friday. The strikes come as the Lebanese Armed Forces continue operations to control unauthorised weapons and infrastructure in south Lebanon a year after a cessation of hostilities was announced in the country. "We urge the Israel Defense Forces to avail of the liaison and coordination mechanisms available to them," UNIFIL said. "We caution Lebanese actors against any reaction that could aggravate the situation further." Meanwhile, the Security Council is currently in Lebanon to meet with national authorities, after visiting Syria earlier this month. Violation of key agreement UNIFIL emphasized that Thursday's airstrikes are 'clear violations' of Security Council resolution 1701, which brought an end to hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in 2006. On Thursday night, peacekeepers on patrol were approached by six men on three mopeds near the district Bint Jbeil with one man firing approximately three shots into the back of the vehicle. No one was hurt. "Attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable and serious violations of resolution 1701," UNIFIL stressed and urged both parties to adhere to their commitments in order to safeguard the progress achieved so far. UNIFIL continues to monitor the situation in south Lebanon and to support both parties in their implementation of the agreement. Read our UN News explainer on Resolution 1701 here. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN hails DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal amid ongoing hostilities in the east By Vibhu Mishra 5 December 2025 - The United Nations on Friday welcomed a newly signed peace accord between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda as a "critical step" toward restoring trust, while warning that active fighting near border areas continue to exact a heavy toll on civilians. The Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity were officially signed the day before in Washington DC, facilitated by the United States. 'Important milestone' In a statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended US President Donald Trump for his efforts and congratulated Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda on what he called an "important milestone". "These agreements represent a critical step towards restoring trust between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and in advancing efforts for lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo," the UN chief said in a statement issued by his Spokesperson. He also welcomed progress under the Doha and African Union (AU)-led processes and urged all parties "to honour the commitments they have undertaken, including the respect of a permanent ceasefire," as called for by Security Council in resolution 2773 (2025). UN ready to support The Secretary-General reaffirmed that the United Nations - including its peacekeeping mission MONUSCO - stands ready to continue supporting all efforts toward sustainable peace and regional stability. Relations between the two neighbours have long been strained by conflict in the mineral-rich eastern DR Congo, where armed groups operate amid deep-seated regional rivalries. Earlier this year, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels launched new attacks in eastern DRC, occupying the region's largest cities, fuelling displacement and regional tensions before diplomacy regained momentum. Hostilities continue Yet even as leaders signed the accord abroad, violence flared on the ground, resulting in more civilian deaths, injuries and displacement. Since Tuesday, intense fighting - including the use of heavy weaponry and shelling - has been reported in several villages across Uvira, Walungu, Kabare, Fizi and Kalehe territories, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. "These attacks have damaged critical infrastructure and homes," he told reporters in New York. Local health authorities in Walungu reported that at least 13 civilians have been admitted to hospital. However, evacuations are currently impossible due to ongoing fighting and roadblocks, preventing an unknown number of injured from reaching medical facilities. Protect civilians "We, yet again, reiterate our urgent call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect all civilians and civilian infrastructure," Mr. Dujarric stressed. "Humanitarian access must be granted to allow for life-saving assistance to reach those in need," he added. As of the end of October, South Kivu was hosting some 1.2 million displaced people. Between January and September this year, UN agencies and partners provided food, shelter, protection and health services to 1.5 million people across the province. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Occupied Palestinian Territory Gaza: insecurity undermines humanitarian response, imperils civilians OCHA warns that insecurity continues to undermine aid operations and endanger civilian lives in the Gaza Strip. OCHA reiterates that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must always be protected and should never be a target. Between 26 November and Tuesday, partners monitoring population flows in Gaza recorded more than 20,500 movements, compared with over 17,000 the preceding week. Over the past month, displacement has been driven mainly by heavy rainfall and flooding. Partners helping manage displacement sites say that they are able to oversee less than a third of the known locations where displaced people are sheltering due to access constraints, security, and lack of supplies. As a result, more than a million people at these sites are going without key support - including drainage of wastewater, as well as the construction and repair of community structures. Meanwhile, new waves of displacement were reported over the past week due to shifts in the yellow cement blocks marking the so-called "Yellow Line." The UN also continues to coordinate humanitarian missions within Gaza. OCHA reports that on Wednesday, six out of seven such attempts were facilitated by Israeli authorities. Through these missions, humanitarian teams collected fuel, medical supplies, diapers, dignity and hygiene kits, soap, winter clothing, and other essential items from the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings. Overall, between 26 November and Tuesday, humanitarian organizations coordinated 54 missions with the Israeli authorities - of which 38 were facilitated, seven were cancelled, five were impeded, and four were denied. West Bank: operations by Israeli forces affect tens of thousands of Palestinians OCHA warns that Israeli forces' operations in northern areas of the West Bank are intensifying and triggering new displacement, movement restrictions, school closures, and service disruptions in communities already affected by recurrent operations since early 2025. Over 95,000 Palestinians were affected by expanded operations by Israeli forces in the northern areas between 25 November and Monday - particularly in Jenin and Tubas governorates - including due to curfew and other movement restrictions, displacement, damage or destruction of private property and public infrastructure, as well as school closures - with access to basic services disrupted. Settler attacks also continue unabated. So far this year, OCHA has documented 1,680 attacks by Israeli settlers that caused casualties or property damage in more than 270 communities across the West Bank - an average of five incidents per day. Israel as the occupying power has a legal obligation to protect Palestinians and maintain public order and safety in the West Bank in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law. Any use of force by Israeli forces must follow internationally recognized law enforcement standards. OCHA also reiterates the urgent need for concrete action by the international community, particularly by those with influence, to address settler violence and the rapid expansion of settlements and outposts, which continue to imperil Palestinians and increase humanitarian needs across the West Bank. Democratic Republic of the Congo Attacks cause civilian casualties in South Kivu OCHA says that hostilities continue unabated across South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, resulting in more civilian deaths, injuries and displacement. Since 2 December, intense fighting - including the use of heavy weaponry and shelling - has been reported in several villages across the territories of Uvira, Walungu, Kabare, Fizi and Kalehe. These attacks have damaged critical infrastructure and homes. Local civil society sources have reported that at least 20 civilians were reportedly killed on 2 December. Meanwhile, local health authorities in Walungu territory say that at least 13 civilians have been admitted to hospital. Intense fighting and roadblocks have rendered evacuations impossible, preventing an unknown number of injured civilians from reaching medical facilities. Thousands of residents who could not flee remain confined to their homes without access to food or basic supplies. The violence has forced people to flee their homes, though the exact number cannot yet be determined due to the volatile security situation. As of the end of October, there were 1.2 million displaced people in South Kivu. Between January and September of this year, the UN and its partners provided food, shelter and protection and health services to 1.5 million people in South Kivu.* Once again, OCHA urgently calls on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect all civilians and civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian access must be guaranteed to allow life-saving assistance to reach those in need. *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with urgent support. Ukraine Deadly hostilities damage civilian infrastructure, disrupt critical services OCHA reports that attacks and hostilities continue to kill and injure more civilians across Ukraine every day, while also damaging civilian infrastructure and disrupting critical services amid the cold weather. Between 3 December and this morning, authorities recorded more than 120 casualties, with 12 civilians - including two children - killed. In the city of Kherson, strikes damaged energy infrastructure, leaving more than 40,000 people without heating as nighttime temperatures near zero. In the city of Odesa, 60,000 people were left without electricity following strikes. Yesterday, a local bakery supported by the World Food Programme in the city of Kherson was hit by heavy shelling, injuring three bakery workers. Two delivery trucks were destroyed, and the bread facility was damaged. Despite the challenges, the UN and its partners continue to support the response. In 2025, they provided winter-related humanitarian assistance - including heating and warm clothing - to 1 million people in Ukraine. Humanitarians also continue to send aid convoys to deliver assistance to front-line communities in the Kherson region, one of the most affected front-lines areas amid the recent escalation of hostilities near the town of Lyman. In the Donetsk region, national NGOs - with the support of UN agencies - delivered emergency shelter materials and provided protection services to residents affected by the latest wave of attacks in the cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Posted on 5 December 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address